Questions from the Virginia Rosses

Here are some questions asked by the Virginia Rosses:

1) Why do we need to pray for Grandma and Grandpa every night? Are we just repeating the same thing over and over?

I really hope you will continue to pray for us every night. We need your prayers to do our best work and to be safe and happy! Don’t stop. Now, as to what or how you pray, that could make all the difference. If you just say, “Please bless Grandma and Grandpa.” That could become what the scriptures tell us is “vain repetition.” But if you ask Heavenly Father specifically how you want Him to bless us, it becomes much more powerful.

For example, you might say, “Please bless G and G to be safe while traveling in Tobago.” Or, “Please help G and G to find people who are ready to hear the truth of the gospel.” Or, “Please help Grandma to cook delicious meals for Grandpa.” (that last one was a joke.) But I hope you see what I mean.

You see, as you pray, you can receive inspiration from the Holy Ghost on what you should ask for. He knows what we need most at any given moment. So, listen to the still small voice and pray as it directs you. If you think about it, you can sort of be connected to how we are doing and what we need on our mission by listening to the Spirit.

2) (Sam and Jack) "Has God the Father has ever stepped foot on the earth. He has appeared before to Joseph Smith, but he was in the air above him.” Jack came back with an answer saying, “No unclean thing can be in the presence of God. When the Earth is Celestial then he can stand on it." to which Sam said "Joseph was not clean, he sinned, he wasn't even baptized yet and he was in God’s presence."

Understand that God is able to come to Earth whenever He wants to. However, I agree with Jack that He doesn’t touch the Earth because it is not yet Celestialized. But remember, it is people who are unclean because of sin. The problem is for man to be in His presence. For that to happen, a man must be “transfigured.” Look in the first two pages of the Book of Moses. It gives a little insight into this amazing process. Also, consider what happened to Joseph Smith when he saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. It took more for just standing in the air for Heavenly Father to communicate with Joseph. I believe the process of transfiguration was used there as well. Think of it as a kind of insulation or protection for man so that God’s presence will not destroy him.

Now all you Rosses: Take a look at my answers to Jack, Sam and Blake. Can you give more insight? I bet you can.