"Come Ye After Me"
Elder Paul H. Dunn
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares the story of a young man whose life was once marred by sin but who has been transformed by the gospel, expressing gratitude for the missionaries' efforts.
Purpose of gospel
Only a few short years ago President McKay stood at this very pulpit and said that the purpose of the gospel was to make bad men good and good men better. This same young man whose life was once tattered and scarred with sin sat in our living room just a few days ago and said, "Brother Dunn, I thank God every day for the elders who brought me the gospel and had the patience to teach me. I know the gospel is true for I have lived it; and although I'm not what I ought to be, and ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"Come Ye After Me"
Elder Paul H. Dunn
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
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📖 general conference
The speaker and his wife explain the history and rewards of missionary work to a couple from Cambridge, leading to a spiritual experience.
Rewards of missionary work
The Lord told us that if we labor all our days and bring save it be one soul to him, great shall be our joy with him in the kingdom of our Father. As the evening passed, Sister Dunn and I gave this couple from Cambridge a brief history of the missionary system of the Church. We told them of the day when Parley P. Pratt stood in a river for six hours, baptizing people one after the other. We told them how Wilford Woodruff converted 1800 people in eight months. We review ... (continued)
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"Come, Follow Me"
Elder Thomas S. Monson
- Of the Council of the Twelve
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📖 general conference
The speaker recounts the story of their great grandparents' perilous sea voyage from Europe to America, during which their frail daughter Mary fell ill and died, leading to a burial at sea.
On board one of those overcrowded and creaking vessels of yesteryear were my great grandparents, their tiny family, and a few meager possessions. The waves were so high, the voyage so long, the quarters so cramped. Tiny Mary had always been frail, but now, with the passage of each day, her anxious mother knew the little one was becoming especially weak. She had taken seriously ill. No neighborhood drugstore. No family doctor. No modern hospital. Just the steady roll of the tired, old ship. Day a ... (continued)
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"Come, Follow Me"
Elder Thomas S. Monson
- Of the Council of the Twelve
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📖 general conference
The speaker describes the first Christmas in the valley of the Great Salt Lake in 1847, where Rebecca Riter, despite the cold and hunger, chose to save her peck of wheat for spring planting instead of feeding it to her hungry baby.
All struggle had not ceased; privation and hardship had not disappeared. Mrs. Rebecca Riter describes Christmas Day in 1847 in the valley of the Great Salt Lake: 'The winter was cold. Christmas came and the children were hungry. I had brought a peck of wheat across the plains and hid it under a pile of wood. I thought I would cook a handful of wheat for the baby. Then I thought how we would need wheat for seed in the spring, so I left it alone.'
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"Come, Follow Me"
Elder Thomas S. Monson
- Of the Council of the Twelve
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📖 general conference
A small boy recounts the living conditions in the valley, describing the crude home with no window or door, and his mother's happiness and gratitude despite the hardships.
The crude homes were described by a small boy in these terms: 'There was no window of any kind whatever in our house. Neither was there a door. My mother hung up an old quilt, which served as a door for the first winter. This was our bedroom, our parlor, our sitting room, our kitchen, our sleeping room, everything in this room of about 12 x 16 feet. How in the world we all got along in it I do not know. I recollect that my dear old mother stated that no queen who ever entered her palace was ever ... (continued)
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"Come, Follow Me"
Elder William W. Parmley
- Of the Seventy
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📖 general conference
The story of the reciprocal love between Jesus and His Father, exemplified by the Father's expression of pleasure at Jesus' baptism and the unity between them, even when their wills differed transiently as in Gethsemane.
The Savior"™s example of the reciprocal love between Him and His Father was always evident. Frequent, long, and heartfelt prayers by the Savior have set a powerful example for us to follow. The Father"™s love for His Son was ever apparent, particularly at the time of His baptism by John: "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased"Matt. 3:17 The unity between the two was apparent when the Savior said, "I and my Father are one"John 10:30 Understa ... (continued)
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"Come, Follow Me"
Elder William W. Parmley
- Of the Seventy
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📖 general conference
The story of the Good Samaritan, where a man beaten and left by the roadside is ignored by a Levite and a priest but helped by a Samaritan, who showed compassion without regard for ethnicity.
Let us next consider the second of the great commandments, "Love thy neighbour as thyself"Matt. 22:39 or its higher level counterpart taught to the Apostles, "That ye love one another; as I have loved you"John 13:34 Although having the next-door neighbors over for dinner is a wonderful way to express love, the Savior chose a much more difficult example when the lawyer asked Him the question, "And who is my neighbour?"Luke 10:29 There follows the familiar story of a man traveling from Jerus ... (continued)
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"Come, Follow Me"
Elder William W. Parmley
- Of the Seventy
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📖 general conference
The story of the Judgment Day as taught by Jesus, where the righteous are separated from the unrighteous based on their acts of kindness and mercy towards those in need.
The Savior emphasized this principle again when He discussed the Judgment Day and the separation of the sheep from the goats: "Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? "When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? "Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of ... (continued)
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"Come, Follow Me"
By President Russell M. Nelson
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📖 general conference
The speaker shares a tender farewell conversation with his daughter Wendy, who passed away from cancer.
As many of you know, our family experienced a tender separation three months ago when our daughter Wendy departed from this mortal life. In the final days of her battle with cancer, I was blessed with the opportunity to have our farewell daddy-daughter conversation.
I held her hands and told her how much I loved her and how grateful I was to be her father. I said: "You married in the temple and faithfully honored your covenants. You and your husband welcomed seven children into your home and rai ... (continued)
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"Come, Follow Me"
By President Russell M. Nelson
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📖 general conference
The speaker recounts the experience of visiting Paradise, California, after a devastating wildfire and learning about the faith and miracles of the Saints there.
Actually, my wife and I visited Paradise earlier this year"”Paradise, California, that is. As it happened, our scheduled visit there came less than 40 hours after our daughter departed from this world. We, along with Elder Kevin W. Pearson and his wife, June, were bolstered by the Saints of the Chico California Stake. We learned of their great faith, their ministering, and the miracles that occurred even amidst their devastating losses from the most destructive wildfire in the hi ... (continued)
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"Come, Follow Me"
By President Russell M. Nelson
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📖 general conference
The speaker tells the story of John, a young police officer and first responder during the Paradise wildfire, who was terrified for his family's safety.
While there, we spoke at length with a young police officer, John, who was one of many brave first responders. He recalled the thick darkness that descended upon Paradise on November 8, 2018, as flames and embers raced through the town, devouring property and possessions like a scourge and leaving nothing but piles of ash and stark brick chimneys.
For 15 hours, John drove through an impenetrable darkness that was streaked with javelins of threatening embers as he helped person after person, fa ... (continued)
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"Come, Follow Me"
By President Russell M. Nelson
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📖 general conference
The speaker reflects on a friend who declined the opportunity to embrace the gospel and later expressed regret.
One such dear friend of mine had limited experiences with God. But he longed to be with his departed wife. So he asked me to help him. I encouraged him to meet with our missionaries in order to understand the doctrine of Christ and learn of gospel covenants, ordinances, and blessings.
That he did. But he felt the course they advised would require him to make too many changes in his life. He said, "Those commandments and covenants are just too difficult for me. Also, I can"™t possibly pay tithi ... (continued)
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"Come, Follow Me" by Practicing Christian Love and Service
Elder Robert D. Hales
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
Elie Wiesel's grandson, while visiting him in the hospital, asked if his pain would lessen if he loved him more.
Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel was in the hospital recovering from open-heart surgery when he was visited by his five-year-old grandson. As the little boy looked into his grandfather"™s eyes, he saw his pain. "Grandpa," he asked, "if I loved you more, would you [hurt less]?"1[In Elie Wiesel,Open Heart,trans. Marion Wiesel (2012), 70.]
Forgiveness
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"Come, Follow Me" by Practicing Christian Love and Service
Elder Robert D. Hales
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The speaker shares a Quaker proverb about mutual support and lifting each other towards eternal ascension.
You have heard me share the Quaker proverb before: Thee lift me, I"™ll lift thee, and we"™ll ascend together eternally.8[Adapted from "A Story of the "˜Barefoot Boy"™: Written for J. G. Whittier"™s Seventieth Birthday,"The Poetical Works of John Townsend Trowbridge(1869), 227.]
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"Come, Follow Me" by Practicing Christian Love and Service
Elder Robert D. Hales
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The speaker expresses gratitude for his wife Mary's nurturing love and support, likening her to a disciple of the Savior.
I cannot speak of giving care without acknowledging the special caregiver in my life"”the Savior"™s special disciple to me"”my eternal companion, Mary. She has given all in compassionate nurturing and love. Her hands reflect His gentle, sustaining touch. I would not be here without her. And with her, I will be able to endure to the end and be with her in eternal life.
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"Come, Follow Me" by Practicing Christian Love and Service
Elder Robert D. Hales
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts the story of his neighbor who tenderly cared for his wife with Alzheimer's, and her sweet recognition of him as her husband.
I think of my neighbor whose wife was afflicted with Alzheimer"™s disease. Every Sunday he would help her dress for Church meetings, comb her hair, apply her makeup, even put on her earrings. In rendering this service, he was an example to every man and woman in our ward"”in fact, for the world. One day his wife said to him, "I just want to see my husband again and be with him." He answered, "I am your husband." And she sweetly replied, "Oh, good!"
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"Come, Listen to a Prophet"™s Voice"
Sister Ruth H. Funk
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📖 general conference
The speaker shares a personal story about a life-threatening situation during her third pregnancy, where she chose to continue the pregnancy despite the risks, resulting in the birth of a healthy son.
Our first two children were beautiful little girls. During my third pregnancy, a critical situation developed. It was soon recognized to be life-threatening. Medical experts advised us that there were two alternatives"”my probable death, or therapeutic abortion of the child growing within me. The Holy Ghost testified there was no option"”I would continue to carry our unborn child. Others in similar situations may well receive a different witness from him. This was personal revelation and was ... (continued)
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"Come, Listen to a Prophet"™s Voice"
Sister Ruth H. Funk
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts a harrowing incident when her young son stopped breathing, her fervent prayers for his life, and the miraculous moment he was revived, followed by his account of being with Jesus.
It occurred when this most treasured, little son was nearly three years old. One day, suddenly and without warning, he stopped breathing and fell to the floor, apparently lifeless. My husband was not home, and I called my ten-year-old daughter, Nancy, to get help as I carried him to the bedroom. As I worked to revive him, I literally, cried out unto the Lord. I begged him to spare our only son. I promised that I would dedicate myself to training him up to be an instrument in the hands of God if ... (continued)
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"Come, Listen to a Prophet"™s Voice"
Virginia U. Jensen
- First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency
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📖 general conference
The speaker recalls the death of President George Albert Smith when she was 11 years old and how it impacted her, but also how she quickly came to revere President David O. McKay, who succeeded President Smith.
One evening when I was 11 years old, I heard a commotion outside my window. I looked out the window, and in the street were newsboys carrying stacks of newspapers in their arms announcing the news that President George Albert Smith, the eighth President of the Church, had died. President Smith had been the only prophet I had known in my short time on earth. It was during his administration that I first felt the stirrings of a testimony, and even then I knew how important God"™s prophets are. I ... (continued)
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"Come, Listen to a Prophet"™s Voice"
Virginia U. Jensen
- First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares a story about a New York crime photographer who was deeply moved upon seeing President David O. McKay, feeling that he had finally seen what a prophet of God looks like.
The story is told of an event that happened in New York when President David O. McKay returned from a trip to Europe. "Arrangements had been made for pictures to be taken, but the regular photographer was unable to go, so in desperation the United Press picked their crime photographer"”a man accustomed to the toughest type of work in New York. He went to the airport, stayed there two hours, and returned later from [the] dark room with a tremendous sheaf of pictures. He was supposed to take onl ... (continued)
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