This quote seems to apply right now

"My life cannot implement in action the demands of all the people to whom my heart responds."

This little poem really describes the society in which we live.

Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As to be hated needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.

Alexander Pope, An Essay on Man (1733–1734), Epistle II, lines 217–20.

One of my favorite quotes:

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least [he] fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.

(Theodore Roosevelt, “Citizenship in a Republic,” address delivered at the Sorbonne, Paris, France, 23 April 1910; Presidential Addresses and State Papers and European Addresses, December 8, 1908, to June 7, 1910, vol. 8 of Presidential Addresses and State Papers, Homeward Bound edition (New York: Review of Reviews Co., 1910), 2191.)

A few of my thoughts:

The Sacrament

My object today is to teach what the sacrament is and it’s prominence in our worship. I have been tutored in this subject as I have listened to general conference and been taught by President Gulbrandsen. True it is that many of these words were first spoken by others but as Elder Bruce R McConkie stated they are now mine for the Holy Spirit has testified to me of their truthfulness; therefore, I have heard His voice and know His word. I pray that I will say only that which the Lord would have me say for I am on His errand.

As we study the sacrament it is instructive to review the scriptural background of the sacrament as well as historical documents. The sacrament was instituted in the Old World and in the New World and has been reinstituted in our day on the day the church was organized April 6, 1830

All Things Were Made Ready:

As you know the Savior just prior to entering the garden of Gethsemane gathered His Apostles around Him. He chose the occasion of the Passover to institute the sacrament.

the history of passover –

You will remember that the first Passover occurred when the children of Israel were in bondage to the Egyptians and Moses had been raised up to deliver them. Pharaoh would not let them go. The Lord sent plagues upon the Egyptians to convince Pharaoh to let the people go. The final plague sent was that on a certain night the first born of every household would die. The Lord prepared a way for the children of Israel to be spared from this tragedy. The Lord commanded them to take the blood of a male lamb without blemish and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood and commanded “none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.” The children of Israel did as the Lord commanded. That night the Lord smote all the first born in Egypt from Pharaoh’s house to the captive in the dungeon, but the obedient were passed over because of the blood of the lamb. (Exodus 12:5, 22-24)

Without the blood of the lamb, families would have endured a pain unimaginable even the loss of their first-born.

Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God slain for the sins of the world. By the shedding of His blood we have the opportunity to be cleansed of all our sins. His sacrifice is the great and last sacrifice – infinite and eternal.

The Lord would have it that the members of our ward paint symbolically the blood of the lamb on their lintels and side posts. We do this in our day via the sacrament.

What a fitting setting to institute the sacrament. (Matt 26:17-30)

In holy writ we learn that the Savior called his apostles to an upper room to keep the Passover and to institute the sacrament only after everything was made ready! (vs. 19)

We like wise should make ourselves ready to partake of the sacrament.

What is our approach to the sacrament? I will describe an approach that may be instructive.

Perhaps our preparation to partake of the sacrament should begin during the week as we prepare every needful thing so that we are not stressed and hurried on Sunday morning. For example clothes are pressed and made ready in advance of the Sabbath.

We arise Sunday morning well rested with a feeling a reverence in our hearts as we commune with God and study His word.

We prepare ourselves and our families to come to church with our vision fixed toward the sacrament and the spiritual bounty that can accompany this holy ordinance.

We are careful not to allow contention to enter our homes as we prepare.

We come dressed appropriately avoiding casual attire and footwear. Casual dress invites casual behavior. A casual attitude toward the sacrament is inconsistent with those who have covenanted to take upon themselves the name of Christ. Elder Oaks in his talk at general conference taught, “Our manner of dress indicates the degree to which we understand and honor the ordinance in which will participate.” (Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament, Ensign November 2008)

We realize that visiting and church business is done outside the chapel doors and that there are other times and places to give our tithes and offerings.

We take our seat in the chapel 7-10 minutes before the meeting begins remembering that the chapel is a Holy place, made so because it is where we bless and partake of the emblems of the Lord’s sacrifice.

Parents with young children will sit near the isles so that they can take fussy children into the foyer. Those of us without young children will watch for opportunities to offer Christ-like service, with love, to families that may need an extra hand.

As we sit in reverence in this holy place and enjoy appropriate prelude music. Our voices are subdued and conversation is minimal. There is no texting, cell phone conversations, or other inappropriate behavior conducted in the chapel as we focus on the Savior, realizing that our preparation to partake of the emblems of His sacrifice must be as solemn as was the Savior’s preparation to make the sacrifice.

As we look to the sacrament table prepared reverently in advance by Aaronic priesthood holders. We realize how the emblems of the sacrament under the white cloth on the sacrament table resemble a lifeless body underneath a shroud laying on an alter.

It is then brought to our remembrance that the body under the shroud is ours as we offer our whole souls to God. Since everything we have has come from God we realize that the only true sacrifice we can put on the alter as an offering to the Lord is our agency, our will, even a broken heart and a contrite spirit. When we have a broken heart and a contrite spirit we are willing to do something we don’t want to do, we are willing to consecrate ourselves, and all that we have and are to God and His kingdom. We approach the sacrament with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

As we prepare we are reminded of the covenants we have made at baptism and elsewhere which are now again made new to us as we partake of the emblems of the sacrament.

We ALL sing reverently the sacrament hymn and ponder these sacred words filled with meaning. The First Presidency has declared, “some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns” (Hymns, ix).

We realize the very purpose for which we have come to church and sacrament meeting is to partake of the sacrament. It can be highlight of our week and of our Sabbath day worship.

The sacrament is reverently prepared. Then one having authority, acting in the stead of Jesus Christ, kneels and petitions our Father in Heaven in the name of the Savior to bless and sanctify or make holy, the emblems of the Lord’s sacrifice to those who will partake. In the sacrament prayers we are reminded of covenants made, and given the opportunity to witness to God anew our willingness to keep them. In this way we have the opportunity each time we partake of the sacrament to renew or make new our covenants.

I will pause and return again to the scriptures:

The People Had a Personal Experience with the Symbols of the Sacrifice:

After His resurrection the Savior appeared to His people in the New World. Let me briefly review the setting.

Massive destruction had occurred, the people were enveloped with the deepest darkness imaginable, and heard a voice from heaven. From the voice they learned that those that had been spared were the more righteous part of the people. The Savior invited them to repent, be converted, and be healed. He invited them to come unto Him and promised them that He would receive them. He commanded them to offer up a sacrifice to Him of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. There was silence in the land for many hours then the voice of the Savior was heard inviting them to be gathered and protected as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings. The people mourned and wept until the darkness was dispelled after three days.

Some time later as they gathered to the temple they once again heard a voice from heaven, even God the Father, introducing the Savior Jesus Christ and saw Him descend until He was in their midst. He pronounced that He had done the will of the Father and had suffered for the sins of the world. The multitude fell to the earth for they remembered the prophecies. Christ then invited the multitude of 2500 to personally thrust their hands into His side and feel the prints of the nails in His hands and feet so that they would know that He is the God of Israel and the God of the whole earth and has been slain for the sins of the world.

“And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come. And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying: Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him.” (3Nephi 11:15-17)

After they had come unto Christ one by one and had a personal witness that He was their God and had been slain for their sins they acted very differently then before. When Christ first appeared they fell to the ground in fear or amazement, now they exclaimed – Hosanna – or save us now and came unto Him and worshiped Him.

What caused this change in their hearts? I believe that this change came about as each individual had a personal experience with the symbols of the Lord’s sacrifice, even as they thrust their hands into His side and felt the prints of the nails in His hands and feet. If each person took 10 seconds to do this it would have taken seven hours for the whole multitude to come forth. The Savior took the time to teach them one by one because He wanted them to witness for themselves, that He was their Savior and Redeemer.

So it is with us in our day, and while the Savior is not physically present, He has given to us through priesthood authority the symbols of His sacrifice even the emblems of the sacrament. He too, wants us to know in a personal way that He is our God and wants us to worship Him. We do this as we prepare for and participate appropriately and worthily of the sacrament each week.

As we say amen to the sacrament prayer we acknowledge that we will keep the covenant. We are then each given the opportunity to partake of the emblems of the Lord’s sacrifice as a witness to our Father in Heaven that we will keep the covenants.

We are reverent as the sacrament is administered with our thoughts centered on the Savior and His infinite and eternal sacrifice. We will realize that it is easy to be distracted from this ideal and as we anticipate these distractions we will be more successful at keeping our hearts and minds riveted on the Savior.

As we examine the ordinance of the sacrament and reflect upon our temple worship we recognize a pattern. One having authority is at an alter (in the case of the sacrament this is symbolized by the sacrament table) and representing the Savior he puts us under covenant. Then others having authority bring to each of us the symbols of that covenant. The gospel is truly beautifully simple and simply beautiful.

After Partaking of the Sacrament there is an Outpouring of the Spirit

As we look to the reinstitution of the sacrament in latter-days on April 6,1830 we are taught another powerful principle. The record states “Having opened the meeting by solemn prayer to our Heavenly Father, we proceeded, according to previous commandment, to call on our brethren to know whether they accepted us as their teachers in the things of the Kingdom of God, and whether they were satisfied that we should proceed and be organized as a Church according to said commandment which we had received. To these several propositions they consented by a unanimous vote.”

With the consent of those present, Joseph ordained Oliver an elder of the Church and Oliver ordained the Prophet an elder as they had been directed by the Lord. The sacrament was blessed and passed to the members present. Those who had been baptized were confirmed and given the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Prophet said “the Holy Ghost was poured out upon us to a very great degree—some prophesied, whilst we all praised the Lord, and rejoiced exceedingly.” (Our Heritage p. 14)

It was after the sacrament that the Holy Ghost was poured out among them.

Those who have exercised faith in the Lord Jesus Christ unto repentance are received unto baptism for the remission of sins. At that moment in time when we are most clean we are given the gift of the Holy Ghost. That moment is renewed each week as we partake of the sacrament appropriately. In this manner we retain a remission of our sins. We are sanctified or made Holy as we receive the Holy Ghost. The promise is, that if we keep the covenant we may always have His spirit to be with us. Elder Oaks taught,

“By participating weekly and appropriately in the ordinance of the sacrament we qualify for the promise that we will “always have his Spirit to be with [us]” (D&C 20:77). That Spirit is the foundation of our testimony. It testifies of the Father and the Son, brings all things to our remembrance, and leads us into truth. It is the compass to guide us on our path. This gift of the Holy Ghost, President Wilford Woodruff taught, “is the greatest gift that can be bestowed upon man” (Deseret Weekly, Apr. 6, 1889, 451).

The spirit is the foundation of our testimony and all we do in life. It is the centerpiece of the stake theme to Plead, Read, Act and Record. The Lord desires to speak to us, will we receive Him? The Savior is standing at the door of your heart, one of the ways we open the door is to appropriately partake of the sacrament.

It is my sincere desire that each member of the Kensington ward receive the spirit into their life. May we be like the five wise virgins who “received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—…” (D&C 45: 57)

Christ lived the ideal life, setting a perfect example for us, the closer we get to living a life like His the closer we get to coming to Christ. In like manner I have described a way to approach the sacrament, the closer we get to that ideal the closer we are to coming to Christ. I realize that my remarks are not all inclusive for the spirit will teach us all things that we should do and lead us into all truth.

We have much to change. It is possible to change. How many in our ward are being lost spiritually to the world because of how we are treating the sacrament. May we leave this meeting with a firm determination to be different. May we bind ourselves to act in all holiness before God, so that none will be lost and so that we can take the Holy Spirit to be our guide.

Christmas = Christ mass; Mass = Sacrament meeting. Celebrate Christmas every week as we partake of the sacrament. The message of Christmas is not just that He was born but that he lived and died for us and rose again on the third day with healing in His wings even making immortality and eternal life possible for us and all God’s children on conditions of repentance.

As we appropriately partake of the sacrament our hearts and minds will be turned to the Savior. At Christmas time we will not need to turn our hearts to the Savior because they will already with firmly riveted on our Redeemer.

Filling the Measure of Your Creation

Reference to Filling the Measure of Your Creation is made in D&C 49 and 88, in numerous Church articles and talks, and in the temple. What I believe this means is that we need to become what our Heavenly Father wants us to become. In his talk, The Challenge to Become, Elder Dallin H Oaks taught; “It is not… enough for us to be convinced of the gospel; we must act and think so that we are converted by it. In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something…” I believe that this is the essence of “Filling the Measure of Our Creation” – to become what our heavenly father wants us to become.

I think this theme fits wonderfully with this “Night of Excellence”. President Hinckley spoke of excellence when he taught,

“I speak of the need for a little more effort, a little more self-discipline, a little more consecrated effort in the direction of excellence in our lives. This is the great day of decision for each of us. For many it is the time of beginning something that will go on for as long as you live. I plead with you: don’t be a scrub! Rise to the high ground of spiritual, mental, and physical excellence. You can do it. You may not be a genius. You may be lacking in some skills. But so many of us can do better than we are now doing. We are members of this great Church whose influence is now felt over the world. We are people with a present and with a future. Don’t muff your opportunities. Be excellent…

Believe in yourself. Believe in your capacity to do great and good things....You are not destined to be a scrub. You are a child of God, of infinite capacity. — (President Gordon B. Hinckley, One Bright Shining Hope, p. 105.)

I know Heavenly Father loves you for as I sat pondering in the temple asking the Lord what you needed to hear there came into my mind these words:

Be Still and Know That I am God!

Win the Battle of the Mind!

Serve!

Come Unto Christ with a Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit!

It is my conviction that if you will live the Standards in “For the Strength of Youth” and do these four things you will “Fill the Measure of Your Creation”.

“Be Still and Know that I am God.” – (D&C 101:16)

Take time to receive personal revelation.

Moroni teaches us that the precursors to revelation are reading, remembering the mercies of God in our lives, pondering these things in your heart and praying with real intent. I promise that as you follow this formula as you make important decisions – you will receive the revelation you need to make good choices in your quest to become what Heavenly Father wants you to become.

Elder Jeffrey R Holland taught, “in matters of great consequence revelation is not likely to come unless you want it urgently, faithfully, humbly. Moroni calls it seeking “with real intent.” If you can seek that way and stay in that mode, not much that the adversary can counter with will dissuade you from a righteous path. You can hang on, whatever the assault and affliction, because you have paid the price for real conviction.”

Elder Neil L. Andersen encouraged members to “follow Christ's example and search for moments of spiritual rest. Slow down. Take time to pray, meditate and ponder. Observing the Sabbath is a vital step in "slowing down." Keeping the Sabbath Day holy helps keep one "unspotted from the world." Elder Andersen said the weekly sacrament ordinance is a highlight of the Sabbath and challenged members to find increased reverence before partaking the sacrament. Regular temple attendance is another way members can slow down.” (Church News Oct. 27, 2007)

Win the Battle of the Mind – “For As He Thinketh in His Heart, So is He.” (Psalms 23:7)

I want to tell you a true story:

On July 18, 1944 Arne Andersson set the world record in the mile at 4:01.6

That record stood for almost ten years.

By 1954 over 50 Medical Journals published articles saying it was humanly impossible to run the mile in under 4 Minutes.

A young medical student named Roger Bannister didn’t believe them.

He believed that if he trained his mind his body would follow.

He refused to limit his own potential.

He trained very unconventionally but consistently.

On May 6, 1954 Bannister ran the mile in 3:59.4 breaking the world record by 2.2 seconds.

Bannister only held the record for six weeks.

John Landy broke his record on June 21, 1954

Landy admitted that he was just as capable of breaking 4 minutes in the mile six weeks before Bannister as he was 6 weeks after, but he didn’t think it could be done.

After Bannister did the impossible, other long standing track and field records also began to fall as athletes reasoned that if Bannister could break the 4- minute mile then they could do great things too.

Hicham El Guerrouj is the world record holder for the mile (3:43.13) 1999

Control your thoughts. “If you think you can you’re right, if you think you can’t you’re still right.” (Henry Ford)

In speaking about women Elder Holland taught, “Be proud you are a woman. I want you to feel the reality of what that means, to know who you truly are. You are literally a spirit daughter of heavenly parents with a divine nature and an eternal destiny. That surpassing truth should be fixed deep in your soul and be fundamental to every decision you make as you grow into mature womanhood. There could never be a greater authentication of your dignity, your worth, your privileges, and your promise. Your Father in Heaven knows your name and knows your circumstance. He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, including your fears and frustrations. And He knows what you can become through faith in Him.

Because of this divine heritage you, along with all of your spiritual sisters and brothers, have full equality in His sight and are empowered through obedience to become a rightful heir in His eternal kingdom, an “[heir] of God, and joint-[heir] with Christ.”

In the restored light of the gospel of Jesus Christ,… a young woman, occupies a majesty all her own in the divine design of the Creator. You are, as Elder James E. Talmage once phrased it, “a sanctified investiture which none shall dare profane.”

Be a woman of Christ. Cherish your esteemed place in the sight of God. He needs you. This Church needs you. The world needs you. A woman’s abiding trust in God and unfailing devotion to things of the Spirit have always been an anchor when the wind and the waves of life were fiercest. I say to you what the Prophet Joseph said more than 150 years ago: “If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.”

Once you catch a vision of your eternal worth don’t retreat. The Apostle Paul counseled, “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.”

What Paul is saying is that the future is bright and the reward is great so don’t retreat, don’t lose your confidence. Don’t forget what has been revealed to you. Ponder your patriarchal blessing and realize that you too are bound to do great things if you can win the battle of the mind. Remember – if you think you can you’re right.

Seek Opportunities for Service motivated by Love for others and Love of God

While running the 1500 meters a runner named Ron Clarke crashed down after clipping another competitor’s heel, John Landy, who was very close behind, leaped desperately to clear his body. He didn’t quite manage that, his spikes landing on the inside of Clarke’s arm. Landy pulled up, and with other runners streaming past him, took the time to trot back to Clarke --- who was still on the ground --- and check how badly hurt he was. And yes, he also apologized.

Assured that the injury wasn’t too serious, Landy looked up, then did something that astonished most of the 22,000 spectators. With Clarke on his feet now, and urging him on, he began to chase a field of runners that had gone a long way past him.

He had about a lap and a half to go. And amazingly, he won the race. His act of chivalry had cost him perhaps up to seven seconds, and there is no doubt he sacrificed the chance of a world record. John Landy did not just win a championship that day. He took a footrace into folklore.

His was a classic sporting gesture. It was a senseless piece of chivalry --- but it will be remembered as one of the finest actions in the history of sport. In a nutshell, he sacrificed his chance of a world record to go to the aid of a fallen rival. And in pulling up, trotting back to Ron Clarke, muttering ‘Sorry’ and deciding to chase the field, he achieved much more than any world record …”

A lot of people wondered why he pulled up. The truth is, of course, that he didn’t think about it. It was the instinctive action of a man whose mate is in trouble. As we run the race of life let us take time to lift others.

Recently Bishop Richard C. Edgley first councilor in the Presiding Bishopric said, “what we have learned in this Church is the principle that we love one another, we take care of one another and we have this great opportunity to serve in a way that brings great joy, not just to the person receiving the service, but to ourselves.”

Pray for the ability to recognize opportunities to serve others daily. Daily service will help us put off the natural man. Sharing the Gospel is one of the greatest acts of service that we can do.

“Dedicated Latter-day Saints know they can expect to be displaced from their comfort zones again and again. They also know that this is not necessarily a bad thing. Often, it is the means by which the work of God's kingdom moves forward, that His children are blessed and served and that men and women grow individually.
 They come to understand that the insecurity that often attends such a challenge can be the kind that paralyzes or the kind that mobilizes, depending largely on the degree of courage one has. They learn also that having courage, in large measure, is a function of conscious will and effort. Thus, the words to one of our beloved hymns enjoin us, in times of trial, “Gird up your loins; fresh courage take”” ("Come, Come, Ye Saints," Hymns, no. 30). Church news editorial Oct 27, 2007

Having the courage to break out of our comfort zones to love and serve others is the More Excellent Way referred to by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:31 and all of Chapter 13.

I was touched by Elder Wirthlin’s talk in conference on love. But two sermons were preached during that address, one was spoken by Elder Wirthlin and the other was exemplified by Elder Nelson as he with both arms held up and steadied Elder Wirthlin, truly he showed us how to succor the ^weak, lift up hands which hung down, and strengthen ^feeble knees. I believe it took a lot of courage by Elder Nelson to do that. We should follow his example service motivated by love.

Come Unto Christ with a Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit

The prophet Lehi taught:

“Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah… “Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered” (2 Nephi 2:6–7).

Elder Bruce D. Porter taught in general conference, “Those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit are willing to do anything and everything that God asks of them, without resistance or resentment. We cease doing things our way and learn to do them God’s way instead. In such a condition of submissiveness, the Atonement can take effect and true repentance can occur… When we remember the Savior and His suffering, our hearts too will break in gratitude for the Anointed One.

When we sin and desire forgiveness, a broken heart and a contrite spirit mean to experience “godly sorrow [that] worketh repentance” (2 Corinthians 7:10). This comes when our desire to be cleansed from sin is so consuming that our hearts ache with sorrow and we yearn to feel at peace with our Father in Heaven.

When we have received a forgiveness of sins, a broken heart serves as a divine shield against temptation. Nephi prayed, “May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite!” (2 Nephi 4:32). When we yield our hearts to the Lord, the attractions of the world simply lose their luster.”

Elder in Holland in our recent stake conference said, “Remember God loves broken things - broken clouds to make rain, broken earth to grow grain, and broken grain to make bread. He loves and can fix all things broken. A broken heart and a contrite spirit is what he really loves. Please do not resist, if God helps you break your heart. It’s not malicious… Don't panic if something breaks even if it's your heart.”

In the words of a Hymn:

So trusting my all to thy tender care,


And knowing thou lovest me, 


I’ll do thy will with a heart sincere: 


I’ll be what you want me to be.

I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,


Over mountain or plain or sea;


I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord;


I’ll be what you want me to be.

(I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go, Hymn 270)

Recently Elder Dallin H. Oaks asked a congregation and I now ask you, “Are you active in the gospel, or just active in the Church? Those who are active in the gospel partake of the sacrament worthily and appropriately and receive the weekly cleansing that permits them to always have His Spirit to be with them to help them in the mighty change of heart that helps them become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.”