How do You Know Faith is Real❓I testify that the rewards are worth the effort! 🤔Remember the pattern;
1️⃣Hear the word of God, spoken and written by His servants; 2️⃣Let that word sink deep into your heart; 3️⃣Hunger in your soul for righteousness; 4️⃣Obediently follow gospel laws… and 5️⃣Raise your voice 🗣in mighty 🙏🏻 prayer… Asking in faith to know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. I promise that if you do these things sincerely and unceasingly, . … ‘knock, and it shall be opened unto you’ [ Matthew 7:6]
What are some examples you’ve witnessed that faith is real❓
6 Takeaways from April’s General Conference
1️⃣Worldwide Fast 🌎
President Nelson invites the church to join in a worldwide fast on Friday, or Good Friday, to plead for relief from COVID-19. ALL can join us.
2️⃣Hear Him 🔈
President Nelson originally said the conference would be unforgettable because of the events.
Dennis Schleicher at Temple Square would mark the 200th anniversary of the First Vision — when the church’s founder, Joseph Smith, said he saw God and Jesus Christ.
Summed up in two words: Hear Him. While all the speakers focused, to different degrees, on the message of the Restoration, many of them noted that one of the most important ways members can contribute to that important work is by learning how God speaks to them — or how they can “hear Him.”
3️⃣Women’s Roles 👩🏼
Sister Jean B. Bingham, the Relief Society general president, spoke of the difference between men’s and women’s roles and the importance of an equal partnership between the two. Women must have the courage and vision to unite with men to bring souls to Christ, she said. And “men need to become true partners rather than assume they are solely responsible or act as ‘pretend’ partners while women carry out much of the work.”
4️⃣Teenagers and Youth👫
Two teenagers addressed the audience from the pulpit. Joining a small group of speakers who have spoken in general conference. Without being a general authority or general officer of the church.
5️⃣New proclamation & solemn assembly
“Two hundred years have now elapsed since this Restoration was initiated by God the Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Millions throughout the world have embraced the knowledge of these prophesied events.”
This proclamation is the church’s sixth, and it’s first since 1995.
6️⃣Announced 8 New Temples
*Bahía Blanca, Argentina
*Tallahassee, Florida
*Lubumbashi, Democratic *Republic of the Congo
*Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
*Benin City, Nigeria
*Dubai, United Arab Emirates
*Shanghai, People’s Republic
*Syracuse, Utah What was your favorite takeaway❓ Who’s joining us in the fast❓
President Boyd K. Packer explained: “The English word atonement, made of three words: at-one-ment, which means to set at one; one with God; to reconcile, to conciliate, to expiate. But did you know that the atonement appears only once in the English New Testament? (Romans 5:8 11)
Only once in the New Testament but 39 times in the Book of Mormon. What better to validate or confirm that the Book of Mormon is indeed another testament to bear witness of Jesus Christ?
I resonate with the unconditional and conditional blessing of the atonement. If we constantly strive to develop faith in Jesus Christ, repent and are baptized, we are cleansed from our past discretions. Through the gift of the Holy Ghost, we can be sanctified in worthy to remain in heavenly father’s presence. As we all strive to become more like Him.
What does the atonement of Jesus Christ in our gospel mean to you?
I feel the need to talk about pride. And I am not talking about gay pride or marching in the streets. What is pride? The central feature of pride is enmity–enmity toward God-Him and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means ‘hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.’ It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us. Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We pit our will against God. The proud pit their perceptions of truth against God’s great knowledge, their abilities versus God’s priesthood power, their accomplishments against his mighty works. The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren’t interested in changing their opinions to agree with God.
Pride is a misunderstood term. Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, boastfulness, conceit, or haughtiness. The wrong pride has a hold on our hearts, we lose our independence in the world.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, says;
“Humility directs our attention and love toward others and to Heavenly Father’s purposes… The moment we stop obsessing with ourselves and lose ourselves in service, our pride diminishes and begins to die.”
How has pride got in the way you would help others❓
As a literary agent specializing in Latter-Day Saint authors. Serving as an agent working with Talcott Notch Literary Service, LLC. A rapidly-growing mid-size literary and screen rights agency representing the freshest new voices in both fiction and nonfiction.
Dennis is the first to specialize as an LDS literary agent, willing to work with all. I am looking for unique ideas from writers. As the market has changed, so has many of the demands on the author. Your project has to be more than an extended magazine article. It has to have something unique that will make the publisher jump at the chance to invest in you and your work. It can be your platform. It can be the power of your idea. It can be that your writing is noteworthy and compelling.
And if you can bring all three. I’m confident we can find you a publishing house. What will set you apart? What makes you established as a thought leader in your genre?
I have developed connections with acquisition editors at Deseret, Covenant, Cedar Fort, Shadow Mountain, Hallmark, Seagull Books, and many other publishing houses.
If you are looking to be published, you can send me a query letter at; dschleicher@talcottnotch.net
Who is Dennis? Why Would a Gay 🏳️🌈Man Become a Latter-day Saint?
I am an openly gay man who feels nothing but love from members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was told my entire life-God rejected me. And was going to hell-merely for my sexual orientation. I needed to change my entire persona-become straight.
This left such a bad taste in my mouth about organized religion in general. I refused to attend any church for many, many years. It was Latter-day Saints who taught me that Heavenly Father loves ALL of His children. Regardless of their sexual orientation. We are all children of God, and we should leave judgment to the Savior. It is not our place.
I am “Elders Quorum First Counselor, Ward Mission Leader,” with only 11 convert baptisms. Fireside and devotional speaker, who is humbly grateful to be a full temple recommend holder.
Working as an LDS Literary Agent 🖊 representing authors. 📚
Why did Dennis wear a rainbow 🌈 bow tie to sacrament today? I’ve learned never to ignore the promptings from the Holy Ghost. I had another outfit all prepared, I kept getting this nagging feeling. Where that 🏳️🌈 rainbow. Come to find out, many people needed to see it. Several came up to me saying: “They were praying for answers, and my bow tie was the answer they were seeking.” Thanked me for acting on my prompting. 🤷🏻♂️Who knew a gay rainbow tie would have such an impact.
🗣Some history about this bowtie. A leader in our church bought this for me, as our missionaries wished I dressed gayer 🤣 when teaching lessons. LOL, love this. 📣 That leader did not ignore the promptings from our Heavenly Father. Why should we?
👉When have you felt promptings from the Holy Ghost❓
👉Have you ever ignored those promptings❓
Spending the morning at the temple with 20+ Gay, LGBTQ, and full temple recommend holders doing a session was incredible. I’m actually lost for words. This is further proof that you can be gay and enter the House of the Lord.
For those who say that you cannot be gay in a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-Day Saints. Tell them. Tag your friends. Share our love for all. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Who is Dennis? Why Would a Gay 🏳️🌈Man Become a Latter-day Saint?
I am an openly gay man who feels nothing but love from members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was told my entire life that God rejected me and I was going to hell merely for my sexual orientation. I needed to change my entire persona and become straight. This left such a bad taste in my mouth about organized religion in general that I refused to attend any church for many, many years.
It was Latter-day Saints who taught me that Heavenly Father loves ALL of His children, regardless of their sexual orientation. We are all children of God, and we should leave judgment to the Savior. It is not our place. We are asked only to love.
I am “Elders Quorum First Counselor, Ward Mission Leader,” with only 11 convert baptisms. I’m humbly grateful to be a full temple recommend holder.
Soon, I will be an LDS Literary Agent 🖊 representing good, clean, authors. 📚
