Be Ye Therefore Complete

Early Morning Seminary- In Iraq

Question: How can you tell if someone is converted to Jesus Christ? Elder Marvin J. Aston’s answer: “By the way they treat other people” (Ensign, May 1992, 20)

Zion’s Camp Timeline June 18 th - Approach Fishing River June 19 th - Joseph moves them to “higher ground” After midnight, a mob, about 200, begins to cross the river. Hail storm strips trees, river rises 30 feet. Some of the mob drown in the river June 20 th - Joseph warns that if the Camp does not repent, some will “die like sheep with the rot” June 22 nd - Revelation received June 24 th - Cholera breaks out June 25 th - Camp disbanded

What Revelation? Behold, I say unto you, were it not for the transgressions of my people, … they might have been redeemed even now. But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them; And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself. Therefore, in consequence of the transgressions of my people, it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season for the redemption of Zion—

Traditional Sermon on the Mount 43 ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew Chapter 6 1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

3 Nephi (plus) And behold it is written also, that thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy; Therefore those things which were of old time, which were under the law, in me are all fulfilled. Old things are done away, and all things have become new. Therefore I would that ye should be perfect [complete] even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect [complete]. Verily, verily, I say that I would that ye should do alms unto the poor; but take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of them; otherwise ye have no reward of your Father who is in heaven. But when thou doest alms let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth; Question: What kind of “alms” does the Lord do in secret?

Elder Oaks When we think of service, we usually think of the acts of our hands. But… the Lord looks to our hearts as well as our hands. He is concerned not only with our acts but also with our motives. One of his earliest commandments to Israel was to "love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul" In order to purify our service to God and to our fellowmen, it is therefore important to consider not only how we serve, but also why we serve. (Pure in Heart, 38.)

Elder Antonie Ivins There is no limit to the good that you can do, if you don't care who gets the credit" (C.R., April 1946, p. 42).

Savior Continues… Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Question: When we give, are we more focused on the alm, or the one who will receive the alm?

D&C 3 For although a man may have many revelations, and have power to do many mighty works, yet if he: 1) boasts in his own strength, and 2) sets at naught the counsels of God, and 3) follows after the dictates of his own will and carnal desires, 4) he must fall and incur the vengeance of a just God upon him.

Who is in need our alms? The Christopher Williams family was struck late Friday, in Salt Lake, when a Jeep Cherokee traveling south on 2000 East slammed into the family's northbound Volkswagen Jetta beneath the Interstate 80 overpass. The SUV flipped, and the driver, who suffered minor scrapes and bruises, fled on foot. The sedan suffered heavy passenger-side damage, killing the pregnant mother, Michelle Williams, 41, and two of her children: Ben, 11, and Anna, 9. The surviving father and 6- year-old boy, Sam, were transported in extremely critical condition to Salt Lake City hospitals. The couple's other son, Michael, 14, was not in the car. Family spokesman James Wood said the father – an LDS bishop in the Crystal Heights 2nd Ward - has improved considerably since the crash. His son, however, remains in the intensive care unit at Primary Children's Medical Center with bleeding and swelling of the brain, a broken collar bone and cracked ribs. From his hospital bed, Christopher Williams asked for a prayer - not for himself, but for the teenage driver who police say smashed into his family sedan, killing his wife and two of his children. At Williams' request, the 17-year-old's name was added to the prayer roll of an LDS temple, hoping to give some comfort to a teen now jailed on suspicion of automobile homicide. At Williams' request, the 17-year-old's name was added to the prayer roll of an LDS temple, hoping to give some comfort to a teen now jailed on suspicion of automobile homicide. "I don't know of anyone who believes in the redemption more than Chris Williams," said lifelong friend…