An Apostle's Final Testimony of Christ

Download it here.

There is no better example of the role an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ plays in serving as a Special Witness of the Savior than the testimony that Elder Bruce R. McConkie gave in his last General Conference address in April of 1985.

During the First Quarter of 2015, we are working on strengthening our Belief in Jesus Christ by coming to a better understanding of the Atonement He successfully completed for all of mankind. For that reason, it would serve us well to once again read (if you had not previously experienced it) Elder McConkie's words.

Water—Vital, Most Important Place to Start

Download it here.

Here is the Reference Sheet (front and back) for January (the first month of a 12-part series), showing the three levels of preparedness concerning WATER.

If you have any suggestions on what should be added to this flier, or would like to refer any great online resources on this topic, please share with the community.

One Drop of Oil at a Time

"the oil of spiritual preparedness cannot be shared”
—Elder Marvin J. Ashton

"each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store.
—President Spencer W. Kimball

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Here are two of the many comments made by the Lord's Annointed that refers to why this blog carries the name it does.

We are responsible for our own spiritual strength. We cannot always stand on the strength of others. This strength is developed over time, not by a single experience or a short-term effort. Like unused muscles, our spiritual strength will weaken and atrophy if we do not regularly add to that strength. And like oil added to a lamp, one drop at a time, we will eventually have enough in store to meet any need.

from A Time of Urgency
Marvin J. Ashton, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
April, 1974

We are living in a time of urgency. We are living in a time of spiritual crisis. We are living in a time close to midnight. There is an urgency to meet the worldwide spiritual crisis through action now. It can only be accomplished by performance. Procrastination is a deadly weapon of human progress. Thank God there is no need of a shortage in the oil of preparedness. It is accumulated at will, drop by drop, in righteous living.

…

The oil in the parable (of the 10 Virgins) represents our faith and testimony, our purity and dedication, our good works, and our keeping of covenants—all of the ways in which we have “taken the Holy Spirit for [our] guide” (D&C 45:57).

The wise virgins could not share their oil with the foolish virgins because “the oil of spiritual preparedness cannot be shared.” 

from Converted Unto the Lord
President Spencer W. Kimball, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
March 2009

The vessels in the parable were containers for storing extra oil. Being wise means being prepared for the unexpected with an extra measure of faith, testimony, and the Spirit in our lives. Sometimes we grow complacent, thinking we have enough to get by. But following the Savior means more than just getting by. It means always striving to draw closer to Him, preparingƒconvert for those times when our patience, faith, and testimony will be tried.

Welcome to Self-Reliance & Preparedness 2015

The QUEST for PREPAREDNESS poster for 2009.

It was a short (12-week) program; this time around
the program will last the entire year. Members who
finished the program earned the title of "The Fearless"

based on the scripture "for if ye are prepared, ye
shall not fear." D&C 38:30

IT WAS 5 YEARS AGO that the Desert Sage Ward of the Las Vegas Central Stake used The Quest for Preparedness theme to help its members get a little more prepared for an emergency.

It included some incentives to complete a 12-step program over the course of 12 weeks and included a couple events (an Earthquake Simulation event and a 72-hour kit assembling activity).

For 2015, the ward leadership is bringing back the program, but with a more inclusive approach to "Preparedness" which extends it over 12 months and  includes not only temporal preparations, but extends the effort for members to be more self-reliant and prepared spiritually. This second part should be considered a more important component to readiness.

. . . . . . . . . .  

TEMPORAL PREPAREDNESS

The first of the two components is structured as "The Road to Self-Reliance" (showing 12 areas) is "the pathway to Temporal Preparedness". 

These areas are Water • Communication • Medical & First Aid • Important Documents • Sanitation • Clothing & Shelter • Light & Power • Financial Resources • Transportation • Food • Tools • Entertainment & Leisure. 

These are not organized in any particular order of importance or priority; in fact, the order from Water to Entertainment & Leisure could change throughout the year. Each month a different topic will be emphasized, while members are encouraged to work on any portion they like as long as the goal of being accomplished in all 12 areas by the end of the year.

The first topic covered in 2015 is WATER. It is the most essential and easiest to prepared for.

You can download a PDF file here of the first in a series of 12 flyers. Each document includes three levels:  LEVEL 1 PREPAREDNESS (minimal requirements) is explained on the front and LEVEL 2 (with more details on preparedness that will make getting through an emergency more bearable) and LEVEL 3 (for long-term or major circumstances on the back.

. . . . . . . . . .  

SPIRITUAL PREPAREDNESS

The approach for this component of readiness uses the analogy of critical blocks in "Building your Faith in Christ", to establish a firm "foundation of your Spiritual Preparedness."

Like a typical building with four sides & four corners, this program establishes four components:
   • Believing IN Christ
   • Coming TO Christ
   • Doing AS Christ
   • Becoming LIKE Christ

Each quarter, there will be an emphasis on one of these activities in talks, lessons and activities planned for the ward.

On the backside of this poster (shown to the left) are  specific actions (individual blocks) associated with each of these four phases in building our faith and demonstrating our conversion to the Savior in an effort to become like Him.

Quarter 1 [January–March]

BELIEVING in CHRIST

• Accept the Atonement
• Study His Gospel, Read His Word
• Stand as a Witness
     Testify of Christ, Joseph Smith & the Restoration

Quarter 2 [April–June]
COMING to CHRIST

• Ponder and Pray 
• Worship in the Temple 
• Respond to the Spirit
• Follow the Prophets
• Repent Quickly
• Receive Ordinances/Make Covenants
• Renew Covenants

Quarter 3 [July–September]
DOING as CHRIST

• Serve Others
• Do Good Continually
• Work Willingly in His Kingdom
• Obey the Commandments

Quarter 4 [October–December]
BECOMING Like CHRIST

• Love and Minister to Others
• Seek the Father’s Will
• Fulfill Covenants