Youth is not chronological age but the state of growing, learning, and changing. All people must be helped to regain the condition of innocence. “When thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God,” reports Alma 37.37. Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation and thankfulness for blessings or benefits we have received. As we cultivate a grateful attitude, we are more likely to be happy and spiritually strong. We should regularly express our gratitude to God for the blessings He gives us and to others for the kind acts they do for us. The Lord has promised, “One who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious,” reports Doctrine and Covenants 78.19. Gratitude is an uplifting, exalting attitude. When they have gratitude in their hearts, people are generally happier. When we are grateful, we cannot be bitter, resentful, or mean-spirited. The help which a good leader gives is intended to bring the disciples to the point where they can help themselves—or one is not a true master. One’s work is to tell people what they have deep inside of themselves. It is not only reached in growth that the kind of teaching given a human must depend, but also on one’s temperament. #RandolphHarris 1 of 17

Associations with the self-actualized happens partly by merits and partly by devotion to God, but always as if by accident like a fruit suddenly fallen from empty void. It is a fact which wide experience confirms that a spiritual guide, one who has oneself realized the goal, one who has both the willingness and competence to lead others individually step by step along the path, is hard to find. If you want to meet such a person, it will not be by seeing one’s body with your eyes nor by hearing one’s speech with your ears. It will be by sitting with one in the deep silence, whether your own mind if you can achieve it, or of one’s if you cannot. From one essential perspective, our body, and physical objects in general, are potential energy. To possess and access that energy is the constant human goal and problem. Only by succeeding here can we extend our “kingdom.” If there is gasoline in my tank, I can liberate the energy in it and make it do work by driving the car. I can liberate the energy in a piece of wood by burning it in a wood burning fireplace to warm myself, or in a wood burning stove to cook my food, or (in others days) in a steam engine to move myself across the countryside over a stretch of railroad track. I can liberate some of the energy in a hamburger by eating it. #RandolphHarris 2 of 17

We can now liberate the energy in atoms by “splitting” them. (I am told there is enough energy in a raisin to supply power to New York City for an entire day.) However, now notice how central my own body is in all of this. I can only liberate and use the energy in other physical objects by using my own body. It too is potential energy. However, there is a great difference. My body is the only body whose energy is directly accessible for my own use and satisfaction. I access it by choice. Even the child that smiles to get attention has mastered this basic fact. It gets little energy, perhaps, but obviously a lot of satisfaction from this direct use of its body. Therefore my body is the original and primacy place of my dominion and my responsibility. It is only through it that I have a World in which to live. That is why it, and not other physical objects in my World, is part of whom I am and is essential to my identity. My life experiences come to me through or in conjunction with my body. Thus my parents and my date and place of birth are bodily realities that are foundational to who I am. The inner attraction to God is immense, the feeling of fated gravity intense. #RandolphHarris 3 of 17

One may have a strange feeling of having always had this affinity with God and being destined t have it always in the future. This arises partly out of destiny. They sympathetic accord between a piano and a tuning fork is like the affinity between a silently blessing God and a devoted person. With God one feels one can talk (in prayer), and also be understood. No one can take the place of God, no one else can arouse the feelings of affinity and generate the harmony which He does. Although many of us have an attitude of self-reliance, there is often an inexplicable spiritual attraction to God that is overwhelming. He is our divinely ordained spiritual Father. Our spiritual relation is above the Earth, time, and pace. It will be fulfilled only in the kingdom of Heaven. Upon this already very complicated basis I begin to extend my kingdom and I take on voluntary aspects of my identity. First I must take dominion over my body itself (eye movement, voice, motions on my limbs and visceral system, and so on). I generate a realm in which I am drive by desire and channeled by ideas, sensations, and emotions that play over my being. I come to have a history, a track record that tells the truth about me in depth and from which I can never escape. #RandolphHarris 4 of 17

When reviewing Biblical stories, we see Joshua’s name in connection with the famous incident of spying out the land in Number 13, 14. Moses commissioned twelve spies (one from each tribe) to reconnoiter the Promised Land as a prelude to the conquest. Caleb and Joshua were representatives of their respective tribes (13.6, 8). After forty days of covert inspection, the scouts returned. All agreed that the land was bountiful (13.23, 24). However, ten of the spies said it could not be conquered because the cities were well-fortified and some of the people were giants (vv.28, 29). Caleb and Joshua countered by saying almost literally that victory would be a “piece of cake.” The Hebrew of 14.9 literally says, “Do not fear the people of the land for our bread they are”—“Do not worry, it is a piece of bread!” All Israel had to do, the two men insisted, was move in (13.30; 14.9). However, the rest of Israel sided with the majority report, and even trued to stone Joshua and Caleb (14.1-10). As a result the people came under God’s judgment and would spend forty years wandering in the desert (one year for each of the forty days spying out the land) until all had become corpses except Joshua and Caleb. #RandolphHarris 5 of 17

For Joshua, the lesson was quite clear: the majority is not always right. In fact, it is very often wrong. The men God uses have always stood against the flow—Luther, Knox, Fox, Wilberforce, Booth, Carey, Bonhoeffer. How we need to remember this. Ours is a day when truth is determined by consensus, when justice is struck by a five-four vote, when “everybody is doing it” has become the pervasive rationale for behaviour, when Jefferson’s fear of the tyranny of the majority is a reality. Spiritual leaders do not necessarily go along with the majority. Joshua and Caleb stood alone, a common characteristic among good leaders. However, the prominent leadership quality we see in their solitary stand is a great faith. They simply believed in the glorious God Joshua glimpsed from afar on Sinai. There was on way they could share the “grasshopper” complex of the other spies, for how could they feel thus when they truly believed in such a great God. Without exception, great spiritual leaders have a faith that towers above their contemporaries. Unless one approached God in the right spirit, He may not reveal anything of what He has to give. #RandolphHarris 6 of 17

We must enter the presence of God with a humble heart-open seekers; if we want not return empty-handed, we must be teachable. The prospect of approaching God may frighten some persons, although when it is actualized the fear melts away in the benign aura of His kindliness. It is the reminder of our own weaknesses, our own dishonesties, which the meeting seems likely t create, the possibility that His clairvoyance may penetrate the ugly side of our character, which instigates our hesitation. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commanded. By faith we understand that the Universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made of out what was visible,” reports Hebrews 11.1-3. Now, in developing MY dominion I soon run into realities that do not yield to my will. Often these are kingdoms of other individuals, organized around their desires and contrary to my own. So I begin to experience destructive emotions especially fear, anger, envy, jealousy, and resentment. (Here is Cain). There may, in time, develop into settled attitudes of hostility, contempt, or indifference. Such attitudes make some ready to harm others or to see them suffer, and these attitudes quickly settle into one’s body. #RandolphHarris 7 of 17

These unkind feelings become more or less overt tendencies to act without thinking in ways that harm others or even oneself.  Even if they are unwilling or unable to say it, these attitudes are quite apparent to others; and they come from what has been called, in a useful concept “body armour.”) If left unchecked, our parts will rule the rest of our lives and will constantly inject poison into our social World and personal relations. Of course the development of the body in the domain of the self is not all negative. It is in fact largely beneficial. We learn many things that are productive of good for ourselves as well as for those around us. Most of these beneficial learnings, along with their accompanying ideas, sensations, and emotions, become positioned in our body, which then enables us to do by far most of what we do without any special thought or conscious direction. Only so we can handle the complexities of day-to-day existence. Only our body and what it learns permits this. Most of what is called “character” (good or bad) in normal human life consists in what our bodies are or are not “at ready” to do in the specific situations where we find ourselves. If at all, those “readinesses” enter our consciousness primarily through how we feel about things, how we are directly “moved” by things and events around us. #RandolphHarris 8 of 17

Finally, those readinesses and feelings that run our life, whether we are aware of them or not, reside in fairly specific parts of our body, and they reveal themselves to others through our body language—in how we “carry” our bodily parts. They not only govern our immediate responses in action, but also are read with great accuracy by observant people around us and then determine how they react to us. We wear our souls “on our sleeve,” even when we ourselves are oblivious to them, and that governs the quality of our relations to others. When we come to God, we may quickly feel the stillness of His peace. We need to hide nothing from the Lord, for the depths of human sin and misery as well as good and joy are alike open to God’s understanding. One enters the Lord’s presence with humility—for here is a Being immeasurably greater than oneself—and with relief, for it soothes and calms as nothing else does or can. Enquirers can get from meeting with God in prayer a benefit proportionate to the attitude we bring to it: if faith, devotion, humility, we open His door to the same extent; if scepticism, doubt, coldness, or suspicion, this door stay shut. #RandolphHarris 9 of 17

Sometimes in life we may have reached a crisis in our inner life, and sometimes there may be repercussions on the physical plane as a result of the inner changes taking place. We should not fear to follow God and express in prayer of fears, anxieties, and gratitude. Do not feel that one’s past will keep one enslaved. Sometimes before we go hither and thither on any other business, it is best we meet with God in prayer. For that day is a serious one, that event a momentous one, and forces can then be released to the receptive, stilled, and waiting mind that are shut out by the busy indifferent one. The proof of our fitness will come from inside through the strength of God. It is a truism that almost everything in the World has its price in gold. Here, however, is one thing which can be bought only by the price of personal qualification. We too have the power to be Masters of our destiny, but we must evoke it. When another person lack the capacity to recognize help when it is brought to one, no one, not even an adept, can help that person. This is why the wisest beings have been so guarded in their contact with the masses, so reserved in the publication of the truth, so seemingly detached from their fellows. #RandolphHarris 10 of 17

Sometimes if we cannot comprehend the quality of another in silence alone, words will be useless. A lot of people are suffering a crisis of the heart and it is weeping tears of blood. Deep wounds have been made, which only time can heal. They will be healed someday when the storm of hurt feelings goes completely, a great peace arises. If one sets up a standard: Nothing but the best–whoever wants to seek for Truth will find it—why settle for less? Seeking the way, you must exert yourselves and strive with diligence. One must make an honest effort to work on oneself to gain wisdom. The great helpers and prophets have made little more than a dent in the total volume of human misery and human evil. God offers time and guidance but humans must supply their own effort and their own aspiration. All of this makes clear why the way of Christ is so relentlessly incarnationist, so bodily. Incarnation is just as an essential fact about Jesus: that “Christ is come in the flesh.” Rather, he came in the flesh, a real human body, in order that he might being redemption and deliverance to our bodies. Our body is, we have now seen, an essential part of who we are, and no redemption that omits it is full redemption.” #RandolphHarris 11 of 17

We should be thankful for the wonderful blessings that are ours and for the tremendous opportunities we have. “But every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which have heard is coming and even now is already in the World,” reports 1 John 4.3.Such a strong position is taken in the New Testament because redemption is in the first place for “the life which I now life in the flesh,” reports Galatians 2.20. This preset life is to be caught up now in the eternal life of God. However, of course, “the life I now live in the flesh” is inseparable from the mortal body I now have. So it too must become holy, must “come over” to Christ’s side. Otherwise my life itself could not “come over,” and so it would be impossible that “as He is, so also are we in this World,” reports 1 John 4.17. The redemption of the body will be completed later, but even now, “if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because His Spirit who indwells you,” reports Romans 8.11. We are to know now “the power of His resurrection,” reports Philippians 3.10. Our body is not just a physical system, but is inhabited by the real presence of Christ. #RandolphHarris 12 of 17

We can be thankful to our parents, family, friends, and teachers. We should express appreciation to everyone who has assisted us in any way. We should thank our Heavenly Father for His goodness to us by acknowledging His hand in all things, thanking Him for all that He gives us, keeping His commandments, and serving others. We should especially thank Him for His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, for the Saviour’s great example, for His teachings, for His outreaching hand to life and help, for His infinite Atonement. “And it came to pass in the three hundred and sixty and third year the Nephites did go up with their armies to battle against the Lamanites, out of the land Desolation. And it came to pass that the armies of the Nephites were driven back again to the land of Desolation. And while they were yet weary, a fresh army of the Lamanites did come upon them; and they had a sore battle, insomuch that the Lamanites did take possession of the city Desolation, and did slay many of the Nephites, and did take many prisoners. And the remainder did flee and join the inhabitants of the city Teancum. Now the city Teancum lay in the borders by the seashore; and it was also near the city Desolation. #RandolphHarris 13 of 17

“And it was because the armies of the Nephites went up unto the Lamanites that they began to be smitten; for the Lamanites could have no power over them. However, behold, the judgment of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts f the children of men unto bloodshed. And it came to pass that the Lamanites did make preparation to come against the city Teancum. And it came to pass in the three hundred and sixty and fourth year the Lamanites did come against the city Teancum, that they might take possession of the city Teancum also. And it came to pass that they were repulsed and driven back by the Nephites. And when the Nephites saw that they had drive the Lamanites they did again boast of their own strength; and they went forth in their own might, and took possession again of the city of Desolation. And now all these things has been done, and there had been thousands slain on both sides, both the Nephites and the Lamanites. And it came to pass that the three hundred and sixty sixth year has passed away, and the Lamanites came again upon the Nephites to battle; and yet the Nephites repented not of the evil they have done, but persisted in their wickedness continually. #RandolphHarris 14 of 17

“And it is impossible for the tongue to describe, or for man to write a perfect description of the horrible scene of the blood and carnage which was among the people, both of the Nephites and of the Lamanites; and every heart was hardened, so that they delighted in shedding of blood continually. And there never had been so great wickedness among all the children of Lehi, nor even among all the house of Israel, according to the words of the Lord, as was among this people. And it came to pass that the Lamanites did take possession of the city Desolation, and this because their number did exceed the number of the Nephites. And they did also march forward against the city Teancum, and did drive the inhabitants forth out of her, and did take many prisoners both women and children, and did offer them up as sacrifices unto their idol gods. And it came to pass that in the three hundred and sixty and seventh year, the Nephites being angry because the Lamanites had sacrificed their women and their children, that they did go against the Lamanites with exceedingly great anger, insomuch that they did beat again the Lamanites, and drive them out of their lands. #RandolphHarris 15 of 17

“And the Lamanites did not come again against the Nephites until the three hundred and seventy and fifth years. And in this year they did come down against the Nephites with all their powers; and they were not numbered because of the greatness of their numbers. And from this time forth did the Nephites gain no power over the Lamanites, but began to be swept off by them even as a dew before the sun. And it came to pass that the Lamanites did come down against the city of Desolation; and there was an exceedingly sore battle fought in the land Desolation, in the which they did beat the Nephites. And they fled again from before them, and they came to the city Boza; and there they did stand against the Lamanites with exceeding boldness, insomuch that the Lamanites did not beat them until they had come again the second time. And when they have come the second time, the Nephites were driven and slaughtered with an exceedingly great slaughter; their women and their children were sacrificed unto idols. And it came to pass that the Nephites did again flee from before them, taking all the inhabitants with them, both in towns and villages. #RandolphHarris 16 of 17

“And now I, Mormon, seeing that Lamanites were about to overthrow the land, therefore I did go to the hill Shim, and did take up all the records which Ammaron had hid up unto the Lord,” reports Mormon 4.1-23. A grateful heart some through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings. Every gift that is offered to us—especially a gift that comes from the heart—is an opportunity to build or strengthen a bond of love. When we are good and grateful receivers, we open a door to deepen our relationship with the giver of the gift. The greatest gift we have ever received is life. Be grateful. May it be Thy will, O Lord our God and God of our fathers, to cause us to talk in the way of Thy Law. At all times humans should revere God even in private, acknowledging the truth and speaking the truth in one’s hearts. In our day the Saviour has said that those “who receive all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious,” and “the fulness of the Earth is theirs. My heart grows tender and warm as I am thankful this year and think of the gifts our loving, gracious, and generous Father in Heaven has given us: the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, the miracle of forgiveness, personal revelation and guidance, the Saviour’s peace, the certainty and comfort that death is conquered—and many, many more. #RandolphHarris 17 of 17

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As your home fills with the nostalgic sounds and smells of the holidays, we hope you can find a moment today to reflect on everything you’re thankful for. 🦃

We’re thankful for all of you, and wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving filled with friends and family, whether that be in person or virtual — because even a computer screen can’t keep loved ones apart. 💙

In a Cresleigh home, there is always a spot that will become your favourite. These homes embrace imagination and project creativity.
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