Stake conf. Mighty change

Our theme for this conference comes from – (Learn more)

Mosiah 5: - Which is after King Benjamin’s final discourse to his people.

In vs. 2 – it reads

And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.

Because of the Spirit, they received a mighty change in their hearts. What a wonderful event this must have been, to result in no one wanting to do evil.

I assume the majority of us here today have had such an event, where the spirit was so strong that it has made a lasting impression for good in our lives. It may not have been as dramatic as King Benjamin’s last sermon.

I’ve related before in stake Conference that such an event happened to me at the age of 12, which left no question in my mind that it was the manifestation of the Holy Ghost. It has been an anchor and strength that I have used many times. Thankfully there have been many more such experiences that have been as powerful and memorable throughout my life.

But, like most people there are times I have struggled to know the will of God and to have the spirit to be with me.

Hearing the “Word of God” and feeling the power of the spirit, can not only change our hearts and lives, but can result in many miracles.

Alma and the Nephites, fearing a war with the wicked Zormites in the Book of Mormon sent missionaries to bring them unto Christ.

Alma 31: 5

And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.

Is there any question why the Lord has asked us to read the scriptures and have FHE with our families?

Indeed it is also our responsibility to try the virtue of the word of God in our lives – to come unto Christ and have a desire to do no evil. I feel it’s important that we understand, as Alma stated - we should try the virtue of the word of God. As a bishop when someone would come in to discuss a serious transgression, I could almost always ask them when they stopped reading the scriptures on a consistent basis. This seeking the “Word of God” accompanied with the power of the Holy Ghost is what changes our hearts and minds. It becomes part of whom or what we are.

It becomes the source of our testimonies and spiritual gifts. It enlightens our minds, fills our souls with joy, teaches us all things, and brings knowledge to our remembrance. The Holy Ghost also “will show unto us all things what we should do.” “And by the power of the Holy Ghost (we) may know the truth of all things.’

What a wonderful gift and source of strength. It’s like studying for a test in school with a friend that has all the answers.

After we were baptized members of the church – we are given the gift of the Holy Ghost. As with all gifts, it must be received and accepted to be enjoyed. When priesthood hands are laid on our heads to confirm us a member of the church – we hear the counsel to “receive the Holy Ghost.” This does not mean that the Holy Ghost will unconditionally become our constant companion. We are given the right to the companionship of the Holy Ghost, but it is a right that we must continue to earn through obedience and worthiness. We cannot and should not take it for granted.

I think that we as members of the church most of the time fail to relies or appreciate what in reality this means.

President Gordon B. Hinckley taught:

How great a blessing it is to have the ministering influence of a member of the Godhead. Think of what this means, the ability and the right to receive the ministrations of a member of the Godhead, to commune with infinite wisdom, infinite knowledge, and infinite power!

We have a right to have the constant companionship with a member of the Godhead – that knows the beginning to the end. Who understands what is in our best interest and what will bring us happiness and eternal joy. The question is – what would we be willing to do for such a gift to be part of our lives.

If truly understood we should be willing to give all we have for this gift.

What are we will to do for the things of the world?

(Story)

British Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton placed an advertisement in a London paper in 1900 in preparation for the National Antarctic Exploration (which failed to reach the South Pole). Shackleton later said of the call for volunteers. “It seemed as though all the men in Great Britain were determined to accompany me, the response was so overwhelming…

(The add read)

MEN WANTED FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY, SMALL WAGES, BITTER COLD, LONG MONTHS OF DARKNESS, CONSTANT DANGER, SAFE RETURN DOUBTFUL, -- (then it said) HONOR AND RECOGNITION IN CASE OF SUCCESS.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the New Testament – Simon after seeing the gift of the Holy Ghost given to others wanted the right to give such a gift.

Acts 8: 18-20

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

Brothers and sisters, this gift is earned only by fulfilling our part of the promises or covenants we have made in the waters of baptism and as we partake of the sacrament on a weekly basis. Indeed the counsel “receive the Holy Ghost” shows it is a process that requires effort and dedication.

Talking about this Elder Wirthlin asked –

Do we enjoy the influence of the Holy Ghost in our (lives and) in our homes? Are we doing anything that is offensive to the Spirit? Can we more effectively invite the Holy Ghost into our (lives and) homes?

He then stated –

(We) need to be more Christ-centered. We should spend more time at the temple and less time in the pursuit of pleasure. We should lower the noise level in our homes so that the noise of the world will not overpower the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost. One of the greatest goals as (individuals and) parents should be to enjoy the power and influence of the Holy Ghost in our homes. We should pray and study the scriptures. We could sing the hymns of the Restoration to invite the Holy Ghost into our home. Regular family home evening will also help.

None of this counsel is new or earth shattering – but as Alma stated to his son Helaman.

- behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass

We must learn it’s only our lack of resolve or dedication that distances use from the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. It is only obtained by obedience – faith in the Savior Jesus Christ – repentance and making the Atonement effective in our lives. Then preparing our hearts and souls to receive it’s influence. I know there are many here today that are faithful, dedicated followers of Christ – but still struggle to feel the influence of the Holy Ghost on a daily bases, let alone as our constant companion.

This should require an evaluation of our lives – are we faithfully doing the list Elder Wirthlin gave? Do we have favorite sins or vices that we justify, trying to convince ourselves that they aren’t really that bad? But in reality are part of the reason the spirit is unable to stay with us.

Nephi warned the saints that Satan - leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever.

A flaxen cord is very small thin tread, which we allow to bind us until he is able to bind us with stronger or more grievous sins or cords. This should warn us that those favorite or small transgressions are far more serious than most of us understand.

But more important than this understanding, is what blessings each of us are missing when the Holy Ghost isn’t part of our life. Too many times we focus on the punishment or pains of our sins – and if we don’t believe they are that painful or serious, we continue to allow them to be a part of our lives.

In reality we should focus on the benefit or reward of our faithfulness. If we have the spirit with us, we immediately know when we have transgressed – which we all do. Then we can take steps to make it right, which allow the spirit to dwell with us. Modern day prophets and seers have told us what some of these blessing are.

President James E. Faust –

The gift of the Holy Ghost is the greatest guarantor of inward peace in an unstable world.

Prophet Joseph Smith-

Holy Ghost will whisper peace and joy to (our) souls; it will take malice, hatred, strife and all evil from our hearts; and (our) desire will be to do good, bring forth righteousness and build the kingdom of God.

President Boyd K. Packer –

We need not live in fear of the future. We have every reason to rejoice and little reason to fear. If we follow the promptings of the Spirit, we will be safe, whatever the future holds. We will be shown what to do.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

The promptings of the Holy Ghost will always be sufficient for our needs if we keep to the covenant path.

Peace, joy, safety, lack of fear, the removal of hate malice and evil. Indeed those with the spirit as less likely to be offended, more apt to fulfill their responsibilities in the kingdom, and more likely to support and strengthen their leaders than to criticize or find fault.

Elder LeGrand Richards, describing the gift of the Holy Ghost, said:

“To me, the gift of the Holy Ghost is as important to man as sunshine and water are to the plants. You take them away, and the plants would die.”

Spiritually, this is the same for each of us. Without the influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives and hearts – we can become spiritual past feeling and without God.

In this months Ensign - President Henry B. Eyring – gives us direction as he stated -

The place to start is with our own hearts. What we want with all our hearts will determine in large degree whether we can claim our right to the companionship of the Holy Ghost, without which there can be no spiritual nourishing…. The Holy Ghost will guide what we say if we study and ponder the scriptures every day. The words of the scriptures invite the Holy Spirit…With daily study of the scriptures, we can count on this blessing even in casual conversations.

Brothers and Sisters – our heart is the key. In section 121 the Lord said many are called but few are chosen. Why, because their hearts are set on the things of the world. King Benjamin’s people had a mighty change of heart – because of the word of God and the manifestation of the Spirit.

What are the desires of our hearts? As President Eyring stated what we want will ALL our heart will determine to a large degree – our right to the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

Do we desire the influence of the spirit more than the momentary pleasure of pornography, than the stimulation of legal or illegal habit forming substances, than the fame and fortune of the world?

Is it our desire to have this great gift - the ministration of a member of the Godhead? Are we willing to fulfill our part of the promise, to “receive the Holy Ghost?”

Then will our theme become a reality in our lives – then will we be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works. Then will Christ the Lord God Omnipotent seal us his. Then will we have everlasting salvation and eternal life in the world to come.

Testimony