I have always considered myself to be fairly intelligent –
maybe that is a stretch, but it has been my own belief. Sometimes I have let that get in the way of
assimilating new ideas but, overall, there has been an innate desire to learn
and grow in smarts.
That’s why General Conference is one of my favorite times of
year. As Latter-day Saints, we gather
twice a year to listen to our leaders share words of wisdom and encouragement
to help us along our path through mortality. Throughout the past 60+ years I have
found myself gleaning vast amounts of knowledge – typically spiritual but other
types as well – from those whom we sustain as Prophets and leaders of the
Church of Christ. So, my intent today is
to share a few things that have settled into my heart from the most recent
gathering of Latter-day Saints. Hope you
enjoy this summary.
(For a more detailed look at the messages, click here)
#1 – The Lord
does His work in His own way.
According to common practices in the business world, when a
leader begins to show signs of diminished abilities, it is time to replace
them. For many years Elder Robert D. Hales has been physically impaired from
cancer and other debilitating issues. It would be a simple thing to release him
from his position and replace him with someone who is younger and more
physically able to serve. But that is not the Lord’s way. Elder Hales has been allowed to stay with us,
despite his struggles.
And why?
So he could teach from the afflictions he has so patiently
endured.
How we would have been deprived if we had missed the messages
he has given over the years, particularly as he has shown so many signs of the
illness and suffering. I recall that in
one conference he shared that he had spoken in his prayers about being released
from his afflictions. He tenderly confessed to the Lord that he had learned the lesson being taught.
But the answer given to him was that there was more to gain from his
experiences and he needed to continue on.
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| Elder Robert D. Hales |
So he did.
And I love him all the more because of it.
No complaining.
No cursing God.
Just ‘soldiering on’ with faith in Christ.
Selfishly, I am grateful for the faithful attitude of Elder
Hales, President Monson, Elder Packer, (and others) as the ravages of life
consumed them physically but increased their power spiritually while they
endured “to the end.” The example of
righteous men and women, overcoming the weakness of mortality inspires all of
us as we approach our own challenges in mortality.
And here’s a second example of how the Lord’s ways are not
the ways of man.
Heavenly Father knows how to guide His kingdom so that the
power of the Priesthood and the ordinances of salvation are offered up to as
many as choose to accept. I am constantly amazed at His willingness to use ALL
the resources available to spread the gospel through the world. Yes, there are
challenges that must be overcome, but if the gospel is to go to everyone He can’t
ignore the gifts He has given to man for that purpose.
The Father and the Son do Their work in Their own way – and that
means it won’t look like what others would do.
And that’s a good thing.
#2 – Our priorities
are not the same as God’s.
While there are so many things to worry about in life, the
Lord has a habit of focusing us on the important ones.
Right now the United States is embroiled in a great political
experience. Every thought seems to be on whom we should elect to help us
recover from the effects of past decisions. These things are important, but I submit
that they are not MOST important – or not even highly important.
Lately I have been impressed, through scripture study and
listening to wise men and women, that our highest priority just might be the
plight of the poor, needy, and helpless (see Ezekiel 16:49).
Political concerns are about how to prevent some of the
issues caused by refugees fleeing from oppression. Statesmen debate on
constructing walls or blocking the paths of suffering groups, but God is more
concerned with the individual needs.
I was impressed with the response we all witnessed to the
message of Elder
Patrick Kearon in the Sunday afternoon session. His plea to consider the
plight of refugees around the world was tender and Christ-like in its presentation.
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| I would encourage you to read his message. |
But the response by President Uchtdorf, immediately following,
drove home the sacred nature of the counsel given. How can we not feel the need to lift the
souls of those who are suffering, through no fault of their own, through the
horrendous experiences we see across the world?
Our priorities need to align with God if we are going to
become more like Him. It’s not about who
we should elect or who can do the most good for our nations. The question is, “what
are we willing to do to lift those with the feeble knees and the hands
outstretched in hope?”
In the final judgment, the answer to this question will carry
more weight than all the other things we might think are important in life.
#3 – There is
more to the Atonement of Jesus Christ than the healing of sins.
It is becoming clear to me that the Atonement
of Jesus Christ is the source of all that is good in this life.
Without the sacrifice of the Savior, there would be no hope
for eternal joy through the cleansing of sin.
There would be no hope for healing wounds (physical, mental,
or spiritual) that afflict us in life without the Priesthood of God
which relies on the Atonement.
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| The One who can do all. |
The nature of goodness would be greatly diminished (or even
eliminated) without the sacrifice of the Savior. Men and women, by nature, would be unable to
practice or even recognize goodness around them.
Hopelessness would abound and all mankind would revert to the
behavior we witness in the animal kingdom.
We are ‘fallen’ beings and
without the influence and power of Christ’s Atonement we would sink into a
state of wickedness that would preclude ever living again with God.
It is eternally clear that a proper understanding and belief
in the Atonement of Christ must be part of our core if we are to find joy.
#4 – The scriptures
given by God are a primary source for finding faith enough to continue on.
We have four Standard Works to
rely on in the latter-days. If our daily study isn’t continued there will be a
gap in our spiritual sensitivity and that will cripple us in the fight we must
wage against our ‘natural man’.
I would also include
the words of living Prophets in this category. They give us the current, living
word of God to guide our lives. Their guidance
and counsel point us in the direction that leads to eternal life. The human
nature to think we “know better” can be corrected by listening to prophets and
studying the scriptures.
#5 – Prophets
are critical to maintaining a testimony of Christ.
Each time I study the scriptures (this year it’s the Old
Testament) I am reminded of the need to have living prophets for guidance. As
much as I love Daniel, Ezekiel, Peter, Paul, John, Nephi, and Alma they are not
here today and can’t guide me the same way a living prophet can.
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| Pres. Monson |
I’m sure John saw our day and may have even tried to warn us
about some of the trials we would encounter. But it is so much better to have
living prophets who can see and experience the same things we do to help us
know how to respond. The slight
corrections they offer are critical to keeping us on the course that leads to
peace and happiness.
Conclusion—
While my list is not complete, it gives a taste for what was
given by righteous men who follow God’s commandments. My hope is that what I have
shared might entice some to go check out the rest of the messages.
It will be worth the time take.
I promise.
