Pres. Henry B. Eyring - The Road of ImprovementDifferent as we may be, we share a desire to be better than we are. We can and must expect to become better as long as we live. We will all meet the Savior someday and need to prepare for that time. Any believing Latter-day Saint is an optimist about what may come. Even the most humble person can take comfort in the invitation to become like the Savior.
I'm trying to be like Jesus, I'm following in His way. I'm trying to love as He did, in all that I do and say.
It is a commandment to become like the Savior. He has prepared a way through His Atonement and example. Love is the motivator along the way to becoming like Him. Love of God will lead us to keep His commandments. The family is an example of the ideal setting in which we can experience love [and service]. Sorrow [in our families] comes primarily from selfishness.
I pray that there will be no empty chairs in your family in the life to come. Pray for the love to make your companion's joy your own.
[He talked about wayward children]. Orson F. Whitney quote: "Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them...Pray for your careless and disobedient children...Love them, reach out to them with confidence..."
Honor thy father and mother - the only commandment with a promise.
You can feel the approval our your Heavenly Father when you do what He asks. I hope you will go out today looking for opportunities to do as He did.
Elder L. Tom Perry - Temple and Missionary WorkTalked about the Manti Temple pageant and temple. There is a special spirit about these older temples that were constructed [with great sacrifice]. I can hear the pioneers saying, "Look what we built with our own hands!"
Stories of the pioneers. Settling in Sanpete and promised to have a temple. They waited and no temple was started so they, with the Church leaders' permission, started building the Manti temple. They used the principles of ship-building to build a solid roof for the temple (they designed it like a ship and turned it upside-down). The principles of building a sound ship also applied to the temple.
We have all accepted the responsibility to share the gospel with others. The church eliminated the stake missions and brought it down to the ward level; it increases involvement by the members. Pres. Hinckley said: "So many of look upon missionary work simply as tracting...there is a better...wherever there is a member who introduces an investigator, there is a built-in support system."
How prepared are you to give witness and testimony of the gospel...to play that supporting role to the full-time missionaries as they teach investigators?
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the divine way to face the future.
Modern technology is amazing. But more amazing is our ability to receive knowledge from heaven without hardware, software, or monthly fees. This offer to receive personal revelation is extended to all God's children. We always need to be ready to receive [personal revelation].
To access information from heaven, one must have firm faith and sincere desire. One needs to ask with real intent and with faith in Jesus Christ. Study the matter diligently.
Some revelations have been given for specific circumstances, like Noah's ark.
A desire to follow the prophet takes much effort because the natural man knows little of the Lord. The natural man is an enemy to God and will be forever unless he [submitteth unto the Lord].
Personal revelation can be honed to become spiritual discernment. This is a supernal gift. It allows us to see things not visible and feel things not tangible. Can detect trends in the world...things that are flashy and fleeting and those that are [worthwhile and lasting].
"None of the callings in the Priesthood are for the personal benefit or fame of those who have them. They are to fulfill the purposes of God." ~ Pres. John Taylor (paraphrased)
Revelation need not all come at once. It may be incremental. "Line upon line, precept upon precept." Unto him who receiveth, I will give more.
Volunteers in Medicine founder - Dr. McConnell - giving service
Unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose in life. Giving service can, in effect, save your life.
"Man's greatest happiness comes from losing himself for the good of others" - David O. McKay.
At baptism we covenant to bear one another's burdens that they may be light. Too often we think, "oh, someone else will fill that need." We spend too much time thinking about things that do not matter much in the grand scheme of things.
"I have wept in the night for the shortness of sight that to somebody's need made me blind; But I never have yet felt a tinge of regret for being a little too kind."
"Warm fuzzies jar" - based on acts of service. A girl in a ward babysat for free for a family who did not have a lot of money. [Other examples of service were shared].
We have to live a long time to learn how empty a room can be that is filled only with furniture. The memories of the past can burn within our hearts.
Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
If we truly listen we may hear that voice say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
No comments:
Post a Comment