Sunday Morning Session
Be an Example and a Light
President Thomas S. MonsonEach of us came to earth having been given the Light of Christ. As we follow the example of the Savior and live as He lived and as He taught, that light will burn within us and will light the way for others. …
The words we use can lift and inspire, or they can harm and demean. … May we follow the example of the Savior, who spoke with tolerance and kindness throughout His ministry.
… The Savior brought hope to the hopeless and strength to the weak. … As we emulate His example, we will bless lives, including our own.
Next, we are to be an example in spirit. To me that means we strive to have in our lives kindness, gratitude, forgiveness, and goodwill. …
To be an example of faith means that we trust in the Lord and in His word. …
Finally, we are to be pure, which means that we are clean in body, mind, and spirit. …
… As the world moves further and further away from the principles and guidelines given to us by a loving Heavenly Father, we will stand out from the crowd because we’re different. … These things which make us different from most of the world also provide us with that light and that spirit which will shine in an increasingly dark world. …
… As we make Christ the center of our lives, our fears will be replaced by the courage of our convictions.
I Stand All Amazed
Elder Ronald A. Rasbandof the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
If I could leave one small message with you today, it would be this: the Lord has said, “Love one another; as I have loved you” (John 13:34). I’m confident that there is no choice, sin, or mistake that you or anyone else can make that will change His love for you or for them. That does not mean He excuses or condones sinful conduct—I’m sure He does not—but it does mean we are to reach out to our fellowman in love to invite, persuade, serve, and to rescue. Jesus Christ looked past people’s ethnicity, rank, and circumstances in order to teach them this profound truth.
I have been asked many times when did I receive my testimony.
I can’t remember not believing in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I have loved Them since I learned of Them at the knees of my angel mother, reading scripture and gospel stories. That early belief has now grown into a knowledge and a witness of a loving Heavenly Father, who hears and answers our prayers. My testimony of Jesus Christ has been built from many special experiences where I have come to know His great love for each one of us.
I’m grateful for our Savior’s Atonement and wish like Alma to shout it with the trump of an angel. I know that Joseph Smith is God’s prophet of the Restoration and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and I know that President Thomas S. Monson is God’s true servant and prophet on the earth today.
Plain and Precious Truths
Elder Gary E. Stevensonof the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Our loving Heavenly Father and His Son, Jehovah, with a knowledge of the end from the beginning, opened the heavens and a new dispensation to offset the calamities that They knew would come. The Apostle Paul described the forthcoming calamities as “perilous times” (2 Timothy 3:1). For me, this suggests that Heavenly Father’s generous compensation for living in perilous times is that we also live in the fulness of times.
As I agonized over my inadequacies this week, I received a distinct impression which both chastened and comforted me: to focus not on what I can’t do but rather what I can do. I can testify of the plain and precious truths of the gospel.
These are words which I have shared hundreds of times with both those who belong to the Church and many who are not members: “God is our loving Heavenly Father. We are His children. … He weeps with us when we suffer and rejoices when we do what is right. He wants to communicate with us, and we can communicate with Him through sincere prayer. Heavenly Father has provided us, His children, with a way to return and live in His presence. Central to Heavenly Father’s plan is Jesus Christ’s Atonement” (Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service [2004], 31).
Heavenly Father sent His Son to the earth to atone for the sins of all mankind. …
Through God’s Eyes
Elder Dale G. Renlundof the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
To effectively serve others, we must see them through a parent’s eyes, through Heavenly Father’s eyes. Only then can we comprehend the true worth of a soul. Only then can we sense the love that Heavenly Father has for all of His children. Only then can we sense the Savior’s caring concern for them. We cannot completely fulfill our covenant obligation to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort unless we see them through God’s eyes. This expanded perspective will open our hearts to disappointments, fears, and heartaches of others. But Heavenly Father will aid and comfort us. … We need to have eyes that see, ears that hear, and hearts that know and feel if we are to accomplish the rescue so frequently encouraged by President Thomas S. Monson.
Only when we see through Heavenly Father’s eyes can we be filled with “the pure love of Christ” (Moroni 7:47). Every day we should plead with God for this love. Mormon admonished, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ” (Moroni 7:48).
With all my heart I want to be a true follower of Jesus Christ. I love Him. I adore Him. I witness of His living reality. I witness that He is the Anointed One, the Messiah. I am a witness of His incomparable mercy, compassion, and love.
A Plea to My Sisters
President Russell M. NelsonPresident of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
It would be impossible to measure the influence that … women have, not only on families but on the Lord’s Church, as wives, mothers, and grandmothers; as sisters and aunts; as teachers and leaders; and especially as exemplars and devout defenders of the faith. …
Sisters, do you realize the breadth and scope of your influence when you speak those things that come to your heart and mind as directed by the Spirit? …
My dear sisters, whatever your calling, whatever your circumstances, we need your impressions, your insights, and your inspiration. We need you to speak up and speak out in ward and stake councils. We need each married sister to speak as “a contributing and full partner” as you unite with your husband in governing your family. Married or single, you sisters possess distinctive capabilities and special intuition you have received as gifts from God. We brethren cannot duplicate your unique influence. …
… We need women who have a bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Christ and who will use that understanding to teach and help raise a sin-resistant generation. We need women who can detect deception in all of its forms. We need women who know how to access the power that God makes available to covenant keepers and who express their beliefs with confidence and charity.
Let the Clarion Trumpet Sound
Elder Gregory A. Schwitzerof the Seventy
Christ was certainly our best example. He always demonstrated courage to stand up for what was right. … His words were not designed to confuse but to move the hearts of men. He clearly knew His Father’s will in all He said and did. …
True disciples of Christ are not looking to make excuses for the doctrine when it doesn’t fit the world’s current concepts. … True disciples represent the Lord when it may not be convenient to do so. True disciples desire to inspire the hearts of men, not just impress them. …
… Many find themselves today wandering the halls of the great and spacious building, not realizing that they're actually becoming part of its culture. They often succumb to the temptations and the messages. We eventually find them mocking or chiming in with those who criticize or mock.
… We, as disciples of Jesus Christ and members of His Church, must never let go of that iron rod. We must let the clarion trumpet sound from our own souls.
That They Do Always Remember Him
Elder Claudio R. M. Costaof the Seventy
I believe that starting a tradition of telling the stories of Jesus to our children and families is a very special way to keep the Sabbath day holy in our homes. …
I love to read the scriptural passages about His sinless life, and after reading the scriptures which tell about the events experienced by Him, I close my eyes and try to visualize these sacred moments that teach me and strengthen me spiritually. …
The Sabbath and the sacrament become much more enjoyable as we study the stories of Christ. In so doing, we create the traditions that build our faith and testimony and also protect our family. …
The sacrament is also a time for Heavenly Father to teach us about the Atonement of His Beloved Son—our Savior, Jesus Christ—and for us to receive revelation about it. It is a time … to request and to receive this knowledge. It is time for us to reverently ask God for this knowledge. And if we do, I have no doubt that we will receive this knowledge, which will bless our lives beyond measure.
The Holy Ghost as Your Companion
President Henry B. EyringFirst Counselor in the First Presidency
My purpose today is to increase your desire and your determination to claim the gift promised to each of us after we were baptized. During our confirmation we heard these words: “Receive the Holy Ghost.” From that moment, our lives changed forever.
We can, if we live worthy of it, have the blessing of the Spirit to be with us, not only now and then but always. …
To always have the Spirit with us is to have the guidance and direction of the Holy Ghost in our daily lives. We can, for instance, be warned by the Spirit to resist the temptation to do evil.
… If we partake of the sacrament in faith, the Holy Ghost will then be able to protect us and those we love from the temptations that come with increasing intensity and frequency. …
… The Spirit … also gives us the power to discern truth from falsehood. The truth that matters most is verified only by revelation from God. …
As you obey, the impressions from the Spirit will come more frequently, closer and closer to constant companionship. Your power to choose the right will increase.
