"We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet"
President Spencer W. Kimball
- President of the Council of the Twelve
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📖 general conference
The speaker provides assurance that the Church will never be led astray by its president, citing President Wilford Woodruff's statement on the matter.
It was President Wilford Woodruff who, in his closing years, made this statement: "I ask my Heavenly Father to pour out his spirit upon me, as his servant, that in my advanced age, and during the few days I have to spend here in the flesh, I may be led by his inspiration. I say to Israel, the Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as president of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the program. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that the Lord would remove ... (continued)
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"We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet"
President Spencer W. Kimball
- President of the Council of the Twelve
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker emphasizes that leadership in the Church is not sought after, but is appointed by God, and that leaders are accountable to God for their actions.
One other leader wrote: "Men do not obtain place in this Church because they seek for it. If it were known that a man was ambitious to hold a certain office in the Church, that fact itself would lead to his defeat because his desire would not be granted unto him. This is the case with the officers of this Church. "¦ [They] are responsible to God. God chose and nominated [them], and it is for him to straighten [them] out if [they] do wrong." (George Q. Cannon, in Deseret Weekly, May 21, 1898, ... (continued)
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"We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet"
President Spencer W. Kimball
- President of the Council of the Twelve
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker concludes by expressing their testimony of God and Jesus Christ, affirming President Lee as the Lord's prophet, and urging followers to support him.
May the Lord bless our new President and his counselors and fully sustain them. May we the people uphold his hands and totally sustain President Harold B. Lee, whom I know to be the Lord"™s prophet on this earth. I bear testimony that God, whose voice was heard on the Jordan River, among the Nephites, in the grove in New York, is our Heavenly Father; and the one to whom he alluded when he said, "This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" [see Matt. 3:17, 3 Ne. 11:7, and JS"”H 1:17] ... (continued)
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"We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet"
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley
- Of the Council of the Twelve
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📖 general conference
The speaker recounts the story of a man from Sheffield, England, who wrote the hymn 'We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet' after being discharged from his job for joining the Mormon Church, expressing his deep gratitude for divine revelation.
It was written more than a century ago by a man of humble circumstances who lived in Sheffield, England. He worked in the steel mills and was discharged because he joined the Mormon Church. But there burned in his heart a great and fervent testimony; and out of an overflowing spirit of gratitude, he penned these marvelous lines. They have become a grateful expression of appreciation for millions over the earth. I myself have heard them sung in 21 different languages as a reverent prayer of thank ... (continued)
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"We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet"
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley
- Of the Council of the Twelve
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📖 general conference
The speaker shares the story of initiating missionary work in the Philippines, where they met the only native Filipino member of the Church at the time, who found an old copy of Reader's Digest with a story about Joseph Smith that led him to seek out the Church and become its first native elder in the Philippines.
Twelve years ago, in company with the mission president from Hong Kong, it was my opportunity to initiate the work in the Philippines. On April 28, 1961, we held a meeting that will never be forgotten by those of us who were present. We had no hall then in which to meet. We made a request of the United States Embassy for permission to meet on the beautiful porch of the marble memorial in the American military cemetery at Fort McKinley on the outskirts of Manila. We convened at 6:30 in the mornin ... (continued)
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"We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet"
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley
- Of the Council of the Twelve
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📖 general conference
The speaker tells of a young Christian man who, after trying various churches, embraced Judaism for its reverence of prophets, but later converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after learning about modern prophets at the Mormon Pavilion during the New York World's Fair.
I think today of a young man I know who, as a Christian, trying one church after another, could find none that taught of a prophet. Only among the Jewish people did he find reverent mention of the prophets, and so he accepted and embraced the Jewish religion.
In the summer of 1964, he went to New York City and visited the World's Fair. He entered the Mormon Pavilion and saw pictures of the prophets of the Old Testament. His heart warmed within him as he heard the missionaries speak with apprecia ... (continued)
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"We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet"
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley
- Of the Council of the Twelve
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📖 general conference
The speaker recounts a conversation with a young man on a plane reading 'Joseph Smith, an American Prophet,' who was intrigued by the concept of a modern prophet, leading to a discussion and the speaker's testimony of Joseph Smith's prophetic role.
Two weeks ago we were riding a plane from San Francisco to Sydney, Australia. We noted a young man in a nearby seat reading the book Joseph Smith, an American Prophet. When opportunity presented itself, I spoke to him. I told him that I had read the book, that I had known the author, and asked him what his interest was. He said, among other things, that he had an interest in prophets and that this matter of a possible modern prophet had intrigued him. He had picked up the book at the library. We ... (continued)
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"We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet"
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley
- Of the Council of the Twelve
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📖 general conference
The speaker reflects on the life of Joseph Smith, describing his trials and the refinement he underwent, becoming a 'polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty,' and compares this to the lives of his successors who have also been refined for their sacred responsibilities.
I am profoundly grateful, my brethren and sisters, not only for Joseph Smith as the prophet who served as an instrument in the hands of the Almighty in restoring this work, but also for all of those who have followed him. A study of their lives will reveal the manner in which the Lord has chosen them, has refined them, and has molded them to his eternal purposes. Joseph Smith declared on one occasion: 'I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; ... with all hell knocking of ... (continued)
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"We Will Go with Our Young and with Our Old"
Elder Hugh W. Pinnock
- Of the First Quorum of the Seventy
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📖 general conference
The speaker recounts the story of Mnason, an old disciple in the New Testament, who was sought after by early missionaries for his wisdom and knowledge.
Few men whose names occur in the New Testament have so little said about them as did Mnason. His name appears only once: "one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge"Acts 21:16As the early missionaries traveled, they wanted to be with an elderly disciple, one with whom they felt comfortable. Apparently, they were seeking his wisdom and his knowledge.
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"We Will Go with Our Young and with Our Old"
Elder Hugh W. Pinnock
- Of the First Quorum of the Seventy
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📖 general conference
The speaker recounts a conversation with a Protestant minister on a flight, who expressed admiration for the inclusivity of age groups in the speaker's church.
While flying from Erie to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, several years ago, I sat next to the minister of a large Protestant church. He was dressed in the garb of the clergy, so was easy to identify. After I had introduced myself as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he asked, "Do you know what we ministers talk about when we meet together? We talk about the Mormons. We see the young and the elderly, teenagers, small children, and the newly married crowding into your chapels ... (continued)
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"We Will Go with Our Young and with Our Old"
Elder Hugh W. Pinnock
- Of the First Quorum of the Seventy
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📖 general conference
The speaker reflects on Moses' insistence that all Israelites, regardless of age, should leave Egypt together, drawing a parallel to the unity across ages in their own church community.
That experience reminded me of the difficulty Moses had persuading Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave Egypt. One plague followed another until the Egyptian ruler finally gave in. After being threatened with hordes of locusts, Pharaoh agreed to let the men go if Moses would leave the women, the young, and the old behind. (SeeEx. 10:3"“11 However, Moses insisted that all should go. He said, "We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and wi ... (continued)
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"We Will Go with Our Young and with Our Old"
Elder Hugh W. Pinnock
- Of the First Quorum of the Seventy
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📖 general conference
The speaker shares personal gratitude for the older individuals in their life, including a great-aunt, a grandmother, a patriarch, Elder LeGrand Richards, and President Kimball, who have all provided guidance and influence.
I cannot think on my own life without feeling deep gratitude for the older people who have walked and talked with me. A great-aunt taught me many lessons in her own sensitive way. A lovely grandmother has influenced not only her own grandchildren, but also many of their friends. A patriarch, by living righteously and by giving a beautiful blessing, changed the course of a young man"™s life. Elder LeGrand Richards"™s powerful voice and testimony have brought the truth of the gospel to all who ... (continued)
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"What About Jesus Christ"
President David O. McKay
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📖 general conference
The Premier of Soviet Russia threatens to rely on his own strength if the United Nations does not reorganize according to his demands and to ignore the UN's peace-making machinery unless changes are made.
Last Monday morning, October third, the Premier of Soviet Russia threatened that if the United Nations does not reorganize as he demands, the communist bloc will 'rely on their own strength to block us.' He also threatened to ignore the United Nation's peace-making machinery unless the Secretary General of the United Nations resign, and his position, that is, the Secretary's position, be replaced by a communist-styled, three-man presidium armed with veto powers.
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"What About Jesus Christ"
President David O. McKay
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📖 general conference
Lord Balfour gives a lecture on the moral values uniting nations, omitting Jesus Christ, until a Japanese student reminds him of this oversight.
About fifty years ago, Lord Balfour, Prime Minister of Great Britain, delivered a lecture in the McEwen Hall of the University of Edinburgh, upon the subject, 'The Moral Value which Unites the Nations,'—the moral values. In an interesting and convincing manner, the gentleman presented the fundamental ties that unite the different nations of the world: First, common knowledge; second, common commercial interests; third, the intercourse of diplomatic relationships; fourth, the bonds of huma ... (continued)
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"What About Jesus Christ"
President David O. McKay
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📖 general conference
Peter boldly declares Jesus Christ as the Savior before the Jews, some of whom were involved in Christ's crucifixion.
Nearly two thousand years ago, Christ's chief apostle on one occasion, when he was arraigned before the Jews for having healed an impotent man, made the following declaration: 'Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is the ... (continued)
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"What Are the Blessings of a Mission? Can Ye Tell?"
Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone
- Of the First Quorum of the Seventy
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📖 general conference
Elder Grannis was offered a $28,000 Ferrari to stay and work instead of serving a mission, but he chose to serve and completed his mission successfully.
Another fine young elder was called on a mission. At the time, he drove cars across the country for a foreign car company. When his boss, who was not LDS, heard he was going to be gone for two years to serve a mission, he said, 'If you will stay at home and work for me, I will give you a $28,000 Ferrari.' Elder Grannis completed his mission a month ago as a presiding zone leader.
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"What Are the Blessings of a Mission? Can Ye Tell?"
Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone
- Of the First Quorum of the Seventy
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📖 general conference
Sister Featherstone struggled to find personal time while serving a mission in Texas and received a spiritual lesson that her time was to be dedicated to the Lord's work.
When we first arrived, Sister Featherstone went to the Lord and said: 'We don’t have much time. Please let me learn quickly so that the work will go forth.' Later she said, 'The Lord has answered my prayers. He taught me several great lessons. One of those lessons came after the first three or four weeks in the mission field. I was unable to find a few minutes each day to repair to a quiet spot. When I was home I would take about forty-five minutes in the afternoon and go out and curry do ... (continued)
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"What Are the Blessings of a Mission? Can Ye Tell?"
Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone
- Of the First Quorum of the Seventy
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📖 general conference
Elder and Sister Weidel shared an experience where they found groceries provided for them after giving away their own food to a needy family.
Elder and Sister Weidel wrote in their weekly letter: 'Please, may we take a few moments to tell you of a spiritual experience this week. Friday Elder Curtis, who was splitting with Elder Aloi, came to work with us and afterwards we took them home. Elder Aloi invited us in to see what a real elders’ apartment looks like. He went through the back door to open the front door, and in a moment he came out beaming. ‘Elder, come and see what has been brought to us.’ There on the ta ... (continued)
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"What Are the Blessings of a Mission? Can Ye Tell?"
Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone
- Of the First Quorum of the Seventy
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📖 general conference
Widowed missionary Sister Lorna Call Alder shared how her mission experiences, including living through revolutions and the death of her husband, brought her closer to the Lord.
One of the sweet, widowed sister missionaries, Lorna Call Alder, said in her weekly letter to me: 'The experiences of my mission have strengthened my testimony greatly. I cannot remember when I gained a testimony, but I do remember many experiences that have enriched and built upon the foundation I have. Of the many humbling experiences I’ve had, these past eight months have brought me closer to the Lord than any other period. I’ve lived through three revolutions in Mexico, which r ... (continued)
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"What Are the Blessings of a Mission? Can Ye Tell?"
Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone
- Of the First Quorum of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
A daughter wrote to President Featherstone expressing her love and support for her parents who were about to serve an eighteen-month mission.
Some months back we had a lovely couple assigned to our mission. Before they arrived, I received a letter from their daughter. In part she said: 'Dear President Featherstone, you are getting two of the most wonderful folks in the world in a few weeks to serve in your mission for eighteen months. They are just tickled pink to be serving under you. They told me they plan to do whatever you tell them to do. You enjoy mom and dad. We’ll miss them, so please take good care of them while they a ... (continued)
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