The Genealogy of Sabine and Michael Ratcliffe

Can't Afford Not to Pay Tithing

"In the April 1900 conference, President [Joseph F.] Smith shared this memory from his childhood:" 'My mother was a widow, with a large family to provide for. One spring when we opened our potato pits she had her boys get a load of the best potatoes, and she took them to the tithing office; potatoes were scarce that season. I was a little boy at the time, and drove the team. When we drove up to the steps of the tithing office, ready to unload the potatoes, one of the clerks came out and said to my mother, "Widow Smith, it's a shame that you should have to pay tithing." . . . My mother turned upon him and said: "William, you ought to be ashamed of yourself. Would you deny me a blessing? If I did not pay my tithing, I should expect the Lord to withhold His blessings from me. I pay my tithing, not only because it is a law of God, but because I expect a blessing by doing it. By keeping this and other laws, I expect to prosper and to be able to provide for my family" ' (in Conference Report, Apr. 1900, p. 48)."Some people say, 'I can't afford to pay tithing.' Those who place their faith in the Lord's promises say, 'I can't afford not to pay tithing.' "

Dallin H. Oaks,, "Tithing," Ensign, May 1994, 34

Topics: Tithes and Offerings

5 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am

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Zion

"In the earliest years of this dispensation the people faltered in attempting to live the full economic plan of Zion, the united order. Because of their transgressions, the Lord chastened them. . . ."The length of time required 'to accomplish all things pertaining to Zion' is strictly up to us and how we live, for creating Zion 'commences in the heart of each person.' (Journal of Discourses, 9:283.) That it would take some time to learn our lessons was seen by the prophets. In 1863 Brigham Young stated:" 'If the people neglect their duty, turn away from the holy commandments which God has given us, seek their own individual wealth, and neglect the interests of the kingdom of God, we may expect to be here quite a time—perhaps a period that will be far longer than we anticipate.' (Journal of Discourses, 11:102.)"Unfortunately we live in a world that largely rejects the values of Zion. Babylon has not and never will comprehend Zion. . . ."This state of affairs stands in marked contrast to the Zion the Lord seeks to establish through his covenant people. Zion can be built up only among those who are the pure in heart, not a people torn by covetousness or greed, but a pure and selfless people. . . . No, Zion is not things of the lower, but of the higher order, things that exalt the mind and sanctify the heart."Zion is 'every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God.' (D&C 82:19.) As I understand these matters, Zion can be established only by those who are pure in heart, and who labor for Zion."

Spencer W. Kimball, "Becoming the Pure in Heart," Ensign, May 1978, 80–81

Topics: Service, Zion

27 Jan 2010 | 1:00 am

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Able to Understand the Truth

"Worthy music . . . has the power to persuade. We learn this lesson from the writings of John Jaques. He was born in England in 1827, a son of Wesleyan Methodist parents. In his youth John earnestly sought the true religion. He studied intensively with Latter-day Saint missionaries and, at the age of 18, became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." 'John's austere father, upset upon hearing this news, wrote: "I wished you . . . to attend the Wesleyan Chapel. They [the Mormons] do not teach you . . . [to] honor and obey your parents. I . . . hope you will give up the idea of belonging to such a party. . . . It is fiction."" 'John's reply, written March 14, 1847, when he was but twenty years of age, included these words: "Dear Father: I would pray . . . that I may understand the things of the Kingdom of God and carry my ideas to you. . . . Since I [joined the Church] my eyes have been opened, and I have been able to understand the truth. I can bear testimony to the truth . . . of the doctrines . . . in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." ' Three years later, at age 23, John Jaques wrote the words to this hymn that we know and love:"Oh say, what is truth? 'Tis the fairest gemThat the riches of worlds can produce,And priceless the value of truth will be whenThe proud monarch's costliest diademIs counted but dross and refuse. . . .["Oh Say, What Is Truth?" Hymns, no. 272]"John stood firm in his conviction of the truth. He remained true and faithful and ultimately served as assistant to the Church historian from 1889 until his death on June 1, 1900."

Russell M. Nelson, "Power and Protection Provided by Worthy Music" (Church Educational System fireside for young adults, May 4, 2008), 3

Topics: Faith, Music

25 Jan 2010 | 1:00 am

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They Remained Quiet and Attentive

"John Taylor's strength of witness and conversion were illustrated by an event that occurred near Columbus, Ohio, where a group of trouble-makers, learning that he had scheduled to preach a service there, decided to tar and feather him. When a few Church members heard about the plot, they urged him to cancel the meeting, for they lacked the strength to protect him. Expressing his thanks for their concern, he decided nevertheless to fulfill the appointment. At the meeting, the English convert proceeded to lecture his audience about the blessings of freedom guaranteed in the American Constitution and about the valor of their forefathers in fighting for liberty. Having laid that groundwork, he suddenly shifted his focus: 'I have been informed that you purpose to tar and feather me, for my religious opinions. Is this the boon you have inherited from your fathers? Is this . . . your liberty?' After letting the implications of these accusatory questions seep in, he said, 'Gentlemen come on with your tar and feathers, your victim is ready; and ye shades of the venerable patriots, gaze upon the deeds of your degenerate sons! Come on, gentlemen! Come on, I say. I am ready!' (in B. H. Roberts, The Life of John Taylor [1892], 53–55). The would-be tormentors made no move. Instead they remained quiet and attentive while Elder Taylor expounded on the plain and precious doctrines of the restored Church for three hours."

L. Tom Perry, "By the Hands of His Prophets," Ensign, Aug. 1998, 54

Topics: Testimony, Courage, Holy Ghost

27 Nov 2009 | 1:00 am

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Zion

"The vision of what we are about and what should come of our labors must be kept uppermost in our minds as we learn and do our duty. . . . This applies equally to all Church activities. In the fifty-eighth section of the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord shares with us a glimpse of this Latter-day Zion:" 'Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation." 'For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand. . . ." 'Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you—that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come;" 'And also that you might be honored in laying the foundation, and in bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand; . . . " 'And after that cometh the day of my power; then shall the poor, the lame, and the blind, and the deaf, come in unto the marriage of the Lamb, and partake of the supper of the Lord, prepared for the great day to come." 'Behold, I, the Lord, have spoken it.' (D&C 58:3–12.)"This day will come; it is our destiny to help bring it about! Doesn't it motivate you to lengthen your stride and quicken your pace as you do your part in the great sanctifying work of the kingdom? It does me. It causes me to rejoice over the many opportunities for service and sacrifice afforded me and my family as we seek to do our part in establishing Zion."

Spencer W. Kimball, "Becoming the Pure in Heart," Ensign, May 1978, 80

Topics: Service, Zion

5 Feb 2010 | 1:00 am