And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given. - 2 Nephi 2: 26 
President James E. Faust taught, “A choice involves making a conscious decision. To make an intelligent decision we need to evaluate all available facts on both sides of an issue. But that isn’t enough. Making correct decisions involves prayer and inspiration.” In section 9 of the Doctrine and Covenants in verses 7 through 9, the Lord said to Oliver Cowdrey:
“Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.
“But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
“But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong.” 
There are many examples throughout the Scriptures of people that were faced with making decisions. In Genesis 2:16-17 for example, we find Adam being faced with the decision to obey God or to disobey God. He and Eve could freely eat of every tree in the Garden with the exception of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. For in the day that they should eat thereof, God had said that they would surely die. As we continue our reading, we find that later in chapter 3; Eve becomes enticed by the serpent and partakes of the forbidden fruit. Not only does she partake, but she also offers some of the forbidden fruit to Adam who also partakes. Several consequences resulted from their actions. One such consequence was that sin entered the world, and thus the beginning of spiritual death, or separation from God. For the first time Adam and Eve realize that they are naked and are ashamed, and when they hear God walking in the Garden, they run and hide themselves amongst the trees.  God asked Adam and Eve three questions at this point: (1) Where are you? (And why are you hiding from me?), (2) who told you that you were naked? (And why did you believe someone else and not me?), and (3) what is it that you have done? (And are you ready to take responsibility for your actions?). Another consequence was that at this time Adam began to die physically. And so, God was true to His Word.
How many of us can remember when we were kids and our mothers sent us outside to play and warned us to not go near or tamper with a certain thing? However, being kids, our curiosity eventually got the best of us and before we knew it, we were exploring the very thing that our mother warned us to stay away from. Before long something would go wrong and when we would hear our mother coming we would try to run and hide. When she asked, “What are you doing?” we would quickly reply, “Nothing!” Then when she saw that we had disobeyed her and had tampered with the very thing that she had told us to stay away from, we knew that we were in serious trouble as there were definitely consequences to be paid for our disobedience. 
Another example of decision making can be found in Joshua 24:14-18. Joshua knew without a doubt that he and his house were going to serve the Lord. Some of the Israelites chose to follow Joshua’s example and witnessed great blessings in their life. However, when we come to the book of Judges, we find that some of the Israelites chose to follow after foreign gods and thus they endured heartache and destruction as consequences of the decisions they had made.
Serving the Lord and being obedient to His will for our lives brings great blessings and unspeakable joy. When we hearken to the voice of the Lord we find that our way is made prosperous and we are blessed with good success. On the other hand, when we harden our hearts and seek after the things of the world rather than the things of God, we find that our lives become filled with heartaches and disappointments.
And then there is the story of the rich young ruler as recorded in Luke 18:18-23. Here was a young man that supposedly had it all, or did he? He comes to Jesus and asks, “Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replies by reminding him to keep the commandments and this young ruler replies by saying, “All these things have I kept from my youth up.” Jesus hearing these things says unto him, “Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come follow me.” After hearing these things the young ruler became very sorrowful for he had many riches. How sad, for though he was rich according to the world’s standards, he was spiritually poor. His choice was his riches and the consequence of his choice was that he lost out on the best gift of all – eternal life. 
How many of us have faced similar situations in our own lives? For example, a student has the opportunity to study hard, get good grades, get his name on the honor roll, and possibly receive scholarships to help further his education. However, being a good student may not be a popular thing at his school. And so, not wanting to be treated as an outcast, he chooses to forgo all of the opportunities that are afforded him. Instead he chooses to hang out with his “friends” and do the bare minimum of what is required in each of his classes. Studying hard and getting good grades could bring great rewards later in his life, but for now, to him it is much more important to be considered as one of the “popular” kids in the school.
When faced with having to make decisions, consider the following keys to help in making the right choices:
1.  Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
2.  Proverbs 3:6 - In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
3.  Mosiah 2:21, 22 - I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants. And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you. 
In closing, hear the words of President Thomas S. Monson when he said, “Life's journey is not traveled on a freeway devoid of obstacles, pitfalls, and snares. Rather, it is a pathway marked by forks and turnings. Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely, courage is needed: the courage to say, 'No,' the courage to say, 'Yes.' Decisions do determine destiny. The call for courage comes constantly to each of us. It has ever been so, and so shall it ever be” (Thomas S. Monson, "The Call for Courage," Ensign, May 2004, 54).
These thoughts I leave with you humbly in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen.

I do not mean to come across as being callous, cruel, or mean-spirited, but the older I get, the more discouraged and dishearten I become as I watch some of our young people - the future of our world, place themselves in a proverbial box called defeatism.

Where has the time gone? It is hard to believe that in just a few short hours another year will have come and gone and will have taken its place among the annals of history.

Wise men of old came from afar asking the timeless question, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" (Matthew 2:2). Following the star that they had seen in the east, they were led to where the Christ Child was.

The tiny babe who in Bethlehem’s manger lay was no ordinary child. Some people called Him the son of David. Others called Him the son of Joseph. The scriptures call Him the son of David, the son of Mary, the son of man, the Son of God.

Every year, 11 November is set aside as the day that we celebrate Veterans Day.

The Apostle Paul Preaching At the Areopagus (Mars Hill)

While on his second missionary journey, the Apostle Paul visited the city of Troas on the Mediterranean coast. While in Troas, a vision appeared to Paul in the night.

I know that someone is going to read the title of this article and their first thought is going to be, "Keith, I think that you might have that a little backwards.

The word “service” can be defined as the action of helping or doing work for someone. “Service” can also be defined as someone’s contribution to the welfare of others.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

This talk was given on Saturday, September 03, 2011, on the occasion of the baptism of Andrew Jerry Calabrese.

With Hurricane Irene now behind us, I would like to use the analogy of a ship caught in a raging storm at sea to share my personal reflections and thoughts on how we as a family and as a Church should care for and protect one another during a time of crisis.

My father, the late John Wallace Brown, began working as a short-order cook during his High School years and continued working in that profession up until the time of his death on 20 November 2006, at 71 years of age.  He would be promoted during his career to Kitchen Manager.

This is an open address to the students of today and the future teachers and leaders of tomorrow to give them some food for thought as they begin a brand new school year.

Good morning. I would like to begin my remarks today by asking each of you a question.

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the clarion voice of the American Civil Rights Movement, was assassinated on the evening of Thursday, 4 April 1968, at the young age of 39 years, while standing on the balcony of his room (room 306) at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis Tennessee.

I am but a young man of 52 years. However, within my short life time I have slowly watched the world spin out of control on a downward spiral. Many of the nonsensical things that are occurring in our day and time would have never been thought of or heard of when I was a young lad growing up.

All of us are probably guilty at one time or another of participating in idle gossip and hearsay. How many times have we been a part of a conversation that begins something like the following: “I don’t know if it is true or not, but I heard that ____”? And we can each fill in the blank.

In the twenty-second chapter of Matthew, beginning at verse 34, we read of a Pharisee, who was a lawyer by trade, who asks the Savior a question by saying, "Master, which is the great commandment in the law?" The Savior answers him by saying, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and

My father, the late John Wallace Brown, was a hard working man. As a young boy growing up it was not uncommon for my father to work two or three jobs just to pay the bills, keep food on the table, and a roof over his little family’s head.

This talk was given on the occasion of the baptism of Josephine Mae Hunter on 11 June 2011 in Annapolis Maryland.

“God does not send thunder if a still, small voice is enough” (Ensign, November 1976, p.14) - Neal A. Maxwell

President Howard W.

Someone once said, "The person who really wants to do something finds a way; the other person finds an excuse." Some people seem to have a knack for always having an excuse as to why they cannot do something, no matter how simple or difficult the task at hand may be.

I am sorry - three little words - eight letters - and yet one of the most difficult things for some people to say. Perhaps it is the word “sorry” that some people seem to have so much trouble with, for as Sir Elton John, the singer/songwriter says in his song, sorry seems to be the hardest word.

Alma 26:8 - "Blessed be the name of our God; let us sing to his praise, yea, let us give thanks to his holy name, for he doth work righteousness forever."

Traditionally, every third Thursday in November is set aside for the celebration of Thanksgiving Day.

I have always enjoyed listening to the music of the late James Joseph Croce, better known to the world simply as Jim Croce. His was a very unique style of music, especially the ballads that he wrote and sang. Two of my favorite songs by Jim are “Time In A Bottle” and “Photographs and Memories”.

Growing up as a boy on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, in what was at that time known as the little town of Salisbury; I can recall the good times that we had as a family gathered around the family table.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

Leadership is all about people. It is not about organizations. It is not about plans. It is not about strategies. It is all about people--motivating people to get the job done.

On Friday, 10 May 1963, a baby girl was born to John Wallace and Frances Mae Harmon Brown. The parents named her Sharon Christine Brown. She would be their third child. At the time of her birth I was only four years of age.

And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall.

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, how long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. - 1 Kings 18:21

Pythagoras is attributed as saying, "Choices are the hinges of destiny".

As I take a look around my small, but humble apartment, I am absolutely amazed at how pampered and spoiled I really am. In my apartment I have all sorts of electronic gadgets that are used on a daily basis to help make my life easier.

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well. Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6

The central core of the foundation of any society is the home. President Thomas S. Monson has taught us, “Actually, a home is much more than a house.

President Gordon Bitner Hinckley
President Gordon Bitner Hinckley
President Gordon Bitner Hinckley
In Loving Memory Of A Prophet Of The Lord
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1 Peter 3:13-17

13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
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  • I do not mean to come across as being callous, cruel, or mean-spirited, but the older I get, the more discouraged and dishearten I become ...
  • Fear the Lord and Live Peaceably With All Men Key Verse: “ O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him .” – P...
  • With Hurricane Irene now behind us, I would like to use the analogy of a ship caught in a raging storm at sea to share my personal reflect...
  • Key Verse : 2 Corinthians 5:20 “ Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead,...
  • Jewish Independence Day - The Passover Scripture Lesson: Exodus 12:13-14 " And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the hous...
  • Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the fles...
  • “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the...
  • Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. - 1 Peter 5:8   On S...
  • Study Verses : 2 Corinthians 8:16 – 9:15 Key Verses : 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 “ But this I say, He which soweth sparingly, shall reap also spari...
  • All of us are probably guilty at one time or another of participating in idle gossip and hearsay. How many times have we been a part of a c...
The Joseph Smith Papers
The Joseph Smith Papers

On February 25th, 2008, the Church announced the establishment of a new imprint for publishing works that relate to the origin and growth of the Church.

The first project by the Church Historian's Press is The Joseph Smith Papers. This comprehensive series of journals, letters, legal documents, and business papers chronicles the life of Joseph Smith. When finished, this project will include more than 30 volumes.

The first three volumes are scheduled for publication later this year and will include Joseph Smith's early journals.

In time, the published volumes are expected to be made available in their entirety through the Web site Joseph Smith Papers.
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