Helaman's Army

A reading and follow up thoughts concerning Charles W. Penrose's "A Prayer For Peace" as reviewed in 2024. https://archive.org/details/conferencereport1914sa/page/8/mode/1up?view=theater

Zach Taylor joins Helaman’s army. He’s a huge history buff, religion nut, has a cat named Socks, and is a substitute teacher in the public school system. As a former Methodist Minister he brings a unique and fresh perspective of the restoration of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Zach bears his testimony he easily and quickly shares the Spirit of God. His powerful testimony will speak to many and I invite everyone to listen to him discuss his love of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Book of Mormon, and our Savior Jesus Christ.

The Living Christ The Testimony of the Apostles The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth. He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come. He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth. We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world. He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10). Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying: “I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4). Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! “For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father— “That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24). We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of … apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20). We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts. We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/the-living-christ-the-testimony-of-the-apostles/the-living-christ-the-testimony-of-the-apostles?lang=eng

Harshit Garg, a former Hindu, joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in February 2022. He shares the miracle of his tongue being loosed and his voice being freed after entering the waters of baptism. We also discuss India, the culture, and introducing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the good people of that country with the Book of Mormon, as another testament of Jesus Christ, being the piercing tool to bring knowledge of Jesus to the Indian people. Please join me in this great journey with Harshit, a wonderful and loved son of God. If you would like to join Helaman's Army, and share your story and testimony, then please send an email to helamansarmy@proton.me 1 Minute Testimonies are also welcome!

Being converted unto the Lord starts with an unwavering commitment to God, followed by making that commitment part of who we are. Internalizing such a commitment is a lifelong process that requires patience and ongoing repentance. Eventually, this commitment becomes part of who we are, embedded in our sense of self, and ever present in our lives. Just as we never forget our own name no matter what else we are thinking about, we never forget a commitment that is etched in our hearts. Dale G. Renlund, Unwavering Commitment to Jesus Christ, General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, October 2019 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/16renlund?id=p6&lang=eng#p6

I Am So Grateful for My Savior Jesus Christ J. Annette Dennis, General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, April 2024 https://youtu.be/goFV4KE5h7w?si=Ad3pCUygpOQCLhFn

Prayers Are Our Simplest Form of Worship Jeffrey R. Holland, General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, April 2024 https://youtu.be/g_j2tlBR_F0?si=weAJaxTUMeKgX5X1

Jack N. Gerard, General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, April 2023 https://youtu.be/GBvg8jzET2M?si=M7qMRHApIW6zIzfz

Jack N. Gerard, General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, April 2024 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li2fkeIHNyc

Line upon line, precept upon precept, here a ray and there a ray. Alexander Dushku, General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, April 2024 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li2fkeIHNyc

I believe that it should be the blessing of every child to be born into a home where that child is welcomed, nurtured, loved, and blessed with parents, a father and a mother, who live with loyalty to one another and to their children. I am sure that none of you younger women want less than this. Stand strong against the wiles of the world. Gordon B. Hinckley, Stand Strong against the Wiles of the World, General Relief Society Meeting, October 1995 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1995/10/stand-strong-against-the-wiles-of-the-world?id=p10&lang=eng#p10

Pondering a passage of scripture can be a key to unlock revelation and the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one’s ability to overcome the challenges of life. They have potent power to heal emotional challenges when there is faith in the Savior. They can accelerate physical healing. Richard G. Scott, The Power of Scripture, General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, October 2011 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2011/10/the-power-of-scripture?id=p16&lang=eng#p16

Skyler Colledge discusses his life, the scientific method, his testimony of Jesus Christ and of the Book of Mormon.

Bruce North, a marriage counselor in Vernal, Utah, discusses the fullness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Bruce North's Marriage Counseling Rewrite Your Marriage: https://www.rewriteyourmarriage.com/ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1gHqbMaBhQdhms5NYI9eJt Joseph Smith Polygamy.org https://josephsmithspolygamy.org/ Think Celestial! by Russel M. Nelson, General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/51nelson?lang=eng#title1 Would you like to join Helaman's Army and share your testimony? Please send an email to helmansarmy@proton.me to contact me. 1 Minute Testimony submissions are also welcome!

Do you identify as a child of God or as a sin?

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall. Read By Dean M. Davies, A Sure Foundation, General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, April 3013 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2013/04/a-sure-foundation?id=p8&lang=eng#p8

We come to love those we serve. If we choose to begin to serve the Master out of even a glimmer of faith, we will begin to know Him. We will come to know His purposes for the people we serve for Him. Even when they do not accept our offer to serve them, we will feel His appreciation if we persist. As we persist, we will feel the need for the influence of the Holy Ghost because our task will seem beyond us. Our humble prayer to our Heavenly Father will be answered. The Holy Ghost has as a major purpose witnessing that Jesus is the Christ. As we plead for help in His service, the Holy Ghost will come and confirm our faith in Him. Our faith in the Savior will increase. And, as we continue to serve Him, we will come to love Him. To be called to serve is a call to come to love the Master we serve. It is a call to have our natures changed. Henry B. Eyring, As a Child, General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, April 2006 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2006/04/as-a-child?id=p33-p34&lang=eng#p33

I believe that the ultimate “joy of the saints” comes in knowing that the Savior pleads their cause, “and no one can conceive of the joy which [will fill] our souls [as] we [hear Jesus] pray for us unto the Father.” With President RussellM. Nelson, I testify that joy is a gift for faithful Saints “who have endured the crosses of the world” and who are “intentionally trying to live a righteous life, as taught by Jesus Christ.” D. Todd Christofferson, The Joy of the Saints, General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/14christofferson?id=p36&lang=eng#p36

I conclude my counsel with this prophetic summary from President JosephF. Smith: “Our [family] associations are not exclusively intended for this life, for time, as we distinguish it from eternity. We live for time and for eternity. We form associations and relations for time and all eternity. … Who are there besides the Latter-day Saints who contemplate the thought that beyond the grave we will continue in the family organization? the father, the mother, the children recognizing each other…? this family organization being a unit in the great and perfect organization of God’s work, and all destined to continue throughout time and eternity?” M. Russell Ballard, Mothers and Daughters, General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, April 2010 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2010/04/mothers-and-daughters?id=p28&lang=eng#p28

In my experience, fathers who are asked for advice try harder to give good, sound, useful counsel. By asking your father for advice, you not only receive the benefit of his input, but you also provide him with a little extra motivation to strive to be a better father and a better man. He will think more carefully about whatever it is that he advises, and he will work harder to “walk the talk.” Young men, ask your dad for advice! M. Russell Ballard, Fathers and Sons: A Remarkable Relationship, General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, October 2009 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2009/10/fathers-and-sons-a-remarkable-relationship?id=p14&lang=eng#p14

Life is challenging. Many people feel overwhelmed, alone, isolated, or exhausted. When things are difficult, we may feel that we have wandered or fallen behind. Knowing that we are all children of God and members of His eternal family will restore a sense of belonging and purpose. Alan T. Phillips, God Knows and Loves You, General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, October 2023 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/27phillips?id=p7&lang=eng#p7

The more surely you rear your children in the ways of the gospel of Jesus Christ, with love and high expectation, the more likely that there will be peace in their lives. Gordon B. Hinckley, Stand Strong against the Wiles of the World, General Relief Society Meeting, October 1995 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1995/10/stand-strong-against-the-wiles-of-the-world?id=p17&lang=eng#p17

I had the pleasure of chatting with Stuart who goes by Sir Jachin on Discord. He discussed his testimony of Jesus Christ, his crossing of the straight and narrow path, and his eventual return. He bears powerful testimony of his love of the Savior Jesus Christ and of the value of each of us. Discord Invite Link: https://discord.com/invite/qbc7YSFnwM If you'd like to join Helaman's Army and share your testimony please reach out to helamansarmy@proton.me