This is a perfect question and topic to study right after conference. I like the list of 14 things to know about a prophet, particularly the point that a prophet tells us what we need to know rather than what we want to know. With this in mind, I went back and looked through President Monson's message to the priesthood. He spoke in specific detail about learning duty and fulfilling our callings, remaining worthy, he quoted scripture and explained them in context of personal stories so that we might understand better the meaning. He even stated, "Let us take most seriously the callings, the responsibilities, and the duties which come with the priesthood we hold." Nothing new or exotic, not necessarily what we want to hear, but certainly what we need to hear.
I second the comment from Mark M. Thank you for this talk oh how we need to hang these 14 Knowing things of our Living Prophet. Also that ALL things told from each Prophet wi be fulfilled. Plain and simple shared again and again is the greatest reminder that we need to get up and DO IT!!!
Verses 12-16 teach us that history repeats itself! Don't these verses basically describe the Book of Mormon, its history and purpose for us, and who will one day have power to translate it? Vs. 12,13,16,18: "Should be translated into our language; for perhaps, they will give us knowledge" and "I am desirous to know the cause of their destruction" and "And the things are called interpreters, and no man can look in them except he be commanded...and whosoever is commanded to look in them, the same is called seer" and "a seer is a revelator and a prophet also" and "thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings." I am so grateful for the prophet Joseph Smith and his role in bringing hidden things to light, so we could obtain knowledge about covenants and how to avoid the same patterns of spiritual destruction found in the Book of Mormon.
I love his testimony at the end of his talk. "Brothers and sisters, like the Saints of 1848, we can choose to follow the prophet, or we can look to the arm of flesh. May we have the wisdom to trust in and follow the counsel of the living prophets and apostles. I am a witness of their goodness. I testify that they are called of God. I also testify that there is no safer way to approach life, find answers to our problems, gain peace and happiness in this world, and protect our very salvation than by obeying their words. "
Love all your comments and love this question as I have pondered the impact many of the prophets have had on me. I hope you don't mind me sharing a personal experience. As I was thinking of this question, there have been many prophets who have blessed my life, but the one that stands out to me the most is President Howard W. Hunter. Under President Hunter's presidency, I remember his big emphasis was on attending the temple often. And It was because of him that I gained a strong testimony of going to the temple. While married to my first husband, he did not have a testimony of paying tithing and felt that since money was tight we shouldn't pay it and because of this we weren't able to have a current recommend and attend the temple. This was very hard for me and saddened me terribly that I couldn't go to the temple and receive those blessings. I can still remember the talk President Hunter gave like it was yesterday and in it he said, "Let us be a temple-attending people. Attend the temple as frequently as personal circumstances allow. Keep a picture of a temple in your home that your children may see it. Teach them about the purposes of the House of the Lord. Have them plan from their earliest years to go there and to remain worthy of that blessing.” This made a huge impact on me and so I met with my bishop and told him I really wanted to get back to the temple and what could I do to make that happen? It was like a kid in a candy shop when my bishop counseled me that I could pay tithing on my own income, and that I could then renew my recommend and start attending. A huge burden was lifted and since that time I have never been without my recommend and my love for the temples has grown each day. I will always feel indebted to President Hunter and can't wait to thank him on the other side!
This is a perfect question and topic to study right after conference. I like the list of 14 things to know about a prophet, particularly the point that a prophet tells us what we need to know rather than what we want to know. With this in mind, I went back and looked through President Monson's message to the priesthood. He spoke in specific detail about learning duty and fulfilling our callings, remaining worthy, he quoted scripture and explained them in context of personal stories so that we might understand better the meaning.
ReplyDeleteHe even stated, "Let us take most seriously the callings, the responsibilities, and the duties which come with the priesthood we hold."
Nothing new or exotic, not necessarily what we want to hear, but certainly what we need to hear.
I second the comment from Mark M.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this talk oh how we need to hang these 14 Knowing things of our Living Prophet. Also that ALL things told from each Prophet wi be fulfilled.
Plain and simple shared again and again is the greatest reminder that we need to get up and DO IT!!!
Verses 12-16 teach us that history repeats itself! Don't these verses basically describe the Book of Mormon, its history and purpose for us, and who will one day have power to translate it? Vs. 12,13,16,18: "Should be translated into our language; for perhaps, they will give us knowledge" and "I am desirous to know the cause of their destruction" and "And the things are called interpreters, and no man can look in them except he be commanded...and whosoever is commanded to look in them, the same is called seer" and "a seer is a revelator and a prophet also" and "thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings." I am so grateful for the prophet Joseph Smith and his role in bringing hidden things to light, so we could obtain knowledge about covenants and how to avoid the same patterns of spiritual destruction found in the Book of Mormon.
ReplyDeleteI love his testimony at the end of his talk. "Brothers and sisters, like the Saints of 1848, we can choose to follow the prophet, or we can look to the arm of flesh. May we have the wisdom to trust in and follow the counsel of the living prophets and apostles. I am a witness of their goodness. I testify that they are called of God. I also testify that there is no safer way to approach life, find answers to our problems, gain peace and happiness in this world, and protect our very salvation than by obeying their words. "
ReplyDeleteLove all your comments and love this question as I have pondered the impact many of the prophets have had on me. I hope you don't mind me sharing a personal experience. As I was thinking of this question, there have been many prophets who have blessed my life, but the one that stands out to me the most is President Howard W. Hunter. Under President Hunter's presidency, I remember his big emphasis was on attending the temple often. And It was because of him that I gained a strong testimony of going to the temple. While married to my first husband, he did not have a testimony of paying tithing and felt that since money was tight we shouldn't pay it and because of this we weren't able to have a current recommend and attend the temple. This was very hard for me and saddened me terribly that I couldn't go to the temple and receive those blessings. I can still remember the talk President Hunter gave like it was yesterday and in it he said, "Let us be a temple-attending people. Attend the temple as frequently as personal circumstances allow. Keep a picture of a temple in your home that your children may see it. Teach them about the purposes of the House of the Lord. Have them plan from their earliest years to go there and to remain worthy of that blessing.” This made a huge impact on me and so I met with my bishop and told him I really wanted to get back to the temple and what could I do to make that happen? It was like a kid in a candy shop when my bishop counseled me that I could pay tithing on my own income, and that I could then renew my recommend and start attending. A huge burden was lifted and since that time I have never been without my recommend and my love for the temples has grown each day. I will always feel indebted to President Hunter and can't wait to thank him on the other side!
ReplyDeleteGreat personal story Kim. Thanks.
DeleteSuch a great story. Thank you so much for sharing.
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ReplyDelete