This is a great talk about service and how we should act as followers of Christ.
President Uchtdorf started off with a story from World War II. This is one of the topics that he frequently uses to illustrate points. It is interesting to me to hear his stories because he seems so young to be a survivor (even as a child) of the war. After the story (about a statue of Christ being damaged in the war and not having the hands replaced) he said:
There is a profound lesson in this story. When I think of the Savior, I often picture Him with hands outstretched, reaching out to comfort, heal, bless, and love. And He always talked with, never down to, people. He loved the humble and the meek and walked among them, ministering to them and offering hope and salvation. That is what He did during his mortal life; it is what He would be doing if He were living among us today; and it is what we should be doing as His disciples and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As we emulate His perfect example, our hands can become His hands; our eyes, His eyes; our heart, His heart.
I hope that we welcome and love all of God's children, including those who might dress, look, speak, or just do things differently. It is not good to make others feel as though they are deficient. Let us lift those around us. Let us extend a welcoming hand. Let us bestow upon our brothers and sisters in the Church a special measure of humanity, compassion, and charity so that they feel, at long last, they have finally found home. I feel that this is one area I really need to work on both at church and at school.
When we are tempted to judge, let us think of the Savior, who "loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him . . .
"[And] he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, . . . [for] all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden." (2 Nephi 26:24-25, 28)
It seems only right and proper that we extend to others that which we so earnestly desire for ourselves. I am not suggesting that we accept sin or overlook evil, in our personal life or in the world. Nevertheless, in our zeal, we sometimes confuse sin with sinner, and we condemn too quickly and with too little compassion. Every person we meet is a VIP to our Heavenly Father. Once we understand that, we can begin to understand how we should treat our fellowmen.
That was some excellent counsel about how we should treat others. President Uchtdorf then adds counsel on how we can serve others.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, our Master, we are called to support and heal rather than condemn. We are commanded "to mourn with those who mourn" and "comfort those that stand in need of comfort." (Mosiah 18:9)
It is unworthy of us as Christians to think that those who suffer deserve their suffering.
True love requires action. We can speak of love all day long - we can write notes or poems that proclaim it, sing songs that praise it, and preach sermons that encourage it - but until we manifest that love in action, our words are nothing but "sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." (1 Corinthians 13:1)
Christ did not just speak about love; He showed it each day of His life. He did not remove Himself from the crowd. Being amidst the people, Jesus reached out to the one. He rescued the lost. He didn't just teach a class about reaching out in love and then delegate the actual work to others. He not only taught but also showed us how to "succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees." (D&C 81:5)
If we are His hands, should we not do the same?
The Savior revealed the perfect priorities for our lives, our homes, our wards, our communities, and our nations when he spoke of love as the great commandment upon which "hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22:40) We can spend our days obsessing about the finest details of life, the law, long lists of things to do; but should we neglect the great commandments, we are missing the point and we are clouds without water, drifting in the winds, and trees without fruit. (see Jude 1:12)
Without this love for God the Father and our fellowmen we are only the form of His Church - without the substance. What good is our teachings without love? What good is missionary, temple, or welfare work without love?
As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Christlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger. We become happier, more peaceful, and more receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. That is a great promise.
This entire talk, and especially the last part, is good counsel for leaders.
Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts
Elder Bradley D. Foster: Mother Told Me
Early in his talk, Elder Foster told a story about rounding up his cattle in Idaho and herding them to trucks to be moved. Once again, a conference talk that points out distractions in the world.
Because it was so hot, the little calves kept running off into the trees to find shade. My thoughts turned to the youth of the Church who are sometimes distracted from the strait and narrow path. I also thought about those who have left the Church or who may feel that the Church has left their hearts while they were distracted. I thought to myself that a distraction doesn't have to be evil to be effective - sometimes it can just be shade.
In a world where every one is granted agency, some of our loved ones may stray for a season. But we can never give up. We must always go back for them - we must never stop trying.
We never know when a heart may be turned. We never know when a soul may be weary and worn out by the world.
Great things to remember for Home Teaching and Visiting Teaching.
Because it was so hot, the little calves kept running off into the trees to find shade. My thoughts turned to the youth of the Church who are sometimes distracted from the strait and narrow path. I also thought about those who have left the Church or who may feel that the Church has left their hearts while they were distracted. I thought to myself that a distraction doesn't have to be evil to be effective - sometimes it can just be shade.
In a world where every one is granted agency, some of our loved ones may stray for a season. But we can never give up. We must always go back for them - we must never stop trying.
We never know when a heart may be turned. We never know when a soul may be weary and worn out by the world.
Great things to remember for Home Teaching and Visiting Teaching.
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.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: The Love of God
This is a great talk. I don't know how many comments I will have. I mostly just have one big question at the beginning: How do I develop love for God and others in my life. By the time I get to the end of the highlights from the talk, I hope to have some guidance.
How Do We Become True Disciples of Jesus Christ? "If you love me, keep my commandments."
But this may present a problem for some because there are so many "shoulds" and "should nots" that merely keeping track of them can be a challenge. Sometimes, well-meaning amplifications of divine principles-many coming from uninspired sources-complicate matters further diluting the purity of divine truth with man-made addenda. One person's good idea-something that may work for him or her-takes root and becomes an expectation. And gradually, eternal principles can get lost within the labyrinth of "good ideas."
I really like that part. "Well-meaning amplifications of divine principles." What an interesting way to put it. "One person's good idea . . . becomes an expectation." We need to guard against that. Continuing
This was one of the Savior's criticisms of the religious "experts" of His day, whom He chastised for attending to the hundreds of minor details of the law while neglecting the weightier matters.
So how do we stay aligned with these weightier matters? Is there a constant compass that can help us prioritize our lives, thoughts, and actions?
Once again the Savior revealed the way. When asked to name the greatest commandment, He did not hesitate. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." He said, "This is the first and great commandment." Coupled with the second great commandment-to love our neighbor as ourselves-we have a compass that provides direction not only for our lives but also for the Lord's Church on both sides of the veil.
So there is a "constant compass" to help us prioritize our lives, thoughts, and actions. That is the two great commandments.
When we truly understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us, the confusion clears and our priorities align. Our was as disciples of Christ becomes more joyful. Our lives take on new meaning. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes more profound. Obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden.
I feel like I still have a long ways to go before I "understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us" but the promises are worth the trouble and trial of learning. I like that last sentence. It would make a good measuring stick for how well I am loving as Jesus loves: when "obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden."
God does not need us to love Him. But oh, how we need to love God!
For what we love determines what we seek.
What we seek determines what we think and do.
What we think and do determines who we are-and who we will become.
Love is the defining characteristic of a disciple of Christ.
At the heart of misery from the days of Adam until today, you will find the love of wrong things. And at the heart of joy, you will find the love of good things.
Regardless of our current state, there is hope for us. No matter our distress, no matter our sorrow, no matter our mistakes, our infinitely compassionate Heavenly Father desires that we draw near to Him so that He can draw near to us.
Since "God is love," the closer we approach Him, the more profoundly we experience love.
We increase our love for our Heavenly Father and demonstrate that love by aligning our thoughts and actions with God's word. His pure love directs and encourages us to become more pure and holy. It inspires us to walk in righteousness-not out of fear or obligation but out of an earnest desire to become even more like Him because we love Him.
Here are some of the solid answers I am looking for: increase and demonstrate our love by aligning our thoughts and actions with God's word. I like the result, doing what's right not out of fear or obligation but out of a desire to be more like Him. That is another good gauge of how I can be doing.
My dear brothers and sisters, don't get discouraged if you stumble at times. Don't feel downcast or despair if you don't feel worthy to be a disciple of Christ at all times. The first step to walking in righteousness is simply to try. We must try to believe. Try to learn of God: read the scriptures; study the words of His latter-day prophets; choose to listen to the Father, and do the things He asks of us. Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible-and that which becomes possible-and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you.
Great counsel for getting started and persevering during trials to finally make love a habit and part of me.
If you listen for the voice of the Father, He will lead you on a course that will allow you to experience the pure love of Christ.
If we do not neglect the great laws-if we truly learn to love our Heavenly Father and our fellowman with all our heart, soul, and mind-all else will fall into place.
Love is the guiding light that illuminates the disciples path and fills our daily walk with life, meaning, and wonder.
Let us be known as a people who love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and who love our neighbor as ourselves. When we understand and practice these two great commandments in our families, in our wards and branches, in our nations, and in our daily lives, we will begin to understand what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus the Christ.
I do have a better idea of the answer to my original question. No it is time to get to work!
How Do We Become True Disciples of Jesus Christ? "If you love me, keep my commandments."
But this may present a problem for some because there are so many "shoulds" and "should nots" that merely keeping track of them can be a challenge. Sometimes, well-meaning amplifications of divine principles-many coming from uninspired sources-complicate matters further diluting the purity of divine truth with man-made addenda. One person's good idea-something that may work for him or her-takes root and becomes an expectation. And gradually, eternal principles can get lost within the labyrinth of "good ideas."
I really like that part. "Well-meaning amplifications of divine principles." What an interesting way to put it. "One person's good idea . . . becomes an expectation." We need to guard against that. Continuing
This was one of the Savior's criticisms of the religious "experts" of His day, whom He chastised for attending to the hundreds of minor details of the law while neglecting the weightier matters.
So how do we stay aligned with these weightier matters? Is there a constant compass that can help us prioritize our lives, thoughts, and actions?
Once again the Savior revealed the way. When asked to name the greatest commandment, He did not hesitate. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." He said, "This is the first and great commandment." Coupled with the second great commandment-to love our neighbor as ourselves-we have a compass that provides direction not only for our lives but also for the Lord's Church on both sides of the veil.
So there is a "constant compass" to help us prioritize our lives, thoughts, and actions. That is the two great commandments.
When we truly understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us, the confusion clears and our priorities align. Our was as disciples of Christ becomes more joyful. Our lives take on new meaning. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes more profound. Obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden.
I feel like I still have a long ways to go before I "understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us" but the promises are worth the trouble and trial of learning. I like that last sentence. It would make a good measuring stick for how well I am loving as Jesus loves: when "obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden."
God does not need us to love Him. But oh, how we need to love God!
For what we love determines what we seek.
What we seek determines what we think and do.
What we think and do determines who we are-and who we will become.
Love is the defining characteristic of a disciple of Christ.
At the heart of misery from the days of Adam until today, you will find the love of wrong things. And at the heart of joy, you will find the love of good things.
Regardless of our current state, there is hope for us. No matter our distress, no matter our sorrow, no matter our mistakes, our infinitely compassionate Heavenly Father desires that we draw near to Him so that He can draw near to us.
Since "God is love," the closer we approach Him, the more profoundly we experience love.
We increase our love for our Heavenly Father and demonstrate that love by aligning our thoughts and actions with God's word. His pure love directs and encourages us to become more pure and holy. It inspires us to walk in righteousness-not out of fear or obligation but out of an earnest desire to become even more like Him because we love Him.
Here are some of the solid answers I am looking for: increase and demonstrate our love by aligning our thoughts and actions with God's word. I like the result, doing what's right not out of fear or obligation but out of a desire to be more like Him. That is another good gauge of how I can be doing.
My dear brothers and sisters, don't get discouraged if you stumble at times. Don't feel downcast or despair if you don't feel worthy to be a disciple of Christ at all times. The first step to walking in righteousness is simply to try. We must try to believe. Try to learn of God: read the scriptures; study the words of His latter-day prophets; choose to listen to the Father, and do the things He asks of us. Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible-and that which becomes possible-and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you.
Great counsel for getting started and persevering during trials to finally make love a habit and part of me.
If you listen for the voice of the Father, He will lead you on a course that will allow you to experience the pure love of Christ.
If we do not neglect the great laws-if we truly learn to love our Heavenly Father and our fellowman with all our heart, soul, and mind-all else will fall into place.
Love is the guiding light that illuminates the disciples path and fills our daily walk with life, meaning, and wonder.
Let us be known as a people who love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and who love our neighbor as ourselves. When we understand and practice these two great commandments in our families, in our wards and branches, in our nations, and in our daily lives, we will begin to understand what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus the Christ.
I do have a better idea of the answer to my original question. No it is time to get to work!
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.
Elder Yoon Hwan Choi: I Love Loud Boys
Elder Yoon used, as the basis of his talk, the story of a group of "loud boys" who lived in his neighborhood and came to church with a couple of their member friends.
There are two basic principles that helped these young men become like the sons of Helaman. Even though the boys' mothers were not members of the Church and did not understand the words of the Lord, priesthood leaders became like their fathers, and leaders' wives became like their mothers.
These nine boys - I call them the "Boys of the Lord" - learned that they would be blessed when they listened to the Church leaders, even though they didn't always understand why.
He then goes on to talk about how successful the boys became - as men in general and as leaders in the church.
Modern sons of Helaman come not only from our precious families within the Church but also from new and young converts who do not have parents in the gospel. You and your wives are to be their "goodly parents" until they become like the sons of Helaman.
There are two basic principles that helped these young men become like the sons of Helaman. Even though the boys' mothers were not members of the Church and did not understand the words of the Lord, priesthood leaders became like their fathers, and leaders' wives became like their mothers.
These nine boys - I call them the "Boys of the Lord" - learned that they would be blessed when they listened to the Church leaders, even though they didn't always understand why.
He then goes on to talk about how successful the boys became - as men in general and as leaders in the church.
Modern sons of Helaman come not only from our precious families within the Church but also from new and young converts who do not have parents in the gospel. You and your wives are to be their "goodly parents" until they become like the sons of Helaman.
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