An Old Cowboy Song

Sister Christine Masters, Full Time Missionary   The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

When I was young, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans sang a cowboy song called “The Bible Tells Me So.”

I remember some of the words. “Have faith, hope, and charity. That’s the way to live successfully.  How do I know? The Bible tells me so.”

After all these years, I would have to agree emphatically.  The triad of faith, hope, and charity is one of the central points of the gospel message.  “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three, but the greatest of these is charity.”  1 Corinthians  13:13

How do we view each other?  Are we quick to judge prior to accumulating all the facts?  Our Savior said, “Judge not.” Matthew 7:1   He further said, “Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considereth not the beam that is in thine own eye?” Matthew 7:3

When we recognize that each of us has imperfections, we must strive to view the imperfections of others with the pure love of Christ.  After all, they are our fellow travelers through this mortal life and we have a divine mandate to uphold, encourage, and support them. Charity, or the pure love of Christ, is the opposite of criticism of another’s actions, words, or appearances.

True charity is love in action. Charity is the patience we display when someone disappoints us.  Charity resists the urge to criticize others.  Charity is working hard not to be easily offended.  Charity is giving aid to the physically and spiritually afflicted.  Charity is looking beyond another’s physical appearance to their true character.  The need for charity is everywhere.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God.  He that loveth not, knoweth not God: for God is love.”  1 John 4:7-8

News-Reporter    Cambridge, Idaho   August 2014

Missionary Corner
Directly before Jesus ascended into heaven, the very last charge He gave His apostles was the command to take the gospel to all nations of the earth.  As we know, the apostles took this command very seriously and ministered in many lands faithfully until, tradition holds, they each met the death of a martyr.  They particularly witnessed of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

"And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and great grace was upon them all."  Acts 4:33

Jesus Christ is truly "The Great Missionary Who Redeemed Mankind."
Not only did His atonement for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross of Calvary give us victory over spiritual death, but also through His resurrection He gave us victory over physical death.

Most numerous are the stories of Jesus'  actions and words that call us to be better people. One great example was His baptism when He allowed John The Baptist to baptize Him thus being the example for us to be baptized also.  Most of us remember the story of Martha and Mary where Jesus taught us to put the spiritual part of lives first.  And who could ever forget the supreme example of service Jesus gave us on the eve of His death when He washed the feet of his apostles.

Our Savior stands at the door of our hearts and spirits at all times.  
All we have to do is  humble ourselves,  open our hearts, and let Him enter!  

We Set Up A Missionary Corner In Both The Cambridge And Council Wards

Each Month A New Missionary Quote Is Featured

The Missionary Who Redeemed Mankind

Our Example For Baptism

The Savior Teaches Mary And Martha To Put Spiritual Things First

Our Greatest Example Of Service

Our Savior Is Always There For Us.  Our Responsibility Is To Open Our Hearts To Him.

If You Could Ask GOD One Question, What Would You Ask Him?

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What Will Be Said of Us?

Elder Norm Masters    Full Time Missionary    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Pastor's Corner   Adams County Record  Council, Idaho  September 2014

 Several years ago, Gordon B. Hinckley made what I thought was an interesting statement.  He said, “If you want nice things said about you at your funeral, live your life in such a manner so that they will only have good things to say”.

That statement brought to mind several past experiences.

I recalled an occasion when my wife and I were visiting in the Los Angeles area. She told me about having visited a cemetery there when she was in the fifth grade.  The cemetery had some amazing religious and patriotic art work that she wanted me to see.  We visited the Hollywood Hills Forest Lawn Cemetery where we came across the grave marker of Stan Laurel, of the comedy team Laurel and Hardy.  Nearby we found another notable grave marker.  It was of a man, not famous for anything, but notable because of the inscription on his grave marker.  The marker said something to the effect, “Here lies our father.  He loved his dogs, his car club buddies, his work and his family – IN THAT ORDER”.  What a sad final tribute to a man’s life.

On another occasion I attended the funeral of an elderly acquaintance, Curtis Duggins.  At his funeral, people were invited to come forward and say a few words about Curtis.  Several individuals came forward and, to a person, each related that Curtis was a man of his word.  If Curtis said he would do something, or be somewhere at a designated time, HE WOULD DO WHAT HE SAID OR WOULD BE WHERE HE SAID HE WOULD BE, AND AT THE APPOINTED TIME.

What a contrast between Curtis and the man who didn’t value his family.

The choice is ours.  Will it be said of us that our priorities were misplaced or that we were a person of our word – tried and true?

With the help of our Savior and His Atoning sacrifice, our lives can reflect meaning, purpose, dedication and love for our Heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ and for the Holy Ghost as well as for our fellowman.

“Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things.  I will make thee ruler over many things.  Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”  Matthew 25:23

Small Town Library

I can remember it as if it were yesterday.  The small library of my childhood was one of my favorite places in the whole world.  Although I LOVED school,  I think I may have loved the library more!  And, I cannot forget the librarian who could, it always seemed, answer and refer me to, anything in the world I wanted more information on.

I remember reading series of books by the same author.  Let's see, I remember the Nancy Drew mystery series, Clara Barton nurse series, and all the Louisa May Alcott books.

Those were the days!  My reading routine included raiding the freezer for homemade chocolate chip cookies and then sitting in a comfortable chair with our golden retriever, Jake, at my feet.  Then the adventure began as I would enter all kinds of different worlds through my reading.

I read all the time, but my favorite time to read is either on a rainy day or in front of a warm fire.  Now, that is heaven!

A service during our Idaho Nampa Mission is making bookmarks for the local libraries and for the Council Senior Center.  A list of some of the reading slogans follow.  I think we all can identify, to some degree, with each of these precious  thoughts.

Reading is dreaming with your eyes open.

I love books because with them you live a thousand lives.

After a couple of minutes reading, the words disappear and a movie with every detail plays in my head.

If the book fits, read it.

Feel the need...the need to read.

One world.  Many stories.

In order to succeed, you must read.

Travel anyplace for free.  Read.

Reading helps your seed of knowledge grow.

Tessa Wald In Dancing Class    North Ogden, Utah

Sisters     Sophia Masters and Selina Masters

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