Our prophet is a storyteller.  Don’t we just love his stories?

Surprisingly, this past conference, in the address he gave in the Priesthood Session, he didn’t have a whole lot of stories to share.  Instead, he gave us a long list of things we should be doing in order to prepare for the blessings of eternity.  Yes, this list was geared for the young men, but we should live just as well, at the words of our prophet.

I offer a comprehensive list for us to see his directives more clearly:

• “Prepare for service as a missionary.”
• “Families have family home evenings, where gospel principles are taught.”
• “Prepare for a temple (eternal) marriage.”
• “If you ever find yourself in a place where you shouldn’t ought to be, get out!”
• “Dress appropriately to show respect for our Heavenly Father and for ourselves.”
• “When you share common values with your friends, you can strengthen and encourage each other.”
• “Treat everyone with kindness and dignity.”
• “Honesty is the best policy…honest with others…honest with [her]self…honest with God…honest by habit and as a matter of course.”
• “When a difficult decision must be made, [she] never asks [herself], ‘What will others think?’ but rather, ‘What will I think of myself?’”
• “How you speak and the words you use tell much about the image you choose to portray.  Use language to build and uplift those around you.”
• “Never misuse the name of God or Jesus Christ.”
• “Seek after ‘anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.  Whatever you read, listen to, or watch makes an impression on you.”
• “Pornography is especially dangerous and addictive.  Avoid pornography at all costs.”
• “Don’t be afraid to walk out of a movie, turn off a television set, or change a radio station if what’s being presented does not meet your Heavenly Father’s standards.  Don’t see it, don’t read it, don’t participate.”
• “It is our responsibility to keep our temples (bodies) clean and pure.”
• “Hard drugs, wrongful use of prescription drugs, alcohol, coffee, tea, and tobacco products destroy your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.”
• “You cannot afford to fill your minds with unworthy music.”
• “ Because sexual intimacy is so sacred, the Lord requires self-control and purity before marriage as well as full fidelity after marriage.”
• “Fill your minds with good thoughts, and your actions will be proper.”
• “The Lord cuts through all the media messages with clear and precise language when He declares to us, ‘Be ye clean.’”
• “When you were confirmed a member of the Church, you received the right to the companionship of the Holy Ghost.  He can help you make good choices.  When challenged or tempted, you do not need to feel alone.”
• “Remember that prayer is the passport to spiritual power.”
• “If any has stumbled in his journey, there is a way back.  The process is called repentance.”
• “Don’t put your eternal life at risk.  Keep the commandments of God.”
• “If you have sinned, the sooner you begin to make your way back, the sooner you will find the sweet peace and joy that come with the miracle of forgiveness.”
• “Happiness comes from living the way the Lord wants you to live and from service to God and others.”
• “Spiritual strength frequently comes through selfless service.”
• “When one has faith…our Heavenly Father hears such prayers and answers in His own way.”
• “Clean hands, a pure heart, and a willing mind [touches] heaven.”

“Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, follow the prophet; don’t go astray.  Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, follow the prophet; he knows the way.”   (Primary Song)

“Preparation Brings Blessings”   April 2010