"Remember This: Kindness Begins with Me"
Mary N. Cook
- First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
A Laurel from the speaker's ward shared how centering her life on Jesus Christ improved her day, made her kinder, and filled her with joy, despite her challenges from living in a single-parent home.
A few weeks ago I learned an important lesson from a Laurel who was the youth speaker in my ward. I was touched as she confidently taught and testified of Jesus Christ. She concluded her remarks with this statement: "When I make Jesus Christ the center of my life, my day goes better, I"™m kinder to my loved ones, and I am filled with joy." I have observed this young woman from a distance over the past few months. She greets everyone with sparkling eyes and a quick smile. I"™ve watched her ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"Remember This: Kindness Begins with Me"
Mary N. Cook
- First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
The parable of the good Samaritan teaches the Christlike attribute of benevolence, as the Samaritan showed kindness to a wounded man despite their cultural differences.
From the parable of the good Samaritan we learn that we are to love all. The story begins in Luke, chapter 10, when a lawyer asked the Savior, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" The answer: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself." The lawyer then asked, "Who is my neighbour?" That was a very interesting question for the lawyer to ask, since the Jews had neighbors to ... (continued)
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"Remember This: Kindness Begins with Me"
Mary N. Cook
- First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
A counselor in a bishopric compared the variety of hues in a child's crayon box to the unique individuals in his ward, emphasizing the importance of unity and benevolence within the congregation.
A counselor in a bishopric recently shared an experience that teaches how important each neighbor is. While looking out over the congregation, he saw a child with a large box of crayons filled with a variety of different hues. As he looked at the many members of his ward, he was reminded that, like the crayons, they were very similar but each person was also very unique. He remarked: "The shade they brought to the ward and the world was all their own. "¦ They had their individual strengths and ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"Remember This: Kindness Begins with Me"
Mary N. Cook
- First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
A young woman's example of faith was highlighted when a child noticed a picture of Jesus in her locker, leading to a touching moment and a recognition of the positive influence of the youth in the Church.
You may not know the impact your life and example may have on a little child. I recently received a note from a friend who manages a day-care center in a local high school. Attending that high school are several young men and young women who are members of the Church. She shared with me this experience: "As I walk through the halls with the little children, it is nice to see how many lockers have pictures of Jesus or of temples taped to the inside of the doors. One of the children saw a picture ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"Remember Who You Are"
President N. Eldon Tanner
- First Counselor in the First Presidency
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📖 general conference
The speaker recounts a story about being introduced by the governor of Texas at an event for oilmen, where the governor praised the reliability of those who have served as bishops in the Mormon church.
I would just like to give you an example of what I"™m thinking of. (It may not be as good as some that I have used before.) I was invited when I was with the Alberta, Canadian government to go down to Dallas, Texas, to speak to a large group of oilmen. I was introduced by the governor of Texas. As he introduced me, he said I had been a bishop in the Mormon church and I was now president of the Edmonton, Canada Branch. He said, "I"™d like to tell you men that anybody who is worthy to be a bis ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"Render Unto Caesar..."
Elder Alma Sonne
- Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
Albert J. Beveridge, a Senator from Indiana, praised Jesus as the 'prince of public speakers,' highlighting the enduring impact of the Sermon on the Mount.
Albert J. Beveridge, a Senator from Indiana, stated many years ago: "The Son of Mary is the prince of public speakers." He was right, for the Sermon on the Mount is the greatest sermon ever preached. It has endured nineteen centuries of criticism. It has survived the apostasy, the Dark Ages, the Renaissance, and the Reformation, and its powerful message is still reverberating through the world. It will never die.
Forgiveness
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"Render Unto Caesar..."
Elder Alma Sonne
- Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Jesus' command 'Follow me' inspired his followers to abandon their livelihoods and follow him, even to death.
And there is another thing which I called to the attention of the young students a week ago, when I said, "Jesus is the most compelling personality in human history." He spoke two words to his followers: "Follow me"Matt. 8:22and strong men gave up their fishing nets and followed him even to death.
Forgiveness
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"Render Unto Caesar..."
Elder Alma Sonne
- Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Lew Wallace, while writing 'Ben Hur,' was advised by an agnostic to not emphasize the divinity of Jesus Christ, but Wallace had already formed his opinions based on the Gospels.
I recall years ago reading about Lew Wallace who wrote the great story, Ben Hur. It appears that while he was writing this book, he was visited by a certain well-known and gifted agnostic. The agnostic encouraged him to write the book. "But," said he, "do not emphasize the divinity of Jesus Christ. Treat this character as you would any other character in history." But Lew Wallace had studiously read the Gospels and formed his opinions of the Master on the record left by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"Render Unto Caesar..."
Elder Alma Sonne
- Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus' response to the Roman soldiers caused them to fall backward in silent tribute, and he protected his disciples by asking the soldiers to let them go.
I recall another incident. It happened in the Garden of Gethsemane when the Roman soldiers came to arrest the Master. As they entered, Jesus said to these hard-faced men, "Whom seek ye?" They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." "I am he," replied Jesus, and those men, in silent tribute, "went backward and fell to the ground." He asked again "Whom seek ye?" They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." "I am he," responded the Lord, and then, characteristic of his great soul, he said, "If therefore ye seek me ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"Render Unto Caesar..."
Elder Alma Sonne
- Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Jesus skillfully responded to the spies sent by the chief priests to entrap him with a question about paying tribute to Caesar, teaching a lesson on honesty.
I am reminded of the spies who were sent out by the chief priests to trip and trap him if they could. "Is it lawful to pay tribute to Caesar?" they asked. Jesus asked for a coin. They produced what happened to be a tax coin with which the Jews paid taxes to the Roman government. "Whose image is on the coin?" asked Jesus. "It is the image of Caesar." Then said the Lord, "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things which are God's" (seeMatt. 22:17-21I submit that ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"Repent "¦ That I May Heal You"
Elder Neil L. Andersen
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The speaker recounts President Monson's kindness when extending the call to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, describing it as a protective and loving embrace.
We love President Thomas S. Monson, the Lord"™s prophet. I will forever remember his kindness as he extended my call last April. At the conclusion of our interview, he opened his arms to embrace me. President Monson is a tall man. As he wrapped his long arms around me and pulled me close, I felt like a little boy being held in the protective arms of a loving father.
Forgiveness
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"Repent "¦ That I May Heal You"
Elder Neil L. Andersen
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The speaker shares a story of a man who had a period of riotous living, lost his Church membership, and felt deep remorse. During a priesthood blessing, the speaker felt the Savior's love and forgiveness for the man.
Years ago, I was asked to meet with a man who, long before our visit, had had a period of riotous living. As a result of his bad choices, he lost his membership in the Church. He had long since returned to the Church and was faithfully keeping the commandments, but his previous actions haunted him. Meeting with him, I felt his shame and his deep remorse at having set his covenants aside. Following our interview, I placed my hands upon his head to give him a priesthood blessing. Before speaking a ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"Repent "¦ That I May Heal You"
Elder Neil L. Andersen
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The speaker tells of President James E. Faust's regret for not helping his grandmother refill the wood box as a child, a memory that stayed with him for over 65 years.
You will remember a tender story told by President James E. Faust. "As a small boy on the farm "¦Ã‚ , I remember my grandmother "¦ cooking our delicious meals on a hot woodstove. When the wood box next to the stove became empty, Grandmother would silently pick up the box, go out to refill it from the pile of cedar wood outside, and bring the heavily laden box back into the house." President Faust"™s voice then filled with emotion as he continued: "I was so insensitive "¦ I sa ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"Repent "¦ That I May Heal You"
Elder Neil L. Andersen
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
An elderly couple returns to the Church after 50 years, expressing regret that their family does not have the gospel's blessings, but the speaker assures them of the Lord's welcoming arms.
Once I was asked to meet an older couple returning to the Church. They had been taught the gospel by their parents. After their marriage, they left the Church. Now, 50 years later, they were returning. I remember the husband coming into the office pulling an oxygen tank. They expressed regret at not having remained faithful. I told them of our happiness because of their return, assuring them of the Lord"™s welcoming arms to those who repent. The elderly man responded, "We know this, Brother An ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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"Repent of [Our] Selfishness" (D&C 56:8)
Elder Neal A. Maxwell
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The speaker discusses the concept of selfishness as self-destruction and the need for its annihilation, not moderation, citing Joseph Smith.
In one degree or another we all struggle with selfishness. Since it is so common, why worry about selfishness anyway? Because selfishness is really self-destruction in slow motion. No wonder the Prophet Joseph Smith urged, "Let every selfish feeling be not only buried, but annihilated" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith,sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 178). Hence annihilation"”not moderation"”is the destination!
Forgiveness
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"Repent of [Our] Selfishness" (D&C 56:8)
Elder Neal A. Maxwell
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The speaker references Copernicus to draw a parallel between the need for a shift in perspective regarding the earth's position in the universe and the need for selfish individuals to realize they are not the center of the universe.
Long ago it took a Copernicus to tell a provincial world that this planet was not the center of the universe. Some selfish moderns need a Copernican reminder that they are not the center of the universe either!
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"Repent of [Our] Selfishness" (D&C 56:8)
Elder Neal A. Maxwell
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The speaker uses a metaphor of goldfish in a bowl to illustrate how selfish individuals are oblivious to their dependence on others.
Surging selfishness, for example, has shrunken some people into ciphers; they seek to erase their emptiness by sensations. But in the arithmetic of appetite, anything multiplied by zero still totals zero! Each spasm of selfishness narrows one"™s universe that much more by reducing his awareness of or concern with others. In spite of its outward, worldly swagger, such indulgent individualism is actually provincial, like goldfish in a bowl congratulating themselves on their self-sufficiency, nev ... (continued)
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"Repent of [Our] Selfishness" (D&C 56:8)
Elder Neal A. Maxwell
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker contrasts the path of selfishness with the path of unselfishness, highlighting the freedom and joy found in caring for others.
In contrast to the path of selfishness, there is no room for road rage on the straight and narrow way. There will be no spouse or child abuse when there is unselfish love at home. Furthermore, unselfishness is best grown in the family garden, and, likewise, diligently performing seemingly ordinary Church duties can further help us to overcome selfishness. The unselfish are also more free. As G. K. Chesterton said, if we can be interested in others, even if they are not interested in us, we will ... (continued)
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"Repent of [Our] Selfishness" (D&C 56:8)
Elder Neal A. Maxwell
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker describes the cultural decline due to selfishness, using scriptural references to illustrate the consequences of a society that becomes self-centered and without love.
Alas, gross, individual selfishness is finally acculturated. Then societies can eventually become without order, without mercy, without love, perverted, and past feeling (seeMoro. 9Society thereby reflects a grim, cumulative tally which signals a major cultural decline. This happened anciently when a people actually became "weak, because of their transgression"Hel. 4:26Speaking behaviorally, when what was once the lesser voice of the people becomes more dominant, then the judgments of God and ... (continued)
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"Repent of [Our] Selfishness" (D&C 56:8)
Elder Neal A. Maxwell
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts the story of Melissa Howes, a young girl who showed remarkable unselfishness and spiritual submissiveness in her prayer when her father was dying of cancer.
In contrast, as I close, consider unselfish Melissa Howes, whose comparatively young father died of cancer several months ago. Just before, Melissa, who was then nine, was voice in family prayer, pleading, "Heavenly Father, bless my daddy, and if you need him more than us, you can have him. We want him, but Thy will be done. And please help us not to be mad at you" (letter from Christie Howes, 25 Feb. 1998).
What spiritual submissiveness for one so young! What an unselfish understanding of the ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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