Elder Christofferson starts with the story of William Tyndale and his sacrifices (and ultimate execution) in bringing forth an English version of the Bible for all to read. Then he had this counsel:
The scriptures enlarge our memory by helping us always to remember the Lord and our relationship to Him and the Father. They remind us of what we knew in our premortal life.
Those who either don't have or ignore the recorded word of God eventually cease to believe in Him and forget the purpose of their existence. This is a very important reason to read scriptures regularly.
Today the Bible and other scripture are readily at hand, yet there is a growing scriptural illiteracy because people will not open the books. Consequently they have forgotten things their grandparents knew. This could probably go back to all of those 'distractions' that are talked about at this conference - many more distractions than in previous generations. I am glad that we make time each day to read and study the scriptures as a family.
Many today would dispute . . . the seriousness of immorality. They have imagined a Jesus who wants people to work for social justice but who makes no demands upon their personal life and behavior.
Scripture tutors us in principles and moral values essential to maintaining civil society, including integrity, responsibility, selflessness, fidelity, and charity. This is a great list of moral values for society.
The central purpose of all scripture is to fill our souls with faith in God the Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ - faith that They exist; faith in the Father's plan for our immortality and eternal life; faith in the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which animates this plan of happiness; faith to make the gospel of Jesus Christ our way of life; and faith to come to know "the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [He has] sent" (John 17:3). This too, is a great list. A list of things we can have faith in.
Faith comes by the witness of the Holy Spirit to our souls, Spirit to spirit, as we hear or read the word of God.
Being in the scriptures is one way we receive the Holy Ghost. Study the scriptures carefully, deliberately. Ponder and pray over them. Scriptures are revelation, and they will bring added revelation.
Never in history has a people been blessed with such a quantity of holy writ. Surely with this blessing the Lord is telling us that our need for constant recourse to the scriptures is greater than in any previous time.
Showing posts with label Scriptures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scriptures. Show all posts
Elder Francisco J. Vinas: Things Pertaining to Righteousness
As a member of the Caribbean Area Presidency, I was a personal witness to the faithful Saints who replaced fear with faith. Lessons learned in Haiti may be likened to Book of Mormon illustrations. Elder Vinas didn't spend much time talking about Haiti, but gave excellent counsel.
As parents and leaders we need to watch over our members and families, helping them to stay away from those things that could lead them to spiritual death.
Just as in the times of Alma, our leaders also watch over the members of the Church and nourish them with things pertaining to righteousness. [This seems to be a key; not to just avoid evil, but also to strengthen and nourish oneself with "things pertaining to righteousness."] Those things will help us to achieve an enduring conversion. In the document "Leadership Training Emphasis," revised December 10, 2009, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve ask that both priesthood and auxiliary leaders "encourage each family member, parents and children, to study the scriptures, pray regularly, and live the gospel of Jesus Christ."
In order to more effectively teach the things pertaining to righteousness, it is important to understand that, in addition to imparting information, we must facilitate revelation. This way, the person being taught can feel the desire to know these principles for himself or herself.
As parents and leaders we need to watch over our members and families, helping them to stay away from those things that could lead them to spiritual death.
Just as in the times of Alma, our leaders also watch over the members of the Church and nourish them with things pertaining to righteousness. [This seems to be a key; not to just avoid evil, but also to strengthen and nourish oneself with "things pertaining to righteousness."] Those things will help us to achieve an enduring conversion. In the document "Leadership Training Emphasis," revised December 10, 2009, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve ask that both priesthood and auxiliary leaders "encourage each family member, parents and children, to study the scriptures, pray regularly, and live the gospel of Jesus Christ."
In order to more effectively teach the things pertaining to righteousness, it is important to understand that, in addition to imparting information, we must facilitate revelation. This way, the person being taught can feel the desire to know these principles for himself or herself.
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