It’s Gotta Be The Last Days
By Alan on Feb 12 in Blog tagged addictions, alchohol, beliefs, commandments, compass, drugs, Jesus Christ, laws of God, Lord, moral, Moses, movies, opposite, pornography, profanity, religion, right, sex, sin, society, standards, television, the Last Days, The Osmonds, troubled times, wrong | Comments Off
It’s Gotta Be The Last Days
“We have come to the earth in troubled times. The moral compass of the masses has gradually shifted to an “almost anything goes” position.
I’ve lived long enough to have witnessed much of the metamorphosis of society’s morals. Where once the standards of your religion and beliefs, and the standards of society were mostly compatible, now there is a wide chasm between us, and it’s growing ever wider.
Many movies and television shows portray behavior which is in direct opposition to the laws of God. Do not subject yourself to the innuendo and outright filth which are so often found there. The lyrics in much of today’s music fall in the same category. The profanity so prevalent around us today would never have been tolerated in the not-too-distant past.
Sadly, the Lord’s name is taken in vain over and over again. Recall with me the commandment—one of the ten—which the Lord revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” I am sorry that any of us is subjected to profane language, and I plead with you not to use it. I implore you not to say or to do anything of which you cannot be proud.
Stay completely away from pornography. Do not allow yourself to view it, ever. It has proven to be an addiction which is more than difficult to overcome. Avoid alcohol and tobacco or any other drugs, also addictions which you would be hard pressed to conquer.
What will protect you from the sin and evil around you?
I maintain that a strong testimony of our Savior and of His gospel will help see you through to safety.” Thomas S. Monson
“It’s Gotta Be The Last Days”
LISTEN: The Last Days
“It’s Gotta Be The Last Days”
“Nations take up their battle stations.
Patrons of zodiac revelations.
Lustations breaking family relations.
Litigation allowing shoot-up sensations.
That’s what they said
Some day it woiuld be.
Now just look around,
if that’s what we see…
It’s gotta be the Last Days.
Gotta be the Last Days.
People living lives of confusion.
Millions caught up in revolution.
Cities lost in their own pollution.
Question, what is the constitution?
That’s what they said
Some day it woiuld be.
Now just look around,
if that’s what we see…
It’s gotta be the Last Days.
Gotta be the Last Days.”
Written and Sung by: The Osmonds
© 1972
Scriptural Warnings:
“For their laws and their governments were established by the voice of the people, and they who chose evil were more numerous than they who chose good, therefore they were ripening with destruction, for the laws had become corrupted.” Helaman 5:2
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God”. 2 Timothy 3:1-4
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“I know of nothing in the history… of the world to compare with our present circumstances. Nothing happened in Sodom and Gomorrah which exceeds in wickedness and depravity that which surrounds us now. Words of profanity, vulgarity, and blasphemy are heard everywhere. Unspeakable wickedness and perversion were once hidden in dark places; now they are in the open, and even accorded legal protection. At Sodom and Gomorrah these things were localized. Now, they are spread across the world, and they are among us”.
Boyd K. Packer
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
For The Family
The Old Paths
By Alan on Jun 25 in Blog tagged America, army married, before having children, Bible, children behave, children polite, church, cursing, dad at work, dads worke, drugs, flag, God, Godly, hard work, husbands loving, moms cook, moms wer home, normal, old paths, sermons, sincere, truth, wives supportive | 1 Comment
THE OLD PATHS
I liked the old paths, when
Moms were at home.
Dads were at work.
Brothers went into the army.
And sisters got married BEFORE having children!
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Crime did not pay;
Hard work did;
And people knew the difference.
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Moms could cook;
Dads would work;
Children would behave.
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Husbands were loving;
Wives were supportive;
And children were polite.
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Women wore the jewelry;
And Men wore the pants.
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Women looked like ladies;
Men looked like gentlemen;
And children looked decent.
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People loved the truth,
And hated a lie.
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They came to church to get IN,
Not to get OUT!
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Hymns sounded Godly;
Sermons sounded helpful;
Rejoicing sounded normal;
And crying sounded sincere.
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Cursing was wicked;
Drugs were for illness.
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The flag was honored;
America was beautiful;
And God was welcome!
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We read the Bible in public;
Prayed in school;
And preached from house to house.
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To be called an American was worth dying for;
To be called an American was worth living for;
To be called a traitor was a shame!
I still like the old paths the best!
‘The Old Paths’ was written by a retired minister who lives In Tennessee .
Al Alerwick
For The Family
Reinventing Health Care
By Alan on Jan 14 in Blog tagged 100% pure, A to Z health Guide, Alan Osmond, Blendtec, chemicals, doterra, drugs, Essential Oils, grains, greenie, health problem, healthy, kale, nuts, organic foods, Osmond Network, prescriptions, red chard, reinventing health care, side effects, Spinach, Suzanne Osmond, the family forum, therapeutic, wholesale prices | Comments Off
Hello families and friends!
Over the years, especially with my M.S. challenges and raising eight sons with various health issues, Suzanne and I tried what doctors have told us and have taken many various prescriptions to make a difference for good in our health. Unfortunately, most of them just caused further problems and complications with Side Effects because they were Chemically constructed instead of being made from all natural products from“God’s Pharmacy“.
It’s like RE-INVENTING HEALTH CARE!
We searched around and started using organic and healthy foods with various brands of Essential Oils and liked them until we found a brand named doTERRA which are 100% PURE Therapeutic Essential Oils. They were so much more effective and one drop made such a big difference and saved us money without doctors and prescriptions! We signed up with doTERRA, as it is the only way to get them. These are available to you if you would like. We formed our own Osmond Network TEAM for ‘Strengthening The Family’ at http://doterratory.com and invite those who wish to try them or want to help others. For those who would like to make this a business and be a part of our Osmond Team, you can sign up and get them at WHOLESALE PRICES HERE !
Once you go there, you will ask yourself which oils or products do I need for your own health issues and how do you use them? I have created a link to: “A to Z Health Guide“ site so that when you for instance click “D” for Diabetes, it will show you which are the best oils to use and how to use them! Here it is: http://thefamily.com/?strengthen=the-body A link is also located at http://thefamily.com at the top on the red banner that says, “HEALTH PROBLEM?“.
Besides Essential Oils, we have found a great way to get healthy! Instead of eating hard to eat foods like Kale, Red Chard, Spinach, nuts and grains, and other hard to eat foods that are so healthy for you, why not DRINK THEM! I lost 30 pounds by drinking a GREENIE DRINK made from many of these healthy foods sweetened with fruits each morning. And, we also burned up a couple of brands of BLENDERS until we found BLENDTEC! Save your money by buying the Right One First! You can get them HERE!
So, if you want to be healthy, “You can BE what you want to BECOME if, you BECOME what you want to BE!” Try it NATURALLY! We hope you will try these and tell your family and friends about them! Join the Family Forum or send us an email to: staff@thefamily.com.
JOIN THE FAMILY FORUM and share with others The Way to help “Strengthen The Family”!
Alan Osmond
http://thefamily.forumco.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=729
The World Is A Dangerous Place – SIGNS OF THE TIMES
By Alan on Oct 18 in Blog tagged Albert Einstein, burnings, crooked, drout, drugs, earthquakes, Elders of Israel, etc., fighting, flood, flood of wickedness, hijacking, House of the Lord, kingdom of heaven, LDS, lying, Mormon, murder, no food, of the covenant, payola, prisoned, protesting, racisim, riots, sacred covenants, signs of the times, Stand In the Holy Place, starving, stealing, temple, the ark, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Last Days, The world is a dangerous place, tornado, Tsunami, war | 1 Comment
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“When you, therefore, shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, then you shall standin the holy place; whoso readeth let him understand.” Matt. 24: 15
“But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die.” D&C 45: 32
Where is The Holy Place?
“And in the daysof these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and thekingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” Dan. 2: 44
“And verily I say unto you, I give unto you a sign, that ye may know the time when these things shall be about to take place—that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion.” 3 Ne. 21: 1
In the day of Noah, there was a FLOOD of WATER.
What saved them was THE ARK!
Today we are living in a FLOOD of WICKEDNESS!
What will save us? THE ARK . . . OF THE COVENANT!
Temple, House of the Lord
Literally the house of the Lord. The Lord has always commanded his people to buildtemples, holy buildings in which worthy Saints perform sacred ceremonies and ordinances of the gospel for themselves and for the dead. The Lord visits his temples, and they are the most holy of all places of worship.
Scriptures Show How To Tell What Is Good Or Evil.
By Alan on Mar 26 in Blog tagged abortion, angels, discern, drugs, enticeth, escape, evil, fallen away, God inspired, Goo, Jesus Christ, llies, need help, persuadeth to do evil, pronography, righteousness, same sex, Satan, scriptures, suicide, temptation, tempts, the devil, the way | Comments Off
“But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.
For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.
But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him. Moro. 7: 13, 16-17
The spirit of the devil tempts mankind to do evil. Satan’s evil ways are vulgar substitutes with same sex marriage, pornography, drugs, violence, abortion, suicide, cheating lies and murder.
God did not allow these evils to trap us, control an addict us without ‘The Way’ to remove these sins. Every soul has a key antidote to remove evil habits, pornography and lustful desires. It is the Holy Priesthood of God given to man by the laying on of hands by one who has authority even from Jesus Christ , himself.
And thus we can plainly discern, that after a people have been once enlightened by the Spirit of God, and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never known these things. Alma 24: 30
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Cor. 10: 13
NEED HELP?
Beware Of Wolves In Sheep’s Clothing. (Update)
By Alan on Jan 30 in Blog tagged beware, dark, drugs, eyes, happiness, Jesus, light, sheep, warning, wise, wolf | Comments Off
Beware of the Evil behind the Smiling Eyes
As we increase our understanding and love for the Savior, His light will illuminate everything around us. We will then see evil for what it is.
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(Adapted from a great talk by Neil L. Anderson)
Families,
Across the world we see your goodness. I pray that you will feel that my words are personally for you, children of God, working hard to do what’s right.
I’d like to tell you of an experience of a faithful Latter-day Saint who is a good friend of mine. I’ll refer to him only as “my friend” for reasons you will understand.
Working as a special agent for the FBI, my friend investigated organized crime groups transporting illegal drugs into the United States.
On one occasion, he and another agent approached an apartment where they believed a known drug dealer was distributing cocaine. My friend describes what happened:
“We knocked on the door of the drug dealer. The suspect opened the door, and upon seeing us, tried to block our view. But it was too late; we could see the cocaine on his table.
“A man and a woman who were at the table immediately began removing the cocaine. We had to prevent them from destroying the evidence, so I quickly pushed the drug suspect who was blocking the door to the side. As I pushed him, my eyes met his. Strangely, he did not appear angry or afraid. He was smiling at me.
“His eyes and disarming smile gave me the impression that he was harmless, so I quickly left him and started to move toward the table. The suspect was now behind me. At that instant, I had the distinct, powerful impression come into my mind: ‘Beware of the evil behind the smiling eyes.’
“I immediately turned back toward the suspect. His hand was in his large front pocket. Instinctively I grabbed his hand and pulled it from his pocket. Only then did I see, clutched in his hand, the semiautomatic pistol ready to fire. A flurry of activity followed, and I disarmed the man.”
Later, in another case, the drug dealer was convicted of murder and boasted that he would have also killed my friend had he not turned around at that very moment.
I have often thought of the communication that came into his mind: “Beware of the evil behind the smiling eyes.” This is what I want to talk to you about tonight.
Let’s begin with what we know. Good comes from God; evil comes from the devil. They are not, however, equal forces that are fighting each other in the universe. At the head of all that is good is the Christ—He who is the Only Begotten of the Father, who created our world and numerous others. Our Redeemer is a resurrected and perfect being. I know He lives.
The devil, on the other hand, “persuadeth men to do evil.” “He [has] fallen from heaven, … [has] become miserable forever,” and now works “that all men might be miserable like unto himself.” He is a liar and a loser.
The power of the Savior and the power of the devil are not truly comparable. On this planet, however, evil has been allowed a position of influence to give us the chance to choose between good and evil. The scripture says: “God gave unto man that he should act for himself. [And] man could not act for himself … [unless] he was enticed by … one or the other.”
The choice between good and evil is at the very heart of our experience on earth. In the final review of our lives, it will not really matter if we were rich or poor, if we were athletic or not, if we had friends or were often forgotten.
We can work, study, laugh and have fun, dance, sing, and enjoy many different experiences. These are a wonderful part of life, but they are not central to why we are here. The opportunity to choose good over evil is precisely why we are here. 2 Nephi 10:23
Not one of us would say, “I want to choose evil.” We all want to choose the right. However, the choice of good over evil is not always easy, because evil frequently lurks behind smiling eyes. Listen to these warnings:
“Take heed … that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God.”
“Ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you.”
“Satan hath sought to deceive you, that he might overthrow you.”
The message is: Beware of the evil behind the smiling eyes!
I have known a few young men who began with every intention to stay firm in their loyalty to the Savior but who slipped from the path because they did not see the evil behind eyes that appeared quite harmless. They saw the fun, the pleasure, the acceptance, but they did not see the other consequences.
How, then, can we discern the evil behind something that doesn’t appear evil?
You already know the answers, but here are a few thoughts:
First, talk to your parents. Does that sound like a revolutionary idea? We fathers know we are far from perfect, but we love you, and along with your mothers, have a deep interest in your choosing the right.
Next, follow the prophet. These 15 men we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators are given divine power to see what we sometimes do not see. President Hinckley has given us clear and specific counsel about the evil behind the smiling eyes. And you have the inspired guidance in the booklet For the Strength of Youth. As you apply President Hinckley’s counsel, the Lord has promised that He “will disperse the powers of darkness from before you.” You will see the evil behind the smiling eyes, and its appeal will leave you.
Very importantly, let the Holy Ghost be your guide. The Lord has promised us that as we live righteously, the still, small voice will come into our mind and into our heart. You have felt this influence. You know this voice.
The gift of the Holy Ghost is a spiritual gift. It is sensitive and will not be associated with unworthiness. You cannot offend or ignore it one day and expect it to strengthen you the next day. But as you heed its promptings and remain righteous, it will grow stronger within you. The Holy Ghost warned my friend of physical danger; the Holy Ghost will also warn you of spiritual danger.
Finally, gain your own testimony of the Savior. Pray passionately. Read the Book of Mormon when no one is watching. Take time alone to think about who Jesus really is and how His life and sacrifice are important to you.
Remember the example of the young Joseph Smith. When he lit the candle at night to read the Bible, it was because he wanted to. When he went into the grove to pray, he went alone.
As we increase our understanding and love for the Savior, His light will illuminate everything around us. We then will see evil for what it is.
I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. Words cannot describe His greatness and glory, His majesty and magnificence. He appeared with His Father to the Prophet Joseph Smith. President Gordon B. Hinckley is the prophet of God today. Brethren, we hold His holy priesthood. As we remain worthy, we will be blessed to see the evil behind the smiling eyes. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
... and Turn the World Around!
. . . Become a Zion People!
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Kirk Matsen
For The Family
God’s Pharmacy – For Strengthening The Family.
By Alan Osmond on Jan 24 in Blog, Videos tagged beans, bone, brain, carrot, celery, doctor, drugs, earth, female, food, God, health, herbs, kidney, male, medical, natural, onion, organs, pharmacy, potato, vegetables | Comments Off
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God’s Pharmacy – presented by Dr. Christopher’s Herbal Legacy.
Like Father Like Sons. The Osmonds Second Generation.
By Alan on Jan 22 in Blog, Videos tagged alan, Alex, Apostle, ask advice, barbershop, big talks, Bob Hope, careful, choices, church, David, Douglas, drinking, drugs, feelings, fishing, future, Generation, group, growing up, harmony, home, interest, Jon, judgement, leadership, life, Like Father, Like son, listen, love, manhood, mentor, Michael, missionaries, music, Nathan, normal, Osmonds, parents, pornography, pray, relationship, role model, Russell Nelson, Scott, Second, sex, share, show, stage, Suzanne, time, troubled times, trust, Tyler, video, watch, work | 3 Comments
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What a responsibility it is to be a father of eights sons and growing up especially during these troubled times with them possibly wanting to pattern their lives and careers after my own, in show business. Such was the case of my sons, The Osmonds Second Generation.
Yes, we love music and our home was filled with it. Our boys actually stated singing on their own. Suzanne and I discovered one night after returning home from a night out together and found our sons watching old videos of me and my brothers singing barbershop harmony. The funny thing was they were singing right along with the video and singing in two part harmony as well! We both looked at each other and said, oh, oh!
The next day I sat my sons down and taught them a song in two part harmony. They did it! Soon, they were trying to sing in three parts and eventually, four parts! They sang at church and a few private parties and were invited to be on the Eugene Jelesnick Talent Showcase TV Show in Salt Lake City, Utah; the same show my brothers and I did when we were young! Bob Hope saw them, put them on his National TV Special and we have been chasing after them ever since!
While they were young, we gave them piano lessons and encouraged their interests in music but Suzanne and I also knew that they needed good educations and tried to keep their music as a hobby. While maintaining somewhat normal lives and going to school, they had great opportunities and success especially in England with four top twenty hit songs with videos.
Soon, it was time for Michael, the oldest, to serve as a missionary for our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which he chose to do and left the group to serve for two years in Denmark speaking Danish. When it was time, Nathan also did the same and went to Chile. Doug went to South Africa, David to Spain. Scott served in Paraguay and Jon went to to Brazil. Alex served stateside in Atlanta, Georgia and our youngest, Tyler, is yet to be seen.
When our boys returned from their mission calls they went to college and majored in various areas of business yet became very good at entertaining with a love for music. Suzanne and I had both encouraged them to get “Real Jobs” by getting a good education, and most of them did. Still, some have pursued music careers and we now see their talent and love for music showing up n their own children!
I realize how important it is for fathers to “set the stage” of life for your children to follow as they may become like you. 
Fathers and sons can play a critical role in helping each other become the best that they can be. As we sit shoulder to shoulder in worshiping our Lord at church as priesthood holders or ‘Side by Side’ singing together on stage, we realize that we with our families can also become part of an eternal family of God.
M. Russell Nelson, a friend and an Apostle of our church reminds us that, ”Father and sons need to talk together and possibly work together as there is no other relationship quite like that which can and should exist between a boy and his dad. It can be one of the most nurturing, joyful relationships in life, one that can have profound impact on who boys become and also who dads become. We are all on a journey with Dads a little further down the road, but none of us has yet arrived at our final destination. We are all in the process of becoming who we will one day be. Fathers and sons can play a critical role in helping each other become the best that they can be.
I know that father-son relationships are never perfect, but it is possible if you will put forth the effort to make it happen.
Young men, you are your father’s pride and joy. In you they see a promising future and their hope for a better, improved version of themselves. Your accomplishments are a joy to them. Your worries and problems are their worries and problems.
Fathers, you are the primary model of manhood for your sons. You are their most meaningful mentor, and believe it or not, you are their hero in countless ways. Your words and your example are a great influence on them.”
I appreciate what Brother Nelson says, “I believe that by doing these three simple things you can make your relationship with your father even better than it is right now.
First, trust your father. He is not perfect, but he loves you and would never do anything he didn’t think was in your best interest. So talk to him. Share your thoughts and feelings, your dreams and your fears. The more he knows about your life, the better chance he has to understand your concerns and to give you good counsel. When you put your trust in your dad, he will feel the responsibility of that trust and try harder than ever to understand and to help. As your father, he is entitled to inspiration on your behalf. His advice to you will be the heartfelt expressions of someone who knows and loves you. Your dad wants more than anything for you to be happy and successful, so why would you not want to trust someone like that? Boys, trust your dad.
Second, take an interest in your father’s life. Ask about his job, his interests, his goals. How did he decide to do the work that he does? What was he like when he was your age? How did he meet your mother? And as you learn more about him, you may find that his experiences help you to better understand why he responds the way that he does. Watch your dad. Watch how he treats your mother. Watch how he performs his Church callings. Watch how he interacts with other people. You will be surprised what you learn about him just by watching him and listening to him. Think about what you don’t know about him and find out. Your love, admiration, and understanding will increase by what you learn. Boys, be interested in your dad’s life.
My Father and brother Wayne.
And third, ask your father for advice. Let’s be honest: he is probably going to give you his advice whether you ask for it or not, but it just works so much better when you ask! Ask for his advice on Church activity, on classes, on friends, on school, on dating, on sports or other hobbies. Ask for his counsel on your Church assignments, on preparing for your mission, on decisions or choices you have to make. Nothing shows respect for another person as much as asking for his advice, because what you are really saying when you ask for advice is, “I appreciate what you know and the experiences you have had, and I value your ideas and suggestions.” Those are nice things for a father to hear from his son.
In my experience, fathers who are asked for advice try harder to give good, sound, useful counsel. By asking your father for advice, you not only receive the benefit of his input, but you also provide him with a little extra motivation to strive to be a better father and a better man. He will think more carefully about whatever it is that he advises, and he will work harder to “walk the talk.” Young men, ask your dad for advice!
OK, fathers, now it’s your turn. Let’s talk about some things you can do to enhance your relationship with your sons. You will notice that there is some linkage between the three suggestions I am going to give you and the suggestions I just gave your sons. That isn’t coincidental.
First, fathers, listen to your sons—really listen to them. Ask the right kind of questions, and listen to what your sons have to say each time you have a few minutes together. You need to know—not to guess but to know—what is going on in your son’s life. Don’t assume that you know how he feels just because you were young once. Your sons live in a very different world from the one in which you grew up. As they share with you what’s going on, you will have to listen very carefully and without being judgmental in order to understand what they are thinking and experiencing.
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Father often took us fishing. Alan, Merrill, Wayne.
Find your own best way to connect. Some fathers like to take their sons fishing or to a sporting event. Others like to go on a quiet drive or work side by side in the yard. Some find their sons enjoy conversations at night just before going to bed. Do whatever works best for you. A one-on-one relationship should be a routine part of your stewardship with your sons. Every father needs at least one focused, quality conversation with his sons every month during which they talk about specific things such as school, friends, feelings, video games, text messaging, worthiness, faith, and testimony. Where or when this happens isn’t nearly as important as the fact that it happens.
Father taught us to work but listened.
And oh, how fathers need to listen. Remember, conversation where you do 90 percent of the talking is not a conversation. Use the word “feel” as often as you comfortably can in your discussions with your sons. Ask: “How do you feel about what you’re learning in that class?” “How do you feel about what your friend said?” “How do you feel about your priesthood and the Church?”
Don’t think you have to try to fix everything or solve everything during these visits. Most of the time, the best thing you can do is just listen. Fathers who listen more than they talk find that their sons share more about what is really going on in their lives. Dads, listen to your sons.
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Second, pray with and for your sons. Give them priesthood blessings. A son who is worried about a big exam or a special event will surely benefit from a father’s priesthood blessing. Occasions like the start of a new school year, a birthday, or as he begins to date may be opportune times to call upon the Lord to bless your son. One-on-one prayer and the sharing of testimonies can draw you closer to each other as well as closer to the Lord.
I am mindful that many of you fathers suffer heartache over sons who have strayed and are being captured by the world, just as Alma and Mosiah worried about their sons. Continue to do all you can to maintain strong family relationships. Never give up, even when fervent prayer in their behalf is all you can do. These precious sons of yours are your sons forever! Fathers, pray with and bless your sons. 
Third, dare to have the “big talks” with your sons. You know what I mean: talks about drugs and drinking, about the dangers of today’s media—the Internet, cyber technologies, and pornography—and about priesthood worthiness, respect for girls, and moral cleanliness. While these should not be the only subjects you talk about with your sons, please don’t shy away from them. Your boys need your counsel, guidance, and input on these subjects. As you talk about these very important matters, you will find that the trust between you will flourish.
I am especially concerned that we communicate openly and clearly with our sons about sexual matters. Your sons are growing up in a world that openly embraces and flaunts early, casual, and thoughtless promiscuity. Your sons simply cannot avoid the blatant sexual imagery, messages, and enticements that are all around them. Fathers and Church leaders need to have open and frequent discussions that teach and clarify how young men of the priesthood handle this issue. Be positive about how wonderful and beautiful physical intimacy can be when it happens within the bounds the Lord has set, including temple covenants and commitments of eternal marriage. Studies show that the biggest deterrent to casual sexual activity is a wholesome attitude that connects such personal relationships with genuine commitment and mature love. Fathers, if you have not had this “big talk” with your sons, please do so, and do it soon.
And fathers, the three suggestions I made to you moments ago absolutely apply to your relationships with your returned missionary sons. Listen to them, and connect with them in regular, focused conversation. Talk with them in depth about their feelings and desires. Pray with them, and give them blessings as they face the important decisions in their future.
Alex at Temple Leaving on Mission.
Elder Ballard says to young men like mine who are returned missionaries to 
“trust your father. You can be closer to him now than ever before regardless of what your relationship was like before your mission. During the next few years, you will make the most important decisions of your life. Along with prayer to your Heavenly Father, advice from your earthly father can help you make those decisions concerning your education, career choice, and marriage. The most important decision you will make in this life is the decision to marry the right girl in the temple! While no one should rush this significant decision, all returned missionaries should be working on it. Be where you can meet the right kind of friends. And go on dates. Hanging out is not the way, nor is it enough! Courting seems to be a lost art. Rediscover it. It really works! Ask your fathers—they know! Do not drift to the ways of the world. Rather, maintain the dignity and the Spirit you enjoyed on your mission. The Church will need your leadership in the future.”
(Alan, My Father George, My son Scott – 3 generations)
I have never been a father before. I have watched my father while growing up and how he handled problems, made decisions, and handled situations as I grew older. With my eight sons, I have often tried to remember those times and have applied it to my own sons. I remind them that this life is a time to make choices; that those choices that we made in heaven before we came here determined where we are in this life. And, the choices we make here will decide which mansion in heaven we go to after we die and return to our Heavenly parents. I cannot tell them who to love. I cannot tell them what you should do for a living. But what I can do is show continual love and support and be there to catch them should they fall.
We need to make our homes a place of refuge from the storm, which is increasing in intensity all about us. Even if the smallest openings are left unattended, negative influences can penetrate the very walls of our homes.
Alan Osmond
For the Family
M. Russell Ballard
A Talk from General Conference
Quit The Church?
By Alan on Jan 09 in Blog tagged abstinence, alan, another, call, church, degrees, doctrine, drugs, Elias, Father, flory, gathering, God, good-bye, Israel, Jesus, jews, knowledge, latter-day, LDS, leave, life, Malachi, member, Mission, missionary, Mormon, Moses, mother, Nazareth, newspaper, Osmond, Palestine, Paul, prophet, quit, restoration, saints, salvation, service, temple, ten tribes, tithing, wisdom, worker, youth | 2 Comments
As a member of the LDS Church, or its real name, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints…I share this email that a friend ‘Ollie’ sent me with a smile on my face!
Quit the Church?
In a local newspaper there had been an ongoing series of articles written by
individuals who wanted to persuade LDS Church members to leave the Church.
In response to the highly critical and spirited remarks, a local member wrote this rebuttal:
Editor:
I have been thinking of quitting the Mormon Church. Yes, if I can, I am
going to get even with that church. As soon as I can find another church
that teaches about the Gathering of the House of Israel; the return of the
Ten Tribes and their mission; the return of the Jews to Palestine and why,
and how they are going to build the temple; the building of temples and what
to do with them; the mission of Elias, the prophet, as predicted by
Malachi; the method for the salvation of the people that died at the time of
Noah in the flood; the origin of the American Indian; the complete
explanation of why Jesus of Nazareth had to have a mortal mother but not a
mortal father; the explanation of the three degrees of glory (three heavens)
as mentioned by Paul; the complete explanation of why Elias and Moses did
not die but had to be translated (since they both lived before the
resurrection was introduced by Christ); the restoration of the gospel by
modern revelation as promised by Peter and Paul and Jesus himself; the
belief in eternal marriage and the family, and the knowledge and the place
to seal for eternity; that teaches abstinence from all harmful drugs and
foods ; and that sells the best fire insurance policy on earth, for the
last days, for only a 10th of my income.
Yes sir, as soon as I can find another church that teaches all that, or
even half as much, I will say good-bye to this Mormon Church. The church
that I am looking for must also be able to motivate 50,000+ youth, and
adults, for the first, second or third time, to leave their homes for two
years at their own expense and go to far-away places to teach and preach
without salary. It must be able to call, on a frosty day, some 5 or 6
thousand professors, students, lawyers, doctors, judges, policemen,
businessmen, housewives and children to go and pick apples at 6 am. It must
be able to call meetings and get the attention for two hours of more than
150,000 men. Yes, it must also teach and show why salvation is assured for
children who die before eight years of age.
Mr. Editor, could you help me find a church that teaches all that and more
than hundreds of other doctrines and principles, which I have no room to
mention here, and which brings solace and comfort to the soul; peace,
hope, and salvation to mankind, and above all, that answers the key
questions that all the great philosophers have asked; questions and answers
that explain the meaning of life, the purpose of death, suffering and pain;
the absolute need for a Redeemer and the marvelous plan conceived and
executed by Jesus Christ the Savior? Yes, as soon as I find another
church that teaches that, and also that has the organization and the powers
to make that teaching effective, I am going to quit the Mormon Church. For
I should not tolerate that “they” should change a few words in the Book of
Mormon-even if those changes simply improve the grammar and the syntax of
the verses-for, after all, don’t you think the Divine Church should employ
angels as bookmakers, and clerks, to do all the chores on earth? Don’t you
think, Mr. Editor that the Divine Church should also have prophets that
don’t get sick and don’t get old and die, and certainly, that don’t make a
goof here and there. No, sir! A Divine Church should be so divine that only
perfect people should belong to it, and only perfect people should run it.
As a matter of fact, the Church should be so perfect that it should not even
be here on earth!
So, I repeat, if any one of the kind readers of this imperfect letter knows
about another church that teaches and does as much for mankind as the
Mormon Church, please let me know. And please do it soon, because my turn
to go to the cannery is coming up. Also, “they” want my last son (the fifth
one) to go away for two years and again, I have to pay for all that. And I
also know that they expect me to go to the farm to prune trees, and I have
heard that our ward is going to be divided again, and it is our side that
must build the new chapel. And also, someone the other day had the gall of
suggesting that my wife and I get ready to go on a second mission, and when
you come back, they said, you can volunteer as a temple worker.
Boy, these Mormons don’t leave you alone for a minute. And what do I get
for all that, I asked? ”Well,” they said, “for one, you can look forward to
a funeral service at no charge!”… Do you think you can help me to find
another church?
Thomas D. Clark
Personally, there is ‘NO WAY‘ that I would ever leave this Church of ours for it has the authority to perform those eternal saving ordinances that will get me and my wife Suzanne with our family back together and resurrected into the highest ‘mansion‘ in the everlasting heavens to be with our Heavenly Parents once again…. unless I choose to sin and to not live those higher laws that deserve the highest blessings and ‘mansion‘ , which I WON’T!
Learn More? Also to Get a FREE Book of Mormon!
ALAN OSMOND
John 14: 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
How can we “Rescue” The Family from this world?
By Alan on Oct 13 in Blog tagged dark, drugs, evil, Family, immoral, liberal, music, pornography, radio, rescue, school, sex, the way, TV, video, vulgar, world | Comments Off
Become a Zion People!
As a parent of eight sons, with almost 19 grandchildren growing up, going to school, watching TV, playing violent video games. seeing pornography and inappropriate movies, plus hearing vulgar and sexually dialogue, with challenges and confusing examples about life, sex, intimacy and drugs, it makes me want to get them all together and go somewhere into seclusion! But, that isn’t “The Way”!
Let’s “Turn the World around”! What suggestions can we all come up with to “Rescue” our families from these liberal and immoral, unchristian dark times in which we live?
