Adult Session of Stake Conference
First Speaker
He talked about growing up with sheep and his experience with shepherding them. He also shared other shepherds he had observed.
He talked of how one time in his youth he and his friends threw snowballs at the sheep. He said that for the rest of the season, the sheep would not come to him. As they got new lambs in other seasons he made it a point to gain their trust and never treat any of their sheep poorly again.
If we build a relationship to those we minister to they will more likely listen to our voice and follow us in good things. We if don’t build a relationship or we treat them badly, then it is harder to help them.
We have the responsibility to be meek and mild as lambs.
Next Speaker
We don’t know who is ready for the gospel, but God does and God can soften hearts.
We to look vertically to God for truth. If we only look horizontally to the world for truth we will never find it.
How do we hear him? Through personal revelation.
In the world there is fear. Fear blocks revelation.
We have many worldly influences around us in our community that we do live in a mission field, even though we are surrounded by a large number of members of the Church.
“Every good thing depends on getting and keeping the power of the Holy Ghost in our lives. Everything depends on that.” (Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge, The Way, October 2008 General Conference)
“Satan has marshaled his forces and is raging against the work of the Lord and those of us engaged in it. Because of the increasing dangers we face, our need for divine guidance has never been greater, and our efforts to hear the voice of Jesus Christ—our Mediator, Savior, and Redeemer—have never been more urgent.” (President Russell M. Nelson, Grow into the Principle of Revelation, Liahona January 2021)
Next Speaker
God loves us in our humanness.
Christ’s love is unifying.
If we share Christ’s love it can spiral and create unity.
Rock tumblers polish rocks through the rocks being tumbled in course material and water.
Matt 7:24-27
24 ¶ Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
DnC 50:44
44 Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall.
Next Speaker
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities)
Dickens’ words also describe our day.
“Two men look out through the same bars; One sees the mud, and one the stars.” (Frederick Langridge, 1896)
If we put the things we go through in an eternal perspective, things can look differently.
Abraham 3:26
26 And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.
Our life is a little spec in eternity, but has great eternal consequences.
Next Speaker
He related the temple to an embassy in a foreign country.
He also challenged us to imagine giving a temple recommend interview to someone we love. He talked of us preparing ourself for the interview and of preparing the environment for the interview.
“Whether for youth or adults, your temple recommend interview is not about do’s and don’ts. A recommend is not a checklist, a hall pass, or a ticket for special seating. It has a much higher and holier purpose. To qualify for the honor of a temple recommend, you must live in harmony with the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“In your interview you have the opportunity to search your soul about your personal faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement.”(Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Recommended to the Lord, October 2020 General Conference)
“Too many people consider repentance as punishment—something to be avoided except in the most serious circumstances. But this feeling of being penalized is engendered by Satan. He tries to block us from looking to Jesus Christ, who stands with open arms, hoping and willing to heal, forgive, cleanse, strengthen, purify, and sanctify us.” (President Russell M. Nelson, We Can Do Better and Be Better, April 2019 General Conference)
Serious sin retards our progress.
1-17-21
General Session of Stake Conference
First Speaker
We are to be a temple going people, but also a temple living people.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:119
119 Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;
“We go to the temple to make covenants, but we go home to keep the covenants that we have made. The home is the testing ground. The home is the place where we learn to be more Christlike. The home is the place where we learn to overcome selfishness and give ourselves in service to others.” (J Ballard Washburn, The Temple Is a Family Affair, April 1995 General Conference)
“But more importantly, we should return to our homes from the temple and bring with us what we have learned and implement and apply those teachings. There can be an equivalent spiritual power in our own homes as we strive to remember the principles and patterns taught in the temple and live them.” (Elder David A Bednar, Ensign April 2020)
DnC 132:19
19 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths—then shall it be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, that he shall commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.
Next Speaker
“Today I could desire with all my heart that all within the sound of this broadcast would likewise thank God for one more day! For what? For the opportunity to take care of some unfinished business. To repent; to right some wrongs; to influence for good some wayward child; to reach out to someone who cries for help—in short, to thank God for one more day to prepare to meet God.” (Harold B Lee, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B Lee)
“...if we will enter into our covenants without reservation or apology, the Lord will protect us. We will receive inspiration sufficient for the challenges of life.” (Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple)
The power we gain in the temple is not to be left in the temple, but is to be taken home with us. That power should be used in all aspects of our life.
Next Speaker
Matthew 3:16-17
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
“Within the sound of my voice are many young women, young men, and children. I plead with you to be worthy, to be steadfast, and to look forward with great anticipation to the day you will receive the ordinances and blessings of the temple.” (Elder David A. Bednar, Honorably Hold a Name and Standing, April 2009 General Conference)
“Rather than simply passing through [trials], they must pass through us and do so in ways which sanctify these experiences for our good.” (Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Enduring Well, Ensign April 1997)
Next Speaker
“If you really want to embrace a new normal, I invite you to turn your heart, mind, and soul increasingly to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Let that be your new normal.” (President Russell M. Nelson, A New Normal, October 2020 General Conference)
Heavenly Father has given us everything we need to make it through the times we live in.
Next Speaker
3 Nephi 18:16
16 And as I have prayed among you even so shall ye pray in my church, among my people who do repent and are baptized in my name. Behold I am the light; I have set an example for you.
Elvis’s song Who Am I is answered in the Primary song I Am a Child of God. Elvis’ song wonders who are we that Jesus came to dwell with us and to bleed for us. The song I Am a Child God speaks to that we are children of God and that is why he did those things.
The speaker talked of his father doing patriarchal things before he died. He talked of his father formally turning over the patriarch responsibilities over to The speaker’s oldest brother.
Next Speaker
He talked of a huge error he made in a baseball game. He talked of how one of his teammates sought him out and shook his hand and let him know that they game was not as important and the speaker was.
Doctrine and Covenants 38:27
27 Behold, this I have given unto you as a parable, and it is even as I am. I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.
How has the pandemic affected you? Can you see the positives that it has impacted you?
We cannot let our defending our opinions get in to way of spreading the love of Christ. Even defending our health and/or freedom is not as important as showing Christ in our countenance.
Leave our mask driven opinions behind to prevent them from getting in the way of ministering to God’s children.
Do 3 things before next General Conference:
More Purposefully, more consciously follow the prophet of God.
Look at what our prophet and apostles do and follow them.
He encouraged us to review Elder Oaks’ talk Love Your Enemies and President Nelson’s talk Embrace the Future With Faith
Multiply your ministering efforts.
Pray for Unity and Charity
John 17:20-23
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Continue our good works and step to the next level.
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