Elder Oaks conducting.

Elder D Todd Christofferson

Today is Palm Sunday.

Being one.

The Lord admonished If ye are not one ye are not mine.

“There shall be no disputations among you as there have hitherto been.”

How can unity be achieved?

If individually we put on Christ then collectively we can hope to be one.

By putting on Christ it becomes possible to resolve or lay aside disagreements.

BH Roberts. In 1895 his service to the Church was put in jeopardy because of contention.

We cannot be one unless we all bend our efforts to the common cause.

Unity does not require sameness but it does require harmony.

We can never disagree with anger or contempt one with another.

Sister Camille N Johnson

Healing of the man with palsy

We can partner with the Saviour to provide temporal and spiritual relief for those in need.

Each of us is carrying a metaphorical backpack….this is where we carry the burdens of living in a fallen world.

Jesus Christ can lighten our burdens.

“Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.’

Why do we insist on carrying our rocks alone?

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

The atonement of Jesus Christ also makes it possible to receive strength to forgive.

As covenant members of His church we promise to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort.

Jesus Christ is relief.

Elder Ulisses Soares

Palm Sunday – Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem

1847 – Pioneer Saints – the Lord instructed the Saints to cease to contend one with another.

As disciples of the Prince of Peace we have been instructed to live in unty one with another.

Charity.

Charity is not only related to something we donate to someone, it is an attribute of the Saviour.

Without charity we are nothing and we cannot inherit the place prepared for us in the mansions of our Father.

The Saviour taught us by his example that charity suffereth long.

That which is evil cometh of the devil for the devil is an enemy to God.

One of the adversary’s tactics is to stir up envy and hate in the hearts of God’s children.

If we are not careful with our thoughts words and actions we may end up being entangled in the cunning tricks of the enemy.

The gospel represents good tidings of great joy.

As we strive to develop attributes like the Saviour’s we can become instruments for peace in the world.

As we pursue and develop these attribites we will become more cordial and senstitive to the needs of others.

Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita

Patriarchal blessings

Patriarchal blessings are not only preparation for serving a blessing.

If you have not yet received a patriarchal blessing please do not worry…talk to your Bishop about receiving a patriarchal blessing.

My dear new members you can receive a patriarchal blessing as well.

A patriarchal blessing contains personal counsel from the Lord to you.

A patriarchal blessing is not going to map out your life or answer all your questions.

There is no guarantee that everything in your blessing will come to pass in this life.

You will come to know that you are of the house of Israel and of the seed of Abraham.

Our patriarchal blessing will have different meanings to us at different times.

The meaning and significance of a patriarchal blessing will be taught line upon line by that same Spirit that inspired it.

Elder Neil L Andersen

Guide Us O Thou Great Jehovah!

Story of Alma the Younger.

While our experiences may not be as dramatic as Alma’s they are as eternally significant.

Filling our mind with the power of Jesus Christ does not mean that He is the only thought that we have but it does mean that all of our thoughts are circumscribed by His love.

We welcome into our mind divine images.

Our love for Him does not should us from challenges but allows us to walk through them

You are a spirit child of Heavenly Father.

Our Father created a perfect plan for us.

In this mortal life our mind and spirit need exceptional attention.

General Conference is a time to understand what the Lord would have us do and become.

The teachings of the Saviour are becoming more prominent in our homes.

We are more frquently entering the House of the Lord and receiving His blessings.

Elder Kevin R Duncan

Men are that they might have joy.

We all shouted for joy when we heard God’s plan for our happiness.

When Church members first heard that they could be baptised for their deceased loved ones they rejoiced.

Temples.

Rededication of the Tokyo temple.

The building of temples has been one of the highest priorities of all prophets since the Prophet Jseph Smith.

The adversary is on the alert …he does anything he can to stop the work.

As each temple is dedicated the saving powere of Jesus Christ expands across the world.

We will never escape the war but we can have power against the enemy.

Blessings of temple work:

-miracles

-healing

Palm Sunday 1836 – Kirtland Temple dedicated.

You will feel joy more and more as you enter the temples of the Lord.

President Russell M Nelson

You have been constantly on my mind and in my prayers.

Assisted in amputation of leg. Infected scalpel landed in Pres Nelson’s forearm. Did not become infected but left a lasting impression. Vowed never to throw anything in anger.

Civility and decency seem to have disappeared during this era of polarisation.

Vulagarity and evil speaking of each other are far too common.

Many seem eager to damage another’s reputation.

Anger never persuades.

Contention never leads to inspired decisions.

We hear of youth and children who bully.

One of the easiest way to identify a true follower of Jesus Christ is by how compassionately they treat others.

The Saviour’s message is clear – his true disciples build, lift, encourage inspire.

One of the best ways we can honour the Saviour is to become a peace maker.

Make no mistake about it contention is evil.

Those who foster contention are taking a page out of Satan’s playbook.

How we treat each other really matters.

Today I am asking us to interact with others in a higher, holier way.

Building bridges of understanding will require much more of you.

Contention is a choice, peace making is a choice.

I urge you to be a peace maker.

Differences of opinion are part of life.

My two noble counselors are exemplary by the way they express their opinions, particularly when they differ.

Because each is filled with charity our delibeartions can be guided by the Lord.

Charity is the antidote to charity.

Charity is the principle characteristic of a true follower of Jesus Christ.

The pure love of Christ is the answer to the contention that assails us today.

Charity allows us to demonstrate how men and women speak and act, particularly when under fire.

When you partake of the sacrament you covenant to always remeber him.

I hope you will look deeply into your heart to see if there are shards of pride and contention that are preventing you from being a peace maker.

Now is the time to bury your weapons of war.

The temple can help us in our quest.

We also rebuke the adversary every time we heal a misunderstanding or refuse to take offence.

Let us as a people become a true light upon a hill.

The gospel net is the largest net in the world. God has invited all to come unto him.

There is room for everyone. However there is no room for prejudice.

I invite you to examine your discipleship within the contect of how you treat others.

Replace beligerence with beseeching.