Follow God when others put detour signs in your path. You have been reserved to come to the Earth for a special purpose. We each must find and finish our own story, but how much sweeter the telling when encouragement is called out, when arriving at our destination is valued and celebrated, however long ago the journey is commenced. It is very clear that the search for human fulfillment cannot be achieved by one’s natural powers alone. As the image of God, such a project can only be realized with God in full view; the origin and destiny of human life. This means, to have God within the soul, that is, to enjoy God. In fact, it is because the soul has the stamp of God that it is a mirror to see God; self-knowledge is a route towards God. Here is to be found ultimate human happiness and the crowing of a life’s journey. There is a joy which is not granted to the ungodly, but to those alone who worship God for their own sake, and whose joy he is. This is the blessed life, to rejoice in God. The search for truth is inextricably linked to the journey towards God. This brings one to a personal encounter with God, which is the full satisfaction of souls, this happy life: to recognize piously and completely the One through whom you are led into the truth, the nature of truth you enjoy, and the bond that connects you with the supreme measure. #RandolphHarris 1 of 6
The World is going through a tremendous and rapid change in every aspect of life. One cannot be left to reason alone, but requires God’s illumining and faith. Believe in yourselves. Believe that you are never alone. Believe that you will always be guided. God has promised us that as we search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all thing will work together for our good. That does not mean that everything will be perfect or that we will not have any trials, but it does mean that everything will be okay if we just hang in there. Ours is the opportunity to be an example of the believers, and God has promised that all things are possible to one that believes. Do not give in when the going is rough, for you are laying the foundation of a great work, and that great work is your life. Believe in your capacity to do good, to make some contribution to the society of which we are a part, to grow and develop, and to do things that we may now think impossible. This principle can make a difference in this World. It may be ever so small, but it will count for the greater good. You are one of the greatest generations to ever live on this Earth. There are things for each of you to do that no one else can do as well. You have a destiny to fulfill. #RandolphHarris 2 of 6
There is a need for a deeply thought out evaluation of the meaning of culture and the knowledge of the human person. We must establish the existence of supreme values which should form the ideal aim of human life and education, and lead the way in determining how issues in the World can be healed. Each of these approaches to truth have their limits, but they highlight the aspects of human wisdom that leave a lasting mark on the best that can be found in human civilization. You are righteous examples as one of the believers will make a difference in the World, so be not weary in well-doing, for you are laying the foundation of a great work. As you strive to be an example of the believers, you may feel that you are standing alone. You may feel that you are the only one who is trying so hard to be righteous and pure. You may feel you are the only one striving to be modest in your actions, speech, and appearance. However, you are not alone. There are thousands of people like you all over the World who are striving to be an example of believers. God is the most adequate conceivable object of worship; there is no possibility of another reality beyond him to which he is inferior or subordinate and which would thus be an even more worthy recipient of human’s devotion. #RandolphHarris 3 of 6
God seeks our trust only by showing himself to be trustworthy. Stopping to know what you are doing and why is not a one-time activity. It must be a daily activity. Spend time every morning or evening to think about the coming day. Set aside a day twelve times a year to plan your month. And spend one whole week each year reflecting and evaluating, to measure the years that have passed, to plan the year that is coming, and to stay on track. The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before us and prepares the way for our destiny. You may be spending too much time analyzing your situation. You may have so many facts and figures that you have talked yourself out of what God can do. In the Scripture, God asks Abraham, “Is there anything too hard for the Lord?” If you spent more time considering your God and thinking about his greatness and the times he has made a way in the past—dwelling on his promises, declaring victory and favor—what a difference might it make in your life? Have peace of heart and mind because you have given God your best. This is the true measure of success. #RandolphHarris 4 of 6
The truth that the deepest yearning of the human person consists in religious truth, which brings reason to the summit of its endeavor. Each one of you has the power to change the World. Heavenly Father, we petition you for that noble attribute of courage, for we know courage counts. The call for courage comes constantly to each of us. It is this sweet assurance that can guide you and me—in our time, in our day, in our lives. Of course, we will face fear, experience ridicule, and meet opposition. Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded as a willingness and determination to live decently. A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he or she thinks is right because others will disapprove or laugh. Do your duty even when critical eyes are watching. Remember that all people have their fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as well. The ultimate truth about our own lives and about the goal of history is to bring humanity to the threshold of these depths and give room to other instruments to take their part in the drive to attain the ambition of bring true meaning to human life. #RandolphHarris 5 of 6
God not only presides over nature as a whole by way of organized laws; in his loving-kindness he extends his Providence over individual human beings as well. God is incorporeal, and that internal complexity is a property of bodies alone, God appears to be one not only relative to other beings, but in an absolute internal sense as well. God is much more supreme that anything we know, he created the cosmos. Also, regarding the belief in immortality and the resurrection of the dead, these are phenomena that belong to the category of miracles which God might perform in his World. In their view, miracles are not absurd, given the principle that God is omnipotent and everything is possible for him. No one likes conflict. Especially in a religious setting. However, conflict is an unavoidable part of life, and when it comes, it can provide an unavoidable part of life, and it can also provide an opportunity to experience God’s sanctifying work in our hearts. It is my prayer that we overcome evil with good and keep our eyes above the fray of the gnashing teeth and stones being hurled at us. God, our master, model of perfection, we resolve to imitate your example, to be like you, mild, humble, chaste, zealous, charitable, and resigned. We wish to remember that with God all things are possible. Thank you, God, for your wisdom, strength, and divine compassion. #RandolphHarris 6 of 6
Each moment and every day, we trust our love to God. Cover us with your protection, and carry us through hard times, and lead us to love and happiness. You are children of the Almighty. Limitless is your potential. Magnificent is your future, if you will take control of it. The future is bright with promise, hope, faith, and achievement. The World will become better than we have ever known. There must be purpose. We are here to accomplish something, to bless society with our talents and our learning. We must also recognize the fact that life is serious, and there are great risks, but we can overcome them by disciplining ourselves and seeking the unfailing strength of God. Our lives can go wrong if we never give ourselves time to think carefully and logically about our plans. And, we can end up with the wrong values, careers, and relationships. However, if one has made a mistake, if one has become involved in any immoral behavior, all is not lost. Memory of that mistake will likely linger, but the deed can be forgiven and one can rise above the past to live a life fully acceptable unto God where there is repentance. God has promised that he will forgive us of our sins and remember them no more against us, as long as we ask for forgiveness and stop repeating those sins. #RandolphHarris 1 of 6
Repentance means to change one’s way of life as the result of a complete change of thought and attitude with regard to sin and righteousness. Repentance also means looking at something that you did in the past, recognizing that it was sinful—that it broke God’s good and beneficial laws—and concluding that one needs to change for the better. When an individual repents, they ask for forgiveness, turn to God, and commit to a new way of living and to the transformation of the human heart and mind from carnal to spiritual. Repentance is characterized by an understanding of the seriousness of sin, a deep desire to be forgiven, and a determined commitment to change behavior in order to stop sinning. Godly sorrow produces genuine repentance, which results in permanent changes that ultimately lead a person toward salvation. Common-sense is riddles with errors, prejudice, and superstition. Popular ideas about love, fame money or goodness simply does not stand up to reason. Many people seem proud about being led by their instincts or passions (jumping into decisions on the basis of nothing more than how they feel), which is much like being dragged dangerously along by a group of blindfolded wild horses. #RandolphHarris 2 of 6
People can go forward with a renewal of hope and acceptability to a far better way of life, but there will be scars that will remain. The best way, the only way, is to avoid any entrapment with evil. You have within your instincts, powerful and terribly persuasive, urging one at times to let go and experience a little fling. However, do not do it. You cannot do it. You are children of God with tremendous potential. God has great expectations concerning you, as do others. Do not be let down for a minute. Do not give in to an impulse. There must be discipline, strong and unbending. Flee from temptation. There is nothing in all this World as magnificent as virtue. It glows without tarnish. It is precious and beautiful. It is above price. It cannot be bought or sold. It is the foundation of self-mastery. When you fall in love, what is really going on is that you have seen in another person some good quality which you like. Perhaps they are calm, disciplined, or eloquent. The underlying fantasy of love is that by getting close to this person, you can become a little more like they are. They can help you to grow to your full potential. #RandolphHarris 3 of 6
Let virtue garnish your thoughts unceasingly. Love is in essence a kind of education: you could not really love someone if you did not want to be improved by them. Love should be two people trying to grow together—and helping each other to do so. Which means one needs to get together with the person who contains a key missing bit of your evolution: the virtues one does not have. We should accept that we are not complete and allow our partners to teach us things. A good relationship has to mean we will not love the other person exactly as they are. It means committing to helping them become a better version of themselves—and to endure the stormy passage this inevitably involves—while also not resisting their attempts to improve us. Find your purpose in life. Choose the things you would like to do, and educate yourselves to be effective in their pursuit. Pray to the Lord earnestly for direction then pursue your course with resolution. There is not anything you cannot do if you will set your mind to it. You can be excellent in every way. There is no need for you to be a scrub. Respect yourself. Do not dwell on unkind things that others may say about you. #RandolphHarris 4 of 6
Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eyes. You are worthy of the Kingdom of God. There is no adequate substitute for this marvelous blessing. There is attached to people who live a life of virtue, a promise of marvelous and wonderful blessings. We shall wax strong in the presence of God. Everyone likes beautiful things. However, we tend to think of them as a bit mysterious in their power over us and, in the greater scheme, not terribly important. We like beautiful things because we recognize in them a part of the good. There are lots of good things we aspire to be: kind, gentle, harmonious, balanced, peaceful, strong, dignified. These are qualities in people. However, they are also qualities in objects. We get moved and excited when we find in objects the qualities we need, but are missing in our lives. Beautiful objects, therefore, have a really edifying function, as they invite us to evolve in their direction to become as they are. Beauty can educate our souls. It follows that ugliness is a serious matter too, for it parades dangerous and damaged characteristics in front of us. It encourages us to be like it: harsh, chaotic, and brash. It makes it that much harder to be wise, kind and calm. #RandolphHarris 5 of 6
Study your options. Pray to the Lord earnestly for direction. Then pursue your course with resolution. Love life and look for its opportunities, and forever and always be loyal to God. Never forget that you came to Earth as a child of the divine Father, with something of divinity in your background. God did not send you here to fail. He did not give you life to waste it. God bestowed upon you the gift of mortality that you might gain experience—beneficial, wonderful, purposeful experience—that will lead to life eternal. God wants us to have the opportunity to grow and experience, to teach and lead, and encourage other. May God bless you richly and abundantly. We need censorship. Continuous exposure to a storm of confused voices is seriously bad for us. With education, we need to learn more than just maths or spellings, but how to be good: we need to learn about courage, self-control, reasonableness, independence, and calm. God, your heart is full of wisdom, truth, and love. You lead us to enjoy the beauty in creation, to engage each day with love in our hearts. You teach us to live lives brimming with your love and goodness. We are blessed to live in your care. Thank you that you guide us into true love and happiness by your gentle hand. We choose to give our lives to you each day, God. Bless it be. #RandolphHarris 6 of 6
The spirit and the body are the soul of a person. When looking at the most successful people and organizations, we often imagine geniuses with a smooth journey straight to the promised land. However, when one really examines nearly every success story, they are filled with crushing defeats, near death experiences, and countless setbacks. Success is a process—a journey to be taken, and we do it one day at a time. It takes most people some time to discover what God created them for. If you are willing, you can explore the World and learn more about your purpose every day. You can engage in activities that help you grow a little more in mind, body, and spirit. And can perform some act—large or small that helps others. Success is knowing your purpose in life and doing things that benefit others, while growing to your maximum potential. Intellectual virtues essentially enable us to see, and truly grasp the World around us. Success involves remembering there is a great idea and persevering through failures leads one to finding the truth. The door to your potential is waiting for you. The key is to be on the journey. Keep at it day in and day out. If you are, you are a success today. And you will be a success tomorrow. #RandolphHarris 1 of 6
Your willpower becomes strong when joined with the Lord. The life is the time for people to prepare to meet God. God is working out a grand, progressive agenda with his people, and it will not stop until we stand in the Kingdom of God, the ultimate paradise. God is never in a hurry, but he is always on time. When we are in the silent season between promise and fulfillment, we must remember that we are part of a more comprehensive story that is always about God’s glory. God is not some cosmic robot, incapable of feeling. God created compassion and is never oblivious to the hurts and crimes of those he loves, which is all of us. Behind us is infinite power. Before us is endless possibility. Around us is boundless opportunity. May we care for our bodies and our minds by observing the principles set forth in the Word of Wisdom, a divinely provided plan. Spiritual crevasses symbolize the temptations and pitfalls that too many people are tragically encountering: alcohol, with its wine coolers and keg parties, drug tampering and dependency, Restricted and Obscene rated films and videos, which often culminate in sexual immorality. Even good people slip into hardships and risk their success. #RandolphHarris 2 of 6
Do not procrastinate the day of your repentance. If we do not improve our time while in this life, then comes the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed. A highly respected member in the community, who was involved with the church, was enticed by some business friends to try the cocaine drug crack, which is an extremely poor-quality drug. As it stands, most cocaine in America is only 67 percent pure at best. Nevertheless, the men were depressed. Their company was failing, and they succumbed to the evil enticement of illegal drugs. He wasted $40,000.00 USD buying “crack,” lost his job, underwent a personality change, and finally was hospitalized. Through it all, his wife stayed by him. She found a job, and they began the struggle of putting his life back together. At one point, he even tried to claim someone else’s son as his own and sell him to support his habit. His friends helped him get another job. However, his mind is seriously affected. He is still somewhat dependent on some drugs. The hope and prayer of his family is that he will be able to hold on to the lifeline. Some people are so morally corrupted that they no longer recognize sin and sin and come into other people’s life and send them on a downward spiral, but it feels so good while they are doing it, until they start to experience the spiritual and legal consequences. #RandolphHarris 3 of 6
Movies, television, the news, and magazines have glorified sin into what they think is an acceptable life-style: fornication, adultery, incest, serial marriages, drug abuse, violence, and double dealing of every imaginable variety, that is often portrayed as normal behavior; where people who do good are not rewarded and those who do some very bad things are not punished. So, do not trifle with things that you know are bad. Do you see the warning signs? It is saying: Danger—do not go near the edge. You will lose. We pray that you will not display the somewhat arrogant attitude of some who say, “I got this!” or “Everyone else does it!” Everyone is not doing it. You do not. And you influence your friends. And others watch you. You help set the standard. People, you are a royal bloodline—not because you are better than anyone else—but because you have been blessed by God with special privileges and responsibilities. You have a special calling. You can discern good from bad. You have the gift of the Holy Ghost. And with that power, you have the authority to represent you Heavenly Father. Put on the armor of righteousness. That same spirit which does possess your bodies at the time you go out of this ill will have power to possess your body in that eternal World. #RandolphHarris 4 of 6
God has provided us with the scriptures, which, if held on to, will allow us to escape both physical and spiritual danger. The Words of Wisdom are given so that we might have clear minds and healthy bodies. The Ten Commandments—cut in stone by the finger of God—forbidding us to sin are what we need to focus on. Develop a personal companionship with them. If you desire with a sincere heart, with faith in God, you can understand all things. May the Lord bless each of you with your life’s purpose. Put trust in God that you will avoid the crevasses of sin and evil. Hold on to the lifeline of the gospel, not some gossip. You can make correct choices—the one you know in your heart will be for your best good. We love you. Do not give up. Do not doubt in the darkness what God has shown you in the light. Do not grow weary in well doing. May the Heavenly Father command it and may it be arranged, and may it appease the hearts of those who are against us. Come, God, enlighten the hearts of those who can favor us (or those who can help us). Dear Lord, we pray for your divine intervention to resolve all our problems in the community we are facing. Choose to be different. Distinguish yourself from Worldly crowds. #RandolphHarris 5 of 6
We have a lot of experiences in the past which have resulted to deep heartaches, feelings of frustration and grudges. Please heal and strengthen each member of the community so that we will have the courage to forgive and move on with our lives as one united family. God, we ask for the forgiveness for our failure to make ourselves open to one another. Bless us with more patience, apprehension, good communication and predominant love. May all the families in the World, especially experiencing broken family relationships, depression, addiction, agitation, and other relationship problems be resolved and entirely healed by our God Almighty. Your life is precious. Cheer up your hearts, and remember that you are free to act for yourselves—to choose everlasting death or the way of eternal life. The choice of life brings an outlook of optimism. It breathes hope. It rekindles self-esteem—regarding one’s body as a timeless trust. And awakens a personal commitment to see that you take care of these sacred things. That we look to God and live. Believe in God. Accept yourself as his child, created in his image. He loves you and wants you to be happy, and discover wisdom, great treasures of knowledge, and hidden treasures. #RandolphHarris 6 of 6
Hard work and sacrifice have long been synonymous with Japan, and strong social expectations make people work hard to be successful. However, Matsuri Takahashi (age 24), a beautiful young lady, promising graduate of Japan’s top university, leapt to her death 25 December of 2015, leaving being a trail of letters relentlessly begging for help. She worked over 265 hours in October of 2015. That is a total of 13.25 hours a day, five days a week, for a month. Matsuri Takahashi’s death was labeled “Karoshi” or death by overwork. The government warned her employer, Dentsu, and others that some of their employees were in danger of dying from being worked to death. In one year, 191 people have died from being overworked. Dentsu was reported to have worked Matsuri Takahashi so hard at their advertisement firm because they wanted more revenue. Because Dentsu ignored government regulations, their offices were raided, and Dentsu’s President Tadashi Ishii took full responsibility and resigned as president at a board meeting in January of 2016. Tadashi Ishii reported that Dentsu and a company employee had been referred to prosecutors by the Japanese labor ministry’s, Tokyo labor bureau on suspicion of violating labor standards. #RandolphHarris 1 of 5
Many people wondered why did Matsuri Takahashi just not quit her job? Well, employees often feel a debt of gratitude for being hired and are reluctant to quit even if conditions are bad. Others, especially new hires, feel they have to work longer hours than their colleagues to get promoted. A Tokyo court ruled that the advertising giant made staff work beyond legal limits, and could not forget the death of Matsuri Takahashi, especially because the company ignored warnings that the employees were in danger of dying, and had been asking for help, but were ignored. Dentsu was fined just 500,000 yen ($6,050). At the very least, it must be granted that the knowledge of death depends not only upon experience, but also upon a level of mental culture that makes it possible to interpret experience accurately. It is just tragic that this young lady thought that the only way she could escape was through sacrificing her life on Christmas day. She kept asking for help and clearly felt her life was in danger and was stressed out and decided to end it on her own terms. She probably sat up at night thinking about how much she wanted to live and what would happen if she killed herself and finally gave up her life. #RandolphHarris 2 of 5
Death reminds us that there is a spirit in humans. As we viewed the remains of our young friend, Matsuri Takahashi, it was obvious that more than blood had left her body. The light of her spirit no longer animated in her facial expression, nor the twinkle in her eyes. The smile that would light up the room was gone. She had her life taken from her at a tender, young age. However, it is important to remember that Matsuri Takahashi was good young lady and very successful. Just as we are born to parents to greet us, we also have eternal families. There are caring family members to greet her spirit, and other spirits in Heaven, and they will assist her in the adjustment to a new life. While standing before the casket, we thought that the separation was not only a shock for her mother, friends, family, colleagues, but also for the community and the World as well. We are sure she wishes should could tell her mother once more how much she loves her. This is just a reminder that the purpose of life is to teach and show others the love of God. If you know someone is truly suffering and has no way out, one should try to help them solve the problems they are having, even if you have to talk to their boss or report the person who is terrorizing them to the proper authorities. #RandolphHarris 3 of 5
Death, even if accidental, must be part of the plan. Perhaps Matsuri Takahashi gave her life to be a voice for those who are being abused and cannot get help. Developing faith in and coming to know one’s Creator is at the core of the plan. Having hope with regard to one’s eternal destiny and experiencing joy must also be part of life’s purpose. Death teaches that we do not experience a fullness of joy in mortality and that everlasting happiness can be achieved only with the assistance of God. God will help grieving parents and loved ones have faith in his plan, death’s void is softened just a little as we understand that our loved one’s have passed into Heaven and are no longer suffering in pain. This realization will help broken hearts and give peace. A divine prescription for this healing has been given by our Heavenly Father, which has eternally significant implications. Remember to plead to the Lord for mercy, strength, and forgiveness until one receives it through the Holy Ghost. You will be blessed with peace of conscience. The moment God put a dream in your heart, the moment the promise took foundation, know that God will bring your dreams to come true. #RandolphHarris 4 of 5
Just know that you will go beyond your barriers and become everything God created you to be, and you will have everything God intended for you to have. Ultimate forgiveness comes from the Lord to the repentant individual. He or she knows by the power of the Holy Ghost when forgiveness has come. God, our Father, your power brings us to birth, your providence guides our lives, and by your command we return to Heaven. Lord, those who die still live in your presence, their lives change, but do not end. I pray in hope for our families, relatives, friends, and for all the dead known to us. Those who have died may they rejoice in the Kingdom of God, where all our tears are wiped away. Unite us together again in one family, to sing your praise forever and ever. Wait on God, and he will work, but do not wait in spiritual sulks because you cannot see an inch in front of you! Are we detached enough from our spiritual hysterics to wait on God? To wait is not to sit with folded hands, but to learn to do what we are told. God never made a promise that was too good to be true. #RandolphHarris 5 of 5
Say your prayers, little one and do not forget, my son, to include everyone. Something is wrong, shut the light. Heavy thoughts tonight and they are not of Snow White. We are living in a most interesting and remarkable age, when the Spirit of the Lord is being poured out on the face of the Earth abundantly; but it is also an age of permissiveness, when many people’s hearts are set upon Worldly treasures, pleasures, and affluence. The act of real assent achieves our intellectual orientation toward the domain of concrete existents and their values. It does so by furnishing a concrete image of the individual being under consideration and by establishing the relevance of that imaged reality to the inquirer’s own personal life. Real assent does not necessarily ensure action, but it does furnish a necessary condition for our practical responses by directing our mind toward the real existent, grasped in an image that can appeal to our passions and will. One of the great challenges facing us today is to develop sufficient wisdom, understanding, and inner strength so that we can live happily and successfully in our complex and difficult World and not be caught up in the delirious scramble for the material things and pleasures. Human’s relationship to God is not yet one of direct vision; hence we must engage in inference. #RandolphHarris 1 of 8
Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, one that has eternal life is rich. Since theistic inquiry concerns a real existent, it is not enough to employ formal inference, even though its resources must be used to analyze and test our arguments. A concrete personal mode of reasoning is also required in order to proportion our inquiry as fully as possible to the situation of human’s search after the truth about God. Our aim must be the complex one of attaining some definite and well-grounded propositions to which we can legitimately give our notional assent, and also of forming a concrete image of the personal, morally good, and providential God to whose reality we can then give our real assent and practical attachment. Many people probably need to change their priorities in life and seek after wisdom rather than after so many material things and pleasures. Seek out the best books, words of wisdom; seek education, even by study and also by faith, and also teach one another words of wisdom. We should learn the preexistent state, purpose of this life and a life hereafter. #RandolphHarris 2 of 8
The scriptures promise we obtain wisdom, and the mysteries of God are unfolded to us as we seek God and study his words. Our aim must be the complex one of attaining some definite and well-grounded propositions to which we can legitimately give our notional assent, and also of forming a concrete image of the personal, morally good, and providential God to whose reality we can then give our real assent and practical attachment. It might be interesting to note that frequently, even when we seek after wisdom rather than riches, the Lord blesses us with wisdom and riches, as he did King Solomon. When this occurs, we have the great opportunity and responsibility to use our material wealth in the building up of the kingdom of God. We can realize a synthesis of intellectual acts bearing on the being of God. The meaning of human existence and history is important to our moral life. To reach the transcendent, personal God, it is important to be moral. It is here that we have the experience of conscience, of being under command to do and not to do, of being responsible to a just and caring person who transcends our human reality, but does so in a way that keeps him personally concerned about or conduct. #RandolphHarris 3 of 8
Conscience as a commanding act disclose the full human situation of our responsibility toward the good God. One of the great needs today is increased love and solidarity within families. It is our responsibility to set an example in our own homes and as home teachers to encourage and motivate our families to do likewise. All of you who are holding family homes evenings can testify that there is greater love between the parents, and the children, and between the children. Let us continue to emphasize this inspired family home night program. Another concern is that majority groups are responsible to accept the underrepresented groups living within their area and to provide full fellowship and encouragement, if you feel comfortable, so that they can receive the blessings resulting from such activity. Three features of the living command of conscience, as the best way of achieving real as well as notional assent to God: its intentional character, its personal significance, and its practical ordination. The dictate of conscience by its very structure refers the conscientious human beyond oneself, pointing one toward the reality of the supreme lawgiver and judge of our moral actions. #RandolphHarris 4 of 8
We must set a course of righteousness and follow it. This is not purely abstract orienting of our mind but involves a concrete image of God as our concerned Father. Another advantage of the way of conscience is that the moral relationship in which it consists is personal in both poles of reference. Conscience engages us precisely as a personal self; hence it enables us to give a real assent to God as a morally concerned person. Finally, the acts of conscience relate us to the personal God in a concrete way that leads to moral and religious actions. Hence the approach to God from the conscience encourages us to assent to the truth about God not only notionally but really, not only in respect to our propositions but also in respect to the persona, provident reality of God himself as the practical goal of our knowledge and love. We must find time to share with others and provide examples of courage and integrity for many who sorely need that assistance. We are vitally interested in and proud of the examples and contributions of our faithful community. Let us magnify our real assent to God, as the Lord of conscience furnishes a frame of reference for wrestling with the ungodly, and discerning God’s providential presence. #RandolphHarris 5 of 8
May we so live that we may be worthy of these blessings of wisdom, happiness, peace, and eternal life. A mind that is carefully formed upon the theistic implications of conscience interprets what it sees around it by this previous inward teaching, as the true key of that maze of vast complicated disorder; and thus it gains a more and more consistent and luminous vision of God from the most unpromising materials. Thus, conscience is a connecting principle between the creature and our Creator. We must secure first of all the inward principle of interpretation provided by the personal and moral relation of people to the Lord of conscience. The work of this principle is not to soften or gloss over the power of evil, but to bring in the other considerations concerning God and moral people that will enable us to understand and work with hope against physical and moral evil in our World. God lives and may we magnify him, and may we also sustain him in every way. Help us God to know our position in your kingdom, to declare your word over our lives, and become closer to you. #RandolphHarris 6 of 8
God, help us to claim our heritage in you, and move beyond the notion that we soul be satisfied with what life throws at as, which is exactly what people are telling us to do when they say things like: these are the last days, or it is a sign of the times. God, help us therefore, not to settle for mediocrity, but always seek to raise the standard, for your desire is for us to move up higher. In the mighty name of God, we come against anything or anyone conspiring against our personal advancement. We declare that we are on the upward path, no weapon formed against us shall prosper. We can grasp the intentional structure of basic human meanings only through studying their various perspectives, forcing them to enter the battlefield of critical discussion, and sometimes embodying them in visible, powerful social institutions. Dear Heavenly Father, you have seen us labor. We have been faith over small things. Please help us to be faithful over large things. Expand our territory. Promote us to the next level of responsibility. Guide our steps and priorities. Increase our faith, as we wait on you to move obstacles out of our path. Lord, you have a plan and purpose for our lives that no person can alter. #RandolphHarris 7 of 8
God, give us a vision that shows us the path that you want us to go, and please continue to speak to us in our dreams. Give us your clear direction and help us to be strong and confident as we perform our responsibilities. God, I thank you for increase. Thank you for your spiritual growth and material growth. Help us to give you the glory and honor in everything we do. Use us in a mighty way. God, have your way in our lives. Thank you for all that you have done in our lives and we are expecting to see blessings for us and our families for years to come. God, we thank you for the opportunity to honor you and give you the glory. God, you have promised to take the pain of our lives and turn it into blessings, to give us beauty for the hardships, and pay us back double for anything lost. We have made up our minds to endure until the end, knowing you restore health and give new opportunities and new relationships and new perspectives. Even though it is painful for a time, it is not the end. A full life is still in front of us. We believe you have more to come in our futures. God, you are going to make the rest of our lives the best of our lives. One the way to our victories, we will always face the weariness test. Thank you for the renewed strength. #RandolphHarris 8 of 8
Humans are born to be good to each other. For each of us, life is a journey. Heavenly Father designed it for us out of love. Your life as it is lived, your experiences, feelings, deeds, these are the embodiment of your ideal plan for your individual life. Each of us has unique experiences and characteristics, but our journey began in the same place before we were born into this World. However, many of us never expresses our plan of life perfectly because there is always more to do with our cause. The purpose may not be so much on self-understanding. Instead, perhaps, the true and ultimate focus is to know God and to establish a pleasing relationship with God. We can make choices every day and almost every hour that keep you walking in the light or moving away toward darkness. It is in our power to become virtuous, because assent is in our control; we decide how we act. Suffering, as unpleasant as it is, often has a bright side and that is compassion. Compassion is an emotional response when perceiving suffering and involves an authentic desire to help. Human suffering is often accompanied by beautiful acts of compassion by others wishing to relieve it. #RandolphHarris 1 of 5
With each other is the path to living the good life. Compassion is a natural tendency since it is essential for human survival. Communities, which include the greatest number of the most sympathetic members, will flourish best, and rear the greatest number of offspring. Because babies are the most vulnerable offspring on the face of the Earth, it rearranged our social structures, building cooperative networks of caretaking, and it rearranged our nervous systems. Humans have become the super caregiving species, to the point where acts of care improve our physical health and lengthen our lives. One can see our natural connectivity and compassionate instincts in how our brains react to pain. When we are physically hurt, the anterior cingulate region of the brain is activated. It has also been discovered that when we see someone else suffering, that very same part of the cortex in our brain activates. Therefore, many of us have the same pain response to other people’s pain as we do to our own experiences of suffering. Remarkable tendencies toward kindness, play, generosity, reverence and self-sacrifice are vital to the classic tasks of evolution—survival, gene replication and smooth functioning groups. #RandolphHarris 2 of 5
With situations like the shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada USA that happened 1 October 2017, which left 59 people dead and injured 515 individuals, that is a misrepresentation of the evolutionary study of human goodness. Humans are a social and caring species. For instance, there are organizations out there trying to see the 200 million children in Africa who are starving, get the food, shelter and medical care that they need, and that is just one of many examples that exemplifies that we have compassion for humans, and life in general. We are prone to feel emotions that promote altruism, compassion, gratitude, love, and happiness. It is our love that defines us today, and always will forever. These good emotions can be readily cultivated in familiar ways, bringing out the good in others and in oneself. When praying about compassion the left hemisphere of a brain, a region associated with happiness, becomes active and boosts the immune functions. When we praise the Lord, and thank him for our blessings and talk about what we are grateful for, this boosts happiness and social well-being and health. Experiences of reverence in nature or around morally inspiring society improves people’s sense of connection to others and sense of purpose. #RandolphHarris 3 of 5
Compassion may have ensured our survival because of its tremendous benefits for both physical and mental health and overall well-being. Laughing and playing in the face of trauma gives an individual perspective upon life’s inevitable difficulties, and improves resilience and adjustment. Connecting with others in a meaningful way helps us enjoy better mental and physical health and speeds up recover from injuries and other ailments, and it may even lengthen our life spans. The reason a compassionate lifestyle leads to greater psychological well-being may be explained by the fact that the act of giving appears to be as pleasurable, if not more so, as the act of receiving. Inflammation is at the root of cancer and other diseases and is generally high in people who live under a lot of stress. We might expect that inflammation would be lower for people with higher levels of happiness. People who are happy because they live a life of purpose or meaning (eudemonic happiness) have low levels of inflammation. A happy life helps to act as a barrier against stress and compassion may boost our well-being because it broadens our perspective beyond ourselves. #RandolphHarris 4 of 5
Every child of Heavenly Father born in the World is given at birth, as a free gift, the Light of Christ. You have felt that. It is the sense of what is right and what is wrong and what is true and what is false. That has been with us since our journey in life began. We were given the right to have the Holy Ghost as our companion. The Holy Ghost is a powerful source of light to recognize truth, to follow and love the Lord Jesus Christ, and to find our way back to God. This kind of religion and science gives many hope for the future. Our culture may shift from a consumption-based, materialist culture to one that privileges God and the social joys. Executives are learning the wisdom around the country of emotional intelligence, respect, and building trust. Heavenly Father, please grant us the peace of mind and calm our troubled hearts. Help our souls to find peace and balance in our lives. Give us the strength and clarity of mind to find our purpose and walk the path you have laid out for us. We trust your Love God, and know that you will heal this stress. Just as the Sun rises each day against the dark of night, please bring us clarity with the light of God. #RandolphHarris 5 of 5
Randolph Harris II International Institute 