Listen and Obey

            This is General Conference weekend for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We meet in General Conference each April and October to hear counsel from those we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators as well as other inspired leaders. There is always a certain sense of excitement in the air at conference time, and this time has been no different. We know that the counsel given at General Conference is what we need to know for the coming six months particularly as well as for later times.

            I listen to the talks at General Conference, and I study them for the next six months. This semester I have been pouring over conference talks for various assignments for my classes. In doing so, I learned a lot about myself. In particular, I listen to the talks and know the counsel, but I am slow to put the counsel into my daily life. Let me give a couple of examples.

            In the women’s session of October 2018 General Conference, President Russell M. Nelson told the sisters, “[Gathering Israel] is a cause that desperately needs women, because women shape the future.” He extended “a prophetic plea” to the sisters to “shape the future by helping to gather scattered Israel.” He offered four invitations to the sisters to help us get started with this task. 

First, I invite you to participate in a 10-day fast from social media and from any other media that bring negative and impure thoughts to your mind. Pray to know which influences to remove during your fast.

Second, I invite you to read the Book of Mormon between now and the end of the year…. As you read, I would encourage you to mark each verse that speaks of or refers to the Savior….

Third, establish a pattern of regular temple attendance….

My fourth invitation, for you who are of age, is to participate fully in Relief Society. I urge you to study the current Relief Society purpose statement…. I also entreat you to savor the truths in the Relief Society declaration published almost 20 years ago. A framed copy of this declaration hangs on the wall in the office of the First Presidency. I am thrilled every time I read it. It describes who you are and who the Lord needs you to be at this precise time as you do your part to help gather scattered Israel.” (Emphasis added.)

            I listened as President Nelson offered those four invitations, and I immediately got started on three of them. I began a ten-day fast from Facebook and started reading the Book of Mormon before I went to bed that night. I re-established my pattern of weekly temple attendance during the following week.

            I thought that I was being obedient because I completed the ten-day fast and finished the Book of Mormon before the end of the year. I was attending the temple weekly if at all possible. I recently had the opportunity to go back and study the words of the prophet. After doing so, I gave myself a grade of less than 50 percent. I did the fast from Facebook, but I did not pray about what other influences to remove from my life. I listened to the Book of Mormon and finished by the end of the year, but I did not mark each verse that refers to the Savior. I feel comfortable with my temple attendance, but I failed to give my full support to Relief Society. I did not attend any Relief Society function until February 2019 when I was released from Primary, and I could not remember what was in the purpose statement or the declaration. I clearly understood that I was not measuring up in my obedience to prophetic counsel.

             My second example is from yesterday when I reviewed President Nelson’s talk in the April 2018 General Conference. He spoke about revelation for the Church of Jesus Christ as well as personal revelation. He shared some experiences in receiving revelation both in his personal life and as a Church leader. He strongly encouraged us to improve in our individual ability to receive revelation to guide us in our lives and callings. 

I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation, for the Lord has promised that “if thou shalt [seek], thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things – that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:61).

Oh, there is so much more that your Father in Heaven wants you to know. As Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught, “To those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, it is clear that the Father and the Son are giving away the secrets of the universe!”

Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon, and regular time committed to temple and family history work.

            I read that quote and considered my worthiness to receive revelation. I felt that I was doing okay in most of the categories, but I remembered one area where I was falling far short. I have been counseled numerous times to write down the information that I receive through personal revelation, but I have not done so on a regular basis. I do not question my ability to ask, recognize, and receive revelation, but I have a real problem with writing down information. I like to write about it in my journal where I can give all the details, but I have difficulty remembering the time frame. Therefore, the information is not readily available to me.

            As I was pondering my lack of obedience in this particular task, I shared all these problems with the Lord, felt His Spirit, and knew that He was listening. I did not have an answer to my problem when I closed my prayer, but I started reading 2 Nephi 29. I have read this chapter dozens, maybe even hundreds, of times over the years. I came to verse three that says, “And because my words shall hiss forth – many of the Gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible.” I usually associate this verse with the situation today where people say that they do not need the Book of Mormon – Another Testimony of Jesus Christ because they have the Bible. However, I was given a new thought this time, something that I had never previously considered, or at least do not remember thinking.

            Nephi wrote those words nearly 600 years before the birth of Jesus Christ at a time when there was no Bible. The Bible was not compiled, assembled, or put together until approximately 400 years after the death of Christ. So Nephi wrote his words nearly 1,000 years before the Bible even existed. I found this insight to be amazing and wondered where I could record it. The Spirit whispered to me to mark it right there in the scriptures on my cell phone and then to add a note in the note section. I did so and found that the note even has the date on it!

            I found this to be an easy way to make a record, but I might not have received the insight and lesson without remembering the need to write down personal revelation and pondering how to do it. I can still add it to my journal, but I now have a record of where I can find it.

            In addition to the lessons I learned in my two examples, I was prompted to share this information in my blog. I hope that my learning experiences will be helpful to my readers.

Prophets Know

            While I was studying the Book of Mormon – Another Witness of Jesus Christ this morning, I came across a well-known principle that I had written in my scriptures. The principle is simple and meaningful: “The Lord knows of future events and can reveal them to His prophet.” Amos 3:7 states the principle in a little different way: “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”

            The various prophets in the Book of Mormon prophesied of various events, and other prophets wrote of the fulfillment of the prophecies. One of the first prophecies that we read about is Nephi stating that the Messiah would be born 600 years from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem (Nephi 10:4). We know that Lehi was in Jerusalem in the first year of the reign King Zedekiah and most likely left during the same year. King Zedekiah started his reign about 600 years before the birth of Jesus Christ.

            Another ancient American prophet named Samuel (a Lamanite) prophesies that the Savior will be born in five years (Helaman 14:2). Since Jesus Christ was born in Jerusalem and the Nephites were in the Americas, Samuel gives several signs that will come to let the Nephites know that the Savior was born (Helaman 14:3-6). Five years pass, and the people see the signs – no darkness, a new star, and other signs and wonders. Another prophet by the name of Nephi reports that the signs came. There was a day, a night, and a day without any darkness, and “it was as light as though it was mid-day” (3 Nephi 1:19). Nephi also says that “a new star did appear” (3 Nephi 1:21).

            Various other prophecies concern the destruction of the Nephites. Nephi knows about 600 B.C. that his people will be destroyed 400 years after the coming of Jesus Christ (1 Nephi 15:5). Alma knows about 73 B.C. that the Nephites will be destroyed 400 years after Jesus Christ visits the Nephites (Alma 45:10-12). Moroni writes that he is alone because all of the Nephites are destroyed, and “four hundred years have passed away since the coming of our Lord and Savior” (Mormon 8:3, 6). These examples illustrate that the Lord knows of coming events and reveals them to His prophets.

            We are blessed to live in the day that a prophet of God is upon the earth, even President Russell M. Nelson. The Lord reveals His will to His prophet, and President Nelson is obedient. The Brethren have made numerous changes in the policies of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in an effort to prepare the members and other people in the world for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

            One of those changes is the change for Sunday meetings from three hours to two hours. The course of study for this year is the New Testament with an emphasis on the initiative “Come, Follow Me.” In the lesson last week we read and discussed the stories of the woman with the issue of blood (Matthew 5:25-34), the sick man that was let down through the roof (Luke 5:17-26, and the blind man (John 9:1-7). All three people were healed because of faith. The woman had enough faith in Jesus Christ to seek Him out and to reach out to touch Him, and she was healed because of her faith. The man’s friends had enough faith to carry him to the roof and let him down in order to be blessed by Jesus, and he was healed because of “their” faith. The blind man did not seem to be seeking to be healed, but Jesus offered him the gift by anointing his eyes with clay. The man was healed because he had enough faith to go wash the clay out of his eyes.

            In a discussion with my son, he shared the following insight with me. None of us sought for a new schedule or a “home centered church supported” study initiate. It is being offered to us by the Lord through His prophets and apostles. Do we have enough faith to accept it, cleanse our eyes, and experience more personal and family spiritual growth, or do we say, “No, I do not want to see more clearly – I will just continue stumbling around with this mud in my eyes?”

            I choose to accept the offering from the Lord through His prophet. I am using the study guide that I shared with you a couple of weeks, and I find that I am searching the scriptures deeper and gaining greater understanding. I have heard that the very act of writing down the material will help me to understand and to remember it better. I encourage you to accept the offering and join with me in gaining greater knowledge and understanding about the Savior.

Follow the Prophet

            I taught a lesson about Elijah the prophet to my class of eight-year-old children last Sunday, and I cannot stop thinking about a certain story. Elijah lived in the northern kingdom known as Israel during the reign of Ahab and Jezebel. The king and queen hated Elijah because he called them to repentance for their idolatry. One day God told Elijah to tell Ahab that there was going to be a drought. The drought would last for more than three years.

            Elijah delivered the message and then followed God’s instructions to flee to a brook where he would be fed bread and flesh by ravens each morning and evening. Elijah stayed by the brook until the brook dried up. Then God told him to go to Zarephath where a widow woman had been commanded to sustain him.

            Again, Elijah followed God’s instructions and went to Zarephath. When he arrived outside the city gate, he saw a widow woman gathering sticks and made a special request.

10 … Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.

12 And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.

14 For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.

15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.

16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah (1 Kings 17:10-16).

            I am intrigued by the actions of the widow woman. She had just enough meal (flour) and oil left to make a small loaf of bread. She knew that it would be the last of her flour and oil, so she and her son would not have anything more to eat. She was planning to die. Yet, she willingly used her little bit of flour and oil to feed Elijah.

            Was she acting on faith that Elijah’s words would be fulfilled? Did she believe him when he said that she would have plenty of flour and oil? I think that she believed him because she followed his words.

            There have been many prophets upon the earth since the days of Adam. Each of them taught the gospel of Jesus Christ, but each of them also had a special mission and needed personal revelation to fulfil their mission. A favorite Primary song tells of  some prophets: Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Jonah, and Danial. What the Lord told one prophet might not work so well for helping another prophet. For example, Noah was told how to build an ark in order to save his family from the Flood, but Moses needed help to feed the million or more Israelites that he led out of Egypt. The last verse of this Primary song talks about the current prophet of God and is followed by the chorus.

Now we have a world where people are confused.

If you don’t believe it, go and watch the news.

We can get direction all along our way,

If we heed the prophets – follow what they say.

Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,

Follow the prophet; don’t go astray.

Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,

Follow the prophet; he knows the way.

            The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is holding its semi-annual General Conference in Salt Lake City this weekend, and millions of members of the Church of Jesus Christ are attending, watching, or listening to the conference proceedings. The words of the current prophet of God and His apostles will be read and studied for months if not years.    Members of the Church of Jesus Christ know that there is a prophet on earth today, and they seek to learn from him. However, there are many people who either do not believe in prophets or they have little faith in him. The following words of then-Elder Henry B. Eyring seem to apply at this time. 

Looking for the path to safety in the counsel of prophets makes sense to those with strong faith. When a prophet speaks, those with little faith may think that they hear only a wise man giving good advice. Then if his counsel seems comfortable and reasonable, squaring with what they want to do, they take it. If it does not, they consider it either faulty advice or they see their circumstances as justifying their being an exception to the counsel. Those without faith may think that they hear only men seeking to exert influence for some selfish motive….

Every time in my life when I have chosen to delay following inspired counsel or decided that I was an exception, I came to know that I had put myself in harm’s way. Every time that I have listened to the counsel of prophets, felt it confirmed in prayer, and then followed it, I have found that I moved toward safety. Along the path, I have found that the way had been prepared for me and the rough places made smooth. God led me to safety along a path which was prepared with loving care, sometimes prepared long before.

            I know that there is a living prophet on the earth today, even President Russell M. Nelson. I know that God speaks to us through His prophet. I sustain him as God’s prophet, seer, and revelator. I also sustain his counselors and the members of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators. I know that they too speak for God and work under the direction of President Nelson.

            I am grateful for General Conference, which is held twice each year, for the prophet, apostles, and other leaders speak to us. As I follow their counsel, I become a better person. If you are interested in listening to the Lord’s prophet and apostles this weekend, you can do so at this site. You can also read or hear their counsel at a later time at the same site. I love the prophet, and I gratefully follow him as he leads me safely back to the Savior.

Catholic Sex Scandal

            There are three big news items making the circuit today. One is the death of John McCain, a second is more attacks on Donald Trump no matter what he says or does, and the third is the Catholic sex scandal. I am tired of hearing about the wonderful John McCain and the terrible Donald Trump, so that leaves the Catholic sex scandal to discuss.

            The Catholic Church has faced numerous sex scandals over the past few years, but this one is big. Sometime over the weekend U.S. Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganó, the Vatican’s former ambassador to the U.S., sent a scathing letter calling for Pope Francis to resign. This letter hit like a bomb! It seems that Viganó knows some inside information about the Pope. He says that the Pope knew about the sexual abuse perpetrated by Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, knew that McCarrick was under disciplinary sanctions by the previous Pope Benedict, and lifted the sanctions to free McCarrick to do whatever he chose. Viganó went full bore on the Pope:

He knew from at least June 23, 2013 that McCarrick was a serial predator. Although he knew that he was a corrupt man, he covered for him to the bitter end; indeed, he made McCarrick’s advice his own, which was certainly not inspired by sound intentions and for love of the Church. It was only when he was forced by the report of the abuse of a minor, again on the basis of media attention, that he took action [regarding McCarrick] to save his image in the media. [He continues]

In this extremely dramatic moment for the universal Church, he must acknowledge his mistakes and, in keeping with the proclaimed principle of zero tolerance, Pope Francis must be the first to set a good example for cardinals and bishops who covered up McCarrick’s abuses and resign along with all of them.

            Now I have been leery of Pope Francis from the beginning because Pope Benedict was basically ousted under the influence of Barack Obama – or so it seemed to me. I have always questioned why Benedict abdicated and Francis took his place. However, I am putting all my thoughts and feelings about Pope Francis aside, and considering how the lay members of the Catholic Church must be feeling. They surely must be wondering what in the world is happening to their church. They must be stunned with the news that the Pope, the Holy Father, the head of the church, was instrumental in covering up sexual abuse! I feel sincerely sorry for the situation that has been thrust upon the members of the Catholic Church.

            I tried to imagine how I would feel if a member of one of the leading quorums of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were to call for our Prophet, Seer, and Revelator to resign over similar charges. It would be a devastating situation for all of us! It would certainly challenge many testimonies and cause countless members of the Church of Jesus Christ to question everything they had been taught. I cannot imagine such a thing happening in the Church of Jesus Christ, but I am sure that faithful Catholics once felt the same way. What does one do when one has a “bomb” like this explode in their spiritual lap?

            The first thing that we must do is to remember that all mortals are human and capable of being deceived by Satan and his minions. This is just one important reason to pray for our leaders that they might remain strong. The second thing that I would do is to remember the foundation for my testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ.

            My testimony is based on personal revelation from the Holy Ghost that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is literally the Church of Jesus Christ on earth; therefore, I can stand firm on this testimony in spite of what any mortal leader may say or do.

            I find comfort in the teachings of prophets and apostles who teach that the Lord will never allow the Prophet to lead us astray. In October 2016 then-President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Elder Russell M. Nelson counseled a group of Millennials to follow the Prophet and taught the following. 

The Lord has promised us that He will never allow the prophet to lead us astray. President Harold B. Lee (1899-1973) declared: “You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord Himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that `the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory’ (Doctrine and Covenants 21:6).”

You may not always understand every declaration of a living prophet. But when you know a prophet is a prophet, you can approach the Lord in humility and faith and ask for your own witness about whatever His prophet has proclaimed.

            I follow this counsel carefully. I went to the Lord and asked for confirmation that Russell M. Nelson is the Lord’s prophet for today, and I received an affirmative answer. I have also asked for confirmation from the Lord on numerous teachings and policies. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led by the Lord Jesus Christ through His prophets and apostles. I know that I can trust their counsel and follow their examples. I am grateful for this testimony because it gives me firm ground upon which to build my life.

           

Lessons from the Trumpet

            As I search for a topic for today’s post, I am drawn to an article in the current Ensign about the use of trumpets in ancient Israel. According to this article titled “Hear the Sound of the Trumpet,” we can learn much “about the role of prophets and how we should treat their words” from trumpets.

            The most common trumpet used was a shofar that was made from the horn of a ram. Even though it was capable of sounding just a couple of notes, it had an “unusual and easily recognizable” sound. If the horn were heated, it could “be straightened or shaped” in various ways. I suppose that this treatment could individualize and personalize trumpets.

In ancient Israel, the shofar was blown to send an alarm or signal a gathering of the people. This was done in times of war (see Judges 3:27; 6:34; Nehemiah 4:18-20) as well as at times of celebration, such as a feast or the anointing of a king (see Leviticus 25:9; 1 Kings 1:34; 2 Kings 9:13; Psalm 81:3).

            In order for the shofar to sound a warning or signal, there must be a watchman of some kind to first see the danger or the need for gathering. The prophet Ezekiel explains that it is the responsibility of the watchman to sound the warning, and it is the responsibility of each individual to hear the warning.

If when [the watchman] seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;

Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.

…But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul (Ezekiel 33:3-5).

            The writer of the article suggests that there are four things that we can learn from a trumpet that compares to listening to and following the prophets.

. [A trumpet] Has a simple, unmistakable sound. Nephi said, “I glory in plainness; I glory in truth” (2 Nephi 33:6). Prophets teach the Lord’s word with clarity. As the Apostle Paul said, “If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” (1 Corinthians 14:8).

. (A trumpet] Calls the Lord’s people to gather. We gather to seek refuge and strength. Our meetinghouses, temples, and homes can be places of gathering to hear God’s word so that we can combat evil and rally around the “ensign on the mountains” (Isaiah 18:3).

. [A trumpet] Warns of coming danger. The watchmen of Israel would raise the alarm by blowing the trumpet. Prophets give us clear warnings of spiritual perils in our time. And we should also remember that “it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:81), “in mildness and in meekness” (Doctrine and Covenants 38:41).

. [A trumpet] Call to remembrance, celebration, and praise. Prophets also invite us to remember the Lord and His goodness. They call upon us to praise and thank Him and to “make a joyful noise” (Psalm 98:6) through our own prayer and testimony.

            Prophets are the Lord’s “watchmen on the tower.” They can see things that you and I cannot see clearly. They issue warnings of things that we must do in order to stay safe and to prosper. In recent years they have issued warnings in several different areas. One of the strongest warnings concerned the coming destruction of marriage and the family.

            In September 1995 then-President Gordon B. Hinckley of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints read a new document to the sisters of the Church. The document is “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” and it outlines various ways to protect, strengthen, and preserve families.

            The first paragraph tells us that “marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.” This is the thesis statement for the document.

            The proclamation continues by explaining that we were all – male and female - created in the image of God. We are His children and have the potential to become as He is. It tells us that we were with our Heavenly Father in the premortal world and were taught about His plan of happiness for His children. It continues by explaining the importance of marriage and families and the duties of the various members of the family.

            The importance of this proclamation to our discussion today is the fact that the document was presented to the membership of the Church many years before the movement to make same-sex relationships equal to marriage between a man and a woman. The prophets were sounding a warning, but the people did not listen.

            The prophets have since sounded warnings about the importance of keeping the Sabbath Day holy in order to stay unspotted from the world. They teach of the importance of ministering to each other and helping the refugees among us. Now they are telling us of the importance of reaching out in love to those who are considering suicide. 

            How many of us will hear the trumpet sounds by the prophets of the Lord? How many of us will respond in obedience? How many of us will be saved because of our obedience?

Lehi and Joseph Smith

            Approximately ten years ago I started a huge project for my grandchildren. I heard of Apostles and Stake Presidents who read and marked a Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ for each of their grandchildren. I decided to do the same thing even I recognized that I am neither an Apostle nor a priesthood leader. I may be the most doctrinally prepared to do this for my grandchildren.

            As part of my project, I purchase a nice set of LDS scriptures for each grandchild and have their name embossed on the cover. I mark the footnotes and Seminary master scriptures throughout the scriptures – Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. Then I read each Book of Mormon, while marking the words and phrases that I would emphasize if I was reading the Book of Mormon with them. I also write some of the principles that I find in the scriptures as I read them. I give the set of scriptures to the child at the time of their baptism. Last year was a busy year because five of my grandchildren were baptized within an eight-month period of time.

            Now I am working on another set of scriptures for a grandson that will turn eight years old the end of May 2018. It does not seem to matter how many times I read the Book of Mormon because I always marvel at the story of Lehi and his experience as a prophet of God. I marvel not only because of the story but also because his story is similar to the story of Joseph Smith. I wonder how Joseph felt when he realized that he shared similar experiences with Lehi. How would you feel?

            Lehi lived at a time when “many prophets” (1 Nephi 1:4) went about calling the people to repentance and prophesying that Jerusalem would be destroyed if the people did not repent. [We know that Jerusalem was destroyed within a few years of these prophesies.] One day while Lehi went about his work, he was praying mightily for his people. Suddenly, he saw “a pillar of fire” that “dwelt upon a rock.” He “saw and heard much; and because of the things which he saw and heard he did quake and tremble exceedingly” (1:6). He returned to his home and “cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with the Spirit” (1:7).

            As you may recall, Joseph Smith was a young man of fourteen years when he began to attend religious revivals with his family. Each of the preachers claimed to have the truth and urged the young man to join their church. Everyone claimed to love everyone else, yet there was contention: “it was seen that the seemingly good feelings of both the priests and the converts were more pretended than real; for a scene of great confusion and bad feeling ensured – priest contending against priest, and convert against convert” (Joseph Smith – History 1:6). Joseph did not know who to believe or which church to join, and he sought an answer in the scriptures.

            One night Joseph was reading in the Bible when he came to the Epistle of James where he read: “If any of you lack reason, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). Joseph decided to ask God and went to a nearby grove of trees to utter his first prayer.

            Both Lehi and Joseph had sincere desires to know what God would have them do. They turned to God in prayer, and each received spiritual knowledge. The principle contained in these experiences is: Great desires produce great results, while mediocre desires produce mediocre results.

            While Lehi was overcome by the Spirit, “he was carried away in a vision.” In the vision “he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels”

(1 Nephi 1:8). He also “saw One descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that his luster was above that of the sun at noon-day” (1:9).

            Joseph Smith went to a predetermined place in the grove of trees and looked around to make sure that he was alone. “I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God… I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun… When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description” (Joseph Smith – History 1:15-17).

            Lehi and Joseph Smith were both concerned about spiritual matters, and both prayed. In return, both of them received visions where they saw the Father and the Son. This is not the only similarity between the two of them.

            Lehi “saw twelve others” following the One, and they stood before Lehi. They “gave unto him a book, and bade him that he should read” (1 Nephi 1:10-11). Joseph was visited by the Angel Moroni who gave him a record written on metal plates and told him to translate the information, which became the Book of Mormon. (See “Testimony of Joseph Smith” in the Book of Mormon.)

            Lehi tried to share his new enlightenment with the people, but “the Jews did mock him because of the things which he testified of them… they were angry with him; …and they also sought his life” (1 Nephi 1:18-20). Joseph also tried to teach his new knowledge to the people of his day, but they rejected him also. Moroni warned Joseph that the people would try to get the metal plates with the record.

I soon found out the reason why I had received such strict charges to keep them safe, and why it was that the messenger had said that when I had done what was required at my hand, he would call for them. For no sooner was it known that I had them, than the most strenuous exertions were used to get them from me. Every stratagem that could be invented was resorted to for that purpose. The persecution became more bitter and severe than before, and multitudes were on the alert continually to get them from me if possible (Joseph Smith – History 1:60).

            Lehi was warned of God in a dream that he must leave Jerusalem because the people would kill him. Lehi took his family and departed into the wilderness and eventually made their way to the American continents (1 Nephi 2:1-2). Joseph was forced to move from place to place – from New York to Ohio to Missouri to Illinois. He was arrested on numerous occasions on spurious charges, and his followers were persecuted and killed. He and his brother Hyrum were killed on June 27, 1844, in the jail in Carthage. Illinois. He sealed his mission with his own blood. (See Doctrine and Covenants 135:3.)

            The Lord loves all of His children, and He provides information for our safety and happiness. Usually, this is accomplished through prophets. Amos said, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but [until] he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7). To be spiritually and physically safe, we would be wise to pay attention when a prophet speaks. If we hear a prophet quote another prophet, we should pay particular attention. The experiences of Lehi and Joseph Smith should convince us to listen and to obey the words of the prophets.

I Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet

            I remember singing the hymn “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet,” as a child. It was just a song at that time, just words in the hymnal. Now that I am older, I understand better what it means to have a living prophet to guide us, and I am truly grateful to live in a day when a living prophet of God walks the earth.

            This week The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that President Thomas S. Monson will not attend General Conference this weekend due to problems with old age. I am saddened at this news but not surprised because I know that he is 90 years old and have seen the effects of old age creeping up on him.

            I know that he has curtailed his speaking assignments in the past few years. Whereas the prophet usually opens and closes the conference as well as give two longer talks, President Monson gave an abbreviated talk to the priesthood brethren and a short talk to the general membership in the past two conferences. I miss the opportunity to hear directly from the prophet.

            In preparation for conference I listened to several talks given by President Monson in recent conferences. In the October 2016 General Conference, he first spoke to the priesthood brethren about the importance of living the Word of Wisdom. 

In 1833 the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith a plan for healthy living. That plan is found in the 89^th section of the Doctrine and Covenants and is known as the Word of Wisdom. It gives specific direction regarding the food we eat, and it prohibits the use of substances which are harmful to our bodies.

Those who are obedient to the Lord’s commandments and who faithfully observe the Word of Wisdom are promised particular blessings, among which are good health and added physical stamina….

Brethren, may we care for our bodies and our minds by observing the principles set forth in the Word of Wisdom, a divinely provided plan. With all my heart and soul, I testify of the glorious blessings which await us as we do.

            The next morning President Monson spoke to the general membership of the Church on the topic of “The Perfect Path to Happiness.” 

Our Father’s plan for our happiness and our salvation is shared by our missionaries throughout the world. Not all who hear this divine message accept and embrace it. However, men and women everywhere … recognize its truths, and they plant their feet on the path that will lead them safely home. Their lives are forever changed.

Essential to the plan is our Savior, Jesus Christ. Without His atoning sacrifice, all would be lost. It is not enough, however, merely to believe in Him and His mission. We need to work and learn, search and pray, repent and improve. We need to know God’s laws and live them. We need to receive His saving ordinances. Only by so doing will we obtain true, eternal happiness.

We are blessed to have the truth. We have a mandate to share the truth. Let us live the truth, that we might merit all that the Father has for us. He does nothing save it be for our benefit. He has told us, “This is my work and my glory – to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

From the depths of my soul and in all humility, I testify of the great gift which is

our Father’s plan for us. It is the one perfect path to peace and happiness both here and in the world to come.

            In the April 2017 General Conference President Monson spoke to the priesthood brethren about the importance of having “Kindness, Charity, and Love.” He quotes Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as saying, “Kindness is the essence of a celestial life. Kindness is how a Christlike person treats others. Kindness should permeate all of our words and actions … especially in our homes. Jesus, our Savior, was the epitome of kindness and compassion….” Then President Monson says following.

The scriptures teach us that the righteous exercise of the priesthood is dependent upon our living the principles of kindness, charity, and love….

Brethren, let us examine our lives and determine to follow the Savior’s example by being kind, loving, and charitable. And as we do so, we will be in a better position to call down the powers of heaven for ourselves, for our families, and for our fellow travelers in this sometimes difficult journey back to our heavenly home.

            The next morning President Monson also spoke to the general membership of the Church on the topic “The Power of the Book of Mormon.” He gave some powerful counsel in his short address.

This morning I speak about the power of the Book of Mormon and the critical need we have as members of this Church to study, ponder, and apply its teachings in our lives. The importance of having a firm and sure testimony of the Book of Mormon cannot be overstated.

We live in a time of great trouble and wickedness. What will protect us from the sin and evil so prevalent in the world today? I maintain that a strong testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His gospel will help see us through to safety. If you are not reading the Book of Mormon each day, please do so. If you will read it prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, the Holy Ghost will manifest its truth to you. If it is true – and I solemnly testify that it is – then Joseph Smith was a prophet who saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Because the Book of Mormon is true, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s Church on the earth, and the holy priesthood of God has been restored for the benefit and blessing of His children.

If you do not have a firm testimony of these things, do that which is necessary to obtain one. It is essential for you to have your own testimony in these difficult times, for the testimonies of others will carry you only so far. However, once obtained, a testimony needs to be kept vital and alive through continued obedience to the commandments of God and through daily prayer and scripture study.

            As I am writing this post before General Conference starts in a day or so, I do not know if President Monson has prepared remarks to be read by someone else. However, I discovered that he prepared the First Presidency message in the September 2017 Ensign titled “Prophets to Guide Us.” In his article he first shares an experience of sitting in the Salt Lake Temple and gazing on the portraits of his “predecessors – from the Prophet Joseph Smith (1805-44) to President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) – I thought, `How grateful I am for the guidance of each one.’” He proceeds to share what he learned from each of his predecessors and then adds the following.

The Savior sends prophets because He loves us. During general conference this October, the General Authorities of the Church will again have the privilege of sharing His word. We approach this responsibility with great solemnity and humility.

How blessed we are that the restored Church of Jesus Christ is upon the earth and that the Church is founded upon the rock of revelation. Continuous revelation is the very lifeblood of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

May we prepare to receive the personal revelation that comes in abundance during general conference. May our hearts be filled with deep determination as we raise our hands to sustain living prophets and apostles. May we be enlightened, uplifted, comforted, and strengthened as we listen to their messages. And may we be ready to recommit ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ – His gospel and His work – and to live with renewed resolve in keeping His commandments and carrying out His will.

            The four talks and the First Presidency message referenced above contain the counsel of the living Prophet of the Lord on earth today. He gives the counsel that he believes to be most important for us to know right now. That counsel is: (1) Follow the teachings of the prophets; (2) Study the Book of Mormon to gain your own testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel; (3) Be kind, loving, and charitable; (4) Live and share the truth of the Father’s plan for our happiness, and (5) Live the Word of Wisdom.

            I thank God for the great blessing of living in a day when there are living prophets to lead and guide us in the ways of the Lord. I thank God for President Monson and the counsel he has given over the past year. I am grateful to know that he represents Heavenly Father and that his greatest desire to give me the counsel that I need to prepare to return to the presence of God. I know that President Monson is a prophet. “I thank thee, O God, for a prophet!”

Follow the Prophet

                Families, communities, and nations are strengthened when we teach the rising generation to follow the counsel of the living prophet.  The prophet of the Lord on earth today is Thomas S. Monson.  He is the mouthpiece of the Lord, and we will be blessed as we follow his counsel.

                Elder William R. Walker of the Quorum of the Seventy suggested five ways to follow the example of President Monson.

                “We can be positive, and we can be happy.  On one occasion President Monson said:  `We … can choose to have a positive attitude.  We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.  In other words, we can choose to be happy and positive, regardless of what comes our way.’ (See “Messages of Inspiration from President Monson,” Church News, Sept. 2, 2012, p. 2.)”

                Elder Walker described an experience of being invited to attend a meeting in the First Presidency boardroom.  He was waiting quietly outside the room waiting to be invited in when he heard whistling in the hall and thought it was inappropriate behavior for the place.  “A moment later the whistler walked around the corner – it was President Monson.  He was happy, and he was positive.  He greeted me warmly….  Even with the weight of the whole Church on his shoulders, he is an example of happiness and he always has a positive attitude.  We should be that way.”

                “We can be kind and loving toward children.  Jesus spoke often of children.  His prophet, President Monson, speaks often of children as well.  I’ve seen, particularly at temple dedications, how he loves children and, by his example, teaches us how to treat them.  At every temple dedication he focuses on the children.  He loves to include them in the cornerstone ceremony and always invites a few of them to put some mortar in the cornerstone to participate in the symbolic completion of the temple.  He makes it fun for them.  He makes it memorable for them.  He always has a big smile for them.  He encourages and commends them.  It is a wonderful thing to see.”

                “We can follow the promptings of the Spirit.  President Monson beautifully stated his devotion to the Lord and his commitment to following the promptings of the Spirit with these words:  `The sweetest experience I know in life is to feel a prompting and act upon it and later find out that it was the fulfillment of someone’s prayer or someone’s need.  And I always want the Lord to know that if He needs an errand run, Tom Monson will run that errand for Him.”  (See On the Lord’s Errand, DVD, 2008.)

                “We can love the temple.  President Monson will go down in history as one of the great temple builders in the history of the Church.  Since becoming President of the Church in February 2008, he has continued the great work of building temples.  In the six years he has been the prophet, President Monson has announced plans to build 33 new temples.

                “President Monson has said, `May each of us live worthy lives, with clean hands and pure hearts, so that the temple may touch our lives and our families.’  (See “Blessings of the Temple,” Ensign, Oct. 2010, p. 19.)

                “He has also given this wonderful promise:  `As we love the temple, touch the temple, and attend the temple, our lives will reflect our faith.  As we come to these holy houses of God, as we remember the covenants we make within, we shall be able to bear every trial and overcome each temptation.”  (See Be Your Best Self (1979), p. 56; emphasis added.)

                “We can be kind, considerate, and loving.  President Monson is a wonderful example of loving others.  His entire ministry has been filled with making visits to homes, placing his hands on heads and giving blessings; making unexpected phone calls to comfort and encourage; sending letters of encouragement, commendation, and appreciation; visiting hospitals and care centers; and find time to go to funerals and viewings despite a very busy schedule.

                “Just as the Savior would do, Thomas Monson has gone about doing good (see Acts 10:38) and blessing and loving others; this has been the driving force in his life.”

                As an example – one of many – Elder Walker described meeting with the First Presidency to discuss plans for the dedication of the Brigham City Utah Temple located about an hour north of Salt Lake City.  Even though President Monson could easily travel to Brigham City to dedicate the temple, he assigned President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, to do the dedication.  “Brigham City is the hometown of President … Packer, this great Apostle who has sat beside me for so many years in the Twelve.  I want him to have the honor and blessing of dedicating the temple in his hometown….  I want it to be his day.”

                I attended a broadcast of the dedication and sensed the gratitude that President Packer felt for this honor.  He and his wife both grew up in Brigham City and spent a wonderful in the temple there.  Elder Walker stated, “I was very touched by President Monson’s kind and magnanimous gesture to his fellow Apostle.  We can all be that way.  We can share and be kind and think more of those around us.”

                President Monson has taught us in words and example how to live as true followers of Jesus Christ.  We will be blessed as we follow the pattern he has provided for us.  As we do so we will strengthen our capacity to be even more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.