Very interesting talk by Elder Rasband who is a member of the Presidency of the Seventy. A kind of 'inside look' at how mission assignments are made. First, however, Elder Rasband talked about the importance of missionary work, especially to young men of missionary age.
Missionary work is the life-blood of the Church and the lifesaving blessing to all who accept its message.
President Thomas S. Monson, has said of those called to serve: "The missionary opportunity of a lifetime is yours. The blessings of eternity await you. Yours is the privilege to be not spectators but participants on the stage of priesthood service."
Elder Rasband then told of an experience he had as a new General Authority when he was invited by then Elder Henry B. Eyring to sit in on a session where he, an apostle, made mission assignments. Very interesting process. I hope that Taylor will be impressed by the process. I thought it was an interesting combination of technology and revelation.
Elder Rasband concluded his talk with this encouragement to young men:
At this time in your life, a mission call from the Lord, my young friends, is the most important work that you can do. Prepare now, live righteously, learn from your family and Church leaders, and come join with us in building the kingdom of God on earth - accept your divine appointment in "so great a cause."
Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts
Elder Richard G. Scott: To Acquire Spiritual Guidance
This was one of the best talks of the entire conference.
Elder Scott starts by asking three questions that outline what he will be talking about:
What can you do to enhance you capacity to be led to correct decisions in your life? What are the principles upon which spiritual communication depends? What are the potential barriers to such communication that you need to avoid?
He quoted President John Taylor being told by the prophet Joseph Smith, "never to arise in the morning without bowing before the Lord, and dedicating myself to him during the day."
The Holy Ghost, he explains, is "a power, beyond your own capability, that a loving Heavenly Father wants you to use consistently for your peace and happiness." Elder Scott then adds this important counsel:
I am convinced that there is no simple formula or technique that would immediately allow you to master the ability to be guided by the voice of the Spirit. Our Father expects you to learn how to obtain that divine help by exercising faith in Him and His Son, Jesus Christ. Were you to receive inspired guidance just for the asking, you would become weak and ever more dependent on Them. They know that essential personal growth will come as you struggle to learn how to be led by the Spirit.
Then he delivered this promise powerful promise:
I witness that as you gain experience and success in being guided by the Spirit, your confidence in the impressions you feel can become more certain than your dependence on what you see or hear.
He then said:
Spirituality yields two fruits. The first is inspiration to know what to do. The second is power, or the capacity to do it.
Elder Scott then related two very powerful experiences he had. The first occurred at a priesthood meeting in Mexico City where a humble Mexican priesthood leader taught a lesson that was especially noteworthy for the love that the leader showed for the Savior and for those the leader taught. This was contrasted with a Sunday School lesson in Elder Scott's home ward where the teacher seemed to be "using the teaching opportunity to impress the class with his vast store of knowledge" by choosing "obscure references and unusual examples to illustrate the principles of the lesson"
It was "in the environment" of the second lesson that Elder Scott illustrated another point. He talked about distinct impressions he received and specific counsel. After the class he found a quiet place to record his impressions. He then pondered them to see if he accurately recorded them. He made some changes, then studied them. Then he prayed about what he had been taught by the Spirit. He gave thanks. Then he was impressed to ask, "Was there yet more to be given?" He said he received more impressions, so he followed the same process, at the end asking again, "Is there more I should know?" There was and he received another sacred experience that he recorded and would not have received if he did not ask if there was more.
Elder Scott then gives a caution and another promise:
However, the Lord will not force you to learn. You must exercise your agency to authorize the Spirit to teach you. As you make this a practice in your life, you will be more perceptive to the feelings that come with spiritual guidance. Then, when that guidance comes, sometimes when you least expect it, you will recognize it more easily.
The second half of Elder Scott's talk is about things that block the Spirit. He talks about sin in general and pornography in specific.
I share a warning. Satan is extremely good at blocking spiritual communication by inducing individuals, through temptation, to violate the laws upon which spiritual communication is founded. With some, he is able to convince them that they are not able to receive such guidance from the Lord.
Note: That is one of the most damaging things about sin -- causing one to "violate the laws upon which spiritual communication is founded."
Elder Scott addresses the excuse that pornography "does no harm to anyone else." He says:
Participation in pornography in any of its lurid forms is a manifestation of unbridled selfishness. How can a man, particularly a priesthood bearer, not think of the emotional and spiritual damage caused to women, especially his wife, by such abhorrent activity?
Elder Scott then gives this excellent counsel as a standard that would be good to emulate:
An individual with foundation standards and an enduring commitment to obey them is not easily led astray. Someone who is increasingly repulsed by grievous sin and who exercises self-restraint outside human influence has character.
Finally, he counsels patience in developing our ability to be led by the Spirit. The keys, he says, are
By careful practice, through the application of correct principles, and by being sensitive to the feelings that come, you will gain spiritual guidance.
This was a great talk. It would be wise to re-read this talk every month or so to check and see how you are doing in your ability to 1) be sensitive to the Spirit, and 2) resist the temptations of Satan.
Elder Scott starts by asking three questions that outline what he will be talking about:
What can you do to enhance you capacity to be led to correct decisions in your life? What are the principles upon which spiritual communication depends? What are the potential barriers to such communication that you need to avoid?
He quoted President John Taylor being told by the prophet Joseph Smith, "never to arise in the morning without bowing before the Lord, and dedicating myself to him during the day."
The Holy Ghost, he explains, is "a power, beyond your own capability, that a loving Heavenly Father wants you to use consistently for your peace and happiness." Elder Scott then adds this important counsel:
I am convinced that there is no simple formula or technique that would immediately allow you to master the ability to be guided by the voice of the Spirit. Our Father expects you to learn how to obtain that divine help by exercising faith in Him and His Son, Jesus Christ. Were you to receive inspired guidance just for the asking, you would become weak and ever more dependent on Them. They know that essential personal growth will come as you struggle to learn how to be led by the Spirit.
Then he delivered this promise powerful promise:
I witness that as you gain experience and success in being guided by the Spirit, your confidence in the impressions you feel can become more certain than your dependence on what you see or hear.
He then said:
Spirituality yields two fruits. The first is inspiration to know what to do. The second is power, or the capacity to do it.
Elder Scott then related two very powerful experiences he had. The first occurred at a priesthood meeting in Mexico City where a humble Mexican priesthood leader taught a lesson that was especially noteworthy for the love that the leader showed for the Savior and for those the leader taught. This was contrasted with a Sunday School lesson in Elder Scott's home ward where the teacher seemed to be "using the teaching opportunity to impress the class with his vast store of knowledge" by choosing "obscure references and unusual examples to illustrate the principles of the lesson"
It was "in the environment" of the second lesson that Elder Scott illustrated another point. He talked about distinct impressions he received and specific counsel. After the class he found a quiet place to record his impressions. He then pondered them to see if he accurately recorded them. He made some changes, then studied them. Then he prayed about what he had been taught by the Spirit. He gave thanks. Then he was impressed to ask, "Was there yet more to be given?" He said he received more impressions, so he followed the same process, at the end asking again, "Is there more I should know?" There was and he received another sacred experience that he recorded and would not have received if he did not ask if there was more.
Elder Scott then gives a caution and another promise:
However, the Lord will not force you to learn. You must exercise your agency to authorize the Spirit to teach you. As you make this a practice in your life, you will be more perceptive to the feelings that come with spiritual guidance. Then, when that guidance comes, sometimes when you least expect it, you will recognize it more easily.
The second half of Elder Scott's talk is about things that block the Spirit. He talks about sin in general and pornography in specific.
I share a warning. Satan is extremely good at blocking spiritual communication by inducing individuals, through temptation, to violate the laws upon which spiritual communication is founded. With some, he is able to convince them that they are not able to receive such guidance from the Lord.
Note: That is one of the most damaging things about sin -- causing one to "violate the laws upon which spiritual communication is founded."
Elder Scott addresses the excuse that pornography "does no harm to anyone else." He says:
Participation in pornography in any of its lurid forms is a manifestation of unbridled selfishness. How can a man, particularly a priesthood bearer, not think of the emotional and spiritual damage caused to women, especially his wife, by such abhorrent activity?
Elder Scott then gives this excellent counsel as a standard that would be good to emulate:
An individual with foundation standards and an enduring commitment to obey them is not easily led astray. Someone who is increasingly repulsed by grievous sin and who exercises self-restraint outside human influence has character.
Finally, he counsels patience in developing our ability to be led by the Spirit. The keys, he says, are
By careful practice, through the application of correct principles, and by being sensitive to the feelings that come, you will gain spiritual guidance.
This was a great talk. It would be wise to re-read this talk every month or so to check and see how you are doing in your ability to 1) be sensitive to the Spirit, and 2) resist the temptations of Satan.
Sister Vicki F. Matsumori: Helping Others Recognize the Whispering of the Spirt.
Sister Matsumori counsels:
There are places where it is easier to feel the Spirit. Testimony meetings and general conference are some of those places. Certainly temples are another. The challenge for each of us is in providing an environment where the Spirit can be felt daily in our homes and weekly at church.
One reason we are encouraged to pray and read the scriptures every single day is that both of these activities invite the Spirit into our homes and into the lives of our family members.
This is one of the reasons we have tried to be more diligent about having family scripture study every morning (at 6:25 am!) and family prayer at night -- to invite the Spirit into our home. Also, if you it seems like you haven't felt the Spirit for a while, check to make sure you are doing these basic things.
She also said:
Because the Spirit is often described as a still, small voice, it is also important to have a time of quiet in our lives as well. The Lord has counseled us to "be still, and know that I am God." If we provide a still and quiet time each day when we are not bombarded by television, computer, video games, or personal electronic devices, we allow that still, small voice an opportunity to provide personal revelation and to whisper sweet guidance, reassurance, and comfort to us.
These are great promises. I think that one of the keys is that we need to seek and find time in our day. It will not find us! There are just too many things going on. We need to make time for the Spirit to comfort us and to play a role in our lives.
Finally, some wonderful promises related to listening for and understanding the Spirit:
When we come to understand the whisperings of the Spirit, we will be able to hear Him teach us "the peaceable things of the kingdom" and "all things what [we] should do." We will recognize answers to our prayers and know how to live the gospel more fully each day. We will be guided and protected. And we can cultivate this gift in our lives as we follow those spiritual promptings. Most importantly, we will feel Him witness to us of the Father and of the Son.
There are places where it is easier to feel the Spirit. Testimony meetings and general conference are some of those places. Certainly temples are another. The challenge for each of us is in providing an environment where the Spirit can be felt daily in our homes and weekly at church.
One reason we are encouraged to pray and read the scriptures every single day is that both of these activities invite the Spirit into our homes and into the lives of our family members.
This is one of the reasons we have tried to be more diligent about having family scripture study every morning (at 6:25 am!) and family prayer at night -- to invite the Spirit into our home. Also, if you it seems like you haven't felt the Spirit for a while, check to make sure you are doing these basic things.
She also said:
Because the Spirit is often described as a still, small voice, it is also important to have a time of quiet in our lives as well. The Lord has counseled us to "be still, and know that I am God." If we provide a still and quiet time each day when we are not bombarded by television, computer, video games, or personal electronic devices, we allow that still, small voice an opportunity to provide personal revelation and to whisper sweet guidance, reassurance, and comfort to us.
These are great promises. I think that one of the keys is that we need to seek and find time in our day. It will not find us! There are just too many things going on. We need to make time for the Spirit to comfort us and to play a role in our lives.
Finally, some wonderful promises related to listening for and understanding the Spirit:
When we come to understand the whisperings of the Spirit, we will be able to hear Him teach us "the peaceable things of the kingdom" and "all things what [we] should do." We will recognize answers to our prayers and know how to live the gospel more fully each day. We will be guided and protected. And we can cultivate this gift in our lives as we follow those spiritual promptings. Most importantly, we will feel Him witness to us of the Father and of the Son.
Brother Russell T. Osguthorpe: Teaching Helps Save Lives
When missionaries and teachers draw upon the Spirit, they teach the appropriate principle, invite their learners to live that principle, and bear witness of the promised blessings that will follow. Elder David A Bednar shared these three simple elements of effective teaching in a recent training meeting: (1) key doctrine, (2) invitation to action, and (3) promised blessings.
This is great instruction for teaching any church class at any age-level. It will also work for any church talk. Make sure that these three components are at the core of your lesson or talk:
This is great instruction for teaching any church class at any age-level. It will also work for any church talk. Make sure that these three components are at the core of your lesson or talk:
- teach the appropriate gospel principle in your lesson.
- invite your students to live that principle.
- bear witness of the promised blessings they will receive for following that principle.
The guide Preach My Gospel helps missionaries teach key doctrine, invite those they teach to take action, and receive promised blessings. The guide Teaching, No Greater Call helps parents and teachers do the same. It is to gospel teaching what Preach My Gospel is to missionary work.
This is a very profound statement. It really raises the importance of Teaching, No Greater Call. If it is that important (and I agree that it is), then I think that we should make it the focus of our family scripture study after we finish Preach My Gospel.
As President Monson has taught: "The goal of gospel teaching . . . is not to 'pour information' into the minds of class members . . . The aim is to inspire the individual to think about, feel about, and then do something about living gospel principles."
Again, this counsel can be applied to teaching a class or giving a talk.
Elder Osguthorpe related a story from his young adult years where a teacher impressed him to . . . "think about, feel about, and then do something about living gospel principles." Then he added, "His teaching helped save my life."
Questions we should ask about our own teaching:
- As a teacher, do I view myself as a messenger from God?
- Do I prepare and then teach in ways that can help save lives?
- Do I focus on a key doctrine of the Restoration?
- Can those I teach feel the love I have for them and for my Heavenly Father and the Savior?
- When inspiration comes, do I close the manual and open their eyes and their ears and their hearts to the glory of God?
- Do I invite them to do the work that God has for them to do?
- Do I express so much confidence in them that they find the invitation hard to refuse?
- Do I help them recognize promised blessings that come from living the doctrine I am teaching?
President Boyd K. Packer: Prayer and Promptings
President Packer gives great hope and encouragement in this talk.
We are, none of us, left here alone without hope of guidance and redemption.
The Holy Ghost communicates with our spirits through the mind more than through the physical senses. This guidance comes as thoughts, as feelings through promptings and impressions. We may feel the words of spiritual communication more than hear them and see with spiritual rather than with mortal eyes.
This is a very good reminder of how the Spirit works and why we need to keep our minds functioning well.
You can know the things you need to know. Pray that you will learn to receive that inspiration and remain worthy to receive it. Keep that channel - your mind - clean and free from the clutter of the world.
We are, none of us, left here alone without hope of guidance and redemption.
The Holy Ghost communicates with our spirits through the mind more than through the physical senses. This guidance comes as thoughts, as feelings through promptings and impressions. We may feel the words of spiritual communication more than hear them and see with spiritual rather than with mortal eyes.
This is a very good reminder of how the Spirit works and why we need to keep our minds functioning well.
You can know the things you need to know. Pray that you will learn to receive that inspiration and remain worthy to receive it. Keep that channel - your mind - clean and free from the clutter of the world.
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