Come Follow Me | Jacob 1-4 | Lesson 14 - Restoring Virtue & Chastity in a Shattered World
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- Опубликовано: 26 мар 2024
- Jacob's sermon to the Nephites strongly warns against the dangers of immorality, but how do we help our youth build up the good and overcome temptation? In this more informal and candid podcast, Hannah Stoddard shares personal experiences that left an impact in striving to remain chaste and better understand God's vision for Celestial romantic relationships.
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What a blessing you are, thank you for the work you do Hannah! May I ask; which of Jane's books would you most recommend for my daughters? Thank you! 🕊️🤍🕊️
Hannah: Great question! It really depends on what lesson you are wanting to emphasize because they have different messages. For example, Sense and Sensibility is really good for teaching temperance of emotion-how to feel very deeply but submit those emotions to principles, self-sacrifice, nobility, and honor. It emphasizes the difference between what real love looks like vs. lust. Emma is great for teaching meekness, overcoming flaws, learning humility, and (especially for women) how to listen and learn from a good (though flawed) man who is trying to help you grow and overcome. Mansfield Park is about being true to your principles and at the same time, exercising long-suffering and patient love-being able to see someone struggling (in this case the male protagonist in the book) for who they really are, and help them overcome those weaknesses with diligent patience, love, and concern. Persuasion is about the difference between being someone who is willful and stubborn, vs. strong and principled. It also emphasizes the mistakes made when anger and hurt drive us, instead of forgiveness and compassion. Northanger Abbey echoes Joseph Smith's warnings on a "fanciful and flowery and heated imagination." Pride and Prejudice is about learning how to balance having principles and at the same time loving people who are beneath youth and are struggling, as well as being careful of passing false judgements and being duped by flattery, because you gravitate to what is comfortable and do not want to see your own flaws. There are so many more lessons in her books, I'm barely skimming the surface here. Contrary to the "Mr. Darcy" hype out there, if you actually read her books, her characters (both male and female) make mistakes, grow, learn, and have to overcome. Relationships are rooted in respect for one another because of their character and morality-rather than sensual passion. My dad would always say, "Real men read Jane Austen," so they are good for boys too!
@@JosephSmithFoundation The law of chastity including chastity with self is the hardest of all the celestial laws to live. It was the law that the prophets said the elders of Israel would have the most difficulty struggling with. And I am seeing that happening in the church today people struggling to accept this law.
@@JosephSmithFoundation wow, thank you so much for the succinct analyzation of the messages found within her novels. Color me impressed! I think I'll read them myself! Thank you! 🙂
@@nathanschaupp9709You won't regret reading them. Over and over. ❤
Yeah, real men read Jane Austin!! 🎉❤
This is a lesson God is teaching me. As someone who is same sex attracted, a lot of what I previously found attractive, I no longer do and even basic traits that I used to find admirable have completely changed as God reveals true love to me.
Hannah: Thank you for sharing this and pushing forward on that difficult journey! God bless you!
@@JosephSmithFoundation Thank you for making amazing videos. God bless you too!
You got this and GOD can work miracles in your life friend. My daughter had a GF for 3 years and one day called me and said "mom, your prayers worked." Sometimes we need to be broken to be truly born again😇 Don't know you but love you!
Joseph Smith is so lucky to have these amazing people representing him
I am a convert to the Church. The vast majority of my problems in life were caused from not following the Law of Chastity & Word of Wisdom.
One definition of love: the willingness to exert oneself for the spiritual welfare of oneself or another.
Beautiful and masterful presentation Hannah!
As someone who wasn’t raised in The Church, I fell into many foolish and impure temptations. I can testify that life in The Church, living gospel standards is the only path to truly lasting peace and joy.
Your work is a blessing! 🙏🏻
Dear Hannah, it's not an easy thing, nor is it comfortable to make ourselves vulnerable by speaking about ourselves. You did it beautifully! You have made me even more mindful of the importance of guarding the innocence of our children. It is imperative especially in our day to not allow this corruption into our homes. It eats at the fabric of our families. God bless you in your efforts to defend the truth no matter what. ❤ much love ❤
A Beautiful Bright Lantern You are Hannah- Who couldn't leave your presence and not feel loved by your example!
This video helped me so much. I just got my temple recommend on sunday and i have not attended in years, and i am beginning a brand new trail for me, my wife and my son. It has been an extremely difficult road. And your right, our sins make so much of life stressful and hard to bear, I know Christs atonement is a real power as i am in an upward spiral now, instead of a downward spiral. Thank you for sharing your testimony of the gospel. Your videos are just what the doctor ordered (:
Hannah: Wow! I am so touched by this. Thank you for commenting!
As a single man, I can tell you Hannah, not only are you attractive on the outside but your love of the Restoration and God's minister Joseph makes you "drop-dead-gorgeous" to one who is born again and matured in those truths and Spirit. The Lord bless you with much fulfilling experience ahead in your life, and may God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven, including romantic love in the new and everlasting covenant! Pardon my frankness.
Thanks Hannah, such an important message. Only clean hands can effectively build the Lord's kingdom.
I appreciate this particular message. I was reading in Jacob 5 last night and as I understood the "poorest spot, (where the tree was planted in the vineyard), God knows what family or place He planted us and we are still able to bare good fruit. So some might play into the hands of the worldly things that are being thrown at us right now, however God the Father knows each of us individually and is available to us... I did come from a crazy family and past, I found the church when I was 12 and soon realized the potential and gifts He had waiting for me. There are no real words to put to how I was taught through the Spirit, just deep love for my Father in Heaven and our Lord and Savior. We can ALL bare good fruit even in the poorest of situations we've grown up in. ❤ Thank you for being vulnerable with us Hanna Stoddard. It doesn't fall on deaf ears. You are a teacher and leader in Zion and this work MUST go on. ❤
I've had some of the very same thoughts about the "poorest" spots in the vineyard as I've observed God's hand working in gathering Israel and moving in the hearts and lives of some I know. Thank you for also sharing your testimony!
Hannah, you were raised by goodly parents. You and your Dad are spot on about music in the Church.
I felt the goodness you grew up with at your father's funeral as each of his children spoke. The feeling was so uplifting I thought I would do anything to create a family with that level of purity and goodness as I left.❤
What a deep and wonderful video. Thank you for sharing your very special testimony.
Oh Hannah!! (a beautiful name...I named one of my daughters) Thank you so very much for this video. I've forwarded it to my granddaughters. Oh how I wish I would've been raised in a home like yours...BUT I'm grateful I was born in America to goodly parents that did take me to church. I woke this morning, praying, crying & thinking about my life...growing up in the 60's, wondering if it was my fault I didn't embrace and understand the POWER of virtue. I don't blame my parents because I know, as I heard a sister say years ago in RS, "we're all children of God, disguised as idiots!" I know I haven't been the best of parent to my own children, who I love with all my heart and soul. Again, as I laid in bed this morning reviewing my life wondering...how much of "it" was/is my fault (compared to what I really knew & understood)...and thinking of all the difficult/different/desperate circumstances children of God are born into...I was able to recognize that, it's all about TRUSTING GOD and I know that as I strive to be a valiant warrior in His special forces for good and stay loyal and true to the end...keeping the faith...ALL things will work together for my good. I have the same picture of the man being Knighted...love it! ...it's my dream of how I'd love to feel with a man. I'm curious, you don't often mention your mother? I LOVE your podcasts and THANK YOU to you & your family for all you do!
I just love you Hannah! You are such a a beautiful daughter of Heavenly Father. I am going to show this video to my daughter. She tells me all the time that the girls around her are always talking about "hot" boys, crushes, they have boyfriends at age 11. She doesn't want a boyfriend until she grows up. I was the exact same way but did not grow up in the church. Just like you I knew my husband was out there and I would meet him when I grew up. I met a return missionary and I joined the church and we've been married for 30 years now.❤
Hannah: Tell her it's worth it! There's more to my story to share at some point when it is the right time but 100% worth it! I was going to mention this when I recorded and opted to not for length of time and a more appropriate time and place in future, but a lot of people stress purity standards out of fear for "slipping up." I think that is the wrong way to think about it. Do it out of love. Love your husband enough to be emotionally committed to him today! What's more romantic than that? And it might just mean the world to him one day. Tell your daughter I'm cheering her on. She's awesome and so are you!
@@JosephSmithFoundationI read your response to my daughter and it made her day!
This was wonderful Hannah. Everything you said is right on the mark. I grew up in a very immoral home and even with the Church in my life, I followed in footsteps I'm not proud of. It wasn't until I was 24, and the missionaries found me that I learned all the things you've just talked about. I feel like Alma the Younger when he said in Mosiah 27:29: "My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss;but now I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I AM SNATCHED, and my soul is pained no more." Being SNATCHED by the Lord put me on a path, where now 38 years later my life is full of the love of God and a good man with whom I've raised 6 kids and have 18 beautiful grandchildren. Our life has not been easy but with the Gospel we have been happy and at peace. You have truly been blessed with such parents. God bless❤ Have a blessed Resurrection Day ❤
Hannah: You have a beautiful testimony of redemption that is so needed!! Thank you for being willing to share here. I very much appreciate it!
@JosephSmithFoundation I felt I needed it to be said. Some of my grandkids are adults now and I want so much for them to make the choices that will bring them the joy of the Lord. I will ever be grateful that I AM SNATCHED!
@@kimberlyolsen9416 Thank you for sharing this!! ❤❤❤ You're not alone... I am familiar with your story, all the way to the grand children!! I too hope they will make the best choice and stay close to their Heavenly Father and their Savior.
@@DoctorSuezz ♥️♥️♥️
Thank you for this beautiful lesson. It was so uplifting. I especially enjoyed the quote by John Taylor on kindred spirit.
Beautifully said! Every teenager and young adult should hear this.
Beautiful and Powerful. Both the message, and the soul sharing it. Thank you Hannah 🙏🏼
This was absolutely amazing Hannah and you're naturally just so healing in your voice and everything you do,
Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video you are so healing and helpful to the world.
Your work is so unbelievably helpful do you have no idea what it means is so many.
All My Love your Way always and may God continue to give you so many blessings to experience and more here after as you Endeavor in your aligned work.
All all my love always.
Some people have a natural light that shines from them 🌟
Thank you for this beautiful teaching today! The world teaches that God's commandments are "rules" - reading the Book of Mormon when i was in high school, the Spirit bore witness to me that commandments are God's wisdom. That became my lens of study in every commandment: what does God understand about the effects upon my soul imparted in this council. It had a powerful effect on my life. Especially coupled with Alma 23:7 (laying down weapons of rebellion) and understanding that the Savior never rebelled against His Father and the power this brought to each of our lives for eternity. I certainly have weakness, but i seek to daily bury my weapons of rebellion
Thank you for sharing your experience, When I received my testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Church as I studied the gospel I remember the holy spirit teaching me that having sex without marriage was like cheating on my future wife and for years that belief strengthened me, over the years things have faded in my memory thank you for helping me remember the revelations I received so many years ago and for all you and your family do and have done, I am grateful for and love Joseph Smith more than anyone who ever lived on the earth save Jesus Christ and would not have my savior or my Father in heaven in my life or have received temple blessings if not for the sacrifices Joseph made thank you all, for standing up for him in these trying days may God continue to bless you and your family as you serve the Lord
2:02 - Prophecies about sexual immorality threatening the church
3:33 - Hannah's personal story and experiences
4:38 - Feeling called at a young age to be loyal to future spouse
7:40 - Belief that spouses are chosen and loved in pre-earth life
9:14 - Importance of environment in helping youth stay virtuous
11:34 - The gospel brings rest, peace and goodness despite worldly shame
13:01 - Studying good examples of real love, like in Jane Austen novels
14:16 - Understanding the difference between real love and false lust
16:49 - Only God can teach what real love is through personal revelation
19:39 - Studying Joseph Smith's teachings opened understanding about relationships
21:42 - God heals past hurts and teaches through the Atonement
23:36 - Importance of surrounding youth with examples of true love
25:30 - Teaching youth doctrine, not just rules, about chastity
26:35 - Need to restore cultural understanding of real love
27:32 - God doesn't want us to suffer unnecessarily
29:39 - Testimony that God wants to teach each of us about real love
30:48 - Message of hope in Christ's healing power to overcome immoral past
32:02 - Call to build a better, clean culture for our children
A week before we got married my fiancé ( princess bride) handed me a gift. A jewelry box with a three word hand written note inside. What do you think it said ? Nope not I love you but rather I AM CLEAN.
Wow how cool was that?
Before you serve your mission be sure you can go to Jesus and metaphorically hand Him a jewelry box saying I AM CLEAN!!!!
Thank you ❤
Thank you Hannah. That is the most beautiful,powerful heart touching and heart renching sermon I’ve heard on this subject.
I absolutely love this! As a very broken person myself, I learned how much Heavenly Father loves me personally when I met my husband. And when I say I was broken, it was in every way. When you read that quote of John Taylor, I know it is true, at least for me. I have had spiritual experiences that bear that out. Thank you for this! I love your podcast!
Thank you Hannah! “This was a beautiful video, “i hope it can help us all!
Three words WOW! WOW! WOW! Thanks for that on so many levels!!! Took me so many years to know what real love is!!! The Lord had to show me, In his own way through REVELATION! Yes! God bless you Hannah!
Thank you for this testimony! So refreshing to see such dedication and understanding of Godly principles!
Thank you so much I wish I heard this when I was younger but I will send to my niece so they can learning how to be happy by moral standard. Thank you again ❤
Joy exists #BecauseofHim. Thank you for your example of fidelity to your "future" spouse. We have taught our children to pray always, not only for themselves but also for their future spouses as well.
And now our oldest 2 of our 5 are scheduled for weddings in the temple this spring and summer because they found the ones they were praying for since childhood.
Thank you again. Very well said!
Hanna, I completely felt everything you said! Thank you for sharing your beautiful witness of the truth you have found!
HE is marvelous and kind isn’t He! I’m glad you have found Him, and I’m so grateful for your POWERFUL witness!
Thank you for opening up and sharing.
I’m so moved by your tenderness and testimony. That quote given by Joseph smith to the elders and apostles of the church is just what we all men and women need to memorize and live by. Thank you Hannah for your virtue, efforts and example.
Thanks for speaking truth!
Wow wow wow. This was amazing, so edifying, so powerful. Thank you so much for opening up your life and your heart and experiences in order to shine God's light for His glory. You are a wonderful example of faith, virtue, and goodness for us all. God has often pointed me to your example, so just know that your efforts have not been in vain.
Hannah, my dear friend, I have a feeling that you may have met your destined eternal mate already but it is not time yet. If you haven't met him yet, he is close but you are not ready yet and nor is he. You're both still preparing and some things must happen yet. Until those things come to pass, even if you have in fact met him the Spirit won't unveil your eyes so you can identify him. I promise that you will be astonished when the time comes where you can discern him with God's direction. You're right that many knew the other in the premoral realm. When I saw the girl I married and heard the Spirit point her out to me, it was like seeing a girl I had known for so long with such depth but I couldn't remember those memories. It was like her angelic face shined our future together so that time stopped and our future memories flashed through my mind instantly. All this before I even knew her name. When it is time, I hope that something will startle your soul into remembrance of him and you will become willing and able to contact that man in pursuit. So please prepare for it.
Hannah: Wise words! Thank you!
Spencer Kimball said at BYU September 30,1973 :"almost all marriages could be beautiful, harmonious, happy, & eternal ones, if the two people primarily involved would determine that it should be, that it must be, that it will be."
Here is my opinion: people change, so that what was once a beautiful, harmonious, happy, relationship stops when the change of one isn't supported or in the right direction. The LORD is very careful to not remove agency from either person in a relationship. I don't like divorce or the affects of it on the society, however there are times that the changes are so different that the relationship stops being happy, beautiful, & harmonious. No amount of fasting & prayer is going to remove someone's agency to go someother direction. This is also true with children that choose to leave (or choose to stay true to what they have been taught.)
Alma's experience in the Book of Mormon was miraculous & inspiring, but I think it is rare to see that in most of the people's lives, even when I fast & pray for divine intervention, which might compromise agency. The CREATOR knows which challenges & trials are best for us (& those we love.) I must be patient with the process & work to strengthen my own testimony & faithfulness.
You are amazing. I hope to shake your hand one day.
Amazing, thank you.
Very well done. Thank you.
Absolutely amazing lesson!! Keep it up!
I have that Edmbud Blair Leighton painting in the thumbnail hanging i my house (a print, obviously). 😊
Hannah: Love it!
Bless you, Hannah, for putting this out there and setting the record straight! The incredible deception on what Babylon portrays the concept of "romantic" love is so very sad & twisted, to say the least . You nailed it!
I'm going to listen to and watch this podcast again, maybe a few times. I realize that I'm broken. I experienced a situation as a young boy, from the age of about 10 to about 14. I was deeply hurt in a way that I don't feel I fully understand, even though I'm much older now. I've had recurring nightmares for many years as a result. I find myself with a lack of words to describe what I'm feeling.
Hannah: You are not alone. Some of the very best and noble men I know have been or are going through complete brokenness to be eventually rebuilt by God to perform important missions to bless His children. I can bear testimony to you that Jesus Christ can heal ANYTHING, and He can definitely make you whole again. God bless you on that journey!
Thank you! My parents were great and raised us to believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior. However, for about 5 years we lived in a place where us white kids were vastly in the minority. I tried to practice what I was taught at home and at church (a Protestant denomination, my wife and I are converts) and show my peers, i.e. the other guys at school, love and kindness, but my actions were interpreted as weakness. I was subsequently physically and emotionally bullied every day. My parents finally moved us - my father was then unemployed for a long time as a result - to a place where we, my brother and my sisters, could attend an all-white school. To this day, many years later, I have a lot of trouble making friends with other men. One guy that I have been able to make friends with is a guy at Church who is disabled because he suffers from PTSD from his war-time experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. I guess one thing in common between us is that we both experience vivid, intense nightmares.@@JosephSmithFoundation
Excellent ! 👏“ GRACIAS ".🌹
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Your story was extremely helpful!
Hannah, I had a similar revelation about my future husband after making mistakes and turning back to God. I knew him (the man I would marry) the instant I saw him! I am going to read and reread Jane Austin with a new focus. Thank you for your wonderful videos!
This was a good reminder for me. I have been through many challenges: child with life threatening illnesses, divorce, addiction, & the trial of repentance, & forgiving others. My mission President & his wife must have liked Jane Austin. Their children have Directed & writen Jane Austin takeoff shows with Candlelight Media. It is fun to see them. Keep up the great work. I hope that you find a man worthy of your dedication & virtue.
Everything you shared was beautiful. thank you! 💓
Thank you for this. ❤️ so hopeful.
So good! Wow! Thank you yet again for being so valiant. I forwarded it to my daughter and in hopes she will adopt some of your family’s practices with music and movies.
This was so good. I love your videos! I learn so much.
Thank you for this Hannah. When I met you briefly last summer I sensed you are a truly amazing young woman, and this testimony is more proof of that. We have bookmarked this video to show to our grandchildren when it is age appropriate.
I felt the Spirit strongly testify as I was watching this that many are indeed looking for love and are not finding it. I coincidentally or maybe not followed up this video with one from Elder Brad Wilcox, who shared something similar, that we are all looking for love and are not getting it. Thank you for your efforts. I purchased all the Jane Austen novels and trying to find Doctrines of Salvation. (Perhaps you can offer to these books written by prophets on audiobooks to make them more readily available.). Thank for all that you and those helping you are doing. You efforts have not gone unnoticed. "Hazzah for Israel!"
Hannah: I would love to have audiobooks of those prophet books but unfortunately, we don't own the copyright. But that would be great if Deseret Book did! Glad you enjoyed the podcast and appreciate your comment. Thank you!
And then in marriage you have to learn that pure love and keep out the world’s definition
Whoever marries this woman is one very lucky dude. Quality women like her are very hard to find these days.
7:01
“Soul mates” are fiction and an illusion; and while every young man and young woman will seek with all diligence and prayerfulness to find a mate with whom life can be most compatible and beautiful, yet it is certain that almost any good man and any good woman can have happiness and a successful marriage if both are willing to pay the price. (Spencer W. Kimball)
Don’t stop your search Hannah, but understand that the pursuit of The One may have you overlooking many other Ones.
Hannah: There is a difference between "soul mates" and keeping sacred covenants made in the premortal life. The one is a secular concept, divorced from God and eternal doctrine-the other is directed by God, can be backed up by latter-day prophets, is centered on building the Kingdom, and is very real for many Latter-day Saints aiming for becoming a Celestial King and a Queen in the House of Israel. There is more to my story-for the right time in the future-but I can promise you nothing is getting overlooked or missed right now. Nothing at all. :)
First.
There are other quotes from other Church leaders like the John Taylor one.
Hi Hannah ~ honest question. I’ve watched several of your videos over the years and have wondered why you rarely comment on your mother. It seems your dad really facilitated the home education you experienced and the gospel teaching and discussion on your home. Can you share more about you mothers influence?
Hannah: My mom's story is a sad one. My siblings and I have struggled with the challenge of answering questions like this, honoring our responsibilities as children, and at the same time being honest, protecting innocent people, etc. For now we have felt that the best thing to do is give her privacy unless forced to address something specific. We did have to share some challenges in our book "A Christ-Centered Home" after being publicly attacked with lies, but tried to focus the message on healing and forgiveness. Still, that was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life and was only driven out of necessity (and I know my siblings who shared personal experiences would say the same). Wherever possible, we really would like to give her privacy and space so she can find healing, especially with current ongoing challenges. I love my mom so honestly this comment alone is really hard to write. When wrestling with this years ago, the prompting came to me "Build up the good." That is what I have tried to do myself and encourage my siblings to do as well. As the Savior said, " you will know them by their fruits." And we want to focus on sharing the fruits of the Gospel that have changed our lives and given us the strength and healing to overcome all things through Christ! That promise is real for every family!
Lesson 13 has been taken down????
There is no Lesson 13 podcast as the Joseph Smith Foundation team took a break from posting our weekly podcast for Resurrection Sunday in honor of the miracle and blessing of the Resurrection. However, we did post a list of music and movies celebrating the atonement of Jesus Christ and the Resurrection on our website for Lesson 13. josephsmithfoundation.org/for-our-day-lesson-13-resurrection-sunday/ We hope you enjoy today remembering the Father and His Son Jesus Christ!
Without words I've known. I am amazed that other female members are shocked at your position on virtue and chastity. They should be embarrassed.
Someones secret plural wife 😂😂😂😂😂
Must be because you seem like someone who'd be kindred spirits with some of those noble women in church history.
Still that's funny 🤣
It's interesting that you speak so much about loyalty and, yet, if I remember correctly you support polygamy, an institution fraught with disloyalty.
I believe there is a difference between polygamy of the world and divinely inspired plural marriage based upon eternal principles.
I believe Abraham and Moses were called of God. Here is what the scriptures have to say about the matter in Doctrine and Covenants, Section 132:37-39.
"37 Abraham received concubines, and they bore him children; and it was accounted unto him for righteousness, because they were given unto him, and he abode in my law; as Isaac also and Jacob did none other things than that which they were commanded; and because they did none other things than that which they were commanded, they have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are not angels but are gods.
38 David also received many wives and concubines, and also Solomon and Moses my servants, as also many others of my servants, from the beginning of creation until this time; and in nothing did they sin save in those things which they received not of me.
39 David’s wives and concubines were given unto him of me, by the hand of Nathan, my servant, and others of the prophets who had the keys of this power; and in none of these things did he sin against me save in the case of Uriah and his wife; and, therefore he hath fallen from his exaltation, and received his portion; and he shall not inherit them out of the world, for I gave them unto another, saith the Lord."
Sometimes the truth is hard to understand in the context of our culture. But when we finally gain a clear understanding, we will see that the scriptures are true.
Hanna this video is AMAZING!! I'm so glad I found your videos. I sent a message to your f.b. messenger page hoping you'll respond. Thx again H!
Truly inspirational and I thank you for your commitment to the gospel. Virtue will set us free!!! I thank @davidmalvinalexander for introducing me to your channel!