Let's Discuss: "Abiding in God and Repairing the Breach" by Neill F. Marriott

"Abiding in God and Repairing the Breach"

By Neill F. Marriott, Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency
23 September 2017, General Women's Session

Recommended hymns:
102  Jesus, Lover of My Soul
128  When Faith Endures
140 Did You Think to Pray?
165  Abide with Me; 'Tis Eventide
220  Lord, I Would Follow Thee
295  O Love That Glorifies the Son

Favorite Quote:

This living water will begin to fill us, and brimming with His love, we can tip the pitcher of our soul and share its contents with others who thirst for healing, hope, and belonging.

Something to put on the board before class starts:

Some things matter; some things don’t.
A few things last, but most things won’t. 

Synopsis:
There is a breach between us and Father and also us and the people around us.  Jesus Christ/love is the repairer of breaches - if we abide in Christ/love, we can trust it to heal us and our relationships.

Now let's get into the talk.  I made up the subheadings, they are not in the talk. ...

Our Relationship with God

I like that she starts by acknowledging our need to have a relationship with our Heavenly Father:

We need to continually deepen our knowledge of and obedience to Heavenly Father. Our relationship with Him is eternal. We are His beloved children, and that will not change. How are we going to wholeheartedly accept His invitation to draw near to Him and thus enjoy the blessings He longs to give us in this life and in the world to come?

She seems to spend the next few paragraphs with some fo the revealed information about this relationship - in particular, how much we are LOVED.

The Lord said to ancient Israel, and He says to us, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Speaking as would the Father, He also says to us, “Thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me.” Do we trust Him enough to abide in Him and walk with Him? [emphasis added]

Faith is about trust - trusting that God knows best.  Do you have a relationship of trust with Heavenly Father?  This is a lesson we all continually learn, but one I learned memorably many years ago - that God knows (and wants!) my happiness better than I know my happiness, and I can trust Him, even when it goes against the grain.  Before I got engaged to my now husband, I had very strong promptings that he was "the one."  But it went against my judgment.  He smoked, for one.  I finally decided to take the leap of faith, and we have been happily married for almost 12 years (and for those who wonder, he stopped smoking, and investigated and joined the church in another series of miracles I may write about when it applies).  When left to my own judgment, there is more sorrow in the long run.  When we sacrifice our will to follow Father's will, there is more happiness in the long run.  My dad says that sacrifice maximizes joy.  Can you think of a time when you followed the Lord, maybe against your judgment, maybe not knowing how things would turn out, but being blessed for it in the long run?

We are here on this earth to learn and grow, and the most important learning and growing will come from our covenant connection to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. From our faithful relationship with Them come godly knowledge, love, power, and capacity to serve.

It is so easy to forget the most important learning and growing we are here for!  Let's share ideas (in the comments) for how we successfully balance all we must do with keeping our covenant connection strong.  (In a classroom, I would probably skip the above quote for time - I like to be sure I get to what I feel are the most important principles first - you can always come back if there's extra time).

“We are duty-bound to learn all that God has revealed about himself.”

This is a quote Sister Marriott qutoes from Bruce R. McConkie, but it really struck me, because we know that "life eternal" is to "know God and Jesus Christ" - and that includes (according to McConkie) learning all that God has revealed about Himself.  Now continuing with Sister Marriott:

We must understand that God the Father directed His Son, Jesus Christ, to create the earth for our growth, that Heavenly Father gave His Son to pay the demands of justice for our salvation, and that the Father’s priesthood power and the Son’s true Church with the necessary ordinances were restored for our blessings. Can you feel the depth of love running through Their preparations for our joy and growth? We need to know that Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation is that we obey the laws and ordinances of the gospel and gain eternal life and thus become as God is. This is the true and lasting happiness Heavenly Father offers us. There is no other true and lasting happiness.

God has done so much for our benefit.  She listed a bunch of things in the above quote, and I believe it emphasizes both that we CAN trust Him because of all the things He does for us, and we MUST trust Him for true and lasting happiness.

Trials Test Our Trust in God

Our challenges can pull us off this course of happiness. We can lose our trusting connection to God if trials drive us to distraction instead of sending us to our knees.

Can you think of a trial or trials that drive us to distraction?  I have had my feelings hurt (pride wounded?) and not been able to let go for a time.  When I think of distraction, I also think of social media - do you think (as I do) that social media habits are a trial of our trust in God?  I'm not saying don't use social media - I'm saying we must not be consumed by it - driven to distraction by it.

This simple couplet begs us to do some priority sifting: 

Some things matter; some things don’t.
A few things last, but most things won’t. 

Sisters, what matters to you? What is lasting to you? A matter of lasting value to the Father is that we learn of Him, humble ourselves, and grow in obedience to Him through earthly experiences. He wants us to change our selfishness into service, our fears into faith. These lasting matters can test us to our core. [emphasis added]

I love the sentence "He wants us to change our selfishness into service, our fears into faith."  Our trials not only test our trust in God, but they refine us!  Do we have selfishness we can turn into service (with His help)?  Do we have fears we can turn into faith (with His help)?  These may be the core issues we all need to work on.

It is now, with our mortal limitations, that the Father asks us to love when loving is most difficult, to serve when serving is inconvenient, to forgive when forgiving is soul stretching.

Trials (are meant to) teach us to love.  Can you think of a trial (or maybe you're currently experiencing a trial) where love is the answer, but it's difficult?  The good news is, we are not alone:

How? How will we do it? We earnestly reach for Heavenly Father’s help, in the name of His Son, and do things His way instead of pridefully asserting our own will.

Our own pride keeps us from trusting God!  Thinking we can handle things ourselves, or that we will just be mean back to those who are mean ... may be pride.

Next, Sister Marriott compares ourselves to a glass pitcher, dirty with a residue of pride:

I recognized my pride when President Ezra Taft Benson spoke on cleansing the inner vessel. I imagined myself as a pitcher. How was I to get the residue of pride out of my pitcher? Independently forcing ourselves to have humility and trying to make ourselves love others is insincere and hollow, and it simply doesn’t work. Our sins and pride create a breach—or a gap—between us and the font of all love, our Heavenly Father. 

Only the Savior’s Atonement can cleanse us of our sins and close that gap or breach. 

We want to be encircled in the arms of our Heavenly Father’s love and guidance, and so we put His will first and with a broken heart plead that Christ will pour streams of cleansing water into our pitcher. At first it may come drop by drop, but as we seek, ask, and obey, it will come abundantly. This living water will begin to fill us, and brimming with His love, we can tip the pitcher of our soul and share its contents with others who thirst for healing, hope, and belonging. As our inner pitcher becomes clean, our earthly relationships begin to heal.  [emphasis added]

I am a person who believes in doing all she can - but I love how she says "independently forcing ourselves to have humility [or] ... love others ... simply doesn't work."  We are meant to get help from God.  We can only do it with His help.

I also love that we need His help in order to be in a better place to help others.  Do you want to help others have a better relationship with God?  Do you want your family to have a better relationship with God?  First, cleanse your inner vessel - we need to have a better relationship with God before we can help others do the same.

Christ's Atonement Heals our Breaches

Sacrifice of our personal agendas is required to make room for the eternal plans of God. The Savior, who speaks for the Father, pleads with us, “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you.”

How do we draw near unto God?  How do YOU draw near unto God?  (Comment below.)  Sister Marriott adds:

Drawing near unto the Father can mean learning of His truth through the scriptures, following prophetic counsel, and striving to do His will more completely.

Can you think of a time when the Holy Ghost inspired you to help heal a relationship?

...Christ has the power to bring us into loving fellowship with the Father and with one another[.] He, by the power of the Holy Ghost, can give us needed insight into relationships.

She next tells the story of a Primary teacher who received insight for a class member. (I might skip this story for time, but I have all the time in a blogpost!)

A Primary teacher told me about a powerful experience with his class of 11-year-old boys. One of them, whom I’ll call Jimmy, was an uncooperative loner in class. One Sunday the teacher was inspired to put aside his lesson and tell why he loved Jimmy. He spoke of his gratitude and his belief in this young man. Then the teacher asked the class members to tell Jimmy something they appreciated about him. As class members, one by one, told Jimmy why he was special to them, the boy lowered his head and tears began to roll down his face. This teacher and class built a bridge to Jimmy’s lonely heart. Simple love, honestly expressed, gives hope and value to others. I call this “repairing the breach or the gap.” [emphasis added]

This idea of honestly expressing simple love reminds me of the idea of random acts of kindness - in this case, it's not random, but I think sometimes I think I have to do something big to show love, when we can truly "spread sunshine" in simple ways, in inspired ways.

Perhaps our life in a loving premortal world set up our yearning for true, lasting love here on earth. We are divinely designed to give love and be loved, and the deepest love comes when we are one with God. 

I agree.  I gave a talk earlier this year on having happiness in family relationships, and one of the impressions I shared was that if the love of God is most joyous to our souls (Lehi's vision of the tree of life), then having love for and from our family members must be a natural and joyful desire.

Isaiah spoke of those who faithfully live the law of the fast and thus become for their own posterity a repairer of the breach. They are the ones who, Isaiah promises, will “build the old waste places.”

I found it interesting that she and the scriptures mention fasting in particular as a method to repair the breach.  Do you have a trial or breach in your life that fasting could help you overcome? (rhetorical)

In a similar way, the Savior repaired the breach, or distance, between us and Heavenly Father. He, through His great atoning sacrifice, opens the way for us to partake of God’s loving power, and then we are enabled to repair the “waste places” in our personal lives. Healing emotional distance between each other will require our acceptance of God’s love, coupled with a sacrifice of our natural selfish and fearful tendencies.

Here she goes back to what she said earlier about how through our trials, God wants to change our selfishness into service, our fears into faith.  Here she adds that we need to to accept God's love for us.  That accepting God's love is HOW we change and sacrifice our less-worthy tendencies - and maybe even the purpose for the trials (to strengthen our love for God and our relationship with Him).

Next, Sister Marriott shares a personal experience about a breached relationship.  I could definitely relate to the experience, and maybe all of us could:

One memorable night a relative and I disagreed about a political issue. She briskly and thoroughly took my comments apart, proving me wrong within earshot of family members. I felt foolish and uninformed—and I probably was. That night as I knelt to pray, I hurried to explain to Heavenly Father how difficult this relative was! I talked on and on. Perhaps I paused in my complaining and the Holy Ghost had a chance to get my attention, because, to my surprise, I next heard myself say, “You probably want me to love her.” Love her? I prayed on, saying something like, “How can I love her? I don’t think I even like her. My heart is hard; my feelings are hurt. I can’t do it.”

Then, surely with help from the Spirit, I had a new thought as I said, “But You love her, Heavenly Father. Would You give me a portion of Your love for her—so I can love her too?” My hard feelings softened, my heart started to change, and I began to see this person differently. I began to sense her real value that Heavenly Father saw. Isaiah writes, “The Lord bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.” 

Over time the gap between us sweetly closed. But even if she had not accepted my changed heart, I had learned that Heavenly Father will help us love even those we may think are unlovable, if we plead for His aid. The Savior’s Atonement is a conduit for the constant flow of charity from our Father in Heaven. We must choose to abide in this love in order to have charity for all.  [emphasis added]

It's only in the past few years that I have learned that when I harden my heart, I can recognize a certain feeling.  Usually it is a lot of "nope" or impatience, or frustration, or even reluctance/bitterness from some nagging thought that I will have to change my perspective, because I can't force someone else to change.  But I have also learned something else - which is that when we are wronged, the Comfort - the Love of God - has the capacity to be greater - maybe because we realize we need His Comfort more than in our every day experiences, so we open ourselves to Him more.

Conclusion

Sister Marriott ties everything together in her last few paragraphs.  Look for our relationship with God and Christ, for divine Love and repairing breaches, and even back from the board quote - learning/growing in ways that matter (through what seem at first to be trials).

When we give our heart to the Father and the Son, we change our world—even if circumstances around us do not change. We draw closer to Heavenly Father and feel His tender acceptance of our efforts to be true disciples of Christ. Our discernment, confidence, and faith increase.

Mormon tells us to pray with all energy of heart for this love and it will be bestowed upon us from its source—Heavenly Father. Only then can we become repairers of the breach in earthly relationships.

Our Father’s infinite love reaches out to us, to bring us back into His glory and joy. He gave His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to repair the breach that gapes wide between us and Him. Reunion with Father in Heaven is the essence of lasting love and eternal purpose. We must make the connection with Him now to learn what really matters, to love as He loves, and to grow to be like Him. I testify that our faithful relationship with Heavenly Father and the Savior matters eternally to Them and to us. [emphasis added]

Let's discuss: "Turn On Your Light" by Sharon Eubank

"Turn On Your Light"

by Sharon Eubank, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency
September 23, 2017 General Women's Session

I've gone back to the beginning of conference for this analysis.

I felt like her overall message was to link our arms in friendsips, and to recognize and step up to fulfill the prophecies about latter-day women.

Favorite quotes:

We aren’t always going to fit in with the world, but being different in positive ways can be a lifeline to others who are struggling.

And:

There is an energy that comes from happiness and optimism that doesn’t just bless us—it builds everyone around us.

Consider choosing one of those two quotes to put on the board for a discussion setting.  Consider bringing paper and pens/pencils for the class for point 3 below.

Her talk is split into 7 parts - intro, 5 things from President Kimball's quote, and a conclusion.  Great arrangement for a discussion (but pick the most important things for your setting if you are short on time - never be afraid to lead a discussion out of order to hit the important points first!)

Introduction

Sister Eubank opens her discussion mentioning a special link she has to President Monson.  Since she will talk about links later on, I thought it was interesting that she started with a link - a link to the prophet of God.

You might not know this, but President Monson and I are twins. On the very day I was born—in the very hour—in Northern California, the 36-year-old Thomas S. Monson was sustained as the newest Apostle. I love my special, personal link to the prophet of God, President Monson.

Do you have a special, personal link to President Monson?  If not, how can we develop our own links to him?

I remember one story that President Monson shared the conference after his wife, Frances, died that touched me deeply.  It was a year and a half after the death of my sweet baby son.  It struck me, because I recognized what he was expressing - he was speaking in parable!  He talked about a Brother Brems who had lost his sight and hearing, and told his loved ones he was going to die that week...  He asked for "Tommy Monson" to come, who came and gave him a blessing.  His message to Tommy Monson was, "My Heavenly Father has been so good to me."  I understand that.  Some people may see only his trials, but he sees the blessings.  I share that sentiment, and it is holy to me.  I have paid much closer attention to the stories and poems President Monson shares ever since!  He teaches in parable!  Much like our Lord.  This is my special, personal link with President Monson.

Now back to Sister Eubank.  She quickly brings up her subject - the subject of women:

The prophets are speaking about women. You will hear some of their words in this meeting. For my text I am going back almost 40 years to a remarkable prophecy written by President Spencer W. Kimball. September 1979 was only the second time the women of the global Church had met in their own general meeting. President Kimball had prepared his talk, but when the day of the conference came, he was in the hospital. So instead, he asked his wife, Camilla Eyring Kimball, to read his remarks on his behalf.

Sister Kimball read the prophet’s words, which emphasized the influence of LDS women on the good women of the world prior to the Second Coming of the Savior. Near the end, there was an electrifying charge to the women of the Church that we have been talking about ever since.

I find it interesting that Sister Kimball read the address - somehow appropriate, almost reverential to women in general.  I mean, I'm not happy that President Kimball was sick, but what a good example of partnership.

I also like that Sister Eubank called the following an electrifying charge to the women of the Church that we have been talking about ever since.

“Finally, my dear sisters, may I suggest to you something that has not been said before or at least in quite this way. Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world … will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different—in happy ways—from the women of the world. 

“Among the real heroines in the world who will come into the Church are women who are more concerned with being righteous than with being selfish. These real heroines have true humility, which places a higher value on integrity than on visibility. …

“… It will be … female exemplars of the Church [who] will be a significant force in both the numerical and the spiritual growth of the Church in the last days.”

Can you think of some ways that this has been fulfilled already?  (Sister missionaries in abundance)  Can you think of some ways this has yet to be fulfilled?  If you are a woman, what are some ways you can improve your abilities to fulfill this prophecy?  If you are a man, what are some ways you can partner with the women in your lives to fulfill this prophecy?

What does it mean to you to place a higher value on integrity than visibility?  How does this relate to the way women are viewed (or view themselves) in the world?  If no one has answers, you could bring up the value some people put on getting "Likes," or the value of modesty in dress over literal visibility.

Back to Sister Eubank:

I have met so many of these good women as I do my work around the world. Their friendships are precious to me. You know them too among your friends and neighbors. They may or may not be members of the Church right now, but we connect in friendship that is very important. Well, how do we play our part? What should we do? President Kimball refers to five things:

The first is to be righteous.

Being righteous doesn’t mean being perfect or never making mistakes. It means developing an inner connection with God, repenting of our sins and mistakes, and freely helping others. 

Women who have repented change the course of history. I have a friend who was in a car accident when she was young, and from that, she became addicted to pain medication. Later on, her parents divorced. She became pregnant from a brief relationship, and her addictions continued. But one night, she looked at the chaos and mess of her life and thought, “Enough.” She cried out to the Savior Jesus Christ to help her. She said she learned that Jesus Christ was stronger than even her terrible circumstances and that she could rely on His strength as she walked the road of repentance. 

By coming back to the Lord and His ways, she changed the course of her history and her little boy’s history and her new husband’s. She is righteous; she has a wide-open heart for others who have made mistakes and want to change. And just like all of us, she isn’t perfect, but she knows how to repent and to keep trying. [emphasis added]

When I started analyzing this talk, I noticed it was given a tag of "repentance," which I thought odd, because I didn't remember her giving much counsel about repentance.  Then, as I reread the above section, I found it!  My takeaway is that righteousness IS repentance!  Righteousness is knowing how to repent and keep trying.  This is not to say we need to live a shame-faced life, ...but to develop our inner connection with God - to rely on the strength of Jesus Christ as we go.  We are not alone, and we shouldn't pretend to be.

The second is to be articulate.

Being articulate means to clearly express how you feel about something and why. Earlier this year, there was a post on my Facebook news feed that disparaged Christianity. I read it and I was a little annoyed, but I shrugged it off. But an acquaintance who is not a member of our faith responded with a comment of her own. She wrote: “[This is] the exact opposite of what Jesus stood for—he was … radical [in] his time because he … equalized the world. … He [spoke to] prostitute[s], [he ate] with … tax collector[s] … , befriended powerless women and children … , [and] gave us the story of the Good Samaritan. … It follows that … true Christians would be striving to be the MOST loving people in the world.” When I read that, I thought to myself, “Why didn’t I write that?” 

Each of us needs to be better at articulating the reasons for our faith. How do you feel about Jesus Christ? Why do you stay in the Church? Why do you believe the Book of Mormon is scripture? Where do you get your peace? Why does it matter that the prophet has something to say in 2017? How do you know he is a real prophet? Use your voice and your power to articulate what you know and feel—on social media, in quiet conversations with your friends, when you’re chatting with your grandchildren. Tell them why you believe, what it feels like, if you ever doubted, how you got through it, and what Jesus Christ means to you. As the Apostle Peter said, “Be not afraid … ; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.” [emphasis added]

I love that in 1979, President Kimball was advising us to be more articulate - something clearly useful in the digital/information age!  Take some time to personally answer the questions she lists above.  As we write down our testimonies, it reinforces them and articulates them - it gives us words and truth we can draw on, both in our own lives and in encouraging others.

The third is to be different.

Here Sister Eubank relates a story that was in the news July 2017, about some people caught in a riptide at a beach in Florida.  In her words:

...Late in the afternoon, Roberta Ursrey saw her two young sons screaming for help from 100 yards (90 m) out into the ocean. They had become caught in a strong current and were being carried out to sea. A nearby couple tried to rescue the boys, but they also got caught in the current. So members of the Ursrey family dove in to rescue the struggling swimmers, and quickly nine people were caught in the rip current. 

There were no ropes. There was no lifeguard. The police sent for a rescue boat, but the people had been out in the ocean struggling for 20 minutes, and they were exhausted and their heads were slipping under the water. Among the onlookers on the beach was Jessica Mae Simmons. Her husband had the idea to form a human chain. They shouted at people on the beach to help them, and dozens of people linked arms and marched into the ocean. Jessica wrote, “To see people from different races and genders come into action to help TOTAL strangers [was] absolutely amazing to see!!” An 80-person chain stretched toward the swimmers. Look at this picture of that incredible moment.

Everyone on the beach could think only of traditional solutions, and they were paralyzed. But one couple, in a split second, thought of a different solution. Innovation and creation are spiritual gifts. When we keep our covenants, it may make us different from others in our culture and society, but it gives us access to inspiration so we can think of different solutions, different approaches, different applications. We aren’t always going to fit in with the world, but being different in positive ways can be a lifeline to others who are struggling.  [emphasis added]

I remember this news story, as many of you probably do as well.  But I love how Sister Eubank applies it here.  "Innovation and creation are spiritual gifts."  Have you innovated or created recently?  Can you think of a time you were inspired with a different approach or solution or application to alleviate struggling?  I am a mom of young children, and have experienced frustration when my mothering tactics seem to fall short.  But as I've sought it, I have also obtained inspiration on helping and blessing my family.  For example, I have a child who gets angry easily.  I received very clear inspiration about limiting said child's electronic usage.  I have another child who did not start talking until he was almost 4, and I received very clear inspiration about using flashcards with him and spending structured one-on-one time with him.  I love for the price of covenant-keeping, we have access to the inspiration we need.  I also love that Sister Eubank points out that these gifts are not just for ourselves and our families - we "can be a lifeline to others who are struggling."

I also think that she chose this story because the solution involved people linking together.  Solutions to many of our problems simply involve people linking arms figuratively.  The linking creates oneness and/or vision.  What couldn't we accomplish?!

The fourth is to be distinct.

Distinct means to be recognizably well defined. Let me go back to the story about Jessica Mae Simmons on the beach. Once that human chain was stretching toward the swimmers, she knew she could help. Jessica Mae said, “I can hold my breath … and go around an Olympic pool with ease! [I knew how to get out of a rip current.] I knew I could get [each swimmer] to the human chain.”7 She and her husband grabbed boogie boards and swam down the chain until they and another rescuer reached the swimmers, and then they ferried them one by one back to the chain, who passed them to the safety of the beach. Jessica had a distinct skill: she knew how to swim against a rip current. 

The restored gospel is recognizably well defined. But we have to be distinct about how we follow it. Just as Jessica practiced swimming, we need to practice living the gospel before the emergency so that, unafraid, we will be strong enough to help when others are being swept away by the current. [emphasis added]

First, I have to say it is interesting that she splits different and distinct into two categories.  But as I read on, I felt I understood why she did this.  Being different in positive ways is a general thing for us as covenant-keeping, LDS women of faith.  Being distinct is recognizing our personal gifts and using them to bless others.  For example, musical talent could be a distinction - a distinct gift to offer.  Or budgeting, or making a bulletin board aesthetically-pleasing.  We are not meant to be cookie-cutter Mormons.  Just like people express humor in different ways, people express the gospel of Jesus Christ different ways.

I like her statement about practicing "living the gospel before the emergency," too.  God knows our gifts and orchestrates our lives so that we can help where we are needed.  What are some ways we practice living the gospel before the emergency?  Why are the "basics" so important?  (If we are praying, scripture-studying, FHE-ing, etc. faithfully, we will have the inspiration in the moment.)

And finally, the fifth is to do one through four in happy ways.

Being happy doesn’t mean to slap a plastic smile on your face no matter what is going on. But it does mean keeping the laws of God and building and lifting others. When we build, when we lift the burden of others, it blesses our lives in ways our trials cannot take away. I have a quote by President Gordon B. Hinckley placed where I see it every day. He said: “You don’t … build out of pessimism or cynicism. You look with optimism, work with faith, and things happen.” ...  [emphasis added]

I almost laughed at the "plastic smile" imagery.  She has a footnote with several scripture references about happiness meaning "keeping the laws of God and building and lifting others."  I looked them all up, because I like that she says happiness is found in doing these things.  I'm including links here, and a short synopsis of each reference:
Alma 41:10  wickedness never was happiness
Alma 34:28  prayer is vain without helping the needy
Doctrine & Covenants 38:27  if ye are not one ye are not mine
Luke 16:19-25  the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (the beggar)
There is a definite lesson or charge in these references for us to help others.  I don't want to live with regrets.

There is an energy that comes from happiness and optimism that doesn’t just bless us—it builds everyone around us. Any small thing you do to light real happiness in others shows that you are already carrying the torch that President Kimball lit. [emphasis added]

Can you think of a time when someone else's happiness and/or optimism built you up?  I am sure we don't realize how far even a smile or a kindly word goes.

Conclusion

I was 15 years old at the time President Kimball’s talk was given. We who are older than 40 have been carrying this charge from President Kimball ever since that day. Now I look out at the 8-year-olds, the 15-year-olds, the 20-year-olds, and the 35-year-olds, and I’m going to pass this torch to you. You are the future leaders in this Church, and it will be up to you to carry this light forward and be the fulfillment of this prophecy. We who are older than 40 link our arms through yours and feel your strength and energy. We need you.

All the ages she lists here were born after President Kimball's address was given.  I love that she is bringing it back to "belong" to the next generation, too, if that makes sense.  I also see that here she brings back the arm-linking imagery from the rescue at the beach.

Listen to this scripture found in Doctrine and Covenants 49:26–28. It may have been written under different circumstances, but tonight by the Holy Spirit, I hope you will take it as your personal call to this sacred work. 

“Behold, I say unto you, go forth as I have commanded you; repent of all your sins; ask and ye shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you. 

“Behold, I will go before you and be your rearward; and I will be in your midst, and you shall not be confounded.

“Behold, I am Jesus Christ, and I come quickly.” 

I appeal to each of you to put yourself in a place where you can feel the generous love God has for you. You cannot put yourself beyond the reach of that love. When you feel His love, when you love Him, you will repent and keep His commandments. When you keep His commandments, He can use you in His work. His work and glory is the exaltation and eternal life of women and men.

What does she mean to put ourselves in a place where we can feel the generous love God has for us?  How can we do this?  How do YOU do this?  Have you felt this love?  I have felt this love.  I long to feel more of it.  I want to be a part of His work.

The prophets are calling on us, my sisters. Will you be righteous? Will you articulate your faith? Can you bear being distinct and different? Will your happiness in spite of your trials draw others who are good and noble and who need your friendship? Will you turn on your light? I testify the Lord Jesus Christ will go before us and be in our midst. 

I conclude with the words of our well-loved prophet, Thomas S. Monson: “My dear sisters, this is your day, this is your time.”

Let's Discuss: "The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?" by Russell M. Nelson

"The Book of Mormon:  What Would Your Life Be Like without It?"

by President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
September 2017, Saturday afternoon session

In honor of my upcoming stake conference, I wanted to analyze this talk, which was a reading assignment given by my beloved stake president to help us prepare for conference.

I found it interesting that President Nelson and several other speakers expanded or included their experiences from heeding the counsel in our dear prophet's 3-minute talk from the previous conference.  For other talks that reference President Monson, see:
"Seek Ye Out of the Best Books" by Elder Ian S. Ardern of the 70,
"Fear Not to Do Good," by President Henry B. Eyring of the 1st Presidency,
"The Truth of All Things," by Elder David F. Evans of the 70, and
an honorable mention to President Dieter F. Uchtdorf - who mentioned it in the live version, but i did not make the written version:  Three Sisters (video around 16:05)
I wonder if although not credited, it was the inspiration for Elder Callister, "God's Compelling Witness: The Book of Mormon."

Favorite quotes:

Something powerful happens when a child of God seeks to know more about Him and His Beloved Son.

And:

I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day...

And:

The truths of the Book of Mormon have the power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen, console, and cheer our souls.

If I were leading this in a class setting, I would also write the following three questions from the talk on the board before class, and let the class know to start thinking about them now, because we will discuss them later:

First, what would your life be like without the Book of Mormon? Second, what would you not know? And third, what would you not have?

Now let's get into his talk.

President Nelson begins by relating the experience of meeting an African tribal king while in Accra, Ghana to give a special lecture at a university.  If there's time, you can read the account, or synopsize the story.

In 1986, I was invited to give a special lecture at a university in Accra, Ghana. There I met a number of dignitaries, including an African tribal king. As we visited prior to the lecture, the king spoke to me only through his linguist, who then translated for me. I responded to the linguist, and the linguist then translated my responses to the king.

After my lecture, the king made his way directly to me, but this time without his linguist. To my surprise, he spoke in perfect English—the Queen’s English, I might add!

That may have been a surprise!  Do you think President Nelson would have acted or spoken differently had he known the king could understand perfectly?  Do we consider who might be listening (maybe including children, neighbors, coworkers, people in line with us) when we speak/act?  (rhetorical)  Who is always listening?  (God, angels, devils, the very elements?)

The king seemed puzzled. “Just who are you?” he asked. 

I replied, “I am an ordained Apostle of Jesus Christ.” 

The king asked, “What can you teach me about Jesus Christ?" 

I responded with a question: “May I ask what you already know about Him?” 

The king’s response revealed he was a serious student of the Bible and one who loved the Lord. 

I then asked if he knew about the ministry of Jesus Christ to the people of ancient America. 

As I expected, he did not. 

I explained that after the Savior’s Crucifixion and Resurrection, He came to the people of ancient America, where He taught His gospel. He organized His Church and asked His disciples to keep a record of His ministry among them. 

“That record,” I continued, “is what we know as the Book of Mormon. It is another testament of Jesus Christ. It is a companion scripture to the Holy Bible.” 

At this point, the king became very interested. I turned to the mission president accompanying me and asked if he had an extra copy of the Book of Mormon with him. He pulled one from his briefcase.

Do you have extra copies you keep on hand or with you?  Where are some places you like to keep extra copies of the Book of Mormon?  (car, purse, ??)  Comment below.

I opened it to 3 Nephi chapter 11, and together the king and I read the Savior’s sermon to the Nephites. I then presented the copy of the Book of Mormon to him. His response lodged in my mind and heart forever: “You could have given me diamonds or rubies, but nothing is more precious to me than this additional knowledge about the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Beautiful.  President Nelson will come back to this momentarily.

After experiencing the power of the Savior’s words in 3 Nephi, the king proclaimed, “If I am converted and join the Church, I will bring my whole tribe with me.”

Pause here to honestly reflect - how would you have responded to this statement?  Wonderful?  We'd love to have you?  You can be a righteous influence over many?  I hope I would be prompted by the Spirit to say the right thing.  Now, President Nelson:

“Oh, King,” I said, “it doesn’t work that way. Conversion is an individual matter. The Savior ministered to the Nephites one by one. Each individual receives a witness and testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

President Nelson affirms that the Church is not about numbers, it is about conversions.  Each of us has received (or can receive) a witness and testimony.  That is amazing.  Also, it is important.  If you do not feel that you have received this - now is a great time to work for it, to plead for it, to fast and listen intently for it.  Does anyone feel to share in the comments his/her witness?  I know when I'm praying and feasting on the Book of Mormon daily, I have a greater portion of the Spirit.  When I shun negative music, tv shows, books, and video games, I have a greater portion of the Spirit.  When I fill the void with service, uplifting music, faith-promoting literature, etc., I have an even greater portion of the Spirit, and angels are my associates.  Even if you don't believe now, I testify that if you seek to serve those around you, you will be blessed.  This reminded me of President Monson's talk from April 2017.  I'm quoting it differently since it is from a different talk.  He said:

"If you do not have a firm testimony of these things, do that which is necessary to obtain one. It is essential for you to have your own testimony in these difficult times, for the testimonies of others will carry you only so far. However, once obtained, a testimony needs to be kept vital and alive through continued obedience to the commandments of God and through daily prayer and scripture study."  --President Monson, April 2017

Now back to diamonds and rubies:

My brothers and sisters, how precious is the Book of Mormon to you? If you were offered diamonds or rubies or the Book of Mormon, which would you choose? Honestly, which is of greater worth to you?

Any comments?  It is easy for me to say the Book of Mormon is more important to me than diamonds or rubies, because we have sufficient for our needs.  A tribal king might even tire of excess riches.  Something the Spirit has been working to teach me recently is that all we need is Christ.  It really does not matter what our circumstances are with our Savior by our side.  The Book of Mormon brings me closer to Christ.  I want Him by my side more than I want diamonds, rubies, or even other physical comforts.

Remember in the Sunday morning session of the April 2017 general conference, President Thomas S. Monson pleaded with “each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day.” Many have responded to our prophet’s plea. ...

...Since President Monson’s challenge six months ago, I have tried to follow his counsel. Among other things, I’ve made lists of what the Book of Mormon is, what it affirms, what it refutes, what it fulfills, what it clarifies, and what it reveals. Looking at the Book of Mormon through these lenses has been an insightful and inspiring exercise! I recommend it to each of you. 

I love that APOSTLES took President Monson's brief counsel to heart and demonstrated their faith in Christ by seeking to obey the prophet - determining what it meant for them individually.

President Nelson here relates some of the ways he has prayerfully studied and pondered the Book of Mormon in the last six months.  How do you like to study the Book of Mormon?  What lists might you make?  What has enhanced your study?  Here are some of my favorite ways:

• I once went through the Book of Mormon looking for if/then principles (like if you keep His commandments then he doth immediately bless you and prosper you).  It was mind-opening.
• I enjoy reading topics in the Index - since the English Book of Mormon was only translated once, when words are repeated (I like to use the example of the word "blameless")  you can connect the verses and gain more understanding.
• The word "heart" appears many times in the Book of Mormon and I once made a little heart around each time I found it, and then metaphorically considered what the verse is saying about my heart.
• I have gone through the Book of Mormon (actually all the standard works) with various callings in mind - so I have a Music set of scriptures and a Relief Society set.
• The past year or two, I've kept a notebook nearby, and asked very specific questions of the Book of Mormon, and written down the answers I've received.

There's one more quote I want to back up and catch:

Something powerful happens when a child of God seeks to know more about Him and His Beloved Son.

What do you think he means?   Does a window of heaven open?  Does our heart and/or mind open?  Is it both of these or neither?  Do you want to know more about Him and His Son?  Can we seek these powerful experiences?

Now we are back to the questions I wrote at the beginning that President Nelson discusses at length.  Take a minute or two and think of and/or write down your responses (if you're in a class setting, set a timer or watch the clock):

First, what would your life be like without the Book of Mormon? Second, what would you not know? And third, what would you not have?

Did you make a list?  Share in the comments.  Here is my list:

• I would not know as much about the Light of Christ and angels.
• I would understand Isaiah less.
• I wouldn't have the same relationship I enjoy with my Father in Heaven.
• I wouldn't have the same relationship I enjoy with my Savior.
• I would not be able to discern as well.
• I would be more surprised by secret combinations.
• I would not have as much direction in my parenting or in improving myself (this goes back to asking specific questions with a notebook handy).
• I would understand less of the justice and mercy of God and the role of grace.
• I would be more aggrieved for my beloved departed.
• I would pray less.

In the talk, President Nelson lists some of the responses he has heard throughout the world.  I would have members of the class share, and if one touches on one of the points that President Nelson expands on, I might read that.  For example, if someone in the class mentions victory over death, read this paragraph:

One of the sobering responsibilities a surgeon bears, on occasion, is to inform the family when a loved one passes away. In one hospital where I worked, a special room was built with padded walls where family members could receive such news. There, some people manifested their grief by banging their heads against those padded walls. How I longed to teach those individuals that death, though difficult for surviving loved ones, is a necessary part of our immortal existence. Death allows us to progress to the next world.

If someone in the class mentions that their life was changed by the book of Mormon, consider reading this paragraph:

Immersing ourselves regularly in the truths of the Book of Mormon can be a life-changing experience. One of our missionary granddaughters, Sister Olivia Nelson, promised an investigator that if he would read the Book of Mormon daily, his test scores on his university exams would improve. He did, and they did.

Then, President Nelson shares some of his testimony.  His footnotes show where in the Book of Mormon we can find the truths he speaks of.  If there is still class time, or you are doing this for your personal study, you may want to read some of his testimony and read the accompanying scriptures.  Here are some examples:

My dear brothers and sisters, I testify that the Book of Mormon is truly the word of God. It contains the answers to life’s most compelling questions. It teaches the doctrine of Christ. ...

See, for example, 2 Nephi 31:2-21

...It expands and clarifies many of the “plain and precious” truths that were lost through centuries of time and numerous translations of the Bible. 

See 1 Nephi 13:29-33

The Book of Mormon provides the fullest and most authoritative understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to be found anywhere. It teaches what it really means to be born again. From the Book of Mormon we learn about the gathering of scattered Israel. We know why we are here on earth. These and other truths are more powerfully and persuasively taught in the Book of Mormon than in any other book. The full power of the gospel of Jesus Christ is contained in the Book of Mormon. Period. 

The Book of Mormon both illuminates the teachings of the Master and exposes the tactics of the adversary.

See 2 Nephi 26-33

The Book of Mormon teaches true doctrine to dispel false religious traditions—such as the erroneous practice of performing infant baptisms.

See Moroni 8:11-15

The Book of Mormon gives purpose to life by urging us to ponder the potential of eternal life and “never-ending happiness.”

See Mosiah 2:41
See also Alma 28:12

The Book of Mormon shatters the false beliefs that happiness can be found in wickedness and that individual goodness is all that is required to return to the presence of God.

See Alma 41:10-11

Next, President Nelson gives us a beautiful, wonderful promise:

My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions.

Wow!  Let us be faithful and immerse ourselves in the Book of Mormon!  I would love immunization against the evils of our day!  I would love making better decisions!  I would love this for me, my family, my children, my ward, my friends, etc.!

Whenever I hear anyone, including myself, say, “I know the Book of Mormon is true,” I want to exclaim, “That’s nice, but it is not enough!” We need to feel, deep in “the inmost part” of our hearts, that the Book of Mormon is unequivocally the word of God. We must feel it so deeply that we would never want to live even one day without it. I might paraphrase President Brigham Young in saying, “I wish I had the voice of seven thunders to wake up the people” to the truth and power of the Book of Mormon.

First, I kind of like that he says "including [him]self" - he is not trying to correct our words/testimony, just provide emphasis. ...  It reminds me of President Benson who ever pleaded with us to read the Book of Mormon -- and not just read it, but apply its teachings.

Do we feel the truth of the Book of Mormon so deeply we never want to live even one day without it?  How can we develop this relationship with a book?  (Some answers might be to put it to the test, or just start doing something every day, or one of my favorite Book of Mormon quotes from the Prophet Joseph Smith - "he who reads it oftenest likes it best")

I testify that Joseph Smith was and is the prophet of this last dispensation. It was he who, through the gift and power of God, translated this holy book. This is the book that will help to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord.

Wow - here we have President Nelson again referring to preparing the world for the Second Coming of the Lord.  If you read my last two analyses (here and here) of talks by President Nelson - you may notice a pattern.  In those last two talks, he said that righteous sisters and priesthood holders will work (together) to prepare the world for the Second Coming.  Here he says the Book of Mormon will help, too.

I testify that Jesus Christ is the literal and living Son of our living God. He is our Savior, our Redeemer, our great Exemplar, and our Advocate with the Father. He was the promised Messiah, the mortal Messiah, and will be the millennial Messiah. I testify with my whole soul that in a most miraculous and singular way, the Book of Mormon teaches us of Jesus Christ and His gospel. 

I know that President Thomas S. Monson is the prophet of God on the earth today. I love him and sustain him with all of my heart. I so testify in the sacred name of Jesus Christ

In my conference issue of the Ensign, I noticed that President Nelson included the "lists" that he made while studying the Book of Mormon these past 6 months.  This was not included in the live talk.  Since I made a list myself of things I would not know/be/have, it was fun for me to see that he included some of the thoughts I mentioned - such as the Light of Christ, angels, and secret combinations.  I also enjoyed pondering that in this other testament of Jesus Christ, the majority of the writers of the Book of Mormon were eyewitnesses of the Lord.

Let's Discuss: "The Price of Priesthood Power" by Russell M. Nelson

The Price of Priesthood Power
by President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
April 2016, Priesthood Session

Since I started with his talk about the divine role of women of God, I thought it only right to analyze the companion talk that President Nelson gave at the Priesthood session of the very next conference on the divine role of men.

Favorite quote:

In a coming day, only those men who have taken their priesthood seriously, by diligently seeking to be taught by the Lord Himself, will be able to bless, guide, protect, strengthen, and heal others. Only a man who has paid the price for priesthood power will be able to bring miracles to those he loves and keep his marriage and family safe, now and throughout eternity. 

Since I made a list with the last talk, I naturally looked to see if his counsel was similarly worded.  I was able to make a list of sorts ... but there were more actions than virtues:
strength
sheer goodness
heal hearts
lift lives
take time & effort to be worthy
work diligently
heroes
courage
humility
willing to forgive
let go of old hurts and habits
submit to leaders' guidance
be purified/magnified
support weight of priesthood
have priesthood power
develop ability to access powers of heaven
wake up
realize what power in the priesthood is
qualify ourselves
live up to privileges
take priesthood seriously
diligently seeking Lord's teaching
bring miracles
partakers of the divine nature
emboldened
overjoyed
honored to serve
worship in temple
cherish and care for wife (embracing her and her counsel)
calm minds and heal fractures in hearts
brave
eager (to pay the price for increase of ph power)

Now let's get into the talk.  He started off by expanding on the heart-wrenching story of the two baby girls who died during surgery for a congenital heart disease.  He says that the parents were "understandable ... spiritually shattered," and "that they harbored lingering resentment toward [President Nelson] and the Church."

For almost six decades, I have been haunted by this situation and have grieved for the Hatfields. I tried several times to establish contact with them, without success.

Sometimes "success" comes almost six decades later!  Can you think of a time when you had no closure for a long time?  Did you remain faithful?  How did you remain faithful?

Then one night last May, I was awakened by those two little girls from the other side of the veil. Though I did not see or hear them with my physical senses, I felt their presence. Spiritually, I heard their pleadings. Their message was brief and clear: “Brother Nelson, we are not sealed to anyone! Can you help us?” 

I find it really interesting that he describes sensing them spiritually, not physically.  Are we missing the mark by expecting physical manifestations of the spiritual?  Have you ever sensed a spiritual presence?  For me, I think I first sensed spiritual beings in the temple as a youth doing baptisms, but the experience is definitely not limited to the temple.  I also liked that each word was emphasized in the question "Can you help us?" Each meaning of the question is appropriate (Can you help us?  Can you help us?  Can you help us? and Can you help us?) and all put together is striking to me.  Let's continue the story:

Emboldened by the pleadings of Laural Ann and Gay Lynn, I tried again to contact their father, who I learned was living with his son Shawn. This time they were willing to meet with me.

In June, I literally knelt in front of Jimmy, now 88 years old, and had a heart-to-heart talk with him. I spoke of his daughters’ pleadings and told him I would be honored to perform sealing ordinances for his family. I also explained that it would take time and much effort on his and Shawn’s part to be ready and worthy to enter the temple, as neither of them had ever been endowed.

I don't think anyone should say, well, I'm not that bad so this doesn't apply to me.  That reminds me of Corianton - who sought to excuse himself for what he considered smaller infractions.  No matter where we are, to take ourselves to the next level closer to Jesus Christ, we must follow this pattern - "time and much effort ... to be ready and worthy" to arise, whether that be to take the Sacrament, to go to the temple, or to be another step closer on our journey to Jesus Christ.  How do we know what to do next, if we're obeying all the commandments (like the rich young man)?  President Nelson will talk about this later on in the talk - being taught by Jesus Christ, Himself.

...not long ago, in the Payson Utah Temple, I had the profound privilege of sealing Ruth to Jimmy and their four children to them. Wendy and I wept as we participated in that sublime experience. Many hearts were healed that day!

Many hearts were healed that day!  Let's list whose hearts may have been healed by this:
Of the living, we have Jimmy and Shawn, President Nelson and his wife, Wendy.
Of the dead, we have Ruth, Jimmy, Jr.,  Laural Ann, and Gay Lynn, and perhaps President Nelson's first wife, Dantzel?  Surely she grieved with her husband?
Anyone else you can think of?  In a small sense, everyone is affected by everyone else - perhaps the Earth, herself, experienced a measure of healing.  Maybe the ward of this family?  Maybe other family members unmentioned?

On reflection, I have marveled at Jimmy and Shawn and what they were willing to do. They have become heroes to me. If I could have the wish of my heart, it would be that each man and young man in this Church would demonstrate the courage, strength, and humility of this father and son. They were willing to forgive and let go of old hurts and habits. They were willing to submit to guidance from their priesthood leaders so that the Atonement of Jesus Christ could purify and magnify them. Each was willing to become a man who worthily bears the priesthood “after the holiest order of God.”

We can all learn from the traits he describes here.  For example, we all need to be submissive to guidance - even the highest quorums of the Church submit to guidance from each other and from Jesus Christ.

To bear means to support the weight of that which is held. It is a sacred trust to bear the priesthood, which is the mighty power and authority of God. Think of this: the priesthood conferred upon us is the very same power and authority through which God created this and numberless worlds, governs the heavens and the earth, and exalts His obedient children.

I had an interesting thought while reading this:  Women innately have (at least a portion of) this creative power.  No wonder we are not ordained to priesthood offices - perhaps we are born into one.

Recently, Wendy and I were in a meeting where the organist was poised and ready to play the opening hymn. His eyes were on the music, and his fingers were on the keys. He began pressing the keys, but there was no sound. I whispered to Wendy, “He has no power.” I reasoned that something had stopped the flow of electrical power to that organ.

Well, brethren, in like manner, I fear that there are too many men who have been given the authority of the priesthood but who lack priesthood power because the flow of power has been blocked by sins such as laziness, dishonesty, pride, immorality, or preoccupation with things of the world.

Do you feel that you have priesthood "power?"  Ponder to yourself for a moment which of these power-blockages YOU need to work on most - laziness, dishonesty, pride, immorality, or preoccupation with things of the world.

I fear that there are too many priesthood bearers who have done little or nothing to develop their ability to access the powers of heaven. I worry about all who are impure in their thoughts, feelings, or actions or who demean their wives or children, thereby cutting off priesthood power.

It almost sounds to me like people are conduits for priesthood power.  I love the idea of developing our abilities to access the powers of heaven.  President Nelson mentioned this same idea in "A Plea to My Sisters" when he said, "we need ... women who know how to call upon the powers of heaven..."  I discussed this in my last conference-related blogpost.  So far, we are learning that to have priesthood power, we need to be the opposite of lazy, dishonest, prideful, immoral, and preoccupied with the things of the world: or I might write this as being engaged, honest, humble, moral, and concerned with the things of heaven.  In the paragraph here, we need to be pure in thoughts, feelings, and actions, and treat our wives and children with respect.

I fear that too many have sadly surrendered their agency to the adversary and are saying by their conduct, “I care more about satisfying my own desires than I do about bearing the Savior’s power to bless others.”

What does our conduct say about us?  (rhetorical)  What does it mean to surrender our agency to the adversary?  I think in part this means giving in to addictive behaviors.  I think it also means failing to choose to do good/right things - failing to plan/choose is to drift, even if we aren't doing "bad" things, a lack of good, uplifting things is also surrendering our agency.

I fear, brethren, that some among us may one day wake up and realize what power in the priesthood really is and face the deep regret that they spent far more time seeking power over others or power at work than learning to exercise fully the power of God. President George Albert Smith taught that “we are not here to while away the hours of this life and then pass to a sphere of exaltation; but we are here to qualify ourselves day by day for the positions that our Father expects us to fill hereafter.”

What is power in the priesthood?  Do we know?  Is not knowing being "asleep?"  I am reminded of particular temple promises by this turn of phrase.  Is it related somehow to entering the presence of God?  Any other thoughts?

I urgently plead with each one of us to live up to our privileges as bearers of the priesthood. In a coming day, only those men who have taken their priesthood seriously, by diligently seeking to be taught by the Lord Himself, will be able to bless, guide, protect, strengthen, and heal others. Only a man who has paid the price for priesthood power will be able to bring miracles to those he loves and keep his marriage and family safe, now and throughout eternity.

Sounds like prophecy to me!  Given the title of this talk, I believe everything thus far has been leading up to this statement and what follows in the remainder of his talk.

What is the price to develop such priesthood power? 

As I studied the rest of this talk, I made a list of the things he mentions to answer this question.  I'll paste the quote and then put the number and phrase I might write on the board.  In a classroom setting, I might print out these quotes for readers to assist in the lesson.

He named faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity, and diligence. And don’t forget humility! So I ask, how would our family members, friends, and coworkers say you and I are doing in developing these and other spiritual gifts? The more those attributes are developed, the greater will be our priesthood power.

1.  Develop attributes/spiritual gifts
By the way, reading the scripture references in the footnotes here was enlightening for me.  2 Peter 1:5-10 is after all, the make your calling and election sure scripture.  But he also adds Doctrine & Covenants 4:6 which prompted me to read that entire (short) section with an eye of reading about calling and election.

We need to pray from our hearts. Polite recitations of past and upcoming activities, punctuated with some requests for blessings, cannot constitute the kind of communing with God that brings enduring power. Are you willing to pray to know how to pray for more power? The Lord will teach you.

2.  Pray from our hearts
I really like how he promises here, "The Lord will teach you."  Earlier in the talk, I mentioned submitting to priesthood leaders - and here it becomes even more individualized - submitting to Jesus Christ - being taught of Him directly.

Are you willing to search the scriptures and feast on the words of Christ—to study earnestly in order to have more power? If you want to see your wife’s heart melt, let her find you on the Internet studying the doctrine of Christ or reading your scriptures!

3.  Earnestly study the scriptures

Are you willing to worship in the temple regularly? The Lord loves to do His own teaching in His holy house. Imagine how pleased He would be if you asked Him to teach you about priesthood keys, authority, and power as you experience the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood in the holy temple. Imagine the increase in priesthood power that could be yours.

4.  Worship in the temple

Are you willing to follow President Thomas S. Monson’s example of serving others? For decades he has taken the long way home, following promptings of the Spirit to arrive on someone’s doorstep and then hear words such as, “How did you know it was the anniversary of our daughter’s death?” or “How did you know it was my birthday?”

5.  Serve others/follow Spirit promptings

 And if you truly want more priesthood power, you will cherish and care for your wife, embracing both her and her counsel.

6.  Cherish your wife
(I especially like that he mentions embracing her counsel)

Now, if all of this sounds excessive, please consider how different our relationships with our wife, children, and associates at work would be if we were as concerned about gaining priesthood power as we are in progressing at work or increasing the balance in our bank account. If we will humbly present ourselves before the Lord and ask Him to teach us, He will show us how to increase our access to His power.

I really like the visual of presenting ourselves before our Lord and asking Him to teach us.  Being taught of the Lord was reiterated at least three times in this talk.  Next, President Nelson talks about earthquakes - physical ones, and emotional, financial, or spiritual earthquakes:

In these latter days, we know there will be earthquakes in diverse places. Perhaps one of those diverse places will be in our own homes, where emotional, financial, or spiritual “earthquakes” may occur. Priesthood power can calm the seas and heal fractures in the earth. Priesthood power can also calm the minds and heal fractures in the hearts of those we love.

Priesthood power is not just physical!  Just like at the beginning, many hearts were healed that day through priesthood ordinances.  President Nelson is going to tie the talk together now by bringing back the story of the two little girls:

Are we willing to pray, fast, study, seek, worship, and serve as men of God so we can have that kind of priesthood power? Because two little girls were so eager to be sealed to their family, their father and brother were willing to pay the price to bear the holy Melchizedek Priesthood.

(He added FASTING - not mentioned earlier.)  What is your greatest motivator?  Would we pay the price if it meant our families will be together eternally?

My dear brethren, we have been given a sacred trust—the authority of God to bless others. May each one of us rise up as the man God foreordained us to be—ready to bear the priesthood of God bravely, eager to pay whatever price is required to increase his power in the priesthood. With that power, we can help prepare the world for the Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This is His Church, led today by His prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, whom I dearly love and sustain. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ

I love that priesthood authority is to bless others.  Have you ever considered that a man cannot use his priesthood to perform an ordinance for himself?  It is all for others.  It is all for duty to God and our fellowmen.  Just like the talk on women, in almost identical words even, he mentions helping prepare the world for the Second Coming.  In the end of my analysis of the other talk, I wrote:

One thing I truly believe is that we are not just a do-good-feel-good Church - yes, it's important to obey the commandments, serve our fellowmen, and walk in righteousness - but our Church also has the commission to help prepare the world for the Second Coming.  Zion must be established to receive her King.

His talks have filled me with more resolve, with more faith, with more eagerness to serve my Father in the coming days.

3 More Scripture Songs posted

I'm trying to get a good number of videos posted pretty quickly so people can have a good selection to choose from.

Doctrine & Covenants 98:1
Just in time for Thanksgiving!  This is a scripture I chose to remind us to be grateful.

Joshua 24:15
This is one of the early songs I taught my children.  I cut some of the words to keep it short - I was very interested in keeping things short - at least at first!  You may recognize the song, I adapted an existing tune from Janice Kapp Perry's song, Choose You This Day.  Lovely song.  I wanted to teach them this scripture, though, in my quest to teach them the Plan of Salvation through scriptures.  I love that it reinforces that we make choices every day.  We can also make some choices early on and we will know what to do - we will have a plan when distractions or temptations arise.

Moses 1:39
Next we have God's purpose summed up in one scripture.  When I decided I wanted to do Plan of Salvation scriptures, this one HAD to be included!  I think this is the second scripture song I made (after 2 Nephi 2:25).

Enjoy!