Brother and sisters – it’s great to be here. This session of conference is the first for many of you – as it has replaced your primary, Sunday school, YM & YW today. I would like to welcome each of you young people with your parents. Others of you this is the second or third session of our stake conference that you have been invited to attended. Now whether you attended those sessions is another matter.
Some of you may think you have to listen to the members of the stake presidency quite often. I hope that what I have prepared today will be beneficial to each of you and give you some direction and help in strengthening your testimonies.
All of us have had individuals in our lives that have strengthened – taught and helped us in our times of need. Many of these people in my life have come from the pages of the scriptures.
I don’t know how it worked in the preexistence, what events in the history of the world we were able to witness or participate in, or if that was even possible. We know from the scriptures that at the birth of the Savior there was heavenly host singing praise to God – if my voice in the preexistence was the same as it is now – I may not have been invited. What would it have been like to see the children of Israel leave Egypt, Elisha calling fire down from heaven to witness the existence of the true and living God. To be there and see the faith of the stripling warriors fighting for the liberty of mothers.
If we were allowed to see some of these events as they had transpired, which ones would have been at the top of your list – most of us would have included any event where the Savior was present? His birth, His appearance to the Nephite’s – His atoning sacrifices. That one may have been hard for us to see – knowing that it was our actions that caused His suffering. But understanding the great plan of salvation - I’m sure we would have known that the price had been paid and that the gate had been opened.
We know that during His suffering the Savior was able to see His seed - or those of us that would make the atonement effective in their lives. I’m sure that gave Him straight during His time of need – He knew it was necessary for all of us. With this act, we now have the opportunity to return and live with God. What a waste it would be if we failed to make it effective in our lives.
Another event that would be on MY list was the last address of King Benjamin gave to the people with whom he served and loved.
His sermon was so powerful that all the people believed his words – the scripture states
“ They all cried with one voice, saying: Yea we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us;”
Then it tells what the spirit did to them –
“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.”
Can you imagine how powerful the spirit must have been, to have such an impact on the whole kingdom?
Like most of the ancient prophets - we know very little about Benjamin’s youth, his trials, challenges and victories. But we do know a little more about his father. He was the first King Mosiah – a prophet, seer and revelator. He translated ancient records. He was the one that received the revelation from the Lord for himself and his people to leave the land of Nephi or be destroyed by the Lamanites. It appears to me that they didn’t know where they were going when they left, as the scriptures say –
(They) “Harkened unto the voice of the Lord and they were led by many preaching and prophesying…and they were led by the power of his arm.”
We don’t know how old Benjamin was at that time – was he in primary, perhaps even scared that they were leaving their homes and not knowing where they were going. On that journey they were led to the land of Zarahemla and to the people of Mulek – who had also been brought out of Jerusalem around the time of Lehi. These people were more numerous than the Nephities but had forgotten their God and the language of their fathers.
Mosiah set up the means whereby they started to teach them their language and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Was Benjamin a young man at this time and had an opportunity to serve as a missionary preaching the gospel? Is this when he started to learn to love these people, or were these events the beginning of Benjamin’s religious education and the strengthening of his testimony? When did Benjamin receive his testimony – was it at the feet of his prophet father – was it a manifestation of peace and safety that came from these experiences? I’m sure it was all of these – line upon line, precept on precept - just as each of us today have the opportunity to receive ours.
After Benjamin was made King – they had many wars and much bloodshed. Under his leadership the Lamanities were driven out of the land. These are the things we know about Benjamin before his sermon. Then he reiterated things that were common knowledge among his people. He had served them without receiving personal gain – he always had done the things of God first –
“When you are in the service of your fellow beings you are only in the service of your God.”
Something that is important to point out is that his father, a prophet of God – set him apart also as a prophet seer and revelator, and consecrated him as their king. Given the keys of the priesthood and the kingdom of God. After doing the best he could – which apparently was amazing. Now he was giving his last declaration, testimony and instruction to those with whom he had been given responsibility to serve. He didn’t seek that responsibility, but it was given to him from the Lord,
Where did he receive that message –why was it so important? He received it from and angel of God – it was the message that the Lord wanted to give to the people at that time. That is the responsibility of all prophets – it’s also the responsibility of all followers of Christ that are given the opportunity to teach or lead in the kingdom of God. Revelation can and should be apart of every church calling as it relates to the responsibilities of that call. This is also true when it come to the workings of a righteous family.
Brother and sisters – a patriarchal blessing is a very personal and sacred thing. One of the greatest blessings I received in mine was the promise that the angels of God know me and will administer to my needs. Unlike Benjamin – I haven’t had an angel appear to me and give the content of my talk today – but I have fasted and prayed for the guidance of the Lord and the spirit and power of the Holy Ghost to know what I should say. Like the rest of the stake presidency I too haven’t sought this responsibility. Shortly we will hear from President Hislop and President Larsen.
President Larsen holds the keys of authority for this stake - he is the one, with our support that receives revelation for the events related to the church in this area. Those that are chosen by the Lord to serve in these positions and also as general authorities – have another thing in common with Benjamin – he stated,
“ But I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind.”
Occasionally some people have problem with the church and lose their testimony because of the weaknesses of its members – leaders or not. He without sin cast the first stone. I’ve on occasion offended some of you, for which I am sorry. Please forgive me and anyone else that is standing in the way of you receiving the spirit of the Lord and the direction you need in your life.
Twice a year we have general conference – where we receive instruction from the general authorities of the church. At this time it is similar to King Benjamin’s discourse – these men are the ones that we sustain as prophets, seers and revolators. I’m sure that their messages are prepared with much fasting – prayer and revelation from the Savior on what He wants His people to know at this time.
Some of us might rightly say that they talk about the same subjects over and over – How great would it be if we had the same reaction that Benjamin’s people did and actually started following the counsel so they wouldn’t have to repeat themselves.
--All of you primary children – would you please do me a favor? Would you please remind your parents each day to read the scriptures together and have family prayer? Would you please make sure that each of your families has Family Home Evening every Monday night.
--To the youth of the stake – would you please make sure that you or any of your friends never use the Lord’s name in vain – or any other swear words. Would you please - at all cost remain morally clean and make sure your not the one to causes someone else to break that sacred commandment.
--To the holders of the priesthood – would you please promise me that you will always live worthy of that sacred responsibility? So if asked you could use that priesthood to help those in need. Also promise the Lord today that you will never / or never again look at pornography – that demeans the sacred covenants of marriage, belittles your mothers – wife’s – sisters and daughters.
--To the women of the stake, would you please understand how you dress effects the choices you and those around you - are and will make. Understand that you are of great worth – Satan desires you to believe you need to look a curtain way and that you need to be successful in the eyes of the world in order to be happy. These are lies.
--To everyone here today – would you please be nice to each other. Open up your circles of friendships to include those that need help and feel so alone. Would all of us forgive those that have made mistakes – and not hold it against them for the rest of their life? If I recall that would include everyone here. Share your faith and love of the Savior with those around you – trust in Him, stop being so negative.
Brothers and sisters – the list could go on and on. These are all things that we have heard from those given responsibility to guide and direct us. But I would venture to say that more that one of these requests is needed for every one of us.
In Oct. Conference – Elder Duncan – 70’s said:
Surely one of the crowning blessings of membership in this church is the blessing of being led by living prophets of God…. The prophet and President of the church today Thomas S. Monson receives Gods word for the entire membership of the church and for the world, in addition, we sustain as prophets, seers, and revolators the counselors in the First Presidency and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Brothers and sisters, the words of the prophets aren’t always popular or what the world or the learned think that is correct – but it will always be what is best for our eternal progression and personal happiness.
As Elder Duncan stated the prophet speaks for the Lord to the members of the church and to the world. The question is are we listening and following that counsel?
We as members of the Church are a weird or odd lot - of course some of us are weirder than others. We profess that our priesthood leaders can receive revelation and guidance to show us the way. We believe there are prophets, seers and revolator that can give us information that will bring us peace, direction and hope in these uncertain times. But statistically only a third of our members show up to stake conference - we don't know what percentage watches general conference. Or are we just excited it's a week off from our responsibilities. Do we know what they are saying?
Now I know I'm saying this to the ones that showed up - not the ones that decided to stay home and sleep-in. But is the Ensign that reprints the prophets words sitting on our end table unopened or is it tattered and torn as you search it's pages wanting to know what the prophets have told us at this time.
I've hear on many occasions members concerns about the world in general and how hard thing are or are becoming. In our last conference there was a lot of council on this matter. Bishop Edgley looked at it with a different perspective in his sermon entitled "How faith is a choice" - He stated:
"We live in one of the greatest dispensations of all times - a time former prophets looked forward to, prophesied of, and, I believe, yearned for. However with all the heavenly blessings bestowed upon us, Satan, ever so real, is ever so active, and conflicting messages are continually bombarding all of us."
Brother and sisters from these comments we can see where those feelings of doom, gloom and fear are coming from - when in reality we are privileged to live in one of the greatest time in the history of the world.
Elder Neal Anderson - of the Twelve gave us hope when he stated:
"The Lord has not left us alone in our quest to return to him. Listen to his warning words alerting us to the danger ahead: Take ..heed, watch and pray. Beware lest ye... be deceived. Be watchful and careful. Beware lest ye also .. fall from your own stedfastness."
Perhaps my favorite comment in our last conference - relating to this matter was given by Elder Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve when he stated:
"God will not always reward you immediately according to your desires, Rather, God will respond with what in His eternal plan is best for you, when it will yield the greatest advantage. Be thankful that some times God lets you struggle for a long time before the answer comes. That causes faith to increase and your character to grow."
"If you have determined to live righteously, don't become discouraged, life my seem difficult now, but hold tight to that iron rod of truth, You are making better progress than you realize. Your struggles are defining character, discipline and confidence."
Brother and sisters, that quote is full of wonderful and difficult information. He says that God many times doesn't immediately reward us - He lets us struggle for a long time - life may be difficult.
But the positives in his comments far out weigh the negatives. God will respond according to His eternal plan what is best for each of us - when it will yield the greatest advantage. He told us the answer will come - your faith, character, discipline and confidence will grow. You are making better progress than you realize.
Those are great words that can give us strenght. But among his words is a responsibility and challenges - what we must do to make these promises come true.
Be thankful- God allows us to struggle, but we should also have gratitude for all of our blessings as well. Be determined to live rigthously. Don't be discouraged. Hold tight to the iron rod of truth.
We've learned the iron rod is the word of God - we find that word through our teachers and leaders - through the words of the living prophets - and in the Scriptures that we should be studying daily. Then the greatest manifestations of His word comes to each of us through revelation and the power of the Holy Ghost - confirming those sources and the fact that God lives and Jesus is the Christ.
Those that know me very well - know that I don't have much of a fashion sense - today I'm wearing a beautiful gold tie - which also happens to be the color of the Young Women's new value of virtue. This tie was given to me as a present from our stake Young Women's presidency because I was able to complete the challenge they gave to all the youth of our stake - to read the Book of Mormon and underline all the references to the Savior Jesus Christ - I also included any reference that had anything to do with any member of the Godhead.
As great as this tie is - it nothing compared to the other gift I received. I received further witness that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ. That he loves me and is guiding and directing my life. This manifestation has also come to me as I have read the words of the living prophets testifing of the truthfulness of this great work - and trying to follow their teachings.
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