This is a great talk. As far as teaching the powers and duties of the Priesthood, this is a landmark talk. President Packer also, for me anyway, describes our place in the world - our place as a church and our place as families and individuals.
It has never been easy to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was not easy when HE lived, and it was not easy in the early days of the Church. The Book of Mormon makes it clear that we will never dominate by numbers. But we have the power of the priesthood.
As far as our role in the world, I was impressed by this thought:
We can and in due time certainly will influence all of humanity. It will be known who we are and why we are. It might seem hopeless; it is monumentally difficult; but it is not only possible but certain that we will win the battle against Satan.
Referring to a talk he gave several years ago and that was published President Packer said:
Later, when it was to be published, I changed the title to read "What Every Elder Should Know - and Every Sister as Well." Include the sisters because it is crucial for everyone to understand what is expected of the brethren. Unless we enlist the attention of the mothers and daughters and sisters - who have influence on their husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers - we cannot progress. The priesthood will lose great power if the sisters are neglected.
President Packer next talked about priesthood power and authority, especially power.
Distributing the authority of the priesthood has raced, I think, ahead of distributing the power of the priesthood. The priesthood does not have the strength that it should have and will not have until the power of the priesthood is firmly fixed in the families as it should be.
We need this "call to power" seriously:
We must awaken in every elder and high priest, in every quorum and group, and in the father of every home the power of the priesthood of the Almighty.
We need everyone. The tired or worn out or lazy and even those who are bound down with guilt must be restored through repentance and forgiveness. Too many of our priesthood brethren are living below their privileges and the Lord's expectations.
That the work of the Lord will prevail is not a question. That we must marshal all of our efforts and unify ourselves are givens.
After all that we have correlated and organized, it is now our responsibility to activate the power of the priesthood in the Church. Authority in the priesthood comes by way of ordination; power in the priesthood comes through faithful and obedient living in honoring covenants. it is increased by exercising and using the priesthood in righteousness.
President Packer then directed his remarks to the fathers and the homes:
Now, fathers, I would remind you of the sacred nature of your calling. You have the power of the priesthood directly from the Lord to protect your home. There will be times when all that stands as a shield between your family and the adversary's mischief will be that power. You will receive direction from the Lord by way of the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The adversary is not actively disturbing our Church meetings - perhaps only occasionally. But he and those who follow him are persistent in attacking the home and the family.
The ultimate end of all activity in the Church is that a man and his wife and their children might be happy at home, protected by the principles and laws of the gospel, sealed safely in the covenants of the everlasting priesthood.
. . . all these have as their ultimate purpose the perfection of the individual and the family.
President Packer then closes with his testimony of the power and importance of the priesthood and the role it will play in the coming years:
I bear witness of the power of the priesthood given to the Church to protect us and guide us. And because we have that, we have no fear of the future. Fear is the opposite of faith. We move forward, certain that the Lord will watch over us, particularly in the family.
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Elder L. Tom Perry: Mothers Teaching Children in the Home
Wow, only the Saturday afternoon session and this is the third talk about mothers! Must be a message in that.
Elder Perry said, "Please allow me to . . . share a few of the lessons I learned from my mother about teaching the gospel in the home." He then talked a bit about his mother and added, "Times are very different today, but while times may change, a parent's teaching must never be devalued. Many activities link the values of one generation to the next, but perhaps the most central of these activities is parents teaching children in the home."
I hope that Theresia and I have done an adequate job of teaching in the home. Even though we just have Calais and Taylor at home now, we are still trying to do a good job. I hope also that our children have learned the importance of what Elder Perry is talking about and will strive to teach their children well, in their homes.
Elder Perry counsels, "Parents must bring light and truth into their homes by one family prayer, one scripture study session, one family home evening, one book read aloud, one song, and one family meal at a time. [We do try to do those things.] They know the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily parenting is among the most powerful and sustaining forces for good in the world.
One thing that struck me about that section is the phrase "daily parenting." It really is a daily endeavor. You can't take a week off or a month off because you are really busy, or distracted. Parents need to do those things that Elder Perry suggests, every day. It is a constant effort. And worth it. Our children are examples of that. We worked at it. We were also blessed with special spirits for children. And it has worked very well so far.
The leaders of the Church spend a great deal of time thinking about how to improve teaching in the Church. Our teaching in the home prepares us to teach more effectively at church, and our teaching at church helps us to teach more effectively at home.
I think this is one area that can really use attention in the church (speaking locally), improved teaching and improve speaking (talk giving.)
There is no such thing as overpreparing to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, for gospel insights, whether or not they are used during class time, can always be taught in the home.
We see so many challenges today from distracting and destructive influences intended to mislead God's children. We are seeing many you people who lack the deep spiritual roots necessary to remain standing in faith as storms of unbelief and despair swirl around them. Too many of our Father in Heaven's children are being overcome by worldly desires. Teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in the home adds another layer of insulation to protect our children from worldly influences.
I noticed that this is yet another talk that mentions distractions. That last paragraph was very well put. It sums up a lot of thoughts I've been having lately.
Elder Perry said, "Please allow me to . . . share a few of the lessons I learned from my mother about teaching the gospel in the home." He then talked a bit about his mother and added, "Times are very different today, but while times may change, a parent's teaching must never be devalued. Many activities link the values of one generation to the next, but perhaps the most central of these activities is parents teaching children in the home."
I hope that Theresia and I have done an adequate job of teaching in the home. Even though we just have Calais and Taylor at home now, we are still trying to do a good job. I hope also that our children have learned the importance of what Elder Perry is talking about and will strive to teach their children well, in their homes.
Elder Perry counsels, "Parents must bring light and truth into their homes by one family prayer, one scripture study session, one family home evening, one book read aloud, one song, and one family meal at a time. [We do try to do those things.] They know the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily parenting is among the most powerful and sustaining forces for good in the world.
One thing that struck me about that section is the phrase "daily parenting." It really is a daily endeavor. You can't take a week off or a month off because you are really busy, or distracted. Parents need to do those things that Elder Perry suggests, every day. It is a constant effort. And worth it. Our children are examples of that. We worked at it. We were also blessed with special spirits for children. And it has worked very well so far.
The leaders of the Church spend a great deal of time thinking about how to improve teaching in the Church. Our teaching in the home prepares us to teach more effectively at church, and our teaching at church helps us to teach more effectively at home.
I think this is one area that can really use attention in the church (speaking locally), improved teaching and improve speaking (talk giving.)
There is no such thing as overpreparing to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, for gospel insights, whether or not they are used during class time, can always be taught in the home.
We see so many challenges today from distracting and destructive influences intended to mislead God's children. We are seeing many you people who lack the deep spiritual roots necessary to remain standing in faith as storms of unbelief and despair swirl around them. Too many of our Father in Heaven's children are being overcome by worldly desires. Teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in the home adds another layer of insulation to protect our children from worldly influences.
I noticed that this is yet another talk that mentions distractions. That last paragraph was very well put. It sums up a lot of thoughts I've been having lately.
Elder David A. Bednar: Watching with All Perseverance
This is a great talk on parenting and helping our children gain a testimony and then become valiant in that testimony.
Spiritual warnings should lead to increasingly vigilant watching. You and I live in “a day of warning” (D&C 63:58)
Elder Bednar introduces his thoughts on a “spiritual early warning system”:
I pray for the guidance of the Holy Ghost as I describe a spiritual early warning system that can help parents in Zion to be watchful and discerning concerning their children. This early warning system applies to children of all ages and contains three basic components: (1) reading and talking about the Book of Mormon with your children, (2) bearing testimony of gospel truths spontaneously with your children, and (3) inviting children as gospel learners to act and not merely be acted upon. Parents who do these things faithfully will be blessed to recognize early signals of spiritual growth in or challenges with their children and be better prepared to receive inspiration to strengthen and help those children.
Component Number One: Reading and Talking about the Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon speaks to the spirit and to the heart of the reader like no other volume of scripture. Regular reading of and talking about the Book of Mormon invite the power to resist temptation and to produce feelings of love within our families. And discussions about the doctrines and principles in the Book of Mormon provide opportunities for parents to observe their children, to listen to them, to learn from them, and to teach them.
Such conversations can help parents to discern what their children are learning, thinking, and feeling about the truths contained in this sacred volume of scripture, as well as the difficulties they may be facing.
Reading this from Elder Bednar makes me grateful for two things. First, we have tried to follow this counsel as our children have been growing up. Though we didn’t study scriptures every day, there were many times we would have family scripture study together and we have read the Book of Mormon a few times as a family during that scripture study. Second, we have seen the blessings of having our children grow up to be fine people. I believe that has been a direct blessing from reading the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, as a family.
Component Number Two: Bearing Testimony Spontaneously
Testimony is personal knowledge, based upon the witness of the Holy Ghost, that certain facts of eternal significance are true. The knowledge and spiritual conviction we receive from the Holy Ghost are the result of revelation.
Parents should be vigilant and spiritually attentive to spontaneously occurring opportunities to bear testimony to their children. Discussions – especially when parents are as eager to listen intently as they are to talk – can foster a supportive and secure environment in the home and encourage ongoing communication about difficult topics.
I really like that phrase “especially when parents are as eager to listen intently as they are to talk”. As parents we need to listen. It’s hard when we feel like we have so much to share, and that we are right! But we are still learning, and to learn we need to listen.
Component Number Three: Inviting Children to Act
As gospel learners, we should be “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22)
Learning requires spiritual, mental, and physical exertion and not just passive reception.
I wish there was a way for my students to catch the visual of that preceding quote. Elder Bednar then expounds on this idea that learners (especially children) need to put forth effort to really learn.
Are you and I helping our children become agents who act and seek learning by study and by faith, or have we trained our children to wait to be taught and acted upon? [Great question?] Are we as parents primarily giving our children the equivalent of spiritual fish to eat, or are we consistently helping them to act, to learn for themselves, and to stand steadfast and immovable? Are we helping our children become anxiously engaged in asking, seeking, and knocking? (See 3 Nephi 14:&) I especially like the idea of “consistently helping”; that is an important principal in parenting.
The spiritual understanding you and I have been blessed to receive, and which has been confirmed as true in our hearts, simply cannot be given to our children. The tuition of diligence and of learning by study and also by faith must be paid to obtain and personally “own” such knowledge. [I like that analogy to tuition – the cost- is diligence, study and faith.] Only in this way can what is known in the mind also be felt in the heart. Only in this way can a child move beyond relying upon the spiritual knowledge and experiences of parents and adults and claim those blessings for himself or herself. Only in this way can our children be prepared spiritually for the challenges of mortality.
Elder Bednar finishes his talk with a promise to parents: The spiritual discernment and inspiration you will receive from the combination of these three holy habits will enable you to stand as watchmen on the tower for your families – “watching . . . with all perseverance” (Ephesians 6:18) – to the blessing of your immediate family and your future posterity.
Great talk!
Sister Cheryl C. Lant: That Our Children Might See the Face of the Savior
Sister Lant gave a very nice talk on the importance of teaching our children about Jesus. She also offered some suggestions on how to do it.
Christ's invitation to seek Him is an invitation to know who He is, what He has done for us, and what He has asked us to do. Coming to Christ, and eventually seeing His face, comes only as we draw close to Him through our faith and our actions. It comes through a lifetime of effort.
It is our sacred responsibility as parents and leaders of this rising generation of children to bring them to the Savior so that they might wee His face and the face of our Father in Heaven as well. As we do so, we also bring ourselves.
Again the question, how do we do this, especially in a world that is full of distractions? Again I see this theme of distractions. Many of the speakers at the conference have talked about the fact that there are things 'distracting' us more and more and we need to aware and counteract that.
Sister Lant quotes a passage of scripture about what Christ asks parents to do:
"All thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children." (3 Nephi 22:13)
Now, I would ask you to look around you at those you love. This is what matters most - our families.
The account in 3 Nephi can help us bring our children to Him because it gives us a pattern to follow.
Christ's invitation to seek Him is an invitation to know who He is, what He has done for us, and what He has asked us to do. Coming to Christ, and eventually seeing His face, comes only as we draw close to Him through our faith and our actions. It comes through a lifetime of effort.
It is our sacred responsibility as parents and leaders of this rising generation of children to bring them to the Savior so that they might wee His face and the face of our Father in Heaven as well. As we do so, we also bring ourselves.
Again the question, how do we do this, especially in a world that is full of distractions? Again I see this theme of distractions. Many of the speakers at the conference have talked about the fact that there are things 'distracting' us more and more and we need to aware and counteract that.
Sister Lant quotes a passage of scripture about what Christ asks parents to do:
"All thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children." (3 Nephi 22:13)
Now, I would ask you to look around you at those you love. This is what matters most - our families.
The account in 3 Nephi can help us bring our children to Him because it gives us a pattern to follow.
- First, we must learn how to love the Lord and our families. This takes time, experience, and faith. It requires selfless service. Then, as we are filled with the love of the Lord, we can love.
- Second, we must become worthy examples. This is also a process. If we want our children to come to Christ so that they might see His face, it is important that we seek to see it as well. We must put our own lives in order so that the children can look to us and follow.
- And third, . . . teaching [our children] the truths of the gospel from the scriptures and the prophets and by helping them to feel and recognize the Spirit. They love the scriptures, and they love the prophet. They intuitively want to be good. It is up to us to help them keep that connection to heaven open. It is up to us to protect them from influences that detract from the Spirit. We can help them find the joy of living the gospel. This will build a firm foundation of faith and obedience in their lives that will strengthen them.
While Sister Lant was discussing her second item above, she asked an interesting question and had some excellent counsel:
"What do my children see when they look at my face? Do they see the image of the Savior in my countenance because of how I live my life?"
Now remember, none of us will be the perfect example for our children, but we all can become worthy parents and leaders. Our striving to be worthy is an example in itself. I like that comparison between 'perfect' (which is basically unattainable in this life) and 'worthy' (which is well within the capacity of each of us.)
Elder Russell M. Nelson: Generations Linked in Love
Elder Nelson's talk was about family history and temple work. He used his own family as examples, particularly his great-granddaughter "Dear Ruby", his granddaughter - "Dear Ruby's" mom, and his daughter - "Dear Ruby's" grandmother.
While the family is under attack throughout the world, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints proclaims, promotes, and protects the truth that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
Without the Atonement, there would be no return to the presence of the Father and no continuation of the family beyond the grave.
In order for the Church's family history efforts to succeed, priesthood direction and leadership are essential. Leaders teach and testify of the doctrine undergirding this sacred work. They issue callings and see that instruction is available. They view temple and family history activity as a way to elevate the spirit of their ward, strengthen the spiritual roots of new converts, and bless the lives of all members.
Temple and family history work . . . has an equal power to bless the living. It has a refining influence on those who are engaged in it. They are literally helping to exalt their families.
While the family is under attack throughout the world, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints proclaims, promotes, and protects the truth that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
Without the Atonement, there would be no return to the presence of the Father and no continuation of the family beyond the grave.
In order for the Church's family history efforts to succeed, priesthood direction and leadership are essential. Leaders teach and testify of the doctrine undergirding this sacred work. They issue callings and see that instruction is available. They view temple and family history activity as a way to elevate the spirit of their ward, strengthen the spiritual roots of new converts, and bless the lives of all members.
Temple and family history work . . . has an equal power to bless the living. It has a refining influence on those who are engaged in it. They are literally helping to exalt their families.
Elder David A. Bednar: More Diligent and Concerned at Home
I want to suggest three ways each of us can become more diligent and concerned in our homes.
Elder Bednar has my attention here. An apostle is going to give advice on what we can do to have successful homes.
Suggestion Number One: Express Love-and Show it.
We can begin to become more diligent and concerned at home by telling the people we love that we love them.
As disciples of the Savior, we are not merely striving to know more; rather, we need to consistently do more of what we know is right and become better.
It is not enough to know, we must also do. This is a very important principle that translates our knowledge and faith into action.
We need to both express and demonstrate love.
Elder Bednar then quotes President Monson. This is such important counsel that I am including it to:
"Often we assume that [the people around us] must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know . . . We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us."
From the scriptures: The relationship between love and appropriate action . . . "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)
Feeling the security and constancy of love from a spouse, a parent, or a child is a rich blessing. Such love nurtures and sustains faith in God. Such love is a source of strength and casts out fear. Such love is the desire of every human soul.
We should frequently review our relationships with those closest to us to make sure that we are showing love and that the love is having the above mentioned effects.
Suggestion Number Two: Bear Testimony-and Live it.
We also can become more diligent and concerned at home by bearing testimony to those whom we love about the things we know to be true by witness of the Holy Ghost.
We should remember that bearing a heartfelt testimony is only a beginning. We need to bear testimony, we need to mean it, and most importantly we need to consistently live it. We need to both declare and live our testimonies.
So, bearing testimony should be more than a missionary teaching technique or a Fast and Testimony Meeting event. We need to share our testimony with our family members and then live it, because they are closest to us and are always watching.
Suggestion Number Three: Be Consistent
Elder Bednar related some experiences from his family about Family Home Evening. I really enjoyed that. It showed me that even future apostles (and their families) had trials and that things like FHE did not always go smoothly. I could really relate to his examples and it gave me hope!
The consistency of our intent and work was perhaps the greatest lesson-a lesson we did not fully appreciate at the time.
Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results.
Consistency is a key principle as we lay the foundation of a great work in our individual lives and as we become more diligent and concerned in our homes.
We were creating family goals tonight (Jan 4th) in Family Home Evening. Many of our goals were these small "brushstrokes": weekly FHE, family prayer night and day, family scripture study on the weekdays, a family game night once a month, Mom & Dad going to the temple twice a month. We set those goals (and others) because we believe, and know from past experience, that they do help create (as much, or more, than anything else) a strong home.
Elder Bednar has my attention here. An apostle is going to give advice on what we can do to have successful homes.
Suggestion Number One: Express Love-and Show it.
We can begin to become more diligent and concerned at home by telling the people we love that we love them.
As disciples of the Savior, we are not merely striving to know more; rather, we need to consistently do more of what we know is right and become better.
It is not enough to know, we must also do. This is a very important principle that translates our knowledge and faith into action.
We need to both express and demonstrate love.
Elder Bednar then quotes President Monson. This is such important counsel that I am including it to:
"Often we assume that [the people around us] must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know . . . We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us."
From the scriptures: The relationship between love and appropriate action . . . "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)
Feeling the security and constancy of love from a spouse, a parent, or a child is a rich blessing. Such love nurtures and sustains faith in God. Such love is a source of strength and casts out fear. Such love is the desire of every human soul.
We should frequently review our relationships with those closest to us to make sure that we are showing love and that the love is having the above mentioned effects.
Suggestion Number Two: Bear Testimony-and Live it.
We also can become more diligent and concerned at home by bearing testimony to those whom we love about the things we know to be true by witness of the Holy Ghost.
We should remember that bearing a heartfelt testimony is only a beginning. We need to bear testimony, we need to mean it, and most importantly we need to consistently live it. We need to both declare and live our testimonies.
So, bearing testimony should be more than a missionary teaching technique or a Fast and Testimony Meeting event. We need to share our testimony with our family members and then live it, because they are closest to us and are always watching.
Suggestion Number Three: Be Consistent
Elder Bednar related some experiences from his family about Family Home Evening. I really enjoyed that. It showed me that even future apostles (and their families) had trials and that things like FHE did not always go smoothly. I could really relate to his examples and it gave me hope!
The consistency of our intent and work was perhaps the greatest lesson-a lesson we did not fully appreciate at the time.
Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results.
Consistency is a key principle as we lay the foundation of a great work in our individual lives and as we become more diligent and concerned in our homes.
We were creating family goals tonight (Jan 4th) in Family Home Evening. Many of our goals were these small "brushstrokes": weekly FHE, family prayer night and day, family scripture study on the weekdays, a family game night once a month, Mom & Dad going to the temple twice a month. We set those goals (and others) because we believe, and know from past experience, that they do help create (as much, or more, than anything else) a strong home.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks: Love and Law
This was an interesting talk because you could see Elder Oaks judicial background. He was very logical in presenting his arguments. He tried to balance love and law, but I think the law part was more forceful. In the morning session, President Uchtdorf also talked about love. I think the love part was more evident in his talk.
Nevertheless, Elder Oaks raised some very good points. A the beginning he stated:
My message is that God's universal and perfect love is shown in all the blessings of His gospel plan, including the fact that His choicest blessings are reserved for those who obey His law. I will begin with four examples which illustrate some mortal confusion between love and law.
Those examples dealt primarily with children desiring parental love over eternal law. One dealt with the issue of how God could let bad things happen to good people. The answer lies with the principle of agency. Elder Oaks stated:
. . . God will not forestall the exercise of agency by His children. Agency - our power to choose - is fundamental to the gospel plan that brings us to earth. God does not intervene to forestall the consequences of some persons' choices in order to protect the well-being of other persons - even when they kill, injure, or oppress one another - for this would destroy His plan for eternal progress. He will bless us to endure the consequences of other's choices, but He will not prevent those choices.
Elder Russell M. Nelson taught that "real love does not support self-destructing behavior."
Elder Oaks concludes with this thought that caught my attention:
. . . When family members are not united in striving to keep the commandments of God, there will be divisions.
I'm glad that our family members are striving to keep the commandments.
Nevertheless, Elder Oaks raised some very good points. A the beginning he stated:
My message is that God's universal and perfect love is shown in all the blessings of His gospel plan, including the fact that His choicest blessings are reserved for those who obey His law. I will begin with four examples which illustrate some mortal confusion between love and law.
Those examples dealt primarily with children desiring parental love over eternal law. One dealt with the issue of how God could let bad things happen to good people. The answer lies with the principle of agency. Elder Oaks stated:
. . . God will not forestall the exercise of agency by His children. Agency - our power to choose - is fundamental to the gospel plan that brings us to earth. God does not intervene to forestall the consequences of some persons' choices in order to protect the well-being of other persons - even when they kill, injure, or oppress one another - for this would destroy His plan for eternal progress. He will bless us to endure the consequences of other's choices, but He will not prevent those choices.
Elder Russell M. Nelson taught that "real love does not support self-destructing behavior."
Elder Oaks concludes with this thought that caught my attention:
. . . When family members are not united in striving to keep the commandments of God, there will be divisions.
I'm glad that our family members are striving to keep the commandments.
President Henry B. Eyring: Our Perfect Example
I was assigned this talk as the 4th Sunday lesson in High Priest's Group for January. It is a great talk with a number of very good quotes.
For all, the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is that we can and must expect to become better as long as we live.
If we think of "getting better" as, improving on a long checklist of commandments, then that counsel can get pretty discouraging. Fortunately, the message of this talk, and one of the themes of this conference is "Love." It can all be summed up in that quality. So, "we can and must expect to become better" at love, "as long as we live."
If we work on following Christ's example of love, we will accomplish many of the things President Erying mentioned early in the talk (from Moroni 7:48)
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."
Any believing Latter-day Saint is an optimist about what lies ahead for him or her, however difficult the present may be. We believe that through living the gospel of Jesus Christ we can become like the Savior, who is perfect.
President Eyring talked about attending a Primary class where the children sang "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" and how they sang like they really believed it, and that they expected to be able to do it. For the lesson I played the song as sung by some children from tthe Sunset Hills Ward Primary for the Cedar Mill Stake Primary Program in 2007.
One of the key statements from the whole talk was this:
It is love of God that will lead us to keep His commandments. And love of others is at the heart of our capacity to obey.
President Eyring then talked about how we can practice love:
He has offered us the family as an example of an ideal setting in which we can learn how to love as He loves. [the family is a sort of laboratory for practicing love, because] The greatest joys and the greatest sorrows we experience are in family relationships. The joys come from putting the welfare of others above our own. That is what love is. And the sorrow comes primarily from selfishness, which is the absence of love.
The ideal God holds for us is to form families in the way most likely to lead to happiness and away from sorrow. That is very profound. That is one reason we have families and the main thing we are to do with them.
He then gave counsel to three groups: husbands and wives; parents of a wandering child; and children.
He concludes with this advice and counsel:
I hope you will go out today looking for opportunities to do as He did and to love as He loves. I can promise you the peace that you felt as a child will come to you often and it will linger with you.
None of us is perfect yet. But we can have frequent assurance that we are following along the way. He leads us, and He beckons for us to follow Him.
For all, the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is that we can and must expect to become better as long as we live.
If we think of "getting better" as, improving on a long checklist of commandments, then that counsel can get pretty discouraging. Fortunately, the message of this talk, and one of the themes of this conference is "Love." It can all be summed up in that quality. So, "we can and must expect to become better" at love, "as long as we live."
If we work on following Christ's example of love, we will accomplish many of the things President Erying mentioned early in the talk (from Moroni 7:48)
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."
Any believing Latter-day Saint is an optimist about what lies ahead for him or her, however difficult the present may be. We believe that through living the gospel of Jesus Christ we can become like the Savior, who is perfect.
President Eyring talked about attending a Primary class where the children sang "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" and how they sang like they really believed it, and that they expected to be able to do it. For the lesson I played the song as sung by some children from tthe Sunset Hills Ward Primary for the Cedar Mill Stake Primary Program in 2007.
One of the key statements from the whole talk was this:
It is love of God that will lead us to keep His commandments. And love of others is at the heart of our capacity to obey.
President Eyring then talked about how we can practice love:
He has offered us the family as an example of an ideal setting in which we can learn how to love as He loves. [the family is a sort of laboratory for practicing love, because] The greatest joys and the greatest sorrows we experience are in family relationships. The joys come from putting the welfare of others above our own. That is what love is. And the sorrow comes primarily from selfishness, which is the absence of love.
The ideal God holds for us is to form families in the way most likely to lead to happiness and away from sorrow. That is very profound. That is one reason we have families and the main thing we are to do with them.
He then gave counsel to three groups: husbands and wives; parents of a wandering child; and children.
He concludes with this advice and counsel:
I hope you will go out today looking for opportunities to do as He did and to love as He loves. I can promise you the peace that you felt as a child will come to you often and it will linger with you.
None of us is perfect yet. But we can have frequent assurance that we are following along the way. He leads us, and He beckons for us to follow Him.
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