Elder Anderson's Words

Children - October 2011

Key Doctrines and Principles:

Importance of family and children

Sacred responsibility

Agency

Fulfilling the Lord's commandments

Financial Stability

Faith  

Favorite Quotes:

It is a crowning privilege of a husband and wife who are able to bear children to provide mortal bodies for these spirit children of God.

When to have a child and how many children to have are private decisions to be made between a husband and wife and the Lord. These are sacred decisions—decisions that should be made with sincere prayer and acted on with great faith.

“If you are concerned about providing financially for a wife and family, may I assure you that there is no shame in a couple having to scrimp and save. It is generally during these challenging times that you will grow closer together as you learn to sacrifice and to make difficult decisions.”

We cannot always explain the difficulties of our mortality. Sometimes life seems very unfair—especially when our greatest desire is to do exactly what the Lord has commanded. As the Lord’s servant, I assure you that this promise is certain: “Faithful members whose circumstances do not allow them to receive the blessings of eternal marriage and parenthood in this life will receive all promised blessings in the eternities, [as] they keep the covenants they have made with God.”

Brothers and sisters, we should not be judgmental with one another in this sacred and private responsibility.

Why It Matters: 

Having children is a very sacred decision and shouldn't be speculated about. Families are fundamental to God's plan. We should be faithful and not follow after the world's trend of spending more as husband and wife but rely on Heavenly Father to make up for our financial stability and scimp and save.

Elder Christofferson's Words

The Divine Gift of Repentance Ocotober 2011

Key Doctrines and Principles:

Repentance

Sacrifice

Transgression

Change

Agency

Celestial Glory 

Favorite Quotes:

Without repentance, there is no real progress or improvement in life. Pretending there is no sin does not lessen its burden and pain. Suffering for sin does not by itself change anything for the better. Only repentance leads to the sunlit uplands of a better life. And, of course, only through repentance do we gain access to the atoning grace of Jesus Christ and salvation. Repentance is a divine gift, and there should be a smile on our faces when we speak of it. It points us to freedom, confidence, and peace. Rather than interrupting the celebration, the gift of repentance is the cause for true celebration.

Repentance is the necessary condition, and the grace of Christ is the power by which “mercy can satisfy the demands of justice”

The invitation to repent is an expression of love.  

Repentance means striving to change.

Repentance means not only abandoning sin but also committing to obedience.

Repentance requires a seriousness of purpose and a willingness to persevere, even through pain. 

Real repentance, real change may require repeated attempts, but there is something refining and holy in such striving.

With repentance we can steadily improve in our capacity to live the celestial law, for we recognize that “he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory”

Any pain entailed in repentance will always be far less than the suffering required to satisfy justice for unresolved transgression. 

Why It Matters:

Repentance is so crucial to our celestial glory. We have the agency to repent or to not repent. Repentance should be celebratory. It means we are striving to change and abandon our sins. By repenting, we allow ourselves to be in God's presence and to carry his Spirit with us. Repentance is sometimes very challenging, but it is always less suffering than the justice for the unresolved transgression. We all make mistakes, repentance is the only way to overcome them.

Elder Bednar's Words

Converted Unto The Lord (October 2012)

Key Doctrines and Principles:

Importance of Testimonys

Difference between testimony and conversion

Change in our nature

Holy Ghost

Living the gospel through our actions 

Favorite Quotes:

Knowing that the gospel is true is the essence of a testimony. Consistently being true to the gospel is the essence of conversion.

Yet even Peter needed additional instruction from Jesus about the converting and sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost and his obligation to serve faithfully.

The essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ entails a fundamental and permanent change in our very nature made possible through the Savior’s Atonement. True conversion brings a change in one’s beliefs, heart, and life to accept and conform to the will of God and includes a conscious commitment to become a disciple of Christ.

Conversion is an enlarging, a deepening, and a broadening of the undergirding base of testimony. It is the result of revelation from God, accompanied by individual repentance, obedience, and diligence.  

Knowing by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ is important and necessary. But earnestly coming unto Him and giving our whole souls as an offering requires much more than merely knowing. Conversion requires all of our heart, all of our might, and all of our mind and strength.

For many of us, conversion is an ongoing process and not a onetime event that results from a powerful or dramatic experience. Line upon line and precept upon precept, gradually and almost imperceptibly, our motives, our thoughts, our words, and our deeds become aligned with the will of God. Conversion unto the Lord requires both persistence and patience.

Testimony alone is not and will not be enough to protect us in the latter-day storm of darkness and evil in which we are living. Testimony is important and necessary but not sufficient to provide the spiritual strength and protection we need. Some members of the Church with testimonies have wavered and fallen away. Their spiritual knowledge and commitment did not measure up to the challenges they faced.

Why It Matters: 

Our testimonies are so important because they allow us to live close to our Heavenly Father because we know he exists. Having a teimony doesn't eliminate all difficulties in our lives. Even with a testimony, it is easy to fall into Satan's trap. We must be consistent every day and live our lives patterned after Christ. 

Elder Cook's Words

Can Ye Feel So Now? (October 2012)

Key Doctrines and Principles:
Importance of the home and family
Scriptures give usnourishment
How we treat others
Repentance
Civility in Society
Avoiding Temptaition
Preparation for Heaven

Favorite Quotes:
In my view, those of you in the rising generation are better prepared than any previous generation. Your knowledge of the scriptures is particularly impressive. However, the challenges your generation faces as you prepare for service are similar to those faced by all members of the Church. We are all aware the culture in most of the world is not conducive to righteousness or spiritual commitment.

Many who are in a spiritual drought and lack commitment have not necessarily been involved in major sins or transgressions, but they have made unwise choices. Some are casual in their observance of sacred covenants. Others spend most of their time giving first-class devotion to lesser causes. Some allow intense cultural or political views to weaken their allegiance to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some have immersed themselves in Internet materials that magnify, exaggerate, and, in some cases, invent shortcomings of early Church leaders. Then they draw incorrect conclusions that can affect testimony. Any who have made these choices can repent and be spiritually renewed.

Immersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual nourishment.

How we treat those closest to us is of fundamental importance.

The need for civility in society has never been more important. The foundation of kindness and civility begins in our homes. It is not surprising that our public discourse has declined in equal measure with the breakdown of the family. The family is the foundation for love and for maintaining spirituality. The family promotes an atmosphere where religious observance can flourish.

Why It Matters:
There is increasing temptation from Satin in our generation and we need to take every precaution possible to avoid falling into his devious traps. We need to cherish the gospel and the Atonement in our lives, because it's the only thing that will save us. We must build our families and homes and treat everyone with respect. The scriptures should be our guide and help every single day.

Elder Holland's words

Because of Your Faith (October 2010)

Key Principles and Doctrines:

Faith of members of the church

Spreading of the gospel

Thanking those we love

Pure Love of Christ

Service to Others

Favorite Quotes:

I have struggled to find an adequate way to tell you how loved of God you are and how grateful we on this stand are for you. I am trying to be voice for the very angels of heaven in thanking you for every good thing you have ever done, for every kind word you have ever said, for every sacrifice you have ever made in extending to someone—to anyone—the beauty and blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

My thanks to all you wonderful members of the Church—and legions of good people not of our faith—for proving every day of your life that the pure love of Christ “never faileth.” No one of you is insignificant, in part because you make the gospel of Jesus Christ what it is—a living reminder of His grace and mercy, a private but powerful manifestation in small villages and large cities of the good He did and the life He gave bringing peace and salvation to other people. We are honored beyond expression to be counted one with you in such a sacred cause.  

Why It Matters: 

This talk was special to me because it is recognizing our faith as members of this church. We do a lot to build up God's kingdom and I feel that we can all improve. Jesus Christ is the center of our church and we need to show service to others and demonstrate the love that he would. Because of our faith, we can go far in our lives and reach our God-given potential.

Elder Hale's Words

Being a More Christian Christian (Oct. 2012)

Key Doctrines and Principles:

Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God

Christian Beliefs

Difficulties and Dissapointments

Living lives of service

parables from the scriptures  

Favorite Quotes:

A Christian has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the literal Son of God, sent by His Father to suffer for our sins in the supreme act of love we know as the Atonement.

A Christian believes that through the grace of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, we can repent, forgive others, keep the commandments, and inherit eternal life.

The word Christian denotes taking upon us the name of Christ. We do this by being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by those holding His priesthood authority.

For many, the call to be a Christian can seem demanding, even overwhelming. But we need not be afraid or feel inadequate. The Savior has promised that He will make us equal to His work. “Follow me,” He said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” As we follow Him, He blesses us with gifts, talents, and the strength to do His will, allowing us to go beyond our comfort zones and do things we’ve never before thought possible.

To be who Heavenly Father wants us to be, we follow Jesus Christ.

Faithful Christians will always be blessed to experience difficulties and disappointments.

 

Why It Matters: 

Being a Christian through our actions is so important in the world because others can so easily see the example we set. By following after Christ and his example he left to us, we can become better and strive for eternal life. We can develop families and be a bigger part of Heavenly Father's plan for happiness.

Elder Scott's Words

The Joy of Redeeming The Dead (Oct. 2012)

Key Doctrines and Principles:

Avoiding the adversary

Living clean lives

Temple Work

Genealogy
Modern revelation 

Favorite Quotes:

“He shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.”

"This glorious doctrine is another witness of the all-encompassing nature of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He made salvation available to every repentant soul. His Atonement conquered death, and He permits the worthy deceased to receive all ordinances of salvation vicariously."

"Through further revelation to Joseph Smith and subsequent prophets, there has come an understanding of and the provision for temple work and the family history effort that supports it. Every prophet since Joseph Smith has emphasized the imperative need to provide all ordinances for ourselves and our deceased ancestors." 

"Father in Heaven wants each of us to receive both parts of the blessing of this vital vicarious work. He has led others to show us how to qualify. It is up to you and me to claim those blessings."

"Do you young people want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors, prepare their names for the sacred vicarious ordinances available in the temple, and then go to the temple to stand as proxy for them to receive the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. As you grow older, you will be able to participate in receiving the other ordinances as well. I can think of no greater protection from the influence of the adversary in your life."

"This work is a spiritual work, a monumental effort of cooperation on both sides of the veil, where help is given in both directions. Anywhere you are in the world, with prayer, faith, determination, diligence, and some sacrifice, you can make a powerful contribution. " 

Why It Matters:

Doing work for the dead is one of the best ways to keep our lives balanced and in order. When we take time to do service for those who have passed, we live more selfless lives. The work is important to bring the Atonement to all who want to receive it. It is up to us to do the work. Great blessings come to us participating and those who receive the ordinances.