In the Space of Not Many Years
By Elder David A. Bednar
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 October 2024
📖 general conference
President Benson emphasized the importance of the Book of Mormon and its relevance to modern-day readers, teaching that it was written for our time and contains lessons specifically chosen for us.
One of the hallmarks of President Benson"™s ministry was his focus upon the purpose and importance of the Book of Mormon. He emphasized repeatedly that "the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion"”the keystone of our testimony, the keystone of our doctrine, and the keystone in the witness of our Lord and Savior."1[Ezra Taft Benson, "The Book of Mormon"”Keystone of Our Religion,"Ensign, Nov. 1986, 6.]He also often emphasized teachings and warnings about the sin of pride found in ... (continued)
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In the Space of Not Many Years
By Elder David A. Bednar
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 October 2024
📖 general conference
The talk describes the contrast between the righteousness of the Lamanites and the wickedness of the Nephites as recounted in the Book of Helaman, highlighting the spiritual decline of the Nephites due to pride and the righteousness of the Lamanites who followed God's commandments.
The record of Helaman and his sons describes a people who were anticipating the birth of Jesus Christ. The half century recounted in the scriptural record highlights the conversion and righteousness of the Lamanites and the wickedness, apostasy, and abominations of the Nephites.
A series of comparisons and contrasts between the Nephites and Lamanites from this ancient record are most instructive for us today.
"The Lamanites had become, the more part of them, a righteous people, insomuch that the ... (continued)
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In the Space of Not Many Years
By Elder David A. Bednar
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 October 2024
📖 general conference
The speaker reflects on the individual and institutional levels of apostasy, emphasizing that while The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will not fall into apostasy, individuals must guard against pride to avoid personal apostasy.
Apostasy can occur at two basic levels"”institutional and individual. At the institutional level, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will not be lost through apostasy or taken from the earth.
The Prophet Joseph Smith proclaimed: "The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing "¦ ; the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and soun ... (continued)
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Integrity: A Christlike Attribute
By Elder Jack N. Gerard
- Of the Seventy
📅 April 2024
📖 general conference
The Savior, Jesus Christ, experienced deep suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, feeling the weight of His impending sacrifice, yet He did not shrink from His responsibility.
In the closing hours of the Savior"™s ministry, He went to the Mount of Olives into a garden called Gethsemane and invited His disciples to wait.1[SeeMatthew 26:30, 36Luke 22:39"“41]Now alone, He petitioned His Father, "If thou be willing, remove this cup from me."2[Luke 22:42]Being in agony, His suffering caused Him, "even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, "¦ and would that [He] might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink."3[Doctrine ... (continued)
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Integrity: A Christlike Attribute
By Elder Jack N. Gerard
- Of the Seventy
📅 April 2024
📖 general conference
During a stake reorganization, Elder Uchtdorf asked the speaker if there was anything in his life that would embarrass him or the Church if made public, leading the speaker to reflect on his integrity and consistency between his words and deeds.
A number of years ago, Elder Uchtdorf was assigned to reorganize our stake. During our interview, he asked me a question I have not forgotten: "Has there been anything in your life that, if brought to the attention of the public, would be an embarrassment to you or the Church?" Surprised, my mind quickly raced over my entire life, trying to recall those moments when I may have fallen short and asking myself, "If others knew everything I had done, what would they think of me or the Church?"
I ... (continued)
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Integrity: A Christlike Attribute
By Elder Jack N. Gerard
- Of the Seventy
📅 April 2024
📖 general conference
Daniel remained true to God despite a decree against praying to anyone but the king's gods, resulting in him being thrown into a lions' den from which he was divinely delivered, demonstrating his integrity.
From our early childhood, we learned the story of Daniel in the lions"™ den. Daniel was always true to God. His jealous peers "sought to find occasion against [him]"9[Daniel 6:4]and contrived a decree mandating prayers to their gods alone. Daniel knew of the decree but went home and"”with "his windows being open"10[Daniel 6:10]"”knelt and prayed three times a day to the God of Israel. As a result, Daniel was cast into the lions"™ den. On the morn, the king found Daniel"™s God had d ... (continued)
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Integrity: A Christlike Attribute
By Elder Jack N. Gerard
- Of the Seventy
📅 April 2024
📖 general conference
Korihor, an anti-Christ, led many astray but ultimately confessed he always knew there was a God, contrasting with Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith's unwavering integrity to their divine identity and truth.
We know some who were not. Of particular significance is the anti-Christ Korihor, who led away the hearts of many, appealing to their "carnal mind."20[Alma 30:53]Yet, in the final moments of his life, he confessed, "I always knew that there was a God."21[Alma 30:52]President Henry B. Eyring has taught that lying "is contrary to the nature of our spirits,"22[Henry B. Eyring, "Going Home" (Brigham Young University devotional, Nov. 18, 1986), 5, speeches.byu.edu.]our divine i ... (continued)
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It Is Wisdom in the Lord That We Should Have the Book of Mormon
By President Mark L. Pace
- Sunday School General President
📅 April 2024
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts a pivotal moment in his youth when his mother asked if he knew the gospel was true, which led him to read the Book of Mormon and pray for confirmation, resulting in a pattern of scripture study that continues to bless him.
I am the product of a similar kind of intentional parenting. When I was a young boy, maybe 11 or 12 years old, my mother asked me, "Mark, do you know for yourself, by the Holy Ghost, that the gospel is true?"
Her question surprised me. I had always tried to be a "good boy," and I thought that was enough. But my mother, like Lehi, knew that something more was needed. I needed to act and know for myself.
I replied that I had not yet had that experience. And she didn"™t seem surprised at al ... (continued)
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Jesus Christ at the Center of Our Lives
By Elder Jose L. Alonso
- Of the Seventy
📅 April 2024
📖 general conference
Jesus performs a miracle by feeding five thousand men, plus women and children, with only five loaves and two fish, demonstrating the power of focusing on God and offering gratitude.
InMatthew 14we learn that after hearing of John the Baptist’s death, Jesus sought solitude. However, a large crowd followed Him. Moved by compassion and love, and not allowing His grief to distract Him from His mission, Jesus welcomed them, healing the sick among them. As evening approached, the disciples faced a daunting challenge: a multitude of people with scant food available. They proposed that Jesus send the crowd away to procure food, but Jesus, with high love and high expectations ... (continued)
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Jesus Christ at the Center of Our Lives
By Elder Jose L. Alonso
- Of the Seventy
📅 April 2024
📖 general conference
Alma the Younger undergoes a transformation from leading many astray to seeking mercy and redemption through Jesus Christ, which brings him overwhelming joy and peace.
The story of Alma the Younger in the Book of Mormon presents a compelling narrative of redemption and the profound impact of centering one’s life around Christ. At first, Alma stood as an opponent of the Lord’s Church, leading many astray from the path of righteousness. However, a divine intervention, marked by an angelic visitation, awakened him from his wrongdoings.
In his darkest hour, tormented by guilt and desperate to find a way out of his spiritual anguish, Alma remembered h ... (continued)
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Live Up to Your Privileges
By President Emily Belle Freeman
- Young Women General President
📅 October 2024
📖 general conference
The speaker reflects on the significance of the sacrament while taking it alone in a hospital room after her husband's surgery and contemplates the power of God's help through the ordinance.
Recently my husband, Greg, received a diagnosis that would require an intensive surgery and months of chemotherapy. Like many of you who have faced a similar situation, we immediately began praying for heaven"™s help and God"™s power. The Sunday following Greg"™s surgery, the sacrament was delivered to our hospital room.
On this occasion, I was the only one taking the sacrament. One piece of bread. One cup of water. At church, my mind often focuses on the delivery system of the sacrament"� ... (continued)
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Live Up to Your Privileges
By President Emily Belle Freeman
- Young Women General President
📅 October 2024
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts her visit to Harmony, Pennsylvania, where she reflects on Emma Smith's life and the revelations she received, which taught Emma about her place in God's plan and how to access God's power.
In 2019 a prophetic invitation was extended to the women of the Church, teaching us how to draw the Savior"™s power into our lives. President Russell M. Nelson invited us to studyDoctrine and Covenants 25a revelation given to Emma Smith in Harmony, Pennsylvania.
Last month I had an unexpected opportunity to visit Harmony. There, under the maple trees, the priesthood was restored to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. Close to those trees is the front door of Joseph and Emma"™s home. Across ... (continued)
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Live Up to Your Privileges
By President Emily Belle Freeman
- Young Women General President
📅 October 2024
📖 general conference
The speaker shares the story of her granddaughter Isabelle's blessing, which included a prayer for her to understand the priesthood and how it will help her access God's power, reflecting the speaker's desire for all girls to realize their potential in God's kingdom.
When our granddaughter Isabelle was given a name and a blessing, her father blessed her with an understanding of the priesthood; that she would continue to grow in and learn about the blessing it would provide in her life; and that her faith in the priesthood would grow as she continued to grow in understanding.
It is not often a little girl is blessed to understand the priesthood and to learn how those priesthood ordinances and covenant promises will help her to access God"™s power. But I rem ... (continued)
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Miracles, Angels, and Priesthood Power
By Elder Shayne M. Bowen
- Of the Seventy
📅 April 2024
📖 general conference
The speaker was arrested and alone in a jail cell during a time of political upheaval in Chile, and after praying fervently, he received comfort and a promise from the Holy Ghost.
In my youth I gained a great respect for this power, especially as it was manifest in priesthood blessings. While serving as a young missionary in Chile, my companion and I were arrested and separated. We were never told why. It was a time of great political upheaval. Thousands of people were taken into custody by the military police and never heard from again.
After being interrogated, I sat alone in a jail cell, not knowing if I would ever see my loved ones again. I turned to my Heavenly Fathe ... (continued)
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Miracles, Angels, and Priesthood Power
By Elder Shayne M. Bowen
- Of the Seventy
📅 April 2024
📖 general conference
The speaker's grandfather, Grant Reese Bowen, raised his mother from the dead through a priesthood blessing after she had passed away.
My paternal grandfather, Grant Reese Bowen, was a man of great faith. I vividly remember hearing him recount how he received his own patriarchal blessing. In his journal, he recorded: "The patriarch promised me the gift of healing. He said, "˜The sick shall be healed. Yea,the dead shall be raised under your hands."™"
Years later, Grandfather was piling hay when he felt prompted to return to the house. He was met by his father coming toward him. "Grant, your mother has just passed away," h ... (continued)
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Miracles, Angels, and Priesthood Power
By Elder Shayne M. Bowen
- Of the Seventy
📅 April 2024
📖 general conference
The speaker's family survived a serious car accident, and his daughter Emily, who was initially lifeless, was brought back to life through a priesthood blessing.
In 1989, our family of seven was returning from a ward outing. It was late. Lynette was expecting our sixth child. She felt a strong prompting to fasten her seat belt, which she had forgotten to do. Shortly thereafter we came around a bend in the road; a car crossed the line into our lane. Going about 70 miles (112 km) an hour, I swerved to avoid hitting the oncoming car. Our van rolled, skidded down the highway, and slid off the road, finally coming to a stop, landing with the passenger side in ... (continued)
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Mortality Works!
By Elder Brook P. Hales
- Of the Seventy
📅 October 2024
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts the life of an older sister he home-taught, who faced many hardships including health problems, divorce, and widowhood, yet remained faithful and found peace after death.
For several years I was assigned to home teach an older sister in my ward. She did not have an easy life. She had various health problems and experienced a lifetime of pain due to a childhood accident on the playground. Divorced at age 32 with four young children to raise and provide for, she remarried at age 50. Her second husband passed away when she was 66, and this sister lived an additional 26 years as a widow.
Despite her lifelong challenges, she was faithful to her covenants to the end. T ... (continued)
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Mortality Works!
By Elder Brook P. Hales
- Of the Seventy
📅 October 2024
📖 general conference
The speaker shares his own personal struggles with emotional pain and shame due to the actions of another, which affected his self-worth, and how he eventually found healing and worth through the Savior's Atonement.
As a youth, I personally experienced great emotional pain and shame that came as the result of the unrighteous actions of another, which for many years affected my self-worth and my sense of worthiness before the Lord. Nevertheless, I bear personal witness that the Lord can strengthen us and bear us up in whatever difficulties we are called upon to experience during our sojourn in this vale of tears.
Like it was for Paul, it was through the Lord"™s help that I was eventually strengthened emoti ... (continued)
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Mortality Works!
By Elder Brook P. Hales
- Of the Seventy
📅 October 2024
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts a dream about his mother, who had a difficult life but remained faithful, in which she appeared to him after her death, radiating spiritual beauty and happiness, confirming to him that mortality works.
My mother did not have an easy journey through mortality. She received no accolades or worldly honors and did not have educational opportunities beyond high school. She contracted polio as a child, resulting in a lifetime of pain and discomfort in her left leg. As an adult, she experienced many difficult and challenging physical and financial circumstances but was faithful to her covenants and loved the Lord.
When my mother was 55, my next older sister passed away, leaving an eight-month-old bab ... (continued)
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Motions of a Hidden Fire
By President Jeffrey R. Holland
- Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 April 2024
📖 general conference
The speaker humorously describes the potential consequences of giving an unacceptable talk, including being banned from speaking at conferences and standing on a trapdoor.
Brothers and sisters, I have learned a painful lesson since I last occupied this pulpit in October of 2022. That lesson is: if you don"™t give an acceptable talk, you can be banned for the next several conferences. You can see I am assigned early in the first session of this one. What you can"™t see is that I am positioned on a trapdoor with a very delicate latch. If this talk doesn"™t go well, I won"™t see you for another few conferences.
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