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 Missionary Work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Missionary Work. Show all posts
President Thomas S. Monson: Welcome to Conference
How grateful I am for the age in which we live—an age of such advanced technology that we are able to address you across the world. As the General Authorities and auxiliary leaders stand here in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, our voices will be reaching you by various means, including radio, television, satellite transmission, and the Internet. Although we will be speaking to you in English, you will be hearing us in some 92 languages.
President Monson starts off on a positive note with the blessings of technology - which is a blessing when it is used appropriately. I was also impressed that the conference sessions were also being translated into over 90 languages.
President Monson starts off on a positive note with the blessings of technology - which is a blessing when it is used appropriately. I was also impressed that the conference sessions were also being translated into over 90 languages.
Since last we met in April of this year, we have dedicated the beautiful Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple in South Jordan, Utah. We continue to build temples. We desire that as many members as possible have an opportunity to attend the temple without having to travel inordinate distances. Worldwide, 83 percent of our members live within 200 miles (320 km) of a temple. That percentage will continue to increase as we construct new temples around the world. Currently there are 130 temples in operation, with 16 announced or under construction. This morning I am pleased to announce 5 additional temples for which sites are being acquired and which, in coming months and years, will be built in the following locations: Brigham City, Utah; Concepción, Chile; Fortaleza, Brazil; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Sapporo, Japan.
Equally impressive is the growing number of temples and how close most members are to a temple. Before the Portland temple was constructed, we would have still been in that 200 mile radius of a temple. We are very blessed to have one just ten miles from our home. And now, new temples in the United States, Chile, Brazil, and Japan. The second in Florida! and another in Utah. We will be able to see the Brigham City Temple soon after passing through Tremonton on our way down the Wasatch Front. Soon our trips to Utah will involve passing temples in Boise, Twin Falls, Brigham City, Ogden, Bountiful, Salt Lake, Jordan River, Oquirrh Mountain, American Fork, and Provo. Eleven total if you count Portland. That's amazing!
I would ask that your faith and prayers continue to be offered in behalf of those areas where our influence is limited and where we are not allowed to share the gospel freely at this time. Miracles can occur as we do so.
This is similar to the request President Monson made one year ago, and similar to the one made by President Kimball - to pray for doors to be open around the world.
He concludes with this fitting introduction to the conference and a reminder to pay attention to the counsel that the Lord has for us at this conference.
Now, my brothers and sisters, we are anxious to listen to the messages which will be presented to us during the next two days. Those who will address us have sought heaven’s help and direction as they have prepared their messages. They have been impressed concerning that which they will share with us. That we may be filled with the Spirit of the Lord as we listen and learn is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Elder Walter F. Gonzalez: Becoming More Powerful Priesthood Holders
Let me suggest three activities that can help us turn the Book of Mormon into the best-read and best-applied book, which will empower us today to become more powerful priesthood leaders, even as those in ancient times.
First, feast upon the words of Christ. When we read and look for principles and doctrines that will help us in our daily lives, we will have a renewed enthusiasm.
Second, apply in our lives all that we learn about Christ. Once we learn about an attribute of Christ, such as the one recognized by the brother of Jared, we should work to implement it in our own life.
Third, teach the doctrine and principles found in the sacred pages of the Book of Mormon.
You and I, as part of those future generations spoken about [in the Book of Mormon], can be more powerful priesthood holders by using the Book of Mormon and honoring our priesthood covenants.
First, feast upon the words of Christ. When we read and look for principles and doctrines that will help us in our daily lives, we will have a renewed enthusiasm.
Second, apply in our lives all that we learn about Christ. Once we learn about an attribute of Christ, such as the one recognized by the brother of Jared, we should work to implement it in our own life.
Third, teach the doctrine and principles found in the sacred pages of the Book of Mormon.
You and I, as part of those future generations spoken about [in the Book of Mormon], can be more powerful priesthood holders by using the Book of Mormon and honoring our priesthood covenants.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: Two Principles for Any Economy
This was a very good talk to give us hope in these economically troubling times.
I have seen enough ups and downs throughout my life to know that winter will surely give way to the warmth and hope of a new spring. I am optimistic about the future. This is why it is great that we have "seasoned" leaders at the head of the church.
He talked about a time when he was 11 years old and was a refugee (with his family) living in Frankfurt. He had an Eastern German accent and that led to ridicule from his peers. But even with that, he learned valuable lessons from how his parents handled adversity.
I admired their determination and optimism. from them I learned that adversity, when confronted with faith, courage, and tenacity, could be overcome.
Knowing that some of you are experiencing your own periods of anxiety and despair, I wanted to speak today about two important principles that sustained me through this formative period of my life.
The First Principle: Work
It wasn't easy, but the work kept us from dwelling too much on the difficulties of our circumstances. Although our situation didn't change overnight, it did change. That's the thing about work. If we simple keep at it - steady and constant - things certainly will improve. How the Lord loves the laborer!
Those who are unafraid to roll up their sleeves and lose themselves in the pursuit of worthwhile goals are a blessing to their families, communities, nations, and to the Church.
The Lord doesn't expect us to work harder than we are able. He doesn't (nor should we) compare our efforts to those of others. Our Heavenly Father asks only that we do the best we can - that we work according to our full capacity, however great or small that my be. Work is an antidote for anxiety, an ointment for sorrow and a doorway to possibility.
When our wagon gets stuck in the mud, God is much more likely to assist the man who gets out to push than the man who merely raises his voice in prayer - no matter how eloquent the oration. President Thomas S. Monson put it this way: "It is not enough to want to make the effort and to say we'll make the effort. . . . It's in the doing, not just the thinking, that we accomplish our goals. If we constantly put our goals off, we will never see them fulfilled."
Remember, we are only temporary travelers in this world. Let us not devote our God-given talents and energies solely to setting earthly anchors, but rather let us spend our days growing spiritual wings. This is a great quote, I really like the way we are told to look beyond what the world is enticing us to spend our time on and towards eternal pursuits.
Now a word to us seasoned brethren: retirement is not part of the Lord's plan of happiness. There may be those who, after many years of Church service, believe they are entitled to a period of rest while others pull the weight. To put it bluntly, brethren, this sort of thinking is unworthy of a disciple of Christ. A great part of our work on earth is to endure joyfully to the end - every day of our life. Whether you are the youngest deacon or the oldest high priest, there is work to do!
The Second Principle: Learn
Education is not so much the filling of a bucket as the lighting of a fire. For members of the Church, education is not merely a good idea - it's a commandment.
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, "Knowledge does away with darkness, [anxiety], and doubt; for these cannot exist where knowledge is."
In our learning, let us not neglect the fountain of revelation.
I know this for a certainty: it is often in the trial of adversity that we learn those most critical lessons that form our character and shape our destiny. (Another great quote)
I pray that during the coming months and years we can fill our hours and days with righteous work. That sounds like a good challenge for the next six months!
I have seen enough ups and downs throughout my life to know that winter will surely give way to the warmth and hope of a new spring. I am optimistic about the future. This is why it is great that we have "seasoned" leaders at the head of the church.
He talked about a time when he was 11 years old and was a refugee (with his family) living in Frankfurt. He had an Eastern German accent and that led to ridicule from his peers. But even with that, he learned valuable lessons from how his parents handled adversity.
I admired their determination and optimism. from them I learned that adversity, when confronted with faith, courage, and tenacity, could be overcome.
Knowing that some of you are experiencing your own periods of anxiety and despair, I wanted to speak today about two important principles that sustained me through this formative period of my life.
The First Principle: Work
It wasn't easy, but the work kept us from dwelling too much on the difficulties of our circumstances. Although our situation didn't change overnight, it did change. That's the thing about work. If we simple keep at it - steady and constant - things certainly will improve. How the Lord loves the laborer!
Those who are unafraid to roll up their sleeves and lose themselves in the pursuit of worthwhile goals are a blessing to their families, communities, nations, and to the Church.
The Lord doesn't expect us to work harder than we are able. He doesn't (nor should we) compare our efforts to those of others. Our Heavenly Father asks only that we do the best we can - that we work according to our full capacity, however great or small that my be. Work is an antidote for anxiety, an ointment for sorrow and a doorway to possibility.
When our wagon gets stuck in the mud, God is much more likely to assist the man who gets out to push than the man who merely raises his voice in prayer - no matter how eloquent the oration. President Thomas S. Monson put it this way: "It is not enough to want to make the effort and to say we'll make the effort. . . . It's in the doing, not just the thinking, that we accomplish our goals. If we constantly put our goals off, we will never see them fulfilled."
Remember, we are only temporary travelers in this world. Let us not devote our God-given talents and energies solely to setting earthly anchors, but rather let us spend our days growing spiritual wings. This is a great quote, I really like the way we are told to look beyond what the world is enticing us to spend our time on and towards eternal pursuits.
Now a word to us seasoned brethren: retirement is not part of the Lord's plan of happiness. There may be those who, after many years of Church service, believe they are entitled to a period of rest while others pull the weight. To put it bluntly, brethren, this sort of thinking is unworthy of a disciple of Christ. A great part of our work on earth is to endure joyfully to the end - every day of our life. Whether you are the youngest deacon or the oldest high priest, there is work to do!
The Second Principle: Learn
Education is not so much the filling of a bucket as the lighting of a fire. For members of the Church, education is not merely a good idea - it's a commandment.
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, "Knowledge does away with darkness, [anxiety], and doubt; for these cannot exist where knowledge is."
In our learning, let us not neglect the fountain of revelation.
I know this for a certainty: it is often in the trial of adversity that we learn those most critical lessons that form our character and shape our destiny. (Another great quote)
I pray that during the coming months and years we can fill our hours and days with righteous work. That sounds like a good challenge for the next six months!
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