During conference we will hear amazing thing! We will hear warnings, guidance, comfort, and protection that the Lord knows we need right now!
“The teachings of general conference are the considerations the Lord would have before us now and in the months ahead.” (Elder Anderson, October 2017 Conference)
We’ve created this note taking sheet to help you sort out how to use the information from conference WHILE taking notes.
By organizing your notes into 4 categories you will be able to see how to act on what you hear in a way that will make a big impact on your life.
The categories are:
To Avoid
To Do
To Understand
To Receive
Page 1 of the note sheet below is instructions and page 2 is the note taking sheet.
Print as many of page 2 as needed for conference.
To print select the pop-out icon in the upper right corner.
Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives – Russell M. Nelson (4/2017)
We are currently studying this talk in our Facebook study group. That means the complete talk is not listed here yet. More will be added each day. The newest part that has been added is in blue. If you would like to join our group, search Facebook for “WHP General Conference Study” and request to join. We’d love to have you.
Below is the text from President Russell M. Nelson’s talk from April 2017 General Conference called, “Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives.” Additionally (not part of the President Nelson’s words) are bullet points that summarize principles, cautions, and actions from the talk. The bulleted comments are not intended to bring out all principles, cautions and actions from the talk and they represent the thoughts and beliefs of our writers and not President Nelson himself. Although we hope you may learn from our comments and our methods, we also hope that in your study you will follow the guidance from Moroni to know and understand truth for yourself, which in our opinion, includes how truth should be applied in your life and circumstances at this time. That understanding comes through the Holy Ghost. May you feel His guidance and have courage to follow where He leads.
Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives by Russell M. Nelson
My dear brothers and sisters, we live in a most difficult dispensation. Challenges, controversies, and complexities swirl around us. These turbulent times were foreseen by the Savior.
Life is full of controversies and challenges. It is difficult, complex, and turbulent. (Complexities is an interesting choice of words to add to the list.)
God is aware of the state of the world. (That doesn’t mean He likes it though.)
He warned us that in our day the adversary would stir up anger in the hearts of men and lead them astray.
Caution – The adversary tries to get people to be angry and lead them astray. (Think about how anger is part of his tactic to lead us astray. Think about how the adversary stirs up anger in the general population and in ourselves. Recognizing his tactics can help us reinforce against them.)
Yet our Heavenly Father never intended that we would deal with the maze of personal problems and social issues on our own.
We don’t have to handle things in our own. (Think about why God doesn’t want us to do things on or our own?)
God so loved the world that He sent His Only Begotten Son to help us.
Christ’s purpose is to help us.
God planned for us to have help. (Besides Christ, God put others in place to help us…like the prophet. Who else has God put in place to help you personally?)
And His Son, Jesus Christ, gave His life for us. All so that we could have access to godly power—power sufficient to deal with the burdens, obstacles, and temptations of our day.
Through Jesus Christ we have access to godly power sufficient to deal with burdens, obstacles and temptations. (Ponder that idea.)
Christ died for us so that we could have access to this godly power. (If we are not using that power then to some degree we are choosing to struggle on our own instead of accepting the help that had been offered.)
Today I would like to speak about how we can draw into our lives the power of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.
President Nelson is going to tell us HOW to have this power.
The first step in drawing the power of Jesus Christ into our lives us to learn about Him.
“It is impossible for [us] to be saved in ignorance.”6The more we know about the Savior’s ministry and mission7—the more we understand His doctrine8 and what He did for us—the more we know that He can provide the power that we need for our lives.
Condensing ideas into a brief process helps us know how to use it in our lives.
President Nelson identifies a powerful process for us. How do you visual that process? Is it blocks stacked on each other, where as you build one it creates a bigger foundation in order to build the next? Or does it look more like a three legged stool where building each of the areas keep us level and solid? Or do you see it in another way? Trying to visual the process can give us added insight about how to use the process and the benefits of the process. Go ahead, draw a picture of it!
Earlier this year, I asked the young adults of the Church to consecrate a portion of their time each week to study everything Jesus said and did as recorded in the standard works.9 I invited them to let the scriptural citations about Jesus Christ in the Topical Guide become their personal core curriculum.10
An example of how to study the scriptures.
I gave that challenge because I had already accepted it myself.
Only give assignments we’re willing to do ourselves.
I read and underlined every verse cited about Jesus Christ, as listed under the main heading and the 57 subtitles in the Topical Guide.11 When I finished that exciting exercise, my wife asked me what impact it had on me. I told her, “I am a different man!”
Learning about Christ will change us.
I felt a renewed devotion to Him as I read again in the Book of Mormon the Savior’s own statement about His mission in mortality. He declared:
“I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.
“And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross.”12
As Latter-day Saints, we refer to His mission as the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which made resurrection a reality for all and made eternal life possible for those who repent of their sins and receive and keep essential ordinances and covenants.
Everyone will live after they die because of Jesus Christ.
“Eternal life, or exaltation, is to inherit a place in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, where we will live in God’s presence and continue as families.” (True to the Faith, p.52)
It is doctrinally incomplete to speak of the Lord’s atoning sacrifice by shortcut phrases, such as “the Atonement” or “the enabling power of the Atonement” or “applying the Atonement” or “being strengthened by the Atonement.” These expressions present a real risk of misdirecting faith by treating the event as if it had living existence and capabilities independent of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Caution: Be careful of things that misdirect our faith. We need to remember Christ. (In both sacrament prayers, found in D&C 20:77 & 79, it says we should always remember Christ. In a world that is forgetting Him more and more it’s important that we do all we can to actively and consciously remember Him. President Nelson’s statement of caution could be warning us that if we think of Christ’s miracles separate from Him, we run the risk of forgetting Him and His power. In the Sunday School Manual it says, “In the Book of Mormon there are over 240 instances of the word remember or forms of the word (such as remembered, remembrance, or forget not)…What must me remember? Why is it important to remember? Elder Spencer W. Kimball said: ‘When you look in the dictionary for the most important word, do you know what it is? It could be ‘remember.’ Because all of [us] have made covenants…our greatest need is to remember. That is why everyone goes to sacrament meeting every Sabbath day – to take the sacrament and listen to the priests pray that [we] ‘…may always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given [us]…’ ‘Remember’ is the word.’”
Under the Father’s great eternal plan, it is the Savior who suffered. It is the Savior who broke the bands of death. It is the Savior who paid the price for our sins and transgressions and blots them out on condition of our repentance. It is the Savior who delivers us from physical and spiritual death.
There is no amorphous entity called “the Atonement” upon which we may call for succor, healing, forgiveness, or power. Jesus Christ is the source.
Power comes from Jesus Christ.
Sacred terms such as Atonement and Resurrection describe what the Savior did, according to the Father’s plan, so that we may live with hope in this life and gain eternal life in the world to come. The Savior’s atoning sacrifice—the central act of all human history—is best understood and appreciated when we expressly and clearly connect it to Him.
Remember Him! (Ponder this last line from President Nelson. What more can we understand and appreciate when we think not of the Atonement, but of the Atonement of Jesus Christ?)
Please note: this is not the complete talk, more of this talk will be added shortly.
Jesus was the Anointed One—anointed by Heavenly Father to be His personal representative in all things pertaining to the salvation of mankind. Jesus was anointed to be our Savior and Redeemer. Before the world was formed, Jesus was anointed to make immortality a reality and eternal life a possibility for all of God’s children (see John 17:24; 1 Peter 1:20). Thus, Jesus bore two unique titles: the Messiah (Hebrew) and the Christ (Greek)—each meaning “anointed.” (See Bible Dictionary, “Anointed One.”)
Under the direction of His Father, Jesus was Creator of the earth (see John 1:2–3) and other worlds without number (see Moses 1:33). Long before His mortal birth, Jesus was the great Jehovah—God of the Old Testament. It was Jehovah who communed with Moses on Mount Sinai. It was Jehovah who made a covenant with Abraham that all nations of the earth would be blessed through Abraham’s lineage. And it was Jehovah who made covenants with families of the house of Israel. Jesus was also the promised Immanuel, as prophesied by Isaiah (see Isaiah 7:14).
Holy Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price.
See Topical Guide, “Jesus Christ.” In addition to text under that major heading, there are 57 subtitles about Him. For non-English editions of the scriptures, use Guide to the Scriptures.
More than 2,200 listings are cited in those 18 pages of the Topical Guide.
When the faithful woman touched the Savior’s clothing, He instantly responded, “I perceive that virtue [from the Greek dunamis, meaning “power”] is gone out of me” (Luke 8:46; emphasis added).
Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear – Dieter F. Uchtdorf (4/2017)
Below is the text from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s talk from April 2017 General Conference called, “Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear.” Additionally (not part of President Uchtdorf’s words) are bullet points that summarize principles, cautions, and actions from the talk. The bulleted comments are not intended to bring out all principles, cautions and actions from the talk and they represent the thoughts and beliefs of our writers and not President Uchtdorf himself. Although we hope you may learn from our comments and our methods, we also hope that in your study you will follow the guidance from Moroni to know and understand truth for yourself, which in our opinion, includes how truth should be applied in your life and circumstances at this time. That understanding comes through the Holy Ghost. May you feel His guidance and have courage to follow where He leads.
My beloved brothers and sisters, dear friends, what a privilege and joy it is to meet as a worldwide Church united in our faith and love for God and His children.
I am especially grateful for the presence of our beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson. President, we will always take to heart your words of direction, counsel, and wisdom. We love you, President Monson, and we always pray for you.
Years ago, when I was serving as stake president in Frankfurt, Germany, a dear but unhappy sister approached me at the end of one of our stake meetings.
“Isn’t it terrible?” she said. “There must have been four or five people sound asleep during your talk!”
I thought for a moment and answered, “I am pretty sure that church sleep is among the healthiest of all sleeps.”
My wonderful wife, Harriet, overheard this casual exchange and later mentioned that it was one of the nicest answers I had ever given.
The Great Awakening
A few hundred years ago in North America, a movement called the “Great Awakening” spread across the countryside. One of its primary objectives was to awaken the people who appeared to be asleep regarding spiritual matters.
Young Joseph Smith was influenced by the things he heard from preachers who were part of this religious awakening. It is one of the reasons he decided to seek earnestly the will of the Lord in private prayer.
These preachers had a dramatic, emotional preaching style, with sermons that were known for their heavy emphasis on the fiery terrors of hell that await the sinner.1 Their speeches didn’t put people to sleep—but they may have caused a few nightmares. Their purpose and pattern seemed to be to frighten people into church.
Fear as Manipulation
Historically, fear has often been used as a means to get people to take action. Parents have used it with their children, employers with employees, and politicians with voters.
Experts in marketing understand the power of fear and often employ it. This is why some advertisements seem to carry the implicit message that if we fail to buy their breakfast cereal or miss out on the newest video game or cell phone, we run the risk of living a miserable life, dying alone and unhappy.
We smile at this and think we would never fall for such manipulation, but we sometimes do. Worse, we sometimes use similar methods to get others to do what we want.
My message has two purposes today: The first is to urge us to contemplate and consider the extent to which we use fear to motivate others—including ourselves. The second is to suggest a better way.
The Problem with Fear
First, let us address the problem with fear. After all, who among us has never been compelled by fear to eat better, wear a seat belt, exercise more, save money, or even repent of sin?
It is true that fear can have a powerful influence over our actions and behavior. But that influence tends to be temporary and shallow. Fear rarely has the power to change our hearts, and it will never transform us into people who love what is right and who want to obey Heavenly Father.
Fear is a powerful motivator.
Fear as a motivator is temporary and limited.
People who are fearful may say and do the right things, but they do not feel the right things. They often feel helpless and resentful, even angry. Over time these feelings lead to mistrust, defiance, even rebellion.
Fear leads to helplessness, resentment, and anger. Then to mistrust, defiance, even rebellion.
Fear motivates people to act a certain way, but it may not change their feelings.
Unfortunately, this misguided approach to life and leadership is not limited to the secular world. It grieves me to hear of Church members who exercise unrighteous dominion—whether in their homes, in their Church callings, at work, or in their daily interactions with others.
Often, people may condemn bullying in others, yet they cannot see it in themselves. They demand compliance with their own arbitrary rules, but when others don’t follow these random rules, they chasten them verbally, emotionally, and sometimes even physically.
The Lord has said that “when we … exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, … the heavens withdraw themselves [and] the Spirit of the Lord is grieved.”2
The Holy Ghost withdraws if we excise control over another person “in any degree of unrighteousness”
There may be moments when we are tempted to justify our actions by believing that the end justifies the means. We might even think that to be controlling, manipulative, and harsh will be for the good of others. Not so, for the Lord has made it clear that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, [and] temperance.”3
When using fear to control others the ends DO NOT justify the means. (Fear may get quick results, but not positive end results.)
The Lord’s way is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
A Better Way
The more I come to know my Heavenly Father, the more I see how He inspires and leads His children. He is not angry, vengeful, or retaliatory.4 His very purpose—His work and His glory—is to mentor us, exalt us, and lead us to His fulness.5
God inspires and leads.
Anger, vengeance, and retaliation are not God’s way.
God’s intention is to mentor and lead us to be the best we can be. (His desire is for lasting change and he uses perfect methods. So if we want lasting change in ourselves or others, use His methods.)
God wants us to have all that He has.
God described Himself to Moses as “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.”6
God is merciful, gracious, longsuffering, full of goodness and truth.
Our Father in Heaven’s love for us, His children, surpasses by far our ability to comprehend.7
God loves us. This is part of His motivation for how He associates with us. (It may be insightful to ponder how God’s love and desire for us to be the best we can is the driving force behind all aspects of the gospel, the organization of the church, and each commandment He has given us.)
Does this mean that God condones or overlooks behaviors that run contrary to His commands? No, definitely not!
Love does not mean accepting or overlooking negative behavior.
But He wants to change more than just our behaviors. He wants to change our very natures. He wants to change our hearts.
There is more involved in improvement and change than changing behavior alone.
He wants us to reach out and take firm hold of the iron rod, confront our fears, and bravely step forward and upward along the strait and narrow path. He wants this for us because He loves us and because this is the way to happiness.
Our behavior doesn’t change God’s love for us or His desire for us to be our best self.
God shows us the way to happiness.
Faithfully following God’s teachings, overcoming fears, and courageously living the gospel is the way to happiness.
So, how does God motivate His children to follow Him in our day?
He sent His Son!
God sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to show us the right way.
God motivates through persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, and love unfeigned.8 God is on our side. He loves us, and when we stumble, He wants us to rise up, try again, and become stronger.
He is our mentor.
He is our great and cherished hope.
He desires to stimulate us with faith.
He trusts us to learn from our missteps and make correct choices.
One of the ways Satan wants us to manipulate others is by dwelling upon and even exaggerating the evil in the world.
Focusing on the negative is a fear motivator.
Certainly our world has always been, and will continue to be, imperfect. Far too many innocent people suffer because of circumstances of nature as well as from man’s inhumanity. The corruption and wickedness in our day are unique and alarming.
But in spite of all this, I wouldn’t trade living in this time with any other time in the history of the world. We are blessed beyond measure to live in a day of unparalleled prosperity, enlightenment, and advantage. Most of all, we are blessed to have the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which gives us a unique perspective on the world’s dangers and shows us how to either avoid these dangers or deal with them.
When I think of these blessings, I want to fall to my knees and offer praises to our Heavenly Father for His never-ending love for all of His children.
You can see bad and you can see good depending what you look for.
The gospel gives us a unique perspective of the challenges of life and how to handle them. (President Uchtdorf talked about this in another talk about the Plan of Happiness. See our study group posts about that talk.)
Give thanks to God for His love.
I don’t believe God wants His children to be fearful or dwell on the evils of the world. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”10
He has given us an abundance of reasons to rejoice. We just need to find and to recognize them. The Lord often reminds us to “be not afraid,” to “be of good cheer,”11 and to “fear not, little flock.”12
Fear is not of God.
God wants us to focus on the good.
The Lord Will Fight Our Battles
Brothers and sisters, we are the Lord’s “little flock.” We are the Saints of the latter days. Inherent in our name is the commitment to look forward to the Savior’s return and prepare ourselves and the world to receive Him. Therefore, let us serve God and love our fellowmen. Let us do this with a natural confidence, with humility, never looking down on any other religion or group of people. Brothers and sisters, we are charged with studying the word of God and heeding the voice of the Spirit, that we may “know the signs of the times, and the signs of the coming of the Son of Man.”13
We should have hope in the fact the Savior will come to earth again. We should prepare ourselves, and the world, for that day.
What is “natural confidence?”
We are, therefore, not ignorant of the challenges of the world, nor are we unaware of the difficulties of our times. But this does not mean that we should burden ourselves or others with constant fear. Rather than dwelling on the immensity of our challenges, would it not be better to focus on the infinite greatness, goodness, and absolute power of our God, trusting Him and preparing with a joyful heart for the return of Jesus the Christ?
Knowing or being aware of something is different than fear. (We don’t have to be ignorant to avoid fear. In fact, this isn’t about avoiding fear. It is about facing it and moving forward past it.)
Focus on the goodness of God.
Actively prepare for the 2nd coming.
As His covenant people, we need not be paralyzed by fear because bad things might happen. Instead, we can move forward with faith, courage, determination, and trust in God as we approach the challenges and opportunities ahead.14
Fear paralyzes people.
Approach opportunities and challenges with faith, courage and determination. (If we are in patterns of fear we may not know how to approach opportunities with anything but fear. Look to courageous heroes, modern day or ancient. Think through what they might do if they were approaching the situation that you are.)
We do not walk the path of discipleship alone. “The Lord thy God … doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”15
“The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”16
In the face of fear, let us find our courage, muster our faith, and have confidence in the promise that “no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.”17
Do we live in a time of peril and turmoil? Of course we do.
God Himself has said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”18
Can we exercise the faith to believe and to act accordingly? Can we live up to our commitments and sacred covenants? Can we keep the commandments of God even in challenging circumstances? Of course we can!
We can because God has promised, “All things shall work together for your good, if [you] walk uprightly.”19 Therefore, let us set aside our fears and live instead with joy, humility, hope, and a bold confidence that the Lord is with us.
We are not alone. God is on our side.
Have courage, faith and confidence because God can overcome all.
We can be successful.
Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear
My beloved friends, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, if we ever find ourselves living in fear or anxiety, or if we ever find that our own words, attitudes, or actions are causing fear in others, I pray with all the strength of my soul that we may become liberated from this fear by the divinely appointed antidote to fear: the pure love of Christ, for “perfect love casteth out fear.”20
We do not need to be afraid. There is another way. (Think of movies or stories where someone has been poisoned and they, along with their friends and allies, frantically search for the antidote. Fear is a poison of sorts and we’ve just been told that there is an antidote. It will probably take some time and effort to get and apply the antidote. But we know it’s there. Find it! As if your life depended on it.)
Christ’s perfect love overcomes temptations to harm, coerce, bully, or oppress.
Christ’s perfect love allows us to walk with humility, dignity, and a bold confidence as followers of our beloved Savior. Christ’s perfect love gives us the confidence to press through our fears and place our complete trust in the power and goodness of our Heavenly Father and of His Son, Jesus Christ.
In our homes, in our places of business, in our Church callings, in our hearts, let us replace fear with Christ’s perfect love. Christ’s love will replace fear with faith!
Love overcomes harm, coercion, bullying and oppression. (This is something to really think about. This doesn’t necessarily mean that to get out of an oppressive situation we need to love our oppressor enough so they’ll change. That often isn’t the right answer. But love can still help us in that situation. We can know that God loves us. We can love ourselves and know we’re worth fighting for. And then Christ’s perfect love can help us heal and move forward. Love can also help us overcome our desire to mistreat someone else.)
Through Christ’s love we can have humility, dignity, bold confidence, and faith.
Christ’s love is how we replace fear with faith.
His love will enable us to recognize, trust, and have faith in our Heavenly Father’s goodness, His divine plan, His gospel, and His commandments.21 Loving God and our fellowmen will turn our obedience to God’s commandments into a blessing rather than a burden. Christ’s love will help us become a little kinder, more forgiving, more caring, and more dedicated to His work.
Christ’s love helps us understand God, His plan for us and other key points of the gospel.
Love changes our perspective.
As we fill our hearts with the love of Christ, we will awaken with a renewed spiritual freshness and we will walk joyfully, confidently, awake, and alive in the light and glory of our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ.
I testify, with the Apostle John, “There is no fear in [Christ’s] love.”22 Brothers and sisters, dear friends, God knows you perfectly. He loves you perfectly. He knows what your future holds. He wants you to “be not afraid, only believe”23 and “abide in his [perfect] love.”24 This is my prayer and blessing in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Other Resources (not from President Uchtdorf’s talk):
Our study group posts about God’s Plan based on a talk from President Uchtdorf helps us see how our knowledge of The Plan gives us a unique perspective about life.
Are You a Secret Agent? – do you know your mission and your special skills? Don’t let fear keep us hiding these things from the world and from ourselves.
Amazing Things Song – a song about the power of faith. It’s fitting for our discussion about overcoming fear because we’ve been told that faith is the opposite of fear. I love all the amazing examples of faith in the song. If such great things could happen to all those people because they had some faith, then I know that great things will come my way as I build my faith.
Video of a Duck Family Jumping Off a Bridge – I’m sure that many of us can relate to those little ducklings who are standing at the edge of the bridge, vulnerable, nervous, and perhaps even fearful. From their perspective there are quite a few problems with the situation and a big choice to make. But the mama duck was there telling them to push forward, to trust her, that it would be ok. That is the direction, comfort and guidance that is available through Jesus Christ and his teachings. One by one each of those little ducks took a leap of faith. And the more we come to know and trust Christ we can too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy_dvn6vLro
Footnotes (from President Uchtdorf’s talk):
George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards are two prominent examples of this kind of preacher.
On one occasion, the Savior wanted to enter a village of the Samaritans, but the people rejected Jesus and would not receive Him into their village. Two of His disciples were deeply offended by this and asked, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” Jesus answered with this caution: “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them” (see Luke 9:51–56, New King James Version [1982]).
See Doctrine and Covenants 121:41. Surely if God expects us, His mortal children, to behave this way toward each other, He—a perfect being possessed of every virtue—would be the model for such behavior.
The premortal Council in Heaven is an excellent case study that demonstrates the character of God. There our Heavenly Father presented His plan for our eternal progression. Key elements of that plan included agency, obedience, and salvation through the Atonement of Christ. Lucifer, however, proposed a different approach. He guaranteed that all would obey—none would be lost. The only way to accomplish this would be through tyranny and force. But our loving Heavenly Father would not permit such a plan. He valued the agency of His children. He knew that we must make mistakes along the way if we are to truly learn. And that is why He provided a Savior, whose eternal sacrifice could cleanse us of sin and permit our entry back into the kingdom of God.
When our Father in Heaven saw that many of His beloved children were seduced by Lucifer, did He force them to follow His plan? Did He intimidate or threaten those who were making such a terrible choice? No. Our all-powerful God could surely have stopped this rebellion. He could have forced His will upon the dissenters and made them comply. But instead, He allowed His children to choose for themselves.
Moses’s counsel to the people of his day still applies: “Do not be afraid. … See the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today” (Exodus 14:13, New King James Version).
Let us remember that the Savior came not “into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17). In fact, “he doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him” (2 Nephi 26:24).
Originally Posted in Facebook Study Group in November 2016
Since next Thursday is a time appointed to celebrate our thankfulness, we will study gratitude for the week. As I began to look through talks from last conference that addressed this topic, I was impressed to look at one from the April conference in 1990. I found this story from Luke 17:12-20 which raised a question in my mind that I haven’t considered before and to which I still don’t have an answered.
As the Savior went through Samaria and Galilee, “he entered into a certain village,[and] there met him ten men that were lepers” and they “lifted up their voices and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” Jesus told them to go show themselves unto the priest.
“And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God.
“And fell down … at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
“And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
“There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
“And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”
There were 10 cleansed but only 1 was told that he was made whole and not just healed from the disease. What made the difference? It seems to have a lot to do with the gratitude that the man felt and expressed.
James E Faust gave the talk. As I read through it, I had the distinct feeling that this was one of those talks given not only because we needed it at the time, but also, and perhaps more importantly, because we would need it to be part of who we are when the greater need would come a few years later.
“I come to this pulpit to speak about gratitude as an expression of faith and as a saving principle. The Lord has said, ‘And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.’ (D&C 59:21.) It is clear to me from this scripture that to ‘thank the Lord thy God in all things’ (D&C 59:7) is more than a social courtesy; it is a binding commandment.” Elder James E. Faust
As I read this statement from Elder Faust, I noticed a list of short phrases about gratitude. Each one of them suggested a question that will help understand thankfulness better.
How is gratitude “an expression of faith?”
In what way is gratitude “a saving principle?”
What will gratitude do in my life as “a binding commandment?”
(To share post #1 use this link: www.walkhispath.org/wp/2017/02/09/gratitude#Gratitude1)
Elder Faust said that one way gratitude is important to us is that it provides protection against many negative characteristics. Those he listed are being self centered, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful and unholy. It will help keep us safe from those negative attributes because it will change our focus. It will help us look for good even when things seem to go wrong. In other words, it elevates our vision.
Gratitude helps us to recharacterize situations in our life. This means that when something happens to us, we can find different ways to look at it. We will talk more in future posts about how this can happen.
[Gratitude Post #2]
“A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness. It is an expression of humility. It is a foundation for the development of such virtues as prayer,faith, courage, contentment, happiness, love, and well-being.” Elder James E. Faust
What an amazing concept. I hope we all want to be great! Please take a moment to consider what possibilities lie ahead of us if we take the next step beyond recognizing and expressing our gratitude to having a grateful heart. This change of heart will require some help from the Savior.
A grateful heart seems to be part of the foundation upon which we should build our lives as spoken of by Helaman (see Helaman 5:12) and by Christ (see Matthew 7:24-25 and 3 Nephi 14:24-25}.
I spent more than 30 years constructing buildings of various types. If the foundation of a building is constructed incorrectly or placed upon poor quality soil and not repaired, it becomes more difficult to build on and the building may be unsafe.
It is even more important to make sure that the foundation of our life is built correctly. Just look at the what we can create on a foundation of a grateful heart. A grateful heart does more than just protect us from negative characteristics, it helps us create positive ones. However, as Elder Faust said, “There is a truism associated with all types of human strength: ‘Use it or lose it.’”
(To share post #2 use this link: www.walkhispath.org/wp/2017/02/09/gratitude#Gratitude2)
[Gratitude Post #3]
“As with all commandments, gratitude is a description of a successful mode of living. The thankful heart opens our eyes to a multitude of blessings that continually surround us. President J. Reuben Clark said,’Hold fast to the blessings which God has provided for you. Yours is not the task to gain them, they are here; yours is the part of cherishing them.’” Elder James E. Faust
Gratitude, like many other things, begins in our life as a commandment where we consciously have to look for things we are grateful for and then work to express them. With time and effort, we are able to get to a place where the Savior will help us change our heart to be grateful and our expressions of appreciation will flow easily and often. Then, finally,gratitude will describe the way we live.
As we learn to cherish all of the gifts we are given, we will learn how easy it is to share them. I hope that all of us will take some time tomorrow to consider how blessed we really are.
(To share post #3 use this link: www.walkhispath.org/wp/2017/02/09/gratitude#Gratitude3)
[Gratitude Post #4]
Happy Thanksgiving day. We hope you have a marvelous celebration and, hopefully, that you will even be able to enjoy the company of family and eating good food.
Over the last few days I have gained a greater understanding and appreciation of the role of gratitude in our lives. It is amazingly powerful. But the power comes at a cost to us. Sister Bonnie D. Parkin put it this way in the last conference. “The kind of gratitude that receives even tribulations with thanksgiving requires a broken heart and a contrite spirit, humility to accept that which we cannot change, willingness to turn everything over to the Lord—even when we do not understand, thankfulness for hidden opportunities yet to be revealed. Then comes a sense of peace.”
The list Sister Parkin gives may seem overwhelming, but obtaining each characteristic will move us closer to God and I know that whatever the cost it will be worth it. And like the scriptures teach, God will help us “precept upon precept.”
(To share post #4 use this link: www.walkhispath.org/wp/2017/02/09/gratitude#Gratitude4)
[Gratitude Post #5]
There is one more thing from Elder Faust’s talk that should be addressed. It is both a warning and a tool for us to use. And even though he demonstrates it with gratitude it is true for battles between other opposing characteristics in our life. He said, “It seems as though there is a tug-of-war between opposing character traits that leaves no voids in our souls. As gratitude is absent or disappears, rebellion [ against moral cleanliness, beauty, decency, honesty, reverence, and respect for parental authority] often enters and fills the vacuum.”
The warning: When we let a positive characteristic atrophy or die, the void is usually filled with something negative. Also if we get rid of a negative characteristic and do not replace it with a positive one, it will usually be replaced by a negative characteristic.
The tool: A very good way to get rid of bad characteristics in our life is to find the opposite (a positive characteristic in opposition to the negative) and begin to make it a greater part of our life. It not only gets rid of the negative characteristic by pushing it out, but the new one replaces the old one so there is no gap to fill.
Whether you already recognize something you would like to change or you need to ask Heavenly Father if there is something you need to change now or you are already in the middle of change, this will be a good tool to have available to use. Is this weekend a good time to apply it to something in your life?
Get excited and ready for General Conference with a paper chain countdown to Conference. Each day includes a simple activity and discussion. Two variations for different ages. Start the Sunday before Conference!
The Countdown – Print out the word strips. Cut them apart and connect them as a paper chain. Starting the Sunday before General Conference take one link off each day. Sing the song or do the activity listed on the paper and talk about the questions. When all the links in the chain are gone, it will be Conference time!
Two Versions, Same Topics – There are two versions of this activity. The Song Countdown includes a song for each day. It is simpler and is aimed at younger children. The Activity Countdown includes videos and other activities for each day. It has deeper discussion questions and is aimed at older children and teens. They are designed so both sets discuss the same topic on the same day. You can use one version or the other, both together, or pick and choose which papers to include in your paper chain based on the activities you want to do each day.
Finding the Music & Videos – The song or activity on the paper chain for each day includes music and videos found online. To find these online resources easily:
Bookmark this website in order to return here each day to use the links. On this site you will also find additional activities listed for each day that aren’t listed on the links of the paper chain.
Look up the songs or videos yourself using the name and website given on the paper chain.
Songs Countdown –Includes primary songs and simple questions. Good for younger children.
Activity Countdown–Includes videos and activities with discussion questions. Geared to older children & teens.
Making a Better Choice
Does your child ever wonder how the Holy Ghost can help them? Do you want your child to make choices that will help them be happy? Do you need examples of how prayer can help your family?
If so, reading and discussing this story from the Friend magazine could be a way to help.
Ways you could use this article:
Read the story together and talk about it.
Have your child read the story and the tell you what it’s about.
Teach, or assign your child to teach, a Family Home Evening lesson about the story.
Description: A girl uses her Agency to read scary books. The Holy Ghost helps her know she will be happier if she stops reading them so she listens to the spirit and decides to stop reading those types of books.
Possible Lessons/Morals:
You have the power to choose your own happiness by making small choices for good.
We are given agency to choose the outcome of our lives.
Seemingly small daily choices impact our lives in the big picture. (Alma 37:6)
Discussion Questions (To talk about what happened, summarize what skills were used and discuss how those skills could be used in other situations.):
What does this girl need to decide?
What is the problem this girl is facing?
What does she do to help her make her choice?
What does she do to solve this problem?
What things in your life can you change to help you be happier?
How can you use your agency to have control in your life?
After discussing this story you may want to try this activity.
My Choices
A group discussion where everyone writes down forms of entertainment they enjoy and all discuss the feelings they get when they participate in that form of entertainment.
Activity
Description:
Participants write down their favorite entertainment choices. As a group they discuss the effects the entertainment has on them, then they evaluate if changes are in order.
Age Range:
7+ (for younger children see variations)
Group Size:
2-12
Instructions:
Have participants write down 1 movie they like, 1 book, and 1 TV show. (Could also use video game, friend, famous person, cartoon character). Put all the cards in the center of the table. Take turns picking a card and reading it out loud. After you read it out loud, ask the group how that thing/person makes them feel. Answers can come from the person who wrote it down or from anyone else in the group. Encourage participants to use feeling words instead of judgement. For example, if someone writes down The Simpsons and someone says, “stupid,’ ask them that how makes them feel when they watch it. When participants disagree, you can lead the discussion by asking why one person may feel uncomfortable watching a show and another may feel uneasy.
If you read the article Goodbye to Scary Stories, refer back to it to illustrate that the girl in the story liked the books she was reading but as she listened to the spirit, she realized they brought feelings of fear which made her less happy than she could be.
Discuss with the group if those feelings they feel are what our Heavenly Father wants us to feel or if we can make a better choice about our entertainment, people we follow, or things we do. Discuss how when we feel uncomfortable or uneasy, we can make the choice to turn off the TV, walk away, or close the book. Discuss how other things make them feel such as reading the scriptures, singing primary songs, helping a friend, listening to the Prophet. After you read through the papers, have each person pick something they want to cut out of their life or do more of. Give them time to think about this and write it down on a new card/paper. Encourage participants to pray about their choice, then make the decision they feel prompted to make.
Supplies:
Several note cards or pieces of paper for each participant.
A pen or pencil for each participant.
Setup:
Gather supplies
You may want to say a prayer that the message will be conveyed to the participants in the way they need it most.
Reading the story “Goodbye to Scary Stories” could be a good way to introduce the activity. (It could be read at a different time or at the beginning of the activty.)
Give a pen/pencil and a few pieces of paper to each participant
Rules:
Positive attitudes and comments only.
Possible Lessons/Morals:
When we think about the effect our choices have on us, we have more power to make changes.
Subtle choices of the characters or themes of the entertainment we seek have an effect on our mood and behavior, whether good or bad.
Learning Questions (To talk about what happened, summarize what skills were used and discuss how those skills could be used in other situations.):
What did we just do?
What did you learn about the choices you make in entertainment?
What types of entertainment/role models make you feel happy?
What choices will you think about changing?
What will you do when choosing a new entertainment option in the future?
What are the benefits of thinking about the choices you make?
Teaching Tips:
As you lead the discussion, remind participants to be polite and just say how THEY FEEL, not their opinion of the character or game content. This will help the discussion remain positive and allow participants to feel safe in discussing what entertainment they like.
Variations for Young Children:
This activity works best with older children/teens. However; younger children can draw a picture of their favorite entertainment options. This activity will be shorter with them.
With younger children ask how they feel about two different forms of entertainment and discuss the differences in each. For example, you can compare how they feel or act after watching Batman as opposed to watching Book of Mormon Stories videos.
You can focus on choosing one more uplifting choice for the whole family and make it a goal to bring more of that entertainment into the home rather than cutting one out.
Following Our Liahona
Ponder or discuss Alma’s reminder to follow the words of Christ (Alma 37:38-46). Combine that discussion with any of these compass activities for Family Home Evening or use the scriptures for family study one day and follow it up with a family activity later in the week.
Scriptures
In Alma 37:38-46, Alma talks to his son Helman about their forefathers’ experience with the Liahona and how that is an analogy for us in our lives.
A few questions to ask while reading and discussing these scriptures:
What is the Liahona? What did it do? How did it work?
Nephi’s family had this compass that miraculously guided them. That seems like such an amazing and vital tool. How could those using the Liahona forget to do what they needed to do to make it work?
What happened when they didn’t follow the compass?
The word “easy” is used in vs 44 and vs 46. How is the way easy? What else could easy mean? (clearly marked, explained and defined; simple and repetitive; small actions that lead to big results)
What things are like our Liahona, to guide us back to Heavenly Father? (Holy Ghost, scriptures, commandments, Prophets, etc)
Where did the Liahona lead Nephi’s family?
Where will the words of Christ lead us?
Those with the Liahona didn’t always follow it. In what ways do we follow that same pattern? What choices can we make to change that?
Celebrating Easter with Alma
Alma’s great sermon on the Atonement of Jesus Christ is a great chapter to read during this Easter week. Expand your study of Alma 7 (especially verses 11-13) through experiences in the Personal Progress or Duty to God books.
For Personal Progress:
Jesus Christ loves you. He knows you and all of your struggles. You are part of the reason He went through all of the pain of the Atonement.
↪Try Faith 5
For Duty to God:
The Savior suffered for your sins so He would know how to help you in your life. Trying to understand and having faith in that part of the Atonement can help you be more attentive and reverent as you take and pass the sacrament.
↪ Deacon – Priesthood Ordinances p24
Find more connections like this in our book, “Walk His Path: Using the Book of Mormon as your guide to Faith in God, Personal Progress & Duty to God.”
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The Countdown –