Stake Conf -2/5/2012 Sunday Morning, Primary Children, Who you are.

Good morning brothers and sisters, it's great to see you all here, especially the primary children.

Today I would like to speak to the young people in the audience. King Benjamin in Mosiah chapter 3, said we needed to humble ourselves and become as little children! Now, I've been reminded many times, this means we should be child like - not childish. So if we follow this counsel, each of us should be able to listen in as well.

I know it's hard to believe, but I remember when I was your age. When I was a kid we would come to this same tabernacle for stake conference. I loved this building, I would sit in the windows in the balcony, today those benches are a little harder than the rest of the seats, but, back then they were all the same, as none of the rows or benches had cushions. They didn't broadcast the session to another building, that wasn't possible. In those days we had four stake conferences a year and we always had a general authority in attendance. I remember seeing a number of members of the quorum of the twelve and other great speakers.

I don't remember what they all looked like - I'm sure some of them were old - bald - fat guys like me. I don't remember exactly what they all said, but I remember how I felt when I heard them speak. You wont remember all that is said here today, but I want all of you to try to pay attention and ask Heavenly Father to help you feel the power of the Holy Ghost, to know that what is being said is true, that God lives and He loves you.

I know that I was still in primary when I heard President Benson - before he became the President of the church. I remember he held the podium on both sides and in his strong loud voice bore testimony that God lives and Jesus is the Christ, and Savior of the world. I'm sure I remember him a little more because he grew up in Cache Valley and his wife was from my home ward.

A few years later when I was a young man - President Monson, our current Prophet - then a member of the twelve, came and called one of my hero's from my ward as our new Stake Patriarch. This is the same man that gave me my Patriarchal Blessing. That revelation has been a blue print or guide for me, most of my life. It's a personal revelation just for me and the challenges I'm going through. There are very few months that go by that I don't read it. It is a strength, and has given me hope during the difficult times. But even with this I have made mistakes or done things that haven't turned out like they should.

Now some of you young people might wounded if God really knows you or cares what is going on in your lives. I don't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable, but just over a month ago members from two different families in our stake went through a scary but amazing experience. The car they were traveling in went off the road in Logan Canyon and into the river, the events that followed were nothing short of miraculous - instantly individuals willingly sprang into action, not thinking of possible consequences, these earthly angels received heavenly assistance - it isn't an coincidence that the right people were on the seen so quickly.

These primary children - went through one of the most difficult situations possible - but their families are amazed at the number of blessings they have received. There is no doubt that they received assistance from a Loving Heavenly Father. The many miracles that transpired are a testimony of the love and knowledge of their existence to our loving Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ.

The circumstances and unsought attention have been difficult for them to accept or understand - but we continue to pray for their recovery and well being. Thankfully the majority of us will not be asked to endure such an event, but God is just as aware or concerned about each of our lives and is willing to give us the assistance we may need.

No matter your age - the Lord is aware of your circumstances and will help you to know what is right. He will help you to know that he is there and will give you a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. No matter what you do, don't give up, or think God will abandon you.

Last Sunday night, I attended a fireside at USU where Elder Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve talked about the Prophet Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith was only 14 year of age when he entered the sacred grove and God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him.

Elder Holland said: "The Lord starts early (in someone's life) if they allow him to." One of the most spiritual experiences in my life happened when I was 12 years old as I entered that same sacred grove, I receive a manifestation that the Church is true. That manifestation has influenced my life ever since that day. The interesting part is that I knew what the spirit felt like when it came - so I had felt it for years before in primary and at home.

Sadly, this ability to influence the youth of the church is also known by Satan as well. At an earlier and earlier age, he is trying to destroy the innocence and purity of Gods children. Pornography is flooding the earth, Satan is even using cartoons to spread this filth. The question isn't if we will see these things - but when! The next question is what or how will we react when they enter our lives and the lives of our children.

I have related before an example of someone dear to me that has lost everything - his family, profession, and membership in the church because of this addiction. It started at the age of nine - when he and a friend found a video at his friends house, these people were supposedly active members of the church. Those images have never left his recollection, and have caused him to seek other harmful avenues to satisfy these carnal desires. Parents and adults - why would we ever allow these things to enter our homes in any form. President Hinckley called it a plague - would you knowingly bring a deadly virus home to infect your family?

You young people - and also you older people - never view these images or bad pictures, run from them, don't surf the web without your parents knowing which sites your looking at. If you come across something that makes you feel uncomfortable - shut it off and never go back. The Holy Ghost will help you understand what is good or bad.

Satan has given us other lies. Never use tobacco or alcohol. Modern Prophets have also told us this includes any type of addictive drug. Some Doctors and scientist have even gone as far as to say things like marijuana aren't bad for you and should be legalized - this is a lie. How do I know it's a lie? Because someone that knows far more than any of us - God the Father and His son Jesus Christ have told us it is a lie through their Prophets. These substances are addictive and will dull your spiritual senses - making it harder, or impossible to have the influence of the Holy Ghost in your life. Didn't at one time these supposed intellectuals tell the people that the world was flat?

Make the decision today - never to use these things! True happiness and joy can only come through obedience to the laws God has given us. Parents and grandparents - make these things topics of conversation individually with your children and grandchildren - this should also be a topic for family home evening as well. We should be having these conversations a lot sooner than perhaps we have ever realized.

Now I don't want to spend anymore time talking about the bad things that are around you. Because there are so many that are good. There is a song that each of you have song hundreds of times during your short lives. It's - "I am a child of God." There are no truer words written in song - I testify, that you are literally a child of God. Not only does he know you - but you have a personal relationship with him. When we see him again you will recognize him and remember the love he has for you. He has sent you to this earth to receive a physical body, he has given you a home, parents, friends and church leaders that love you and will guide and direct you. While we are here on the earth, we need to gain faith and testimonies, and to receive the ordinances that allow us to return to live with Him eternally.

All of the other things or desires that you may have, such as being popular, rich, or famous are not important - in reality if we put them before the things of God, they will be detrimental to your eternal progression and happiness. As we do the things He asks us to do - He will help us to understand what is important. Indeed, He has given us great blessings and opportunities.

Brothers and sisters, we have each came to this earth with unique personalities and talents. The training of our parents, our experiences and the decisions we make along the way, can enhance these God given characteristics and helps us to gain more talents and abilities. We have been told that we were sent to this earth to be tried, tested, and prove that we will be obedient and faithful no matter what the situations we are placed under. All of us will make mistakes - thats OK, just make sure you try to make them better. These experiences, good and bad, change our outlook, abilities, and personality. Remember that you are wonderful and are a child of God, which means you have a lot of potential.

When we came to this earth we have earthly parents. For the most part they do a wonderful job. Help your parents out, smile, be happy and know that they love you. Physically we inherit certain characteristics passed down through our parents. Some of these characteristics, good and bad, dictate what you look like and some of the health concerns that you may face. Some of us are short, some are tall, some of us don't have hair. Don't be as concerned with what you look like on the outside, be more concerned with what you act like and what you are inside. Look at the positives - you know I don't have to spend anytime each day combing my hair.

Just like we inherit characteristics from our earthly parents, we inherit spiritual characteristics and abilities from our Heavenly parents. When we act on them, we become more like Him. This allows us to return to live in His presence. Because he wants us to return to live with him, he has sent our older brother Jesus Christ to show us how to make it back. We need to remember he is our brother and loves us. We need to read his teachings, counsel and guidance. We do this as we read the scriptures, tell your parents tonight that you want to read the scriptures together as a family. Our father and brother wants to hear from us, we do this as we pray. Tell them how much you love them, thank them for what they have done for you. Pray to them more than one time a day - pray individually and as a family.

Stake Conf. Sat Evening 2/4/2012, Hearts of Fathers

A few weeks ago I had a wonderful experience. All of you know the Stake Presidency and High Counsel on the third Sunday, attend and speak in each ward. As members of the Stake Presidency we do not speak as often as the High Counsel, so there are a few ward's I haven't spoken to in years. Accompanying the stake representative is a recently returned missionary.

The missionary assigned to me that day was my son, who had recently returned from his mission in Argentina. The change that comes over these young men and women during their missions is amazing. These young people leave as boys and girls and come home as powerful servants of God. So the normally wonderful experience, was enhanced by the love and excitement of being with my son. I told the congregation that I anticipated that he would use a certain scripture - 1 Nephi 1:1 - adding his own name in the verse to give it more meaning.

"I (Spencer) having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father."

Now, I was kidding when I brought it up - but, I do hope that this is one of the things he feels he could say. I remember as I was preparing my remarks, I searched the scriptures looking for verses that had to do with the love or an association of a parent and their child.

My favorite one I found was in the beginning of Mormon's epistle to his son Moroni given in Moroni 8: 2-3.

"My beloved son, Moroni, I rejoice exceedingly that your Lord Jesus Christ hath been mindful of you, and hath called you to his ministry, and to his holy work."

"I am mindful of you always in my prayers, continually praying unto God the Father in the name of his Holy Child, Jesus, that he, through his infinite goodness and grace, will keep you through the endurance of faith on his name to the end."

Every loving parent would hope and pray that God would keep and support their children. Their salvation and progression is / or should be our top priority. We all get excited when our loved ones are worthy and used by the Lord to future his kingdom.

These feeling aren't just for our children - but they are also for our parents and extended families, and they for us. One of the greatest mysteries of the gospel to the world is that these relationships and concerns reach beyond the vail and are eternal in nature.

When is the last time / or have you ever stopped to personalize the existence of your ancestors. Your greater grand parents first kiss - the love they had for their children. The heart ache of losing one of their children. These shouldn't just be names on a sheet of paper - they are individuals that danced, sang and hopefully enjoyed life and the love of their family. I don't know if they thought much about us - but if they did they wanted us to be happy and have the things we need. I'm sure they also want these family relationships to continue and grow into the eternities. This can only do done in the temples of God, which most of our Ancestors didn't have an opportunity to attend.

I read a quote the other day from President Hinckley that made me think a little differently about how significant temple work and redeeming the dead should be. He pointed out that the words of the Prophet Malachi forecasting the coming of Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers, was given multiple time to the Prophet Joseph Smith, long before he received the golden plates, before he received the priesthood, was baptized or even the church of Jesus Christ was organized. That night and morning as the angel Moroni appeared to the young prophet four times - each time he recited this declaration. Quoting it slightly different than what is printed in the King James Bible. Indeed this message was so important to the restoration of the gospel and the salvation of all mankind that it needed to be given in a method that would not be forgotten.

One might ask what this statement means?

"To turn the hearts" In a recent church publication it states - "(It) means that individuals and families feel a spiritual awakening as they serve their deceased relatives and experience the joy of being active participants in a fundamental part of Heavenly Father's plan of salvation. Participation in temple and family history work touches the soul as the Holy Ghost bears witness to the eternal nature of families."

On April 3, 1836, the Prophet Elijah appeared in the Kirtland Temple and restored the keys of the sealing power, fulfilling the prophecy that had been given. Enabling families to be sealed together forever. "Whatsoever is bound on earth would be bound in heaven."

This made it possible for that eternal nature to be completed. Families to be together forever.

Elder Russell M Nelson - stated.

" Elijah came to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers. With that, natural affection between generations began to be enriched. This restoration was accomplished by what is sometimes called the Spirit of Elijah -- a manifestation of the Holy Ghost bearing witness of the divine nature of the family."

I believe it is important to point out that the Spirit of Elijah - is in reality a manifestation of the Holy Ghost. The mission of the Holy Ghost is to bear witness of the the Father and His Son Jesus Christ - and the importance of their gospel and teachings. The Spirit of Elijah brings with it an increased desire to redeem those that haven't had the opportunity to receive the blessings of the gospel. There's a joy and excitements that comes through these experiences. Those of us that have participated in finding and redeeming the dead cherish those experiences and the spirit that accompanies it.

President Thomas S Monson -

"In my own family, some of our most sacred and treasured experiences have occurred when we have joined together in the temple to preform sealing ordinances for our deceased ancestors.... The all-important and crowning blessings of membership in the church are those blessings which we receive in the temples of God."

In our stake conference last October I spoke of some of my ancestors that I was able to find and take to the temple. In November, a month later - the day after our son returned from his mission, we as a family went to the temple and preformed the baptisms and confirmations for a 100 individuals. All nine of our immediate family members were there to participate. Our son who had been away for two years was able to baptize his sisters and mother for individuals that hadn't had the opportunity in this life to receive these wonderful blessings. I was then able to performed the confirmations. Like President Monson this has become one of my most sacred treasured experiences.

The events surrounding the process of finding and performing the ordinances of salvation for my ancestors have been immeasurable. The Spirit of Elijah had changed my being - whom and what I am. On multiple occasions I have found names - seemingly by accident that weren't there just a short time before. I've had impressions that names belonged to a certain family, when everything on the screen seemed to shows otherwise, only to link those names together a short time later. Perhaps the most miraculous part of this experience, is that just six months ago I sat in a training meeting given by Elder Bednar, where he talked about our participation in this great work of redeeming the dead. I thought how I had never found an individual to take to the temple - the spirit bore witness to me that I needed to change that.

Now as a family, we have found 100's of names and preformed 100's of ordinances. A few months ago my wife and I went to the temple for our ward temple night. Another couple convinced us to skip the session and do some sealing. None of the names being sealed that night were ones that I had found. What took place in that sealing room is perhaps the most spiritual experience I have had during this process - I was overcome with the spirit, I felt the presence of my ancestors - those whom's names I have been working on. The message was extremely clear - this was their ultimate goal, to be sealed together as families. Tears filled my eyes and I literally started to quiver. Lori sat next to me and asked what was wrong. I relayed to her some of what I was feeling. I was allowed to feel their presence - even though none of their names were being done that night. What a wonderful tender experience this was. These feelings have helped me to continue to accomplish this work.

Brothers and sisters, it takes time to do the temple work for so many individuals. But in the next few week we as a family will go to the temple and start the final ordinances for those first names - the binding of individuals and families for eternity. I envision - maybe a bit selfishly, all of those spirits - that were connected on earth, will be there to be bound together eternally. Perhaps my deceased parents will be allowed to join in - maybe these are some of the individuals that they have been teaching in the spirit world. Perhaps they may say, it's about time - Paul got this done.

Brothers and sisters I have had some extremely strong impressions why I have had so much success in this area. First, that my ancestors have accepted the gospel and are excited to partake of the blessings and ordinances necessary for their eternal salvation. Second it has been a tender mercy and testimony builder in my life that I have so desperately needed. The amount of revelation and personal inspiration is one of the strongest I have ever experienced. I still have many areas of growth that need to take place. But my testimony of the existence of a loving Father and the Savior Jesus Christ are as strong as they have ever been. And lastly, I have felt an increased responsibility to inspire and testify to the members of this wonderful stake and my extended family the importance of this great work. There are millions of spirits anxiously awaiting their opportunity to partake of these blessings. Many of which have connections to each of us in this room. If your having a hard time finding a name to take to the temple - keep trying, our ancestors know where their records are and will help you find them. But still continue to go to the temple to do the works for the names that are already there. If you don't hold a current temple recommend or have never been to the temple - don't wait another moment to do the things necessary to make these blessing part of your life.

7th Ward -Coming unto Christ

Brothers and sisters - we are told to liken the scriptures unto our selfs. I thought that my son may use -

1 Nephi 1:1

I (Spencer) having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all of the learning of my father.

That would have been great - but perhaps a more realistic scripture would be in -

Alma 56: 47-48 (speaking of the stripping warriors).

....they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

And they rehearsed unto me all the words of their mothers, saying: we do not doubt that our mothers knew it.

I heard a talk once wondering why they didn't mention their fathers - if you recall these young me came from the Lamanites - whom covenanted not to take up arm against their breathers. At their first encounter - hundred of these men were killed without fighting back. Many of these young very likely grew up in single parent homes. Mothers testifying to the of the truthfulness of the gospel.

Indeed the poet William Wallace's words - "The hand that rocks the cradle, is the hand that rules the world." Is true.

This isn't the setting to debate why I think my son had a successful mission - or understands the workings of the spirit in his life up to this point.

But it is a place to discuss what brings us to / or allows us to receive the spirit as a constant companion in our lives. To come unto the Savior and receive the promised blessings of the gospel.

All of us have heard hundreds of analogies or examples of what we need to do in order to have and keep the spirit. Being somewhat simple minded I can sort of understand how a radio or cell phone works - apparently there are hundreds if not thousands of sound waves all around us. Despite everyone of us in the room having a phone - mine will only ring when the proper steps are taken. We need to fine tune our receiver to pick up the message that is being given. When we tune in to the possible choices - like in our car, there are both good and bad choices that we can listen to. If we do not follow the proper steps, or our receivers are broken or just if we fell to turn to the proper frequency - the spirit will not, or better yet - can't abide with us.

I would suggest that there are three basis steps of categories to receiving the spirit and Coming unto the Savior.

The first step in receive this wonderful gift is the desire to have it as part of our lives. "Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you." This may seem simple or even a bit odd - because who wouldn't want to have the spirit in their lives or be close to the Savior?

In section 121 of the D&C the Savior talked about those that are not chosen because their hearts are set so much on the things of the world and aspire to the honors of men. Brothers and sisters, is there anything that we knowingly or perhaps even unconsciously choosing that takes precedence over our desires of having the spirit - these people have not learned or can't understand that certain steps need to be taken in order to receive the promised blessings. If we truly have the desire to be close to the spirit - it will happen (period).

This then focuses the solution or problem directly back to the question - how strong is your personal desires to come unto Christ?

The rest of the verse in section 121 bring up the second step to receiving the spirit and Coming unto Christ. "The power of heaven can not be controlled or handle, only upon the principles of righteousness." Brother and Sisters we need to be righteous and obedient to Gods commands. The spirit can not dwell in an unrighteous setting. It may be able to bare witness or guide us in a direction of truth or show us some of the things we need to change. "But when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vane ambition, or to exercise control, or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man."

It then tells us that anyone in this condition is left unto themselves - left without the spirit.

The third step that I would like to discuss is that we need to continually add fuel to our fires - so to speak. We need to make sure that we are continuing to learn, serve and come closer to the Savior through personal prayer, scripture study and revelation.. When someone fails to feed their testimonies - complacency, idealess, apathy enters the heart - effecting their desires to come unto the Savior and opening the doors of sin.

I had the opportunity to attend a meeting the other day where they talked about some of the reason certain youth have left the church or have become less active - the second largest group that has fallen away from the church is that of return missionaries. This makes no logical sense to me. They told us that these young people are so involved in study, prayer and doing good for others - that when they get home, there seem to be a void - a let down of sorts. The worries of the world, the honors of men begin to creek in and become more important. Satan sees this as a perfect opportunity to instill doubt, discouragement which allowing the carnal desires of sin to take root. There is no greater counsel than The Lord's warning to watch and pray always - lest we enter into temptation.

It doesn't matter what stage of life we are in - if we fail to have a constant flow of spiritual knowledge and experience in our lives - that space will be replaced with the suggestions or teaching of Satan.

Some people seemingly have a hard time reading the scriptures on a continual basis - (two of my prized possession).