Gen Conf Oct 2017 Sun aft

"Each of us came to earth having been given the Light of Christ. As we follow the example of the Savior and live as He lived and as He taught, that light will burn within us and will light the way for others." —Pres Thomas S Monson

How are you sharing your light with others this week? #TempleSquare

Talk Summaries

The Trek Continues

Elder M. Russell Ballard 
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Although it is appropriate and important to remember the historic 19th-century Mormon pioneer trek, we need to remember that “the trek through life continues!” for each of us as we prove our own “faith in every footstep.” …

A trek back to our Heavenly Father is the most important trek of our lives, and it continues each day, each week, each month, and each year as we increase our faith in Him and in His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

We must be careful where our footsteps in life take us. …

• Today I repeat earlier counsel from Church leaders. Brothers and sisters, keep the doctrine of Christ pure and never be deceived by those who tamper with the doctrine. …
• Do not listen to those who have not been ordained or set apart to their Church calling and are acknowledged by common consent of the members of the Church.
• Be aware of organizations, groups, or individuals claiming secret answers to doctrinal questions that they say today’s apostles and prophets do not have or understand.
• Do not listen to those who entice you with get-rich schemes. …

In some places, too many of our people are looking beyond the mark and seeking secret knowledge in expensive and questionable practices to provide healing and support. …

I testify that “the trek continues,” and I invite you to stay on the gospel path as you continue pressing forward by reaching out to all of God’s children in love and compassion that we may unitedly make our hearts pure and our hands clean to receive the “multiplicity of blessings” awaiting all who truly love our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son.

God’s Compelling Witness:

The Book of Mormon

Tad R. Callister 
Sunday School General President

The Book of Mormon is not only the keystone of our religion, but it can also become the keystone of our testimonies so that when trials or unanswered questions confront us, it can hold our testimonies securely in place. This book is the one weight on the scales of truth that exceeds the combined weight of all the critics’ arguments. Why? Because if it is true, then Joseph Smith was a prophet and this is the restored Church of Jesus Christ, regardless of any historical or other arguments to the contrary. For this reason, the critics are intent on disproving the Book of Mormon, but the obstacles they face are insurmountable, because this book is true. …

The Book of Mormon is one of God’s priceless gifts to us. … As Saints, we not only have the privilege to defend the Book of Mormon but the opportunity to take the offense—to preach with power its divine doctrine and bear witness of its crowning witness of Jesus Christ.

I bear my solemn testimony that the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God. It is God’s compelling witness of the divinity of Jesus Christ, the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith, and the absolute truth of this Church.

Apart, but Still One

Elder Joni L. Koch 
Of the Seventy

In the Church, in spite of our differences, the Lord expects us to be one! He said in the Doctrine and Covenants, “Be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine” [D&C 38:27].

As we enter a meetinghouse to worship as a group, we should leave behind our differences … and instead concentrate on our common spiritual objectives. Together we sing hymns, ponder about the same covenants during the sacrament, say simultaneously an audible “amen” after talks, lessons, and prayers. …

These things that we do collectively help create a strong sense of oneness within the congregation.

However, what really determines, solidifies, or destroys our unity is how we act when we are apart from our fellow Church members. …

… Our words about our fellow beings should reflect our belief in Jesus Christ and His Atonement and that in Him and through Him, we can always change for the better! …

It is also likely that we will all experience some correction from our ecclesiastic leaders, which will be a test on how united we are with them. …

… I testify that as we decide to be one with the members and leaders of the Church—both when we’re assembled together but especially when we are apart—we will also feel more perfectly united with our Heavenly Father and the Savior.

Do We Trust Him?  Hard is Good

Elder Stanley G. Ellis 
Emeritus Member of the Seventy

Hard makes us stronger, humbles us, and gives us a chance to prove ourselves. Our beloved handcart pioneers came to know God in their extremities. Why did it take two chapters for Nephi and his brothers to obtain the brass plates and only three verses to enlist Ishmael’s family to join them in the wilderness? It seems the Lord wanted to strengthen Nephi through the struggle of obtaining the plates.

The hard things in our lives should come as no surprise. One of the earliest covenants we make with the Lord is to live the law of sacrifice. Sacrifice by definition involves giving up something desirable. With experience we realize it is a small price to pay in relation to the blessings that follow. …

Each of us may have a different opinion about what is hard. Some may consider it hard to pay tithing when finances are tight. Some leaders find it difficult to expect the poor to pay tithing. It may be hard for some of us to go forward with faith to marry or to have a family. There are those who find it hard to “be content with [what] the Lord hath allotted unto [them]” (Alma 29:3). It may be hard to be content with our current calling. Church discipline may seem very hard, but for some it marks the beginning of the true repentance process.

Regardless of the issue, hard can be good for those who will move forward with faith and trust the Lord and His plan.

Essential Truths - Our Need to Act

Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella 
Of the Seventy

Millions who have already joined the Church, as well as the many who are being converted and baptized each week, have gained a testimony of the First Vision. The Holy Ghost can repeat this witness often to each of us as we strive to live the simple truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The First Vision and the Prophet Joseph Smith brought forth additional knowledge and truth that are essential to our happiness in this life and our exaltation in the presence of God. …

An essential truth we learn from the First Vision and the Prophet Joseph Smith is that God calls prophets, seers, and revelators to instruct, guide, warn, and lead us. …

Another truth we learn because of the First Vision and the Prophet Joseph Smith is the true nature of God. Just imagine how blessed we are to know that God is a being with a body of flesh and bones as tangible as ours, that we can worship a God who is real, whom we can understand, and who has shown and revealed Himself and His Son to His prophets. …

From the First Vision and the Prophet Joseph Smith, we received knowledge of the reality and sacred mission of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the cornerstone of our religion.

Seek Ye Out of the Best Books

Elder Ian S. Ardern 
Of the Seventy

We live in a day in which misinformation about our beliefs abounds. …

[The warnings] of our prophets and apostles remind us that we must do all we can to fortify ourselves spiritually against words of opposition and deception. …

… Our spiritual roots go deeper as sincere personal and family prayer become bastions of our faith, as we repent daily, seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and learn of our Savior and His attributes and strive to become like Him.

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the Light of the World, and He beckons us to follow Him. …

Questions about our Church history and beliefs do arise. … The best counsel was given by the Apostle James: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5). …

With all our prayer, study, and pondering, there may still remain some yet-to-be-answered questions. … Such questions are an invitation to build our faith. … It is the very essence of religion not to have a sure answer to every question, for this is one of the purposes of faith. …

Let each of us live … so that we will remain “firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end” (Alma 27:27).

Love One Another as He Has Loved Us

Elder Jose L. Alonso 
Of the Seventy

During the Last Supper, the Savior gave a new commandment to His disciples, saying:

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” [John 13:34–35].

The Savior’s disciples were given a new commandment to do something more, something greater, and something more divine. This new commandment and invitation is summarized in the key phrase “as I have loved you.” …

In today’s world of so much suffering for different circumstances, sending a text message with a funny emoji or posting a nice picture with the words “I love you” is good and valuable. But what many of us need to do is leave our mobile devices behind and, with our hands and feet, help others in great need. Love without service is like faith without works; it’s dead indeed.

The pure love of Christ, which is charity, not only inspires us to act and provide service but also to have the strength to forgive, regardless of the situation. …

I know that our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, love us and are willing to help us to act as we love one another as They have loved us. And I know that by serving and forgiving others with real love, we can be healed and receive the strength to overcome our own challenges.

The Voice of the Lord

Elder Neil L. Andersen 
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

General conference is one of the very important times [Jesus Christ] gives direction to His Church and to us personally. …

In the commotion and confusion of our modern world, trusting and believing in the words of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve is vital to our spiritual growth and endurance. …

As you listen, the messages you receive may be very literal or they may be customized just for you. …

I promise you that as you prepare your spirit and come with the anticipation that you will hear the voice of the Lord, thoughts and feelings will come into your mind that are customized especially for you. You have already felt them in this conference, or you will as you study the messages in the weeks ahead. …

The teachings of general conference are the considerations the Lord would have before us now and in the months ahead. …

Often, His voice directs us to change something in our lives. He invites us to repent. He invites us to follow Him. …

There is a treasure chest of heavenly direction awaiting your discovery in the messages of general conference. The test for each of us is how we respond to what we hear, what we read, and what we feel. …

I promise that as you hear the voice of the Lord to you in the teachings of this general conference and then act on those promptings, you will feel heaven’s hand upon you, and your life and the lives of those around you will be blessed.

See also 187th Semiannual General Conference talk summaries and photo galleries

Gen Conf Oct 2017 Sun am

Talk Summaries

That Your Joy Might Be Full

Jean B. Bingham 
Relief Society General President

Lasting joy is found in focusing on our Savior, Jesus Christ, and living the gospel as demonstrated and taught by Him. The more we learn about, have faith in, and emulate Jesus Christ, the more we come to understand that He is the source of all healing, peace, and eternal progress. …

No matter what we have suffered, He is the source of healing. Those who have experienced any manner of abuse, devastating loss, chronic illness or disabling affliction, untrue accusations, vicious persecution, or spiritual damage from sin or misunderstandings can all be made whole by the Redeemer of the world. However, He will not enter without invitation. We must come unto Him and allow Him to work His miracles. …

Are our testimonies built on the bedrock foundation of Jesus Christ and His gospel? When the storms of life press upon us, do we frantically look for a how-to book or an internet post for help? Taking the time to build and strengthen our knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ will yield rich dividends in times of trial and adversity. Daily reading of scriptures and pondering the words of living prophets, engaging in meaningful personal prayer, mindfully partaking of the sacrament each week, giving service as the Savior would—each of these simple activities becomes a building block for a joyful life.

Has the Day of Miracles Ceased?

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom 
Of the Seventy

My limited knowledge cannot explain why sometimes there is divine intervention and other times there is not. But perhaps we lack an understanding of what constitutes a miracle.

Often we describe a miracle as being healed without a full explanation by medical science or as avoiding catastrophic danger by heeding a clear prompting. However, defining a miracle as “a beneficial event brought about through divine power that mortals do not understand” gives an expanded perspective into matters more eternal in nature. …

A critical question to ponder is “Where do we place our faith?” Is our faith focused on simply wanting to be relieved of pain and suffering, or is it firmly centered on God the Father and His holy plan and in Jesus the Christ and His Atonement? …

Today I testify of miracles. Being a child of God is a miracle. Receiving a body in His image and likeness is a miracle. The gift of a Savior is a miracle. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is a miracle. The potential for eternal life is a miracle.

… Our supreme focus should be on the spiritual miracles that are available to all of God’s children. No matter our ethnicity, no matter our nationality, no matter what we have done if we repent, no matter what may have been done to us—all of us have equal access to these miracles.

Exceeding Great and Precious Promises

Elder David A. Bednar 
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

One of the great challenges each of us faces every day is to not allow the concerns of this world to so dominate our time and energy that we neglect the eternal things that matter most. …

The Apostle Peter reminds us, … “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world” [2 Peter 1:4; emphasis added]. …

God promises His children that if they follow the precepts of His plan and the example of His Beloved Son, … then by virtue of the Savior’s redemption, they “shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God” [D&C 14:7]. Eternal life is the ultimate exceeding great and precious promise. …

Priesthood ordinances and sacred covenants … are the means God has appointed whereby we receive His exceeding great and precious promises. Ordinances that are received worthily and remembered continually open the heavenly channels through which the power of godliness can flow into our lives. Covenants that are honored steadfastly and remembered always provide purpose and the assurance of blessings in both mortality and for eternity. …

The Sabbath day and the temple, respectively, are a sacred time and a sacred space specifically set apart for worshipping God and for receiving and remembering His exceeding great and precious promises to His children. …

… Leaving our homes to spend time in Sunday meetings and to enter the sacred space of a temple is vital but insufficient. Only as we bring the spirit and strength derived from those holy activities back with us into our homes can we sustain our focus upon the great purposes of mortal life and overcome the corruption that is in the world.

Turn to the Lord

Bishop W. Christopher Waddell 
Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric

There will be times in our lives when we find ourselves on an unexpected path. … How do we respond when events, often out of our control, alter the life we had planned or hoped for? …

… Although each “change” may be unique to our individual circumstances, there is a common element in the resulting trial or challenge—hope and peace are always available through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Atonement of Jesus Christ provides the ultimate corrective and healing measures to every wounded body, damaged spirit, and broken heart. …

… We cannot control all that happens to us, but we have absolute control over how we respond to the changes in our lives. This does not imply that the challenges and trials we face are of no consequence and easily handled or dealt with. It does not imply that we will be free from pain or heartache. But it does mean that there is cause for hope and that due to the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can move forward and find better days—even days full of joy, light, and happiness. …

Whatever change in life’s circumstance may come our way, and whatever unexpected path we may have to travel, how we respond is a choice. Turning to the Savior and grasping His outstretched arm is always our best option.

Lord, Wilt Thou Cause That My Eyes May Be Opened

Elder W. Craig Zwick 
Emeritus Member of the Seventy

The gospel mentors us to look beyond what we see. To look beyond what we see, we must look at others through the eyes of our Savior. The gospel net is filled with people in all their variety. … We must look past the easy assumptions and stereotypes and widen the tiny lens of our own experience. …

We live in a world that feeds on comparisons, labeling, and criticism. Instead of seeing through the lens of social media, we need to look inward for the godly attributes to which we each lay claim. …

… Truly loving others requires the ongoing practice of accepting the best efforts of people whose life experiences and limitations we may never fully know. …

As members of the Church, we have been gifted personal spiritual alarms that warn us when we are looking with only mortal eyes away from salvation. The sacrament is our weekly reminder to continually focus on Jesus Christ that we might always remember Him and that we might always have His Spirit to be with us. Yet we sometimes ignore these feelings of reminder and alarm. When we have Jesus Christ at the center of our lives, He will cause that our eyes may be opened to larger possibilities than we alone can comprehend.

Fear Not to Do Good

President Henry B. Eyring 
First Counselor in the First Presidency

Last April, President Thomas S. Monson gave a message that stirred hearts across the world, including mine. He spoke of the power of the Book of Mormon. He urged us to study, ponder, and apply its teachings. He promised that if we dedicated time each day to studying and pondering and kept the commandments the Book of Mormon contains, we would have a vital testimony of its truth, and the resultant testimony of the living Christ would see us through to safety in times of trouble. …

In a season of increasing tumult in the world, those increases in testimony have driven out doubt and fear and have brought us feelings of peace. …

The Lord told His leaders of the Restoration, and He tells us, that when we stand with faith upon His rock, doubt and fear are diminished; the desire to do good increases. As we accept President Monson’s invitation to plant in our hearts a testimony of Jesus Christ, we gain the power, the desire, and the courage to go to the rescue of others without concern for our own needs. …

We cannot foresee the details, but we know the larger picture. We know that in the last days, the world will be in commotion. … And we know that the Lord’s true disciples will be worthy and prepared to receive Him when He comes again. We need not fear.

See also 187th Semiannual General Conference talk summaries and photo galleries

Women’s Gen Conf Session Oct 2017

Our 4 Generation tradition continues! We attend together to remember that we are and eternal family…’of the royal house of the kingdom of God, children of Heavenly Parents, who reign throughout the universe.’
Talk Summaries

Turn On Your Light  

Sharon Eubank First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

For my text I am going back almost 40 years to a remarkable prophecy written by President Spencer W. Kimball. …

“… Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world … will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different—in happy ways—from the women of the world” [“The Role of Righteous Women,” Ensign, Nov. 1979, 103–4]. …

… How do we play our part? What should we do? President Kimball refers to five things:

The first is to be righteous. …

The second is to be articulate. …

The third is to be different. …

The fourth is to be distinct. …

And finally, the fifth is to do one through four in happy ways. …

The prophets are calling on us, my sisters. Will you be righteous? Will you articulate your faith? Can you bear being distinct and different? Will your happiness in spite of your trials draw others who are good and noble and who need your friendship? Will you turn on your light?

Abiding in God and Repairing the Breach 

Neill F. Marriott Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency

We are here on this earth to learn and grow, and the most important learning and growing will come from our covenant connection to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. From our faithful relationship with Them comes godly knowledge, love, power, and capacity to serve. …

… Our sins and pride create a breach—or gap—between us and the font of all love, our Heavenly Father.

Only the Savior’s Atonement can cleanse us of our sins and close that gap. …

… The Savior repaired the breach—or distance—between us and Heavenly Father. He, through His great atoning sacrifice, opens the way for us to partake of God’s loving power, and then we are enabled to repair the “waste places” in our personal lives. Healing emotional distance between each other will require our acceptance of God’s love, coupled with a sacrifice of our natural selfish and fearful tendencies. …

Our Father’s infinite love reaches out to us, to bring us back into His glory and joy. He gave His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to repair the breach that gapes wide between us and Him. Reunion with Father in Heaven is the essence of lasting love and eternal purpose. We must make the connection with Him now to learn what really matters, to love as He loves and grow to be like Him.

Value beyond Measure 

Joy D. Jones Primary General President

The Spirit will confirm to each of us individually our divine worth. Truly knowing that you are a daughter of God will affect every aspect of your life and guide you in the service you render each day. …

… No matter what, we always have worth in the eyes of our Heavenly Father.

Despite this marvelous truth, how many of us struggle, from time to time, with negative thoughts or feelings about ourselves? I do. It’s an easy trap. Satan is the father of all lies, especially when it comes to misrepresentations about our own divine nature and purpose. Thinking small about ourselves does not serve us well. Instead it holds us back. …

Sisters, let’s not be confused about who we are! While it is often easier to be spiritually passive than it is to put forth the spiritual effort to remember and embrace our divine identity, we cannot afford that indulgence in these latter days. May we, as sisters, “be faithful in Christ; … may Christ lift [us] up, and may his sufferings and death, … and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in [our minds] forever” [Moroni 9:25].

Three Sisters 

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Second Counselor in the First Presidency

If you find yourself worrying about what other people say about you, may I suggest this antidote: remember who you are. Remember that you are of the royal house of the kingdom of God, children of Heavenly Parents, who reign throughout the universe.

You have the spiritual DNA of God. You have unique gifts that originated in your spiritual creation and that were developed during the vast span of your premortal life. You are the child of our merciful and everlasting Father in Heaven, the Lord of Hosts, the One who created the universe, spread the spinning stars across the vast expanse of space, and placed the planets in their appointed orbits. …

The promises of praise and acceptance by the world are unreliable, untrue, and unsatisfying. God’s promises are sure, true, and joyful—now and forever.

I invite you to consider religion and faith from a higher perspective. Nothing offered in the great and spacious building can compare with the fruit of living the gospel of Jesus Christ. …

You cannot allow circumstances to make you sad.

You cannot allow them to make you mad.

You can rejoice that you are a child of God. You can find joy and happiness in the grace of God and in the love of Jesus Christ.

You can be glad.

Gen Conf–Sun AM–2 Oct 2016 Session

President Thomas S. Monson

The Perfect Path to Happiness

This is the truth!

Our Father’s plan for our happiness and our salvation is shared by our missionaries throughout the world. Not all who hear this divine message accept and embrace it….

However, men and women everywhere…

recognize its truths, and they plant their feet on the path that will lead them safely home. Their lives are forever changed.

Essential to the plan is our Savior, Jesus Christ. Without His atoning sacrifice, all would be lost. It is not enough, however, merely to believe in Him and His mission. We need to work and learn, search and pray, repent and improve. We need to know God’s laws and live them. We need to receive His saving ordinances. Only by doing so will we obtain true, eternal happiness.

We are blessed to have the truth. We have a mandate to share the truth. Let us live the truth, that we might merit all that the Father has for us. He does nothing save it be for our benefit. He has told us: “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

From the depths of my soul, and in all humility, I testify of the great gift which is our Father’s plan for us. It is the one perfect path to peace and happiness both here and in the world to come.

My brothers and sisters, I leave with you my love and my blessing as I close, and I do so in the name of our Savior and Redeemer, even Jesus Christ, amen.

Deseret News Faith Summary

President Russell M. Nelson

Joy and Spiritual Survival

The joy Latter-day Saints feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives…

When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation ... and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening — or not happening — in our lives Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy. … For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy!

Church members can focus on joy… Life is filled with detours and dead ends, trials and challenges of every kind….Each of us has likely had times when distress, anguish, and despair almost consumed us. Yet we are here to have joy? Yes! The answer is a resounding yes!…

Our missionaries teach and baptize to bring joy to the people of the world…

Just as the Savior offers peace, He also offers an intensity, depth, and breadth of joy that defy human logic or mortal comprehension….

Members can claim that joy by looking to the Savior….  We can give thanks for Him in our prayers, and by keeping covenants we’ve made with Him and our Heavenly Father. As our Savior becomes more and more real to us, and as we plead for His joy to be given to us, our joy will increase……

As in all things, Jesus Christ is our ultimate exemplar. ... In order for Him to endure the most excruciating experience ever endured on earth, our Savior focused on joy….

And what was the joy that was set before him? Surely it included the joy of cleansing, healing, and strengthening us; the joy of paying for the sins of all who would repent; the joy of making it possible for you and me to return home — clean and worthy — to live with our heavenly parents and families…..

Joy is a gift for the faithful. It is the gift that comes from intentionally trying to live a righteous life, as taught by Jesus Christ….

The Savior taught us how to have joy….

When we choose Heavenly Father to be our God, and when we can feel the Savior’s Atonement working in our lives, we will be filled with joy. Every time we nurture our spouse and guide our children, every time we forgive someone or ask for their forgiveness, we can feel joy…..

Every day that you and I choose to live celestial laws, every day that we keep our covenants and help others to do the same, joy will be ours…..

♩ ♪ ♫ ♬ A Day of Joy and Gladness! ♩ ♪ ♫ ♬

Deseret News Faith Summary

 

Elder Peter F. Meurs

The Sacrament Can Help Us Become Holy

Mmultitude of blessings are available to Latter-day Saints as they increase their preparation and spiritual participation in the ordinance of the sacrament….

These blessings are available to us because of the love of our Father in Heaven and the infinite atoning sacrifice of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ….

Five ways to increase the impact and power of our regular participation in the sacred ordinance of the sacrament, an ordinance that can help us become holy:

1.  Prepare in advance. We can begin our preparation for the sacrament well before sacrament meeting begins…

2.  Arrive early. Our sacrament experience can be enhanced when we arrive well before the meeting and ponder as the prelude music is played….

3.  Sing and learn from the words of the sacrament hymn. The sacrament hymn is an especially important part of our sacrament experience. Music elevates our thoughts and feelings….

4.  Spiritually participate in the sacrament prayers. Instead of tuning out the familiar words of the sacrament prayers, we can learn much, and feel even more, as we participate spiritually by considering the commitments and associated blessings included in these sacred prayers.

5.  Ponder and remember Him as the sacrament emblems are passed. The reverent moments as priesthood holders pass the sacrament can become sacred to us…

Deseret News Faith Summary

 

Linda S. Reeves

The Great Plan of Redemption

When we sincerely repent of our sins are truly gone—without a trace!…

….the unselfish and Christlike thing to do is to confess and repent. This is Heavenly Father’s great plan of redemption…

Through the atoning sacrifice of the Savior, Jesus Christ, and sincere repentance, every person is able to receive a remission of his or her sins….

The greatest miracles in this life are not the parting of the Red Sea, the moving of mountains, or even the healing of the body…..

The greatest miracle happens when we humble approach our Father in Heaven in prayer;….fervently plead to be forgiven, and then are cleansed of those sins through the Atoning sacrifice of our Savior…..

Deseret News Faith Summary

 

Elder M. Russell Ballard

To Whom Shall We Go?

As these disciples left, Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, 'Will ye also go away?'

"Peter responded: 'Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art Christ, the Son of the living God'" (John 6:67-69).

If you live as long as I have, you will come to know that things have a way of resolving themselves. An inspired insight or revelation may shed new light on an issue. Remember, the Restoration is not an event, but it continues to unfold….

Never abandon the great truths revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith….

Never stop reading, pondering, and applying the doctrine of Christ contained in the Book of Mormon….

Never fail to give equal time to the Lord through honest attempts to understand what the Lord has revealed….

“We must not assume…that just because something is unexplainable by us, it is unexplainable.” [Elder Neal A Maxwell]

Remember the plan of salvation gives mortal life a meaning and purpose and direction…..

Accepting and living the gospel of Christ can be challenging. It has always been thus, and it will ever be…..In the end, each one of us must respond to the Savior’s question, ‘Will ye also go away?’…

Always remember the Savior is on board and is able to rebuke the storm with His command, ‘Peace, be still.’

He will never abandon His Church and … He will never abandon any one of us….

Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer, and His restored gospel will lead us safely back to the presence of our Heavenly Parents if we remain on the gospel path and follow in His footsteps.

Deseret News Faith Summary

 

Bishop Dean M. Davies

The Blessings of Worship

Worship is essential and central to spiritual life….

It is something we should yearn for, seek out, and strive to experience….

One of the most remarkable and tender experiences recorded in holy scripture is the account of the visit of the Savior to people in the Americas following His death and Resurrection…

When Latter-day Saints worship God, they approach Him with reverent love, humility, and adoration…

We acknowledge and accept Him as our sovereign king, the Creator of the universe, our beloved and infinitely loving Father. We respect and revere Him. We submit ourselves to Him. We lift our hearts in mighty prayer, cherish His word, rejoice in His grace, and commit to follow Him with dedicated loyalty….

Worshipping God is such an essential element in the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ that if we fail to receive Him in our hearts, we will seek for Him in vain in our councils, churches, and temples….

As we worship, our souls are refined and we commit to walk in the footsteps of our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ…

It is my witness that true worship will transform ordinary Church meetings into extraordinary spiritual feasts. It will enrich our lives, broaden our understanding, and strengthen our testimonies…

Through sincere and heartfelt worship Church members blossom and mature in hope, faith, and charity….

Through that process, we gather heavenly light into our souls that infuses our lives with divine meaning, abiding peace, and everlasting joy.

That is the blessing of worship in our lives.

Deseret News Faith Summary

 

Elder Lynn G. Robbins

The Righteous Judge

There is only one way to judge righteous judgment, as Jesus Christ does, and that is to be as He is….

A righteous judge would respond to confessions with compassion and understanding. An erring youth, for example, should leave the bishop's office feeling the love of the Savior through the bishop, and enveloped in the joy and healing power of the Atonement …..

The Lord's way of disciplining His people is to lovingly and patiently teach them, often by chastening them…

Compassion doesn’t nullify the need for discipline….

Because the Lord wanted to teach Joseph a heart-changing lesson, He required a heart-rending sacrifice of him — sacrifice being an essential part of discipline….

Through the sweet irony of sacrifice, people actually gain something of eternal worth — His mercy and forgiveness, and eventually 'all that [the] Father hath'" (Doctrine and Covenants 84:38)….

Scriptures teach that the time to reprove someone is when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, not when moved upon by anger…

To remember a child's true identity is a gift of foresight, that divinely inspires the vision of a righteous judge.

There is only one way to judge righteous judgment, as Jesus Christ does, and that is to be as He is. Therefore, “what manner of men [and women] ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am” (3 Nephi 27:27).

Deseret News Faith Summary

 

President Henry B. Eyring

Gratitude on the Sabbath

The Sabbath is such a moment….a day of gratitude and love….

What matters most is the love we feel for the givers of the gifts…

God is the giver of the gifts and gratitude is how we give Him thanks….

The Lord’s words for how to give thanks and how to love on the Sabbath:

“I give unto them a commandment, saying thus: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him. Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things. Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness, even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (Doctrine and Covenants 59:5, 7-9).

♩ ♪ ♫ ♬ “Count Your Many Blessings” ♩ ♪ ♫ ♬

Some are close to feeling that, at least for them, all is lost.♩ ♪ ♫ ♬ I hope and pray that what I say about being grateful on the Sabbath will be helpful to make doubts fly and for singing to start in your hearts ♩ ♪ ♫ ♬♩ ♪ ♫ ♬

One blessing for which we can be grateful is that we are there in that sacrament meeting at all….The fact that we are able to gather with even one other Saint and partake of the sacrament will help us begin to feel gratitude and love for God’s kindness….

We can be grateful when the Holy Spirit confirms to us that the words of the sacrament prayers, offered by humble priesthood holders, are honored by our Heavenly Father…

Of all the blessings we can count, the greatest by far is the feeling of forgiveness that comes as we partake of the sacrament….

We will feel greater love and appreciation for the Savior, whose infinite sacrifice made possible our being cleansed from sin. As we partake of the bread and water, we remember that He suffered for us. And when we feel gratitude for what He has done for us, we feel His love for us and our love for Him….

The Lord is building His kingdom quietly through His faithful and humble shepherds, with little fanfare…

You and I are witnesses that whenever we have kept our covenants with God, especially when it was hard….

He has heard our prayers of thanks for what He has already done for us and has answered our prayer for strength to endure faithfully. More than once He has made us cheerful as well as strong….

You could begin today with a private and family prayer of thanks for all God has done for you….

You could pray to know what the Lord would have you do to serve Him and others….

You could pray to have the Holy Ghost tell you of someone who is lonely or in need to whom the Lord would have you go…..

Your prayers will be answered and as you act on the answers you will receive, you will find joy in the Sabbath….

I testify that this is the Church of Jesus Christ and that He will honor the covenants you make and renew with God….

Your very nature will be changed to become more like the Savior. You will be fortified against the temptation and against feelings of doubt….

You will find joy in the Sabbath, I so promise you.

 

Deseret News Faith Summary

The Book of Mormon Helped Us to Know How to Sing and Let Our Light Shine!

We heard such beautiful messages and music at the Women's General Session of Conference and wanted to use those messages to guide us in how our Choir of 364 should prepare ourselves for our turn to sing.

Paraphrasing words and thoughts from Sister Neill F. Marriott, 2nd counselor in the Young Women general presidency, we found what we needed to help our light shine:



“As faithful [choir members] give voice to truth and share our light, we are able to push back the darkness of the world”, In order to do this, “We must go to the source of light — to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ; [to] the scriptures,” said “AND to the temple, [because we know] that all things within its walls point to Christ and His great atoning sacrifice.”


“Why do [TEMPLES] beautify and shine? Because as the scriptures say, ‘truth shineth,’ and temples contain truth and eternal purpose; so do you.”

“By the nourishing spirit of the temple we can learn the reality, the power and the hope of the Savior’s Atonement in our personal life.”



In fact, Elder George Q Cannon explained that "every foundation stone that is laid for a Temple, and every Temple completed according to the order the Lord has revealed for his holy Priesthood, lessens the power of Satan on the earth, and increases the power of God and Godliness."


Continuing with paraphrasing words and thoughts from Sister Neill F. Marriott's message:


“[Our Choir of 364] may not walk the roads of Palestine healing the sick, but we sing about how the healing love of the Atonement blesses the sick and faint of heart. Though we will not cause the blind to see in the manner of the Savior, we sing and testify of the plan of salvation to the spiritually blind. We sing and touch hearts and open the eyes of their understanding to the necessity of priesthood power in eternal covenants.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf also declared:

“The Infinite and Eternal Creator of LIGHT and life knows you! He is mindful of you,” “Yes, God loves you this very day and always.

“He loves you not only for who you are this very day, but also for the person of glory and LIGHT you have the potential and the desire to become.

“Walking in the path of discipleship does not need to be a bitter experience,” President Uchtdorf said. “It is not a burden that weighs us down. Discipleship lifts our spirits and lightens our hearts. It inspires us with faith, hope, and charity. It fills our spirits with light in times of darkness and serenity during times of sorrow.

“It gives us divine power and lasting joy.”

 President Uchtdorf concluded saying “Live the gospel joyful!”

 Which is exactly what our Savior taught to the Nephites in a discourse similar to the Sermon on the Mount in 3 Nephi 12:

14 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.


15 Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house;


16 Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

 We will be singing JOYFUL! We will sing that our LIGHT will SHINE, that all may know we love our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son!

It Felt Like A Miracle At Our Choir Dress Rehearsal!

Tender feelings were felt in abundance as had our Dress Rehearsal in the Conference Center. The parallels of our 'choir journey' through the Book of Mormon scriptures were before us!

As a result of my daily Book of Mormon readings, we had now progressed to A.D. 34 in 3 Nephi Chapter 11 where we read that  "Jesus Christ did show himself unto the people of Nephi, as the multitude gather together in the land Bountiful [and at the Temple], and did minister unto them."

Our hearts were full as we arrived at the Conference Center, next to the Salt Lake Temple, the House of the Lord.

At the Conference Center looking across the Salt Lake Temple

We raised our voices and sang of Christ and His Atonement. We humbly felt encircled in the Arms of His Love as we shared our testimonies of Him with our beautiful music.



The following verses describe the feelings of our heart as our Choir of 364 is likened with-in these 5 verses of 3 Nephi 11:


13 And it came to pass that the Lord‍ spake unto our choir of 364 saying:


14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust‍ your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel‍ the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God‍ of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.


15 And it came to pass that our choir of 364 went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did‍ feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was He, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.


16 And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did sing with one accord, singing:

17 Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship‍ Him.


This is how we felt. These are the feelings that flooded our hearts and filled our souls.

Our General Conference Choir is United in Singing of our Savior and Redeemer!

We have loved our daily Book of Mormon scripture reading! Errol and I are back to "companion" mode, as we were when serving our mission together.  We never stopped reading or studying, but after our mission, for a time, we were both studying separately and each seeking individual enlightenment in the scriptures. And while we still continue to each have our own personal time in the scriptures or Conference Messages; there has been a wonderful spirit of unity and togetherness as we have maintained and reserved our morning Book of Mormon reading as our family 'companion' scripture study time. The result is that we're on the same page in our thoughts through-out the day!

As noted in the previous blogs, we found my Choir of 364 likened in the scriptures about Helaman's faithful army of 2000 Stripling Warriors. We followed their steadfastness through the battles and trials through the years until we arrived at Samuel the Lamanite, preaching on the wall to the wicked Nephites below. Obviously, my Choir of 364 was no where to be found in these scriptures!

And then, yesterday's Sabbath morning, we arrived in our daily scripture reading to the 16th Chapter of Helaman in the Book of Mormon. And there was my Choir of 364!

While on the wall, Samuel the Lamanite tells the wicked Nephites of the converted Lamanites who have been firm and steadfast in the faith; and also of how the Lord will be merciful to the Lamanites in the latter-day days. At this time, it's about 6 B.C.

(Remember, Helaman's beloved army of 2000 were the sons of the people of Ammon, who were converted Lamanites.)

Following, is my Choir of 364 likened within the scriptures of Helaman 16:

5 And I would that ye should behold that my choir of 364 are in the path of their duty, and they do walk circumspectly before God, and they do observe to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments according to the law of Moses.

 6 Yea, I say unto you, that all the choir are doing this, and they are striving with unwearied diligence that they may bring the remainder of their families and friends to the knowledge of the truth; therefore they are diligent to sing praises daily.

 7 And behold, ye do know of yourselves, for ye have witnessed it, that as many of them as are brought to the knowledge of the truth, … and are led to believe the holy scriptures, yea, the prophecies of the holy prophets, which are written, which leadeth them to faith on the Lord, and unto repentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart unto them—

8 Therefore, as many as have come to this, ye know of yourselves are firm and steadfast in the faith, and in the thing wherewith they have been singing glorious hymns of praise evermore.

 9 And ye know also that they have shaved off their beards, and parted their hair; and , and even after much prayer, they have shopped till they dropped to find that perfect blouse within the approved pallet of colors; and even they have removed their sequins and shiny buttons, and buried their paisley and patterned ties, — for behold they will suffer themselves to shorten and even miss their vacations and special family gatherings and travel many miles and hours from Island Park northward in Idaho and even from Saint George which is far to the south; that they may be in attendance and not miss one of our rehearsals, and this because of their faith in Christ.

 10 And now, because of their steadfastness that they do believe in that thing which they do believe, for because of their firmness in that they have been enlightened, behold, the Lord shall bless our choir of 364 and prolong their singing with miracles -

 11 Yea, even if they should dwindle in unbelief to doubt that the Lord shall prolong their singing, until the time shall come which they shall be at the great Conference Center, where also will be the prophet Monson, and many other prophets, who testify concerning the restoration of the Gospel; it is there our choir of 364 will again be brought to the knowledge of the truth—

12 -- that in the latter times the promises of the Lord have been extended to our choir of 364; and notwithstanding the many afflictions which they shall have to keep them from singing, and notwithstanding they shall endure changes to the music and feel lost on their part, and frantic that they missed the cut-off, and took a breath when they should not have, and be corrected and re-corrected on their pronunciation that they feel driven to and fro upon the face of the earth, having no place for refuge, the Lord shall be merciful unto them.

 13 And this is according to the great blessing given to them for their uniting to sing of their Savior and Redeemer, that they shall again be brought to the true knowledge, which is the knowledge of their Redeemer, and their great and true shepherd, and be numbered among His sheep.