What is our duty to God?

On Monday, October 20th, we were privileged to attend several meetings with Elder L. Whitney Clayton, of the Presidency of the Seventy and Elder Stanley R. Ellis, First Counselor in the Africa Southeast Area Presidency and member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, together with their good wives.

It was a great experience to be with two general authorities and their wives. The Ellis have nine (9) children and they have all served missions!  Four of their children served in France and four served in Brazil. Their youngest is currently serving in South Korea.

What is our Duty to God ? 

Alma describes a time in which great afflictions and believing in the judgements of God, caused people in Zarahemla  to be awakened to a remembrance of their duty. "..so great were their afflictions that every soul had cause to mourn; and they believed that it was the judgements of God sent upon them because of their wickedness...therefore they were awakened to a remembrance of their duty. And they began to establish the church more fully;" (Alma 4: 3-4).

Two years later, because of pride "the church began to fail in its progress" (Alma 4:10). Alma appoints Nephihah as the chief judge. "And this he did that he himself might go forth among his people,...that he might preach the word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride.." (Alma 4:19) (see also Mosiah 1:17; Hel. 11:34)

Alma also speaks to the people in Gideon: 

"And now my beloved brethren, I have said these things unto you that I might awaken you to a sense of your duty to God, that ye may walk blameless before him, that ye may walk after the holy order of God, after which ye have been received. And now I would that ye should 

1.) be humble, and 

2.) be submissive and 

3.) gentle; 

4.) easy to be entreated; 

5.) full of patience and 

6.) long-suffering;

7.) being temperate in all things; 

8.) being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; 

9.) asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; 

10.) always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive. And see that ye 

11.) have faith, 

12.) hope, and 

13.) charity, and then ye will always abound in good works." (Alma 7:22-24).

 Photos from this week:

Mom making your list in preparation for the General Authorities visit.

Popcorn treat at the Birthday party after Stacy Dickie's baptism on her 8th birthday. 

Long line of people waiting to pay for electricity. They do this each week.....

I love you,

Dad