Put on the Armor of God

When we choose to obey the commandments of God and the words of our prophet, we not only will receive blessings, but it will become easier to make good choices and choose the right in the future.  As a teenager I was confronted frequently to break the commandments and do things that I knew were against the standards of the church.  I grew up in area where there were not many kids who were LDS.  It was hard to stand up for what was right, especially because no one around me followed those same standards and I felt very alone and unpopular.  When I received my patriarchal blessing I was told that I would be able to recognize Satan's attempts and that when I saw them, that I would provide leadership, hope and peace for my friends.  My blessing said that I would be able help my friends avoid Satan's snares and pitfalls, and that my friends would bless me for it.  Even though it was difficult, I took courage in my blessing.  There were many times when we were invited to participate in things that I knew to be wrong.  When I took a stand and chose to obey the commandments, my friends would follow me and make the same choices, even though none of them were LDS.  Years later I have had friends from high school call me and tell me how glad they were that they made good choices and how it has affected their lives.  I testify that once you stand up for what it right, you are blessed with power from on high and it becomes easier to do what is right.

- Sister Landers

Are we willing to become totally obedient to God's law?  There comes a time in our lives when a definite decision must be made.  We should decide now, in the light of morning, how we will act when the darkness of night and when the storms of temptation arrive.

- Howard W. Hunter

"Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them." - Alma 57:21

I will go and Do....

There are times when we don’t see the reason to obey a certain prompting, commandment, or directive.  When I was serving a mission in Texas, I was driving home from an appointment with my companion.  We got to an intersection that crossed a 4-lane highway.  It was nearly dark.  I looked both ways.  There was no one coming.  I started to go…and felt strongly that I should step on the gas HARD!  Without a moment hesitation, although I saw no danger, I obeyed the prompting.  Immediately I heard the screeching of brakes and felt the impact of a car as it collided with the back doors of our Ford Taurus.  If I had questioned or waited to see why I had received that prompting, I very likely would not be writing this today.  Certainly not all promptings are life and death…but may of them are even MORE important, because they are the difference between SPIRITUAL life or death.  Girls, that I already love, PLEASE listen and OBEY!  You will see the blessings.

 I love your cute faces and can’t wait to spend the week with you at camp!!!

 Sister Rhinehart

"The Day is coming, more than ever has been the case in the past when we will be under the obligation of making a choice of standing up for the Church, of adhering to its precepts and teachings and principles, of taking the counsel that comes from the apostles and prophets whom God has placed to teach the doctrine and bear witness to the world.  The day is coming when this will be more necessary than has ever been the case in our day or at any time in our dispensation."

                                                - Bruce R. McConkie

"It is important that we make up our minds early in life as to what we will do and what we will not do.  Long before the moment of temptation comes…. We all have different weaknesses and temptations, and we should examine our lives to find out what those weaknesses are and where we should put on the extra armor so we can do what is right and not submit to temptation."

                                                - N. Eldon Tanner

Obedience in all Things

Part of being in any Army is learning obedience.  In an Army it would be disastrous for the troops to go against the Commander in Chief’s orders.  A war is raging today and we, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are members of God’s Army.  We must learn to be obedient and follow our commander in Chief, Thomas S. Monson.  It is crucial in these last days to learn obedience in order to withstand Satan’s attacks.  Friends, be bold.  Do what is right……let the consequence follow.  “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.” (2 Timothy 1:8) Love, Sister Landers

“Nephi taught us a powerfully simple principle in recounting his father’s dream of the tree of life.  He described a strait and narrow path leading to a tree and a great and spacious building.  This building was filled with people who were dressed in exceedingly fine and fashionable clothing.  They were all in an attitude of mocking and pointing fingers toward those who were partaking of the fruit.  They were trying to get people off the path and into the building.  From all appearances, the people inside seemed to be having a great time.  What an indelible image of temptation.

The time has come when we must take an unyielding stand.  We must shore up our spiritual underpinnings, listen to the prophets of God, and follow their counsel.  Said Paul to Timothy:  “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.” (2 Timothy 1:7-8)

It requires courage to make good choices, even when others around us choose differently.  As we make righteous choices day by day in little things, the Lord will strengthen us and help us choose the right during more difficult times.”

• Elder Craig Zwick

“For years I thought the mocking crowd was making fun of the way the faithful live their lives, but the voices from the building today have changed their tone and approach.  Those who mock often try to drown out the simple message of the gospel by attacking some aspect of the Church’s history or offering pointed criticism of a prophet or other leader.  They are attacking the very heart of our doctrine and the law of God, given since the Creation of the earth.  We, as disciples of Jesus Christ and members of His Church, must never let go of that iron rod.  We must let the clarion trumpet sound from our own souls.”

• Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer

Who am I?

You have been told that you were saved for these latter days because of your strength.  Now it is time to believe it.  God NEEDS you to find out WHO you are and the vital part you will play in this war against Satan. Rise up, daughters of God! Discover who you really are. You are His. He is yours. Together we will win this war against Satan.

Love, Sister Rhinehart

In this day, we again issue the call to you, our beloved [young women].  You are the band of Christians.  This is a rallying call.  Come forth; the battle is imminent.  Never has it been so important to enlist in the Lord’s cause.

The standard for you has been raised.  The trump has sounded clear and terrible.  The battle lines haven been drawn.  Lucifer’s army is marshalled in ranks of evil and satanic forces.  Their battle cry is fearful.  Their cause is destruction, sin, death, and hell.  They have only one cause, and all the powers of evil on earth and in hell are combining against the band of Christians.

But the Lord has sent forth the greatest and mightiest leaders of all time, and he counsels us, “Let my army become very great, and let it be sanctified before me, that it may become fair as the sun, and clear as the moon, and that her banners may be terrible unto all nations.” (D&C 105:31)

We call on you, our young people, to join the ranks.

Listen.  Can you hear it off in the distance?  The trumpet is sounding.  Can you hear the clarion call?  Can you hear the pounding steps of the marching armies of God?  They are coming.  Rise up, give a battle shout, and join their ranks.

                                                Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone

With God’s Kingdom restored to the earth and your entry into the world, Satan knows that “he hath but a short time.”  Therefore, Satan is marshaling every resource at his disposal to entice you into transgression.  He knows that if he can draw you into transgression, he may prevent you from serving a full-time mission, marrying in the temple, and securing your future children in the faith, all of which weakens not only you but the Church.  He knows that nothing can overthrow God’s kingdom “save it [be] the transgression of [his] people.”  Make no mistake about it – the focus of his war is now on you – you who seek to “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Now my young friends, you need to appreciate that our days now and the days that lie ahead are “perilous”.  In this regard, President Boyd K. Packer has observed:

                “I know nothing in the history of the Church or in the history of the world to compare with our present circumstances.  Nothing happened in Sodom and Gomorrah which exceeds in wickedness and depravity that which surrounds us now.”

My dear [sisters], these are your days!  Do not squander them!  Be sober!  Take “the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall…quench all the fiery darts of the wicked”.  Then “fight the good fight of faith:.  And when you have done all, “stand” still and “see the salvation of the Lord”.  I assure you that His salvation will come, delivering you and yours from every evil.

                                                Elder James J. Hamula

Building God's Army

Girl in Armor by Judy Cooley

Young Women of the Ammon West Stake, welcome to God’s Army!  Over the next 6 months we will be training you to become warriors in God’s Army to prepare for girls camp.  We want to make sure that each of you are spiritually prepared and strengthened to fight on the Lord’s side.  A great war is raging in our world today.  Satan has been successful at deceiving, creating counterfeits, and preaching worldly doctrine to make good appear evil and evil to appear good.   Every one of you are needed in this final war.  “In all ages, prophets have looked down through the corridors of time to our day.  Billions of the deceased and those yet to be born have their eyes on us.  Make no mistake about it – you are a marked generation…..For nearly six thousand years, God has held you in reserve to make your appearance in the final days before the second coming of the Lord.  Some individuals will fall away, but the kingdom of God will remain intact to welcome the return of its Head – even Jesus Christ.  While this generation will be comparable in wickedness to the days of Noah, when the Lord cleansed the earth by flood, there is a major difference this time;  [it is that] God has saved for the final inning some of His strongest….children, who will help bear off the kingdom triumphantly.” (President Ezra Taft Benson) 

Now is the time that we need to commit to being obedient and valiant.  Commit to being on the Lord’s side in every issue.  Commit to fight in God’s army.  Commit to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things and in all places.  To press forward despite the enemies attacks and fiery darts, to be bold and noble and rise above the filth that surrounds us.  In these things, there is safety and peace.  “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord….” (2 Timothy 1:7-8)  Young Women, come join the ranks to be a warrior in God’s Army!

-Sister Landers