President Eyring conducting.
President Nelson viewing from home.
Music by Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
Elder Ronald A Rasband
Words can wound, punish and cut down and even lead to destructive actions.
That is why first and foremost the Lord’s words matter.
The word of God surpasses all other expressions. It has been so since the creation of the world.
Believing and heeding the word of God will draw us closer to Him.
We hear Him in the words of scripture but de we let them just sit on the page?
The words of prophets matter. Prophets testify of the divinity of Jesus Christ. They teach His gospel.
When you are confronted with a dilemma think celestial. When tested by temptation think celestial.
When we think celestial we see things as they really are and as they really will be.
[Shared experience of sustaining the Prophet. Last October in Bangkok to dedicate temple. The country and temple had been cradled in the arms of prophets and apostles. Had prepared the dedicatory prayer months earlier. Night before dedication awakened from sleep. Spirit would not leave me alone. Certain words were mission. May we think celestial and letting they Spirit prevail in our lives. Strive to be peacemakers. Words off the Prophet matter to us and to the Lord.]
Be careful what you say and how you say it.
Our words can bring us together or drive a wedge between us.
3 simple phrases – thank you, I am sorry, I love you.
[Personal example. Travelled a lot for business. At end of day always called home. Conversation always led to use expressing I love you]
Words do matter.
Jesus Christ Himself is the Word. This I testify.
Sister Susan H Porter
The gift of prayer.
When Jesus was on the earth He taught is to pray.
- Pray to know
- Pray to grow
- Pray to show
How can you know that Heavenly Father is really there even when you can’t see Him.
Heavenly Father can see all His children and hear and answer every prayer.
Pray, He is there; Speak, He is listening.
[Story of Ashley 6 years old. None to play with on playground. Thought I am not alone, I have Christ. Knelt down and prayed to Heavenly Father. Opened her eyes – a girl was there asking if she wanted to play.]
Often the best question toss k Heavenly Father is not Why? but What?
Nephi made a new bow and asked his father where to go to hunt for food. The Lord showed them where Nephi could go.
Through His Spirit your heart can change and you can receive strength.
Praying to Heavenly Father has helped me.
You can pray for help to show Heavenly Father’s help to others.
He can give you courage to serve someone.
For my whole life I prayed that my father would become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
I prayed often for him but he did not join the Church.
5 days after my father dies I received a sacred spirit of joy. Heavenly Father let me know that my father wanted to receive the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Praying every day will fill you with love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
I invite you to pray to know Heavenly Father is there, pray to grow to become like him and pray to show His love to others.
Elder Dale G Renlund
[Experience of kayaking expedition in Hawaii. Plan to row to two small islands and back. I was confident. Kayaks differed from ones I had previously paddled. Less stable in the water. As we started out I rowed faster. wave hit kayak and flipped it over. Another wave hit kayak and flipped me over again. Guide steadied kayak making it easier for me to climb on top. Pulled kayak along until regained breath. Guide – if you just keep paddling maintaining your momentum I think you will be just fine. By consistently paddling maintained progress mitigating effects of waves]
If we maintain spiritual momentum, by continually rowing towards the Saviour we will be safer and more secure.
Enduring to the end is not really a separate step in the doctrine of Christ … it is repeatedly and iteratively applying the other elements of the doctrine of Christ.
Momentum involves both speed and direction.
We need to row towards the Saviour to come unto Him.
Momentum builds as we strive to obey the laws of God and repent.
Through repentance we can get back on top and continue regardless of how many times we have fallen off.
Forward spiritual momentum also propels us to make additional covenants in the house of the Lord.
The source of power is the Lord Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father.
As we minister to others we don’t need to ask unnecessary questions or state the obvious. Most people who are struggling know that they are struggling.
We are all struggling in our own way.
We all need the Saviour’s infinite atonement not just part of it.
As we minister we encourage others frequently and offer help.Even if someone is not receptive we continue to minister.
The Saviour’s job is to heal, our job is to love.
A we exercise faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement we are propelled along the covenant path and motivated to help others.
Elder Paul Pieper
Heavenly Father desires to build a close personal relationship with each of His children
Heavenly Father has worked from the beginning to communicate his absolute true t in the divine potential of each of His children.
He provided us a Saviour, his Son Jesus Christ to atone for our sins and make us lean again on the condition of repentance.
Our relationship with Him will grow only to the extent that we are willing to place our trust in Him.
The more we learn about God the easier it will be for us to trust him – President Nelson.
Our mortal life is a test. Challenges that stretch us beyond our capacity come frequently.
Don’t ask why, ask what I want you to learn.
God invites us to grow by trusting his spiritual tutoring through soul-stretching experiences.
[Story of Nephi and the Brass Plates, broken bow, stronger confidence in God]
Each time we accept and act on an invitation out trust in God grows.
Elder Patrick Kearon
Beyond every new apostle stands an astonished mother in law.
Our Fathers plan is designed to bring you home and not to keep you out.
He wants all of His children to choose to return to Him.
He sent His precious Beloved Son to this fallen world to live the full range of mortal experience.
The plan of redemption, the plan of mercy, the great plan of happiness.
The intent of the father’s plan of mercy is to extend mercy…it is not to deny mercy and inflict pain and sorrow.
Does the mean anything goes with regard to how we live our lives?
No, of course not!
God wants for us a radical reorientation of our selfish and prideful impulses.
Jesus’s will is the benevolent Father’s will.
None is excluded from this divine potential.
Infinite means infinite. Infinite covers you and those you love.
He will not refuse you or those you love when you bring to Him your broken heart and contrite spirit.
The veil of the temple was rent in twain when Jesus died upon the cross symbolising that access back to the Father had been ripped wide open.
The Father’s plan is not about roadblocks
Elder Brian K Taylor
Why do some receive their yearned for miracles quickly while others endure waiting upon the Lord?
Life’s trials prove us.
[Experience of Holly and Rick Porter whose 12 year old son passed away in a fire. Grief replaced by surpassing peace. ]
As you think celestial you will view trials and opposition in a new light.
3 divine principles
- Stronger faith comes by putting Jesus Christ first.
- Brighter hope comes by envisioning our eternal destiny. [Joseph in Liberty Jail]
- Greater power comes by focusing on joy.
Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.
I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you.
President Dallin H Oaks
How does your church differ from others? My answer to this question has varied as I have matured.
189 dedicated temples and 146 more in planning and construction.
A covenant is a commitment to fulfil certain responsibilities.
Examples of covenant responsibilities in our society – judges, military personnel medical personnel and firefighters.
The foundation and history of many religious affiliations and requirements are based on covenants.
The Old Testament frequently refers to God’s covenant with Abraham and his seed.
The books of Nephi make frequent reference to the Abrahamic covenant.
The Book of Mormon is filled with references to covenants.
Jesus – the mediator of the new covenant.
Covenants were foundational in the restoration of the gospel.
The central role of covenants was reaffirmed in the preface the Lord gave for the first publication of his commandments.
Every member of this Church who has entered the waters of baptism has become a party to a sacred covenant. Every time we partake of the sacrament we renew that covenant – President Hinckley.
Now I speak more of temple covenants.
The endowment ceremonies in the Nauvoo temple were administered just before our early pioneers were expelled.
We are instructed to wear temple garments continuously.
Persons who wear their garments continually affirm their role as disciples of the Lord of Jesus Christ.
The Church of Jesus Christ is known as a church which emphasises making covenants with God.
Latter-day Bloke 