By Alan on Apr 10 in Blog tagged Alan Osmond, diligence, fear God, fear man, fight, focus, FREE Newsletter, Get NoiZ, hearing impaired, heavenly parents, in charge, intelligence, Jesus Christ, Life is T.U.F.F., M.S., military, multiple sclerosis, noisy, Osmond Brothers, patience, Plan of Life, Power to choose, real challenge, say my prayers, scriptorian, scriptures, sin, Target, the resurrection, trophies, understand, Vietnam, Weakness, write it down, you can do it | 3 Comments

TheFamily.com publishes a FREE Newsletter Monthly Newsletter called, “GET NOIZ” (Noisy).

You can get these Free Newsletters by Signing up HERE!

We offer a FREE NEWSLETTER to help “Strengthen The Family” in several ways: Physically, Mentally, Socially, Spiritually, and Financially.

Here is a sample of one of our Newsletters from Last Month:

Subject: GET NOI-Z (Noisy) NEWSLETTER
Date: Saturday, March 31, 2012 11:15 

‘LET’S TURN THE WORLD AROUND’

Life is T.U.F.F. but, So Are YOU!

By:  Alan Osmond

Life is T.U.F.F.!  But remember, when the going gets tough, the T.U.F.F. get going!  You must be motivated and see the steps that need to be taken in order to accomplish your goals in life.   You must believe in whatever you choose to do and to always remind yourself that “You can do it!”  You must be strong with a positive mental attitude.  If you think you can’t, you won’t!  If you have the desire to achieve, you will!  Where there’s a will, there’s a way. 

Whenever I face challenges, I remember this slogan that I created as the way to accomplish it and overcome it.  See if it works for you!  This is the way:

T = Target – What is it you are trying to accomplish?  If there is one thing that you wished to do, to accomplish or become in life, what would it be?  Write it down and make that your TARGET!

U = Understand – To achieve your target, you need to UNDERSTAND all you can about it.  Identify what it is and what the various factors that are involved; what needs to be done to affectively put it into your grasp so that you can achieve it?  Figure out those steps that you need to take in order to win the challenge and write them down.  Study the positive and the negative aspects of that which you are targeting so that you totally understand it and know what to do in order to take it on! 

F = Focus – Don’t just go at your target without first establishing a FOCUS point on what you are aiming to achieve.  Make a plan and a checklist of the do’s and don’ts and study it each and every day.  Besides just thinking of it, keep your eye on it and really be sure to “Rifle In” on your Target!  Do not just go at it with a “shotgun” approach.  You may only get one shot at it so never lose site or what you must do and keep your FOCUS!

F = Fight – Nothing good comes easy or without effort.  If you want something that is worth having, it will usually take a lot of effort and will be hard work to accomplish it.  So, you must FIGHT for it!

What is it that you wish to target?

-A health challenge?

-An education?

-A career or a job?

-A marriage partner?

-A great idea that you have?

Write it down!  Seeing believing!  You will then be able to visualize the steps that you have to take.  Start by following the T.U.F.F. format and fill in the details for each step.  Set goals and make in a daily effort.  Visualize it. Think about it.  Study it. Keep it in your mind!  Little by little you will accomplish those steps and with the best shot you’ve got, your Target will be accomplished with a bull’s-eye!   

It is very simple but, with patience and effort, it works!

Where in the world did I get this idea of being T.U.F.F.?  It came experiences I had in life but especially when I was told that I had Multiple Sclerosis or M.S..  I didn’t know what M.S. was and the first thing I thought it might mean, “Many Sons”!  My wife Suzanne and I were blessed to have eight sons. 

Yes, raising sons in today’s world is a real challenge but this challenge called “Multiple Sclerosis” was a physical one and the doctors didn’t know what to do to fix it!  I was in the prime of my life with a wonderful marriage and a family started plus my entertainment career was at its peak. I didn’t want this! So, instead of looking at it negatively, I asked myself,  “What is it that I am to learn?”

I first noticed that when I would walk and trip up on something, I’d look down for something like a nail or what ever it was in the floor but, nothing was there!  I also soon realized that when I played my trumpet, I couldn’t move my fingers as fast as before.  With time, my right side began to fail and would not respond as it should and it caused me to drag my right food and arm. 

With several doctors telling me “they didn’t know what it was but thought it might be M.S.”, and telling me that “nothing they knew could reverse it”, I realized I was facing this challenge alone with my wife and my family.  That’s when after many sincere prayers and fasting that I came up with the idea of being T.U.F.F. with a plan to achieve my goal of getting better.  I first started a positive approach by establishing an attitude in my mind and my heart by saying, “I may have M.S. but, M.S. does NOT have me!”  Other ways of dealing with it came with time.

What took place over the next while was in realizing that besides having a positive outlook on this health challenge, I needed a plan of attack, and I needed to be tough!  That is when the idea of T.U.F.F. came into my mind as I analyzed the steps that I needed to take in order to overcome my health weakness.  Over time with determination and a positive attitude It seemed to be working!  I changed my style of eating to mostly organic and healthy foods.  I worked at walking with a focus on picking my leg up and I “talked to those muscles” that wouldn’t respond.  I kept an open mind with a prayer in y heart and promised that I would do anything my Lord would ask of me to be able to live happily with my wife Suzanne and my eight sons and family who love me.

I was the oldest of our singing group, The Osmond Brothers, when my brothers Wayne, Merrill, and Jay, and I, and then Donny, were growing up.  We were at a very young age to be on stage with a weekly national television show called The Andy Williams Show.   Later on, my sister Marie and youngest brother Jimmy also joined the group.  Our father said to us boys when we were rehearsing, that there needed to be one person in charge of the group and that I was the leader and the “boss”.  I hated being call the boss and to have to be in charge of my brothers.  They didn’t like it either but, it taught me many things about being responsible and in making sure that we all accomplished what we were sipposed to do while getting along with each other and making it fun.  There had to be order and I was in charge.  It wasn’t easy. In fact, it was also pretty tough!  Besides that, my two oldest brothers, Virl and Tom were hearing impaired or deaf and often I would hear my parents say, “Alan, go get your brothers!”

I remembered when I turned nineteen and I got my orders to  report to Fort Ord, California for active infantry training or boot camp, and to be trained as a soldier in the army during the time of the Vietnam War.  I knew then that if I was going to succeed and become the best soldier I could, that I had better learn and remember all that I was taught and to do what I was supposed to do as it may someday save my life.  It was hard work and it was almost was like they were brain washing us with what was expected of us during the war.  It was so different from my civilian life and some of my fellow soldiers couldn’t take it.  Staying positive was most important while always remaining tough myself.  

I had never been away from my family like this before and for the first time I was on my own.  You know it reality hits you hard when you don’t have that support system around you of loving parents and family members who stand by your side.   Everything I did while I was in the military I tried to do well and to be the very best at it as I knew I was on my own.

The first day I was there in the army barracks, I heard more foul language and stories that I wish I had never heard.  I realized that I needed to fit in with the other guys but to always be who I was.  That night, I had a moment to prove it.  The lights in the barracks were turned off, I laid in my bunk bed in a room filled with strangers that I had never known before.  It was then that I realized that I hadn’t said my prayers of thanks to my Heavenly Father as I always do.  I always knelt down beside my bed at night and offered my prayers.  I hesitated thinking that these guys would all make fun of me and I didn’t want to stand out but to “fit in”.  Just then, it was almost like a voice within me that said, “Do you fear man. . . or do you fear God?”  I knew what I had to do and so I jumped out of my bunk and knelt down on the floor and said my prayers.  It was probably the shortest prayer I have ever said but I said it!  Before I could get back into my bunk bed I heard someone say, “Hey Osmond, say one for me!” 

The next morning I was approached by several of those “tough talking” guys that asked me what I believed and what happens to someone if they died.  With us facing this war, it was definitely on everyone’s mind and in their hearts.  It was then that I had the opportunity to teach them some gospel principles of faith in Jesus Christ and His ‘Plan of Life’ with life for all after death.  It brought several of us much closer together.

That period of time was really challenging for me

 but I was successful and ended up receiving three basic training award trophies as a soldier.  After completing my active infantry training,  I received the highest grade on the overall testing, the highest scoring on the rifle marksmanship shooting skills test, and I was voted by all of the military training staff as The Outstanding Trainee.  I had no idea they gave trophies for doing what I did, but I got them.  The best thing that happened though was when the loudest and foulest mouth guy who became our platoon sergeant came to me before we got our orders to go to Viet Nam.  He said, “Osmond, can I talk to you?  … Alone?”  I said, “Yes”, and we went int the empty barracks. He said to me, “You really believe that there is someone up there don’t you? (Meaning that therer is a God.) I said, “Yes”.  He said, “Oh I wish I knew somebody loved me.  When I was five years old, my Dad made me go out and steal money and stuff just so I could stay at home.” (I listened and just let him talk.)  He said, “Would you teach me to pray?” I said, “Sure”, and explained a simple way to approach prayer. I then told him I would say one first to show him how, and then he could say one.  I did and then it was his turn.  He said a simple yet touching prayer and became somewhat emotional.  We stood up and he gave me a bear hug and said, “Now, I can go to “Nam”!   These were some of the experiences that I related to when I came up with a way to achieve my new challenges and goals and in being T.U.F.F.!

I come from a family heritage of school teachers and educators on my Mother’s side of the family (Olive May Davis), and a strong, driving, hard working and a ‘never give up’ style from my Father, George V. Osmond, and his side of the family whose life had always been one of hard work but with a “you can do it” attitude.  In fact, when I was doing my physical test in the army to see if we could run a mile in full battle gear in under 6:00 minutes. I was running as hard as I could and I felt like I was going to die.  I kept pushing hard and came in second place just behind a fast running athlete soldier.  You see, it was then that I had remembered my Father’s slogan “You Can Do It!” . .  … and I did!

My Mother, Olive Osmond,  who was also a theologian and knew the scriptures very well,
taught us about God’s plan of life.  She taught us much about gospel truths and about the beliefs of various other religions.  In knowing and understanding this, and as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (Mormons) I studied and developed a burning testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ.  My mother also instilled into me her positive attitude and desire to gain as much truth and knowledge as I could by reading from the best books.  She love to read and taught us the scripture that supported her thinking like this scripture says, “Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.  And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.” D&C 130: 18-19 

She explained to us that knowledge is more about the information of many things but that intelligence is the knowledge of those spiritual things that are eternal and that are good yesterday, today and forever.   This understanding became a guide for me to follow in deciding which books I chose to read and which movies and entertainment I would go and see and for those choices that I targeted to understand and know.  

So, when you think of something that you want to accomplish and “Target” to achieve, I hope you will ask yourself if it is a worthy goal and worth your time.  Is it something that will be long lasting and become significant enough in that it makes you a better person and which fulfills your life long dreams and ambitions as well as sets the course for your eternal existence?

One thing we all have is the “Power To Choose” ; to make decisions and choices of our own free will and choice.  Those choices that we make in life, we will be held responsible and held accountable.  This is why good principles are important in one’s life.  When lived, they will influence you in the kinds of choices and decisions you will make in your life.

Your good choices will probably take a definite amount of time and effort on your part and will  require some extensive work as well.  But that is okay!  This is why we are here in this life; to learn and to grow.  We are told that the Glory of God is intelligence and if we attain more truth and knowledge in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.  So it’s an investment in you and your future!

To summarize:

 ”As Spirit children of God, we all left our Heavenly Parents to come to this world to prove ourselves. A veil covered our momories which was necessary so we could exercise our agency to choose good or evil without our Heavenly Parents influence.  Our earthly parents gave us a body of flesh and bones and we learned the purpose for us to progress in order to have a fulness of joy. We learned that we would be deceived, choose other paths, and lose our way; that we would have trials in our lives like sickness, disappointment, pain, sorrow and death. We understood that these would be given to us for our experience and for our good and that these trials would purify us rather than defeat us. They would teach us to have endurance, patience, and charity.  (To be T.U.F.F.)

We also learned that because of our weakness, all of us except little children would sin.  We learned that a Savior would be provided for us so we could overcome our sins and overcome death with resurrection.  We learned that by placing our faith in Him, obeying His word and following His example, we would be resurrected, exalted, and become more like our Heavenly parents and live forever!   That’s when we receive a fulness of joy!  

That is God’s Plan of Life.

So… “Let’s Be T.U.F.F.” and ‘GET NOI-Z’ (Noisy) FOR GOOD because it is WORTH IT!

We hope you, your family and friends will enjoy these Newsletters!

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By Alan on Oct 07 in Blog tagged eternal increase, eternity, Joseph Smith, LDS Temple Marriage is forever, mormon Temles, Plan of Life, Proclamation To The World, rlijah, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Family, the prophet, three degrees in heaven, turn the hearts of the fathers to the children | Comments Off

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In “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles proclaim that “marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.” When a man and woman are married in the temple, their family can be together forever. This is a common goal of Latter-day Saints.

Life’s greatest joys are found in the family. Strong family relationships require effort, but such effort brings great happiness in this life and throughout eternity. In our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness, a man and a woman can be sealed to one another for time and all eternity. Those who are sealed in the temple have the assurance that their relationship will continue forever if they are true to their covenants. They know that nothing, not even death, can permanently separate them.

The covenant of eternal marriage is necessary for exaltation. The Lord revealed through Joseph Smith: “In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; and in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; and if he does not, he cannot obtain it. He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase” (D&C 131: 1-4).

After receiving the sealing ordinance and making sacred covenants in the temple, a couple must continue in faithfulness in order to receive the blessings of eternal marriage and exaltation. The Lord said:

“If a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; . . . and if [they] abide in my covenant, . . . it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world” (D&C 132: 19).

We are the only Church that seals marriages and families together for time and all eternity.  Joseph Smith said, “The work of redemption for the dead is the most glorious of all subjects belonging to the everlasting gospel.” (D&C 128: 17)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is also the only Church that makes eternal marriages and other important covenants available to our kindred dead, deceased family members and ancestors who never had the opportunity to know about it.  

Elijah the Prophet has already come (September 21, 1823) and restored those sealing and redeeming powers for the dead which are done in our Temples and fulfilled the scripture prophecies:

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers,
lest I come and smite the earth
with a curse.”

Mal. 4: 5-6, Luke 1: 17, D&C 2: 2; 110: 14-15; 138: 47; JS-H 1: 39

Would you like to have your marriage and family to sealed together for time and for all eternity?  If your spouse died and you want to be with him or her again after you die, you can be sealed to each other. 

To learn more, go to http://www.mormon.org

 

 

 

Or send Alan an email to: alan@osmond.com

Alan Osmond
For The Family

More scripture refrences about Elijah:

1. GS Elijah

   An Old Testament prophet who returned in the latter days to confer the keys of the sealing power on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. In his day, Elijah ministered in the Northern Kingdom of Israel (1 Kgs. 17-2 Kgs. 2). He had great faith in the Lord and is noted for many miracles. He prevented rain for three-and-a-half years. He raised a boy from the dead and called down fire from heaven (1 Kgs. 17-18). The Jewish people still wait for Elijah to return, as Malachi prophesied he would (Mal. 4: 5). He remains an invited guest at Jewish passover feasts, where an open door and a vacant seat always await him.

2. BD Elijah

   The deep impression Elijah made upon the life of the Israelites is indicated in the fixed belief that prevails that he will return, as spoken of in Mal. 4: 5. The foregoing references from the N.T. show that many mistook Jesus for Elijah returned. Among the Jews he is still an invited guest at the passover, for whom a vacant seat is reserved and the door is opened.

3. GS Malachi

   In his prophecy, Malachi wrote of John the Baptist (Mal. 3: 1; Matt. 11: 10), the law of tithing (Mal. 3: 7-12), the second coming of the Lord (Mal. 4: 5), and thereturn of Elijah (Mal. 4: 5-6; D&C 2; 128: 17; JS-H 1: 37-39). The Savior quoted all of Malachi chapters 3 and 4 to the Nephites (3 Ne. 24-25).

4. BD Malachi

   The prophecy of Malachi was spoken about 430 B.C. The first part (Mal. 1: 1 – 2: 9) is addressed to the priesthood, reproving them for their neglect of service to God. The second part (Mal. 2: 10 – 4: 6) is addressed to the people, speaking against marriage outside the covenant, divorces from wives within the covenant, and neglect of tithe paying, and reproving the general spirit of discontent. The faithful are encouraged to remain so, with the assurance that the Lord is mindful of them, and the disobedient shall fail in the day of the Lord’s coming. Notable passages are Mal. 3: 1, which is quoted in Matt. 11: 10 as having reference to John the Baptist; Mal. 3: 7-12, an exposition of the law of tithing; Mal. 4: 1, which speaks of the second coming of the Lord; and Mal. 4: 5-6, which deals with thereturn of Elijah (cited also in D&C 2; D&C 128: 17; JS-H 1: 37-39). All of Mal. 3 and 4 was quoted by the Savior to the Nephites, as recorded in 3 Ne. 24 and 25.

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By Alan on Jul 09 in Blog tagged Allen Wykle, Bible, Book of Mormon, everlasting darkness or Eternal Life, God Lives, good and evil, government, Jesus Is the Christ, other records yet to come, Plan of Life, prophets, secret combinations, test, testimony, the familiy, theFamily, truth and light, under the table, video | Comments Off

It is so nice to have so many friends who over the world these past 50+ years who have become dear friends. We have been asked so many times what it is that has kept our family together and strong. It is our family, beliefs, and knowledge of Jesus Christ our Savior with God’s Plan of Life.

We believe that we are all children of God and came here to gain a body so that we can become more like our Heavenly Parents.  We came to earth and are being tested with God’s creative powers in this life by being able to create children of our own, and to follow those Commandments that will lead us back to God once again.  If we obey them and are successful, we will be allowed to abide in the various mansions in heaven whose truths we are able to obey.

We each have the Power to Choose between truth and Light, Good and Evil, Everlasting darkness or Eternal Life. 2 Ne. 10: 23 Yes, we all experience TESTS!  We are in a school of life here on earth and every school that I have been to taught us and then gave us TESTS. Life is no different. It’s what we learn, choose,  and desire to become that is most important. Over time, those TESTS become, TESTimonies.

We were NOT left alone in this world as God speaks to us through His Prophets. His words have been recorded for us in the Bible, The Book of Mormon, and in other ancient records that will soon come forth from the Lost Ten Tribes and from the Isles of the Seas, plus others. God is the same yesterday, today and forever and so are His words!  Jesus Christ is His only Begotten Son who came to earth and died for us in order to help us pay the debt for our sins so that we might be able to return home to heaven once again.

As a family, my brothers, sister and I sang songs, we wrote music, and loved sharing those truths which we believe by music  with melodies and lyrics.  Many friends, fans, and followers have shared their feelings openly wth us about our music. Here is what Allen Wykle put together for us:

CLICK FOR VIDEO: The Osmonds

At such a time as this, we are living in the Last Days where the very wicked and greedy, powerful people, undermine those good values and everlasting principles that Jesus taught us.  We need to be aware of those who are around us and even in our companies and governments who have ‘under the table’, secret agendas and conspiring men with ‘secret combinations’ that have been around since the days of Cain.  Yes, they are alive today and most active so be aware!

The time has come when ALL CHRISTIANS need to STAND together and SPEAK OUT with a unified voice for those truths and principles which we hold dear.  We MUST NOT be violent yet open our mouths and defend our families and each other who stand for those God given truths, the Constitution, and this promised land.

“For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.” D&C 25: 12

Alan Osmond
For The Family

By Alan on Mar 29 in Blog tagged apostles, authority, celestial, conditions, Elijah the Prophet, eternal life, everlasting death, heaven, Help me find the way, James, Jesus, Jesus Christ, John, John the Baptist, Joseph Smith, keys, Living Prophet, man kingdoms, marry, ordinances, Peter, physical body, Plan of Life, pre-existence, quickened, Satan, sealed, telestial, temple, Terrestrial, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the way, Thomas S. Monson, War in heaven | 1 Comment

I’ve had some requests, to “Help me find the way! “

The Lord has made it very clear throughout time as to which “Way” we should go and to whom we should follow.

“Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.” 2 Ne. 10: 23

In our pre-existent life, before we came here, there was a war in heaven. Jesus presented to us a Plan of Life that we could choose where we would come to earth and get a body of flesh and bones, in order to become more like our Heavenly parents, and to be given sacred powers to create life in order to have everlasting  joy.  Jesus knew that we would make mistakes and offered to come down to earth and show us “The Way” to retun back to heaven once again.  He was also willing to sacrifice Himself and die for our sins so that we may live again and help us pay the debt for those sins we would make and to redeem us so that we could be forgiven.

Satan stepped us and presented his Plan of Life in which he would make us all obey so that we would qualify to return to heaven.  But, he wanted all of the praise and the glory for it.

There was war and one third of the spirit children in Heaven chose Satan’s Plan.  This caused those One Third to be cast out of heaven along with the devil and were denied ever having a physical body.

Everyone that has ever been born chose Jesus’s Plan of Life.

Well, Jesus came and did what He said he would.  He established The Church of Jesus Christ which was short lived because He and His Apostles whom he gave his authority to act in His name, were all killed.  Thus ended His Church and any authority on the earth.

In the 1830′s Heavenly Father and Jesus returned to earth to restore The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had John the Baptist, Peter, James, and John, as well as Elijah the Prophet  return and give to Joseph Smith those keys and authority to the priesthood and redeeming the dead to re-establish Jesus’s Church.

We now have the fullness of the gosel once again on the earth today with the same organization that existed with the primitave church with a Living Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, Twelve Apostles, Patriarchs, Bishops, Missionaries, and  hundreds of Temples or Houses of the Lord, where sacred ordinances can be accepted and performed to advance oneself in God’s kingdoms and where the work for the dead can be performed so that those who never heard of Jesus, can be taught in the Spirit world, or Paradise, after they die and continue on with their eternal progression!

The important thing is to learn truth and light, and then to choose!

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Jesus said, “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.”

What you chose in heaven determined where you are today.  What you choose today will determine which Mansion in heaven you will be able to live in after you die, and to live forever as everyone will.

“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.” John 14: 2

(Outer Darkness, .Telestial, . Terresterial, . Celestial Kingdoms.)

Light is truth. When we are willing to live the truth, which are the laws of God, we can attain the mansion of our choice.  In a way, we will judge ourselves at judgment day by which laws and ordinances we are willing to live!

Covenants, or promises made with the Lord are important!  These promises are two way promises.  We promise the Lord certain things and in return, The Lord promises us certain things.

“For notwithstanding they die, they also shall rise again, a spiritual body.

They who are of a celestial spirit shall receive the same body which was a natural body; even ye shall receive your bodies, and your glory shall be that glory by which your bodies are quickened. (After the resurrection.)

Ye who are quickened by a portion of the celestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.

And they who are quickened by a portion of the terrestrial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.

And also they who are quickened by a portion of the telestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.

And they who remain shall also be quickened; nevertheless, they shall return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received.

For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.

And again, verily I say unto you, that which is governed by law is also preserved by law and perfected and sanctified by the same.

That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still.

All kingdoms have a law given;” D&C 88: 27-36

In order to attain the highest Mansion, or Glory of God, one must make promises, or covenants, with the Lord, and obey certain laws in order to attain the highest kindom of Glory where God dwells.  Not all are willing to live certain laws and thus is why other various kindgoms with lesser laws and ordinances were given so that where ever you are, you will be happy.

“And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom’s paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved—

And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.”Mosiah 2: 36, 41

There is much confusion and wickedness in the world today.  We are living in the last days when it will be “a great and dreadful day”.   A Great Day for those who have made sacred covenants and promises with the Lord, Jesus Christ, and A Dreadful Day for those who have not but choose to live in sin and serve Satan and his ways.

“And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this power in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred), are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead.

And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths—then shall it be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, that he shall commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man marry a wife according to my word, and they are sealed by the ^aHoly Spirit of promise, according to mine appointment, and he or she shall commit any sin or transgression of the new and everlasting covenant whatever, and all manner of blasphemies, and if they commit no murder wherein they shed innocent blood, yet they shall come forth in the first resurrection, and enter into their exaltation; but they shall be destroyed in the flesh, and shall be delivered unto the buffetings of Satan unto the day of redemption, saith the Lord God. D&C 132: 7, 19, 26

” All kingdoms have a law given;

And there are many kingdoms; for there is no space in the which there is no kingdom; and there is no kingdom in which there is no space, either a greater or a lesser kingdom.

And unto every kingdom is given a law; and unto every law there are certain bounds also and conditions.

All beings who abide not in those conditions are not justified.

For intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom; truth embraceth truth; virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light; mercy hath compassionon mercy and claimeth her own; justice continueth its course and claimeth its own; judgment goeth before the face of him who sitteth upon the throne and governeth and executeth all things.

He comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things; and all things are by him, and of him, even God, forever and ever.”  D&C 88: 36-41

I encourage all to “choose ye this day whom ye will serve”.  ”As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

You can make some good choices right now by clicking HERE to receive a Free Book of Mormon which containts the fullness of truths, including those “precious parts” that were lost from the Bible.

You can also talk with someone who can help you to know how to come unto Christ, HERE.

He is "The Way".

I testify in the name of Jesus Christ that these things are true and I pray that those who know me or have read these words, will take immediate action because even though no one knows when Jesus will return, the “signs of the times” are upon us and when the Lord returns, he will destroy all wickedness and then dwell with us on the earth for a thousand years of peace as Satan will be bound!

JESUS, IS THE WAY!

If you need me to help you move forward with your choices, write to me at alan@osmond.com.

You ALL are constantly in my prayers,

.

Alan Osmond
For The Family

By Alan on Mar 10 in Blog tagged Alan Osmond, authority, Book of Mormon, choices, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commandments, explains, future, gives thanks, glory, God, Jesus Christ, moon, Plan of Life, prophet, resurrection, shares testimony, star, sun, TheFamily.com, true church | 20 Comments

At such a time as this, I want to address all of the many people, friends, followers, supporters and those who often call themselves fans; those who have followed us, trusted us, supported us, loved us, fed us, hugged us, traveled to see us, screamed and cheered for us and blessed us and our careers.

Do you know what joy and blessings you have been and have given to us Osmonds throughout all of our careers, and the impact that you have made in so many of our lives? You gave us your time, your attention, your hugs, your applause and standing ovations, your money, your respect, your letters, your laughter, your tears, your listening ears, your hearts and your prayers for so many years.  I just want to take a moment to write and  acknowledge each and every one of you and in behalf of all of the Osmonds, myself , and our families whose lives you have also touched, with all my heart, I want to say thank your for being such an important part of our lives!

Our Mother, Olive, and Father, George, were also called “Mother and Father” by our fans.  They took time to talk to you and share stories and experiences with you to help you along with your lives to be happy.  Oh how we miss them.  They served two missions to share those things that are most important to us in this life.

You see, we all came to this world to get a body, to make choices and to learn, to love, to laugh and to listen, to give, to be tested and to die, and then go back to our heavenly parents and to report on the choices we made and how our time was spent here on earth and to be reunited with their families again.  We can’t think of anything greater to take back to heaven than the friendships, the joys and memories that we have had by being with all of you and for having you in our lives, our prayers, our hearts and minds with blessings and great memories .  For us to be able to share with you our music, our friendship, our opinions, our entertainment and humor, our songs, websites and newsletters and most importantly our testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ for which we know is true and which many of you have found and have accepted and joined us in knowing for yourselves.

Oh, what responsibility, what honesty, loyalty, truth, faith and courage we must continue to have for each other as we continue forward and face these hard times ahead.  Yes, it’s called being honest and true!  Our worries and concerns for you and ourselves as well, puts great responsibility and pressure upon all of us with an absolute need for powerful prayers in order to watch out for each other and to prepare to meet our maker above.  I pray that you might listen, be inspired, be informed, with those truths and information that we have received and to share with each other that we may be blessed, be safe and protected, fed and preserved, convinced and proven, with the blessings and a guiding light from on high to guide us and direct us all to safety.  Together with you and your loved ones, we can choose ‘the way ‘and the path through these last days that will lead us to  that glorious day when our Savior, Jesus Christ, returns to live with us once again, and find the way through that narrow gate that takes us back to our God.

You know and we know, that we are open and not shy about sharing our testimonies with you of the truthfulness of our beliefs, the gospel of Jesus Christ, with our prophets, the Bible and the Book of Mormon, with a focus on the family, which is God’s plan of life.  We constantly have done this and continue to do so.  We share these  things without any shame, reason, gain, or ulterior motive except to show you our love and share those truths that we cherish, and have found and hold dear.  There isn’t enough money, gold records, standing ovations, number one hits or any live and world wide media events that you could give us that would keep us from warning and speaking out boldly so that all may hear.  We are told that we must warn and share with our neighbors, families and friends, those things which each of us must do before we die and go to heaven; to understand these choices and  to make a good choices; to have the opportunity to understand them and get them done and accomplished.  What we did and chose to do in our pre-existent life before we came to this world determined where we are today.  What we choose to do now will affect where we will go in the life to come.  It is so important that I wish to share with those things with you those we love that really are most important!

Many of these “precious parts” and truths were in the Bible, but were taken away leaving many confused as was recorded in The Book of Mormon in 1st Nephi Chapter 13.  Click these links and see for yourselves. 1 Ne. 13: 7-8, 26, 28-29, 32, 34-35, 40

Yes, we all will live again because of our Savior Jesus Christ who died for us.  Me need to accept Him as our Savior.  His Atoning sacrifice will help us pay our debts for our mistakes and sins.  But, what we do, our actions and what we choose, how we feel and think in our hearts and who’s most important that we take with us as families, besides those great memories and experiences from this life.  It is what we all need to realize, focus on, and to live those commandments that we must learn to obey.  We can change and repent if it need be, in order to be successful; and to be totally converted to the way of the Lord in order to go to the  highest mansion in heaven where God dwells.  Once we have repented, the Lord  remembers our mistakes and sins no more.

We believe that families are forever!  We believe that we really are all children of God who came to earth to get a body of flesh and bones like God has, and to learn to make good choices, to control our desires and appetites and to progress as human beings by choosing to be like our heavenly parents; to overcome the natural man, to fall in love and to marry not just ’till death do you part’, but for time and for all eternity so that we may prove ourselves to God and become more like Him.  If we are willing to keep all of God’s commandments and not defile those God given co-creative powers, that godly gift to create life; but to marry and keep God’s commandment to multiply and replenishing the earth and bring forth children from God’s heaven above into this world, as they are deserving of having a father and a mother, too!  It is then that we will be on the right path.  This is the purpose of this life.  God is not the author of confusion.  If we do this the way God designed, and follow His plan of life, we will continue to live in the heavens after and will continue to be blessed with these Godly given creative powers, or not.

In the heavens are many mansions.  John 14: 2 There is a mansion or heaven like unto the glory of the stars, one like unto the glory of the moon, and one like unto the glory of the sun.  So also is the resurrection.  Which ever glory you go to by choosing to live and to obey those truths and commandments associated with that level of live of your choice, you will be happy there.   We will be able to visit these various mansions and levels of light or truth but only if we are able to live and obey the laws and commandments by which they are governed.  There is also a hell for those who choose everlasting darkness and the ways of Satan who by the way, has no body and no glory, but chose the way of eternal damnation. Just like water in a reservoir, his progression of life is stopped or damned.

We know that repentance and baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost is necessary for us to be washed clean and be able to hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit that will lead and guide us.  The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead and is a Spirit personage so that he can dwell within us so that we will not feel left alone.  We can only receive these things and be given them by those who have the priesthood and authority to do so from Jesus Christ.  They are those of His church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which has been restored once again from when Jesus organized it with with the same organization that existed in the primitive church; namely prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc.  We have a living prophet that speaks for the Lord until He returns, and he will lead and guide us in these latter days.

Yes, marriage is important between a man and a woman.  If we are to become creators like our heavenly parents, which all children usually do, we must also be able to create life which takes a man and woman to accomplish.  This is why we marry for time and for all eternity so that our marriage and those creative powers remain with us so we can have eternal increase.  This is required in order to progress to one’s fullest capability of God’s Plan of Life.  This is what makes us like God, our Father.  We are able to create life!  Like Father like son.  Like Mother like daughter.

We can receive more and all of the sacred ordinances which are available in the House of the Lord, or the Temple.  These temples will prepare us to meet God and to progress our lives throughout all eternity.  Elijah came back and restored these sacred sealing ordinances and promises that are necessary “And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”  Mal. 4: 6

The Temple s is where marriages and families are sealed together forever.  This is also where our ancestors, and those who never knew of Jesus or died young, and where each and every person that has ever has lived, must have their temple work completed and those sacred ordinances performed by proxy or “the world will be wasted at its coming”. By accepting these ordinances, they can also receive the highest glory of the resurrection and progress on into the eternities as well.  Families are sealed together through this process so that those who never had the opportunity to hear about Jesus and His gospel will not be left out..  They will hear and have the same opportunity to choose to follow Jesus, or not.  These truths and blessings are taught after one has died and goes to the spirit world where he or she will hear and be taught about the Lord’s plan and His commandments and promises. Because the work was done for them by us in the Temples, they will be able to accept it or not and not be held back but or be stopped but will progress on with their everlasting progression.  This is “God’s work and His Glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man”  . . . and woman!

Friends, family, fans, or who ever you are, I know these things are true!  Because of Jesus’s sacrifice, WE ALL WiLL LIVE AGAIN! When the Lord comes back, if you are still around, you can still belong to whatever church you desire, but remember, that in order to get to the highest resurrection or kingdom in heaven, it is truly dependent upon you receiving these ordinances that go back to the beginning of time and that are sealed not only on earth but also in heaven and by being able to live  them. You can only receive them by  those who have  the authority and priesthood bestowed  them.   They received that priesthood from the master himself, Jesus Christ. The heavens are governed by laws.  Your choices and commandments that you are willing to live will decide where you will go.  It is all a choice.  We all will live again because of Jesus and no one is forcing anyone to get to a higher heaven.  But, it’s there for those who are willing and choose to live the laws and seek it.

We know from the scriptures and from our Prophets who speak in behalf of  the Lord, and who have prophesied of things that have been and of things which are yet to come.  We have been told how this world will end.  We know who wins this great war and battle of life.  We know that it will be a “great and a dreadful day”.  Yes, there will be things that we have never seen before but, for those who know of them, and who are prepared, they shall not fear and it will be much easier to accept, and to understand and the Lord and His angels will  protect them. There will be wars and rumors of wars.  The skies, the seas and the mountains will move out of their places.  When Jesus will come no one knows. Even the angels in heaven don’t know. But, Jesus will appear in Jerusalem where the Jews father’s crucified Him, and it will be there where Jesus will appear to their children and show them his nail scarred hands and feet.  They will then fall to their knees and weep and confess that Jesus is the Christ. Jesus will then live with us and rule this world in peace for a thousand years.  Satan will be bound.

We need to continue to be friends and family and share those things to help us be prepared knowing that the end is near. We are all God’s children. We are all brothers and sisters. I have spoken openly and honestly trusting that these things I’ve shared will be received with understanding and openly by you.  I do not judge or think we are better than anyone else.  These things are open for all to chose and have for yourself.

My friends and those who know me know that I don’t lie.  I share this so that my heart and conscience will always know that I opened my mouth and shared with all (D&C 60: 2) , and that my purposes in doing so was clear and pure because we have been told in the scriptures to warn our neighbors.  When we die someday, and we all will, we each will live again, be judged after we report back to our lord Jesus and Heavenly Father and Mother.

As we see the weakening of Christian faith in society , our own faith must become even more firm and sure. We are the generation the Lord has saved for this day,”  We were chosen to be here at this time of life when the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ is on the earth with all of it’s everlasting ordinances and blessings necessary, which are here and can be ours, to get to the highest kingdom in heaven and to receive the best resurrection we can.   These ordinances and the Temple doors are open and are made available to you but not forced upon you.  Yes,  you must be worthy and choose to obey God’s laws and keep His commandments.   It is your choice.  My wife and I both work at one of these Temples and see all nationalities, colors of skin and families from all over the earth come here.  We welcome you and invite you to have the “fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ” with all of the blessings of eternity.  We can have it if we but serve our Lord Jesus Christ and follow HIm.  He is The Way!  That is the important action item here; to “choose ye this day whom ye will serve.  As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

I leave you this as a testimony from my heart of these truths, and I do so in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Alan Osmond
For The Family

If you would like to know more and would like to receive a FREE – Book of Mormon which contains the fulness of truths and where none of the “precious parts” have been removed as it was in the Bible, then

CLICK HERE!

Join with me at http://thefamily.com and leave me a comment or ask me some of your questions.

If you don’t agree or like what I said, at least recognize the courage and love it took to share my heart with you.  Alan

By Alan on Feb 27 in Blog tagged cost, create, education, expense, Family, God, Plan of Life, price, school, spiritual, vacation, work priorities, worth it | 3 Comments

Can we afford the costs of raising children?  Can we work hard enough and save enough for our children’s futures as well as make sure they have fun while getting a good education?

Yes!  We can’t afford NOT TO! Our family, spouse, children and grandchildren are those that will be with us after we die.  It’s all a part of God’s plan of life.  Life is eternal.  Yes, we need to be frugal, work hard, study, pray, and be wise in all things keeping first those things that are worth it and most important.

Can we really afford a society in which we do not believe in the principle of work? Inflation has several causes, but any lasting cure must include increased productivity. Besides, work is a spiritual necessity, even if it is not an economic necessity, which it is.  Hand outs, with an “I deserve it attitude” will lead you down the wrong path.

Can we really afford a society in which the family, our most basic institution, is further diminished? Most of us revolt at the idea of having children raised by the state, but step by small step we are moving in that direction. If our society’s success depends on having a critical mass of citizens with a sense of fair play and justice, and with love and concern for others, where do citizens usually acquire those crucial virtues, if we acquire them at all? We usually acquire them first and best in the family. The family garden, as has been said, is still the best place to grow happy humans. Society already pays terrible costs for the products of tragically flawed families, but if our nation further undermines the average family, the costs will be catastrophic.

What we do with the family is going to determine what happens to our whole society.

The Family is God’s Plan Of Life.  Families are forever!

It was worth the cost to Jesus who sacrificed His life for us so that we might live again eternally as families!

Chuck Tate
For The Family

By Alan on Feb 11 in Blog tagged Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, continues, control, Egpt, faith, forgiveness, glory, hope charity, Jesus, Joseph Smith, last days, LDS, love, Momon, money, perilous, Plan of Life, power, pre-existence, restored, Satan, sober, war, War in heaven, war today, warriors | 5 Comments

…and we will WIN The War Again!

Have you watched the News?  We have a VERY Different Egypt Today!
Do you see that the people took charge?  That’s what the War /in Heaven was before we came here !  We must be willing to recognize what is coming and then warn our neighbors!

We must do as the scriptures say and choose “THE WAY” which we will follow; “The Way” of everlasting darkness… OR “The Way” of Eternal Life.  2 Nephi 10:23

We need to realize that the reasons we are at war today are for the same reasons why we fought in the War in Heaven!  We must CHOOSE Satan’s Plan of Life versus Jesus’s Plan of Life.

SATAN: Power, Control, Money, King, He Wants The Glory!

JESUS: Love, Forgiveness, Faith, Hope Charity, Glory To God.

We were entrusted to come to the earth in these last days to do again what we did before—to once again choose good over evil.

NOTE!!!!  CLICK FOR MUSICAL EXPLANATION: BeforeTheBeginning

We have come into the world at a most significant time. We are entering the final stages of a great war. This war commenced before the foundations of the world and has been pursued with awful consequence throughout the world’s history. I speak of the war between the followers of Christ and all those who deny Him as their God. ¹

John the Revelator wrote concerning this war:

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

“And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

It was Satan who instigated this premortal war. He did so by rebelling against our Father’s plan of salvation for His children and rejecting the Christ, who was designated to effectuate the plan. Tragically, a third of our Father’s children followed Satan. Yet two-thirds did not. We were among these, and with them have come to earth to pursue the Father’s plan of happiness.

Unfortunately, Satan’s war did not end with his expulsion from heaven.

As John observed, Satan and his followers were “cast out into the earth” and have come here with “great wrath.” The evidence of their wrath can be seen in the blood and horror that has afflicted man from the beginning of time.

So profound and extensive have been the wounds suffered among men that God Himself wept as He surveyed man’s condition.

We now find ourselves in the last days of this earth’s temporal history. In a coming day, our Father’s Son will return to the earth from which He was rejected and reclaim it as His own.  In that day, He will subdue Satan and his legions and usher in a thousand years of peace and righteousness. In anticipation of that day, God has restored His kingdom to the earth one last time. That kingdom is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

While God’s kingdom has been established on the earth in times past, the people to whom the kingdom was previously committed were unable to keep it. This time, however, is different. The prophetic promise is that this time God’s kingdom will not be lost but will overcome the world.

To ensure its ultimate success, the final restoration of God’s kingdom has been commenced with unprecedented spiritual power and is being sustained by that same spiritual power and something more. Reserved to come forth in these last days and labor for our Father and His Son are some of the most valiant and noble of our Father’s sons and daughters. Their valiance and nobility were demonstrated in the pre-earth struggle with Satan. There, “being left to choose good or evil,” they “[chose] good” and exhibited “exceedingly great faith” and “good works.” Such are the traits that are now needed to sustain the work of God in the earth and to save the souls of men from the intensifying wrath of the adversary.

You are these valiant and noble sons of our Father! You are the strength of the Lord’s house, His warriors! You are those who chose good over evil and who exhibited “exceedingly great faith” and “good works.” And because of your personal history, you were entrusted to come to the earth in these last days to do again what you did before—to once again choose good over evil, exercise exceedingly great faith, and perform good works—and to do so in behalf of the kingdom of God on the earth and your fellowman!

With God’s kingdom restored to the earth and your entry into the world, Satan knows that “he hath but a short time.” Therefore, Satan is marshalling every resource at his disposal to entice you into transgression. He knows that if he can draw you into transgression, he may prevent you from serving a full-time mission, marrying in the temple, and securing your future children in the faith, all of which weakens not only you but the Church. He knows that nothing can overthrow God’s kingdom “save it [be] the transgression of [his] people.” Make no mistake about it—the focus of his war is now on you—you who seek to “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

You need to appreciate that our days now and the days that lie ahead are “perilous.” In this regard, President Boyd K. Packer has observed:

“I know of nothing in the history of the Church or 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.”

In referring to the perils of our day, I do not intend to inspire fear, but soberness. Being sober means being earnest and serious in assessing your circumstances and careful and circumspect in weighing the consequences of your actions. Soberness therefore yields good judgment, as well as measured conduct. No wonder then that prophets counsel young men to be sober. Remember Mormon’s observation that what madeHelaman’s 2,000 stripling warriors so effective in battle was not just their courage, strength, and trustworthiness, but their “soberness.” Mormon valued such a trait because he was blessed to possess it himself. It was Mormon who was entrusted with the sacred records of the Nephite nation at only 10 years of age because he was a “sober child” and “quick to observe.” And it was Mormon who, at age 15, was “visited of the Lord” and “knew of the goodness of Jesus” because he was of a “sober mind.”

So, as we enter the final climactic stages of the war against Satan, be sober, my young friends. Understand that you cannot partake of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. You cannot participate in pornography or other immoral activity. You cannot lie, cheat, or steal. You cannot use false, demeaning, or dirty language. You cannot deface your body with tattoos and other piercings. You cannot do these things and be victorious in the battle for your own soul, let alone be a valiant warrior in the great struggle for the souls of all the rest of our Father’s children.

Understand, my young friends, that there is only one way to win the war against Satan, and that is to win it in the same way it was won in the beginning. When victory was finally achieved in the War in Heaven, a loud voice was heard to declare:

“Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ. …

He is "The Way".

“For they [referring to Michael and his angels] have overcome him [referring to the devil] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; for they loved not their own lives, but kept the testimony even unto death.” Do not miss the significance of this declaration. Satan was overcome in the beginning by (1) faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, (2) testimony of Him that was steadfastly kept to the very end, and (3) consecration of oneself to the Lord and His work. If this was the means for defeating him in the beginning, you can be sure that this is the one sure way to defeat him now.

Now, you may wonder how to acquire the faith, testimony, and consecration of spirit necessary to overcome the adversary. Let me assure you that these qualities are already within you. You simply need to recover them. To that end, allow me to make three suggestions.

First, do as young Joseph Smith did. Find a quiet place and pray to your Father in Heaven. Do so regularly and earnestly. Prayer is a precondition to revelation. The more regular and earnest the prayer, the more frequent the revelation. When received, revelation provides the evidence or assurance of things unseen, which is the foundation of faith.

Second, learn to hear the voice of the Lord. His is a still, small, and whisper-like voice. It is one that is felt more than it is heard. It comes in the form of thoughts, feelings, and impressions. To hear such a voice, you must be still and quiet in your own soul, laying aside your excess laughter and light-mindedness. While it may not seem easy to so discipline your life, hearing the precious, loving voice of the Lord will sustain you in every circumstance and is therefore worth every effort.

Third, obey the word of the Lord as it is given to you. His word will not only love and comfort but invariably instruct and correct. Do as He bids you to do, no matter how hard it may seem to you, and do it now. It is in doing the will of the Lord that knowledge of Him and love for Him accrue to your soul, which leads you to be ever more willing to lay down your own life and follow Him.

My dear brethren, these are your days! Do not squander them! Be sober! Take “the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall … quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Then “fight the good fight of faith.” And when you have done all, “stand” still and “see the salvation of the Lord.”

I assure you that His salvation will come, delivering you and yours from every evil. I so testify in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

ELDER JAMES J. HAMULA
Of The Seventy
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints