A Great and Marvelous Work
Elder Milton R. Hunter
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker bears his personal testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, having received a powerful witness from the Holy Ghost.
I bear my testimony that I know positively that the Book of Mormon is true. It is the word of
God. I am as sure of it as I am sure that I am alive, or as I am sure that I am speaking unto
you today. The Holy Ghost has borne powerful witness to my heart and mind of the
truthfulness of this divine book, and has filled my heart with a powerful love for it and an
exceedingly great love for my Savior. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Forgiveness
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A Great and Marvelous Work
Elder Milton R. Hunter
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The Lord commissioned Oliver Cowdery to assist Joseph Smith in translating the Book of Mormon, which was to play a prominent role in the 'great and marvelous work' of restoring the gospel and establishing the Church of Jesus Christ on earth.
The Lord spoke from heaven to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery 140 years ago and said:
"A great and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men . . .
"Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God"D&C 6:1,21
A great and marvelous work
And then he commissioned Oliver Cowdery to assist Joseph Smith in translating the Book of Mormon. This book was designed to play a prominent role in this "great and marvelous work."
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A Great and Marvelous Work
Elder Milton R. Hunter
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
Ancient prophets brought priesthoods, keys, and powers to Joseph Smith, who established the Church and named it the Church of Jesus Christ, endowed with power to carry forth Christ's work.
Accordingly, numerous ancient prophets brought to Joseph Smith the priesthoods, keys, and powers of their dispensations. Through direct revelation from the Savior, Joseph Smith established the Church and officially named it the Church of Jesus Christ. This church was endowed with power from God to carry forth the work of the Master and build a kingdom to which the Savior will eventually come to reign.
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A Great and Marvelous Work
Elder Milton R. Hunter
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The Book of Mormon was initiated by Jesus Christ 2,500 years ago to testify of His divinity and to bring the honest in heart into His Church in the latter days.
Jehovah, or Jesus Christ, began making preparations 2,500 years ago for this "great and marvelous work" in the latter days by initiating a project to produce a holy scripture to testify to his divinity. Also, the scripture was destined to play a prominent role in helping to give the gospel of Jesus Christ to the honest in heart and bring them into his Church in the latter days.
This holy scripture is known as the Book of Mormon. Therefore, the Book of Mormon is the voice of God to our generation ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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A Great and Marvelous Work
Elder Milton R. Hunter
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The Book of Mormon is unique in many ways, including its initiation, production, role, translation, and the testimonies of its divinity.
No holy scripture in the world is unique in as many ways as is the Book of Mormon.
First, Jesus Christ initiated its writing and through numerous revelations supervised its production, which is unique.
Second, as early as 600 B.C. the Master proclaimed that this record would play a unique role in the latter days in testifying that he was the Christ, the Savior of the world, thereby sustaining the testimony of the Jews, the Holy Bible.
Third, through 1,000 years' time the prophets who wrote the b ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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A Great and Marvelous Work
Elder Milton R. Hunter
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
Jesus Christ himself testified to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and the 'Testimony of Three Witnesses' provided a powerful witness of its divinity.
Testimonies of divinity
Let us now pay particular attention to some remarkable testimonies regarding the truthfulness and divinity of the Book of Mormon. One of the strongest testimonies came directly from the mouth of Jesus Christ himself. In June 1829, the Savior spoke from heaven and declared:
". . . as your Lord and your God liveth it [the Book of Mormon] is true"D&C 17:6I am
positive that my Lord and God liveth—and so I am also positive that the Book of Mormon is
true.
No other book ... (continued)
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A Great and Marvelous Work
Elder Milton R. Hunter
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The Book of Mormon's coming forth has divided people into believers and nonbelievers, with believers testifying to its divinity and nonbelievers rejecting it due to its miraculous nature.
Since the coming forth of the Book of Mormon is so astounding, it has divided all people
who have come into contact with it into two definitely separate groups—believers and
nonbelievers. Those who believe love it, enthusiastically testify to its divinity, and proclaim
its great worth to humanity. Those who disbelieve it hate it. Many brilliant men have written
viciously against it. No book has had as many attacks made upon it as has the Book of
Mormon.
One may wonder why so many intellig ... (continued)
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A Great and Marvelous Work
Elder Milton R. Hunter
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The Apostle Paul explained that spiritual things, like the Book of Mormon, can only be understood through the Holy Spirit, which is why those not moved by the Spirit see it as foolishness.
Apostle Paul explained that it is only through the operation of the Holy Spirit of God that
spiritual things can be understood and received by man. Paul declared that "the things of God
knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness
unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned"1 Cor. 2:11,14
Thus the ordinary man whose heart is not moved upon by the Holy Ghost regards the Book of
Mo ... (continued)
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A Great and Marvelous Work
Elder Milton R. Hunter
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
Moroni's promise in the Book of Mormon provides a formula for anyone to know of its truth by asking God with sincerity, intent, and faith, and receiving confirmation through the Holy Ghost.
Formula of Moroni
Any person in the world can know for sure that the Book of Mormon is true, that it is the
word of God, if he will in all sincerity, humility, and faith follow the formula laid down in
the last chapter of Moroni:
"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the
Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a
sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of ... (continued)
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A Great Responsibility
President David O. McKay
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📖 general conference
Two young men delivered sermons on self-control, which left a profound impact on the audience, including the tens of thousands of priesthood holders who listened silently and with admiration.
Last night we listened to two young men give sermons on the power of self-control. I am sure their parents are very proud of them, and so are we all. The tens of thousands of men holding the priesthood sat silently and almost breathlessly as they listened to the sermons of those two young men. I hope all who are within the sound of my voice will have the same pride as those parents have for those two boys—that your sons will bear the same testimony and accept the same ideals that a hundre ... (continued)
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A Great Responsibility
President David O. McKay
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📖 general conference
A father expresses his pride and hope for his son, believing that his son's future actions and character will be his own legacy and the greatest work he could achieve.
There comes to my mind now a poem about a father who paid this tribute to his son, or rather felt pride in his boy and the responsibility of rearing him as these hundred thousand boys last night. It runs something like this— 'We've never seen the Father here, but we have known the Son, The finest type of manhood since the world was first begun, And summing up the works of God, I write with reverent pen. The greatest is the Son He sent to cheer the lives of men. Through Him we learned the ... (continued)
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A Great Work
Elder Rudger Clawson
- President of the Council of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The speaker recounts a vision experienced in the Kirtland Temple, where various heavenly figures appeared and committed keys of priesthood authority to the church leaders.
A VISION IN THE KIRTLAND TEMPLE
I am impressed this afternoon to read a few words froth the D&C, Section 110:
The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.
We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet
was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber.
His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his
countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the s ... (continued)
Baptism
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A Great Work
Elder Rudger Clawson
- President of the Council of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker testifies of his belief in the revelation given in the Kirtland Temple, expressing his conviction that the Lord is with them, that Jesus is the Christ, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.
A TESTIMONY
I testify to you, my brethren, that this revelation was given for our profit, and I express to
you my testimony in these words, that I know the Lord is with us, that Jesus is the Christ,
and that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God. We are engaged in a glorious work. It is
a marvelous scene to look out upon this gathering of Priesthood.
I trust that I may never lose this testimony that I have.
God bless you, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Charity
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A Growing Testimony
President James E. Faust
- Second Counselor in the First Presidency
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📖 general conference
The speaker recalls being comforted by his grandmother after a nightmare and being told that Jesus watches over them.
The first cornerstone of my testimony was laid a long time ago. One of my early recollections was having a frightening nightmare as a small child. I still remember it vividly. I must have screamed in fright during the night. My grandmother woke me up. I was crying, and she took me in her arms, hugged me, and comforted me. She got a bowl of some of my favorite rice pudding that was left over from dinner, and I sat on her lap as she spoon-fed me. She told me that we were safe in our house because ... (continued)
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A Growing Testimony
President James E. Faust
- Second Counselor in the First Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares how his faith was strengthened through answered prayers in his childhood, such as finding lost items and cows.
That first memorable experience led to other strong confirmations that God lives and that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Many of these came in response to earnest prayer. As a child, when I lost things such as my precious pocketknife, I learned that if I prayed hard enough, I could usually find it. I was always able to find the lost cows I was entrusted with. Sometimes I had to pray more than once, but my prayers always seemed to be answered. Sometimes the answer was no, but most often it was pos ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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A Growing Testimony
President James E. Faust
- Second Counselor in the First Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts hearing a story from Brother James H. Moyle about his visit to David Whitmer, a witness of the Book of Mormon, which strengthened his testimony.
These early seeds of faith sprouted still further when, as a young Aaronic Priesthood boy, I received a firsthand confirmation of the remarkable testimony of the Three Witnesses concerning the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. My stake president was President Henry D. Moyle, and his father was James H. Moyle. In the summertime Brother James H. Moyle would visit his family, and he would worship with us in our little ward in the southeast of the Salt Lake Valley.
One Sunday, Brother James H. Moy ... (continued)
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A Growing Testimony
President James E. Faust
- Second Counselor in the First Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker reflects on his mission in Brazil and the growth of the Church in Latin America, attributing it to divine intervention.
One of the foundation stones of my testimony came when I served my first mission in Brazil as a young man. At that time our labors were unfruitful and difficult. We could not envision the great outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord which has come in that country and its neighboring countries of South America, Central America, and Mexico in the intervening years. Sixty years ago there was only one stake in all of these countries. Now there are 643 stakes in Latin America. I believe it is only the ... (continued)
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A Growing Testimony
President James E. Faust
- Second Counselor in the First Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker talks about the blessings of his marriage and family, including having children through the power of a priesthood blessing.
In my long life I have found peace, joy, and happiness beyond my fondest hopes and dreams. One of the supreme benedictions of my life has been my marriage to an elect daughter of God. I love her with all my heart and soul. Upon the wind of her spirit have my wings been carried.1[See2 Ne. 4:25We were married in the Salt Lake Temple 57 years ago when I was a soldier in World War II and did not know if I would come back alive. Her strong, unwavering faith and support have strengthened my own testim ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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A Growing Testimony
President James E. Faust
- Second Counselor in the First Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts surviving a dangerous storm during World War II and making a promise to serve the Lord if he lived.
Along with the blessings, however, I have known some difficult challenges and heartaches. I am grateful for the lessons learned in these adversities. As a young man, I lived through the Great Depression, when banks failed and so many lost their jobs and homes and went hungry. I was fortunate to have a job at a canning factory that paid 25 cents an hour. That may have been all I was worth! But it helped me get my education. I served three long years in the military in World War II. One time when ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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A Handful of Meal and a Little Oil
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The prophet Elijah, during a drought and famine, is sustained by a widow in Zarephath who, despite her own dire situation, shares her last meal with him, trusting in God's promise that her food supply will not run out.
As the prophet prepared for a final confrontation with Ahab, God commanded Elijah to go to the village of Zarephath where, he said, he had commanded a widow woman to sustain him.
As he entered the city in his weary condition he met his benefactress, who was undoubtedly as weak and wasted as he. Perhaps almost apologetically the thirsty traveler importuned, "Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink." As she turned to meet his request, Elijah added even more strain to ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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