Being Accepted of the Lord

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday afternoon session of the April 2013 General Conference.

We have lived in our new location for five months now, although it seems like a whole lot longer. My husband was called to the Elders Quorum presidency in January. The President travels for his job most of the time and needed counselors who would be here and available to serve. The new first counselor immediately had to leave for a job assignment in Arizona and my husband promptly had a massive heart attack and was in the hospital for a month and recovering at home for a few more weeks, and still not able to contribute much to his calling. We wondered at the ways of the Lord to call men to service whose circumstances turned out to be not so conducive to serving.

Now for my sour grapes whine. I haven't been called to serve. I don't understand why and my feelings are tender all the time as I wonder why I'm not acceptable to the Lord for use in His service. I have knowledge, experience, and time to offer. But no calling. I drove home from church Sunday in tears because I feel such longing for acceptance and a calling to use my talents (or build new ones!).

Elder Erich W. Kopischke, who will end his time as a general authority on August 1, gave a talk that must have resonated with me at the time he gave it because my copy of the Ensign is all marked up! It speaks to me again this time around. Does that mean I haven't changed? Or what?

I will share a simple pattern which, if applied, can help everyone of us find ultimate acceptance. . . . This pattern consists of three simple steps. 1. Know that our hearts are honest and broken. 2. Know that our spirits are contrite. 3. Be willing to observe our covenants by sacrifice, as commanded by the Lord.

 

As we sincerely and prayerfully ponder the extent to which our hearts are honest and broken, we will be taught by the Holy Ghost. We will receive a sweet confirmation or gentle conviction, inviting us to act.

A contrite spirit is manifest by our willingness and determination to act. We are willing to humble ourselves before God, willing to repent, willing to learn, and willing to change. We are willing to pray, "Not my will, but thine, be done."

Too often we think that the word sacrifice refers to something big or hard for us to do. . . but mostly it refers to living day-to-day as a true disciple of Christ. . . . Sometimes observing our covenants means nothing more than standing firmly and faithfully when the storms of life are raging all around us.

 Elder Kopischke's advice is good. His invitation and promised blessings are what touched my heart the most.

With all my heart I invite you to seek the Lord's acceptance and enjoy His promised blessings. As we follow the simple pattern the lord has laid out, we will come to know that we are accepted of Him, regardless of our position, status, or mortal limitations. His loving acceptance will motivate us, increase our faith, and help us deal with everything we face in life. Despite our challenges, we will be successful, prosper, and feel at peace.

It looks like there is some more refining work to be done in my life.  

 

 

 

Arise and Shine!

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the General Young Women session of the April 2012 General Conference.

In the second half of 2025 there was a lot of hoopla about the new garment style with long lines at distribution centers, and a crashing website, and overly long waits for any order from the church online store. All social media lit up with everyones opinions. I have an opinion too, but haven't shared it anywhere.

Sister Elaine Dalton, General President of the Young Women, spoke to them about standing up and shining for truth and righteousness. Her hero is Moroni who, "in a very degenerate society, . . . remained pure and true."

She reminded the young women that "These are your days, and now is the time for young women everywhere to 'arise and shine forth, that they light may be a standard for the nations,'" explaining that "A standard is a rule of measure by which one determines exactness or perfection."

My favorite line from Sister Dalton is "If you desire to make a difference in the world, you must be different from the world." When I read that I thought of the new style garments and wrote in the margin of my magazine (I read all the talks in my old conference issues of the Ensign) "Like dressing differently, modestly, recognizably a follower of Jesus." How can we shine as a light to the world when we are indistinguishable from them?

Sister Dalton told of standing in the celestial room of the Reno, Nevada temple looking at the light streaming into the room made even more brilliant by the crystal chandelier. "It took my breath away as I realized that the Savior is 'the light and the life of the world,' that it is His light we must hold up and reflect. We are the tiny crystals that reflect His light, and in order to do that, we must be clean and free from the dust of the world."

One of the things I love about the "plain peoples", the Amish, Mennonites, and Hutterites (and any other of their kind), is that they are instantly recognizable; just as male missionaries are recognizable in their clean cut appearance wearing plain slacks, white shirts and ties. (Sister missionaries are less so because of their non-uniform style of dress.) 

In the Doctrine and Covenants we are told not to be proud in our hearts; letting all our garments be plain, and their beauty the beauty of the work of our own hands, and to let all things be done in cleanliness before the Lord. (D&C 42:40-41) At one time I studied all that God had said about modesty, clothing, and such in all four standard works. I believe that wearing "plain" clothing doesn't mean unadorned, rather it means that because of our clothing it will be obvious (plain) to others that we are a covenant people, disciples of Jesus Christ. And that when the fashions of the world are incompatible with that, that we are called to make our own clothing. 

How will covenant LDS women be distinguishable from the world if we look and dress just like them? The fact that so many women want the ability to wear skimpy sleeveless clothing is so sad to me. Looking different invites questions from others and can initiate conversations about the Gospel and covenants. I want to look different! I want it to be plain that I am a covenant follower of Jesus Christ, endowed in the temple with power and potential blessings.

Sister Dalton always taught truth in direct and loving ways. This was another inspired and inspiring example.

Nuggets and Pearls

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday morning session of the October 2010 conference.

A few talks stood out to me from this session, so I gleaned some nuggets and pearls from each one.

President Henry B. Eyring - God does not rule in nations, but He is mindful of them. He can and does place people in positions of influence who want what is best for the people and who trusts in the Lord.

I find that comforting as I think back on the elections of the past twenty-five years. The United States has had ups and downs; scary times and even more frightening times. But this is a land of promise, the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are blessed that in spite of the elected officials, regardless of who is in the White House, the Gospel rolls forth, temples are built, Israel is gathered and preparations continue for the Second Coming. Life is so much better when we elect men and women who make it easier to live the gospel, keep the commandments and prosper in the land but God's work cannot be stopped.

He also said, "You show your trust in Him when you listen with the intent to learn and repent and then you go and do whatever He asks."

King Benjamin said, similarly, ". . . and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them." (Mosiah 4:10) And we sing, ". . . teach me all that I must do, to live with him someday."

President Boyd K. Packer - There is something very liberating when an individual determines of his or her own free will to be obedient to our Father and our God and expresses that willingness to Him in prayer.

Isn't it wonderful to have free will and choice? With that, though, comes accountability and consequences. This principle, often called the Law of the Harvest, has been largely forgotten in current society, such that when it is invoked people howl in discontent. We reap what we sow. There is no getting around that; it might be delayed, but the harvest always comes.

President Packer also said, "Nowhere are the generosity and the kindness and mercy of God more manifest than in repentance. . . . Repentance is like unto a detergent. Even ground-in stains of sin will come out."

To me that is comforting, reassuring, and hopeful. No matter how sincere my desire to be obedient is I won't be perfect. I will mess up, choose poorly, make mistakes, and fall short. The gift of repentance is just about the best ever.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks - Those who reject the need for organized religion reject the work of the Master, who established His church and its officers in the meridian of time and who reestablished them in modern times.

It is the purpose of the organization of the church first to enable authorized performance of the ordinances of salvation and exaltation, and then help us stay faithful to the covenants we've made. The fellowship with others on the same path is encouraging and strengthening. We need each other; as the saying goes, there is strength in numbers. 

Elder Oaks also said, "Each member needed to seek the Lord in prayer and receive the direct message of comfort and guidance that comes through the Holy Spirit to those who seek and listen." 

He was speaking of a time of an earthquake in Chile when the physical and spiritual needs of the members was great. The church helped with physical needs, but each member needed to draw on God's help also. I know what it's like to go through a big calamity. The ultimate comfort comes to us from Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost. I learned long ago that Father and my Savior are dependable and will never let me down or disappoint. They keep their promises.

 

" . . . This is my voice unto all."

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the General Young Women Meeting session of the April 2010 conference.

I remembered these talks, although at the time I wasn't in Young Women, but I loved listening to the counsel and encouragement of these sessions and miss the special sessions just for women, young and old.

As I listened and studied this time around I felt that this counsel was for all of us. (See D & C 25:16) No matter how old we get, we are still young, inexperienced and learning compared to our Heavenly Father and our Savior. No mortal is too old for good advice.

Recently, I heard a reaction video to a podcast of a woman, formerly a member of the Church. As a teen she was given a For the Strength of Youth booklet and was initially excited to receive it. But upon reading it she questioned whether this list of "do's and don'ts" was all that Heavenly Father had to offer. She had deeper questions. She wondered if He really cared about "swearing, coffee, and tattoos?" In the comments I wrote that "Heavenly Father cares about obedience!" The ancient Israelites had some rather peculiar commandments too. He teaches us obedience by asking us to do, or not do, small things first, and when we prove ourselves we are then ready to take on more important covenants and commandments. 

Sister Anne M. Dibb said, ". . . avoid the temptations that surround you by strictly following the commandments." I wonder if that woman would have had a different outcome if she'd chosen to be obedient and learn line upon line, precept upon precept as she was ready to harken and understand. 

Sister Mary N. Cook advised us to "live to be worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost. . . . You will need that peace and assurance when Satan tries to confuse you with winds of doubt, when you are tempted to take another path, or when others are unkind or mock you for your beliefs." We stay worthy of the the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost by exercising faith in Jesus Christ to obey commandments we don't fully understand, repenting when we fall short (that's every day), and continuing to press forward. 

Women like to feel attractive. We are often hyper-focused on beauty. The internet has not helped our cause. We unfairly compare ourselves to photoshopped perfection and feel that we fall far short of an unrealistic ideal. I love what Sister Elaine Dalton has to say about a fortuitous meeting with a prophet's wife. "On that fall day in Huntsville, Utah, I was reminded of my divine identity, and I learned about what I now call 'deep beauty'--the kind of beauty that shines from the inside out. It is the kind of beauty that cannot be painted on, surgically created, or purchased. It is the kind of beauty that doesn't wash off. It is spiritual attractiveness. Deep beauty springs from virtue. It is the beauty of being chaste and morally clean. . . . It is a beauty that is earned through faith, repentance, and honoring covenants."

I don't think they coordinate their talks exactly, but I sure love how the spirit prompts them in what they say and how it all dovetails together so superbly.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf then gave us this encouragement: "How beloved you are of your Heavenly Father. Though it may seem that you are alone, angels attend you. Though you may feel that no one can understand the depth of your despair, our Savior, Jesus Christ, understands. He suffered more than we can possibly imagine, and He did it for us. He did it for you. You are not alone."

I never cease to be amazed at how what I study is exactly what I need to hear in that moment!

When It Feels Good

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the General Relief Society session of the October 2007 conference.

It's long been said that you can tell how well you are doing with a particular gospel commandment or principle or whatever, by how you feel when it is talked about in General Conference.

Hearing Julie B. Beck, General Relief Society President, speak always gave me good feelings! She spoke of things dear to my heart and how I was trying to live.

"In order to do our part as women under the Lord's plan, we must stand strong and immovable in faith, strong and immovable in family, and strong and immovable in relief. We must excel in these three important areas which set us apart as the Lord's disciples."

"Think of our combined strength if every sister had sincere prayer every morning and night, or, better yet, prayed unceasingly as the Lord has commanded. If every family had family prayer daily and had family home evening once a week, we would be stronger. If every sister was self-reliant enough to be able to give freely of her knowledge, talents, and resources and if every sister's discipleship was reflected by what she said and what she wore, we would be immovable in that which is correct."

Sadly, I've given up on Relief Society in the branch I live in. I don't feel society or relief there. And yet there are so many good women! We just aren't organized or led in a way that builds strength individually or collectively. I miss the Relief Society of my mother's day when sisters met weekly for lessons on a variety of topics and had a "workday" once a month to produce useful and beautiful things. There was so much more "society" as sisters met together often. There was much more relief because the sisters knew each other better and could minister and support each other. The majority of the sisters were not employed outside their homes. Satan has done a great job of luring covenant women out of the home to work, only to come home stressed and tired, just giving lip service to ministering to each other, let alone any person or group outside the church. At least, that's the way I see it.

I have found other avenues of service and society in the community, but my heart still longs for the sweet sisterhood of the Relief Society of former days.

Sister Beck says to the Relief Society presidencies, "Yours is the obligation to help Latter-day Saint women excel in faith, family, and relief. You will help the gospel become a great and compelling interest to the women of the church. You will help the women perfect homemaking, parenting and marriage skills so they can fully live the gospel in their homes."

Wow! Is it just me, or do we need to hear this again and again? Well, it felt good when I heard it in 2007. I was still in the midst of mothering, and still had hope for a bright future in Relief Society. This time around I felt that too many covenant women have given in to the siren song of the world: to have a career, and/or so many activities with and for children that there is no time left for Relief Society. Or in trying to do it all there is so much stress and burnout. Do sisters not know that there are seasons of life? And that the season for raising a family shouldn't also be burdened with building a career? I wish young women would ask ME what's most important. Sister Beck knows!

Merry Christmas!

Steadfast and Immovable

Our beautiful Northern Pin Oak

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Young Womens session of the April 2003 conference.

The theme for this meeting was taken from the Mutual theme for the year, 2 Nephi 31:20, Ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.

I'll share some of my favorite quotes from each talk.

Susan W. Tanner:  

Speaking of Abraham, "He did not know the outcome of that test as we know it from a historical perspective. He was walking into the unknown. Still he was steadfast. He was living on promises that the Lord would bless him. Whatever nervousness he may have felt didn't deter him from pressing forward with a steadfastness in Christ."

Isn't that how every life is? We can't see the outcome, only where we are now, hoping that the outcome will be what we want. That is why life takes trusting the Lord and following Him because of His omniscience. 

"But when you keep your covenants, you will learn to more fully love those to whom you are eternally bound. Then you will also be able to extend your love beyond that circle to others."

I want to explore the connection between keeping covenants and love. I'm not very good at loving others. I tolerate others, but don't feel unconditional love for most people. I know I have to do better in this area because while I think I'm keeping my covenants, I must not be in the right way, because I'm not experiencing this particular fruit.

Julie B. Beck: "My mother has stayed in the Savior's path with unshaken faith in Him (see 2 Nephi 31:19) all the days of her life. She wakes up every day looking forward to new adventures. For her, life is so interesting, and she still has so much to learn."

I know a little bit about Sister Beck's mother and the challenges she faced in life. Oh how I want to be more like her in her attitude! I often wonder what it would be like to be equally yoked in marriage and if that would make a difference in my spiritual and emotional strength. Too often I feel so beaten down and exhausted by the consequences of who I chose to marry and the draining struggles of our differences. 

Elaine B. Dalton: "Nephi not only had a vision of how to return to his heavenly home, but he also had a vision of what he wanted in his earthly home. The Savior will help you see and understand the vision He has for you."

My mission president told us that God's will for us could be achieved only with our full cooperation. Which I believe with all my soul. But after I'd been married for a decade I realized that now I was in a "love triangle" and it would take the cooperation of another to realize God's vision. That old unequally yoked business. But I keep working on myself so that I know I've done all I can.

President James E. Faust: "I can say without hesitation that you can have a 'perfect brightness of hope' for your future and endless joy if you 'press forward' as righteous daughters of God."

I hope he means it is never too late!

"A person who is humble is teachable."

That's what I strive to be.

"The character thus formed from self-discipline will rise with you in the Resurrection."

Good to know! It helps me keep going.

"Remember that you and the Church will be judged in part by your cleanliness and neatness in appearance."

In the Doctrine and Covenants section 42:40 is the phrase '. . . let all thy garments be plain, and their beauty the beauty of the work of thine own hands.' I believe that "plain" doesn't mean unadorned or dowdy, rather it means clear, unmistakable, obvious, as in it is plain that we are covenant people, followers of Jesus Christ. And when the fashions of the world are not compatible with our covenants, then we make our own clothing and set our own style and fashion. If we say to the world that we are virtuous followers of Jesus, but dress like the world, doesn't that make for confusion? We are called to be different from the world to attract those who are seeking purity, virtue, and relief from the evils of the world.

"Grace is a God-given virtue. It is a disposition to be kind and to do good. . . . Charm is attractiveness which comes from a feeling of personal dignity, an inner beauty that comes from a feeling of self-worth."

Too many times in my life I lack both grace and charm. Sad to admit. But I'm working on it.

"It may be that your most significant, everlasting achievements will be your righteous influence on others, that your divine feminine inner beauty and intuition will find expression in your quiet strength, gentleness, dignity, charm, graciousness, creativity, sensitivity, radiance, and spirituality. Enhance these sublime feminine gifts. They will make you appealing and even irresistible as you serve others as the handmaidens of God."

Still at age 66 (December 30), that's my goal. At my funeral I want to be remembered as a women like President Faust describes. I'd better to get work!

Here Am I, Send Me

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the General Relief Society session of the October 2002 conference.

In April 2005 I had the privilege of being a presenter at BYU Women's Conference. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I've always wished I could do it again and again. On the day of the conference as I made my way toward the Marriot Center in Provo, I was greeted by Sister Bonnie Parkin, Relief Society General President, who gathered me into her arms for a big hug and said, "We're so glad you're here with us!" I felt I'd died and gone to heaven. She didn't know me, but her expression of love was so warm and genuine that it gave me just the boost I needed.

Sister Parkin and her counselors were sustained in April 2002 and this is their first General Relief Society meeting in October 2002. They chose the theme "Here Am I, Send Me" and each spoke in different ways on that subject. I'm just going to share the quotes that touched me the most.

Sister Parkin: 

• Making covenants is the expression of a willing heart; keeping covenants, the expression of a faithful heart.
• . . . when we obey the prophet's guidance, we are keeping a covenant.
• Women of covenant stand firm when evil is called good and good is called evil. Whether it be in the college classroom, around the water cooler, or watching TV's latest "experts", remembering our covenants keeps us from being led astray.
• Sisters, the Lord needs women who will teach children to work and learn and serve and believe.
• The spiritual integrity to keep our covenants comes from consistency in scripture study, prayer, service, and sacrifice.

Sister Kathleen H. Hughes, First Counselor

• . . . modesty is a battle worth fighting because it so often affects more serious moral issues.
• The theme of this conference is "Here am I, send me." The words are a promise to the Lord and an expression of our willingness to serve. If we keep our covenants, the promises we receive in return are great.

Sister Anne C. Pingree, Second Counselor

• We, as covenant women, have consecrated ourselves to the cause of Christ through our baptismal and temple covenants. We can alter the face of the earth one family and one home at a time through charity, our small and simple acts of pure love.
• Little by little our charitable acts change our natures, define our characters, and ultimately make us women with the courage to say to the Lord, "Here am I; send me."
• Dear sisters, what you are doing with your families matters! It matters so very, very much.
• Beloved Relief Society sisters, I know that wherever we live, in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, we, as covenant women, united in righteousness, can alter the face of the earth.

President James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, was the concluding speaker. He spoke for almost twenty-four minutes! It was a powerful address.

• Sisters, whatever your circumstances, you all need to have oil in your lamps. This means being prepared.
• Quoting President Spencer W. Kimball, ". . . spiritual preparedness cannot be shared in an instant. . . . In our lives the oil of preparedness is accumulated drop by drop in righteous living. Attendance at sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps, drop by drop over the years. Fasting, family prayer, home teaching, control of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the scriptures--each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store. Deeds of kindness, payment of offerings and tithes, chaste thoughts and actions, marriage in the covenant for eternity--these too, contribute importantly to the oil with which we can at midnight refuel our exhausted lamps."
• My testimony, based upon 59 years of family life, is that my Ruth's participation in Relief Society has brought enriched spirituality and harmony to our home. This divinely inspired organization has not only blessed her life but also the lives of each of our family members. Involvement in Relief Society can help you replenish the oil in your lamps. It can provide for you much of the stability and stamina you will need as you weather the storms of life and journey through mortality.

(President Faust's last statement is the ideal that I'd love to see return to the Relief Society organization. We've lost much of the education and service that used to be the standard for improving women's lives and serving in the world.)

Like A Flame Unquenchable

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday afternoon session of the April 1999 conference.

Sunday afternoon usually has such great talks, I wonder why anyone would skip out on this session. In this particular session, Elder Eyring gave a fabulous talk about teaching doctrine. You can read more about it over at Light in Leaves by Marilyn. I want to share Elder M. Russell Ballard's talk about keeping covenants.

Too many of our young men and women are succumbing to the pressures imposed by a world saturated with evil messages and immoral behavior. Lucifer is waging a vicious ware for the souls of young and old alike, and the casualty count is climbing. The standards of the world have shifted like the sands of a windblown desert. That which was once unheard of or unaccepted is now commonplace.

Doesn't that sound like it was given last month? Think of how much worse things are today than they were twenty-three years ago.

But one thing is certain: the commandments have not changed. Let there be no mistake about that. Right is still right. Wrong is still wrong, no matter how cleverly cloaked in respectability or political correctness. We believe in chastity before marriage and fidelity ever after. That standard is an absolute standard of truth. It is neither subject to public opinion polls nor dependent upon situation or circumstance. There is no need to debate it or other gospel standards.

But there is a desperate need for parents, leaders, and teachers to help our youth learn to understand, love, value, and live the standards of the gospel. Parents and youth must stand together in defense against a clever and devious adversary. We must be just as dedicated, effective and determined in our efforts to live the gospel as he is in his efforts to destroy it--and us.

 

Elder Ballard discusses at length four ways we can build a fortress of faith.

First is gospel information. Knowledge that we are God's children and that He provided a Savior for us. Knowledge that will build a strong testimony. He talked about making covenants and gave the example of Brigham Young asking the people to covenant to give aid and assistance to bring all those who wanted to leave Nauvoo and move west, but were unable to because of poverty. 

We often hear of the suffering and the sacrifice those early Saints endured, and we ask ourselves, How did they do it? What was it that gave them such strength? Part of the answer lies in President Young's powerful words. Those early Latter-day Saints had made covenants with God and those covenants burned like unquenchable fire in their hearts.

He goes on to say that ". . . there is no spiritual power in living by convenience. The power comes as we keep our covenants. . . . We need to become so deeply converted to the gospel of Christ that the fire of the covenant will burn in our hearts like flame unquenchable. And with that kind of faith we will do what is necessary to remain true and worthy."

Second is communication. "Nothing is more important to the relationship between family members than open, honest communication."  He gives some instruction about how to increase communication in the family too.

There are powerful moments of communication through regular family prayer and through family scripture study. The scriptures help define family values and goals, and talking together about them will assist family members to learn to become individually secure, spiritually strong and self-reliant. This requires time, and so we need to counsel together about how much television, how many movies, videos, video games, time on the Internet, or out-of-the home activities should be allowed.

Third is intervention. "It is the parents' duty to intervene when they see wrong choices being made." This doesn't refer to taking away a child's agency, rather to make sure the children understand appropriate behavior and the consequences that will follow if they pursue a wrong course.

Make your home a haven of peace and righteousness. Don't allow evil influences to contaminate your own special spiritual environment. . . . When one of our youth stands at a moral crossroad in life, almost always there is someone--a parent, a leader, a teacher--who could make a difference by intervening with love and kindness. 

Fourth is example. "We cannot expect them to avoid those things that are inappropriate if they see their parents compromising principles and failing to live the gospel.

As parents, teachers, and leaders, it is our solemn duty to set a powerful, personal example of righteous strength, courage, sacrifice, unselfish service, and self-control. These are the traits that will help our youth hold on to the iron rod of the gospel and remain on the straight and narrow path."

Elder Ballard acknowledges that even focusing on information, communication, intervention and example doesn't guarantee a perfect family with no straying children. But he does promise that doing these things will make it easier to work through the challenges that come to every family.

I enjoy hearing from Elder Ballard, he comes across as a wonderful man, father, and grandfather; humble and loving, strong and kind.

 

 

Father's Day Talk

 

Jesus Christ - Our Covenantal Father

20 June 2021

Fairmont Branch, Minnesota

 

The English language has some unique expressions:

Father Time

Father Christmas

Father of Our Country

In the church we even use the expression "Father of the Ward". And of course, Father of our Spirits.

 

My own father has been gone for three years and my grandfathers for over 40 years, so I don't call any earthly man Father any more. At times I miss them immensely.

 

Today I will talk about a very special father, one whom we should continually learn about and emulate; and one we can turn to at any time for help and comfort.

 

After King Benjamin had taught his people and introduced the covenant that he wanted them to make, the people exclaimed that they knew their king had taught them the truth and they desired to enter into this covenant to do God's will and ". . .to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days. . . " King Benjamin responded "And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; 

for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters." (Mosiah 5:5, 7)

 

Jesus Christ becomes our spiritual father when we make covenants in the waters of baptism to take upon us his name, to obey his commandments, and follow him to the end of our lives. We could call him Our Covenantal Father. This has been so since the human family began with Adam. Recorded in Moses, we're told that after Adam was baptized, being laid under the water and brought forth out of the water, that the Spirit of God descended upon Adam and he was born of the spirit; then he heard a voice from heaven declaring, "Behold, thou art one in me, a son of God; and thus may all become my sons. Amen." (Moses 6:64-68)

 

John the Beloved, apostle of Jesus, in his recorded testimony says, that ". . .as many as received him [Jesus], to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." (John 1:12)

 

Each week we come here to renew our covenant with this special father through partaking of the sacrament. This ordinance is the most sacred one we can participate in outside of the temple. In this ordinance we affirm that we take upon us Christ's name, that we will always remember him, and that we will keep (or obey) his commandments. 

In return we are promised that his spirit will always be with us. (Doc. & Cov. 20:77-78)

 

What else does our covenantal father, Jesus Christ, do for us?

 

From the document The Family: A Proclamation to the World we learn that "By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness, and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families."

 

Three responsibilities: Preside, provide and protect! 

 

A father presides over his family.

 

The Doctrine and Covenants begins with these words:

Hearken, O ye people of my church, saith the voice of him who dwells on high and whose eyes are upon all men; yea, verily I say: Hearken ye people from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together. 

Doesn't that sound like a father, calling his family together to give them instructions?

 

Jesus Christ stands at the head of this church, he presides and instructs us through his living prophet and apostles. He is not distant, but very near and aware of all that is happening to and among his children.

 

Last year President Russell M. Nelson gave a talk in General Conference titled Let God Prevail.

He said: "When your greatest desire is to let God prevail,. . ., so many decisions become easier. So many issues become nonissues! You know how best to groom yourself. You know what to watch and read, where to spend your time, and with whom to associate. You know what you want to accomplish. You know the kind of person you really want to become.

Now, my dear brothers and sisters, it takes both faith and courage to let God prevail. It takes persistent, rigorous spiritual work to repent and to put off the natural man through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. (Mosiah 3:19) It takes consistent, daily effort to develop personal habits to study the gospel, to learn more about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and to seek and respond to personal revelation."

 

Do we let Jesus Christ preside or prevail in our lives? Do we study his commandments and example, then do our best to keep them and follow him? Do we repent daily of our sins, small and not so small so we can be reconciled to him? 

 

Jesus Christ presides in love and righteousness. He has patience and mercy and so much love for us. He welcomes us with open arms to receive comfort, help and hope. He cares about the details of our lives and rejoices when we succeed in obeying his commandments, and sorrows when we fail.

 

To us He says things like, "Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world," (D&C 50:40) ". . . be of good cheer, little children; for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you;" (D&C 61:36) ". . .ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you; And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along." (D&C 78:17) "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

 

With such a Father, why wouldn't we want to let him preside or prevail in our lives!

 

A father provides the necessities of life for his family. 

King Benjamin taught this about the Savior:

I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another--

I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another--I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.   (Mosiah 2:20-21)

 

He created us, keeps and preserves us from day to day, lends us breath, allows us to live and move and do according to our own will, supporting us from moment to moment! He has provided everything for us so that we can pass the test of this mortal boarding school if we choose to follow Him.

 

During Jesus' mortal ministry he used his time to teach and provide for some specific physical needs through miraculous means. He healed persons with all sorts of infirmities; he fed the hungry, rescued the lost, cast out demons, and raised the dead. He still does that, though today he works through authorized priesthood holders and faithful sisters. The fact that He is not physically present doesn't negate his ability to work miracles in our lives.

 

My earliest memory is of being in bed in terrible pain while my father and another brother in the ward anointed me with consecrated oil and then sealed the anointing in a priesthood blessing of healing. I was just two years old.  And I was instantly healed. 

 

Another miracle occurred some years ago, at a time in my life when I felt burdened and unloved, I stepped into my closet to get away from clamoring children and poured out my heart to God asking Him if I was loved. Though I couldn't see anyone I could feel warm, strong arms around me holding me close. The feeling of love that poured through me is indescribable. I still rely on the comfort and strength that experience gave me to get through tough times. My Covenantal Father provided comfort, strength and hope to a daughter in great need.

 

Many miracles are much less dramatic. Finding a needed item on sale can feel like a miracle. I like to think it is, given by a Father who knows my needs and provides for them. Seeing a rainbow; feeling a cooling breeze on a hot day; arriving at a destination safely; hearing from a friend at just the right time; all these and so many, many more examples of little and big things that occur I consider to be miracles. Tender mercies of provision from a loving Father. Perhaps we just need to be more aware, and express more gratitude for all that Our Father does for us and gives us.

 

A father protects his family. 

 

What is it that a father protects his family from? We live in a relatively peaceful time and place. We don't face war or famine. At least not in a physical sense.

 

Elder Dallin H. Oaks said this:

Many of our challenges are different from those faced by former pioneers but perhaps just as dangerous and surely as significant to our own salvation and the salvation of those who follow us.³ For example, as for life-threatening obstacles, the wolves that prowled around pioneer settlements were no more dangerous to their children than the drug dealers or pornographers who threaten our children. Similarly, the early pioneers’ physical hunger posed no greater threat to their well-being than the spiritual hunger experienced by many in our day. The children of earlier pioneers were required to do incredibly hard physical work to survive their environment. That was no greater challenge than many of our young people now face from the absence of hard work, which results in spiritually corrosive challenges to discipline, responsibility, and self-worth. Jesus taught: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28). (Following the Pioneers; Oct. 1997)

 

How does our covenantal father, Jesus Christ protect us?

 

He has given us His example, the commandments, and covenants.

 

We have to do the work of studying His example in the scriptures and putting into practice what he did and said. "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matt. 11:28-30 emphasis added) 

 

Jesus can protect us from the burdens and weariness of the world. The burden of obedience to the commandments is light compared to the burdens of the consequences of sin. Obedience brings a freedom not known by those who are under crushing addictions or guilt or imprisonment. The commandments are not restrictions, edicts from a tyrannical deity; rather they are boundaries and protections set by a loving Father to ensure our physical and spiritual safety.

 

Joseph Smith taught us that "There is a law, irrevocably degreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated. And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which is it predicated." (D&C 130:20-21) We are not only protected by the commandments, we are rewarded or blessed by them too.

 

After preaching to a multitude Jesus left by boat with his disciples. While underway a great storm arose and the men were afraid. They found Jesus asleep, woke him up saying Lord, save us, we perish. He replied, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. (Matt. 8:23-26)

 

Jesus can calm the tempests in our lives, and give us the protection of His peace in the midst of them. He said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27) 

 

I recently read a book about India which included descriptions of some of their Hindu religious practices of giving offerings to their gods to show their devotion, and incur favorable or desired outcomes.

 

Our Covenantal Father says, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15) For "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." (D&C 82:10) By obeying the commandments and keeping our covenants we will be both spiritually and physically protected under His great power.

 

What more could we ask for?

 

Brothers and sisters, most of us have truly wonderful fathers, whom we honor this day. I suspect that most of those wonderful fathers patterned their lives after the Savior, Jesus Christ, Our Covenantal Father who presides over, provides for and protects us, His children.

 

I testify that He lives! He loves us more than we can understand. He gave His life for us and rose again that we also can live again and be reunited with our loved ones. May we be more diligent in learning of Him, following His example, obeying His commandments and keeping our covenants.

 

In His sacred and holy name, Jesus Christ, Amen.