This morning we had the opportunity to gather and hear uplifting words of counsel from our Stake Presidency and from Elder Gerrit W. Gong, Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Elder Anthony D. Perkins and Elder Dallin H. Oaks. What a blessing the technology we have provides, that allows us to meet for such conferences!
As with previous conferences, I am sharing my notes. I was scribbling as fast as I could and I kept thinking "President Mitchell talk slower!" I know I missed many things, but hope that my notes will help each of you recall the things you heard and the messages that spoke to your heart and mind. I asked Helen Stanger and Mendy Hunter to also take notes from the talks given by President Towne and President Peterson at the Clarksville and Eldersburg buildings. I appreciate their help!
-Lorie Pierce
President James Mitchell
President Mitchell began with reminding us that our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy. He provided a plan and sent Jesus Christ to atone for us and teach us His Gospel. Heavenly Father loves all His children and through Jesus Christ provided a way for even His deceased children to enjoy the blessings of the Gospel.
He quoted from
President Henry B. Eyring's most recent General Conference talk, from Malachi 4 and from D&C 128 - in which the Prophet Joseph Smith speaks of "a voice of gladness for the living and the dead".
In referencing D&C 128 again, he said that many of our ancestors may have waited a long time to have someone from their descendants accept the gospel and be baptized, receive the temple covenants and then find them to take their name to the temple. He asked: Will you help set them free? Will you find their names and go to the temple to provide their ordinances? Will you come to the assistance of your dear ones? He reminded us that the salvation of our ancestors is necessary to our salvation.
He expressed a hope that each of us will feel the urgency of doing the family history and temple work for our ancestors. That especially with the upcoming closing of the Washington DC temple for approximately two years, that we would feel the urgency of this work of salvation - this work to help our ancestors. He encouraged those who are not ready to enter the temple, to still participate in the work through finding their ancestors.
President Mitchell quoted from the
Roots Tech presentation given by Elder Russell M. Nelson:
“I invite you to prayerfully consider what kind of sacrifice—and preferably a sacrifice of time—you can make to do more family history and temple work this year,”
He also quoted from
Elder Quentin L. Cook and
Elder Dale G. Renlund.
As President Mitchell concluded with his testimony, I wrote one sentence down - The Lord will help us because it is His work.
President Steve Towne (notes provided by Mendy Hunter)
President Towne observed that the world requires a lot of our time and attention, and we need to focus on the most important things first. The temple expands our vision of what is important. He spoke of his dear mother, who had a powerful testimony of the Priesthood and its power. She had a brain hemorrhage in 1947 when he father gave her a priesthood blessing, including the promise that she would be healed. After the required surgery went so smoothly, the surgeon told her father, "I know you prayed for a miracle, and today, God said, 'yes.'" President Towne's mother taught him to have faith in the Savior, as manifested through priesthood ordinances.
Today, President Towne's mother is in the Spirit World, teaching others the important truths she taught him as a child. Those who embrace the Gospel there, cannot move forward without help from us. We can participate in helping the work for these people get accomplished by doing three things:
1. Find the basic data required to find our ancestors who need ordinances
2. Take those names to the temple and perform the ordinances
3. Teach others how to do what we've done
Many modern prophets have promised countless beautiful blessings to us when we participate in this work and fulfill this heavenly obligation.
Today is a day of sacrifice. The challenge has been issued for each of us to evaluate what sacrifice we can make to contribute to this great work. President Towne urges us to make a sacrifice so we can claim all promised blessings associated with temple and family history work.
President Towne ended with a testimony of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ and His love for each of us.
President Steve Peterson (notes provided by Helen Stanger)
President Peterson opened his comments by relating the story of two young children, as depicted in the church-produced 1980’s film “No Greater Love”. Little Charlie is hit by a car and is rushed to the hospital. He is in critical need of a blood transfusion, but the hospital has no match on hand for his rare blood type. However, it is discovered that his younger sister, Jennie, is a match for his blood type. Although hesitant, the doctors ask little Jennie if she is willing to share some of her blood with her brother. She is scared, but agrees. After a successful blood transfusion and Charlie is stabilized, a worried Jennie asks the doctors, “When will I die?” She mistakenly believed that giving her blood away would mean she would die, but she was willing to sacrifice her life to save her brother.
Many of us are willing to make sacrifices to save our family members. This is the same love that motivates us to do family history work.
Our family members that have passed on are in need of saving. In D&C 138, we learn that those who have died without receiving Priesthood ordinances are in bondage. But in D&C 128, we are told the good news—a message of gladness and mercy and great joy—that those ordinances are made available to all!
In the old testament, we read about the prophet Elijah. He performed many amazing miracles, was given the sealing power, and then was translated and taken into heaven. It was promised that Elijah would return someday and would turn the hearts of the children to their fathers and the hearts of the fathers to their children. Modern-day Jews still look for the coming of Elijah. In fact, during the Passover celebration, they leave an empty chair at the table and they open the door to symbolize that they are waiting to welcome him. It is not coincidence that it was around Passover time that Elijah actually DID return and appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland temple and restored the Priesthood ordinances that seal families together!
We are so blessed to live close to a temple. We are reminded to take advantage of the proximity of the temple before it closes next March, and to do family history so we can take our own family names to the temple.
We are asked to consider what we need to do to receive the blessings of the temple and to be able to share those blessings with our families. President Peterson then closed with a quote from Sister Carol F. McConkie that was shared at general conference in April: “Most often it is the sacrifices we make to keep our covenants that sanctify us and make us holy."
Elder Gerrit W. Gong
We are diverse in background, but one in our love of Jesus Christ. The kindness of inclusion inspires confidence. This is a Gospel of love and a Church of participation. Our faith is strengthened as we reach out in love to others.
We receive important blessings through Priesthood ordinances. Priesthood authority binds and blesses families on earth and beyond the veil. The covenant blessings are intended for all the living and the dead on both sides of the veil.
When we live in faith in His time and His way the Lord fulfills His promises.
In 1974 the Washington DC temple was the only temple available to the entire Northeast Area of the Church. We now have multiple temples in that same geographic area. We are each closer geographically to a temple, hopefully we are closer spiritually as well.
We have much to be grateful for. Our greatest blessings are not easily countable.
Sister Bonnie H. Cordon
Light dispels darkness. Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. There will come a time when we as individuals and families must experience and maintain light for ourselves. We need our own light.
She shared the story of the little children from the time of King Benjamin who did not understand the words that were spoken and in their adult years did not believe. She told us that we need to share our light and kindle the light within our children.
Engaging in the work of salvation feeds the flame of light. Sharing the Gospel message with non-members, strengthening less actives, temple & family history work, teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ - this is the work of salvation. Engage our children in the work of salvation.
Believe that God can bless you.
Elder Anthony D. Perkins
Repentance brings personal change, personal growth, hope and joy.
He shared 8 examples from the Book of Mormon of someone who repented, who exercised faith in Christ and changed to experience joy and hope.
Lehi & Sariah - overcome murmuring
Nephi - faces temptations
Enos - guilt and a desire for forgiveness
Alma the Elder - was not cast off forever because of his sins
Alma the Younger - do our actions build up or detract from the faith of those around us
Amulek - apathy to spiritual things
Zeezrom - lifted up above others - pride
Zoramite (the poor ones) - humble in their poverty
The Book of Mormon teachings are directly applicable to our modern life. Repentance is always followed by joy.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
Faith in the Lord means trusting in God's will and way of doing things and His timetable.
The strength of the Church comes from the faith and strength of it's members.
Faith prepares us for whatever life brings - good and hard.
We must choose between Jesus' way and the world's way. The priority for things of eternity gives a consistency to life regardless of what happens or doesn't happen to us.
Missionaries rely on finding efforts of ward members. Please be fully involved in that vital effort. Pray to find person prepared to hear the Gospel message. Prayers of that kind need to be accompanied by commitment - real intent. Success is the invitation not the response.
We have a duty to reach out to the less actives, those who are struggling with their faith and activity.
The ancient values and Gospel plan are still in force to help us. Right is still right. Wrong is still wrong.
Cell phones should be your slaves not your masters.
We can each know the truth for ourselves by the witness of the Holy Ghost.
He quoted twice from
President Monson's most recent General Conference talk - encouraging us to follow the Savior's example in helping our fellow travelers in this life and in reading the Book of Mormon daily.
There is a difference between being active in the Gospel and active in the Church. How we approach the Sacrament each week is an indicator of where we are. Active in Church involves attending meetings. Active in the Gospel includes building our knowledge and testimony, repenting, serving, and striving to be better.
When we understand our relationship to God, we better understand our relationship to others. Our Heavenly Father Loves All His Children.
