1. How can I feel and know that I have a personal relationship with the Savior?
- There is nothing more important than developing a relationship with the Savior. We do this by learning about Him and His attributes. We do this as we read the scriptures and look for His personality. We should read our scriptures every day - look up definitions of words we don't know, and even words we do know. Understanding the meanings of words will open up a new understanding of the scriptures. Read Alma 5 and answer all of the questions found in those verses.
- One common mistake we make is believing that if we ask for more faith, humility, or courage (for example), the Lord will give us a trial to help us develop those attributes. On the other hand, when we pray for strength to overcome a trial, or for more faith to strengthen our testimony, the Lord will bless us through the enabling power of the atonement. There are ministering angels on the other side of the veil who will help us to have more faith - especially as we seek them out and perform saving ordinances for them.
- The Bishop asked us directly, "If a new member or less active member came to church on any given Sunday, would we notice them, would we welcome them?" and "Can the Lord trust our ward with new and returning members?" The Lord has to be able to trust us before he will send more people to us. We need to become a more friendly people no matter where we are - at church, at the store, in the neighborhood. We should be more observant in our everyday interactions and notice people who may need a friend.
- The Bishop counseled us to seek out what "At-One-Ment" means. In our marriages we should be unified, and working toward the same goals. If we aren't sure that we're doing this, we need to discuss these things without spouse. Find out what each others goals are, and set unified goals together as a couple. Study the Atonement together.
- Any sin related to Chastity. The Bishop counseled us to review the temple recommend questions, and this would give us a good idea of things we may need to talk with him about. If we have any question about receiving a temple recommend, the Bishop would love for you to come see him.
- Here is a summary of the Temple recommend questions as outlined in the "Gospel Principles" manual:
Do you have faith in and a testimony of God, the Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost? Do you have a firm testimony of the restored gospel? Do you sustain the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the prophet, seer, and revelator? Do you recognize him as the only person on earth authorized to exercise all priesthood keys? Do you live the law of chastity? Are you a full-tithe payer? Do you keep the Word of Wisdom? Are you honest in your dealings with others? Do you strive to keep the covenants you have made, to attend your sacrament and priesthood meetings, and to keep your life in harmony with the laws and commandments of the gospel?
- The Bishop shared some personal advice from a first hand account of someone he knows that struggled with, and overcame, an eating disorder. She said, "Our bodies are an important and necessary part of Heavenly Father's plan. Having a body is essential for us to have an earthly experience to learn and grow, as well as to become like our Heavenly Father, who is a resurrected being reunited with his body. It is interesting and crucial, when trying to comprehend the importance of a body, to recognize that Satan's greatest punishment, when he was cast out of Heaven, was to NOT receive a body. At times I believe we don't really comprehend the importance that a body is to our eternal progression....but Satan does. It should be no surprise to us then that many of the tactics and strategies he uses to destroy us, center around the defilement of our bodies." She also said, "Too much of anything is not good, and Heavenly Father wants us to seek Him out when trying to find balance in all things. The problem with addictions is that any time you are obsessed or addicted to something (exercise, food, compulsive behavior, TV, drugs, pornography, social media, electronics, etc.) it weakens the control we have over ourselves, and we hand over our agency. Agency, along with our bodies, is another crucial aspect of Heavenly Father's plan. When the Savior stepped up and volunteered to atone for us, He did so so that we would have the gift of agency. When something, any kind of addiction or behavior, is taking away our ability to choose for ourselves, it is not of God."
- Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, " In a real through figurative sense, the book of life is the record of the acts of men as such record is written in their own bodies. It is the record engraven on the very bones, sinews, and flesh of the mortal body. That is, every thought, word, and deed has an affect on the human body; all these leave their marks, marks which can be read by Him who is Eternal as easily as the words in a book can be read. When the book of life is opened in the day of judgment (Rev 20:12-15), men's bodies will show what law they have lived. The Great Judge will then read the record of the book of their lives; the account of their obedience or disobedience will be written in their bodies."