"If Ye Be Willing and Obedient"
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley
- Of the Council of the Twelve
📅 0
📖 general conference
Naaman the leper's initial pride and subsequent humility led to his healing after he followed the Prophet Elisha's simple instruction to wash in the Jordan River seven times.
The assignments given us may be distasteful. Naaman the leper came with his horses and with his chariot, with his gifts and his gold, to the Prophet Elisha to be cured. And Elisha, without seeing him, sent a messenger saying, "Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean."
But Naaman, the proud and haughty captain of the Syrian host, was insulted at so distasteful a thing and went away. Only when his servants pleaded with him was he humbled ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"If Ye Be Willing and Obedient"
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley
- Of the Council of the Twelve
📅 0
📖 general conference
A man known to many in the hall accepted a missionary call to Denver despite it seeming less exotic or desirable, which led to significant personal and professional growth and opportunities.
There sits in this hall a man known to many of you. Some years ago he received a missionary call to the Western States Mission with headquarters in Denver. He had been to Denver a number of times as a member of the university debate team. It was only over the mountain. He and his parents had dreamed of a more exotic field, of one of those "faraway places with the strange-sounding names." His friends smiled. Some dear to him doubted the wisdom, the inspiration of his call. Why should so choice ... (continued)
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"If Ye Be Willing and Obedient"
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley
- Of the Council of the Twelve
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares a personal experience of successfully protesting the publication of a book offensive to Mormons in England, which taught him the power of obedience to priesthood requests.
May I share with you something of a personal and sacred testimony?
Nearly forty years ago I was on a mission in England. I had been called to labor in the European Mission office in London under President Joseph F. Merrill of the Council of the Twelve, then president of the European Mission. One day three or four of the London papers carried reviews of a reprint of an old book, snide and ugly in tone, indicating that the book was a history of the Mormons. President Merrill said to me, "I want yo ... (continued)
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"If Ye Had Known Me"
Elder David A. Bednar
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The story of Peter and Andrew immediately leaving their nets to follow Jesus when He called them, exemplifying the immediate and total response to follow the Savior.
"And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. "And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. "And they straightway left their nets, and followed him."17Matthew 4:18"“20
Forgiveness
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"If Ye Had Known Me"
Elder David A. Bednar
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
A father's plea to Jesus to heal his child, expressing belief in Jesus but also revealing his struggle with unbelief, showing the personal and individual nature of faith and belief in Christ's power.
In the New Testament, a father asked the Savior to heal his child. Jesus answered: "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. "And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."32Mark 9:23"“24
Forgiveness
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"If Ye Had Known Me"
Elder David A. Bednar
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The Savior's teaching that only by doing the will of the Father can one obtain the grace of the Son, and many who profess to know Him will be told He never knew them.
As the Savior concluded the Sermon on the Mount, He emphasized the eternal truth that "only by doing the will of the Father is the saving grace of the Son obtainable."1[James E. Talmage,Jesus the Christ,3rd ed. (1916), 245"“46.] He declared: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"If Ye Had Known Me"
Elder David A. Bednar
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The parable of the ten virgins, where the five foolish virgins were unprepared and ultimately not known by the bridegroom, symbolizing the importance of being spiritually prepared.
Consider also the parable of the ten virgins. Recall that the five foolish and unprepared virgins went to obtain oil for their lamps after hearing the cry to go and meet the bridegroom. "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. "Afterward came also the [five foolish] virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. "But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not."4Matthew 25:10"“12
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"If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments"
Elder Robert D. Hales
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Lucifer rebelled against Heavenly Father's plan in the premortal Council in Heaven, leading his followers to end their eternal progression.
In the premortal Council in Heaven, Lucifer rebelled against Heavenly Father"™s plan. Those who followed Lucifer ended their eternal progression"”be careful who you follow!
Forgiveness
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"If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments"
Elder Robert D. Hales
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Joseph Smith was taught a lesson in obedience when he yielded to Martin Harris's pleas to show the 116 manuscript pages of the Book of Mormon to others, resulting in their loss.
Joseph Smith was taught the consequences for yielding to the pressures of his benefactor, friend, and scribe Martin Harris. In response to Martin"™s pleas, Joseph asked the Lord for permission to loan the first 116 manuscript pages of the Book of Mormon so that Martin could show them to his family, but the Lord told Joseph to say no. Martin pleaded with Joseph to ask the Lord again. After Joseph"™s third request the Lord gave permission for five specific people to review the manuscript. "In ... (continued)
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"If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments"
Elder Robert D. Hales
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The prophet Moses was criticized by Miriam and Aaron for taking an Ethiopian wife, but the Lord rebuked them and confirmed His direct communication with Moses.
The prophet Moses provides another example. When Moses obediently took an Ethiopian wife, Miriam and Aaron spoke against him. But the Lord rebuked them, saying, "With [Moses] will I speak mouth to mouth."16Numbers 12:8The Lord used this incredible incident to teach members of the Church in our dispensation. In 1830 Hiram Page claimed to receive revelation for the Church. The Lord corrected him and taught the Saints, "Thou shalt be obedient unto the things which I shall give unto [Joseph], even ... (continued)
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"If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments"
Elder Robert D. Hales
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
In December 1831, the Lord directed some brethren to confront their enemies and uphold His commandments through a revelation given to Joseph Smith.
In December 1831 some of the brethren were called upon to help allay unfriendly feelings that had developed toward the Church. Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord directed them in an unusual, even surprising way:
"Confound your enemies; call upon them to meet you both in public and in private. "¦
"Wherefore, let them bring forth their strong reasons against the Lord.
""¦ No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper;
"And if any man lift his voice against you he shall be confounded ... (continued)
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"If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments"
Carole M. Stephens
- First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency
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📖 general conference
The speaker helps her daughter by taking her granddaughter Chloe home, but struggles to keep Chloe buckled in her car seat.
When our oldest daughter, Jen, brought her third daughter home from the hospital, I went to her home to help. After getting her oldest daughter off to school, we decided that what Jen needed most was rest. So the best help I could give was to take her daughter Chloe home with me so her mom and new baby sister could have some quiet time.
I buckled Chloe into her car seat, secured my own seat belt, and drove out of their driveway. However, before we reached the end of the street, Chloe had unbuckl ... (continued)
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"In "¦ Counsellors There Is Safety"
President Gordon B. Hinckley
- First Counselor in the First Presidency
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📖 general conference
The speaker reflects on his first calling as a counselor to the deacons quorum president in his youth, expressing how significant and challenging the responsibility felt to him at the time.
In the large ward in which I grew up, there were five quorums of deacons. Each was presided over by a presidency of three boys. My first responsibility in the Church, the first office I ever held, was counselor to the boy who presided over our deacons quorum. Our good bishop called me in and talked with me about this calling. I was tremendously impressed. I was worried and concerned. I was by nature, believe it or not, a rather shy and backward boy, and I think this call to serve as a counselor ... (continued)
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"In "¦ Counsellors There Is Safety"
President Gordon B. Hinckley
- First Counselor in the First Presidency
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📖 general conference
The speaker recounts his experiences serving as a counselor in various Church presidencies, including as a counselor to two Presidents of the Church, and emphasizes the importance of unity and support within the presidency.
I subsequently served in the presidencies of other priesthood quorums. I served as a counselor in the stake Sunday School superintendency, as it was then called, before I became the stake superintendent. I served as a counselor in the stake presidency before I was named stake president. And, as all of you know, I have served as a counselor to two Presidents of the Church, two wonderful and dedicated and inspiring leaders.
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"In "¦ Counsellors There Is Safety"
President Gordon B. Hinckley
- First Counselor in the First Presidency
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📖 general conference
The speaker shares a personal experience of carrying a heavy burden of responsibility when President Kimball was ill, and how he carefully avoided making any significant changes without President Kimball's full consent and approval.
During the time that President Kimball was ill, President Tanner"™s health failed and he passed away. President Romney was called as First Counselor, and I as Second Counselor to President Kimball. Then President Romney became ill, thus leaving to me an almost overwhelming burden of responsibility. I counseled frequently with my Brethren of the Twelve, and I cannot say enough of appreciation to them for their understanding and for the wisdom of their judgment. In matters where there was a well ... (continued)
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"In "¦ Counsellors There Is Safety"
President Gordon B. Hinckley
- First Counselor in the First Presidency
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📖 general conference
The speaker describes how he and his fellow counselor, President Monson, work closely with President Benson, who is advanced in age, to ensure the work of the Church moves forward without deviating from established policies without the President's knowledge and approval.
President Benson is now ninety-one years of age and does not have the strength or vitality he once possessed in abundance. Brother Monson and I, as his counselors, do as has been done before, and that is to move forward the work of the Church, while being very careful not to get ahead of the President nor to undertake any departure of any kind from long-established policy without his knowledge and full approval.
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"In Consequence of Evils and Designs"
Bishop Joseph L. Wirthlin
- Presiding Bishop of the Church
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts the story of Joseph Smith receiving the golden plates from the angel Moroni, translating the Book of Mormon, and receiving various priesthoods and revelations, including the Word of Wisdom and the welfare program.
President McKay, my brethren and sisters, I sincerely trust that the Lord will give me the inspiration and the desire I have in my heart to bear testimony to you that I know Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet, that he actually saw the Father and the Son. There appeared to him an angel called Moroni, and through Moroni, he received the golden plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated and made available to the people of the world. Through Joseph Smith, we received the priesthood, both the ... (continued)
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"In Consequence of Evils and Designs"
Bishop Joseph L. Wirthlin
- Presiding Bishop of the Church
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker discusses the Word of Wisdom, a revelation given to Joseph Smith about the health dangers of tobacco and alcohol, and contrasts the amount of money spent on these substances with spending on education and religion.
One revelation in particular I am interested in. It is called the Word of Wisdom. It was given to the Prophet Joseph on February 27, 1833. This marvelous revelation had to do with the use of tobacco and alcohol, and also indicated what we should take into our bodies to keep them sweet, clean, and strong. Now, it has been a hundred and twenty-five years since the Prophet Joseph gave this marvelous revelation to the world. It has taken medical science a long time to discover that tobacco and alcoh ... (continued)
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"In Consequence of Evils and Designs"
Bishop Joseph L. Wirthlin
- Presiding Bishop of the Church
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker describes the revelation given to Joseph Smith about the welfare program and the necessity of storehouses for the poor.
There is another marvelous revelation given to the Prophet Joseph that has to do with the welfare program. This wonderful revelation is found in the Doctrine and Covenants, Section 78, Verse 3: 'For verily I say unto you, the time has come, and is now at hand; and behold, and lo, it must needs be that there be an organization of my people, in regulating and establishing the affairs of the storehouse for the poor of my people, both in this place and in the land of Zion"”' D&C 78:3 This was give ... (continued)
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"In Consequence of Evils and Designs"
Bishop Joseph L. Wirthlin
- Presiding Bishop of the Church
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker reflects on a revelation about wars and conflicts given to Joseph Smith, which predicted the Civil War and other global conflicts, and the speaker interprets this as an indication of future wars involving many nations.
Another marvelous revelation is one that is not encouraging, but nevertheless is true, and we must give it consideration. It is section 87 of the Doctrine and Covenants and it reads: 'Verily, thus saith the Lord concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls;'And the time will come that war will be poured out upon all nations, beginning at this place.'He could only have known ... (continued)
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