What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?
Elder Lynn G. Robbins
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker contrasts the acts of doing with the weightier matters of being, such as having faith and a changed heart before baptism, being worthy to partake of the sacrament, and having power in the priesthood based on righteousness.
While He recognized the importance of do, the Savior identified be as a 'weightier matter.' The greater importance of being is illustrated in the following examples: Entering the waters of baptism is something we do. The be that must precede it is faith in Jesus Christ and a mighty change of heart. Partaking of the sacrament is something we do. Being worthy to partake of the sacrament is a weightier and much more important matter. Ordination to the priesthood is an act, or do. The weightier matt ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?
Elder Lynn G. Robbins
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares a personal reflection on the never-ending process of being, such as being a good husband or parent, which cannot be checked off a list but must be part of one's nature and character.
Many of us create to do lists to remind us of things we want to accomplish. But people rarely have to be lists. Why? To do’s are activities or events that can be checked off the list when done. To be, however, is never done. You can’t earn checkmarks with to be’s. I can take my wife out for a lovely evening this Friday, which is a to do. But being a good husband is not an event; it needs to be part of my nature—my character, or who I am. Or as a parent, when can I che ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?
Elder Lynn G. Robbins
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker emphasizes the importance of focusing on the 'be' when disciplining children, as it addresses the unseen motives in their hearts rather than just their actions.
When children misbehave, let’s say when they quarrel with each other, we often misdirect our discipline on what they did, or the quarreling we observed. But the do—their behavior—is only a symptom of the unseen motive in their hearts. We might ask ourselves, 'What attributes, if understood by the child, would correct this behavior in the future? Being patient and forgiving when annoyed? Loving and being a peacemaker? Taking personal responsibility for one’s actions an ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?
Elder Lynn G. Robbins
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares an anecdote about how having a challenging child can be an opportunity for parents to develop their own Christlike virtues, suggesting that parents may need such a child as much as the child needs them.
A sweet and obedient child will enroll a father or mother only in Parenting 101. If you are blessed with a child who tests your patience to the nth degree, you will be enrolled in Parenting 505. Rather than wonder what you might have done wrong in the premortal life to be so deserving, you might consider the more challenging child a blessing and opportunity to become more godlike yourself. With which child will your patience, long-suffering, and other Christlike virtues most likely be tested, de ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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What Manner of Men Ought We to Be?
President Ezra Taft Benson
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The story of Lamoni's father, a Lamanite king, who desired to change his life and sought the Lord's help to do so, leading to his conversion and joy in the gospel.
I cite for you an example of a man whose life was changed to a more Christlike life after he earnestly desired such a change and sought the Lord’s help.
Lamoni’s father was a king who had bitter enmity toward the Nephites. A great missionary by the name of Aaron—one of the sons of Mosiah—had come to the Lamanite nation to bring them the gospel. He proceeded to the king’s home and subsequently engaged him in a gospel discussion about the purpose of life. Once th ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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What Manner of Men?
Elder Donald L. Hallstrom
- Of the Presidency of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts his experiences listening to the priesthood session in his youth in Hawaii and as a missionary in England, reflecting on the technological advancements that have made the conference more accessible.
In my Aaronic Priesthood years in Hawaii half a century ago and as a missionary in England, we would gather in meetinghouses and (with intense effort) listen to the priesthood session using a telephone connection. In later years satellites allowed broadcasts to selected Church locations with those enormous dish receivers so we could both hear and view the proceedings. We were in awe of that technology! Few could have imagined today’s world, where anyone who has access to the Internet with ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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What Manner of Men?
Elder Donald L. Hallstrom
- Of the Presidency of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares a story of a man he counseled as a bishop who struggled with his temper and personal relationships, and who had resigned himself to the idea that he could not change.
Several decades ago I was serving as a bishop. Over an extended period I met with a man in our ward who was many years my senior. This brother had a troubled relationship with his wife and was estranged from their children. He struggled to keep employment, had no close friends, and found interaction with ward members so difficult he finally was unwilling to serve in the Church. During one intense discussion about the challenges in his life, he leaned toward me—as his conclusion to our num ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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What Manner of Men?
Elder Donald L. Hallstrom
- Of the Presidency of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker tells the inspiring story of Appa Rao Nulu, a man from India who overcame physical disability and societal limitations to join the Church, serve a mission, and improve his life and the lives of others in his village.
If you think your challenges are insurmountable, let me tell you of a man we met in a small village outside of Hyderabad, India, in 2006. This man exemplified a willingness to change. Appa Rao Nulu was born in rural India. When he was three years old, he contracted polio and was left physically disabled. His society taught him that his potential was severely limited. However, as a young adult he met our missionaries. They taught him of a greater potential, both in this life and in the eternity t ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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What Manner of Men? "As I Am"
Elder Marion D. Hanks
- Assistant to the Council of the Twelve
📅 0
📖 general conference
A story about a small boy who lost his pet and asked his mother to cry with him, illustrating the need for empathy and shared burdens.
All about us are opportunities. There came the other day the story of the small boy who had lost his pet and who in tears beseeched his anxious mother for help. She reminded him lovingly that she had tried as hard as she could to find the pet without success. “What more can I do, son?†she asked. “You can cry with me,†he said.
Forgiveness
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What Manner of Men? "As I Am"
Elder Marion D. Hanks
- Assistant to the Council of the Twelve
📅 0
📖 general conference
A story about a nine-year-old girl who has lived in 17 foster homes, highlighting the need for love and support for children in difficult situations.
A cherished friend who works with little children who have difficulties told me recently of a nine-year-old girl who has lived in 17 foster homes. She needs someone to cry with her, and laugh with her, and teach her, and love her.
Forgiveness
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What Manner of Men? "As I Am"
Elder Marion D. Hanks
- Assistant to the Council of the Twelve
📅 0
📖 general conference
An anecdote about Sister Louise Lake, who is in a wheelchair, and her interaction with a 12-year-old blind boy who felt that being misunderstood was worse than his blindness.
Recently our family visited with a dear friend, Sister Louise Lake, who has lived her gracious, sharing life in a wheelchair for more than a quarter of a century. Perhaps because our 12-year-old son was with us, Sister Lake told us of another 12-year-old with whom she became acquainted in a rehabilitation center in New York where she was working. The boy had been blind and for most of his 12 years had lived a sad existence, thought to be uneducable, incapable of learning. Then he was given a cha ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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What Manner of Men? "As I Am"
Elder Marion D. Hanks
- Assistant to the Council of the Twelve
📅 0
📖 general conference
A story about a serviceman in Vietnam who, after a near-death experience, requested a message be sent to his son to reassure him and express his love.
After a meeting with our servicemen at DaNang in South Vietnam, we talked with a senior pilot who had come very close to death that day and who was still shaken. He had a request to make, and he made it shyly, not wanting to impose. “I wonder if you might have just a minute when you get home, Brother Hanks, to call or write a note to my 12-year-old son to tell him that I am all right and that his dad is thinking about him. He was ordained a deacon last Sunday without his father there, and ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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What Matters Most Is What Lasts Longest
Elder M. Russell Ballard
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares the concerns of parents from India and Malaysia about the influence of media and peers on their children, reflecting the universal nature of these concerns.
In India a concerned Hindu mother said, "All I want is to be a bigger influence on my children than the media and the peer group." And a Buddhist mother in Malaysia said, "I"™d like my boys to be able to operate in the world, but I don"™t want them to be of the world." Parents from all different cultures and faiths are saying and feeling the same things we are as parents in the Church.
Forgiveness
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What Matters Most Is What Lasts Longest
Elder M. Russell Ballard
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts visiting refugee centers after Hurricane Katrina and being struck by the victims' desperate search for their family members.
Several of the Brethren and I recently visited a few of the refugee centers in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas where devastated and displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina were staying as they began to try to put their lives back together. Their stories and situations are tragic and poignant in many ways, but in all that I heard, what touched me the most was the crying out for family: "Where is my mother?" "I can"™t find my son." "I"™ve lost a sister." These were hungry, frightened pe ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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What Matters Most Is What Lasts Longest
Elder M. Russell Ballard
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Joseph F. Smith is quoted on the importance of the home and family, emphasizing that genuine happiness is connected to the sanctity of the home.
Joseph F. Smith said: "There can be no genuine happiness separate and apart from the home, and every effort made to sanctify and preserve its influence is uplifting to those who toil and sacrifice for its establishment. Men and women often seek to substitute some other life for that of the home; they would make themselves believe that the home means restraint; that the highest liberty is the fullest opportunity to move about at will. There is no happiness without service, and there is no service ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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What Seek Ye?
Elder L. Tom Perry
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The Europe Central Area Presidency is questioned by a man on a train about the Church's ability to exist without government financial support.
Let me illustrate with an experience the Europe Central Area Presidency had while traveling by train to a meeting. We were taking advantage of the time together by discussing our assignment. A man seated across the aisle became curious about our conversation. He finally asked, 'Are you Protestant or Catholic?' We replied, 'Neither. We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.' He acknowledged that he had heard of the Church, but then went on to say: 'You’ll never get ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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What Seek Ye?
Elder L. Tom Perry
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The same man on the train expresses disbelief that demographic changes could make natives a minority in their own country, showing apathy towards future challenges.
Seeing that we could not persuade him that a church could exist without government support, we tried to change the subject. I asked, 'What will happen in your country with the changes that are occurring? The declining population and the influx of an increasing number of immigrants will eventually make you a minority in your own land.'
With great national pride, he replied, 'This will never happen.'
I countered, 'How can you support such a position with immigration exceeding your country’s ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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What Seek Ye?
Elder L. Tom Perry
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
A family is introduced to the Church by sister missionaries, and the initially resistant father eventually becomes a spiritual leader in his home.
A family of four was initially contacted by sister missionaries, and from the very beginning the mother and her children often read in the Book of Mormon, prayed daily, and wanted to attend church. The father, however, resisted—unlike his wife, he was not of a Christian faith, and he did not yet feel prepared to reevaluate his beliefs.
The sister missionaries were inspired to focus their teachings on Jesus Christ. In their words:
'We taught about Joseph Smith, of his faith on Christ, what ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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What Seek Ye?
Elder L. Tom Perry
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
A young reactivated brother brings many people to Church activities and shares his testimony boldly, influencing his coworker to investigate the Church.
In another case, a young brother was reactivated as the result of the establishment of the outreach initiative to bring into activity young single adults ages 18 to 30. On the first night of activities in one of our Church buildings, this brother was the only nonmissionary attending, but within a few weeks, he had brought about 30 people to family home evening and other activities.
This brother is a Web site designer—he and a partner started their own Web design business. He currently liv ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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What Seek Ye?
Elder L. Tom Perry
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
A young woman from Hamburg, Germany, seeking spiritual meaning, is led to the missionaries and the Church as an answer to her prayers.
In still another case, a young woman from Hamburg, Germany, was struggling to find spiritual meaning to her life. She began to pray and ask God what she should do. One morning, after three days of some fasting and much prayer, she walked from her home to the bus stop. As she arrived, she realized she had left some keys at home that she needed that day. She returned home, picked up the keys, and walked again to the bus stop. She was quite distraught as she realized she had missed the bus she woul ... (continued)
Forgiveness
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