Delicious Fruit Like Eating from the Tree of Life

This last month I have been immersed in studying for my Relief Society JOSEPH SMITH lesson. It has been a month of pure knowledge and intelligence flowing a steady stream of living water. It dawned on me today in sacrament meeting how the things that I heard and were taught from the speakers were like pearls of wisdom and knowledge. Treasures of knowledge from the Holy Ghost. My cup ranneth over.

A scripture was quoted from I Nephi of the vision he had when he asked to be able to see what his father saw when he saw the Tree of Life. I understood for that exact moment that what I was learning all month was like "tasting of the fruit that is delicious above all other fruit."

The principles taught in the lesson also piqued my interest regarding the Three Degrees of Glory. It was about fifty years ago, yes, fifty that I was first aware of their being three heavens in the New Testament.

I must have put those memories away that long ago, that when I was preparing myself and praying for understanding in how to present the lesson-- it came to my mind about when the missionary Elders were teaching my parents at our dining room table. They drew sketches to represent the three heavens. I remember a sketch that one of them drew to teach us the plan of salvation lesson.

Unfortunately the missionaries were unsuccessful in their attempt to bring our family the gospel of Jesus Christ at that crossroad in our lives. My younger brother, Albert, had recently died at birth and I often wondered years later if someone (LDS neighbors?) in the neighborhood had given the Elders our names to investigate the church. It would have been timely anyway. The rest is history.

My day was filled to overflowing with the knowledge and assurance of the plan of salvation that we will be reunited with our loved ones who have passed on. We sang a song in sacrament meeting as a rest song, hymn number 286. The (third)verse about seeing and embracing our loved ones on the other side really touched my heart. I know that is how it will be when I see my parents again. My apology that I don't have the name of the hymn. It has in the title, "dear in my heart" or something to that effect. I don't have a hymn book either in the house to look it up exactly. I quoted that verse as part of my lesson presentation.

I also attended a birthday dinner at Hank & Lori's for K8. Hank and Kris are in Germany, Hank is on an assignment and writing a news article for the National Guard soldiers who are deployed and stationed in Germany on a base near Munich. The two are having a great time so far as I have heard. K8 chose Hawaiian Haystacks for his birthday dinner. Bestamor & Bestafar were there as were Lynn and Linda with Mike and Meghan, Lori's cousin's who is going to BYU.

I finished off the evening and attended a single adult's fireside. Jack Christiansen spoke and gave "a great talk about Coming unto Christ."

I am now too tired to write anymore.
so until next time. Hasta Manana, Love Mom aka Anna

Addendum: I added this on Monday to complete this blog entry:

He, Bro. Jack Christiansen, likened the scripture references about Captain Moroni [to the Savior]. He stated that Mormon, who abridged the plates was so impressed with him and his leadership that he named his own son, Moroni after him. He also said that the brethren, i.e., Alma the younger, the son of Alma and the sons of Mosiah, Aaron, Ammon, etc. all became men of God, and even had the goodness of Jesus Christ. That Christ was the role model and the men were just like HIM! So really it is the Savior that Captain Moroni was emulating. I found this to be a wonderful mystery added to my memory bank.

He also related a journal account from Elder Dan Jones who loved the Prophet, Joseph Smith and followed him as knowing that even with what appeared to be human frailties, he would die with or even for Joseph. He didn't have to, and passed the test that Joseph put him through as the Prophet needed to know for himself whom he could trust.
He spoke for 45 minutes. Again, my day ended to overflowing with the testimony of the Savior and his love and sacrifice for every one of us. I am so indebted to him for my own salvation and those of my posterity. I also know Joseph Smith was the chosen Prophet of the Lord in the last dispensation to bring the restoration of the gospel for mankind. Doctrine and Covenants 135:3 states.

Doctrine & Covenants 135:3—written by Elder John Taylor of the Council of the Twelve, who was a witness of the events

"Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fullness of the everlasting gospel, (missionary work) which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth.; had brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instruction [Temple Endowment, sealing power] for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of Latter-day Saints [like Moses], founded a great city [Nauvoo], and left a fame and name that cannot be slain [was martyred]. He lived great, and died great in the eyes of God and his people’ and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated."