Jeffrey R Holland

In Lehi’s dream, an already difficult journey becomes more difficult.  A mist of darkness arises.  It descends on all the faithful as well as the weak or ungrounded.  But the faithful resist all destractions.  Multitudes were sick or afflicted, and they were healed by the Savior.  That is the safe harbor for us.  Come unto Him and be perfected in Him.  Moroni bids farewell.  Joseph and Hyrum bore testimony in the jail before their martyrdom.  There is no other explanation for the Book of Mormon other than that which the prophet Joseph gave.  All other theories have failed.  There is no getting around the Book of Mormon if one leaves the church- must go around, over or under.  The witnesses never denied their testimonies all their lives.   I give my testimony to the world and I lie not.  Believe in Christ, and if ye do, ye will believe in these words.  They teach all men to do good.  Judge ye if they are not.

Quentin L Cook

We live in a time when people do take personal accountability, and do not believe they are their brothers’ keeper.  There are two reasons for kindness- 1. because it is the right thing to do, and others will reciprocate. 2. Because that is what God wants us to do.  Latter day saints do temple work because it is what God wants us to do.  Not because we are forced.  We have agency and we are accountable for that.  For our own sins.  We are not limited in our responsibility.  Stewards of our families vs. stewardship of the poor.  Man allowed spring to be polluted and felt he had disregarded his stewardship.  The well springs of life are to be kept pure.  Virtue and chastity are important to be kept pure.  Do not look on sins with the least degree of allowance.  “What happens in (city) you can share with your friends.”  J  Some have engaged in conduct inconistent with our standards, but we can repent.  He who has repented, I the Lord remember them no more.  We will be asked of our relationships with family.  Spouse, then children.  Religious observance is as important as providing temporally.  Impart unto the needy or be in tormented with the wicked in hell.  Others are impressed that we always willingly give our fast offerings.  Do not run faster than we have strength, but be dilligent.  Help the church respond to needs around the world.  We follow Jesus Christ’s example; it’s why we do it.  Watch over our stewardships.

Brent H Nielson

We go to all nations to preach the gospel.  We were invited to lengthen our stride.  Every honorable young man is to serve a mission.  We were to asked to increase our visions.  To pray that leaders of nations hearts will be softened.  Pres. Kimball’s vision began to unfold.  It seemed impossible to him that Russia would be opened.  2 weeks ago his son got a mission call to Russia.  To the same  city that he thought was impossible.  Those missionaries are the answer to thousand of prayers.  The torch is passed to a new generation.  Pres. Monson has renewed the call.  Go and teach all nations, as the Savior commanded.  Labor dilligently in the vineyard.  Bring forth the natural fruit.  Behold, the end draweth nigh.  Step up and fulfill the call.  The heavens are open.  Follow Him.  Stand for truth.

Dale G Renlund

In 1967 the first successful heart transplant was done.  In each case the body recognizes the new heart as a foreign object and attacks it.  Medicine is needed to prevent it.  Patients sometimes skip their medicine because they feel good.  This is short sighted.  The ultimate operation is not physical but is spiritual.  Our spiritual hearts are diseased.  We need the operation of a new heart.  But it is just a beginning.  Baptism is necessary but not sufficient.  Must endure to the end.  Take heed.  Do not let hearts harden.  Sons of Mosiah had zeal towards God and men.  Buried their weapons of war.  Must have frequently assessed the status of their hearts.  Identify any early hardening and treat it.  Answer questions honestly about ourselves.  Don’t fall into the death trap of letting prayer and scripture study go.  Always do these things and attend church.  Rejoice in Christ, preach of Him.  Frequently biopsy our spiritual hearts.  Find a place to kneel.

Michael T Ringwood

Lamanites had Spirit poured out on them because they easily and willingly believe in the Word.  Aminadab remembered they should pray to have faith.  The Nephites had the oppositte happen.  Easiness and willigness to believe comes from softening of the heart.  A soft heart can feel the power of the Word.  Listening and heeding the word of the prophets can lead to this.  Namaan washed in the river 7 times.  The Spirit will pour out on us if we heed.  Declare our testimony easily.

Joseph W Sitati

I stand as a witness of this marvelous work.  God’s work to bring to pass our immortality.  Two groups- Enoch’s group was brought up to heaven.  The other group swallowed up by the flood.  Noah’s family multiplied, and many were again caught by wickedness.  Language confounded, and spread across the earth.  Jared’s family led to this continent.  Abraham made a covenant and his posterity would increase and be blessed.  Covenant renewed with Jacob and Israel.  Covenant was changed wit h the children of Israel.  Soon the time to bring the gospel to the Gentiles had come.  When Jesus came, Peter held the keys, and baptized gentiles.  After apostles killed, keys were lost.  Restored to Joseph Smith when gospel restored.  The gospel in on the earth for the last time.  It is spread to all the earth.  It has brought hope back to the world.  The Spirit is moving among the people.  Many are able to break free from traditions that restrict their agency.  Temples are helping to preserve virtue in Africa.  Salvation is available to all.

D Todd Christofferson

Is the moral code allowed to be relaxed in times of war when there is stress?  No, there is not a double standard of morality.  We all have agency.  It must be accompanied by discipline.  Use agency consistently to choose right, even if it is hard.  A morally excellent person is a disciple – disciplined.  Society has failed to foster moral discipline.  Sin and wrong have been condemned as value judgments.  Each man walks in his own way, after his own god.  Gentlemanly behavior once protected women, now it is expected for laws to protect.  There can never be enough rules to cover every situation.  More laws brings about less freedom.  We would not accept the law of Christ, so we tremble under the law of Casesar.  Moral discipline is learned at home.  Be Men who are true at all times.  Do not fear, God will deliver us.  Keep our own faith, and instill faith in the rising generation.  Faith and sacrifice is far superior to ensuring our own comfort.  The pure gospel must go into the hearts of children.  Neutrality in the gospel is rejecting it.  Don’t let children learn by experience that wickedness never was happiness.  We don’t have to yield just because there is temptation.  Mere wanting is hardly a guide for moral conduct.  Therapy can help a person’s will, but does not substitute for moral discipline.

Thomas S Monson

The words we’ve hard and the music have helped uplift and inspire.  Thanks to those who were released today.  Many have slipped from safety of the commandments of God.  We often swim against the current.  It seems it could carry us away.  The Lord is ever mindful of us.  We are grateful the heavens are open, that the church is founded on revelation.  We are blessed.  Let us do good continually because our hearts are changed, as King Benjamin’s people.  We are all in this together.  Everyone has a part to play.  God lives and love us.  He is personal and real.  Peace be with us.

Tags: General Conference October 2009 Sunday Afternoon

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