by Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. April 2024 General Conference talk.
…those who gain genuine confidence in the covenants made in the house of the Lord through Jesus Christ possess one of the most powerful forces that we can access in this life.
Covenant Confidence through Jesus Christ by Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. April 2024 General Conference talk
Essential Question #1 – What is covenant confidence? How can I use it to overcome my fears?
Essential Question #2 – How can I possess the power of God?
Essential Question #3 – How and why do I cast away my confidence in Jesus Christ?
Essential Question #4 – What one thing can I give to my family to help them in their tests and trials ahead?
Essential Question #5 – How do I obtain covenant confidence in Jesus Christ?
Essential Question #1 – What is covenant confidence?
Covenant confidence is knowing 1) who God is, 2) what God’s work is, 3) who we are, 4) what God wants us to do, and 5) God covenants to give us his power if we worship and serve him.
When the Lord revealed himself to Moses, he told him many things. Of importance is God said: 1) His name (God Almighty and Endless is my name), 2) His work (I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands), 3) who Moses is (my son, in the similitude of Jesus), 4) what Moses’ work is to be (I have chosen thee and thou shalt deliver my people from bondage), and 5) God covenants to give his power if we worship and serve him (received strength, thou shalt be made stronger than many waters; for they shall obey thy command as if thou wert God).
Even though God’s works are endless, he states the miracle that “…all things are present with me, for I know them all.” What Moses must have felt knowing that the Almighty God was aware of him and even knew him. Then, to take it a step further, not only do I know you, Moses, but I will be with you, for all things are present with me. In other words, I AM THE GOD OF THE NOW!
3 And God spake unto Moses, saying: Behold, I am the Lord God Almighty, and Endless is my name; for I am without beginning of days or end of years; and is not this endless?
4 And, behold, thou art my son; wherefore look, and I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands; but not all, for my works are without end, and also my words, for they never cease.
6 And I have a work for thee, Moses, my son; and thou art in the similitude of mine Only Begotten; and mine Only Begotten is and shall be the Savior, for he is full of grace and truth; but there is no God beside me, and all things are present with me, for I know them all.
17 And [God] also gave [Moses] commandments when [God] called unto [Moses] out of the burning bush, saying: Call upon God in the name of mine Only Begotten, and worship me.
20 And it came to pass that Moses began to fear exceedingly; and as he began to fear, he saw the bitterness of hell. Nevertheless, calling upon God, he received strength, and he commanded, saying: Depart from me, Satan, for this one God only will I worship, which is the God of glory.
25 And calling upon the name of God, [Moses] beheld his glory again, for it was upon him; and [Moses] heard a voice, saying: Blessed art thou, Moses, for I, the Almighty, have chosen thee, and thou shalt be made stronger than many waters; for they shall obey thy command as if thou wert God.
26 And lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days; for thou shalt deliver my people from bondage, even Israel my chosen.
35 But only an account of this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, give I unto you. For behold, there are many worlds that have passed away by the word of my power. And there are many that now stand, and innumerable are they unto man; but all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them.
37 And the Lord God spake unto Moses, saying: The heavens, they are many, and they cannot be numbered unto man; but they are numbered unto me, for they are mine.
Pearl of Great Price – Moses 1
Covenant confidence is trusting the Lord will honor his heavenly agreement (i.e., covenant) to bless, comfort, and prosper me as I follow the iron rod (i.e., keep the commandments of God). Especially at times, I’m in a mist of darkness or being mocked by those in the great and spacious building. It is maintaining a positive attitude. It is remembering I’ve been delivered from bondage in the past and will be delivered in the present (the now) and into the future.
And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me.
Alma 36:27
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 corinthians 10;18
Typically in life we are given the green light to move forward in faith, doing our best to learn and grow. Think of the saying, the Lord can’t steer a parked car. as we move, the Holy Spirit will prompt us to turn here, or give a yellow light to use caution here, and lastly a red light to not go there. We are to use our own free will, but must accept a no answer (red light) on even the noblest of actions.
When cancer took the life of [President Nelson’s] 37-year-old daughter, Emily, leaving a loving husband and five small children, I heard [President Nelson] say, “I was her father, a medical doctor, and an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, but I had to bow my head and acknowledge, ‘Not my will but thine be done.'”
The Prophet of God by Elder Neil L. Andersen, April 2018 General Conference
All will experience the traumas of life, such as death, separation/divorce, moving, losing or changing jobs, and sickness or injury. Covenant confidence is knowing that all these things will give us growth and experience and will be turned into blessings by the grace of Jesus Christ.
…for I swear unto you, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land.
Alma 36:1
What is god’s work for me?
God’s work for Moses was to deliver his people from bondage. I’m not Moses, but does God have a work for me to do? Yes! To create an eternal family. To use the Power of the Priesthood to move the mountains and seas that stand in the way of this purpose. To call on angles to help and the holy spirit to influence and soften the hearts of man. To restore arms that were lost. To cast Satan out of my life. “To subdue principalities and powers.” my purpose is break the bands and help people achieve freedom.
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
isaiah 58;6
Just standing in my office on 8/30/2024, in prayer, I called on the Powers of the Priesthood help me in my desire to have an eternal family and marriage. To move the mountain between my future wife and me so that we may date, court, marry, and give birth to 2 children. To send angels and the Holy Ghost to make this happen.
Every one being ordained after this order and calling should have power, by faith, to break mountains, to divide the seas, to dry up waters, to turn them out of their course;
To put at defiance the armies of nations, to divide the earth, to break every band, to stand in the presence of God; to do all things according to his will, according to his command, subdue principalities and powers; and this by the will of the Son of God which was from before the foundation of the world
Listen to the words the Lord used to encourage Enoch. They are also His words to you who are called to minister to others as a priesthood holder: (Walk with Me by Pres Henry B. Eyring, April 2017 General Conference)
And the Lord said unto Enoch: Go forth and do as I have commanded thee, and no man shall pierce thee. Open they mouth, and it shall be filled, and I will give thee utterance, for all flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth me good…Behold my Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course; and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me.
Moses 6:32,34
Brethren, our ordination to the priesthood is an invitation from the Lord to walk with Him. And what does it mean to walk with the Lord? It means to do what He does, to serve the way He serves. (Walk with Me by Pres Henry B. Eyring, April 2017 General Conference)
Essential Question #2 – How can I possess the power of God?
I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord,…and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.
1 Nephi 14:14
And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten…
Moses 7:62
I came to the April 2024 General Conference seeking a miracle for Shanthi Kimball, who has no arms. Elder Soares spoke of the most powerful force I can access in this life, the gift of Jesus Christ, who has the power to heal and forgive sins. His talk gave me great hope.
I have seen firsthand the Lord’s loving promises and power flowing into the lives of God’s children, strengthening them to face life’s circumstances….As my wife walked into the initiatory area, she saw a sweet sister who was missing one arm – and had only part of another arm – beautifully and celestially performing any tasks she was given.
Covenant Confidence through Jesus Christ by Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. April 2024 General Conference talk
I was in Shanthi’s ward for a little over a year (2021-2023) then I moved. I also workout with her at Burn Boot Camp in Las Vegas and we became friends. It is my desire to be like the friends in Mark 2:3 and help Shanthi gain access to the healing power of Jesus Christ and have her arms restored, which she lost as a little girl.
3 And they come unto [Jesus], bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
11 I say unto thee, Arist, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
- Mark 2:3,5,11,12
And who shall say that Jesus Christ did not do many mighty miracles? And there were many mighty miracles wrought by the hands of the apostles.
Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me,…
…unto as many as received me gave I power to do many miracles, and to become the sons of God; and even unto them that believed on my name gave I power to obtain eternal life.
Access to Jesus Christ’s miracles requires help from others, in this case, the faith and determination of the four for their palsy friend to be next to Jesus.
There is no chance, no destiny, no fate,
Can circumvent or hinder or control
The firm resolve of a determined soul.
by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, quoted by Elder Quentin L. Cook, Be One with Christ, April 2024 General Conference
Also, it seems that to possess the power of God, I must learn to have confidence in Jesus Christ, that he can perform miracles. President Nelson had some good ideas in his talk, The Price of Priesthood Power, at the April 2016 General Conference.
Likewise, we see faithful men who live up to their privileges as bearers of the priesthood. They lead and serve by sacrifice in the Lord’s way with love, kindness, and patience. They bless, guide, protect, and strengthen others by the power of the priesthood they hold. They bring miracles to those they serve while they keep their own marriages and families safe. They shun evil and are mighty elders in Israel. I am most thankful for them!
Now, may I voice a concern? It is this: Too many of our brothers and sisters do not fully understand the concept of priesthood power and authority. They act as though they would rather satisfy their own selfish desires and appetites than use the power of God to bless His children.
Ministering with the Power and Authority of God by President Russell M. Nelson, April 2018 General Conference
Another benefit of the Lord’s power is that it doesn’t consume put replenishes.
The source of our spiritual power is the Lord! The ultimate source of spiritual power is God our Father. The messenger of this power is the Holy Ghost. This power differs from electrical power. An electrical appliance consumes power. The use of His spiritual power replenishes our power. While electrical power can be used for measured periods of time, spiritual power can be used for time and eternity!
Our spiritual power line is strengthened through prayer. As we counsel with God in all our doings, he will direct us for good. (See Alma 37:37.) Prayer is available whenever we ask for it!
Protect the Spiritual Power Line by Elder Russell M. Nelson, Oct 1984 General Conference
The Melchizedek Priesthood is not a status or a label. It is a divine power held in trust to use for the benefit of God’s work for His children.
The Powers of the Priesthood by President Dallin H. Oaks, April 2018 General Conference
Essential Question #3 – How and why do I cast away my confidence in Jesus Christ?
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
Hebrews 10:35
Recompense means to pay or give compensation for; make restitution or requital for damage, injury or the like, see Dictionary.com – recompense.
how do i cast away my confidence in jesus christ?
How do I cast away my confidence? By playing it small, shrinking from the task at hand. Living in fear of failure. Believing I’m not enough. Letting my sins of the past haunt me. Believe that Jesus hasn’t accepted my repentance.
Instead of casting away my confidence, it is better I remember who am I? I am a Son of God. I am a child of the covenant. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I bear the name of Jesus Christ, see Sacrament prayer “…willing to take upon them the name of thy Son” (D&C 20:77). I wear his holy temple garments to symbolize I’m putting on Jesus Christ and to remind me of my temple covenants to keep the 1-law of obedience, 2-law of sacrifice, 3-law of the gospel of Jesus Christ, 4-law of chastity, and 5-law of consecration. I bear his holy priesthood as a High Priest in the Melchizedek Priesthood. The same priesthood used to create worlds without number.
“First: Know the truth about who you are. I believe that if the Lord were speaking to you directly tonight, the first thing He would make sure you understand is your true identity.
“Who are you? First and foremost, you are a child of God. Second, as a member of the Church, you are a child of the covenant. And third, you are a disciple of Jesus Christ.”
“Worldly identifiers will never give you a vision of who you can ultimately become. They will never affirm your divine DNA or your unlimited, divine potential.”
Choices for Eternity by President Russell M. Nelson
Enoch’s confidence was strong because; he knew where he came from 1) he knew God made him, what he is to do 2) the covenants they made together – to call upon God for help, and where he is going 3) the promise to dwell in Heaven, and the gift he has 4) humility that these are all a gift from Jesus, his grace to bless Enoch.
And Enoch beheld the Son of Man ascend up unto the Father; and [Enoch] called unto the Lord, saying: Wilt thou not come again upon the earth? Forasmuch as thou art God, and I know thee, and thou hast sworn unto me, and commanded me that I should ask in the name of thine Only Begotten; thou hast made me, and given unto me a right to thy throne, and not of myself, but through thine own grace;
It is by God’s covenants I make with him that I get to know him. Also these covenants grant me access to the power of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
D&C 84:20
Why do i cast away my confidence in jesus christ?
Cast Away Confidence because – I Don’t Believe
I don’t believe the commandments are improving my life. I feel dejected from the pains of this life caused mostly by me and also by others. I see a problem coming my way like I don’t have money for a home and I’m wasting money renting and even if I did have the money, I don’t know where to live, home prices and mortgage rates are high and so on. I ask for guidance in prayer on what to do and it feels like I’m to just continue moving forward day by day with no end in sight.
I also cast away my confidence because I am unclear on my wants and desires. Evening Jeff wants to eat ice cream and veg out in front of a TV. Morning Jeff wants to wake up early and get into shape. I fight against myself. My actions are not in harmony with my beliefs. Either I change my actions or change my beliefs. Staying in between this is painful and exhausting.
I also cast away my confidence because there is a mountain in front of my path and I don’t know how to move it. My heart fails me.
While I was at home on a rare Saturday with no assignment, we had worked together. [Dantzel] had washed our clothing. I had helped to carry it, fold it, and put it in place. Then while we were sitting on the sofa, holding hands, enjoying a program on television, my precious Dantzel slipped peacefully into eternity… After my efforts to revive her proved fruitless, feelings of shock and sorrow overwhelmed me. My closest friend, angel mother of our 10 children, grandmother of our 56 grandchildren, had been taken from us.
Now Is The Time to Prepare, Elder Russell M. Nelson, April 2004 General Conference
Did President Nelson cast away his confidence when his wife died? Did he become a victim to the trauma and pain of this life experience? Did he make excuses for not keeping his confidence? What did his wife Dantzel teach him when they were younger?
…I performed an operation. This child also died. This third heartbreaking loss in one family literally undid me. I went home grief stricken. I threw myself upon our living room floor and cried all night long. Dantzel stayed by my side, listening as I repeatedly declared that I would never perform another heart operation. Then, around 5:00 in the morning, Dantzel looked at me and lovingly asked, “Are you finished crying? Then get dressed. Go back to the lab. Go to work! You need to learn more. If you quit now, others will have to painfully learn what you already know.” Oh, how I needed my wife’s vision, grit, and love! I went back to work and learned more. If it weren’t for Dantzel’s inspired prodding, I would not have pursued open-heart surgery and would not have been prepared to do the operation in 1972 that saved the life of President Spencer W. Kimball.
A Plea to My Sisters by President Russell M. Nelson, October 2015 General Conference
Cast Away Confidence because – I Fear of Rejection
I also cast away my confidence by rejecting myself first to avoid the potential threat of being rejected by someone else.
While presiding over the Ukraine Kyiv Mission, I once asked one of my most faithful sisters why she was always so hard on herself, why she was always beating herself up over the smallest things. Her answer was a classic example of someone listening to the wrong voice as she replied, “So no one can beat me to it.”
Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence by Elder Jorg Klebingat, October 2014 General Conference
I am like this Sister missionary and have these limiting beliefs. I must always remember that I have a 0% chance of success when I choose fear and self-doubt over belief and exercising faith in Jesus Christ. Thus, my chance of success greatly increases when I practice covenant confidence by taking a leap of faith that this life is designed to help me grow from a seed to a tree. During this journey, Jesus Christ is there to guide me.
For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
Cast Away Confidence because – I’m Lonely
I cast away my covenant confidence when I believe I’m all alone, God is not helping me or if he is, I don’t believe his answer will work.
9 And [Elijah] came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?
10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life to take it away.
1 Kings 19:9-10
Elijah hasn’t learned the lesson that Elisha learned, that we are not alone, that there is more with us than against us.
15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And [Elisha’s] servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
2 Kings 6:15-17
Cast Away Confidence because – I’m Impatient
I cast away my confidence because I’m impatient and frustrated with how long my prayers take to be answered. In reality, it is not my prayers that take a long time to be answered; it is my growth and becoming that takes time. I’m just frustrated with myself.
My internal complaints and fears are the source of the storms in my life, not Jesus.
Lean on my ample arm,
O thou depressed!
And I will bid the storm
Cease in thy breast.
Whate'er thy lot may be
On life's complaining sea,
If thou wilt come to me,
Thou shalt have rest.
- Lean on My Ample Arm, Hymn #120
I was 11 years old when The Empire Strikes Back – Star Wars movie, came out. I remember watching it with my older brother. I would discuss it with him, my friend Tex, and even my uncle Jon to make sense of specific scenes in the movie.
When I cast away my confidence, I felt like Luke Skywalker when he first met Yoda. Luke was frustrated because he crashed his X-wing fighter in the swamp. The frustration continued when Yoda started making a mess of his camp. Luke was stuck in this slimy mud hole, thinking the journey to become a Jedi was a physical/external focus instead of a spiritual one.
Luke: Why can’t I meet Yoda now? I don’t know what I’m doing here, we’re wasting our time
Yoda: Patience for the Jedi is time to eat as well
Yoda: I cannot teach him the boy has no patience.
Obi-Won: He will learn patience.
Yoda: much anger in him like his father
Yoda: all his life as he looked away to the future, to the Horizon, never his mind on where he was, what he was doing.
“I’m not afraid” Luke Skywalker. “You will be” Yoda.
Yoda is trying to help Luke in his quest to become a Jedi. He invites Luke to his home, but all Luke does is complain and blame.
With thoughtless and impatient hands
We tangle up the plans
The Lord hath wrought.
And when we cry in pain He saith,
"Be quiet, man, while I untie the knot
Prayer and Promptings by President Packer, Oct 2009 General Conference. Author unknown, in Jack M. Lyon and others, eds., Best-Loved Poems of the LDS People (1996), 304.
With his invention of the light blub, Thomas Edison purportedly said, “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.’
Until Seventy Times Seven by Elder Lynn G. Robbins, April 2018 General Conference. Reference – Thomas Edison, in Zorian Rotenberg, “To Succeed, You Must Fail, and Fail More,” Nov. 13, 2013, insightsquared.com.
Isn’t it a shame that with the tremendous amount of work you [Thomas Edison] have done you haven’t been able to get any results? Edison turned on me [Walter S. Mallory] like a flash, and with a smile replied: ‘Results! Why, man, I have gotten a lot of results! I know several thousand things that won’t work.’
It took 1,000 steps of failure before the light bulb was invented. How many steps do we take doing A.S.K.?
Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
I used to think it was a pity the woman with an issue of blood for 12 years wasted all her money on physicians and was not healed.
43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,
44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.
Luke 8:43-44
Did she grow during those 12 years of Asking, Seeking, and Knocking?
45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
Luke 8:45
Of the multitude of people who touched Jesus that day, she was the only one healed. What was different between her and them? Weren’t those 12 years just a waste? Sheesh, what if the story was different? Say the day or week before she found out about issues with her menstrual cycle, she found out Jesus was in town, and she could just go touch him, and voila! Healed. Would there be a difference between these two women?
Let’s take Adam and Eve, who lived almost 1000 years. What a waste of time, right? When they ate of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, why didn’t they immediately repent of their transgression, be forgiven, then go and eat from the Tree of Life, and voila, healed and can now live forever and also be in the presence of God? They could have avoided the pain of their children choosing Satan over Jesus and avoided the tragedy of their son Cain following Satan and killing Able. Would there be a difference between these two versions of Adam and Eve?
Do we choose to learn from our failures and afflictions?
Cast Away Confidence because – I blame God or anyone but me
Luke blames Yoda for his internal conflicts and mistakes—when it is only Luke’s fault. Learning, growing, and becoming is a life journey, not just a one-time event. The swamp Luke is in physically is a metaphor for where he is emotionally and spiritually in his quest to become a Jedi. To let go of his anger and fear and allow the Force or Spirit to guide his heart and mind.
I cast away my confidence and blame God, just like Luke blames Yoda. God, if you had just answered my prayers, I would have avoided this painful situation, the scars of life. Can’t you see I’m on the covenant path, yet I’m being laughed at as I stumble, fall, and even fail? Why won’t you save me?
I’m like the children in Israel wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, eating manna, and wanting to get on with life (make a home, plant a tree, get married, and so on).
A few years ago, I spoke with a young bishop who was spending hours each week counseling with members of his ward. He made a striking observation. The problems that members of his ward faced, he said, were those faced by Church members everywhere—issues such as how to establish a happy marriage; struggles with balancing work, family, and Church duties; challenges with the Word of Wisdom, with employment, or with pornography; or trouble gaining peace about a Church policy or historical question they didn’t understand.
His counsel to ward members very often included getting back to simple practices of faith, such as studying the Book of Mormon—as we were counseled by President Thomas S. Monson to do—paying tithing, and serving in the Church with devotion. Frequently, however, their response to him was one of skepticism: “I don’t agree with you, Bishop. We all know those are good things to do. We talk about those things all the time in the Church. But I’m not sure you’re understanding me. What does doing any of those things have to do with the issues I’m facing?”
It’s a fair question. Over time, that young bishop and I have observed that those who are deliberate about doing the “small and simple things”7—obeying in seemingly little ways—are blessed with faith and strength that go far beyond the actual acts of obedience themselves and, in fact, may seem totally unrelated to them. It may seem hard to draw a connection between the basic daily acts of obedience and solutions to the big, complicated problems we face. But they are related. In my experience, getting the little daily habits of faith right is the single best way to fortify ourselves against the troubles of life, whatever they may be. Small acts of faith, even when they seem insignificant or entirely disconnected from the specific problems that vex us, bless us in all we do.
Consider Naaman, a “captain of the host of … Syria, … a mighty man in valour,” and a leper. A servant girl told of a prophet in Israel who could heal Naaman, and so he traveled with an escort of servants, soldiers, and gifts to Israel, eventually arriving at Elisha’s house. Elisha’s servant, not Elisha himself, informed Naaman that the Lord’s command was to “go and wash in [the river] Jordan seven times.” A simple thing. Perhaps this simple prescription struck the mighty warrior as so illogical, simplistic, or beneath his dignity that he found the mere suggestion offensive. At the very least, Elisha’s instruction didn’t make sense to Naaman, “so he turned and went away in a rage.”
But Naaman’s servants gently approached him and observed that he would have done “some great thing” if Elisha had asked it of him. They noted that since he was asked to do only a small task, shouldn’t he do it, even if he didn’t understand why? Naaman reconsidered his reaction and perhaps skeptically, but obediently, “went … down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan” and was miraculously healed.8
Whatsoever He Saith unto You, Do It by Elder L. Whitney Clayton, April 2017 General Conference
Yoda told Luke he would be afraid because Luke would have to face all his internal sins and conflicts and ugliness. Naaman had to face life and couldn’t hide behind the excuse of leprosy, which kept him from participating in life. Forced isolation so others wouldn’t catch the disease.
What lies am I telling myself? Am I just trying to protect my fragile ego? Am I artificially boosting my sense of self with all these servants, soldiers, and treasures around me? Look, I am Naaman, a captain of an army. Yet, I’m a leopard. My inflated self-fantasy on HOW I will be healed by Elisha, focusing on the external. When really it is the internal where the problem lies. I will remove these seven walls protecting my ego. Walls, which are lies I’m telling myself. I am more important, richer, better, smarter, faster, stronger, or whatever, than you. Instead, I will reveal I’m just a man like everyone else. I don’t need to be like Satan, an emotional energy vampire, who tries to elevate himself above everyone else.
And now, when Moses had said these words, Satan cried with a loud voice, and ranted upon the earth, and commanded, saying: I am the Only Begotten, worship me.
Pearl of Great Price – Moses 1:19
Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
Alma 37:6
Cast Away My Confidence with Pride and Trusting My Own Understanding
Do I know how to get back to Heaven? Do I know how to convert water into wine or perform any other miracle? But I know Jesus knows this. So, part of growing and training to become a Jedi/Born Again is learning to trust in Jesus and not lean on my own understanding, that is, trusting in the arm of flesh.
The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding
O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.
The opposite of casting away my confidence with pride is to come to God with humility and submissiveness. To be teachable. The solution is to be child like and trust my Father.
Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved.
We are not earthly beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings have an earthly experience
Attributed to Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, French philosopher, 1881-1955 as quoted in A Missing Piece of Me
Cast Away My Confidence with Sins
When a spark of confidence invigorates and lightens my spirits, I quickly remember all my sins and unworthiness and douse the flame. I can’t help people be freed from bondage and bless them with the power of the Priesthood because I am a sinner.
…[Nephi] was a just man who did keep the record – for he truly did many miracles in the name of Jesus; and there was not any man who could do a miracle in the name of Jesus save he were cleansed every whit from his iniquity“
Book of Mormon – 3 Nephi 8:1
...
Though we're redeemed from mortal death,
We still can't enter in
Unless we're clean, cleansed every whit,
From every mortal sin.
What must be done to make us clean
We cannot do alone.
The law, to be a law, requires
A pure one must atone.
He taught that justice will be stayed
Till mercy's claim be heard
If we repent and are baptized
And live by every word.
If we could only understand
All we have heard and seen,
We'd know there is no greater gift
Than those two words - "Washed clean!"
Washed Clean by President Boyd K. Packer, April 1997 General Conference
Can I be forgiven of my sins? Jesus will forgive all people who repent. All people except me. Will I be great like the Prodigal Son, come to myself, and return to the Father? Or will I pout and stay outside like the older brother? Will I judge the Father in how he spends his money? Will I be the same as the younger brother, treat the Father like he is already dead, and I say that is my inheritance: the fatted calf, the ring, the robe? All that is being given to the younger son, it is mine, I deserve it? Will I do my duty out of love, or do I wear it to cover my insecurities and inflate my ego? I, the older brother, am more worthy and important and greater than the younger brother, for I sinned less than he did. Father, give me all your time and attention; look at me and feed my ego.
What Do I Cast Away?
#1-Cast off the works of darkness
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. …Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.
#2-Cast off my old ways
And [Bartimaeus], casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. (Mark 10:50)
This humble and faithful man understood that he could rise to a better life at Jesus’s command. He know that he was better than his circumstances, and the very first thing he did when he heard Jesus calling him was to throw away beggar’s coat. Again he acted instead of being acted upon. He might have thought, “I don’t need this anymore, now that Jesus has come into my life. This is a new day. I’m done with this life of misery. With Jesus I can start a new life of happiness and joy in Him, with Him, and through Him. And I don’t care what the world thinks of me. Jesus is calling me, and He will help me live a new life.” What a remarkable change! As he threw away his beggar’s coat, he got rid of all excuses.
Rise! He Calleth Thee by Elder Massimo De Feo, April 2024 General Conference
How do I cast off my old ways?
In a nutshell by making excuses for theAgain from Elder Massimo De Feo’s talk
As long as we make excuses to feel sorry for ourselves, sorry for our circumstances and problems, and sorry for all the bad things happening in our lives and even all the bad people who we think make us unhappy, we keep the beggar’s coat on our shoulders. It is true that at times people, consciously or not, hurt us. But we need to decide to act with faith in Christ by removing the mental and emotional coat that we might still wear to hide excuses or sin and throw it away, knowing that He can and will heal us.
Rise! He Calleth Thee by Elder Massimo De Feo, April 2024 General Conference
The solution is to follow Jesus. Make a plan for what you will change in your life, then work on it. The emotional work is to accept and take responsibility for my part in the trauma, then forgive, forget, and move on. There are many things to help you with these changes, such as using essential oils.
Essential oils assist individuals in taking an honest look within. They foster the right environment for healing, but they will not do the work for us. In gardening, it is a common mistake to pull the weeds while leaving the roots. This is particularly true for hard and rocky soils. To ensure we uproot the whole plant, we can add water to the soil, which allows the entire weed to be removed. Similarly, essential oils prepare our emotional soil so that weeds may be removed with greater ease. However, they do not do the weeding for us. If we neglect to do the work of pulling our weeds, we have simply watered the problem. On the other hand, when we combine essential oils with emotional work, we reap the fruit of our labor.
Emotions & Essential Oils, 5th by Enlighten Alternative Healing, LLC, 2016, p. 9
What would he say if future Jeff could talk to present day Jeff? You are enough right now. You can choose to be happy right now. Don’t delay this choice. You are successful right now. You are winning right now because you are focused on Christ.
I do not fear those pale green pants with no one inside them. I said and said those words. I said them, but I lied them.
Essential Question #4 – What one thing can I give to my family to help them in their tests and trials ahead?
…one thing we could possess – and one thing we could pass on to our children and grandchildren that would help each in the tests and trials ahead – it would be confidence in the covenants made through Jesus Christ.
Covenant Confidence through Jesus Christ by Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. April 2024 General Conference talk
For me to be able to give confidence I must first possess it. Similar to love and the quote – “love isn’t love unless you give it away.” Truly obtaining confidence is “a divine possession.” So, to give confidence to my children I must first obtain this covenant confidence in Jesus Christ.
…the kind of faith that produces a steady stream of tender mercies and even mighty miracles – goes hand in hand with a personal confidence that you are striving to choose the right.
Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence by Elder Jorg Klebingat, October 2014 General Conference
It appears this covenant confidence precedes miracles. In the case of David and Goliath.
Previously, David had fought a lion and also a bear. From his own experience, he knew that God had protected him and made him victorious.
Faithful to the End by Sister Andrea Munoz Spannaus, April 2024 General Conference
Here is the Old Testament story Sister Spannaus is referring to:
32 And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
37 David said, moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.
The Lord who delivered me in 1990 from a job I hated to a better job has done this all my life. I was told civil engineering is too hard of a major yet I stayed with it and he delivered me. I faced the mountain of passing the Professional Engineer exam and was discouraged when I failed it the first try. Yet, I stayed with it and he delivered me when I passed it the second time. I was overwhelmed by guilt from the sins I committed and he forgave me. So it is a miracle how far I’ve come, yet I still have more to go. I didn’t come this far to just come this far.
We did not come this far only to come this far
A Perfect Brightness of Hope by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, April 2020 General Conference
Small daily wins help spiritual increase momentum which leads to big wins.
Essential Question #5 – How do I obtain covenant confidence in Jesus Christ?
Am I where god wants me?
My confidence increases when I know I’m where the Lord wants me. For example, when rebelling like the Prodigal Son, I’m not where the Lord wants me. But when journeying back to the Father, I’m where God wants me. I haven’t reached my destination, but I’m on the covenant path and exactly where God wants me, even though I’m not yet home. So, where does God want us? Daily taking steps closer to Him. Both God and I can be unhappy with my circumstances, such as Joseph being sold into Egypt to be a slave. Are we learning and growing in our trials? Being a slave is not my destination, but just a milepost on my journey. I can still maintain an attitude of gratitude that God has placed me here to learn something, to grow, and to love. This gives me confidence in God’s plan, trusting he knows what is best for my conversion in being born again.
Divine covenants make strong Christians. I urge each one to qualify for and receive all the priesthood ordinances you can and then faithfully keep the promises you have made by covenant. In times of distress, let your covenants be paramount and let your obedience be exact. Then you can ask in faith, nothing wavering, according to your need, and God will answer. He will sustain you as you work and watch. In His own time and way He will stretch forth his hand to you, saying, ‘Here am I.’ (Abr 3:27; Exodus 3:4)
The Power of Covenants by Elder D. Todd Christofferson, April 2009 General Conference
Confidence is the effect I desire, but what is the cause? Making and keeping covenants with Jesus Christ is the cause! I will spend my energies on causes and allow the natural effects I desire to occur.
| Cause | Effect |
| Nurture the Tree | obtain the Fruit |
| Covenant confidence, remembering earlier wins in life, obedience to covenants I made | Miracles |
| Making and keeping covenants with Jesus | Confidence |
| Pay the price for priesthood power | Miracles (1) |
| Work – provide a service that is valued by another | Money |
| Obedience to God | Blessings |
| Helping others, selfless service | Friendships |
| Positive Thoughts | Positive Reality |
| Fast and Pray Often | Wax stronger and stronger in their humility and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ (2) |
- The Price of Priesthood Power by President Russell M. Nelson, April 2016 General Conference
- “…lifted up in pride…was a great evil, which did cause the more humble part of the people to suffer great persecutions, and to wade through much affliction. Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.” (Helaman 3:34-35)
Spiritual confidence increases when you take responsibility for your own spiritual well-being by apply the Atonement of Jesus Christ daily.
Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence by Elder Jorg Klebingat ,Oct 2014 General Conference
What happens when I focus on effects? I lose. Think of Aesop’s fable of the Goose that Laid the Golden Egg. Greed doth lead to need. The farmer wanted all the golden eggs and killed the goose and found no golden eggs inside. Also, see the quote from Benjamin Franklin below. If you focus on effects like success and money, you lose because you are coming from a place of fear.
“While gambling at checkers with some shipmates, he formulated an ‘infallible rule‘; which was that ‘if two persons equal in judgement play for a considerable sum, he that loves money most shall lose; his anxiety for the success of the game confounds him.’ The rule, he decided, applied to other battles; a person who is too fearful will end up performing defensively and thus fail to seize offensive advantages.”
Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson, p. 49-50
I need to come to God with humility, just like the Prodigal Son, and witness that Jesus did not reject him and will not reject me. I will experiment to verify that Jesus welcomed, accepted, and comforted me. Then, with my love for him and showing that love by following his teachings, I will gain confidence that he is walking with me on the covenant path. My confidence then grows, knowing he is with me. If I’m honest with myself, actually doing everything in my power to keep his commandments, then this confidence is mine, knowing it wasn’t my actions that caused the Spirit to withdraw. Again, knowing he has already walked this path, made it to heaven, and returned to get me gives me hope and confidence. Then, I can come boldly to the throne of God, knowing Jesus is next to me.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
If I may, for added clarity, revise these scripture verses to remove the “nots” and exchange some words while still keeping the meaning in place:
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [to the iron rod].
15 For we have a high priest which can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities and was in all [aspects] tempted just like us, yet remained sinless.
16 Therefore let us come boldly unto the throne of [God], that we may obtain mercy, and find [Jesus Christ] to help us in times of need.
Revised for clarity Hebrews 4:14-16
Jesus understands our pains because he has already experienced them when he was here. He knows how to get back home since he has already traveled the path (i.e., passed into the heavens). Surely, I can be confident (i.e. come boldly) in following Jesus, because I know, that he knows the way. Lastly, I know he is right there along side us, “…that they may always have his Spirit to be with them” (D&C 20:77) as we follow the iron rod to the Tree of Life.
29 And Enoch said unto the Lord: How is it that thou canst weep, seeing thou art holy, and from all eternity to all eternity?
30 And were it possible that man could number the particles of the earth, yea, millions of earths like this, it would not be a beginning to the number of thy creations; and thy curtains are stretched out still; and yet thou art there, and thy bosom is there; and also thou art just; thou art merciful and kind forever;
We demonstrate our determination to serve the Lord by faithfully engaging in daily acts of devotion. The Lord promises to direct our paths (Proverbs 3:6), but for Him to do that, we have to walk, trusting that He knows the way because He is ‘the way’ (John 14:6) We must fill our own waterpots up to the brim. When we trust and follow Him, our lives, like water to wine, are transformed. We become something more and better than we ever otherwise could be. Trust in the Lord, and ‘whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.’ (John 2:5)
Whatsoever He Saith unto You, Do It by Elder L. Whitney Clayton, April 2017 General Conference
Will I come boldly with covenant confidence to the throne of God? Yes, I will request a miracle for Shanthi that her arms get restored. Come what may, I will continue to live my life in harmony with the gospel. I will hear the whisper from God to Do It Now! (For inasmuch as ye do it unto the least of these, ye do it unto me – D&C 42:38)
And again, verily I say, whomsoever you bless I will bless, and whomsoever you curse I will curse, saith the Lord; for I, the Lord, am thy God.
D&C 132:47
And [Jesus] manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith.
…is not a soul at this time as precious unto God as a soul will be at the time of his coming? Is it not as necessary that the plan of redemption should be made know unto this people as well as unto their children? Is it not as easy at this time for the Lord to send his angel to declare these glad tidings unto us as unto our children, or as after the time of his coming?
Alma 39:17-19
…the Son of Righteousness shall appear unto them; and he shall heal them, and they shall have peace with him…
Is it not as easy at this time (Aug 2024) for Jesus to do miracles as it was when he was living on the earth? Is it not as necessary for miracles to be performed on these people as when he was living on the earth? The man borne of 4, who would they take the palsy man to if they were living now? Jesus isn’t here, but what about his disciples? Is anyone living on the earth with the authority and power to act on behalf of Jesus Christ? Is there anyone on the earth who bears His holy priesthood? Is there anyone on earth who bears His name? Are there any living witnesses of being healed by Jesus, just like the palsy man so long ago?
For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.
I desire to be like Alma in the Book of Mormon, who was both a witness of being healed and a disciple who has the power to speak in the name of Jesus and perform miracles. Is this just vanity that I seek? Should I just be content living in this fallen world? Or must I awake and rise up and be men. May I desire and obtain a better life? Just like Abraham desired for these things:
2 “And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers…”
Abraham 1:2
Only a man who has paid the price for priesthood power will be able to bring miracles to those he loves and keep his marriage and family safe, now and throughout eternity.
The Price of Priesthood Power by President Russell M. Nelson, April 2016 General Conference
exercising faith help me gain confidence in jesus
what is faith? in the case of healing the sick, faith is doing whatever remedy taught by people who love me. this work goes hand in hand with prayer and priesthood blessings. president dallin h. oaks said this quote from brigham young.
When a person requested a priesthood blessing, Brigham Young would ask, “Have you used any remedies?” To those who said no because “we wish the Elders to lay hands upon us, and we have faith that we shall be healed,” President Young replied: “That is very inconsistent according to my faith. If we are sick, and ask the Lord to heal us, and to do all for us that is necessary to be done, according to my understanding of the Gospel of salvation, I might as well ask the Lord to cause my wheat and corn to grow, without my plowing the ground and casting in the seed. It appears consistent to me to apply every remedy that comes within the range of my knowledge, and [then] to ask my Father in Heaven … to sanctify that application to the healing of my body.”
healing the sick by elder dallin h. oaks, april 2010 general conference
Action Plan
2024-0804 Fast Sunday – asking God to consecrate my efforts by fasting for 1) Pres Nelson request from April 2016 – ask God to teach me in the temple how to have Priesthood Power, 2) offer my willingness to pay any price for this priesthood power that I may bring miracles to my loved ones such as restoring Shanthi’s arms, 3) ask God to open my eyes to know of his goodness and glory (Mosiah 27:22), and 4) request personal revelation on what I need to do this month, week and day to obtain financial freedom.
2024-0901 Fast Sunday – help me be ready for marriage by being more than a man. i am a miracle worker and helped shanthi’s arm be restored by the power of jesus’ priesthood. to know what god’s work is for me – isaiah 58:6 “…ye break every yoke”
To Do Steps to Achieve Goals
#1 Temple training to have priesthood power
- Study – Pres Nelson April 2016 Gen Conf talk and take notes on my JensenMuse.com blog
- Calendar weekly temple visits
- Friday 6:30pm Aug 9
- Thursday 8:00am Aug 15
- Saturday 7:00am Aug 17
- Saturday 10:00am Aug 31 (Jack Blackwell endowment)
- Fast
- Pray
- Temple 8/9/2024
- came to the temple prepared by fasting, clean (washed body and truck, wore nice suit), and question in mind – Ask God, will you teach me about His priesthood and how I can use it to bless my loved ones?
- Results – in the chapel I study Enoch in Moses 7:50-69
- “I [Enoch] ask thee, O Lord, in the name of thine Only Begotten, even Jesus Christ…thou…have mercy upon Noah and his seed…And the Lord could not withhold…” (Moses 7:50-51). We all have blessings the Lord is withholding from us, until we ask in firmness of faith, reminding the Lord of the covenants we made together. Think of Jacob and his wrestle with an angel, woman who wanted her daughter healed but Jesus said can’t give food for the children to the dogs, Brother of Jared asking Jesus to reveal himself, Abraham negociating on the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
- Moses 4:30; 5:15 “For as I, the Lord God, liveth, even so my words cannot return void, for as they go forth out of my mouth they must be fulfilled.”
- “And the Lord said: I am Messiah, the King of Zion, the Rock of Heaven, which is broad as eternity: whoso cometh in at the gate and climbeth up by me shall never fall…for they shall come forth with songs of everlasting joy” (Moses 7:53). I must exert more effort than merely asking (think of Oliver Cowdery and translating the plates). I must climbeth with joy, serve with joy, sing with joy, exert myself with joy. I must joyfully exert myself using the principal of Ask, Seek, Knock (ASK). Be like Eve “the joy of our redemption” (Moses 5:11) which sounds like being Born Again. “If thou doest well, thou shalt be accepted” (Moses 5:23)
- I learned that Power in the Priesthood requires friends, sat next to JD Abbott I haven’t seen in awhile, Tyler from Tracy’s ward who is in the Bishopric, helped a timid woman who stood alone in the prayer circle and gave her strength as JD and I stood along side her. So unity brings power, “…Behold, the people is one…and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.” (Gen 11:6) like the prayer circle and friendships and Priesthood Brotherhood. Without the sealing power of Priesthood I am a free-floating, disconnected state of individualism, left without roots (ancestory) or posterity (children), (see The Sealing Power by D. Todd Christofferson, Oct 2023 Gen Conf). The Priesthood is there to heal and bind us together “One link in the chain of your generations may have been broken, but the other righteous links and what remains of the chain are nonetheless eternally important. You can add strength to your chain and perhaps even help to restore the broken links.” (A Welding Link by David A. Bednar). The Priesthood is to put order to families and congregations. “…the very reason the earth was created was so families could be formed and sealed to each other. Salvation is an individual matter, but exaltation is a family matter. No on can be exalted alone.” (Funeral of Patricia Nelson by Pres Nelson, quoted in The Sealing Power by D. Todd Christofferson, Oct 2023 Gen Conf)
- Moses 7:59 “…I know thee…” Enoch knows God from the covenants he has made with him. “…thou hast made me…” and Enoch knows his relationship with God. Enoch knows the promises from God “…given unto me a right to thy throne, and not of myself, but through thine own grace…” Enoch is humble in his stewardship, that the inheritance isn’t automatic because of birth, but that it is given by grace, after all I can do, that is do well.
- Moses 7:62 “And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth…and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth…” (Moses 7:62)
- “…Lord showed Enoch all things…and received a fulness of joy.” (Moses 7:67)
- “And Enoch and all his people walked with God…” (Moses 7:69)
- “And Noah and his sons hearkened unto the Lord, and gave heed, and they were called the sons of God.” (Moses 8:13)
#2 Willingness to pay the price for priesthood power
Yield my heart and will to God. Forsake unhealthy foods. Give a prayer of thanks over everything I eat.
How can I win K’s heart? I must be more than a man (Alma 18:2)
How can I be more than a man? show good examples Alma 17:11. Take courage Alma 17:12. Keep the Word of Wisdom – use all things with thanksgiving D&C 89:11, receive health to my navel and marrow to my bones D&C89:18. Find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge D&C89:19 run and not be weary walk and not faint D&C89:20. Show forth my power Alma 17:29
#3 Ask god to open my eyes to know of his goodness and glory (Mosiah 27:22)
I can see miracles from afar. In my mind’s eye, the miracle of Shanthi’s arms was restored. Winning the hearts of Burn Boot Camp people and they listen to missionary discussions by Mackenze. K’s marriage, her womb opened, and she gave birth to a baby girl and a boy. Successful vasectomy reversal. I earn money with Barefoot Betters.
#4 Financial freedom steps this month
2024 Financial Freedom Goals – 1) $60K emergency fund, 2) earn $50K selling Barefoot Better products, 3) earn $100K civil engineering Willdan, 4) own a home with guest house to provide rental income, 5) GISE $20K grading plans
- Tithing 10%, $300 Fast Offerings and $50 humanitarian
- Willdan – work 40 hrs a week
- GISE submit Jacob’s grading plan
- Every Dollar monthly budget
- be debt free, pay off credit cards
- Barefoot Betters
- 1-Create packaging for mason jar and accessories with barefoot betters logo
- 1-Trademark – gs1us.org
- 2-WooCommerce setup with Ernie – sitezinc
- 3-Inventor – 3 mason jar jacket designs with Josiah (32-fl oz [1000ml], 27-fl oz, and 24 fl oz [750ml] – tall jar)
- 4-Herbally Grounded private label – Lousy DL Reducer for Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH)
- 5-Blog – how to make soap (https://barefootbetters.com/blog/soap-making/)
- 6-email newsletter – MailPoet
- 7-NV Reseller Permit
- 8-NV Business License Permit
- 9-Amazon reseller account (Walmart, ebay, tiktok, facebook, etsy)
- Homemade Soap with Brittany – Sept 6-9
- doTerra reseller account with Mundi
#5 Write a Letter to God
With the help of my counselor, Bill Jensen, here is my letter and response on 24 August 2024:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I’m writing you this letter seeking your guidance and help. I feel like Peter, Nephi, and the Brother of Jared, standing on the beach, knowing you want me to cross this great deep and my ship isn’t ready yet. Please know I am working on finishing it. For instance, I’m building an online business called Barefoot Betters to obtain financial freedom. I’m taking responsibility for my testimony to become converted and unshaken in my faith and devotion to thee. I’m working on being the best Jeff, which is what you want me to become.
I desire a wife, a home, and an eternal family. I hope for more faith, so I’m doing things that require more faith (see the list below). You have given me the authority of your Holy Priesthood, yet I lack the Power to produce miracles for me and my loved ones. Will you please have mercy on me? I need your constant help and guidance.
Questions (answers in Bold from Heavenly Father):
- Who do you want me to date and if that goes well, marry? K
- What do I need to do to weight 240 lbs and be healthy and fit? Pray a blessing over each meal I eat. Express gratitude and I will weight 240 lbs. Also, continue doing what you are doing in terms of exercise, the foods I eat, and the herbs and oils I use.
- What do I need to do to achieve financial freedom? Turn the problem over to me, the God Almighty. Allow me to take care of you like I do the birds. Also, continue doing what you are doing in terms of working, tithing, Barefoot Betters.
- What do I need to do to have Power in the Priesthood? Be humble and have patience with me. Trust me. Endure to the end, work on being clean, every whit. Continue doing what I’m doing and wait on the Lord.
- Do you want me to buy a home in 2024? No, stay at the Iversons.
- Will you please accept my repentance that I may be washed clean? Yes. I am clean enough to exercise Power in the Priesthood.
With love from your son,
Jeffery J. Jensen
Acts of Faith
- I’m progressing along the covenant path and a full tithe payer.
- My relationship with M broke up, and I moved back to Las Vegas, not knowing what you wanted me to do.
- I rejoined Burn Boot Camp because I still have work to do: heal Shanthi’s arms, weigh 240 lbs., and foster a relationship.
- Living with the Iversons
- Starting and building a new business to create & sell products, Barefoot Betters
- Learning how to make homemade soap to clean and heal people
- Accepted and set apart in new calling as Ward Missionary
- How to love, support, and serve my children and grandchildren
- I’m living on my emergency funds (I spent about $10,000). I’m a full tithe payer; I took the high road with my divorce from C, the death of my Father to help Alice, helping Jack on his mission and Raygen’s wedding, Olivia’s help on eye loops, car repairs, paying insurance, and so on. I moved to NC to date M and spend time with Raquel in answer to my prayers. I’ve spent over $3000 repairing my truck. Yet, the windows of Heaven haven’t flowed into my bank account.
- I purchased $500 in soap products on my credit card and need to make thy abandonment soap bars, package it, and sell them on Barefoot Betters and Amazon.
References
The Price of Priesthood Power
Healing the Sick
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