Monday, January 30, 2017

April 2013 General Conference -Sunday Afternoon

Jeffrey R. Holland -"Lord, I Believe"
  • "Even if you can no more than desire to believe," Alma declares, "let this desire work I you, even until ye believe."
  • In moments of fear or doubt or troubling times, hold the ground you have already won, even if that ground is limited.
  • When those moments come and issues surface, the resolution of which is not immediately forthcoming, hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes.
  • The size of your faith or the degree of your knowledge is not the issue--it is the integrity you demonstrate toward the faith you do have and the truth you already know.
  • Do not start your quest for faith by saying how much you do not have, leading as it were with your "unbelief."
  • I am not asking you to pretend to faith you do not have. I am asking you to be true to the faith you do have. Sometimes we act as if an honest declaration of doubt is a higher manifestation of moral courage than is an honest declaration of faith. It is not! So let us all remember the clear message of this scriptural account: Be as candid about your questions as you need to be; life is full of them on one subject or another. But if you and your family want to be healed, don't let those questions stand in the way of faith working its miracle.
  • Furthermore, you have more faith than you think you do.
  • In this Church, what we know will always trump what we do not know. And remember, in this world, everyone is to walk by faith.
  • So be kind regarding human frailty--your own as well as that of those who serve with you.
  • Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but he deals with it. So should we.
  • When doubt or difficulty come, do not be afraid to ask for help.
  • Hope on. Journey on.
  • Forever fan the flame of your faith.
Dallin H. Oaks -Followers of Christ
  • Latter-day Saint understand that we should not be "of the world" or bound to "the tradition of men," but like other followers of Christ, we sometimes find it difficult to separate ourselves from the world and its traditions.
  • Jesus's teachings were not meant to be theoretical. Always they were to be acted upon.
Christoffel Golden Jr. -The Father and the Son
  • It is true that the power or influence of the Holy Ghost may on occasion be felt, according to the will of the Lord, by any person irrespective of that person's religious persuasion. But the full measure, or gift, of the Holy Ghost comes only after a person has received, with "a broken heart and a contrite spirit," the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. These and other sacred ordinances may be performed only under the direction and power of the priesthood of God.
  • "Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father [in Heaven] and how familiar his face is to us."
Enrique R. Falabella -The Home: The School of Life
  • Some parents excuse themselves for mistakes they have made at home, stating that the reason for this is that there is not a school for parenting.
  • In reality, such a school does exist and it can be the best of all. This school is called home.
  • "In order to contend, you need two people, and I will never be one of them."
  • The words "I love you," "Thank you very much," and "Forgive me" are like a balm for the soul. They transform tears into happiness. They provide comfort to the weighed-down soul, and they confirm the tender feelings of our heart. Just as plants wither with the lack of precious water, our love languishes and dies as we put to rest the words and acts of love.
  • I may have tried to teach her the gospel, but she taught me how to live it.
Erich W. Kopischke -Being Accepted of the Lord
  • The feeling of being accepted by someone we love is a basic human need. Being accepted by good people motivates us. It increases our sense of self-worth and self-confidence. Those who cannot find acceptance from desirable sources often seek it elsewhere. They may look to people who are not interested in their well-being. They may attach themselves to false friends and do questionable things to try to receive the acknowledgement they are seeking. They may seek acceptance by wearing a particular brand of clothing to generate a feeling of belonging or status. For some, striving for a role or a position of prominence can also be a way of seeking acceptance. They may define their worth by a position they hold or status they obtain.
  • The heart is the center of our feelings. As we look into our hearts, we screen ourselves. What no one around us knows, we surely know. We know our motives and desires. When we engage in sincere, honest reflection, we do not rationalize or deceive ourselves.
  • We have to know that our spirit is contrite.
  • A contrite spirit is manifest by our willingness and determination to act.
  • Too often we think that the word sacrifice refers to something big or hard for us to do. In certain situations this may be true, but mostly it refers to living day-to-day as a true disciple of Christ.
  • Sometimes observing our covenants means nothing more than standing firmly and faithfully when the storms of life are raging all around us.
Bruce D. Porter -Beautiful Mornings
  • "The moral values upon which civilization itself must depend spiral downward at an ever-increasing pace. Nevertheless, I do not fear the future."
  • The Church stands as a bulwark of safety for its members. Though conditions in the world may become very vexing at times, faithful Latter-day Saints will find sanctuary in the stakes of Zion.
  • If we humbly, quietly trust in the Lord, He will give us strength and guidance in every challenge we face.
D. Todd Christofferson -Redemption
  • "Teach it unto your children, that all men, everywhere, must repent, or they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God, for no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence."
  • People acting alone or in ad hoc groups cannot always provide means on a scale needed to address larger challenges.
Thomas S. Monson -Until We Meet Again
  • May we be tolerant of, as well as kind and loving to, those who do not share our beliefs and our standards.
  • If we will put our trust in the Lord, He will help us through our difficulties, whatever they may be.
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

No comments:

Post a Comment