General Conference: Saturday Morning 2 April 2011
President Monson
Rededication of Hawaiian Temple. “The Gathering Place” performed by young adults from BYU Hawaii.
Three new temples: Fort Collins, Colorado, Idaho, on more.
Humanitarian aid to Japan, most recently. Over 40 thousand hours of service. Thanks for paying tithes and offerings and contributing to other areas. “Missionary work is the lifeblood of the kingdom.” Make a contribution to the general missionary fund of the church.
Elder Perry
The New Testament is focused on the life of Jesus Christ, the only person with dual citizenship in heaven and on earth. Centerpiece of sacred history. Savior should be centerpiece of our lives. We should cherish this book.
Timothy 4: These things command and teach: Be thou an example of the believers….Best way to do this is by observing the Sabbath day. “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy…The Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.” It has always included worship. Offering of a sacrifice. Sacrifice of animals; the Lord’s sacrifice for us. The Lord instituted the sacrament of the Lord’s supper. Bread representing his body; wine representing his blood. Jesus was the great last sacrifice. Witness to the Father that we do always remember Jesus. “If you do always remember me, ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.”
Jesus gave the Priesthood authority to His apostles. This Priesthood authority is here again today. Young men bless and pass the sacrament. Taking the sacrament is the center of our Sabbath observance.
1. Keep ourselves unspotted from the world.
Avoid worldly distractions on Sabbath. Dress in Sunday dress.
2. Go to the house of prayer and offer up our sacraments to the Lord.
Confess sins to others and to the Lord. Sacrament table is a place for self-inspection. Bring yourself in harmony to teachings of the church and with your fellow men. Keep His commandments, always remember Him, have His Spirit to be with us. Filled with gratitude that the Savior was willing to drink from the bitter cup for my sake. The sacrament cup of water can remind us of that.
3. Rest from our labors.
Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Be an example of the believers in preparing for the Sacrament and for the rest of the week. Arise and shine forth by keeping the Sabbath day holy.
The greatest joy we receive in this life comes from following the Savior and keeping His commandment.
Sister Stevens
Children are a key to helping us become like our Heavenly Father.
Bishop asked faithful members to pay their tithing. Next he talked to the children and asked if they’d pay their tithing. They said that they would, and they did. The Bishop asked if the adult members would follow the example of their children. They were blessed by doing so.
Except you become converted and become like a little child, ye cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. They are full of faith and susceptible to the influence of the Spirit. Children are often the first to love and the first to forgive. Little boy viewing pictures of Jesus reverently spoke his name and folded his arms. Those who are greatest in the Lord’s kingdom are those who look for opportunities to serve others.
We cannot see our Heavenly Father, but we can listen for His voice and follow His directions to help us through the trials of life. Children with bright spirits, they are teachable and willing to follow the Lord.
Jesus took the little children one by one and blessed them and prayed for them. “Behold your little ones.” Embrace them with our eyes and with our hearts. Appreciate them for who they are, spirit children of our Heavenly Father. “God gave us families to help us become what he wants us to be.”
In our families we can learn to become more Christ-like. The divine attributes hold a key to helping us unlock our own spiritual gifts. Jesus is the Christ, the One perfect Son. May we all have a heart to follow His example.
Elder Gonzales
He and his wife were impressed with people in Ghana and Nigeria. They had such a willingness to follow Christ. We have the duty to invite people like this to come and see what we have to offer. They can know that Heavenly messengers restored the Priesthood and that Christ’s true church is here on the earth. “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
1. Followers of Christ are loving people.
We follow Christ because we love Him. Through love, Jesus was obedient to all the will of His Father. The atoning sacrifice is the greatest act of love ever. As Jesus followed the Father, we should follow Him. His tender mercies will make us mighty. We need to withstand adversity and temptation. “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” A young man from Ecuador served a mission even though his family said they would disown him. Later, his mother asked him to stay longer because of the blessings they were receiving. He is now a Patriarch. The way we treat others show the extent to which we are willing to follow the Savior.
2. Followers of Christ make and keep covenants.
Covenants were made in Heaven. The Savior was baptized to fulfill all righteousness; He made necessary covenants and set the example. Making covenants is an expression of love: Yes, I will follow Thee. All things will work together for our good if we make and keep our covenants. The power of our covenants is greater than any challenge we face or we may face. It will qualify you to receive all the promised blessing. Invitation to non-members to enter the covenant of baptism. We are happier when we follow the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ; the blessings of heavens will come to us.
Elder Richards
As a surgeon much of his time has been taken up thinking about pain. What purpose does pain serve? Pain is a gage of the healing process. It often teaches the patient patience. Trials that bring pain are a part of this life. Opposition is part of Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. The Savior is not a silent observer. He knows and understands our pain. Come boldly to the throne of grace that we may find mercy and help. There is balm in Gilead; there is a Physician there.
Spiritual pain can lie deep within our souls. There is a cure. Repentance is the key. Forgiveness comes from the Father through the Son. Christ was lifted up on the cross that He might draw all men unto Him. His purpose is to lift, bless, strengthen, guide, and forgive us. His bowels are filled with mercy; he knows how to succor us. Jesus chose to learn by His own personal experience.
Jesus healed all that came to Him. He turned none away. Sometimes a healing takes away our burdens; sometimes we are given strength to carry our burdens. In Him we can find rest to our souls. Our pain, worrying, suffering, and fear can be swallowed up in His loving balm.
Elder Cook
Women are incredible. Usually they are more religious. Women by divine nature have the responsibility for nurturing in home and family and other settings. I appealed to the Lord, and He came to my aid. Jesus will sanctify our service for our good.
Looking through a purse to find identification. Strength of Youth; five scriptures. Recipe for Black Forest cake. A quiet example of a young lady living the gospel.
No woman should feel the need to apologize that she is a mother and a homemaker.
President Eyring
We must serve the poor and needy of the Lord’s children. He has created ways to serve those who need help. Our hearts are often stirred with feelings of sympathy. The Lord hears their cries and sees your compassion. He has invited us to consecrate our time, means, and help. Law of consecration, United Order, Church Welfare Program. They are for all times and all places. Out of love, we need to consecrate what we have to those who have need.
Opportunities that the Lord has provided for us to help others in need. Renew and strengthen your commitment to act. Pay attention to wake up calls. We have all been touched with feelings of sympathy for those we don’t even know. Turn feelings of sympathy into decisions to act upon your covenants.
Principles to help in the Lord’s way.
1. Everyone is happier and feels more self-respect when they can provide for themselves and their families, and then can reach out to help others.
I can have a surplus when I spend less than I earn; then I can help others.
2. Missed this one
3. Love family and work together.
4. Seek out the poor. The Bishop needs to seek out and provide help to those who still need assistance after they’ve done all they can do. Rely on inspiration of Relief Society president.
Self project
1. Prepare yourself and those you lead spiritually.
2. Choose people in kingdom or community
3. Work on feelings of unity. They can grow and become a lasting legacy long after the project ends.
“I love this work, and it is work.” (President Benson)
"We cannot give a crust to the Lord without receiving a loaf in return." -Melvin J. Ballard
Seize opportunities to lift up the hands that hang down and strengthen the feeble knees.
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