"Answer Me"
Elder Neal A. Maxwell
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Jesus asked those questioning His authority to answer Him, but they could not, illustrating the enduring challenge of His questions to us.
To those who inquired about His authority, Jesus, in turn, put a pointed question, saying, "Answer me" Mark 11:29 They could not. (See Mark 11:29"“30) To all His applicable questions, the invitation "Answer me" stands to this day.
Forgiveness
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"Answer Me"
Elder Neal A. Maxwell
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Jesus inquired about the nine healed lepers who did not return with thanksgiving, teaching us the importance of gratitude and acknowledging God's hand in our blessings.
"Where are the nine?" inquired Jesus concerning the healed lepers who did not return with thanksgiving. Luke 17:17 (italics added.) How often are we like the nine? To receive God"™s blessings without acknowledging their Source is to be unrealistic as well as ungrateful.
Forgiveness
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"Answer Me"
Elder Neal A. Maxwell
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Jesus used a coin to expose those trying to entrap Him and to teach about our dual responsibilities to God and mortal rulers.
Whose image and superscription is on it? asked Jesus, using a coin now extinct, and exposing those seeking to entrap Him, while giving counsel relevant for as long as there are mortal rulers. (See Matt. 22:20) Yes, to Caesar we owe taxes. But to God, in whose image we are minted, we owe ourselves!
Forgiveness
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"Answer Me"
Elder Neal A. Maxwell
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Jesus asked the Nephite Twelve what they desired of Him, showing His understanding of our individual needs and His willingness to lead us individually.
What desirest thou of me? the resurrected Jesus inquired one by one of the Nephite Twelve. (See 3 Ne. 28:1) He knows our individual bearing capacities. He will lead us along, not herd us. (See D&C 78:18; D&C 50:40) Foremost, the gospel can even educate our desires; then these desires can work affirmatively in us and for us.
Forgiveness
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"Answer Me"
Elder Neal A. Maxwell
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Jesus asked Peter about his concern for John's future role, teaching us not to compare ourselves with others and to focus on following Him.
As for what God gives differentially to others, we need not be concerned. Peter, inquiring about John"™s future role, was asked by Jesus, "What is that to thee? follow thou me." John 21:22 Sometimes, brothers and sisters, we do too much comparing and too little following. Sometimes also a few resent God"™s having chosen someone else; perceiving themselves as passed over, they then go under spiritually.
Forgiveness
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"Answer Me"
Elder Neal A. Maxwell
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Elder Richard Scott was called as a mission president, which puzzled and upset the admiral he worked for. Later, the admiral wrote a book titled 'Why Not the Best?' which indirectly answers why Elder Scott accepted the call.
Years ago, Elder Scott was called as a mission president. The distinguished admiral for whom he worked was puzzled and even upset that Elder Scott accepted that call. Later, that same admiral, a distinguished public servant, wrote a book called Why Not the Best? I suggest the admiral"™s question concerning that call is answered in the title of his book, which has some applicability today as well, as the Lord has called one of "the best."
Forgiveness
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"Answer Me"
Elder Neal A. Maxwell
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Jesus asked His disciples if they would also leave Him after many fair-weather followers abandoned Him, emphasizing the importance of steadfastness in discipleship.
"Will ye also go away?" John 6:67 the Master asked His disciples after many of his fair-weather followers went back, and "walked no more with him." John 6:66 The very process of daily living makes and breaks followers. Life"™s stern seasons and storms overturn those not grounded and rooted. (See Eph. 3:17; Col. 1:23; 1 Pet. 5:10) However, those who "believe and are sure" John 6:69 about Jesus"™ divinity do not panic, for instance, at the arrival of a new volley of fiery darts; they mer ... (continued)
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"Are You Still Here?"
Elder Gary J. Coleman
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares his personal story of praying fervently about the truths of the Restoration and receiving confirmation by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Before I was a member of this Church, I asked God, the Eternal Father, in fervent prayer, about the truths of the Restoration. I know today, even as I knew that day, that hour, that moment 37 years ago, by the power of the Holy Ghost, that the principles and doctrines of the restoration of the gospel are true.
Forgiveness
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"Are You Still Here?"
Elder Gary J. Coleman
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts his experience of attending a general conference in Salt Lake City, where he was able to enter the Tabernacle and sustain the Lord's chosen leaders after a long wait.
Nearly 28 years ago I desired to attend a general conference of the Church and drove 14 hours to be in Salt Lake City for the conference. I entered Temple Square at 8:00A.M., where the line outside door number 10 was all the way across Temple Square and halfway down the south side of the Assembly Hall. I was nearly 300 feet from my goal. The usher called out that the Tabernacle was full. People dropped out of line, and I inched forward.
At five minutes before 10:00 I was the only person standing ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"Are You Still Here?"
Elder Gary J. Coleman
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares several stories of individuals and families who converted to the Church after engaging with missionaries and members, including a young couple, a young adult, a mother and wife, and a nonmember father.
A young couple with four children who were neighbors to a Latter-day Saint family accepted invitations to share activities and gospel-centered experiences. After the first missionary discussion, the father asked his LDS friend next door, "Would it be possible for you to baptize us on New Year"™s Eve? We would like to start the new year off right."
A young adult was seen near an institute of religion building, and he was asked if he had LDS friends. He responded, "Yes, and they are all on mi ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"Are You Still Here?"
Elder Gary J. Coleman
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker tells of an experience where he and missionaries met two Spanish-speaking men at Temple Square who were then taught by the only Spanish-speaking sister missionaries in the mission.
A few years ago I drove to Temple Square in Salt Lake City to meet an acquaintance of the missionaries. Their guest did not keep the appointment. My response to the missionaries was, "The Lord will provide someone for us to teach." In less than two to three minutes, two adult men walked through the front door of the North Visitors"™ Center and directly up to us. They spoke Spanish, and we did not! We assured them the best we could that someone would be able to help them. In moments, the only ... (continued)
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"Are You the Woman I Think You Are?"
Sheri L. Dew
- Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker reflects on a visit to a ward on the Oregon coast where a woman questioned her identity, leading her to ponder if she is the woman the Savior needs her to be.
Not long ago I visited a ward on the exquisite Oregon coast. At the conclusion of sacrament meeting I was a little surprised when a woman approached me and asked, "Are you the woman I think you are?" Her question referred to my identity, but it is one that has haunted me.AmI the woman I think I am, the woman I want to be? More importantly, am I the woman the Savior needs me to be?
Forgiveness
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"Are You the Woman I Think You Are?"
Sheri L. Dew
- Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts a brief interaction with President Hinckley, where he corrected her description of the women of the Church from 'good' to 'great,' reinforcing his belief in their spiritual strength.
Just a few weeks ago I had occasion to talk briefly with President Hinckley. In response to a question about my calling, I said, "I love getting out with the women of the Church. They areso good."At that, he immediately corrected me: "No, Sheri. They aren"™t good.They are great!"
Forgiveness
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"Are You the Woman I Think You Are?"
Sheri L. Dew
- Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker reminisces about her Grandma Dew's simple yet influential life, emphasizing the profound impact one faithful woman had on her.
Remember Grandma? She lived a simple life in an obscure corner of the vineyard. There are only a handful of people still living who even remember her.
But I remember her. Though she died when I was just 11, I was profoundly influenced by this one faithful woman. In like manner, each of us is vital to the Lord"™s cause.
Forgiveness
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"Are You the Woman I Think You Are?"
Sheri L. Dew
- Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts a childhood memory with her Grandma Dew, where she questioned the truth of the gospel and her grandmother assured her of its truth through a testimony from the Holy Ghost.
I was raised on a farm in Kansas where we lived next door to my Grandma Dew, and I was her shadow. We went everywhere together"”to the bank, the doctor, the Early Bird Garden Club, and to an endless procession of Church meetings. When it came to the gospel, Grandma was zealous. She would talk about the Church anytime and with anyone"”including her eldest granddaughter.
I"™ll never forget an interchange she and I had one night as we drove home from yet another meeting. It began when I blurt ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"Are You the Woman I Think You Are?"
Sheri L. Dew
- Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares her emotional experience at Parley Street in Nauvoo, contemplating whether her testimony would have been strong enough to leave everything behind like the pioneer sisters.
IloveNauvoo. And every time I visit the City of Joseph, I walk to the end of Parley Street, where the Saints lined their wagons as they prepared to evacuate the city. There I try to imagine how our pioneer sisters must have felt as they loaded what little they could into a wagon, glanced a final time at their homes, and then followed their faith into the wilderness.
I always weep on Parley Street, because I can"™t help but wonder, Would I have loaded that wagon? Would my testimony of a modern- ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"As a Man Soweth"
Elder L. Tom Perry
- Of the Council of the Twelve
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts a story told by a noted educator about a trigonometry teacher who gave his students two exams, one in trigonometry and one in honesty, emphasizing the importance of honesty over trigonometry.
I was riding in an airplane a few days ago. And seated across the aisle from me was a noted educator. In the course of our conversation he recounted to me a teaching experience he had just heard.
In giving an examination one day, a trigonometry teacher said, "Today I am going to give you two examinations: one in trigonometry and one in honesty. I hope you will pass them both. But if you must fail one, let it be trigonometry. For there are many good men in the world today who cannot pass an exami ... (continued)
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"As for Me and My House, We Will Serve the Lord"Josh. 24:15
Elder H. Bryan Richards
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker references the story of 2,060 young men from the Book of Mormon who were led by Helaman into battle and survived without any losses due to their exact obedience and the teachings of their mothers about faith in God.
May I speak to the parents of the Church and their sons for a moment. One of the powerful stories in the Book of Mormon teaches us of the influence that parents can have in the lives of their young sons. This is the account of 2,060 young men who volunteered to defend the liberty of their country. They were led into battle by Helaman, yet "there was not one soul of them who did perish; yea, and neither was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds"Alma 57:25Why? Because "they ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"As I Have Loved You"
Elder Robert L. Backman
- Of the First Quorum of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
Fern, an unnoticed high school girl, is recognized for her school spirit by a popular girl who nominates her for an award during an assembly.
Fern attended high school in a small town. She was one of those nice but unnoticed girls who don"™t become much but a face on a yearbook page and a name on the rolls. Her family was poor, and they lived out of town. She was not part of the "in crowd," and the only time her name came up in a conversation of other students was in that mocking, sarcastic way that seems funny when you are young, insecure, and need to ridicule someone else to take the pressure off yourself. Her name became synony ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"As I Have Loved You"
Elder Robert L. Backman
- Of the First Quorum of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts his own discovery of happiness through service during his missionary labors.
There is another side to this matter of rendering service to others, not just to our peers, and it applies to those of us who are struggling to find our way.
As a boy I sought happiness as the world measures it. I wanted acceptance, position, fame (particularly as an athlete), and wealth. I had none of these. I was very unhappy. I thought happiness was as elusive as a shadow.
It was not until I was called on a mission that I discovered the real key to happiness. To my surprise, despite the disco ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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