Saturday Morning Session
It Works!
President Dieter F. UchtdorfSecond Counselor in the First Presidency
What is the difference between those whose experience in the Church fills their souls with songs of redeeming love and those who feel something is lacking? …
… All of us, as members of the Church, we need to make a conscientious effort to devote our energy and time to the things that truly matter, while uplifting our fellowmen and building the kingdom of God. …
Brothers and sisters, if you ever think that the gospel isn’t working so well for you, I invite you to step back, look at your life from a higher plane, and simplify your approach to discipleship. Focus on the basic doctrines, principles, and applications of the gospel. I promise that God will guide and bless you on your path to a fulfilling life, and the gospel will definitely work better for you. …
God will take you as you are at this very moment and begin to work with you. All you need is really a willing heart, a desire to believe, and trust in the Lord. …
As you exercise a little faith and begin your walk as a peaceable follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, your heart will change. Your whole being will be filled with light.
God will help you become something greater than you ever thought possible. And you will discover that the gospel of Jesus Christ is indeed working in your life.
God Is at the Helm
Elder M. Russell Ballardof the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Clearly, our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ have outfitted the Old Ship Zion with clear and simple eternal truths that will help us stay the course through the troubled waters of mortal life. Here are just a few. …
… Make no mistake about it: the Lord directs His Church through living prophets and apostles. This is the way He has always done His work. …
A second truth is the doctrine of the plan of salvation. … [It] is a map of where we came from, our purpose here on earth, and where we are going when we die. …
Another key truth in the Church is that Heavenly Father created Adam and Eve for a lofty purpose. It was their charge—and, subsequently, the charge of their posterity—to create mortal bodies for God’s spirit children so they could experience mortality. By this process, Heavenly Father sends His spirit children to earth to learn and grow through the experiences of earth life. …
Another important doctrine that we should cling to is to observe the Sabbath day. …
God’s plan is in place. He is at the helm, and His great and powerful ship flows toward salvation and exaltation. Remember we cannot reach there by jumping out of the boat and trying to swim there by ourselves.
The Joy of Living a Christ-Centered Life
Elder Richard J. Maynesof the Presidency of the Seventy
The world in which we live is putting great pressure on good people everywhere to lower or even abandon their standards of righteous living. However, despite the evils and temptations that surround us each day, we can and will find true joy today in living a Christ-centered life. …
The world in which we live is similar to the potter’s spinning wheel, and the speed of that wheel is increasing. Like the clay on the potter’s wheel, we must be centered as well. Our core, the center of our lives, must be Jesus Christ and His gospel. Living a Christ-centered life means we learn about Jesus Christ and His gospel and then we follow His example and keep His commandments with exactness. …
If our lives are centered in Jesus Christ, He can successfully mold us into who we need to be in order to return to His and Heavenly Father’s presence in the celestial kingdom. The joy we experience in this life will be in direct proportion to how well our lives are centered on the teachings, example, and atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Yielding Our Hearts to God
Neill F. MarriottSecond Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency
How do we, a modern, busy, competitive people, become yielded and still? How do we make the Lord’s ways our ways? I believe that we begin by learning of Him and praying for understanding. As our trust in Him grows, we open our hearts and seek to do His will, and wait for answers that will help us understand. …
When we open ourselves to the Spirit, we learn God’s way and feel His will. During the sacrament, which I call the heart of the Sabbath, I have found that after praying for forgiveness of sins, it is instructive for me to ask Heavenly Father, “Father, is there more?” When we are yielded and still, our minds can be directed to something more we may need to change—something limiting our capacity to receive spiritual guidance or even healing and help. …
When we offer our broken heart to Jesus Christ, He accepts our offering. He takes us back. No matter what losses, wounds, and rejection we may have suffered, His grace and healing are mightier than all. Truly yoked to the Savior, we can say with confidence, “It will all work out.”
The Course of Steady Improvement
Elder Larry R. Lawrenceof the Seventy
The journey of discipleship is not an easy one. It has been called a “course of steady improvement.” As we travel along the strait and narrow path, the Spirit continually challenges us to be better and to climb higher. The Holy Ghost makes an ideal traveling companion. If we are humble and teachable, He will take us by the hand and lead us home.
However, we need to ask the Lord for directions along the way. We have to ask some difficult questions—questions like “What do I need to change?” “How can I improve?” “What weakness needs strengthening?” …
I would like to suggest that each of you participate in a spiritual exercise sometime soon, perhaps even tonight while saying your prayers. Humbly ask the Lord the following question: “What is keeping me from progressing?” In other words: “What lack I yet?” Then wait quietly for a response. If you are sincere, the answer will soon become clear. It will be revelation intended just for you. …
If spiritual growth is not a priority in our lives, if we are not on a course of steady improvement, we will miss out on the important experiences that God wants to give us.
The Pleasing Word of God
Elder Francisco J. Viñasof the Seventy
Many of us who are meeting to participate in this conference have come “to hear the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul” (Jacob 2:8). That word can be found in the scriptures and in the messages from our leaders, bringing us hope and comfort in the darkness of affliction. …
The pleasing word of God invites us to use the power of the Atonement of Christ to apply it to ourselves and become reconciled with His will—and not with the will of the devil and the flesh—so we, through His grace, can be saved (see 2 Nephi 10:24–25). …
It is my prayer that we may experience the joy that comes from striving to live in righteousness and that we may keep the companionship of the Holy Ghost in our lives through sincere and continuous repentance. We will become better people, and our families will be blessed.
Shipshape and Bristol Fashion
Elder Quentin L. Cookof the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
In order to overcome the challenges and temptations that each of us inevitably face, it will require righteous preparation and the use of divinely provided protections. We must determine to be temple worthy regardless of what befalls us. If we are prepared, we shall not fear. …
How, then, do we prepare in such a difficult time? In addition to being temple worthy, there are many principles that contribute to righteousness. I will emphasize three.
First: Righteous Self-Control and Conduct …
A principle of eternal progression is that exercising self-control and living righteously strengthens our ability to resist temptation. …
Second: Honoring the Sabbath Will Increase Righteousness and Be a Protection for the Family …
… Honoring the Sabbath is a form of righteousness that will bless and strengthen families, connect us with our Creator, and increase happiness. …
Third: Divine Protections Are Provided When We Are Righteous
As part of God’s divine plan, we are blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost. … The Spirit will help us avoid temptations and dangers, and comfort and lead us through challenges.
