Here are some notes from the testimonies shared today...
- The Lord prepared our nation for the gospel.
- The leaders of our nation were led by the Spirit.
- The gospel of Jesus Christ is about freedom, and we all have a special part in defending that freedom.
- The war in heaven was fought over freedom. Satan's plan to save everyone was at the cost of our freedom to choose, and those who went with him gave their freedom away.
- Freedom of speech means nothing if you have nothing to say or if you say nothing.
- Heavenly Father will not take away our freedom.
- We teach correct principles then allow others to govern themselves. We do NOT force or trick people into doing what is right.
- We have an obligation to know what we believe and why we believe it.
- The Lord knows who we are and what we need.
- Find out for yourself what you believe.
- If you need to simplify your life so you can figure out what's true, please do it.
- We need to protect our country with righteousness.
- “The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference.” --Elie Wiesel
- Recommit yourself to being a wise steward with what you have been given. (This thought was given in the context of "Where much is given, much is required" and I thought it was an interesting way of looking at things. I haven't ever thought of my blessings as something I have stewardship over.)
This meeting was so good it made me want to stand up cheer! I loved all these thoughts on freedom, and I love how they tie into the gospel. Of course the gospel of Jesus Christ is about freedom, why didn't I ever think of it that way? Being obedient doesn't mean we don't have a choice. It is through obedience to correct principles that we find true freedom.
**Thoughts??**
Comment Window Tidbit: What a great Sunday! I love coming home feeling super-charged with the Spirit.
14 comments:
Agree! I was so choked up sining Patriotic songs in Church today and I, too, feel like Independence Day is/should be a Religious Holiday.
I loved our Testimony Meeting with over half of the participants from other countries and accents that were a clear indication that English is not their first language.
Powerful!
I often wonder if you know short hand...for all your notes that are taken at Women's conference and each Sunday! So fantastic to have that written down - you can make your own blog book of just your Sunday Thoughts... what a treasure for your littles that would be.
I LOVED standing and singing our opening hymn today - what an amazing land we live in!
Enjoyed reading your thoughts on FREEdom today! Thanks for sharing!
Ken tells me he loved singing American the Beautiful in sacrament meeting on his mission. Happy 4th to you!
ohhh missy...our organist is amazingly amazing...as a finale, after our choir sung the battle of the republic (yes they were due to sing last week, but we had a health emergency during sacrament...they did today...and it was sooooo fitting). he played the star sp.....and it was AMAZING he played all verses....it was very very very good.
I still have a warm feeling for Pres. Bush. I know a lot of people dislike him, but I think he opened the doors for freedom and the gospel in those areas of the world....
I forgot to say, he played all four verses at the very end, when people were exiting the chapel.....
This sounds so much like our meeting today! I absolutely loved it, and thought it was even better that I had been fasting and felt that much more prepared to feel the Spirit.
We had a really great testimony meeting today also. I love it and felt really inspired when I left.
Holy Cow!! I can't believe you got a kindle for your birthday!! That is crazy! I know so many people who have them and they love, love, love them. Have fun with it!
This post makes me want to stand up & cheer! I LOVE it-
I love that you post everyday
I love that i know you in real life
I love that you inspire me & so many others
I love that when I say "jill" to my friends & family they know who I am talking about & we can talk about subjects on your blog-
my nieces have been here visiting & they are all readers... and love you too.
thanks again for a great post-
I am hoping to get back to blogging.... it's been crazy busy- but still?
so glad you are here
AMEN and amen.
Thank you for sharing your Sunday thoughts and notes. You have motivated me to start taking notes again. I got out of the habit when my daughter was born 5 years ago. Now I need to get with the program again.
You know we have never met, but I feel we are kindred spirits Jill. It's nice to know there are others out there who feel the way I feel about many things. Thanks for sharing yourself...
It sounds like it was so wonderful! I especially love the idea presented that we have stewardship over our blessings...I have always felt that is so true (the parable of the talents has always struck me...I tend to think about the heavy responsibility of the man given the most talents rather than focusing on the man with only one who didn't develop it).
Great thoughts as always!
P.S. I would love to swap Sharing Time ideas with you! I am in charge for this whole month...I'll send you an e-mail sometime this week. :)
OH- I wish I had been in your meeting! We didn't even sing the National Anthem today!! what the?!
LOVE the thoughts you shared. It has always been one of my favorite days!
it was definitely different having the 4th on a sunday...and being in a military ward.
happy 4th!
You know, at church that Sunday I couldn't help but feeling like here was a group of people that truly understood the vision of America, the price of freedom, the responsibilities associated with democracy and citizenship, etc. I think it's because our religion teaches so much about sacrifice and consequences, while those are two things that are missing from the current canon of the 'world's' teachings. Without sacrifice, all of the things that we celebrate on the 4th disappear.
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