Barack Obama
stopped in Rome to visit with Pope Frances at the Vatican last Thursday. Since his own influence is
slowly declining, Mr. Obama apparently sought the visit in order to have some of
the popularity and coolness of the Pope rub off on him. Only time will tell if the visit helps
him. The New York Times reported that the two powerful men “skirted social
issues” particularly the ones that cause tension between them such as religious
liberty and right to life. Instead, they
visited for about an hour about “income inequality, the conflict raging in
Syria, the persecution of Christians around the world and the elusiveness of
global peace.”
There is another man in the
world, one who is even more powerful than the Pope and Mr. Obama together; he
is the prophet of God. Thomas S. Monson
is the current prophet of the Lord on the earth today, and he acts and speaks
in the name of God. He does not get a
lot of press, but he is also “cool” and “popular” with those who follow his
counsel. President Monson will most
likely be speaking four different times in the upcoming General Conference of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, April 5-6, 2014. You can listen to him speak at this site. Meanwhile, consider some statements made by President Monson as quoted in Church News for the week of December 29,
2013.
“Though exaltation is a personal
matter, and while individuals are saved not as a group but indeed as
individuals, yet one cannot live in a vacuum.
Membership in the Church calls forth a determination to serve. A position of responsibility may not be of
recognized importance, nor may the reward be broadly known. Service, to be
acceptable to the Savior, must come from willing minds, ready hands, and
pledged hearts.
“Occasionally discouragement may
darken our pathway; frustration may be a constant companion. In our ears there may sound the sophistry of
Satan as he whispers, `You cannot save the world; your small efforts are
meaningless. You haven’t time to be
concerned for others.’ Trusting in the
Lord, let us turn our heads from such falsehoods and make certain our feet are
firmly planted in the path of service and our hearts and souls dedicated to
follow the example of the Lord. In
moments when the light of resolution dims and when the heart grows faint, we
can take comfort from His promise: `Be
not weary in well-doing. … Out of small
things proceedeth that which is great’ (Doctrine and Covenants 4:33)” (See “The Path to Peace,” Ensign, May 1994, p.
62.”)
“There are thousands upon
thousands, yes, millions upon millions of spirit children of our Heavenly
Father who have lived here, who have never heard of the word `Christ,’ who have
died, who have gone back to the spirit world in their state of progression and
have been taught the gospel; and now they are waiting the day when you and I will
do the research which is necessary to clear the way, that we might likewise go
into the house of God and perform that work for them, that they, themselves,
cannot perform. Are we willing to accept that challenge? My brothers and sisters, I testify that the
Lord will bless you as you do accept and respond to that challenge.” (Delivered at the dedication of the Los
Angeles Temple Genealogical Library, June 20, 1964)
“Why are so many willing to give
so much in order to receive the blessings of the temple? Those who understand the eternal blessings which
come from the temple know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy,
no struggle too difficult in order to receive those blessings. There are never too many miles to travel, too
many obstacles to overcome, or too much discomfort to endure. They understand that the saving ordinances
received in the temple that permit us to someday return to our Heavenly Father
in an eternal family relationship and to be endowed with blessings and power
from on high are worth every sacrifice and every effort.” (See “The Holy Temple – A Beacon to the World,” Ensign, May 2011, p. 92.)
At a recent General Conference President Monson spoke about obedience. “Throughout
the ages, men and women have sought for knowledge and understanding concerning
this mortal existence and their place and purpose in it, as well as for the way
to peace and happiness. Such a search is
undertaken by each of us.
“This knowledge and
understanding are available to all mankind.
They are contained in truths which are eternal….
“Some would ask, `Where is such
truth to be found, and how are we to recognize it?’ In a revelation given through the Prophet
Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio, in May of 1833, the Lord declared:
“`Truth is knowledge of things
as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come. …
“`The Spirit of truth is of
God. …
“`And no man receiveth a fulness
unless he keepeth his commandments.
“`He that keepeth [God’s]
commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and
knoweth all things’ (Doctrine and Covenants 93:24, 26-28). …
“There is no need for you or for
me, in this enlightened age when the fulness of the gospel has been restored,
to sail uncharted seas or to travel unmarked roads in search of truth. A loving Heavenly Father has plotted our
course and provided an unfailing guide – even obedience. A knowledge of
truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient
to the commandments of God.
“We learn obedience throughout
our lives. Beginning when we are very
young, those responsible for our care set forth guidelines and rules to ensure
our safety. Life would be simpler for
all of us if we would obey such rules completely. …
“There are rules and laws to
help ensure our physical safety.
Likewise, the Lord has provided guidelines and commandments to help
ensure our spiritual safety so that we might successfully navigate this
often-treacherous mortal existence and return eventually to our Heavenly Father.
“Centuries ago, to a generation
steeped in the tradition of animal sacrifice, Samuel boldly declared, `To obey
is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams’ (1 Samuel
15:22). In this dispensation, the Lord
revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith that He requires `the heart and a willing
mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in
these last days’ (Doctrine and Covenants 64:34).
“All prophets, ancient and
modern, have known that obedience is essential to our salvation. …
“Obedience is a hallmark of
prophets; it has provided strength and knowledge to them throughout the
ages. It is essential for us to realize
that we, as well, are entitled to this source of strength and knowledge. It is readily available to each of us today
as we obey God’s commandments.” (“Obedience Brings Blessings,” Ensign, May 2013).
President Monson is the
prophet of God for all the world at this time.
He, as well as all those who listen to him and follow his counsel, is
more concerned about what happens in the next world than what happens here. He knows that we are each put here on earth
for a few years to gain bodies and to learn obedience. He knows that the riches of eternity are
available to all who are obedient to the commandments of God, and he desires
all to gain those riches. I encourage
you to listen to President Monson and his associates as they speak to us during
this General Conference.
