Teachings of President Spencer W. Kimball

[Mamallama]

I was wondering if anyone would be interested in discussing the current Priesthood/RS lessons each week. Some of us are unable to attend Priesthood/RS and I just thought this might be a good "excuse" (for me anyway), to study the lesson and to have someone to share thoughts, favorite quotes from it or whatever we feel.

I love President Kimball. He was the prophet when I was a teenager, so reading his words and testimony brings back memories.

This week's lesson is Chapter 7 on Personal Testimonies. I think the whole lesson is great. But I better not post the entire chapter, so I'll share a few thoughts/quotes that jumped out at me.

In talking about obtaining and maintaining a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, President Kimball said, “Mere passive acceptance of the doctrines will not give the testimony; no casual half-compliance with the program will bring that assurance, but an ALL-OUT EFFORT to live His commandments.” This really jumped out at me. As I read this, I questioned myself, am I giving an all-out effort in keeping the commandments and studying the scriptures to maintain my testimony? I can see many areas I need to work harder on.

He also says on page 75, “Everything has to be fed. You feed your body three times a day. The Lord says to keep your testimony, to keep your spirit alive, you have to feed it every day….That is why He says pray every night and morning. That is why He says pray continually so that you keep that line open.” I ask myself, am I feeding my spirit enough?

He also says: “Don’t forget it! You have to fight for a testimony. You have to keep fighting!” Wow, I never really had thought about this in terms of having to fight and keep fighting for my testimony. Powerful thought to me!

The last thought I'll share is what he said in reference to the importance of bearing our testimony, that in the D&C60:2 the Lord is meaning this: “He says that if they don’t use it (their testimony) they will lose what He has given them. They lose their spirit. They lose their testimony. And this priceless thing that you have can slip right out of your life.” Am I fighting hard enough to keep my testimony alive, am I sharing my testimony enough?

I'd love to hear any of your thoughts on this lesson......

[Dia Minha]

Mama, You read my mind. I have been thinking for a while that I would suggest it, but thought I better catch up first. Are we really on chapter 7 already. I guess I better get cruisin.

I'll skip to chapter 7 so I can post soon.

Dia

[5ft Diva]

We're actually on lesson #6 this week. We just had lesson #5 - the one on prayer - last Sunday. But we can discuss #7 this week and then #6 the following week if you'd like. I'll read #7 and discuss. I think it's a brilliant idea! There's much to be discussed that we don't have enough time for in R.S. anyway.

[Dia Minha]

Well, that makes me feel a little better. I am almost done with chapter 3. I'm willing to skip to seven though and I will read the others in the off weeks. Did I say that already? I think I started to in my previous post and then changed my mind. Sorry for repeat if I did.

[Mamallama]

OOPS! Getting ahead of myself I guess.

We can still talk about chapter 6 this week and then back to 7 so we stay on track. What do you think?

I'm going to go back and re-read chapter 6 now anyway.

Let me know

[Dia Minha]

Sounds good to me. The first person to post on chapter 6 can then just start a new thread and when we move back up to 7 we can come back here.

[5ft Diva]

Woohoo! Discussion group! LLLOOOOVVVEEEE it!

[LostnFound]

What a great idea. I will post later when I get more time.