Interesting Article!

Looking around the Church's newsroom site for inspiration for today's spiritual thought, I noticed this article headlining the webpage:

"Major New Study of Religion Has Much to Say About Mormons"

Go follow the link and give it a read! The article is short, but highlights some interesting facts about the church and Mormons as a whole.

Remember, if you have an idea for a spiritual thought, email durhamLDSSA@gmail.com and we will share it on the blog!

Excerpt from Moroni

Moroni 7: 19- "Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ."

This inspiring scripture reminds us that if we diligently follow Christ, we will be able to discern good from evil and have His Spirit to be with us. In the next few days, try and take the time to read through Moroni 7--the chapter is filled with inspiring and uplifting messages!

Thanksgiving Daily

Today's spiritual thought comes to us from the words of President Thomas S. Monson.

Click here to see more "Mormon Messages" on youtube.com, and don't forget to check the blog daily for more uplifting messages!

Spiritual Thought of the Day

In the following excerpt, Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, gives Moses counsel.

Exodus 18:19-23-

"Hearken now unto my voice, I will give the counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:

And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.

If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace."

This past week, the First Presidency sent a letter to the church encouraging members to not write to the Prophet or Quorum of the Twelve for counsel and advice, but rather, to rely on those church leaders who have been called in their wards and stakes. Here we can see that even in Moses' time, the same structure existed. God's house is a house of order (D&C 88:119). We must remember that those local leaders who have been called are called of God, and here to serve us in their community!

Daily Spiritual Thought

We are bringing something new to the blog this week--after much contemplation about how to improve the blog, we have decided to truly make it an uplifting resource by having a daily spiritual thought. Thoughts can come from the scriptures, words of the Prophet and Apostles, hymns, experiences; the list goes on! If anyone has a thought they would like to contribute, please email us at durhamLDSSA@gmail.com, and we will be sure to post your spiritual thought!

Today's spiritual thought:

2 Nephi 31:3- "For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding...(13) Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism--yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel."

In the CES Fireside this past Sunday, Elder M. Russell Ballard encouraged us all to read 2 Nephi 31. He told us that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is simple and we must strive to keep it that way. He further encouraged us that we, "must know the doctrine of Christ; and must live and defend it all the days of [our lives]."

Let us heed his words by knowing and living the doctrine of Christ, all the while striving to draw closer to Him and to our Heavenly Father.

Missed the fireside? Watch it here through lds.org!

Exciting News!

The LDSSA is happy to announce the upcoming arrival of a new senior missionary couple who will be serving at the Durham Institute!

Elder and Sister Durst of Idaho Falls, Idaho will be arriving in North Carolina on November 15, 2010. We are excited and blessed to welcome them to Durham, and are grateful for their willingness to serve!

CES Fireside!

Sunday, November 7, 2010- Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will be the speaker at the CES Fireside for Young Adults. This will be broadcast at the Institute Building at 8pm.