"Whom Say Ye..."
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
- Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts Joseph Smith's vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ, emphasizing the persecution he faced for sharing his experience.
Joseph Smith said: ". . . I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision, and who am I that I can withstand God ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"Whom Say Ye..."
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
- Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker explains to a member of the press in South America the purpose of his visit, likening it to the apostolic missions of Paul and the mandate to preach the gospel to all the world.
Almost every time a man of the press approached me in South America, his first question was: "What are you doing and what is your objective in South America?" And I said to him: "Do you remember in the Acts of the Apostles, of the travels of Paul, where he went into Asia Minor, to Greece, and to Rome, and possibly even farther west? That is what we are doing. One of my colleagues is just returning from the South Seas; another has just returned from South Africa, another from Europe. We are doing ... (continued)
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"Whom Say Ye..."
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
- Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker reflects on the divine testimonies of Jesus Christ given by God the Father at various times and places, including at the waters of Jordan, the Mount of Transfiguration, and to the Nephites.
The Lord testified of himself in addition to the numerous testimonies of him. He said to his Father in that glorious prayer: "Father, glorify thy name. Then came a voice from heaven, saying I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again"John 12:28 There is a very interesting distinction between the introduction of our Father in heaven of his Son on the waters of Jordan, the one on the Mount of Transfiguration, and a little later in the Nephite country. He said to John at Jordan, and those o ... (continued)
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"Whom Say Ye..."
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
- Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing Jesus Christ as the Son of God, sharing Peter's declaration of faith and the testimonies of four hundred missionaries.
You remember what Peter said when the disciples were asked, ". . . Whom do men say that I, the Son of man, am?" They spoke up and said men thought him to be Elias or one of the other prophets, and then the Lord said again, and I can imagine his piercing eyes, wondering and expectant eyes, ". . . But whom say ye that I am?" And the answer was one of the most stirring and glorious of all statements made, ". . . Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." And the ... (continued)
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"Whom the Lord Calls, the Lord Qualifies"
Elder Neil L. Andersen
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares his confidence in the Lord's ability to qualify those He calls, based on President Monson's words and his own experiences of feeling supported by the Lord.
I have heard President Monson say, "Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies." I know this is true, and it gives me hope looking beyond my own inadequacies. I know that when we are on the Lord"™s errand, he will be with us, he will strengthen us, he will build our capacities. I have experienced it. I have felt his lifting Spirit. In the months and years ahead, I will need him so very much.
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"Whom the Lord Calls, the Lord Qualifies"
Elder Neil L. Andersen
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker expresses gratitude for his family, mentioning his parents' missionary service, his wife's goodness, and the example set by his in-laws.
I am grateful for my wonderful companion, Kathy. She makes goodness look easy, and the purity of her spirit keeps our family focused on the simple yet saving truths of the gospel. I"™m so thankful for the valiant and precious children that have been entrusted to us. I love them dearly and appreciate so much their willingness to support me in this new calling. I have been blessed with goodly parents. My parents are now serving as proselyting missionaries in the Georgia Macon Mission. Even befor ... (continued)
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"Whom the Lord Calls, the Lord Qualifies"
Elder Neil L. Andersen
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker reflects on his family's mission in southern France, expressing love for the members there and how it inspired greater dedication to the gospel.
Our family returned nine months ago from a mission in southern France. I want to express my great love for the members in France. It was in France twenty years ago that I began to glimpse what seeking first the kingdom of God really meant. And living among these French Saints during the last three years has motivated our family to a much greater consecration. I am so grateful for the tremendous missionaries who served there with us and taught us that uncompromising faith will always prevail in a ... (continued)
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"Whoso Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me"
Elder Neil L. Andersen
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Leif attended church by himself and was terrified to give a talk in Primary without his parents, leading him to stay away from church for several months.
My friend Leif attended church by himself. Once, while in Primary, he was asked to give a short talk. He had no mom or dad at church to stand beside him and help him if he forgot what to say. Leif was terrified. Rather than embarrass himself, he just stayed away from church for several months.
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"Whoso Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me"
Elder Neil L. Andersen
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Shelley from Canada shares how her mother, after years of attending church as a nonmember, was baptized and set a quiet, steadfast example that kept Shelley close to the Church.
Our friend Shelley from Canada said of her mother: "Missionaries knocked on my parents"™ door five years before I was born. My parents took a few lessons, and then my father didn"™t have any more interest. My mother continued to take the lessons and desired baptism. For five years my mother went to church as a nonmember, and then three months after I was born, she was able to be baptized. "My mother has never been very vocal or in great leadership positions. She has a very simple, sweet, ste ... (continued)
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"Whoso Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me"
Elder Neil L. Andersen
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Randall speaks about his hope of not following the same course as his parents and his trust in the teachings from the Church to help him have a faithful, happy family.
Our friend Randall told me: "I was taught and I knew that I was a son of heavenly parents, and knowing my real identity and nature gave me hope that I didn"™t need to follow the same course as my parents, whom I adored but didn"™t want to copy. I trusted what I had been taught by Primary, Sunday School, and Young Men and other teachers. I saw examples in the ward and my extended family of faithful, happy families, and I trusted Heavenly Father, knowing that if I remained faithful, He would h ... (continued)
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"Whoso Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me"
Elder Neil L. Andersen
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Bette, at 10 years old, felt isolated and fearful for her eternal future after a Sunday School lesson highlighted that her parents were not married in the temple.
Our friend Bette shared an experience she had at church when she was 10 years old. She said: "Our teacher was sharing a lesson about temple marriage. She specifically asked me, "˜Bette, your parents weren"™t married in the temple, were they?"™ [My teacher and the rest of the class] knew the answer." The teacher"™s lesson followed, and Bette imagined the worst. Bette said, "I had many tearful nights. When I had heart problems two years later and thought I was going to die, I panicked, th ... (continued)
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"Whoso Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me"
Elder Neil L. Andersen
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Zuleika from Brazil, not from a religious family, began searching for God at age 12, studied with missionaries, and was baptized with the desire to have an eternal family.
Our friend Zuleika comes from Alegrete, Brazil. Although her family was not religious, at age 12, Zuleika began to read the Bible and visit local churches, searching to know more about God. With her parents"™ reluctant permission, she studied with the missionaries, gained a testimony, and was baptized. Zuleika told me: "During the discussions, I was shown a picture of the Salt Lake Temple and told about the sealing ordinances. From that moment, I had the desire of one day entering into the hou ... (continued)
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"Whoso Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me"
Elder Neil L. Andersen
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Max, baptized at eight years old, stopped attending church as a teenager but felt the need to return and was warmly welcomed by the new bishop, reaffirming his decision.
My friend Max was baptized when he was eight years old. His father was not a member of any church, and Max could go to church or not go. As a teenager, after not attending for several months, Max had the feeling that he needed to go back to church and determined one Sunday morning that he would return. But his resolve weakened as he approached the front door of the church; his stomach tightened. There, standing at the door, was the new bishop. Max didn"™t know him, and he felt sure the bishop ... (continued)
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"Whoso Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me"
Elder Neil L. Andersen
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Emily, whose parents divorced, waited until she was 15 to be baptized and speaks highly of a Young Women leader who made her feel included and strengthened her testimony.
Emily, although without active parents, spoke lovingly of grandparents, uncles and aunts, and others who "stood in" for her parents. Speaking of a Young Women leader in Michigan, she said: "Her children were grown, and she made it her point to make each of the young women feel as though they were her own daughter. "¦ Her smile could warm your heart on the hardest of days. "¦ I"™ve made it my goal to follow her lead and be a Sister Molnar for those children who may feel "˜different,"™ "� ... (continued)
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"Whoso Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me"
Elder Neil L. Andersen
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Joseph Ssengooba from Uganda, orphaned at age nine, was baptized at 12 and warmly welcomed into the Church and a new home, later serving a mission with the boy who first befriended him.
I close with the example of a new friend, someone we met a few weeks ago while visiting the Zambia Lusaka Mission. Elder Joseph Ssengooba is from Uganda. His father died when he was seven. At age nine, with his mother and relatives unable to care for him, he was on his own. At age 12, he met the missionaries and was baptized. Joseph told me of his first day at church: "After sacrament meeting, I thought it was time to go home, but the missionaries introduced me to Joshua Walusimbi. Joshua told m ... (continued)
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"Whoso Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me"
Elder Neil L. Andersen
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
During a visit to Mbuji-Mayi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the speaker and his wife invited children outside a fence to join an outdoor meeting, symbolizing the need to welcome and embrace youth who feel left out.
When my wife, Kathy, and I were in Africa a few weeks ago, we visited Mbuji-Mayi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Because the chapel was not large enough for the 2,000 members, we met out of doors under large plastic coverings supported by bamboo poles. As the meeting began, we could see dozens of children watching us, clinging to the bars on the outside of the wrought-iron fence that surrounded the property. Kathy quietly whispered, "Neil, do you think that you might want to invite the childr ... (continued)
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"Why Call Me Lord, Lord, and Do Not the Things Which I Say?"
President Spencer W. Kimball
📅 0
📖 general conference
President Brigham Young once refused to return to communities that did not heed his counsel to clean and dress their premises, as the same neglect was evident upon his potential return.
There is a story that President Brigham Young, having urged the people of certain communities to properly dress and clean their premises, refused to go back to them to preach to them, saying something like this: 'You didn’t listen to me when I urged you to fix up your premises. The same doors are off their hinges; the same barns are still unpainted; the same fences are partly fallen.'
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"Why Can"™t We?"
Elder David B. Haight
- Assistant to the Council of the Twelve
📅 0
📖 general conference
A persistent home teacher repeatedly visits an inactive member early on Sunday mornings to offer a ride to priesthood meeting, eventually leading to the member attending the meeting and reactivating in the Church.
Recently I heard of a far-sighted home teacher in an elders quorum who was given the name of an inactive member. On his way to priesthood meeting early one Sunday morning, he called at the home of this member.
"I"™m on my way to priesthood meeting and thought you might like a ride."
This man, startled and somewhat angry at this early Sunday morning disruption of his sleep, said, "No. I"™m not interested," and slammed the door. He wondered how the Church got his name.
The following Sunday ... (continued)
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"Why Can"™t We?"
Elder David B. Haight
- Assistant to the Council of the Twelve
📅 0
📖 general conference
An elders quorum president in the Durango Colorado Stake successfully reactivates members using home teaching, filmstrips, discussion groups, and social activities, leading to nearly full participation in home teaching.
Six months ago Raymond Gerloch was called as elders quorum president in the Durango Colorado Stake. He reports wonderful success in reactivating members. Home teaching is their success tool. They use filmstrips to help teach and motivate the inactive. Seven quorum members have each purchased a film projector which home teachers use in the homes of the inactive.
One prospective elder had remarked, "Don"™t send the home teachers to my home anymore." This man and his wife were visiting at the h ... (continued)
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"Why Can"™t We?"
Elder David B. Haight
- Assistant to the Council of the Twelve
📅 0
📖 general conference
A man describes how he and his wife became inactive after their conversion due to the transfer of the missionaries who taught them, but were reactivated after the persistent love and care shown by the elders quorum president.
Recently a man told how he became lost in the middle of a ward with 500 members: "My wife and I had our first contact with the Church when two sweet, spiritual missionaries called. They came, they taught, they converted. We literally lived off their spirit. Like many converts know, the first thing after you are baptized, those two wonderful elders are transferred.
"It was extremely difficult for us to keep that same spirit. We felt we could not go it alone. We withdrew from Church activity. My w ... (continued)
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