"Judge Not, That Ye Be Not Judged"
President N. Eldon Tanner
- Second Counselor in the First Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
A bishop overlooked a ward member for a position due to preconceived notions, but a new bishop gave him the opportunity, and the man was eager to serve.
Let me give you another example or two of what I would call unrighteous judgment. First, a bishop who needs additional officers sees a member of his ward who, though not active, seems to have ability, but he says to himself, "Oh, he wouldn"™t be interested. He wouldn"™t want to accept a position." So he does not approach him, and the man remains inactive for years. A new bishop is called to the ward, asks the man if he would be willing to accept a position, and finds that he is really read ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"Judge Not, That Ye Be Not Judged"
President N. Eldon Tanner
- Second Counselor in the First Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
A man criticizes the bishop's decisions without knowing the full facts, influencing his family to lose respect for the bishop.
On the other hand, we hear a man say to his family and to others, "I don"™t see why the bishop does this or that. You would think he would know better." Here he is judging the bishop without the facts, which, if known to him, would be full justification for the action taken. The man"™s judgment was not only unrighteous, but it had probably prejudiced his children and caused them to lose respect for the bishop and had weakened their faith.
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"Just One Boy"
Elder Marion D. Hanks
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
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📖 general conference
The speaker reflects on his father's missionary work in his late teens, carrying the Book of Mormon with conviction but limited knowledge to defend his beliefs.
I sat thinking a moment ago of my sainted father who left his little family and departed this earth more than thirty-five years ago, how he went into the missionary field at the call of the Lord through the Brethren, in his late teens, carrying copies of the Book of Mormon with testimony and conviction, expressing his deepest assurance of the validity of the work he represented and yet without adequate knowledge, perhaps, because he was but a boy and because much knowledge now available was not ... (continued)
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"Just One Boy"
Elder Marion D. Hanks
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts a story from a book about a group of Latter-day Saints in a Siberian concentration camp who met faithfully to worship despite the risk of life imprisonment.
A thoughtful friend phoned this morning to tell me of a book he had just received"”I had not seen a copy nor is it available in our bookstores yet"”a book called,I Found God in Soviet Russia, in which a man tells of his own experiences as a prisoner in a concentration camp in Siberia. He talks of the religious faith that permitted people to endure and survive. He mentions in at least four different places, and this would perhaps be a satisfying if sorrowful and surprising thing for us to kno ... (continued)
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"Just One Boy"
Elder Marion D. Hanks
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
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📖 general conference
The speaker shares an impactful personal experience with a man who had been estranged from the Church for nearly sixty years after being dismissed as 'just one kid' by a bishop's counselor.
Could I tell you one story which bears repetition"”and I have had the blessing of repeating it in some of the stakes of the Church. It is the most significant single experience I have ever had, personally, about the importance of one. It happened long enough ago that I think the individual involved would not be conscious of our noting him, though I see no harm if he is. A man walked into these grounds and into an office in the Bureau of Information one day long ago. He interrupted a conversati ... (continued)
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"Knock, and It shall Be Opened unto You"”"
President Joseph Fielding Smith
- Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The speaker recounts being baptized at the age of eight and being taught by a kind sister about the importance of staying pure and unspotted from the world, a lesson that has stayed with him throughout his life.
I was baptized when I was eight years old. It was impressed upon me at that time that through baptism I had received the remission of sins and stood pure, clean, before the Lord. I had a sister who was very kind, as all my sisters were, who impressed upon my mind the need of keeping myself unspotted from the worldJames 1:27Her teachings to me the day I was baptized have stayed with me all the days of my life, and I honor her memory.
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"Knock, and It shall Be Opened unto You"”"
President Joseph Fielding Smith
- Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The speaker expresses his firm conviction in the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith, recounting the foundational events of the Church's history and his personal testimony of their truth.
I have a perfect knowledge of the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith. There is no doubt in my mind that the Lord raised him up and gave him revelation, commandment, opened the heavens to him, and called upon him to stand at the head of this glorious dispensation. I am just as satisfied in my mind that in his youth when he went out to pray he beheld the actual presence, stood in the actual presence, of God the Father and his son, Jesus Christ; in my mind there is no doubt; I know this to ... (continued)
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"Knock, and It shall Be Opened unto You"”"
President Joseph Fielding Smith
- Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The speaker shares his belief in the nearness of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, referencing the visitation of Elijah to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and the restoration of keys as a sign of the approaching great and dreadful day of the Lord.
I believe that the coming of the Son of God is not far away, how far I do not know, but I do know that it is over one hundred years nearer than it was when Elijah the prophet came to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple on the third day of April, 1836. Elijah's words point to the fact that we are that much nearer. And this ancient prophet declared that by the restoration of those keys we should know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at our do ... (continued)
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"Knock, and It shall Be Opened unto You"”"
President Joseph Fielding Smith
- Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The speaker reflects on his interviews with missionaries, noting that some lack a testimony but believe they will gain one on their mission, and emphasizes that every baptized member has the right to know the truth of the gospel through revelation.
In interviewing missionaries I frequently ask them, nearly always do, if they have a testimony of the truth. Some of them say, 'No, I do not. I think it is true, but I do not know, but I have the assurance that if I go on this mission I will learn that it is true.' Down in their hearts they give an honest answer, but I think they know better than they say. However, it is the right of every baptized member in this Church to know for himself by the revelations of the Spirit of the Lord that all th ... (continued)
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"Labor Today"
Elder Marion G. Romney
- Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The speaker recalls a humorous incident involving a little boy who, after attending Sunday School, went home, changed into his cowboy clothes, and returned to the meetinghouse to find his mother, asking loudly why she was staying to 'see this thing through three times'.
Seeing you here, and realizing that many of you attended the Primary conference, so that now you have been in meetings constantly for five days, I am reminded of an experience my wife and I had one time as we rode from St. George to Cedar City. The driver of the automobile in which we rode had with him his little boy, who was just tall enough to stand on his feet and look out through the windshield. He wore cowboy chaps and a cowboy hat. His father told us of two things he liked to do: one was ... (continued)
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"Labor Today"
Elder Marion G. Romney
- Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The speaker shares an anecdote about Elder Sill, who once had to borrow money to pay his tithing in full at the end of the year due to a miscalculation, demonstrating his commitment to his financial obligations to the Church.
I welcome Elder Sill into the Councils of the Church. I have known him for nineteen years now. Back in those days he and I were companion bishops serving under President Joseph L. Wirthlin, who was then our stake president. I know of his ability and of his loyalty. I know that he never let his tithing go unpaid. I remember an occasion when he consulted me about it at the end of the year, when some of his calculations had gone wrong, and he did not have the ready cash to pay his tithing in fu ... (continued)
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"Lead Them Not Into Temptation..."
President N. Eldon Tanner
- Second Counselor in the First Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares a story about a young man who became a drug addict and hippie despite his background as a returned missionary and a family man, and how he ended up in prison seeking redemption.
Case of drug addict
Now, turning our attention to drugs, I wish to share with you just two of my experiences since the October conference. Just before conference, a bishop called me from California to make an appointment to bring in a young man from his ward who was involved with hippies. He felt I might be able to help him. They came in just after conference. His long hair, dress, and general appearance left no doubt that he was a hippie. I asked him to tell me his story. Briefly, this is what ... (continued)
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"Lead Them Not Into Temptation..."
President N. Eldon Tanner
- Second Counselor in the First Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts the story of a young woman from a successful and active family who became addicted to cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs due to peer pressure and is now struggling to recover in an institution.
Experience of young woman
The next case I wish to share with you is similar to hundreds and hundreds of others. I have talked to the girl involved and to her parents; and though they know that many might recognize them as the ones about whom I am talking, they said if it will help someone they would be glad to have me use their story.
She comes from a very fine family. The father is a successful doctor, and the family has been active in the Church and in the community. They have one son who has ... (continued)
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"Lead Them Not Into Temptation..."
President N. Eldon Tanner
- Second Counselor in the First Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker tells the story of a successful oil well driller in Alberta who became an alcoholic and lost everything, including his family, but eventually overcame his addiction with the help of Alcoholics Anonymous and the Lord.
The alcohol problem
Now I should like to direct our thinking to the alcohol problem, which is so serious wherever we turn. May I tell you as accurately as I can the story told me by a man whom I knew very well. He used to be one of the most successful oil well drillers in the province of Alberta, a man who was well-respected, highly regarded, and a good citizen, but who, as many others, through social drinking, became an alcoholic. He was one of the fortunate ones who, with the help of Alcoholic ... (continued)
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"Lead Them Not Into Temptation..."
President N. Eldon Tanner
- Second Counselor in the First Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares a tragic story of a young man named Jim, who was beaten to death after consuming alcohol with friends, highlighting the dangers of drinking even for those who do not regularly partake.
Tragedy from drinking
Now here is another story I tell with the permission of the parents, who likewise expressed a real desire to do everything they can to help other youth to avert a tragedy such as that which happened to their son.
In a file they handed me was a newspaper clipping, written before his tragedy, showing the picture of a fine-looking young lad, who had just been elected president of the junior class in high school. The article said: "Wherever activity is bubbling or leadership is ... (continued)
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"Lead, Kindly Light"
Virginia U. Jensen
- First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency
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📖 general conference
At 10 years old, Joshua Dennis was trapped in an abandoned mine for five days, but wasn't afraid because of his faith and belief that he would be found.
When he was just 10 years old, Joshua Dennis spent five days trapped in the pitch-black darkness of an abandoned mine. When rescuers finally heard his faint cry for help and pulled him out of the horrible darkness, he was disoriented, cold, and exhausted. Much to their surprise, he wasn"™t afraid. Josh spent his time sleeping, yelling for help, and praying. "Someone was protecting me," he explained. "I knew people were going to find me."
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"Lead, Kindly Light"
Virginia U. Jensen
- First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
King Lamoni, despite his earthly treasures and power, lived in spiritual darkness until he was taught the gospel by Ammon, which brought him overwhelming joy and light.
Consider the experience of King Lamoni. Though he had unfettered power, great earthly treasures, and servants to wait on him hand and foot, he lived in spiritual darkness. When he was willing to permit Ammon to teach him the gospel, a most remarkable thing occurred: Lamoni "fell unto the earth, as if he were dead"Alma 18:42"Ammon knew that king Lamoni was under the power of God; he knew that the dark veil of unbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the light which did light up his mind, ... (continued)
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"Lead, Kindly Light"
Virginia U. Jensen
- First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
John Henry Newman, while ill and stranded in Italy, wrote the hymn 'Lead, Kindly Light' during a time of emotional and physical darkness, finding hope in his faith.
Throughout the scriptures, and indeed in the writings of thoughtful Christians through the centuries, we find examples of how Christ"™s message of light and salvation can spiritually and physically sustain us. As a young priest traveling in Italy in 1833, Englishman John Henry Newman encountered emotional and physical darkness when illness detained him there for several weeks. He became deeply discouraged, and a nurse who saw his tears asked what troubled him. All he could reply was that he wa ... (continued)
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"Lead, Kindly Light"
Virginia U. Jensen
- First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
Josh Dennis, once lost in a mine, is now Elder Dennis serving a mission in Honduras, sharing a message of hope and light, exemplifying the paradox of finding hope amidst darkness.
Remember little Josh Dennis? He is now Elder Dennis serving a mission far away from the dark mine which held him captive. Now Elder Dennis finds his way along the narrow, unfamiliar paths of Honduras sharing a message of hope, salvation, and light. What he teaches every day is the paradox he experienced as a young boy lost in a mine: that amidst encircling gloom, amidst the darkest possible circumstances, it is possible to feel hope, peace, and comfort"”all because of the light which is strong ... (continued)
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"Learn"”Then Teach"
President Spencer W. Kimball
📅 0
📖 general conference
President Spencer W. Kimball speaks about his wife, Camilla, who has had a lifelong thirst for knowledge and has been continually learning and teaching throughout their sixty-three years of marriage.
I am pleased with the theme that has been selected for this meeting, "Learn"”Then Teach." All my married life I have been blessed with my sweet companion, Camilla, who has had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. She is always reading and seeking. She believes literally in the Lord"™s counsel through the Prophet Joseph Smith: "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection"D&C 130:18Not only has she been continually learning duri ... (continued)
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