Let's Discuss: "The Trek Continues!" by M. Russell Ballard

"The Trek Continues"

By Elder M. Russell Ballard, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
1 October 2017, Sunday Afternoon Session

Hymn recommendations:
30  Come, Come, Ye Saints
36  They, the Builders of the Nation
81  Press Forward, Saints
84  Faith of our Fathers
255  Carry On

Favorite quote:

Despite their many differences in language, culture, and nationality, they shared a testimony of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and  desire to build Zion—a place of peace, happiness, and beauty in preparation for the Second Coming of the Savior.

Something to put on the board:

"Oh how I suffered of cold and hunger, but the Lord gave us faith and grace to stand it all."  - Jane Manning James

(The above is not in Elder Ballard's talk - it is something I found when studying about Sister James.)

Synopsis:

Living the Gospel daily requires continued faith and service - make sure our footsteps of faith are taking us to the destination we want to go, by following counsel from Church leaders and contributing to our household (quorums and relief societies) of faith.

Other preparation:

I enjoyed reading about the life of Jane Manning James at history.lds.org

Discussion and questions:

One hundred seventy years ago, Brigham Young looked across the Salt Lake Valley for the first time and declared, “This is the right place!” He knew the place because the Lord had revealed it to him.

What is the "right place" in our lives?  The Lord can reveal it to us, too.  It might be with our families, with a Lord-approved eternal companion, in the temples, in a calling of service, ... the answer may be different for everyone, but no matter what happens, we always have a right place in our quorums/Relief Societies, and at His Church.  Elder Ballard will talk of this more later.

By 1869, more than 70,000 Saints had made a similar trek. Despite their many differences in language, culture, and nationality, they shared a testimony of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and a desire to build Zion—a place of peace, happiness, and beauty in preparation for the Second Coming of the Savior.

Sometimes, it's easier to notice our differences.  Elder Ballard shows two important commonalities here - a testimony and a desire to build Zion.  Do you have these two things?

Among those first Saints to arrive in Utah was Jane Manning James—the daughter of a freed slave, a convert to the restored Church, and a most remarkable disciple who faced difficult challenges. Sister James remained a faithful Latter-day Saint until her death in 1908.

She wrote: “I want to say right here, that my faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is as strong today, nay, it is if possible stronger than it was the day I was first baptized. I pay my tithes and offerings, keep the word of wisdom, I go to bed early and rise early, I try in my feeble way to set a good example to all.”

Why do you think Elder Ballard used Sister Jane Manning James as an example?  She was a racial minority, abandoned by her husband, denied temple ordinances, suffered hunger and cold.  How do these relate to us today?  How long would you say her trek continued?  Are there aspects of your life where you feel like an outsider, or second-class church citizen (I testify you're not, but maybe you feel like it)?  We can take strength in our faith in Christ, like Sister James did:

Sister James, like so many other Latter-day Saints, not only built Zion with blood, sweat, and tears but also sought the Lord’s blessings through living gospel principles as best she could while holding on in faith to Jesus Christ—the great healer to all who sincerely seek Him.

I love this last phrase describing Christ as "the great healer to all who sincerely seek Him."  Elder Ballard will talk about healing practices later on in this talk, so I think this inclusion connects to later on, as well.

The early Saints were not perfect, but they established a foundation upon which we are building families and a society that love and keep covenants, which is highlighted in various news stories around the world because of our commitment to Jesus Christ and our volunteer efforts to help those nearby and far away.

President Eyring, may I add appreciation to the tens of thousands of yellow-shirt angels serving in Texas, Mexico, and other places to your tribute. 

I have noticed recently that Elder Ballard loves to help everyone feel included!  Here, he includes people (other than those involved in Florida) who donned the yellow shirts to give helping hands.  During a recent Face 2 Face with Elder Oaks, Elder Ballard also made a point to apologize to Texans (after Elder Oaks made a not-trying-to-be-offensive comment about the pride Texans often have for being Texan).  I think he is really mindful of people's feelings and inclusion - which also makes sense in this talk - Sister James may have had to struggle with inclusion - Elder Ballard wants all to know we have a place - the "right place" even - in the Church.

I have a deep conviction that if we lose our ties to those who have gone before us, including our pioneer forefathers and mothers, we will lose a very precious treasure. I have spoken about “Faith in Every Footstep” in the past and will continue in the future because I know that rising generations must have the same kind of faith that the early Saints had in the Lord Jesus Christ and His restored gospel.

What examples of pioneer faith do you strive to emulate?  Did they have greater faith than we do today?  A terrible "sifting" happened during the early church - some people left the Church, and those left were purged through trials upon trial.  We today have not experienced much of a sifting, although there is some sifting happening.  I am sure there is more to come.

My own pioneer forefathers and mothers were among those faithful pioneers who pulled handcarts, rode wagons, and walked to Utah. They, like Sister Jane Manning James, had deep faith in every one of their footsteps as they made their own trek. 

Their journals are filled with descriptions of hardships, hunger, and sickness and also testimonies of their faith in God and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. 

They had few worldly goods but enjoyed an abundance of the blessings from the brotherhood and sisterhood they found in the Church of Jesus Christ. When they could, they lifted the downtrodden and blessed the sick through service to one another and by the priesthood of God.

I found it interesting he brought up this idea of brotherhood and sisterhood found in the Church.  Do you feel this community feeling he speaks of?  Are we doing it wrong?  How can we foster brotherhood and sisterhood in our wards?

I also like that he specifically mentions blessing the sick through service to one another and by the priesthood of God.  He is going to give some counsel about healing later on, so here we have another inference of helping the sick done right - through service and priesthood.

The sisters in Cache Valley, Utah, ministered to the Saints in the spirit of the Relief Society to “work in unity to help those in need.”5 My great-grandmother Margaret McNeil Ballard served at the side of her husband, Henry, as he presided as bishop of the Logan Second Ward for 40 years. Margaret was the ward Relief Society president for 30 of those years. She took into their home the poor, the sick, and the widowed and orphaned, and she even clothed the dead in their clean temple robes.

Poor, sick, widowed, orphaned, and dead - I thought those were interesting inclusions.

Although it is appropriate and important to remember the historic 19th-century Mormon pioneer trek, we need to remember that “the trek through life continues!” for each of us as we prove our own “faith in every footstep.”

Here we have the first reference to the title of the talk.  Let's read on for more understanding of what he's referring to:

New converts no longer gather to pioneer settlements in the western United States. Instead, converts gather to their local congregations, where the Saints worship our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. With more than 30,000 congregations established around the world, all are gathered to their own Zion. As the scriptures note, “For this is Zion—the pure in heart.”6

How can we make our ward more of a gathering place of Zion?  How can we be more pure in heart?  We can start by changing ourselves, our marriages and families.

As we walk the road of life, we are tested to see if we will “observe to do all things whatsoever [the Lord has] commanded.”7 

Many of us are on amazing journeys of discovery—leading to personal fulfillment and spiritual enlightenment. Some of us, however, are on a trek that leads to sorrow, sin, anguish, and despair.

A warning!

In this context, please ask yourself: What is your final destination? Where are your footsteps taking you? And is your journey leading you to that “multiplicity of blessings” the Savior has promised?8

When he was giving this address, I thought of Nephi's vision of the tree of life.  If we want to reach the tree, we have to be on the path to the tree, not forbidden paths, not feeling towards the world.

As I was looking up the references in this talk, I realized that 6, 7, and 8 are all consecutive from the same section of the Doctrine & Covenants, 97.  I thought it might be worthwhile to read them (bolded) in context - so here are all the verses and the ones in between!  I think Elder Ballard's warning and meaning becomes more clear when we read these verses:

21 Therefore, verily, thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion—the pure in heart; therefore, let Zion rejoice, while all the wicked shall mourn.

22 For behold, and lo, vengeance cometh speedily upon the ungodly as the whirlwind; and who shall escape it?

23 The Lord’s scourge shall pass over by night and by day, and the report thereof shall vex all people; yea, it shall not be stayed until the Lord come;

24 For the indignation of the Lord is kindled against their abominations and all their wicked works.

25 Nevertheless, Zion shall escape if she observe to do all things whatsoever I have commanded her.

26 But if she observe not to do whatsoever I have commanded her, I will visit her according to all her works, with sore affliction, with pestilence, with plague, with sword, with vengeance, with devouring fire.

27 Nevertheless, let it be read this once to her ears, that I, the Lord, have accepted of her offering; and if she sin no more none of these things shall come upon her;

28 And I will bless her with blessings, and multiply a multiplicity of blessings upon her, and upon her generations forever and ever, saith the Lord your God. Amen.  [emphasis added]

Now read again Elder Ballard's words.  I'm re-pasting them below:

With more than 30,000 congregations established around the world, all are gathered to their own Zion. As the scriptures note, “For this is Zion—the pure in heart.”6 

As we walk the road of life, we are tested to see if we will “observe to do all things whatsoever [the Lord has] commanded.”7 

Many of us are on amazing journeys of discovery—leading to personal fulfillment and spiritual enlightenment. Some of us, however, are on a trek that leads to sorrow, sin, anguish, and despair. 

In this context, please ask yourself: What is your final destination? Where are your footsteps taking you? And is your journey leading you to that “multiplicity of blessings” the Savior has promised?8

To me, there is added meaning and urgency and warning.  We don't know when this vengeance spoken of in D&C 97 will come.  But we know Zion - the pure in heart - can rejoice, while the wicked mourn.  So - have we achieved Zion?  Are we doing what we should be?  Are we following the Lord's commandments?  Are our hearts pure?  Are we doing what Elder Ballard next counsels us:

A trek back to our Heavenly Father is the most important trek of our lives, and it continues each day, each week, each month, and each year as we increase our faith in Him and in His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

We must be careful where our footsteps in life take us. We must be watchful and heed the counsel of Jesus to His disciples as He answered these questions: “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 

“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man [and I add woman] deceive you.”9

Today I repeat earlier counsel from Church leaders.

• Brothers and sisters, keep the doctrine of Christ pure and never be deceived by those who tamper with the doctrine. The gospel of the Father and the Son was restored through Joseph Smith, the prophet for this last dispensation.

• Do not listen to those who have not been ordained and/or set apart to their Church calling and are not acknowledged by common consent of the members of the Church.

• Be aware of organizations, groups, or individuals claiming secret answers to doctrinal questions that they say today’s apostles and prophets do not have or understand.

• Do not listen to those who entice you with get-rich schemes. Our members have lost far too much money, so be careful.

About when I heard this part of the talk, I remember thinking that I wanted to study this list more closely.  I am still not sure I understand if there are some groups in particular Elder Ballard is warning us about or whether it is more of a generic warning.  I am inclined to feel the latter.  We must be cautious and wise.

In some places, too many of our people are looking beyond the mark and seeking secret knowledge in expensive and questionable practices to provide healing and support. 

An official Church statement, issued one year ago, states: “We urge Church members to be cautious about participating in any group that promises—in exchange for money—miraculous healings or that claims to have special methods for accessing healing power outside of properly ordained priesthood holders.”11 

Remember the references to healing Elder Ballard included earlier?  Christ is "the great healer to all who sincerely seek Him," and we bless the sick "through service to one another and by the priesthood of God."  I think Elder Ballard is not saying these are our only avenues for healing.  Indeed, the next paragraph is another standard:

The Church Handbook counsels: “Members should not use medical or health practices that are ethically or legally questionable. Local leaders should advise members who have health problems to consult with competent professional practitioners who are licensed in the countries where they practice.”12 

Rather, Elder Ballard is warning us of schemes, priestcrafts... and counseling us to "be wise and aware" as follows:

Brothers and sisters, be wise and aware that such practices may be emotionally appealing but may ultimately prove to be spiritually and physically harmful. 

For our pioneer ancestors, independence and self-reliance were vital, but their sense of community was just as important. They worked together and helped one another overcome the physical and emotional challenges of their time. For the men, there was the priesthood quorum, and the women were served by the Relief Society. These outcomes have not changed in our day. 

The Relief Society and the priesthood quorums provide for the spiritual and temporal well-being of our members.

I for one, am really excited about the 2018 format with council meetings on the first Sunday of the month!  I think it will foster the brotherhood and sisterhood he speaks about.

Stay on the gospel path by having “faith in every footstep” so you can return safely back to the presence of Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord is our precious Savior. He is the Redeemer of the world. We must honor His sacred name and not misuse it in any way, always striving to keep His commandments. If we do so, He will bless us and lead us safely home. 

I invite everyone within the sound of my voice to welcome and embrace anyone who is making his or her own trek today, no matter where they are in their journey. 

Please remember there is no blessing anyone can share greater than the message of the Restoration, which, when received and lived, promises everlasting joy and peace—even eternal life. Let us use our energy, strength, and testimonies in assisting our missionaries to find, teach, and baptize God’s children so they may have the power of the gospel doctrine guiding their daily lives.

This spoke to me when I considered that while watching the signs of the times is important, there is so much information (and a lot of it is wrested, fearful, and wrong) that we could waste a lot of time on - whereas the focus God has given the Church right now is still sharing the Gospel!

We need to embrace God’s children compassionately and eliminate any prejudice, including racism, sexism, and nationalism. Let it be said that we truly believe the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ are for every child of God.

I noticed that several speakers mentioned racism and other -isms.

I testify that “the trek continues,” and I invite you to stay on the gospel path as you continue pressing forward by reaching out to all of God’s children in love and compassion, that we may unitedly make our hearts pure and our hands clean to receive the “multiplicity of blessings” awaiting all who truly love our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, for which I humbly pray in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

The hearts pure goes back to the Zion passage.  Hearts pure and hands clean in particular refer to temple worthiness.  Our treks should always allow for us to be temple worthy.

Let's Discuss: "Fear Not to Do Good," by Henry B. Eyring

"Fear Not to Do Good"

By President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency
1 October 2017, Sunday Morning Session

Hymn recommendations:
124  Be Still, My Soul
223  Have I Done Any Good
252  Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel
258  O Thou Rock of Our Salvation

Favorite quote:

We know that in the midst of whatever trouble comes, the Lord will lead faithful Latter-day Saints to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. And we know that the Lord’s true disciples will be worthy and prepared to receive Him when He comes again. We need not fear. [emphasis added]

Something to put on the board:

Because they have no doubt He watches over them, they become fearless.

Synopsis:

Even President Eyring follows the prophet, and experiences the promised blessings.  In particular, by increasing his study of the Book of Mormon, doubt and fear were driven out and desire/love to go to the rescue (fearing not to do good) increased.

Other Preparation

I benefitted from rereading President Monson's talk from April 2017:  "The Power of the Book of Mormon."  President Eyring alludes to it many times throughout his talk, and I missed some of the references until I reread it.

There is so much in this talk.  So many directions a discussion could go.  While in general, I go through a talk start to finish, in this talk, there are some topics that were almost tangents.  For example, President Eyring mentions overcoming Doubt and Fear so much, I  decided to follow the words as word links to see what is added each time he brings doubt/fear up.  If I were in a classroom setting, I might discuss these separately - outside of just going through the talk.  I might even create an entire discussion with these "topics" that seem to jump around the talk, and then if there's spare time go through the more consecutive points of the talk.  The Spirit knows what your group needs.  I put the topics discussions after the main analysis.

Discussion and Questions

I wanted to start with something I noticed during conference, which is that SEVERAL speakers referenced President Monson's short 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,
"The Book of Mormon:  What Would Your Life Be Like without It?" by President Russell M. Nelson of the 12 Apostles
"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 it is not in the transcribed version:  Three Sisters (video around 16:05)
Also, although not credited, I wonder if it was the inspiration for Elder Callister, "God's Compelling Witness: The Book of Mormon."  That might be a stretch, though!

You may want to reread his entire message together in the class before starting a discussion on President Eyring's talk.  In fact, I decided to paste it here.  I emphasized bits that come up in President Eyring's talk.

This morning I speak about the power of the Book of Mormon and the critical need we have as members of this Church to study, ponder, and apply its teachings in our lives. The importance of having a firm and sure testimony of the Book of Mormon cannot be overstated. 

We live in a time of great trouble and wickedness. What will protect us from the sin and evil so prevalent in the world today? I maintain that a strong testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His gospel will help see us through to safety. If you are not reading the Book of Mormon each day, please do so. If you will read it prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, the Holy Ghost will manifest its truth to you. If it is true—and I solemnly testify that it is—then Joseph Smith was a prophet who saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. 

Because the Book of Mormon is true, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s Church on the earth, and the holy priesthood of God has been restored for the benefit and blessing of His children. 

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. 

My dear associates in the work of the Lord, I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day. As we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives. I so testify with all my heart in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.  [emphasis added]

Wonderful, right?  ♥

Now we're ready for President Eyring

Last April, President Thomas S. Monson gave a message that stirred hearts across the world, including mine. He spoke of the power of the Book of Mormon. He urged us to study, ponder, and apply its teachings. He promised that if we dedicated time each day to studying and pondering and kept the commandments the Book of Mormon contains, we would have a vital testimony of its truth, and the resultant testimony of the living Christ would see us through to safety in times of trouble. (See “The Power of the Book of Mormon,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 86–87.) 

Like many of you, I heard the prophet’s words as the voice of the Lord to me. And, also like many of you, I decided to obey those words. ...

I love that first, President Eyring is pointing out that we are all the same.  Yes, he is an apostle, but that doesn't mean we can't receive revelation, and that doesn't mean that he is beyond following the prophet!  Also, when the prophet gives promises (and there were several in the quote above), we can count on them being fulfilled.

...Now, since I was a young boy, I have felt the witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that the Father and the Son appeared and spoke with Joseph Smith, and that ancient Apostles came to the Prophet Joseph to restore priesthood keys to the Lord’s Church.

With that testimony, I have read the Book of Mormon every day for more than 50 years. So perhaps I could have reasonably thought that President Monson’s words were for someone else. ...

We never "arrive" where we can't obey the prophet, or discern the voice of the Lord to us personally through the prophet.  He has over 50 years of reading the Book of Mormon every day!  I'm ashamed to admit I don't think I've read the Book of Mormon every day for the past 50 days!  Now that's partly because I've been reading in the Bible ... but why not include the Book of Mormon every day, too?  It's not a race - it doesn't have to be an entire chapter.

...Yet, like many of you, I felt the prophet’s encouragement and his promise invite me to make a greater effort. Many of you have done what I did: prayed with increased intent, pondered scripture more intently, and tried harder to serve the Lord and others for Him.
The happy result for me, and for many of you, has been what the prophet promised. Those of us who took his inspired counsel to heart have heard the Spirit more distinctly. We have found a greater power to resist temptation and have felt greater faith in a resurrected Jesus Christ, in His gospel, and in His living Church. 

Can anyone share an example of something you've done to follow a prophet that has yielded the promised blessings?

In a season of increasing tumult in the world, those increases in testimony have driven out doubt and fear and have brought us feelings of peace. ...

See Doubt and Fear as word links number 1 below.

Heeding President Monson’s counsel has had two other wonderful effects on me: First, the Spirit he promised has produced a sense of optimism about what lies ahead, even as the commotion in the world seems to increase. ...

Are you feeling optimistic?

And, second, the Lord has given me—and you—an even greater feeling of His love for those in distress. We have felt an increase in the desire to go to the rescue of others. That desire has been at the heart of President Monson’s ministry and teaching.

Are you going to the rescue?

President Eyring is going to base most of the rest of his talk on these two "other wonderful effects" of optimism and love/service.

The Lord promised love for others and courage to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery when the tasks ahead of them could have seemed overwhelming. The Lord said that needed courage would come from their faith in Him as their rock:
“Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.
“Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
“Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.
“Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.
“Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven” (D&C 6:33–37).  [emphasis added]

See Doubt and Fear as word links number 2 below.

I bolded the talk title, because I think we can gain better understanding of what President Eyring is trying to share with us by studying this.  Courage comes from faith.

Reread the scripture above.  How do you feel when you read these words?  I feel like I'm not alone.  I feel like I want to side with the Savior and I want His sacrifice to bless everyone.  Here is the point President Eyring's is making from the scripture:

The Lord told His leaders of the Restoration, and He tells us, that when we stand with faith upon His rock, doubt and fear are diminished; the desire to do good increases. As we accept President Monson’s invitation to plant in our hearts a testimony of Jesus Christ, we gain the power, the desire, and the courage to go to the rescue of others without concern for our own needs.  [emphasis added]

See Doubt and Fear as word links number 3 below.

Next, President Eyring is going to give some examples of this faith and courage to bless others (with optimism).  I pay close attention when the leaders give examples, because I noticed that they often are speaking in parables.  The examples he gives may very well be examples of future events, and if we study how the people responded, we can be prepared to respond with similar faith and courage and optimism.

Example of a broken dam:

I have seen that faith and courage many times when believing Latter-day Saints have faced fearsome trials. For one example, I was in Idaho when the Teton Dam broke on June 5, 1976. A wall of water came down. Thousands fled from their homes. Thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed. Miraculously, fewer than 15 people were killed. 

What I saw there, I have seen whenever Latter-day Saints stand firmly on the rock of a testimony of Jesus Christ. Because they have no doubt He watches over them, they become fearless. They ignore their own trials to go to the relief of others. And they do so out of love for the Lord, asking no recompense.  [emphasis added]

 See Doubt and Fear as word links number 4 below.

For example, when the Teton Dam broke, a Latter-day Saint couple was traveling, miles away from their home. As soon as they heard the news on the radio, they hurried back to Rexburg. Rather than going to their own home to see if it was destroyed, they went looking for their bishop. He was in a building that was being used as the recovery center. He was helping to direct the thousands of volunteers who were arriving in yellow school buses.

The couple walked up to the bishop and said, “We just got back. Bishop, where can we go to help?” He gave them the names of a family. That couple stayed mucking out mud and water in one home after another. They worked from dawn to dark for days. They finally took a break to go see about their own home. It was gone in the flood, leaving nothing to clean up. So they turned around quickly to go back to their bishop. They asked, “Bishop, do you have someone for us to help?”

That miracle of quiet courage and charity—the pure love of Christ—has been repeated over the years and across the world. ...

Have you experienced this quiet courage and charity?  Maybe we all have to some extent - accepting God's will and pressing forward.

Next, the example of persecutions and an exodus:

It happened in the terrible days of the persecutions and trials at the time of the Prophet Joseph Smith in Missouri. It happened as Brigham Young led the exodus from Nauvoo and then called Saints to desert places all over the western United States, to help each other create Zion for the Lord. 

If you read the journal entries of those pioneers, you see the miracle of faith driving out doubt and fear. And you read of Saints leaving their own interests to help someone else for the Lord, before getting back to their own sheep or to their own unplowed fields.  [emphasis added]

See Doubt and Fear as word links number 5 below.

Does anyone have a favorite pioneer story that illustrates faith amid trial?  Please share in the comments below.

Next, the example of a hurricane:

I saw that same miracle a few short days ago in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in Puerto Rico, Saint Thomas, and Florida, where Latter-day Saints partnered with other churches, local community groups, and national organizations to begin cleanup efforts.

Like my friends in Rexburg, one nonmember couple in Florida focused on helping the community rather than laboring on their own property. When some Latter-day Saint neighbors offered help with the two large trees blocking their driveway, the couple explained that they had been overwhelmed and so had turned to helping others, having faith that the Lord would provide the aid they needed at their own home. The husband then shared that before our Church members arrived with offers of assistance, the couple had been praying. They had received an answer that help would come. It came within hours of that assurance.  [emphasis added]

I love that President Eyring includes experiences of "nonmembers."  We are not the only people who receive answers to prayers.  They trusted in the Lord, too.

I have heard a report that some have started calling the Latter-day Saints who are wearing yellow Helping Hands T-shirts “The Yellow Angels.” One Latter-day Saint took her car in for service, and the man helping her described the “spiritual experience” he had when people in yellow shirts removed trees from his yard and then, he said, they “sang some song to me about being a child of God.”

Another Florida resident—also not of our faith—related that Latter-day Saints came to her home when she was working in her devastated yard and feeling overwhelmed, overheated, and close to tears. The volunteers created, in her words, “a pure miracle.” They served not only with diligence but also with laughter and smiles, accepting nothing in return.  [emphasis added]

Here we see optimism along with the service.

I saw that diligence and heard that laughter when, late on a Saturday, I visited with a group of Latter-day Saints in Florida. The volunteers stopped their cleanup labor long enough to let me shake some hands. They said that 90 members of their stake in Georgia had created a plan to join in the rescue in Florida just the night before.

They left Georgia at 4:00 in the morning, drove for hours, worked through the day and into the night, and planned to labor again the next day. 

They described it to me all with smiles and good humor. The only stress I sensed was that they wanted to stop being thanked so they could get back to work. The stake president had restarted his chain saw and was working on a downed tree and a bishop was moving tree limbs as we got into our vehicle to go to the next rescue team. 

Earlier that day, as we pulled away from another site, a man had walked up to the car, taken off his hat, and thanked us for the volunteers. He said, “I’m not a member of your church. I can’t believe what you have done for us. God bless you.” The LDS volunteer standing next to him in his yellow shirt smiled and shrugged his shoulders as if he deserved no praise.  [emphasis added]

President Eyring seems to be giving us a big pat on the back, although that's not why we serve (he will get into that more later).  Does anyone want to share their feelings as we watched Harvey, Irma, or another disaster and how we helped or desired to help?  I am so grateful to be a member of a Church who serves others in need.

While the volunteers from Georgia had come to help this man who couldn’t believe it, hundreds of Latter-day Saints from that very devastated part of Florida had gone hundreds of miles south to another place in Florida where they had heard the people were harder hit.

That day I remembered and understood better the prophetic words of the Prophet Joseph Smith: “A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 426). [emphasis added]

Are you filled with the love of God?  President Eyring will give us some clues to developing this love.  First, President Eyring is going to talk about this love that precedes our service.

We see such love in the lives of Latter-day Saints everywhere. Each time there is a tragic event anywhere in the world, Latter-day Saints donate and volunteer to the Church’s humanitarian efforts. An appeal is seldom needed. In fact, on some occasions, we have had to ask would-be volunteers to wait to travel to the recovery site until those directing the work are prepared to receive them. 

That desire to bless is the fruit of people gaining a testimony of Jesus Christ, His gospel, His restored Church, and His prophet. That is why the Lord’s people doubt not and fear not. ...  [emphasis added]

See Doubt and Fear as word links number 6 below.

...That is why missionaries volunteer for service in every corner of the world. That is why parents pray with their children for others. That is why leaders challenge their youth to take President Monson’s request to immerse themselves in the Book of Mormon to heart. The fruit comes not by being urged by leaders but by the youth and members acting on faith. That faith, put into action, which requires selfless sacrifice, brings the change of heart that allows them to feel the love of God.  [emphasis added]

Here, President Eyring teaches us a principle that will increase our love and desire to serve others: Faith put into action through sacrifice.

Our hearts, however, remain changed only as long as we continue to follow the prophet’s counsel. If we stop trying after one burst of effort, the change will fade. 

Here, President Eyring teaches us a second principle to increase our love and desire to serve others:  Follow the prophet with continued effort.

Faithful Latter-day Saints have increased their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, in the Book of Mormon as the word of God, and in the restoration of priesthood keys in His true Church. That increased testimony has given us greater courage and concern for others of God’s children. But the challenges and the opportunities ahead will require even more. 

We cannot foresee the details, but we know the larger picture. We know that in the last days, the world will be in commotion. We know that in the midst of whatever trouble comes, the Lord will lead faithful Latter-day Saints to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. And we know that the Lord’s true disciples will be worthy and prepared to receive Him when He comes again. We need not fear.   [emphasis added]

See Doubt and Fear as word links number 7 below.

Here we talk about future challenges.  This quote made me wonder what is a "true disciple" of the Lord, and am I a "true disciple" of Jesus Christ?  One of the fruits, according to President Eyring is that desire to bless the whole human race!  Do I have that desire?  Do you have that desire?  The quote also reminded me of Moroni 7:48 (which President Eyring will quote and reference shortly) - which says that true followers of His Son are given charity from the Father - which is just the love that President Eyring is speaking about!

So, as much as we have already built faith and courage in our hearts, the Lord expects more from us—and from the generations after us. They will need to be stronger and braver because they will do even greater and harder things than we have done. And they will face increasing opposition from the enemy of our souls. [emphasis added]

Wow - more on future challenges.  Are we instilling our children and youth this desire to bless, this love and testimony that overcomes doubt and fear?  How do we do this?  President Eyring gives a few examples of things that will help us do that next:

The way to optimism as we go forward was given by the Lord: “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (D&C 6:36). President Monson told us how to do that. We are to ponder and apply the Book of Mormon and the words of prophets. Pray always. Be believing. Serve the Lord with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. We are to pray with all the energy of our hearts for the gift of charity, the pure love of Christ (see Moroni 7:47–48). And above all, we are to be consistent and persistent in following prophetic counsel. 

See Doubt and Fear as word links number 8 below.

Above, we also have a third principle for opening our heart and increasing our love - that is to pray for charity with all energy of heart.  President Eyring also says that above all, follow prophetic counsel.  This will be interesting since we will sustain a new prophet in a few months.

When the way is difficult, we can rely on the Lord’s promise—the promise President Monson has reminded us of when he has often quoted these words of the Savior: “Whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (D&C 84:88). 

I testify that the Lord goes before your face whenever you are on His errand. Sometimes you will be the angel the Lord sends to bear others up. Sometimes you will be the one surrounded by angels who bear you up. But always you will have His Spirit to be in your heart, as you have been promised in every sacrament service. You have only to keep His commandments.

The best days are ahead for the kingdom of God on the earth. Opposition will strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ, as it has since the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Faith always defeats fear. Standing together produces unity. And your prayers for those in need are heard and answered by a loving God. He neither slumbers nor does He sleep.

I bear my witness that God the Father lives and wants you to come home to Him. This is the true Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. He knows you; He loves you; He watches over you. He atoned for your sins and mine and the sins of all of Heavenly Father’s children. Following Him in your life and in your service to others is the only way to eternal life.

Well, blogger messed something up and the rest of the post did not get published.  Future edits to come.

Doubt and Fear as word links

1. One of the promises President Monson promised us in April 2017 was that as we prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day, we will be in a position to overcome doubt and fear.  Here, President Eyring testifies that this promise was fulfilled.
2. "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not" - these sound like commandments!
3. Doubt and fear are diminished when we stand with faith upon the rock of Jesus Christ.
4. We become fearless when we have testimony (no doubt) that Jesus Christ watches over us.
5. President Eyring teaches that faith to drive out doubt and fear is a miracle.
6. The love of God in our souls is why we doubt not and fear not.
7. True disciples of the Lord, Jesus Christ need not fear.
8. President Eyring teaches that looking unto the Lord in every thought (doubt not, fear not) is the way to optimism.
9. 
   

Let's Discuss: "The Lord Leads His Church," by Henry B. Eyring

"The Lord Leads His Church"

By President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency
30 September 2017, Priesthood Session

Hymn recommendations:
19  We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet
20  God of Power, God of Right
220  Lord, I Would Follow Thee
249  Called to Serve
321  Ye Who are Called to Labor

Favorite quote:

It takes faith and humility to serve in the place to which we are called, to trust that the Lord called us and those who preside over us, and to sustain them with full faith.

Something to put on the board:

...you have the capacity to receive revelation and to act on it fearlessly.

Synopsis:

We can have faith that callings come from the Lord, even though we are all imperfect people.  The Lord, Jesus Christ, leads the Church, and can lead each of us in our respective callings.

Quotes and Discussion:

President Eyring in conference mentions he's especially speaking to younger priesthood holders, but that is not in the transcript.  He begins by outlining four fundamentals.  You may wish to write them on the board:

First, Jesus Christ is the head of the Church in all the earth.  

Second, He leads His Church today by speaking to men called as prophets, and He does it through revelation. 

Who are these men called as prophets?  The prophet, yes, also the First Presidency, and the apostles are all "prophets, seers, and revelators."  I might not ask the following in a classroom setting, unless Moved to share it, but for your study and mine:  Does anyone else fall under the subset of prophet?  What about someone with the gift of prophecy - are they not prophets?  Here also is a quote from Joseph Smith:

“No man is a minister of Jesus Christ without being a Prophet. No man can be a minister of Jesus Christ except he has the testimony of Jesus; and this is the spirit of prophecy [see Revelation 19:10].”  (History of the Church, 3:389; from a discourse given by Joseph Smith about July 1839 in Commerce, Illinois; reported by Willard Richards).

Just to ponder. ...  Now back to President Eyring:

Third, He gave revelation to His prophets long ago, still does, and will continue to do so. 

God works in patterns.  One way we can know the Church is true is that our leadership follows the patterns of old.

Fourth, He gives confirming revelation to those who serve under the leadership of His prophets.

Who falls under this fourth fundamental?  Pretty much all of us.  Even without a calling, we are in the service of our Lord through our baptismal covenants.  Have you ever felt confirming revelation that the Lord called your leaders?  I have many times felt a confirming witness of the Holy Ghost testifying that callings were made of God.  (If you haven't, here is a procedure I suggest:  When a calling is made, ask in your mind if it is good, right, or of God.  What do you immediately feel?  I have sometimes gotten a feeling of wonder and truth - almost of electricity - moving through my body, confirming callings.  You may have a different gift of confirming revelation.)

From those fundamentals, we recognize that the Lord’s leadership of His Church requires great and steady faith from all who serve Him on earth.

If we didn't have faith in these fundamentals, it might be difficult to follow our imperfect leaders!  But, we can trust our Savior, and thus we can trust the leaders of His Church on earth.  President Eyring next gives some examples of faith that you may not know you have/need:

For instance, it takes faith to believe that the resurrected Lord is watching over the daily details of His kingdom. It takes faith to believe that He calls imperfect people into positions of trust. It takes faith to believe that He knows the people He calls perfectly, both their capacities and their potential, and so makes no mistakes in His calls.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by a calling?  Or perhaps underwhelmed by a calling given to someone else??  President Eyring is speaking to you (us!):

That may bring a smile or a shake of the head to some in this audience—both those who think their own call to serve might have been a mistake as well as those who picture some they know who seem poorly suited to their place in the Lord’s kingdom. My counsel to both groups is to delay such judgments until you can better see what the Lord sees. The judgment you need to make, instead, is that you have the capacity to receive revelation and to act on it fearlessly.  [emphasis added]

I like that he says to "delay such judgments."  It reminds me of Pres. Uchtdorf, who said, "Doubt your doubts, before you doubt your faith" (reference).  We can keep our minds open to Purposes greater than what we can see.  Next, some more faith examples that you may not know you have or need:

It takes faith to do so. It takes even greater faith to believe that the Lord has called imperfect human servants to lead you.

Did you ever wonder if you have faith?  Do you follow your leaders?  Then you have faith!

Next we have President Eyring's hope, or purpose of his message:

My purpose tonight is to build your faith that God directs you in your service to Him. And even more importantly, my hope is to build your faith that the Lord is inspiring the imperfect persons He has called as your leaders.

What did he say was his purpose?  (to build our faith that God directs us in our service to him, and build our faith that He directs our leaders)

You may think, at first, that such faith is not important to the success of the Lord’s Church and kingdom. However, you may discover—no matter where you are in the chain of priesthood service, from the Lord’s prophet to a new Aaronic Priesthood holder—that faith is essential.

Why do you think a person may think (at first) that this faith is not important to the success of the Lord's Church and kingdom?  In answer, I think it's easy to idolize people we don't know that closely - people can appear to be great communicators of their own right, or great successes, or great motivators, or spiritual giants.  Maybe in our minds, these are natural leaders of the kingdom, who may not even appear to need to rely on God. ...  But no matter if we have these gifts or not, they all and we all need to rely on God in our service.

Let’s start with what faith means for a teachers or a deacons quorum president. It is important for him to have faith that the Lord called him personally, knowing that teacher’s weaknesses and strengths. He has to have faith that the man who issued the call received revelation by the Spirit of God. His counselors and members of his quorum need the same faith to follow him with fearless confidence.

President Eyring shares the story of a newly called deacons' secretary who acts in faith.  I might skip this for time:

I saw such confidence when a boy sat with his deacons quorum presidency one Sunday morning. He was their newly called secretary. That young presidency counseled together. They talked about several ways they could fulfill the bishop’s request to bring a less-active boy back to church. After prayer and discussion, they appointed the secretary to go to the home of a boy who had never come to a meeting and to invite him.

The secretary didn’t know the boy, but he knew that one of the boy’s parents was less active and the other was not a member and not friendly. The secretary felt anxiety but not fear. He knew that the prophet of God had asked priesthood holders to bring back the lost sheep. And he had heard the prayer of his presidency. He heard them come to agreement on the name of the boy to be rescued and on his own name.

I was watching when the secretary walked up the street toward the less-active boy’s house. He walked slowly as if he were going into great danger. But within a half hour he came back down the road with the boy, smiling happily. I’m not sure he knew it then, but he had gone with faith that he was on the Lord’s errand. That faith has stayed with him and has grown over his years as a missionary, a father, a leader of young men, and a bishop.  [emphasis added]

Ok - what did you get from this example?  I liked that assignments given to us from our leaders are "the Lord's errand;" we can act in "fearless confidence" in these assignments.  I also like that anxiety is different than fear - anxiety is not a lack of faith, per se.

Now, President Eyring's next example concerns a bishop's calling:

Let’s talk about what such faith means for a bishop. A bishop is sometimes called to serve people who know him well. Ward members know something of his human weaknesses and his spiritual strengths, and they know that others in the ward could have been called—others who seem better educated, more seasoned, more pleasant, or even better looking.

There was laughter at the better looking bit - but how easy it is to judge outward appearance!

These members have to know the call to serve as a bishop came from the Lord, by revelation. Without their faith, the bishop, who was called of God, will find it harder to get the revelation he needs to help them. He will not succeed without the faith of the members to sustain him.

How can we sustain, support, encourage, and withhold unrighteous judgement for those we know "too" well?  Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.  I once received when a new calling of leadership was extended that the Lord wanted to "shape" this leader - maybe he didn't start off as what I might expect - but that the crucible of this particular calling would be a great way for him to learn and grow quickly!

Happily, the reverse is also true. Think of the Lord’s servant King Benjamin, who led his people to repentance. The people’s hearts were softened by their faith that he was called of God, despite his human weaknesses, and that his words came from God. You remember what the people said: “Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; … we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2). 

For a leader to succeed in the Lord’s work, the people’s trust that he is called of God must override their view of his infirmities and mortal weaknesses. You remember how King Benjamin explained his own leadership role:

“I have not commanded you to come up hither that ye should fear me, or that ye should think that I of myself am more than a mortal man.

“But I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind; yet I have been chosen by this people, and consecrated by my father, and was suffered by the hand of the Lord that I should be a ruler and a king over this people; and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power, to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord hath granted unto me” (Mosiah 2:10–11).

Since our clergy is all volunteer, we need to remember that they are not so different than us!  Like King Benjamin, they are "like as [our]selves," yet chosen and set apart to be the leaders of our wards/stakes/quorums/etc.

Your leader in the Lord’s Church may seem to you weak and human or may appear to you strong and inspired. The fact is that every leader is a mixture of those traits and more. What helps servants of the Lord who are called to lead us is when we can see them as the Lord did when He called them.

The Lord sees His servants perfectly. He sees their potential and their future. And He knows how their very nature can be changed. He also knows how they can be changed by their experiences with the people they will lead.

Have you ever had the experience where you didn't think someone would be called, but they were, and you received confirming revelation?  Please share your experiences in the comments.  Once, when a new stake president was due, in a spirit of speculation, I thought of an individual, and followed with, "But I don't think he's ready for that," ... well, he ended up being called as the stake president!  Immediately, the Spirit testified to me that the calling would make him ready - that He doesn't always call the biggest spiritual giant possible - but that he would teach and make this individual the leader He wanted and knew He could be.  Then, the presiding 70 in his talk to us, said almost the same thing!  I had two witnesses that he was the man for the job for the time!  The Lord's ways are not our ways!  Thankfully!

You may have had the experience of being made stronger by the people you were called to serve.

Think about one of your callings, past or present.  Can you think of growth you experienced from your service?  Please share if you feel inspired to do so.  I have played the piano all my life.  So I was surprised when I received the calling to be a choir director!  What?!  Totally out of my comfort zone!  Yet, I learned, I stretched, I sought the inspiration of the Lord, and by the time I was released, I was again a new creature in Christ.  If our callings cause our growth, they will help our leaders grow, too.

President Eyring shares some growth he experienced as a bishop in a YSA ward:

To a degree I do not understand, most of those young people in that ward acted as if I was called of God especially for them. They saw my weaknesses but looked past them.

I remember one young man who asked for counsel about his educational choices. He was a freshman at a very good university. A week after I had given the advice, he scheduled an appointment with me.

When he came into the office, he surprised me by asking, “Bishop, could we pray before we talk? And could we kneel? And may I pray?”

His requests surprised me. But his prayer surprised me even more. It went something like this: “Heavenly Father, You know that Bishop Eyring gave me advice last week, and it didn’t work. Please inspire him to know what I am to do now.”

Now you might smile at that, but I didn’t. He already knew what the Lord wanted him to do. But he honored the office of a bishop in the Lord’s Church and perhaps wanted me to have the chance to gain greater confidence to receive revelation in that calling.

It worked. As soon as we stood up and then sat down, the revelation came to me. I told him what I felt the Lord would have him do. He was only 18 years old then, but he was mature in spiritual years.

He already knew he didn’t need to go to a bishop on such a problem. But he had learned to sustain the Lord’s servant even in his mortal weaknesses. He eventually became a stake president. He carried with him the lesson we learned together: if you have faith that the Lord leads His Church through revelation to those imperfect servants He calls, the Lord will open the windows of heaven to them, as He will to you.

From that experience, I carried away the lesson that the faith of the people we serve, sometimes more than our own faith, brings us revelation in the Lord’s service. [emphasis added]

For the sake of those we serve in our callings and assignments, the Lord will bless us!  We do not have to rely on our personal worthiness (although we should strive to be found worthy), or our own level of faith (although we want to be faithful).  When we serve others, the Lord inspires us on their behalf.  Do you feel that you receive revelation for your calling?  Could you benefit from more of the Lord's revelation and guidance in your calling?

There was another lesson for me. If that boy had judged me for my failure to give him good advice the first time, he never would have come back to ask again. And so, by choosing not to judge me, he received the confirmation he desired.

Both the young man and the bishop were blessed in this example.  I love that.

Yet another lesson from that experience has served me well. As far as I know, he never told anyone in the ward that I had not given good counsel at first. Had he done that, it might have reduced the faith of others in the ward to trust the bishop’s inspiration.

I love that this young man did not get offended, or attempt to undermine the bishop.  It is tempting sometimes to share our gripes, or voice our grievances at quirks and weaknesses.  They may even truly be weaknesses.  But that does not mean he is not called of God.  I remember once when my husband was called into a scouting position, we had a bishop who did not seem to support the scouting program in the way my husband felt it needed support. ...  We talked about it together, and ultimately some counsel of my father's came to mind, which is that "this bishop was called at this time for a reason" - maybe the reason wasn't scouting - and that's ok.

I try not to judge servants of the Lord or to speak of their apparent weaknesses. And I try to teach that by example to my children. President James E. Faust shared a credo that I am trying to make my own. I commend it to you: 

“We … need to support and sustain our local leaders, because they … have been ‘called and chosen.’ Every member of this Church may receive counsel from a bishop or a branch president, a stake or a mission president, and the President of the Church and his associates. None of these brethren asked for his calling. None is perfect. Yet they are the servants of the Lord, called by Him through those entitled to inspiration. Those called, sustained, and set apart are entitled to our sustaining support. 

“… Disrespect for ecclesiastical leaders has caused many to suffer spiritual weakening and downfall. We should look past any perceived imperfections, warts, or spots of the men called to preside over us, and uphold the office which they hold” (“Called and Chosen,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005, 54–55).

Next, President Eyring shares some disloyalty for the prophet Joseph Smith that had crept in:

In the early days of the Lord’s Church, leaders close to the Prophet Joseph Smith began to speak of his faults. Even with all they had seen and knew of his standing with the Lord, their spirit of criticism and jealously spread like a plague. One of the Twelve set for us all the standard of faith and loyalty we must have if we are to serve in the Lord’s kingdom. 

Here is the report: “Several elders called a meeting in the temple for all those who considered Joseph Smith to be a fallen Prophet. They intended to appoint David Whitmer as the new Church leader. … After listening to the arguments against the Prophet, Brigham [Young] arose and testified, ‘Joseph was a Prophet, and I knew it, and that they might rail and slander him as much as they pleased; they could not destroy the appointment of the Prophet of God, they could only destroy their own authority, cut the thread that bound them to the Prophet and to God, and sink themselves to hell’” (Church History in the Fulness of Times Student Manual [Church Educational System manual, 2003], 2nd ed., 174; see also Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 79).

There is a thread that binds us to the Lord in our service. It runs from wherever we are called to serve in the kingdom, up through those called to preside over us in the priesthood, and to the prophet, who is bound to the Lord. It takes faith and humility to serve in the place to which we are called, to trust that the Lord called us and those who preside over us, and to sustain them with full faith. 

This should be a reminder and a warning to us that apostasy isn't all at once - it can start with seemingly innocuous criticisms.  Also, we can be like Brigham Young:

There will be times, as there were in the days of Kirtland, when we will need the faith and the integrity of a Brigham Young to stand in the place the Lord has called us to, loyal to His prophet and to the leaders He has put in place.

Where do we stand?  Do we have a testimony of the prophets?  Do we have a testimony that Christ leads this Church?  Do we have a testimony that He extends the calls His servants?  What can you do today to get these testimonies?

In closing, President Eyring's testimony and blessing:

I bear you my solemn and yet joyful witness that the Lord Jesus Christ is at the helm. He leads His Church and His servants. I bear witness that Thomas S. Monson is the only man who holds and exercises all the keys of the holy priesthood on earth at this time. And I pray blessings on all the humble servants who serve so willingly and well in the restored Church of Jesus Christ, which He leads personally. I testify that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. They spoke to him. The keys of the priesthood were restored for the blessing of all of Heavenly Father’s children. It is our mission and our trust to serve in our place in the Lord’s cause.

Christmas scripture songs are live

Around holidays, especially Christmas, I've tried to find festive scriptures, or scriptures with a special holiday spirit about them.  This December has been a little different - we put aside our scripture songs to focus on memorizing The Living Christ, by special request of our stake presidency.  In general, though, for Christmas scriptures, I have looked for a Christmas carol (tune) that I can fit the words of a scripture into.

This first one is from Mary's Lullaby.  I used it the first year we started learning the scriptures through song - we did just the verse 37 (of Luke 1) the first year, but the next year, I added verse 38.  I had initially planned to do both verses, but I talked myself into splitting it up, to be more child-friendly.  I consulted the children for ideas, and my daughter drew the lovely picture.  If nothing is impossible, then pigs can fly, right?  :)

Here is Luke 1:37

Here is Luke 1:37-38

For Luke 2:13-14, I used the tune, Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains, because it has the "Glory to God" section built in, so I was also teaching the kids part of a Christmas song they would recognize in the future.  I thought it fit pretty well.

Matthew 2:1-2 - this scripture is about the wise men and the star, so the tune from We Three Kings seemed only natural! 

This last one is the only Christmas song with an original tune.  I often get this one stuck in my head, too, but it is lovely enough to me not to be bothersome.  ;)  I often ask the children for their advice on what pictures will help them remember the words.  The idea of God handing someone a large sign was memorable!  Therefore, the Lord, Himself, shall give you a sign...  Isaiah 7:14:

Merry Christmas!

Let's Discuss: "Value beyond Measure" by Joy D. Jones

"Value beyond Measure"

By Joy D. Jones, Primary General President
September 23, 2017 Women's Session

My hymn recommendations:
57  We're Not Ashamed to Own Our Lord
98  I Need Thee Every Hour
113  Our Savior's Love (she quotes a line from this one)
157 Thy Spirit, Lord, Has Stirred Our Souls
279  Thy Holy Word

Favorite quote:

We may seldom, if ever, receive huge spiritual manifestations in our lives; but we can frequently savor the sweet whisperings of the Holy Ghost verifying the truth of our spiritual worth.

Something to put on the board:

If we sin, we are less worthy, but we are never worth less!

Synopsis:

Our worth to God is independent of our worthiness.  Remember your divine worth - combat negative self-talk by savoring and cultivating the sweet whisperings and moments of the Spirit.

Other preparation for a classroom setting:

The pictures of the women she shared during conference are at the conference link above.  You may want to consider printing them out for visual aids.  You may want to provide pencils/pens and paper for your class for taking a moment to ponder your divine worth (described below).

Quotes and Discussion

I love that Sister Jones begins her talk with examples of women/young women from around the world.  Let's begin there:

While visiting the country of Sierra Leone in West Africa, I participated in a meeting conducted by a stake Primary leader. Mariama led with such love, grace, and confidence that it was easy to assume she had long been a member of the Church. Mariama, however, was a fairly recent convert.

Her younger sister joined the Church and invited Mariama to attend a Church class with her. Mariama was deeply impressed by the message. The lesson was on the law of chastity. She asked to have the missionaries teach her more and soon received a testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. She was baptized in 2014, and her daughter was baptized last month. Imagine, the two fundamental teachings that led to Mariama’s conversion were the law of chastity and the Prophet Joseph Smith, two points the world often sees as irrelevant, outdated, or inconvenient. ...

I want to interrupt here, because I thought it was interesting that she pointed these doctrines out.  I think Sister Jones may be telling us not to be ashamed of these doctrines - or any doctrines.  How do you defend the law of chastity and Joseph Smith?  Do they need defense?  Do you have a testimony of them?  Do they not matter if you have a testimony of other things, like the Book of Mormon?

But Mariama testified that she was like a moth attracted to the light. She said, “When I found the gospel, I found myself.” She discovered her worth through divine principles. Her value as a daughter of God was revealed to her through the Holy Ghost.

What truths of the Gospel did/do you feel drawn to as a moth to the light?  Comment below.  I love the doctrine of eternal families.  I also love that we can ask questions, study them out, and receive personal revelation.

Now let’s meet the Singh sisters from India. Renu, on the far right, the first of five sisters to join the Church, shared these thoughts: 

“Before I started investigating the Church, I didn’t really feel that I was very special. I was just one of many people, and my society and culture didn’t really teach me that I had any value as an individual. ...

Another interruption ...  Can you think of some wrong messages your culture says about individual worth?  Some of the things I thought of are pressures to be skinny, pretty, fashionable, sexy, "authentic," ...  If you get a lot of feedback from the class, consider asking a followup question like, How can we focus on what matters most?

...When I learned the gospel and learned that I was a daughter of our Heavenly Father, it changed me. Suddenly I felt so special—God had actually created me and had created my soul and my life with value and purpose. 

“Before I had the gospel in my life, I was always trying to prove to others that I was someone special. But when I learned the truth, that I am a daughter of God, I didn’t have to prove anything to anyone. I knew that I was special. … Don’t ever think that you are nothing.”

I love that!  You don't have to prove anything to anyone.  You are special, period.

I was recently blessed to meet another young woman who understands this same truth. Her name is Taiana. I met her at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. Taiana was a junior in high school when she was diagnosed with cancer. She fought a brave battle for 18 months before passing away a few short weeks ago. Taiana was full of light and love. She was known for her contagious smile and her trademark “double thumbs-up.” When others asked, “Why you, Taiana?” her response was, “Why not me?” Taiana sought to become like her Savior, whom she so dearly loved. During our visits, I learned that Taiana understood her divine worth. Knowing she was a daughter of God gave her peace and courage to face her overwhelming trial in the positive way she did.

I realized after pondering this section that I haven't asked, "Why me?" in a long time.  Not in at least 15 years, maybe 20.  I have come to know that our trials are hand-picked for us, to teach us and to stretch us - to mold us and help us be more like Christ.  What is a faith-filled way you like to respond to trials?  Comment below.  Sometimes, I look for the things to learn - in other words, I might ask myself:  What can I learn from ___? - I like to believe that having this attitude might even shorten the length of the trial - if I learn the lesson the trial can be over, right?  (Of course it always depends on the will of the Lord).  Sometimes, I think about my specific gifts - and see if they can help me overcome.  Sometimes, I ponder the sufferings of Christ, and endure to understand Him better.  Sometimes, I imagine that Christ is there with me, and I take comfort in Him.  There is much we can endure, with Christ by our side.  Our joy in Him is independent of our circumstances.

Mariama, Renu, and Taiana teach us that the Spirit will confirm to each of us individually our divine worth. Truly knowing that you are a daughter of God will affect every aspect of your life and guide you in the service you render each day. ...

Has the Spirit confirmed to you your divine worth?  If you have time, take a sheet of paper (or a journal), and sit still for a moment, contemplating your divine worth.  Write down the impressions you receive.  Remember that the Holy Spirit is always accompanied by the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.).

President Spencer W. Kimball explained in these glorious words: 

“God is your Father. He loves you. He and your mother in heaven value you beyond any measure. … You are unique. One of a kind, made of the eternal intelligence which gives you claim upon eternal life. 

“Let there be no question in your mind about your value as an individual. The whole intent of the gospel plan is to provide an opportunity for each of you to reach your fullest potential, which is eternal progression and the possibility of godhood.”2

I love first that in this quote, President Kimball mentions Heavenly Mother specifically.  If you look for Her, you find Her in the writings of the prophets (and elsewhere).  Second, this quote is the inspiration for the title of this talk.  We are valued beyond any measure ... by our heavenly parents!  We can't get more fundamental value than that.  Have you ever doubted your worth?  I don't want to dredge up those feelings - but to shine this light of truth on them - you are valued beyond any measure by Heavenly Father and Mother.

Next Sister Jones takes some time to tell us the difference between worth and worthiness.  Why do you think this is important?

Let me point out the need to differentiate between two critical words: worth and worthiness. They are not the same. Spiritual worth means to value ourselves the way Heavenly Father values us, not as the world values us. Our worth was determined before we ever came to this earth. “God’s love is infinite and it will endure forever.”3 

On the other hand, worthiness is achieved through obedience. If we sin, we are less worthy, but we are never worth less! We continue to repent and strive to be like Jesus with our worth intact. As President Brigham Young taught: “The least, the most inferior spirit now upon the earth … is worth worlds.”4 No matter what, we always have worth in the eyes of our Heavenly Father.

Have you internalized that your worth is independent of your worthiness?  (rhetorical)  "The least, the most inferior spirit ... is worth worlds."  That is so profound.  I kept thinking of an apple seed, or a tomato seed.  Even just one apple seed has the potential to grow into a tree that produces many more apples, that may produce more trees of their own, and on and on.  Each soul on earth is like that seed - we have the potential for eternal lives.

Despite this marvelous truth, how many of us struggle, from time to time, with negative thoughts or feelings about ourselves? I do. It’s an easy trap. Satan is the father of all lies, especially when it comes to misrepresentations about our own divine nature and purpose. Thinking small about ourselves does not serve us well. Instead it holds us back. As we’ve often been taught, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”5 We can stop comparing our worst to someone else’s best. “Comparison is the thief of joy.”6

Negative thoughts and feelings about ourselves are a TRAP from Satan!  I love that Sister Jones exposes this truth.  How can we escape this trap?  Comment below with your ideas.  If you haven't already, let's start today in recognizing these negativities for what they are - and unroot and cast those thoughts out from you!  When we wallow in self-pity, or "beat ourselves up" emotionally, we are in a snare.  We must remember our divine nature, our heavenly parents, our Savior's love, ...

Next, Sister Jones gives us a key to confidence.  She suggests confidence as the remedy to the negative self-talk:

In contrast, the Lord assures us that when we have virtuous thoughts, He will bless us with confidence, even the confidence to know who we really are. There’s never been a more crucial time to heed His words. “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly,” He said. “Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and … the Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion.”

What does it mean to you to "let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly?"  What is virtue?  I believe it is power (Christ noticed virtue/power gone from Him when the woman touched His hem) - we might say positive power, the benefit of the doubt, the measuring of a thought to divine truth.

After the key to confidence, Sister Jones gives us a technique to help us turn to righteous self-talk:

The Lord revealed this additional truth to the Prophet Joseph Smith: “He that receiveth of God, let him account it of God; and let him rejoice that he is accounted of God worthy to receive.”8 When we feel the Spirit, as this verse explains, we recognize that what we feel comes from our Heavenly Father. We acknowledge Him and praise Him for blessing us. We then rejoice that we are counted worthy to receive.

When we feel a prompting, an answer to a question, joy, or even a brief feeling of hope or peace, we have been counted worthy to receive.  Sister Jones continues with some examples of what she's talking about:

Imagine that you are reading the scriptures one morning and the Spirit softly whispers to you that what you are reading is true. Can you recognize the Spirit and be happy that you felt His love and were worthy to receive?

Mothers, you might be kneeling next to your four-year-old as he says his bedtime prayer. A feeling flows over you as you listen. You feel warmth and peace. The feeling is brief, but you recognize that you, at that moment, are counted worthy to receive. We may seldom, if ever, receive huge spiritual manifestations in our lives; but we can frequently savor the sweet whisperings of the Holy Ghost verifying the truth of our spiritual worth. [emphasis added]

We don't need to wait for a huge spiritual manifestation.  We can fill our lives with the sweet whisperings of the Holy Ghost.  This is in part why studying our scriptures and other Gospel basics (going to church, saying prayers, ...) are so important.  We can learn to recognize and rejoice when we receive even the little, brief feelings of peace or testimony of the Spirit of truth during a speaker's talk.  These are like little miracles in our lives.  They may be personal - often we may even be the only person who receives them, but they are real, and they mean we have been counted worthy to receive.

Next Sister Jones brings in the connection to He who makes this all possible - our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Lord explained the relationship between our worth and His great atoning sacrifice when He said:

“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

“For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.”9

Sisters, because of what He did for us, “we are bound to him by loving ties.”10 He said, “My Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me.”11

Whether we acknowledge it or not, we ARE connected to Jesus Christ.  He earned that right when He paid our ransoms.  Continuing:

King Benjamin also explained this binding connection with our Savior: “And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.”12 That suffering and the results of that suffering fill our hearts with love and gratitude. ...

Jesus Christ is our Savior.  Take a moment to reflect on what He did for you, personally, and express love and gratitude in your heart to Him.  Share any insights you feel inspired to share.

...Elder Paul E. Koelliker taught, “As we remove the distractions that pull us toward the world and exercise our agency to seek Him, we open our hearts to a celestial force which draws us toward Him.”13 If the love we feel for the Savior and what He did for us is greater than the energy we give to weaknesses, self-doubts, or bad habits, then He will help us overcome the things which cause suffering in our lives. He saves us from ourselves. [emphasis added]

I love this concept of a celestial force which draws us toward Him.  I think President Uchtdorf spoke of it also, in the Saturday morning session of this same conference, an inner guidance system that draws us to our heavenly home, "a heavenly stirring."  I think Sister Jones here is teaching us that we may have to remove the "world" from ourselves in order to align ourselves closer to Him.  Continuing, she says:

Let me reemphasize: if the pull of the world is stronger than the faith and trust we have in the Savior, then the pull of the world will prevail every time. If we choose to focus on our negative thoughts and doubt our worth instead of clinging to the Savior, it becomes more difficult to feel the impressions of the Holy Ghost.

So we have that choice when feelings of negativity attack us.  We can choose to focus on the negativity or focus on the Savior.  Can you think of a time when you chose to focus on the Savior and were able to dispel negative thinking?

Sisters, let’s not be confused about who we are! While it is often easier to be spiritually passive than it is to put forth the spiritual effort to remember and embrace our divine identity, we cannot afford that indulgence in these latter days. [emphasis added]

What effort can we put forth to remind ourselves of our divine identity?  Some ideas might be reciting positive affirmations like "I am a beloved child of God; My value is beyond any measure" or setting a daily reminder on our phone to turn our mind to Christ, or ???  There are as many ideas as individuals.  Comment below with your ideas!

I'm going to conclude my discussion with her concluding words:

May we, as sisters, “be faithful in Christ; … may Christ lift [us] up, and may his sufferings and death, … and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in [our minds] forever.”14 As the Savior lifts us to higher ground, we can see more clearly not only who we are but also that we are closer to Him than we ever imagined. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.