Thank Elder Alsop – testimony
Sitting here watching the Aaronic Priesthood pass the sacrament –
I asked the Bishop – which one is our Craig – David – Kris – or Paul
(Over kill) – Bishop and I same Aaronic Priesthood quorums
With in a few weeks of being made a deacon there were eleven deacons in our quorum. I know the where a bouts of all but one of them.
3 of 11 – came from less active homes, one or both parents didn’t attend.
10 of 11 – went on missions.
7 of 10 (know of were a bouts) are active in the church of Jesus Christ
All 7 of them magnify their priesthood and hold important responsibilities in the kingdom.
2 of the 3 less active - came from less active homes.
As Ryan talked about – this meeting is / or should be most sacred meeting we attend
The topics – I will address today are being given in every ward in our stake. I order to adequately cover the assigned topic; I will be giving a few more quotes than I normally would give. All these quotes are from men that we as members of the Church currently sustain as prophet’s, seers and revelators
Moroni 6:5-6
5 And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls.
6 And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus.
This scripture declares why we are here – what the purpose of this meeting is.
- fast, pray
- speak to one another concerning our welfare
- partake of sacrament
- In remembrance of the Atoning sacrifice of Our Lord, Savior Jesus Christ
I would like to spend a couple of moment talking to those young men that prepare – bless and pass the sacrament. To the young men in the primary – you too should understand what I’m about to say as shortly you will have an opportunity to participate.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
In that sacred setting we ask you young men of the Aaronic Priesthood to prepare and bless and pass these emblems of the Savior’s sacrifice worthily and reverently.
Young men you represent the Savior Himself – you are the means by which we are able to take of the sacrament in remembrance of his death – sacrifice – and atonement for our sins. You must be worth – you represent Jesus Christ.
Elder Holland cont.
What a stunning privilege and sacred trust given at such a remarkably young age! I can think of no higher compliment heaven could pay you. We do love you. Live your best and look your best when you participate in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
May I suggest that wherever possible a white shirt be worn by the deacons, teachers, and priests who handle the sacrament. For sacred ordinances in the Church we often use ceremonial clothing, and a white shirt could be seen as a gentle reminder of the white clothing you wore in the baptismal font and an anticipation of the white shirt you will soon wear into the temple and onto your missions…How our young people dress can teach a holy principle to us all, and it certainly can convey sanctity. As President David O. McKay taught, a white shirt contributes to the sacredness of the holy sacrament.
If taken properly – each member should not only remember the covenants made at baptism, but the mission He accomplished on the cross and in the Garden of Gethsemity. In deed this is the most important thing that happens during sacrament meeting – and during our weekly affairs and opportunities. Not only should the Aaronic Priesthood be worth to participate – but so should each member of the church that partakes of these emblems in remembrance of our Savior’s love for each of us.
The rest of the scripture I opened with says, that we should - pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls.
2 Nephi 25:26
26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
Some time ago I was in a meeting where an individual gave a wonderful sermon – except one fact, the only time they mentioned the Savior was when they said “In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.”
As a follower of Christ it is our opportunity and responsibility to testify of Him. This should be the center of all our teachings in the church. Every topic of the gospel should be linked to God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ and their love for each of us. One of these opportunities to testify of them comes each month in our fast and testimony meetings. Not only do we have the opportunity to partake of the sacrament – but also bare our testimonies.
In our last conference Elder Oaks stated about a testimony –
A testimony of the gospel is a personal witness borne to our souls by the Holy Ghost that certain facts of eternal significance are true and that we know them to be true. Such facts include the nature of the Godhead and our relationship to its three members, the effectiveness of the Atonement, and the reality of the Restoration.
A testimony is a manifestation of the Holy Ghost to our Spirit of the truthfulness of this great work. Further study reveals that a true testimony is not passive but causes someone to actively pursuing righteousness.
Elder M. Russell Ballard
Simply stated, testimony—real testimony, born of the Spirit and confirmed by the Holy Ghost—changes lives. It changes how you think and what you do. It changes what you say. It affects every priority you set and every choice you make. To have a real and abiding testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ is to be “spiritually … born of God,” to “[receive] his image in your countenances,” and to experience a “mighty change in your hearts”
Do our testimonies and those that are given in this meeting cause us to come unto Christ to repent of our sins and be better people.
Elder Oaks – stated what isn’t a testimony
A testimony of the gospel is not a travelogue, a health log, or an expression of love for family members. It is not a sermon. President Kimball taught that the moment we begin preaching to others, our testimony is ended.
Brothers and Sisters, my experience causes me to think that too many of our testimonies are ones of “I am thankful” and “I love,” and too few are able to say “I know.” As a result, our meetings sometimes lack the testimony-rich, spiritual declarations that change the soul and have meaningful, positive impact on the lives of all those who hear them.
Our testimony meetings need to be more centered on the Savior, the doctrines of the gospel, the blessings of the Restoration, and the teachings of the scriptures. We need to replace stories, travelogues, and lectures with pure testimonies. Those who are entrusted to speak and teach in our meetings need to do so with doctrinal power that will be both heard and felt, lifting the spirits and edifying our people. You will remember at the heart of King Benjamin’s powerful sermon to his people was his personal witness of the Savior, who at that time had yet to be born into mortality.
Despite such testimonies my be cute, interesting and of special interest to some members of the congregation. They are not in keeping with purpose of this sacred meeting.
In speaking about Fast and Testimony meeting and the primary Children -
By Elder Russell M. Nelson
After the sacrament, the conducting brother bears a brief testimony. He then invites members to bear brief, heartfelt testimonies of the Savior, His teachings, and the Restoration. Parents and teachers should help children learn what a testimony is and when it is appropriate for them to express it. Younger children should learn to share their testimonies at home or in Primary until they are old enough to bear an appropriate testimony unaided in fast and testimony meeting.
He talks about appropriate testimonies – about the Savior, His teachings and the restoration. As parents and primary teachers and leader, we should teach the children what a true testimony is and give them ample opportunity to express it at home perhaps in FHE, in their primary talks or classes. What better way is there for children and young adults to understand what a testimony is than to hear their parent’s leaders and teachers use them often. In my option, never should a teacher of the gospel close their remarks without baring testimony of the Savior and the teachings they have covered.
As Elder Ballard mentioned King Benjamin – we can all remember the results of that powerful sermon and testimony or their dieing King and Prophet.
Yea, (they) believe(d) all the words which (he had) spoken unto (them); and also, (they) know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which (had) a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that (they had) have no more (desire) to do evil, but to do good continually.
When is the last time you felt the spirit that strong? When is the last time you have paid the price for such a manifestation? Has the Holy Ghost manifest to your soul the truthfulness of this great work.
Like almost everything else in life, testimonies grow and develop through experience and service. Alma likened it to a seed that we desire to grow – we need to plant, nurture it and then it will begin to grow. They need to be anchored very early to the first principles of the gospel. Speculation of whom is our next Bishop makes no difference – but the existence of the Godhead, or of faith, repentance, baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost are vital to our salvation.
A testimony of the reality of Heavenly Father’s love, of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, and of the effect of His Atonement on every son and daughter of God brings about the desire to repent and live worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost. It also brings a confirmation to our soul of the Restoration of the gospel in these latter days. Real testimony of these precious truths comes as a witness by the Holy Ghost after sincere and dedicated effort, including teaching in the home, prayer, scripture study, service to others, and diligent obedience to Heavenly Father’s commandments. To gain and forever hold on to a testimony of gospel truths is worth whatever price in spiritual preparation we may be required to pay.
I don’t remember the first time I bore my testimony – I do remember that coming up to the pulpit was one of the scariest things I ever tried to do. But what I know is that I have had 100’s if not 1000’s of ”personal witness(es) borne to (my) soul by the Holy Ghost that certain facts of eternal significance are true and that (I) know them to be true. Elder Oaks in our last conference talked about how some people have a hard time when someone says they know – he related how someone can know that it is cold outside, which can be proven scientifically. He then stated that you can know you love your spouse – which is personal and subjective unproven by scientific methods.
No comments:
Post a Comment