Benjamin Gudea Pack

Busy is a choice. Stress is a choice. Joy is a choice. Choose well. ~ Ann Voskamp #AppreciativeInquiry|#Arbinger|#JesusChrist|

[Divine Code 💫 @slc_saint]

Maybe a lot of us (including me) have missed the biggest point about the Israel-Hamas war.

The Church has to frame its public statements to fit 180 countries and think of the repercussions to its members in wholly different circumstances and political climates than ours. They also cannot make political comments that appear to take sides. This announcement is not scripture; it’s general policy influenced by the need to sustain a church presence for as many as possible, for as long as possible. The exact same thing happened with COVID.

But you and I have our marching orders straight from Christ.

78 Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;
79 Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms—
80 That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you.
81 Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor [on X/Twitter as well]. (Doctrine and Covenants 88:78-81)

If you read the verses before and after this reference, our mission is to warn each other of the signs of the times, and that the Second Coming is on our doorstep.

The most important thing about this war is it’s prophesied role as a sign of the Second Coming -AND- its pattern is to be repeated in our country as well .

"4 Alas, a nation astray, a people weighed down by sin, the offspring of wrongdoers, perverse children: they have forsaken Jehovah, they have spurned the Holy One of Israel, they have lapsed into apostasy.
Your land is ruined, your cities burned with fire; your native soil is devoured by aliens in your presence, laid waste at its takeover by foreigners." (Isaiah 1:4,7 - prophecy of end-times)

Think about the southern border and the giant influx.

15 And I say unto you, that if the Gentiles do not repent after the blessing which they shall receive, after they have scattered my people—
16 Then shall ye, who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, go forth among them; and ye shall be in the midst of them who shall be many; and ye shall be among them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he goeth through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. (3 Nephi 20:15-16)

Israel being besieged by all sides by great armies leads right into the Second Coming. I don't know if this flare-up will subside and flare again or if it will escalate without an end - regardless, the match has been lit. We should be keenly aware and watching and talking to each other about it.

The Most Important Point of All

~The Second Coming and the desolation of abomination is on its way.
~We plead with each other to get our houses in order.
~To get our spirituality in order.
~We plead with each other to repent and repent soundly and deeply.
~And get as close to Christ as possible now. "You are running out of time." President Nelson

[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints @Ch_JesusChrist]

“The light of a new day shines brighter in our lives when we see and treat our fellow beings with respect and dignity and as true brothers and sisters in Christ.” —Elder @Ulisses__Soares #GeneralConference

[Ronald A. Rasband @RonaldARasband]

To the many seasoned seniors in the Church who could serve as missionaries—the Lord needs you. We need you in New York and Chicago, Australia and Africa, Thailand and Mexico, and everywhere in between.

My parents, Elder Rulon and Sister Verda Rasband, were serving as a senior couple in the Fort Lauderdale Florida Mission. They were proselyting and by divine guidance, knocked on the door of Rebecca Guzman’s home. Unknown to them at that moment, Rebecca already had some familiarity with the Church due to being a fan of musician Donny Osmond.

“My mother told me to get rid of them,” Rebecca later wrote, “but my heart said ‘No.’ I looked into their faces and felt so much warmth and love. The memory still brings tears to my eyes and deep emotion to my heart.”

Rebecca invited them in and my missionary parents shared a message with her, her two younger sisters, and despite her objections, her mother.

Rebecca described to me, “Both your parents were wonderful in explaining any questions we had. I can still see their faces as if there was light surrounding them. We always hugged your mother when she left and she always made a point of helping my mother feel comfortable and respected. Your father always had a sparkle in his eyes as he was teaching us about Jesus Christ. He tried to include my father in discussions, and eventually won him over.”

After four months, Rebecca insisted she be baptized and join the true Church. She recalled, “Every fiber of my soul knew it was true.” On April 5, 1979, missionaries baptized 19-year-old Rebecca, her mother, and two sisters. My father was a witness at the baptism.

There are so many ways senior missionaries can do what no one else can. You are a remarkable force for good, seasoned in the Church, and poised to encourage and rescue God’s children. #GeneralConference

[Benjamin Gudea Pack @BenPack]

@prageru Waste money.

[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints @Ch_JesusChrist]

The Church currently plans to release “Hymns—for Home and Church” — one collection of hymns and children’s songs — in four languages by the end of 2026. Up to 50 additional languages will be published by 2030, and some new songs will be available digitally in 2024.

https://t.co/NNI42cYb7X

[Benjamin Gudea Pack @BenPack]

@ldsconf Sister Runia

[Benjamin Gudea Pack @BenPack]

@LDSLivingMag Rome

[Cormac Russell @CormacRussell]

Tech is fantastic in so many ways: it conquers distance, but it cannot convert it to nearness. The creation of more connected communities is not a tech challenge-it’s a job for near neighbours in touch (literally) with each other. Tech puts us “in touch” but doesn’t replace touch

[Benjamin Gudea Pack @BenPack]

https://t.co/UxVUPG1TzS

[Benjamin Gudea Pack @BenPack]

Self-Care Made Simple https://t.co/9VMqWfkB5o via @YouTube

[Benjamin Gudea Pack @BenPack]

https://t.co/M2Ywl2EADp

[Benjamin Gudea Pack @BenPack]

https://t.co/SLKpIVngez

[Benjamin Gudea Pack @BenPack]

“People don’t change their behavior when other people yell at them, shame them, or send them away to be alone. People change their behavior when they feel heard, understood, and loved. Growth and change require connection and compassion.” ~Katie Hurley

[Benjamin Gudea Pack @BenPack]

https://t.co/dUJKXpE0DY

[Benjamin Gudea Pack @BenPack]

What is Nature-Deficit Disorder

[Benjamin Gudea Pack @BenPack]

Healthier, specialty milk from Jersey cows?

[HyrumWeHaveaProblem @HaveaWe]

https://t.co/hdaAxn9zBj

[Benjamin Gudea Pack @BenPack]

https://t.co/h2W8gJH7SV walipini article by Benson Institute.

[Tad Walch @Tad_Walch]

Another President Nelson surprise! After the #GeneralConference broadcast ended this afternoon, President Nelson walked up the stairs to the choir loft to greet the multicultural choir. Many of them wept. @DeseretNews will have photos from Jeff Allred soon.

[Benjamin Gudea Pack @BenPack]

“Sometimes we think that effective leadership is somebody taking control and doing all of it. But really, effective leadership is the opportunity and the vision to counsel together and listen — and not just listen, but listen to learn what the Lord would like us to do.” ~Cordon

[Benjamin Gudea Pack @BenPack]

This is the message we need right now: Embrace the Future with Faith | Russell M. Nelson | General Women's Sess... https://t.co/Yaq50aW9ok via @YouTube