Whatsoever He Saith unto You, Do It
Elder L. Whitney Clayton
- Of the Presidency of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
Adam obeys the commandment to offer sacrifices without understanding the reason, which is later revealed to be a similitude of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Some rewards of obedience do come quickly; others come only after we are tested. In the Pearl of Great Price, we read about Adam’s tireless diligence in keeping the commandment to offer sacrifices. When the angel asked Adam why he was offering sacrifices, he answered, 'I know not, save the Lord commanded me.' The angel explained that his sacrifices were 'a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father.' But that explanation came only after Adam had demonstrated his commit ... (continued)
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When a Prophet Speaks, Listen Well
Bishop Robert L. Simpson
- Of the Presiding Bishopric
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recalls advice from his bishop during his teenage years to listen well when a prophet speaks, which he has followed throughout his life.
One of the great bits of advice that I have received in my life came during my teenage years when a great bishop, just before the President of the Church was going to visit our area, told a group of us "when a prophet of God speaks, you listen well." I have tried to do that all of my life. I am grateful for that advice.
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When a Prophet Speaks, Listen Well
Bishop Robert L. Simpson
- Of the Presiding Bishopric
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares observations from watching a football game with his son, drawing parallels between the game's rules and strategies and the principles of the gospel and priesthood.
Speaking of television, last Monday night my high-school-age son persuaded me to sit down and watch the second half of a football game. I have always made it a policy that no sacrifice is too great for my boy. So we sat down and watched football. While watching this game, some facts became very apparent. In fact, it had gospel application and priesthood application.
I noticed, for example, that there were no shortcuts to the goal line. It was a hundred yards in both directions. I also noticed th ... (continued)
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When a Prophet Speaks, Listen Well
Bishop Robert L. Simpson
- Of the Presiding Bishopric
📅 0
📖 general conference
President David O. McKay's story of seeking a testimony as a boy is recounted to illustrate how a testimony is earned over time, not given through immediate manifestations.
Many of us had similar thoughts as we became impatient along the way, particularly during our teenage years. Even President David O. McKay has told us about kneeling by a serviceberry bush as a boy in Huntsville to find out once and for all about the truth of the work. May I quote President McKay as he tells of that occasion: "I knelt down and with all the fervor of my heart poured out my soul to God and asked him for a testimony of this gospel. I had in mind that there would be some manifestati ... (continued)
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When I Read, I Am There
President S. Dilworth Young
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
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📖 general conference
The speaker recounts the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist and the divine confirmation that followed.
I am thrilled when I read of the scene at Jordan. There came the Son of God, unmarked and unknown; yet, recognizing him by the Spirit, John the Baptist could not help crying out: 'Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.' John 1:29 What do you imagine could have been John's feeling when, after the baptism, he heard a voice out of the heavens say in holy confirmation: 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased'? Matt. 3:17
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When I Read, I Am There
President S. Dilworth Young
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker expresses joy in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the titles prophesied about Him.
I read on and discover that each one of the gospels ends on a triumphant note. He has risen! He is the King of kings. He is the one named 'Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.' Isa. 9:6 I think of each of these titles given to him in prophecy and marvel as the meaning of each one touches my own heart.
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When I Read, I Am There
President S. Dilworth Young
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker imagines the apostles' feelings after Jesus' ascension and reflects on the day of Pentecost.
What did the 11 apostles think as the cloud received him out of their sight? I can see them, in my mind, walking across the Kedron, then the narrow streets to a common meeting place, each lost in his own fears, and in his own hopes according to his understanding. I read with gratitude of the great event of the day of Pentecost, when the promise of the Lord was realized and the Spirit of the Holy Ghost was on them in miraculous abundance.
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When I Read, I Am There
President S. Dilworth Young
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker reflects on the birth of Jesus Christ, the visitation of the shepherds and wise men, and the gifts they brought.
Believing this with all my heart, I read of the earthly life of this great being, the Messiah. I learn that when he was born, a host of angels sang anthems of joy to an audience of shepherds. Out of the East, with no explanation as to why they started, wise men came and deposited with Joseph and Mary presents which were of value: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. I do not doubt that they were inspired to find the Lord or that they were prompted to leave valuable gifts which could be used to sustain ... (continued)
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When I Read, I Am There
President S. Dilworth Young
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
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📖 general conference
The speaker describes the Transfiguration of Jesus and the witness given by God to the apostles present.
Then later, as I follow his life, I sense the extraordinary importance of this climb up the mountain with three fishermen who did not yet quite know what it was to be apostles, to be special witnesses. There, as his glory was manifest before them and their eyes were opened to the presence of Moses and Elijah, they heard the same solemn witness as had John, only this time it came from a bright cloud nearby, which overshadowed them. In my soul I hear the solemn words from out the cloud saying: 'Th ... (continued)
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When I Read, I Am There
President S. Dilworth Young
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker contemplates the suffering of Jesus Christ during the Atonement and the peace that comes from following His teachings.
Many of us know what it is to suffer physically for ourselves, and we suffer mentally and emotionally for our friends and loved ones in their sorrows and afflictions. I am not capable of fully understanding the suffering of this great firstborn Son of God for the sins of the world. We call it Gethsemane. He gave us agency and then, knowing all would sin to a greater or lesser degree, took the responsibility on himself of paying the price of the atonement for our sins, provided we would repent an ... (continued)
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When I Read, I Am There
President S. Dilworth Young
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker reflects on the crucifixion of Jesus and the personal impact of His sacrifice.
I read that he was hung on a cross. I look at my own hands and feet and try to imagine the pain of such torture—to hang there in the heat of the day, the weight of his body on those tearing nails, every muscle and nerve drawn tight in agony. No stopping, no escape until he, having said, 'It is finished' John 19:30 gave up the ghost. I realize that this was endured for me and for you; I bow my head; it is hard to hold back the tears. Even now, 1900 years later, it is as poignant as though ... (continued)
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When I Read, I Am There
President S. Dilworth Young
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
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📖 general conference
The speaker recounts the visitation of Jesus Christ to the Nephites in the Americas as described in the Book of Mormon.
I am puzzled over the long period of time in which there was no spiritual light, nearly 1700 years of spiritual darkness. And then I read in a book of scripture, newly discovered, with an unusual name—the Book of Mormon—of his coming to a people in this land, a people descended from the Jews and their kin in Israel. I read of his descent from the heavens above them, of the great multitude of Nephites gathered together round about their temple, and of the voice from heaven which pie ... (continued)
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When I Read, I Am There
President S. Dilworth Young
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
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📖 general conference
The speaker is moved by the account of the brother of Jared's encounter with the premortal Jesus Christ.
I have already read of how this great personage lived as the firstborn of his Father in the spirit, and so I am not surprised, although I am deeply moved, to learn that he, as a premortal spirit, visited the brother of Jared (see Ether 3:6–13) and I can sense his fear when the brother of Jared saw the finger of the Lord and realized that it was like unto the finger of a man. It surprised this prophet, but it does not surprise me, for I have learned that the Lord was the firstborn Son of G ... (continued)
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When I Read, I Am There
President S. Dilworth Young
- Of the First Council of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker testifies of the First Vision, where God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith.
Finally, I read of a great vision in this dispensation, in this modern day. For the first time, so far as I know, the personage who spoke in testimony at the baptism of Christ, again on the mount, and to the Nephites (saying, 'This is my beloved Son') did not speak out of a cloud as on those occasions. This time he stood in majestic holy light together with his Son and declared to Joseph Smith: 'This is My Beloved Son. Hear him!' JS—H 1:17 With Joseph Smith, as I read, I know that there i ... (continued)
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When I Was Called as a Scoutmaster
President Ezra Taft Benson
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The speaker describes how, years after their Scout adventures, he was able to reconnect with each of the twenty-four boys, including officiating temple sealings for two who had initially lost contact with the Church.
I have made an effort to keep in touch with these boys. Many years later, after having been in Idaho and Washington, D.C., I happened to attend a Sunday School in the Whitney Ward. One of the boys was serving as bishop, another was a counselor, a third was ward clerk, and another was the visiting stake high councilor. Then we went to the adult class; there was another one as the teacher. One of them was serving as the Scoutmaster. We had a fine session together and could account for each one of ... (continued)
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When I Was Called as a Scoutmaster
President Ezra Taft Benson
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The speaker recounts his experience as a young Scoutmaster, leading a boys' chorus to victory in a regional competition and fulfilling a promise to take the scouts on a hike to Bear Lake Valley, which included all participants clipping their hair.
I shall always be grateful that almost sixty-five years ago the good bishop of our ward came to me and asked me to be Scoutmaster of twenty-four boys in the Whitney Ward. We all received our handbooks at the same time. This was a great group of young men with a lot of musical talent.
In those days we had in the Mutual various cultural activities which were competitive. Among them were boys"™ choruses. Each ward was expected to have a chorus, and ofttimes the bishop would invite the Scoutmaster ... (continued)
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When I Was Called as a Scoutmaster
President Ezra Taft Benson
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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📖 general conference
The speaker reflects on his own family's commitment to missionary work, highlighting the missionary service of his parents and siblings, including two widowed sisters who served missions after their children.
I am grateful to the Lord for the home in which I was born and for that mission of my father, who, as Elder Thomas S. Monson has indicated, was called on a mission and left Mother at home with seven young children. The eighth was born four months after he arrived in the field. There came into that home a spirit of missionary work that never left it, for which I am deeply grateful.
I am grateful for my ten brothers and sisters, all of whom have gone on missions. Two of my sisters, widows"”one t ... (continued)
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When the Lord Commands
Elder Bruce A. Carlson
- Of the Seventy
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📖 general conference
Two fishermen crash their overloaded plane due to ignoring the pilot's warning about the weight limit.
The story is told of two outdoor enthusiasts who hired a bush plane to fly them to a remote lake for their annual fishing trip. Following a successful outing, the pilot returned to retrieve them. However, he quickly informed the fishermen that his small plane would not support them, their equipment, and the added weight of the fish they had caught. A second flight would be required.
Now, the sportsmen were not interested in paying for a second round-trip. So after a promise to pack tightly and a ... (continued)
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When the Lord Commands
Elder Bruce A. Carlson
- Of the Seventy
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📖 general conference
Jeroboam disobeys God's commandments, leading to the downfall of his lineage and the ten tribes of Israel.
During the closing years of King Solomon"™s reign, the Lord informed him through His prophet, "I will "¦ rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant."21 Kings 11:11
Shortly thereafter, the prophet Ahijah identified that servant as Jeroboam, an "industrious" man whom Solomon had made "ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph."31 Kings 11:28Jeroboam"™s duties required him to travel from the mountains of Ephraim, where he lived, to the capital of Jerusalem. Du ... (continued)
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When the Lord Commands
Elder Bruce A. Carlson
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
Naaman, a Syrian war hero, is cured of leprosy after humbling himself and obeying the prophet Elisha's instructions.
Decades later Naaman, a Syrian war hero, "a mighty man in valour,"102 Kings 5:1traveled from his native country to Israel and approached the king, Jehoram, to be healed of leprosy.11[See2 Kings 5:5"“6
Naaman was directed to the prophet Elisha. "And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, "¦ and thou shalt be clean."122 Kings 5:10
Despite this prophetic promise to be cured, Naaman was offended that Elisha did not greet him in person and even more ... (continued)
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