A Basis for Faith in the Living God
President N. Eldon Tanner
- First Counselor in the First Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
President Heber J. Grant recounts a story from Senator Albert J. Beveridge's book, where Beveridge describes asking ministers three fundamental questions about their belief in God, Christ, and the afterlife, to which none could answer 'Yes.'
Recently I was reading from a talk given in September 1919 by President Heber J. Grant, the seventh president of the Church. He told of reading a book entitledThe Young Man and the World,written by Senator Albert J. Beveridge. In one chapter called "The Young Man and the Pulpit," Mr. Beveridge said, according to President Grant, that "any man who enters the pulpit to preach, if he is not converted in his heart of hearts to the truth of that which he preaches, commits a sacrilege every time he ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Blessing
President David O. McKay
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recalls a memory from noon that day about a book by Charles Wagner, 'The Simple Life,' which describes the qualities of a good religion.
At noon today, there came to me the memory of something I had read years ago in a book entitled, The Simple Life, written by Charles Wagner. He said: 'Your religion is good—first, if it is vital and active; second, if it nourishes in you confidence, hope, love, and a sentiment of the infinite value of existence; third, if it is allied with what is best in you against what is worst, and holds forever before you the necessity of becoming a new man; fourth, if it makes you understand that pa ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Blessing for the Saints
President Harold B. Lee
📅 0
📖 general conference
Joseph Smith, while in Liberty Jail, wrote to his followers to do all they could and then watch for God's salvation.
In the midst of similar circumstances the Prophet Joseph Smith was in the Liberty jail trying to think of something he could do to strengthen his people. He wrote some significant words. He said:
"Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven"”
"These should then be attended to with great earnestness. "¦
"You know, brethren," he wrote, "that a very large ship is ben ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Blessing for the Saints
President Harold B. Lee
📅 0
📖 general conference
During a snowstorm in Manti, Utah, the speaker and the stake president admired the beauty of the lit temple amidst the storm, which led to a reflection on the gospel's beauty in times of need.
I was at Manti, Utah, some years ago. As we came out of the Saturday night leadership meeting, there was a heavy snowstorm. As we drove to the home of the stake president, he stopped his car and turned back to the temple hill. There the lighted temple was standing majestically. We sat there in silence for a few moments, inspired by the sight of that beautiful, sacred place. He said, "You know, Brother Lee, that temple is never more beautiful than in times of a dense fog or in times of a heavy, s ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Blessing for the Saints
President Harold B. Lee
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker reflects on how the recent conference and the support of the church members have changed him, making him different from before and feeling the weight of their expectations.
I come now to the closing moments of this session when I have time for some sobered reflections. Somehow I have had the feeling that during the expressions here, whenever my name has been mentioned, they were talking of somebody other than myself. And I really think that is so, because one cannot go through the experience that I have gone through these last three days and be the same as before. I am different than I was before Friday morning.
I cannot go back to where I was because of the love a ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Blessing for the Saints
President Harold B. Lee
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares how the recent events have brought his family closer together and how he has felt the presence of those beyond sight, emphasizing the unity and support within his family.
Some great compensations have come to me in these last few days. Never has my family, the intimate family of mine, been drawn more closely together. One by one these precious children, grandchildren of mine, and my own dear companion have drawn closer, and I have reason to believe that those beyond sight have been very near to us, their families and mine. There has been a unity and a pledge to me that they feel that this is their call. I have said to them, "My sermons will be no better than the ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Book with a Promise
Elder Craig C. Christensen
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker and a friend presented a set of scriptures to a non-member associate, which led to a deep discussion about the need for additional witnesses of Jesus Christ beyond the Bible.
Several months ago a friend and I had the opportunity of presenting a set of scriptures to an associate who is not a member of the Church. Knowing that this might be a life-changing event for him"”and for us"”we took the time to have his name embossed on each volume. As we presented these sacred records to him, we could tell he was deeply moved by the significance and sincerity of our offering. For several minutes he examined each book without speaking, rubbing his hand on the cover and turn ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Book with a Promise
Elder Craig C. Christensen
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker and his friend explained the significance of the Book of Mormon to their associate, discussing its promise, purpose, teachings, and testimony of Jesus Christ.
We began by expressing our devotion and deep conviction to the doctrines and teachings of the Bible, especially the New Testament. Being able to read many of the Savior"™s words as He taught the gospel during His earthly ministry strengthens us, helps us come to know Him, and teaches us that we can become more like Him. We then declared that, like the Bible, the Book of Mormon is additional evidence that God loves all of His children and has provided a way for us to return and live with Him on ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Book with a Promise
Elder Craig C. Christensen
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker reflects on the impact of the Book of Mormon in his life and bears his testimony of its truth, the living prophet, and the restored gospel.
I express my solemn witness that the Book of Mormon is true. It is a book that has brought about a mighty change in my life. I know that God lives. Jesus is the Christ. His gospel has been restored to the earth. President Thomas S. Monson is His prophet and living oracle at this time. The Spirit I feel as I daily read, ponder, and pray about the Book of Mormon strengthens my understanding and testimony of these things and reaffirms to me that they are true. I humbly share this testimony and my ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Brief Introduction to the Church
Elder John B. Dickson
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts the story of his father-in-law, Robert E. Jones, who joined the Church in 1960, having been raised in a Christian home and learning the importance of faith in Jesus Christ.
The situation of many of you may be like that of my deceased father-in-law, Robert E. Jones, who joined the Church in 1960. He had been raised in a wonderful Christian home, where reading the Bible and adhering to Christian principles were a normal part of family life. At his mother"™s knee he learned many truths, including the importance of having faith in Jesus Christ and following His example.
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Brief Introduction to the Church
Elder John B. Dickson
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker testifies to the truth of the Book of Mormon and the teachings of Moroni, mentioning that he, his father-in-law, and millions of others have found these things to be true through personal experience.
My father-in-law, myself, and millions of others have put Moroni"™s declaration and promise to the test and found that these things are true. My sincere promise is that you can do as Moroni has prompted and experience the same rewarding result.
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Brief Introduction to the Church
Elder John B. Dickson
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares the story of Joseph Smith's confusion among the churches of his day, leading to a vision in a sacred grove where he was visited by the Father and the Son and told to establish the Church of Jesus Christ.
The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in its fulness. We declare that the great restoration that the ancient prophets spoke of began in 1820 when the Lord called a young man named Joseph Smith to reestablish the Church. The Restoration began as Joseph, perplexed by the confusion among the churches of his day, sought to know which church was true. I solemnly declare that, in a sacred grove of trees in upstate New York, this young man was visited by the Father and the Son and was told he wa ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Call to Action
Sister Barbara B. Smith
- Relief Society General President
📅 0
📖 general conference
A ward Relief Society president reports on helping an elderly widow cope with life after her husband's death, including meal planning, housework, and garden maintenance.
In one ward a Relief Society president seemed to understand these responsibilities. In a regular weekly ward welfare services committee meeting she reported that an elderly widow was having trouble coping with life after the recent loss of her husband. Her health was waning, her legs were causing her problems and limiting her ability to move about and care for herself. She was understandably very lonely and also worried about her neglected garden. Considerable concern was expressed about her poo ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Call to Action
Sister Barbara B. Smith
- Relief Society General President
📅 0
📖 general conference
A man shares a story about working with his wife to collect rocks for facing the front of their home, highlighting her enthusiasm and unique perspective.
Something of this relationship might be seen if I relate a conversation with a friend of mine. He said, "My wife and I decided to face the front of our home with rocks. So I called around and located a place where I could get them.
"I started to get into my truck when my wife called to me and said, "˜Let me go with you. I want to help you."™
"When we got to the place where the rocks were located, we found them on the top of a hill. I complained, "˜That"™s going to be a terrible job to get ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Call to Arms
Elder Rex D. Pinegar
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The town of Reading, Pennsylvania, forms four companies for the fight for freedom, including the 'Old Man's Company' consisting of men aged forty and upwards, led by a ninety-seven-year-old.
We read of four companies formed in the town of Reading, Berks county, Pennsylvania"”the fourth being called the "Old Man"™s Company" because it consisted of about eighty "old men" of the age offortyand upwards. The person who, at their first assembling, led them to the field was ninety-seven years of age. The drummer was eighty-four.
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Call to Arms
Elder Rex D. Pinegar
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
Charles Lee, a top commander in the fight for freedom, observes that the same spirit of liberty animates all men across the continent.
Hear the words of Charles Lee, who became one of the top commanders in this fight for freedom:
"No man is better acquainted with the state of this continent than myself. I have conversed with all orders of man, from the first estated gentlemen to the lowest planters and farmers, and thesame spirit animates the whole."(Wheeler, p. 59. Italics added.)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Call to Arms
Elder Rex D. Pinegar
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
A young doctor from Massachusetts in 1775 records his thoughts on the just and sacred cause of defending their inheritance and the duty to fight valiantly.
A young doctor of Barnstable, Massachusetts, recorded in his journal on the 21st of April, 1775, the following:
"This event seems to have electrified all classes of people "¦ inspiriting and rousing the people to arms! to arms! "¦ Never was a cause more just, more sacred, than ours. We are commanded to defend the rich inheritance bequeathed to us by our virtuous ancestors; it is our bounden duty to transmit it uncontaminated to our posterity. We must fight valiantly." (Richard Wheeler,Voices ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Call to Arms
Elder Rex D. Pinegar
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
A well-to-do female citizen from Boston writes about the stakes of liberty and her willingness to send her brother and other family members to fight for the cause.
From Boston, Massachusetts, a well-to-do female citizen wrote:
"Our all is at stake; and we are called upon by every tie that is dear and sacred, to exert the spirit that heaven has given us in this righteous struggle for liberty. "¦ My only brother I have sent to the camp with my prayers and blessings. "¦ I am confident he will behave with honor. "¦ and had I twenty sons and brothers, they should go. "¦ Nothing is heard now in our streets but the trumpet and drum and the universal cry is, " ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Call to Arms
Elder Rex D. Pinegar
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
Citizens of all ages in Bristol township show patriotism by providing a regiment with colors and drums, and both young and old march out under the banners of liberty.
Also from a Pennsylvania newspaper came the report of other examples of patriotism from citizens ofallages:
"The ladies in Bristol township have evidenced a laudable regard to the interest of their country. At their own expense they have furnished the regiment of that county with a suit of colors and drums. "¦
"The aged as well as the young daily march out under the banners of liberty and reveal a determined resolution to maintain her cause even until death." (Wheeler, p. 50.)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Call to Arms
Elder Rex D. Pinegar
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
Fernando Requino, a young man from Brazil, overcomes financial and familial obstacles to serve a mission after feeling inspired by the words of the prophet.
Representative of these many noble examples is this young man from Brazil:
Fernando Requino was attending a sacrament meeting in his small branch when he heard the mission president emphasize President Kimball"™s declaration that every young man should prepare himself for missionary service. Until that time he hadn"™t thought it possible or necessary to even consider serving a mission. He had begun an apprenticeship; he supported himself and earned only enough money to pay for his schooling. ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →