Which Way Do You Face?
Elder Lynn G. Robbins
- Of the Presidency of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
President Boyd K. Packer teaches the speaker, a new Seventy, about the importance of representing the prophet to the people, not the other way around.
"Which way do you face?" President Boyd K. Packer surprised me with this puzzling question while we were traveling together on my very first assignment as a new Seventy. Without an explanation to put the question in context, I was baffled. "A Seventy," he continued, "does not represent the people to the prophet but the prophet to the people. Never forget which way you face!" It was a powerful lesson.
Forgiveness
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Which Way Do You Face?
Elder Lynn G. Robbins
- Of the Presidency of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
Some young missionaries fail to report a companion's disobedience due to fear of offending them, but they must remember their accountability to God.
For example, some young missionaries carry this fear of men into the mission field and fail to report the flagrant disobedience of a companion to their mission president because they don"™t want to offend their wayward companion. Decisions of character are made by remembering the right order of the first and second great commandments (seeMatthew 22:37"“39). When these confused missionaries realize they are accountable to God and not to their companion, it should give them courage to do anabo ... (continued)
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Which Way Do You Face?
Elder Lynn G. Robbins
- Of the Presidency of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
Joseph Smith is rebuked by the Lord for fearing man more than God when he asks to let Martin Harris borrow the 116 manuscript pages.
At the youthful age of 22, even Joseph Smith forgot which way he faced when he repeatedly importuned the Lord to allow Martin Harris to borrow the 116 manuscript pages. Perhaps Joseph wanted to show gratitude to Martin for his support. We know that Joseph was extremely anxious for other eyewitnesses to stand with him against the distressing falsehoods and lies being spread about him. Whatever Joseph"™s reasons were, or as justified as they may appear, the Lord did not excuse them and sharply r ... (continued)
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Which Way Do You Face?
Elder Lynn G. Robbins
- Of the Presidency of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
Daniel shows true courage by defying King Darius, and Queen Esther confronts King Ahasuerus at the risk of her life, both empowered by their prayers and fear of God.
While it certainly takes courage to face perils, the true badge of courage is overcoming the fear of men. For example, Daniel"™s prayers helped him face lions, but what made him lionhearted was defying King Darius (seeDaniel 6). That kind of courage is a gift of the Spirit to theGod-fearingwho have said their prayers. Queen Esther"™s prayers also gave her that same courage to confront her husband, King Ahasuerus, knowing that she risked her life in doing so (seeEsther 4:8"“16).
Forgiveness
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Which Way Do You Face?
Elder Lynn G. Robbins
- Of the Presidency of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
Several biblical figures, including King Herod, King Noah, King Saul, and Aaron, succumbed to peer pressure and fear of men, leading them to make wrong choices.
Courage is not just one of the cardinal virtues, but as C. S. Lewis observed: "Courage is "¦ the form of every virtue at the testing point. "¦ Pilate was merciful till it became risky." King Herod was sorrowful at the request to behead John the Baptist but wanted to please "them which sat with him at meat" (Matthew 14:9). King Noah was ready to free Abinadi until peer pressure from his wicked priests caused him to waver (seeMosiah 17:11"“12). King Saul disobeyed the word of the Lord ... (continued)
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Which Way Do You Face?
Elder Lynn G. Robbins
- Of the Presidency of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
Mormon, Nephi, and Captain Moroni are examples of individuals who did not fear man and stood boldly for what they believed was right.
Now listen to some inspiring examples: First, Mormon: "Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and Ifear notwhat man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear" (Moroni 8:16 emphasis added). Nephi: "Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world" (1Â Nephi 6:5). Captain Moroni: "Behold, I am Moroni, your chief captain. I seek not for power, but to pull it down. ... (continued)
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Which Way Do You Face?
Elder Lynn G. Robbins
- Of the Presidency of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The Savior, Jesus Christ, is the ultimate example of someone who never forgot which way He faced, always doing the will of His Father.
The Savior, our great Exemplar, always faced His Father. He loved and served His fellowmen but said, "I receive not honour from men" (John 5:41). He wanted those He taught to follow Him, but He did not court their favor. When He performed an act of charity, such as healing the sick, the gift often came with the request to "tell no man" (Matthew 8:4; Mark 7:36; Luke 5:14; 8:56). In part, this was to avoid the very fame which followed Him in spite of His efforts to eschew it (seeMatthew 4:24). ... (continued)
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While They Are Waiting
Elder Marvin J. Ashton
- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
A new friend, recently disciplined and not a current member of the Church, asks for guidance on what they can do during their waiting period instead of being told what they cannot do.
A few days ago a new friend, not now a member of the Church because of recent discipline, asked, "What can I do while I am waiting? Over the past period of time it has been made very evident what I cannot do. Tell me and others in my situation what we can do." I recall vividly and with feeling this friend"™s additional request, "Please don"™t tell me to be patient, loving, sweet, and understanding. I need more than that. I need solid direction. I have an urgent need to get over my frustrat ... (continued)
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Who Honors God, God Honors
President Thomas S. Monson
- First Counselor in the First Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts a story from his youth when he saved a young lady from drowning in the Provo River.
One warm summer afternoon when I was about twelve or thirteen, I took a large, inflated inner tube from a tractor tire, slung it over my shoulder, and walked barefoot up the railroad track which followed the course of the river. I entered the water about a mile above the swimming hole, sat comfortably in the tube, and enjoyed a leisurely float down the river. The river held no fear for me, for I knew its secrets.
That day the Greek-speaking people in Utah held a reunion at Vivian Park in Provo C ... (continued)
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Who Honors God, God Honors
President Thomas S. Monson
- First Counselor in the First Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares an experience of a missionary who, despite not being the most talented, was able to correctly answer questions about missionary pamphlets during a quiz by a General Authority.
When I served as president of the Canadian Mission, headquartered in Toronto, one missionary came to our mission without some of the talents of others, yet he devotedly plunged into his missionary labors. The work was difficult for him; however, he valiantly struggled to be his best self.
At a zone conference, with a General Authority attending, the missionaries had not done too well in a scripture quiz conducted by the visitor. The visitor, with a little sarcasm, commented, "Why, I don"™t bel ... (continued)
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Who Is a True Friend?
Elder Malcolm S. Jeppsen
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker describes his personal action against cigarette advertising by placing a comment on all cigarette ads in his medical office waiting room to warn about the misleading nature of these ads.
I had my own comment printed and pasted on all cigarette advertising in the magazines of my medical office waiting room. It states:
"Many of the ads in this magazine are misleading, deceptive, and are a rip-off. For example, smoking does not make one glamorous, macho, or athletic. It does make one sick, poor, and dead."
How true this is.
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Who Is a True Friend?
Elder Malcolm S. Jeppsen
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts the story of acquiring a pet snake named Sneaky during a family vacation, which met an unfortunate end when a motel room attendant accidentally killed it while tidying the room.
Many of you during your lifetime have had a pet that may have come to a tragic end, with sad moments following. Some years ago while traveling on a family vacation, we acquired a rather unusual pet, which was a small, friendly, not-too-long, water snake from the beaches of Puget Sound. My children named him Sneaky, as short for Sneaky Snake.
Early one morning while the family was off walking near the motel, Sneaky somehow got out of his cardboard box. When the room attendant entered to tidy up t ... (continued)
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Who Is a True Friend?
Elder Malcolm S. Jeppsen
- Of the Seventy
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares an experience from his medical practice about a young man who became an alcoholic due to the encouragement of his so-called friends.
We"™ve heard from Bishop Hales tonight about true friends. May I add a thought or two about them? All of us may have been at one time or other confused as to just who our true friends are. Let me give you an example of what I mean as it relates to the Word of Wisdom.
Some years ago in my medical office I had occasion to examine a young man who was approximately the same age as you young men of the Aaronic Priesthood. I was puzzled by what seemed to be his medical problem.
After several tests a ... (continued)
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Who Is Jesus?
Elder Eldred G. Smith
- Patriarch to the Church
📅 0
📖 general conference
The story describes the pre-mortal council in heaven where Jehovah was chosen to be the Savior and honor the Father.
In that council in heaven, the plan and purpose of this earth life was explained to all the spirits, and then "the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me. And another answered and said: Here am I, send me. And the Lord said: I will send the first."Abr. 3:27 He who was selected was Jehovah, the oldest, who had promised that in going he would honor the Father and give him all the glory.
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Who Is Jesus?
Elder Eldred G. Smith
- Patriarch to the Church
📅 0
📖 general conference
The story tells of Jesus at the age of twelve, declaring his purpose to be about his Father's business when found in the temple conversing with doctors.
He declared who he was. Throughout his life on earth, he repeatedly declared that he was the Son of God. At the age of twelve, he was found "in the temple" conversing with the "doctors." In answer to his mother"™s reproof, he said, "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father"™s business?"Luke 2:49
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Who Is Jesus?
Elder Eldred G. Smith
- Patriarch to the Church
📅 0
📖 general conference
The story recounts the baptism of Jesus by John and the transfiguration of Jesus, where a voice from heaven declared Jesus as the beloved Son.
At the baptism of Jesus by John, as also at the transfiguration of Jesus, a voice from heaven declared, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."Matt. 3:17Matt. 17:5
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Who Is Jesus?
Elder Eldred G. Smith
- Patriarch to the Church
📅 0
📖 general conference
The story tells of Jesus's encounter with a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, where he reveals himself to her as the Messiah.
On another occasion, when Jesus stopped at Jacob"™s well, he asked a Samaritan woman to draw water for him, and, in the conversation that followed, the Samaritan woman said to Jesus, "I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. "Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he."John 4:25"“26
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Who Is Jesus?
Elder Eldred G. Smith
- Patriarch to the Church
📅 0
📖 general conference
The story recounts how Moses was shown in vision the many creations of Jehovah, who is Jesus Christ, and the vastness of these creations.
Jehovah was, then, under the direction of the Father, the creator of this earth and many other worlds. Moses was shown in vision "many lands; and each land was called earth, and there were inhabitants on the face thereof."Moses 1:29God declared to Moses; "By the word of my power, have I created them, which is mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth. "And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mi ... (continued)
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Who Is Jesus?
Elder Eldred G. Smith
- Patriarch to the Church
📅 0
📖 general conference
The story includes a quote from President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., emphasizing the magnitude of Jesus's creations and his experience as a creator.
To get some idea of the magnitude of these creations: President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., said, "Astronomers now yield what they did not formerly yield, that there may have been many, and probably were, many worlds like ours. Some say there were in this galaxy perhaps from its beginning, one million worlds like unto this one. ""˜Worlds without number have I created,"™ through "˜mine Only Begotten Son."™ I repeat, our Lord is not a novice, he is not an amateur; he has been over this course time ... (continued)
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Who Is Jesus?
Elder Eldred G. Smith
- Patriarch to the Church
📅 0
📖 general conference
The story describes the conversation between Jesus and Martha before he raises Lazarus from the dead, affirming his identity as the Christ.
When Jesus was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, "Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? "She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world."John 11:24"“27
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