A Marvelous Work and a Wonder
President Ezra Taft Benson
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The Church's reputation improved over time, with its members gaining recognition for their principles during world wars and the Great Depression, and Latter-day Saints excelling in various fields.
Opposition to the Church did not subside with the twentieth century, but gradually people came to see us for what we stood for, rather than what our enemies said about us. Our Mormon boys fought in two world wars and were recognized for their standards and principles. During the Great Depression of the thirties, the Church came to be known for independence, self-reliance, and taking care of its own. And over the century, Latter-day Saints distinguished themselves in the fields of science, educat ... (continued)
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A Marvelous Work and a Wonder
President Ezra Taft Benson
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The Church's missionary efforts have led to a global increase in converts and the establishment of stakes, with leaders acknowledging the Church's coming of age and its worldwide presence.
The missionary force brought a harvest of converts from all over the world. Seeds planted abroad as missions became stakes. Truly Zion had put on her beautiful garments; her borders had become enlarged (see D&C 82:14). When Joseph Fielding Smith, son of President Joseph F. Smith, became President of the Church, he declared: 'We are coming of age as a church and as a people. We have attained the stature and strength that are enabling us to fulfill the commission given us by the Lord through the P ... (continued)
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A Marvelous Work and a Wonder
President Ezra Taft Benson
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
President Kimball expressed joy at the Church's growth and expansion, including the establishment of new missions and the goal of sharing the gospel with more nations.
One year ago, President Kimball stood at this pulpit and said: 'Since we last met in general conference … , we have witnessed much growth and expansion of the Lord’s kingdom. … We have established new missions covering almost all of the free world, and we are turning our attention more diligently now to one day sharing the gospel with our Father’s children behind the so-called iron and bamboo curtains. We have need to prepare for that day. The urgency of that preparatio ... (continued)
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A Marvelous Work and a Wonder
President Ezra Taft Benson
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The Church expects continued growth and opposition, with a prophecy stating that all will take sides either for or against the kingdom of God.
In 1845, the Quorum of the Twelve issued an epistle to the heads of state in the world. I quote from one paragraph: 'As this work progresses in its onward course, and becomes more and more an object of political and religious interest and excitement, no king, ruler, or subject, no community or individual, will stand neutral. All will at length be influenced by one spirit or the other; and will take sides either for or against the kingdom of God' (James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Pres ... (continued)
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A Marvelous Work and a Wonder
President Ezra Taft Benson
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
President Heber J. Grant advised the Saints to live virtuously, help others, observe health laws, pay tithes, and obey God's and civil laws, which is reiterated to the current members.
On the anniversary of the one hundredth birthday of the Church, President Heber J. Grant gave this counsel to the Saints: 'Refrain from evil; do that which is good. Visit the sick, comfort those who are in sorrow, clothe the naked, feed the hungry, care for the widow and the fatherless. Observe the laws of health which the Lord has revealed, and keep yourselves unspotted from the sins of the world. Pay your tithes and offerings, and the Lord will open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings ... (continued)
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A Marvelous Work and a Wonder
President Ezra Taft Benson
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
Joseph Smith prophesied that the work of the Church would progress despite opposition, and the speaker testifies to the truth of this work.
As we contemplate our past and future, may we remember the prophecy of Joseph Smith, words that I testify are true: 'No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah s ... (continued)
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A Matter of a Few Degrees
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
- Second Counselor in the First Presidency
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📖 general conference
The speaker was surprised to be called as Second Counselor in the First Presidency, a position announced unexpectedly by President Monson.
It is now two months since President Thomas S. Monson called me to serve as Second Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church. I am sure this came as a surprise to many, and it caught me off guard as well. In fact, I would say I may have been the second most surprised person on earth, the first being my wife.
On the day the Quorum of the Twelve met in the temple to sustain President Monson and ordain and set him apart as prophet, seer, and revelator and President of The Church of Jesus ... (continued)
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A Matter of a Few Degrees
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
- Second Counselor in the First Presidency
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📖 general conference
A flight to Antarctica crashes due to a minor navigational error, illustrating how small mistakes can lead to tragedy.
In 1979 a large passenger jet with 257 people on board left New Zealand for a sightseeing flight to Antarctica and back. Unknown to the pilots, however, someone had modified the flight coordinates by a mere two degrees. This error placed the aircraft 28 miles (45 km) to the east of where the pilots assumed they were. As they approached Antarctica, the pilots descended to a lower altitude to give the passengers a better look at the landscape. Although both were experienced pilots, neither had mad ... (continued)
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A Matter of a Few Degrees
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
- Second Counselor in the First Presidency
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📖 general conference
King Saul of Israel fails to follow the Lord's commandments, leading to the loss of his kingdom, demonstrating the consequences of deviating from the correct path.
The story of Saul, the king of Israel, illustrates this point. Saul"™s life began with great promise, but it had an unfortunate and tragic end. In the beginning, Saul was "a choice young man, "¦ and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he." Saul was personally chosen by God to be king. He had every advantage"”he was physically imposing, and he came from an influential family.
Of course, Saul had weaknesses, but the Lord promised to bless, uphold, and prosper h ... (continued)
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A Memo to Dads
Bishop Robert L. Simpson
- First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
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📖 general conference
The speaker shares an anecdote about a father who left the car at home to walk to church with his son, fostering a new warm father-son relationship through their conversations.
I heard of a father who decided to leave the car home on Sunday morning so he and his boy could enjoy a brisk walk to church. Even more stimulating than the exercise which they both needed very much was the opportunity for casual conversation and the resulting understanding that grew between them. A new warm father-son relationship that had been slipping away rather rapidly was firmly reestablished.
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A Memo to Dads
Bishop Robert L. Simpson
- First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
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📖 general conference
The speaker reflects on the importance of a father's role and the trust placed in them by Heavenly Father, as well as the desire for sons to express gratitude for their fathers' efforts.
I am a father. I share this popular title with millions. I would like to do some thinking with all of the fathers within range of my voice this morning, and we sincerely invite the rest of the family to listen in. Dads, do you realize that we have had one of the truly great compliments of the ages bestowed upon us? It has been wisely stated that "to be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved." As choice young spirits have been sent into our charge, the sacred trust that I refer to has b ... (continued)
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A Memo to Dads
Bishop Robert L. Simpson
- First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
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📖 general conference
The speaker cites examples from scripture where the importance of goodly parents is highlighted and how Joseph Smith Jr. expressed gratitude for his noble parentage.
Who among us fathers would not thrill at the prospects of our son recording of us as a boy prophet recorded more than 2500 years ago: ". . . having been born of goodly parents"1 Ne. 1:1or perhaps this recording from the pen of our modern-day Prophet, Joseph Smith, Jun., as he said, ". . . I love my father and his memory; and the memory of his noble deeds rests with ponderous weight upon my mind, and many of his kind and parental words to me are written on the tablet of my heart . . . "Words and ... (continued)
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A Memo to Dads
Bishop Robert L. Simpson
- First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
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📖 general conference
The speaker discusses the concept of 'Follow the Leader' and emphasizes the importance of fathers setting a good example for their sons to follow.
"Follow the Leader" All boys seem to have a favorite game. They play it most of the time without even realizing it. It is called "Follow the Leader" and, dads, whether we like it or not, this is the way it is. So maybe we had better decide right here and now to lead right. Can we constantly break promises and teach our sons integrity? Speak an occasional falsehood and expect undeviating truth from them? When was the last time you found your son looking up at you with that look of complete admira ... (continued)
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A Memo to Dads
Bishop Robert L. Simpson
- First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
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📖 general conference
The speaker suggests that fathers should prioritize their time for their families, even if it means sacrificing personal interests or conveniences.
Any red-blooded father would throw back his shoulders and say, "I'd give my life for my family," but, dads, are we willing to give up our favorite TV show in the meantime? How about it, dads, are we just a little selfish sometimes when it comes to putting first things first? Let's think in terms of the little day-to-day niceties and not so much about the spectacular gesture "some day." Just as surely as night follows the day, no man will ever make the big sacrifice without first the little sacri ... (continued)
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A Memo to Dads
Bishop Robert L. Simpson
- First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
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📖 general conference
The speaker tells of a father who uses dinner time for family communication and bonding, leading to better unity and reduced contention among family members.
Time is always so precious. Can we ever find all the hours necessary to earn a living, do our church work, and be a good father? The answer is yes, but not without some organization and planning. As we seek for every available minute to accomplish our important responsibilities, may I pass on just one idea given me by a father who utilizes the dinner hour as a time for better family communications, not in a direct businesslike way but rather in an indirect but preplanned way. The dinner table di ... (continued)
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A Memo to Dads
Bishop Robert L. Simpson
- First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
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📖 general conference
The speaker concludes with a poem about the gift of time and companionship a father can give to his son, emphasizing the importance of shared experiences over material gifts.
What is this gift you will give your boy?A glamorous game, a tinseled toy,A whittling knife, a puzzle pack,A train that runs on a curving track?A Boy Scout book, a real live pet?No, there's plenty of time for such things yet.Give him a day for his very own"”Just your boy and his dad alone:A walk in the woods, a game in the park,A fishing trip from dawn to dark;Give him the gift to thrill any ladThe total companionship of his very own dad.Games are outgrown, and toys decay,But he'll never forge ... (continued)
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A Message of Hope and Courage
Elder Marion G. Romney
- Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
A sister on the Pacific Coast expressed relief at advice given about welfare production projects, which suggested permanence despite fears of bombing and needing to move inland.
Following a welfare meeting held a few months ago on the Pacific Coast, in which we had counseled the people to obtain permanent welfare production projects that they might produce the necessities to carry on our welfare work without calling upon the Saints year after year for cash contributions, a sister told me she was comforted by our advice, that she felt it would not have been given if the people were not to stay there permanently. She had been disturbed and worried by talk that bombs might ... (continued)
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A Message of Hope and Courage
Elder Marion G. Romney
- Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The speaker recalls his youth in Old Mexico, where the Madero Revolution caused agitation and uncertainty about having to leave, which was somewhat alleviated by his uncle planting an orchard, although they eventually had to leave.
This brought to my mind the experiences of youth, when in the colonies of Old Mexico we were agitated over whether the troubles incident to the Madero Revolution would necessitate our leaving the country. At the peak of the disturbances, our stake president who was my uncle, Junius Romney—planted an orchard of young apple trees. I well remember how my mind was relieved by hearing people say that if we were facing expulsion, the stake president would not be planting trees which would take ... (continued)
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A Message of Hope and Courage
Elder Marion G. Romney
- Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
President Wilford Woodruff, in his later years, spoke of impending calamities but assured the righteous of protection and safety if they honored their priesthood and were faithful.
During the last years of President Woodruff's life, his mind dwelt much upon the calamities which were coming upon the earth, and he gave many warnings of them. But he did not leave his hearers in despair. Always he held out to them hope and courage, conditioned on their righteousness. Here is a sample of his teachings: Over the millions of people on this earth, there hangs a cloud of darkness almost entirely upon their shoulders. Can you tell me where the people are who will be shielded and pro ... (continued)
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A Message of Hope and Courage
Elder Marion G. Romney
- Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker references the calling of Joshua, who was charged with leading Israel and given a promise of divine companionship and a command to be strong and courageous, which was contingent on his adherence to the law.
I cite your attention to the calling of Joshua, the successor to Moses, whose mission it was to lead Israel over Jordan and divide among them the promised land which was then inhabited by an armed and hostile people. It was a difficult and arduous assignment. To strengthen him for it, the Lord gave Joshua a great promise and a great charge. This is the promise: There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not f ... (continued)
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