Conference Quote of the Day

"While the priesthood is presently all over the world, we call on every elder and high priest, every holder of the priesthood to stand, like Gideon’s small but powerful force of 300, in his own place. We now must awaken in every elder and high priest, in every quorum and group, and in the father of every home the power of the priesthood of the Almighty." President Boyd K. Packer: President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

I also like the quote he used from President Joseph Fielding Smith: “While it may be said . . . that we are but a handful in comparison with . . . the world, yet we may be compared with the leaven of which the Savior spoke, which will eventually leaven [or lift] the whole world.”

That made me think of President Hinckley when he said, "We cannot expect to lift others unless we stand on higher ground ourselves."

It's funny, I started this post just wanting to share a simple quote that pricked my heart, and now I cannot help but think of related thoughts. For example, Elder Holland's counsel can help us stand on higher ground:

"Exercise more control over even the marginal moments that confront you. If a TV show is indecent, turn it off. If a movie is crude, walk out. If an improper relationship is developing, sever it. Many of these influences, at least initially, may not technically be evil, but they can blunt our judgment, dull our spirituality, and lead to something that could be evil. An old proverb says that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, so watch your step."

I think about how blunt my judgment is. I watch some T.V. and movies - not a lot - that might be considered marginal - characters take the name of the Lord in vain, sometimes inappropriate jokes are made, some of the movies have scenes of violence. None are rated R, but does the fact that I think taking the name of the of God in vain is "marginal" or that I tolerate it in the shows I watch an example of blunt judgment or dull spirituality?

And that leads me to think of the consequences of having dulled spirituality and Elder Bednar's talk on seeing warning signals:

"We also are blessed by spiritual early warning signals as a source of protection and direction in our lives...a spiritual early warning system that can help parents in Zion to be watchful and discerning concerning their children."

A loss of sensitivity to spiritual things by not exercising more control over "marginal" moments in my day not only impacts my own well-being, but also my ability to be the watchman on the tower for my family.

I am just impressed with the focus this conference had on teaching in the home and lifting our standards of living in closer alignment to God's standards. I have been trying to "watch my step" each day so that the Spirit can come at any time to prompt me or help me as a husband and father. I know He will, and I am grateful for the reminder from Brother Beck:

"God’s words to Moses are for you today: 'Behold, thou art my son; . . . and I have a work for [you].'" I know that I am; and I am trying my best to do the work I have been asked to do.

A modern-day testimony

I am preparing a lesson on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and came across this powerful testimony of Elder McConkie:

"And now, as pertaining to this perfect atonement, wrought by the shedding of the blood of God—I testify that it took place in Gethsemane and at Golgotha, and as pertaining to Jesus Christ, I testify that he is the Son of the Living God and was crucified for the sins of the world. He is our Lord, our God, and our King. This I know of myself independent of any other person.

I am one of his witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears.

But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God’s Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way." (Bruce R. McConkie, “The Purifying Power of Gethsemane,” Ensign, May 1985)

He passed away less than two weeks later.

We are blessed to live in a time of true and living prophets, seers, and revelators - true apostles of Jesus Christ. There is safety in following their council.

What is Intelligence?

I am almost done reading "Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling" and it has been a great experience. I almost feel as if I had known him, and I can appreciate the work he did and the man he was even more. In one particular chapter, the author is writing about Joseph's revelations on the universe, stars, time, eternity, and pre-earth life. There is so much to think about on those topics, but the thing that stuck out to me was the idea of intelligence. To paraphrase the author, intelligence means more than knowledge and intellectual capacity. It seems closely related to comprehension, including the understanding of good and evil.

What a beautifully simple truth. Although we strive to gain as much education and knowledge as possible, it doesn't matter whether you are bright or dull. What matters is whether you choose the right. And more important than being able to articulate academic ideas is knowing right from wrong, and choosing the right. Intelligence in this context, makes the following statement even more profound: God's great virtue is the superiority of His intelligence.

I am impressed with the fact that as I progress in the gospel, the more simple it becomes. I think I have quoted these verses before, but they cannot be quoted enough: Moroni 7:15-18

15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.
17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.
18 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.