"Forgive Them, I Pray Thee"
Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone
- Of the First Quorum of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
Huckleberry Finn realizes he can't pray a lie when his heart isn't right.
In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, Huck says: 'It made me shiver. And I about made up my mind to pray and see if I couldn’t try to quit being the kind of boy I was and be better. So I kneeled down. But the words wouldn’t come. Why wouldn’t they? It weren’t no use to try and hide it from Him … I knowed very well why they wouldn’t come. It was because my heart warn’t right; it was because I weren’t square: it was because I w ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"Forgive Them, I Pray Thee"
Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone
- Of the First Quorum of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
A man confesses a sin of fornication from 42 years ago to a church president, seeking forgiveness.
Some years ago, a man knocked on my office door late at night and said, 'President, may I speak to you? Are we all alone?' ... 'Forty-two years ago, before my wife and I were married, we committed fornication once, the week prior to our going to the temple. ... It has been forty-two years since the transgression, and we have lived as near Christlike lives as we know how. I believe we have been forgiven, but I know that confession is necessary.' ... 'I would rather confess to you now. I am not a ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"Forgive Them, I Pray Thee"
Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone
- Of the First Quorum of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
A woman confesses to a church leader about an abortion she had 34 years ago and seeks forgiveness.
One day a woman came to my business office. She leaned across the desk and said, 'President, I have carried a transgression on my heart for thirty-four years that I cannot carry one more step in this life. ... Thirty-four years ago, before my first husband and I were married, I was involved in an abortion. ... He was unfaithful constantly during the first two years of our marriage. ... President, do you think that either in time or in eternity we can be sealed together? ...' ... I listened to he ... (continued)
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"From Such Turn Away"
Elder Boyd K. Packer
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts the careful procedures of authorization followed from the beginning of the Church, exemplified by an elder's certificate from 1835 for Parley P. Pratt, signed by Joseph Smith Jr. and Oliver Cowdery.
I have here in my hand a most interesting document. Let me quote from it: "To whom it may concern:
"This certifies thatParley P. Pratt,has been received into the church of the Latter Day Saints, "¦ and has been ordained an elder according to the rules and regulations of said church, and is duly authorized to preach the gospel, agreeably to the authority of that office. "¦
"Given by the direction of a conference of the elders of said church, assembled in Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio, this26thd ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"From Such Turn Away"
Elder Boyd K. Packer
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker, along with Elder Gene R. Cook and a mission president, traveled to a remote region in Bolivia to visit a small chapel in Huacuyo, where local Saints had built it themselves without help from the Church.
Once, in company with Elder Gene R. Cook and the mission president, we traveled in a very remote region on the Altiplano, or high plain, in Bolivia. We had traveled much of the day in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. We had crossed an arm of Lake Titicaca on an ancient ferry. We followed mountain roads first built by the ancient Incan Indians.
Once, we had to build a stone ramp to emerge from a river bed which formed something of a road in the dry season. Lifting stones at an altitude of more than th ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"From Such Turn Away"
Elder Boyd K. Packer
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares an experience of meeting people who recognized him from his picture, even in remote locations, illustrating the importance of Church members being able to identify their leaders.
A few years ago Sister Packer and I were returning from New Zealand. We left Auckland at midnight and landed in Papeete in Tahiti. We waited there for a connecting flight. Just before dawn, a plane landed. It was not the one we were to board. We did not know its route; it was just an airliner landing on that small island in the South Pacific in the wee hours of a Monday morning.
I told my wife, "I will know someone on that plane." I stood near the gate and as the passengers disembarked, four p ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"From Such Turn Away"
Elder Boyd K. Packer
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker describes how a humble branch president in Samoa, without shoes and having walked from the other side of the island, confidently named the new stake president, Bishop Iono, based on the witness of the Spirit.
On one occasion I was organizing a new stake on Upolu Island in Samoa. As is customary, we were conducting interviews with local priesthood leaders, asking each to suggest a few names of brethren of stature to be considered for a call.
One dignified branch president had walked from the other side of the island. He stood before us in a white shirt and tie, with a lavalava, or skirt, tied about his waist. He wore no shoes; he had never owned shoes.
I asked for names. He gave but one: "Bishop Iono ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"From Such Turn Away"
Elder Boyd K. Packer
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Karl G. Maeser uses sticks marking the safe path across a glacier as a metaphor for the priesthood, emphasizing the importance of following the path they mark to avoid getting lost.
On one occasion, Karl G. Maeser was leading a party of young missionaries across the Alps. As they reached the summit, he looked back and saw a row of sticks thrust into the snow to mark the one safe path across the otherwise treacherous glacier.
Halting the company of missionaries, he gestured toward the sticks and said, "Brethren, there stands the priesthood [of God]. They are just common sticks like the rest of us, "¦ but the position they hold makes them what they are to us. If we step asid ... (continued)
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"Give Me This Mountain"
President Spencer W. Kimball
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts a personal experience with Brother LeGrand Richards, a great missionary, during a stake conference in Arizona and how Brother Richards taught the gospel to a pilot and a stewardess during a plane breakdown on a trip to New Mexico.
When I was a member of the stake presidency in Arizona, Brother Richards came to our stake; and after all the thousands of good things he had to give us, I remember so very well that he and I both went down to Miami, Arizona, to conclude our conferences, and we sat there and talked about the gospel most of the evening. I don"™t know whether he will remember that or not, but it was very impressive to me. The First Presidency recently went with some of the General Authorities down to an area con ... (continued)
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"Give Me This Mountain"
President Spencer W. Kimball
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares the biblical story of Caleb, one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the promised land, who showed faith and urged the Israelites to take possession of the land despite the majority's discouragement.
I should like to refer to the great story of the exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt to the promised land. In that story there is an account of one special man that moves and motivates and inspires me. His name was Caleb. Shortly after Moses led Israel out of bondage from Egypt, he sent twelve men to search out the promised land and to bring back word about living conditions there. Caleb and Joshua were among the group. After spending forty days on their mission, the twelve men returned. ... (continued)
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"Give Me This Mountain"
President Spencer W. Kimball
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker continues the story of Caleb, highlighting his unwavering faith and strength even at 85 years old, and how he requested to take on the challenge of conquering the land inhabited by giants, inspiring the speaker to face his own challenges.
Forty-five years after the twelve men returned from their exploration of the land of promise, when the new generation of Israel, under the leadership of Joshua, was completing its conquest of Canaan, Caleb spoke to Joshua: "Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me "¦ to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. "Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the Lord my God. "And now, ... (continued)
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"Give with Wisdom That They May Receive with Dignity"
Elder Marvin J. Ashton
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
A teacher of the year is praised for guiding students to find their own answers, instilling confidence without pushing, which parallels the Church's welfare services' goal of teaching skills and self-sufficiency.
It was recently said of a teacher of the year, 'He gives no answers to life’s questions, but, rather, he directs each student to find his own answers. He doesn’t make you feel dumb. He gives you confidence, encourages, doesn’t push.'
Forgiveness
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"Give with Wisdom That They May Receive with Dignity"
Elder Marvin J. Ashton
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Sir Winston Churchill's famous words 'Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never' during England's dark days are cited as an echo of the Lord's teachings to persevere.
Satan will do his best to deter us and let discouragement impede our progress. Through trying times we would do well to remember and repeat the famous words of Sir Winston Churchill, England’s Lion of Courage, during some of his country’s darkest days. With character and strength peculiar to himself, he said, 'Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never.'
Forgiveness
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"Give with Wisdom That They May Receive with Dignity"
Elder Marvin J. Ashton
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
News analyst Paul Harvey expressed his secret to success as 'I get up when I fall down,' emphasizing the importance of persistence.
Paul Harvey, News analyst and author, said, 'Someday I hope to enjoy enough of what the world calls success so that someone will ask me, ‘What’s the secret of it?’ I shall say simply this: ‘I get up when I fall down.’'
Forgiveness
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"Give with Wisdom That They May Receive with Dignity"
Elder Marvin J. Ashton
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
A teacher, Sister Leisel McBride, showed a picture of a thoughtful boy with the caption 'I know I’m somebody ’cause God don’t make no junk,' illustrating the importance of helping individuals build their self-identity and realize their worth.
During a recent department session of Education Week sponsored by Brigham Young University, a wise teacher and stake Relief Society president, Sister Leisel McBride, flashed a large picture on a screen. It showed a bright-eyed boy with unkempt hair and folded arms, deep in thought. The caption read, 'I know I’m somebody ’cause God don’t make no junk.' Please let me repeat, 'I know I’m somebody ’cause God don’t make no junk.'
Forgiveness
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"Give with Wisdom That They May Receive with Dignity"
Elder Marvin J. Ashton
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
A Sunday School teacher introduced the speaker to a special child whose meaningful contribution was carrying the teacher's books, demonstrating the importance of teaching self-reliance at an appropriate level.
The other day following a Sunday School class a teacher came up and wanted me to shake hands with a special child. As I held my hand out and greeted the boy, I became aware that perhaps the only meaningful thing this child could do was carry the teacher’s books to class. What did this empathetic teacher have the boy doing? Carrying the books. Thank God for leaders who know how to teach self-reliance on a level commensurate with the capabilities of those they lead.
Forgiveness
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"Go Ye Therefore, and Teach All Nations"
Elder L. Tom Perry
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts the story of Jesus washing His disciples' feet as an example of service and instructs them to follow His example.
Throughout His ministry, the Savior encouraged us to do the things that we had seen him do. After celebrating the feast of the Passover at the Last Supper, He went to each of His disciples and washed their feet. After this act of service, His instructions were:
"If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another"™s feet.
"For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."John 13:14"“15
Forgiveness
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"Go Ye Therefore, and Teach All Nations"
Elder L. Tom Perry
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares the New Testament story of Andrew, who after meeting Jesus, eagerly shares his discovery with his brother Simon Peter.
There is a story in the book of John about two disciples who followed John the Baptist. Again from the scripture:
"Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
"And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
"And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
"Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, "¦ Master, where dwellest thou?
"He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"Go Ye Therefore, and Teach All Nations"
Elder L. Tom Perry
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker tells the story of Alma and the sons of Mosiah from the Book of Mormon, who, after being converted, zealously worked to repair the damage they had done to the Church and to bring many to the knowledge of their Redeemer.
There is another great example in the Book of Mormon about Alma and the sons of Mosiah. They were numbered among those who were seeking to destroy the Church, and were using much flattery of speech to lead the people into doing all manner of iniquity. After the pleadings of Alma"™s father, the Lord interceded and called Alma to repentance.
It is most interesting to see what occurred when the light of the gospel came into his life. From the Book of Mosiah we read:
"And now it came to pass that ... (continued)
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"Go Ye Therefore, and Teach All Nations"
Elder L. Tom Perry
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares excerpts from letters written by older missionary couples, expressing the joy and fulfillment they found in serving missions.
Let me just share parts of some letters written by those who have had this great privilege. These quotations are from a composite of letters. They were written to their mission president and his wife after the couples had been serving in the mission field for some time.
"We never asked to be sent on a mission. We didn"™t feel qualified. My husband had had only four years of formal education, and was very sensitive about that. He read a lot and was very successful in business. He had a special ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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