THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE

PLANS** DOUBT**SLOTHFUL** FAILURE**REGROUP**DETERMINATION
REBUILD**SUCCESS

This is a plan the missionary assistants to the President presented to us in a meeting.  I was impressed and wanted to share it with you.  It seems to fit failure/success in my own life.

THE STORY

D&C 101:44 A certain nobleman had a spot of land, very choice; and he said unto his servants: Go ye unto my vineyard even upon this very choice piece of land, and plant twelve olive trees;                        
45 And set watchman round about them, and build a tower, that one may overlook the land round about, to be a watchman upon the tower, that mine olive trees may not be broken down when the enemy shall come to spoil and take upon themselves the fruit of my vineyard.

46 Now, the servants of the nobleman went and did as their lord commanded them, and planted the olive trees, and built a hedge round about, and set watchmen, and began to build a tower


THE CIRCLE OF--PROJECT/ ASSIGNMENT,  INSTRUCTIONS,  DOUBT,  INACTION,  FAILURE;

More to the story

 47 And while they were yet laying the foundation thereof, they began to say among themselves: And what need hath my lord of this tower?

48 And consulted for a long time, saying among themselves: 

 a.What need hath my lord of this tower, 

 b. seeing this is a time of peace?

49 Might not this money be given to the exchangers? For there is no need of these things.

50 And while they were at variance one with another they became very slothful, and they hearkened not unto the commandments of their lord.

51 And the enemy came by night, and broke down the hedge; and the servants of the nobleman arose and were affrighted, and fled; and the enemy destroyed their works, and broke down the olive trees.

The words in the chart:
l.  "Began to Build a Tower" (v. 46);  2. "What Need Hath My Lord Of This Tower?"(v. 47)

3. "Consulted For A Long Time"(v.48)  4. "This is a Time of Peace" (v. 48)

5. "There is No Need of These Things" (v. 49)  6. "They Became Very Slothful" (v.50)

7. "Enemy Arrives and Destroys (v.51)  8. "When Shall These Things Be?"(v.59)

9. "Go Ye Straightway"(v. 60)

THE REST OF THE STORY

 52 Now, behold, the nobleman, the lord of the vineyard, called upon his servants, and said unto them, Why! what is the cause of this great evil? 53 Ought ye not to have done even as I commanded you, and—after ye had planted the vineyard, and built the hedge round about, and set watchmen upon the walls thereof—built the tower also, and set a watchman upon the tower, and watched for my vineyard, and not have fallen asleep, lest the enemy should come upon you?54 And behold, the watchman upon the tower would have seen the enemy while he was yet afar off; and then ye could have made ready and kept the enemy from breaking down the hedge thereof, and saved my vineyard from the hands of the destroyer.55 And the lord of the vineyard said unto one of his servants: Go and gather together the residue of my servants, and take all the strength of mine house, which are my warriors, my young men, and they that are of middle age also among all my servants, who are the strength of mine house, save those only whom I have appointed to tarry;56 And go ye straightway unto the land of my vineyard, and redeem my vineyard; for it is mine; I have bought it with money. 57 Therefore, get ye straightway unto my land; break down the walls of mine enemies; throw down their tower, and scatter their watchmen. 58 And inasmuch as they gather together against you, avenge  me of mine enemies, that by and by I may come with the residue of mine house and possess the land.59 And the servant said unto his lord: When shall these things be?  60 And he said unto his servant: When I will; go ye straightway, and do all things whatsoever I have commanded you;

PERSONAL APOSTASY

Words in the chart
1.Obedience/Worthiness; 2. Questioning, Reasons/Motives
3. Consistent Time of Internal Rebellion;  4. Decision to Disobey and Justify Actions
5. Creation of "Better Plan";  6. Laziness/Slothfulness
7. Humbling Experiences; 8. Humility, Sorrow, Repentance
9. Prayer. Blessings, Testimony

                THE GREAT APOSTASY AND PERSONAL APOSTASY 
                                                                    COMPARED

The horizontal lines on the personal apostasy chart are short cuts to get back on track;
      l. Prayer, Blessings, Understanding, Testimony (If done at that step will bring us again to
         Humility, Sorrow, and Repentance
     2. Who do you turn to?  (Humble real intent prayer to God our Father will help us out of
          internal Rebellion)
What a simple effective program!


Can I say that LDS Family Services here has the best office manager/secretary in the world.  Here is a picture of Lisa.  She has the best nature, always happy, cheerful and organized and helpful.  Her husband at home has MS and is wheelchair/bed bound with lots of health issues.  She has one older teenage son that is at home to help her with her husband.  Here is a picture of her with Elder Francom.  He is kneeling by the desk so I could get him in at close range. Again can I say, she is always happy, cheerful, calm, assuring or reassuring and always helpful.  What a tremendous person to be around!!