Broken Things to Mend - Jeffrey R. Holland

 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2006/04/broken-things-to-mend?lang=eng

Following these most basic teachings, a splendor of connections to Christ opens up to us in multitudinous ways: prayer and fasting and meditation upon His purposes, savoring the scriptures, giving service to others, “succor[ing] the weak, lift[ing] up the hands which hang down, … strengthen[ing] the feeble knees.”¹⁰ Above all else, loving with “the pure love of Christ,” that gift that “never faileth,” that gift that “beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, [and] endureth all things.”¹¹ Soon, with that kind of love, we realize our days hold scores of thoroughfares leading to the Master and that every time we reach out, however feebly, for Him, we discover He has been anxiously trying to reach us. So we step, we strive, we seek, and we never yield.¹²

Are you battling a demon of addiction—tobacco or drugs or gambling, or the pernicious contemporary plague of pornography? Is your marriage in trouble or your child in danger? Are you confused with gender identity or searching for self-esteem? Do you—or someone you love—face disease or depression or death? Whatever other steps you may need to take to resolve these concerns, come first to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Trust in heaven’s promises. In that regard Alma’s testimony is my testimony: “I do know,” he says, “that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions.”¹³

If you are lonely, please know you can find comfort. If you are discouraged, please know you can find hope. If you are poor in spirit, please know you can be strengthened. If you feel you are broken, please know you can be mended.

There is nobody like Elder Holland.   He is truly amazing.    His wife recently passed away.      He has been sick...

I love Elder Holland 

Earning the Trust of the Lord and Your Family - Richard J. Maynes

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/10/earning-the-trust-of-the-lord-and-your-family?lang=eng 

This is a beautiful story of integrity and trust.   I love it.  

When I was very young, my father founded a company that specialized in factory automation. This business engineered, fabricated, and installed automated production lines worldwide.

When I was in middle school, my father wanted me to learn how to work. He also wanted me to learn the business from the ground up. My first job included maintaining the grounds and painting areas of the facility not visible to the general public.

When I entered high school, I was promoted to work on the factory floor. I started to learn how to read blueprints and run heavy steel fabrication machinery. After high school graduation, I attended university and then entered the mission field. Returning home from my mission, I went straight back to work. I needed to earn money for the next year’s school expenses.

One day soon after my mission, I was working in the factory when my father called me into his office and asked if I would like to go with him on a business trip to Los Angeles. This was the first time my father invited me to accompany him on a business trip. He was actually letting me go out in public to help represent the company.

Before we left on the trip, he prepared me with a few details about this potential new client. First, the client was a multinational corporation. Second, they were upgrading their production lines worldwide with the latest in automation technology. Third, our company had never previously supplied them with engineering services or technology. And finally, their top corporate officer in charge of purchasing had called this meeting to review our bid on a new project. This meeting represented a new and potentially important opportunity for our company.

After arriving in Los Angeles, my father and I went to the executive’s hotel for the meeting. The first order of business was to discuss and analyze the engineering design specifications of the project. The next discussion item concerned operational details, including logistics and delivery dates. The concluding agenda item focused on pricing, terms, and conditions. This is where things got interesting.

This corporate officer explained to us that our price proposal was the lowest of those who had submitted bids on the project. He then, curiously, told us the price of the second-lowest bid. He then asked us if we would be willing to take our proposal back and resubmit it. He stated that our new price should come in just below the next highest bid. He then explained that we would split the newly added dollars 50–50 with him. He rationalized this by saying that everyone would win. Our company would win because we would be making considerably more money than our original bid provided. His company would win because they would still be doing business with the lowest bidder. And, of course, he would win by taking his cut because he put this great deal together.

He then gave us a post office box number where we could send the money he requested. After all of this, he looked at my father and asked, “So, do we have a deal?” Much to my surprise, my father stood up, shook his hand, and told him we would get back to him.

After leaving the meeting, we got into the rental car, and my father turned to me and asked, “Well, what do you think we should do?”

I responded by saying I didn’t think we should accept this offer.

My father then asked, “Don’t you think we have a responsibility to all of our employees to maintain a good backlog of work?”

While I was contemplating his question and before I could answer, he answered his own question. He said, “Listen, Rick, once you take a bribe or compromise your integrity, it is very difficult to ever get it back. Don’t ever do it, not even once.”

The fact that I’m sharing this experience means that I have never forgotten what my father taught me on that first business trip with him. I share this experience to illustrate the lasting influence we have as fathers. You can imagine the trust I had in my father due to the integrity of his heart. He lived these same principles in his private life with my mother, his children, and all with whom he associated.

Becoming a Consecrated Missionary - Elder Tad R. Callister

https://docs.google.com/file/d/1uTr3Kjko9wqVUmVTCcgCtcGM99SWuDPExzL4iAqkWLO8sGJq23kbohMcma56/preview?pli=1 

This is one of the best talks I have read.    It was given at the Missionary Training Center on October 7, 2008 

Put On the Altar of Sacrifice Any Disobedience

Leave Our Fears on the Sacrificial Altar

Put Our Romantic Passions on the Table

Give Up Pride

We Put our Negativism and Sarcasm on the Table.

Extra-Milers

These are the High Points of the talk.   It is awesome!

Living with Purpose: The Importance of "Real Intent" - Randall L. Ridd

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/article/worldwide-devotionals/2015/01/living-with-purpose-the-importance-of-real-intent?lang=eng 

I used this article to prepare my talk on WHOLEHEARTEDNESS on Sunday, August 13, 2023.   It is PHENOMENAL.   I especially loved this story.    

The Parable of the Oranges

I would like to share a modern-day parable that I will call “The Parable of the Oranges.” As you listen, consider what this story teaches you about the power of real intent.

There was a young man who had ambitions to work for a company because it paid very well and was very prestigious. He prepared his résumé and had several interviews. Eventually, he was given an entry-level position. Then he turned his ambition to his next goal—a supervisor position that would afford him even greater prestige and more pay. So he completed the tasks he was given. He came in early some mornings and stayed late so the boss would see him putting in long hours.

After five years a supervisor position became available. But, to the young man’s great dismay, another employee, who had only worked for the company for six months, was given the promotion. The young man was very angry, and he went to his boss and demanded an explanation.

The wise boss said, “Before I answer your questions, would you do a favor for me?”

“Yes, sure,” said the employee.

“Would you go to the store and buy some oranges? My wife needs them.”

The young man agreed and went to the store. When he returned, the boss asked, “What kind of oranges did you buy?”

“I don’t know,” the young man answered. “You just said to buy oranges, and these are oranges. Here they are.”

“How much did they cost?” the boss asked.

“Well, I’m not sure,” was the reply. “You gave me $30. Here is your receipt, and here is your change.”

“Thank you,” said the boss. “Now, please have a seat and pay careful attention.”

Then the boss called in the employee who had received the promotion and asked him to do the same job. He readily agreed and went to the store.

When he returned, the boss asked, “What kind of oranges did you buy?”

“Well,” he replied, “the store had many varieties—there were navel oranges, Valencia oranges, blood oranges, tangerines, and many others, and I didn’t know which kind to buy. But I remembered you said your wife needed the oranges, so I called her. She said she was having a party and that she was going to make orange juice. So I asked the grocer which of all these oranges would make the best orange juice. He said the Valencia orange was full of very sweet juice, so that’s what I bought. I dropped them by your home on my way back to the office. Your wife was very pleased.”

“How much did they cost?” the boss asked.

“Well, that was another problem. I didn’t know how many to buy, so I once again called your wife and asked her how many guests she was expecting. She said 20. I asked the grocer how many oranges would be needed to make juice for 20 people, and it was a lot. So, I asked the grocer if he could give me a quantity discount, and he did! These oranges normally cost 75 cents each, but I paid only 50 cents. Here is your change and the receipt.”

The boss smiled and said, “Thank you; you may go.”

He looked over at the young man who had been watching. The young man stood up, slumped his shoulders and said, “I see what you mean,” as he walked dejectedly out of the office.

What was the difference between these two young men? They were both asked to buy oranges, and they did. You might say that one went the extra mile, or one was more efficient, or one paid more attention to detail. But the most important difference had to do with real intent rather than just going through the motions. The first young man was motivated by money, position, and prestige. The second young man was driven by an intense desire to please his employer and an inner commitment to be the best employee he could possibly be—and the outcome was obvious.

How can you apply this parable in your lives? How might your efforts in your family, at school, at work, and in the Church be different if you always sought to please God and do His will, motivated by your love for Him?

Sacrament meeting given by Karol Stokes on August 13, 2023

 WHOLEHEARTED - by Michelle D. Craig

Given in the Lamont Ward Sacrament Meeting 

I was thrilled when Brother Payne told us the subject because I feel like it is something that can grasp onto and understand.

Wouldn’t we all love to have these qualities?

Inner strength

Grit

Perseverance

Conviction

Diligence

Real intent

Sincerity - Austin came up with this one at a family discussion 

Determination

Devotion

Loyalty

Discipline

Deliberateness

Steadfast and immovable --

Solid, firmly fixed, resolute,

INCAPABLE OF BEING DIVERTED FROM A PRIMARY PURPOSE OR MISSION

OUR HEARTFELT ALL  ( President Uchtdorf )

I was born of goodly parents, and I suppose it was there, more than anywhere that I learned the concept of wholeheartedness.

Try does everything

Don’t be a one-at-a-timer

There is no traffic jam on the second mile….

Wherever you go, go with all your heart…..

First example Scott with his piano - he taught himself, so amazing....

Me – my heart was not in it…..

Also his career – gave it is all and rose to the TOP  (Director of the Idaho Transportation Department)    Scott is so diligent that he doesn't even have any cavities in his teeth!

Favorite stories of wholeheartedness told by a mission president who happened to notice the shoes of one of the missionaries that had completed his mission and was headed home.    They were completely worn through and had been patched on the bottom with cardboard.  

The missionary saw no value in them and was going to throw them away.  The president asked “Elder, will you give me your shoes?”  He agreed that I could have the sholes that had been worn through in the sacred labor of saving souls.  He asked me what I was going to do with them.    I replied.   I’m going to keep them, and in twenty years or so, if I am still around, I am going to present them to your son or daughter, and say to him or her “Walk in the ways of your noble father.      When my daughter came back from Guatemala, her shoes were in the same shape……I still have them as a sweet reminder of her wholehearted service….  She has always been a remarkable example to me. 

 

WHEN BYU FOOTBALL STAR SEAN COVEY WAS REPLACED AS STARTER AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS SENIOR YEAR, THE COACH LAVELLE EDWARDS SAID HE WOULD NEVER FORGET HIS RESPONSE.  “ I DON’T THINK ITS FAIR, COVEY SAID  - BUT I WILL BE AT EVERY PRACTICE.  I WILL BE AT EVERY MEETING AND I WILL PREPARE MYSELF EVERY WEEK AS IF I AM GOING TO START.  IF YOU EVER NEED ME, I WILL BE READY.” 

Where there is discipline, Christ has a true disciple. 

Trials do not mean that the plan is failing; they are part of the plan meant to help us seek God.

 

Within a month after my father passed away, our son who was 24 years old died. Our hearts were truly broken,  I prayerfully sought the promised blessings of turning to the only one who could understand.  I begged in behalf of myself, by husband, and our children for courage and strength.   I was eventually able to place every fear, doubt and question that I had concerning this tragic event and place it at the Saviors feet.   The glorious blessings of peace, comfort and the ability to go forward in faith have been made manifest in my life.   It is through this experience and other similar triumphs, that I can testify that our Savior lives, and that he will heal us.

 President Dallin Oaks said” sometimes we are “healed” by being given strength or understanding or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us.    

Two years ago, our daughter died suddenly at the age of 30.    Once again, we were devastated, and once again, we turned to the Savior, and once again, we were able feel that familiar peace and comfort that only heaven can provide.

 The assurance that God is there, and that he loves me has been my anchor through these trials.   Partaking of his divine love has allowed me to find peace and to be consoled.    How to I know that God loves me?   I know because he sent to our home, family, friends and neighbors who wholeheartedly sustained us through of the most difficult things we have ever faced.   Meals and food were provided for weeks.   Funeral arrangements went smoothly, and a loving Bishop provided blessings and counsel to us.    Flowers, calls, cards and encouraging words poured into our home –   It was as if we were literally lifted out of our sorrowful realm and into a place where we could be surrounded by God’s love, and feel it completely.

Jeffrey R. Holland put it this way: “Heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good, and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind. ‘You are those angels.  Thank you for your love and for doing what God would have you do.  

Elder Uchtdorf’s promise to us is this:   Open your hearts to our Savior and Redeemer, no matter your circumstances, trials, sufferings, or mistakes; you can know that He lives, that He loves you, and that because of Him, you will never be alone.

Come unto your Savior. Come completely and wholeheartedly. Take up your cross, however heavy it may be, and follow Him.”⁴ Elder Holland said it this way

 This principle is echoed in the plea of the Book of Mormon prophet Amaleki: “Come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him.”²

“Come unto me, all that labour and are  heavy laden, and I will give ye  rest”   to Peter and Andrew he said Come, and I will make you …fishers of men.”   “Come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them……

 Why is the Lord so insistent about this invitation? 

Because he knows that if we come to him in pain, we will leave in joy.   If we come in confusion, we will leave in clarity,  and if we come in darkness, we will leave in light.

           It may not be on the mountain height

Or over the stormy sea,

It may not be at the battle’s front

My Lord will have need of me.

But if, by a still, small voice he calls

To paths that I do not know,

I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine:

I’ll go where you want me to go.

 

. Perhaps today there are loving words

Which Jesus would have me speak;

There may be now in the paths of sin

Some wand’rer whom I should seek.

O Savior, if thou wilt be my guide,

Tho dark and rugged the way,

My voice shall echo the message sweet:

I’ll say what you want me to say.

 

       . There’s surely somewhere a lowly place

In earth’s harvest fields so wide

Where I may labor through life’s short day

For Jesus, the Crucified.

So trusting my all to thy tender care,

And knowing thou lovest me,

I’ll do thy will with a heart sincere:

I’ll be what you want me to be.

 

I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,

Over mountain or plain or sea;

I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord;

I’ll be what you want me to be.

 

How might your efforts in your family, at school, at work, and in the Church be different if you always sought with all your heart to please God and do His will  motivated by your love for Him?

 

It is my testimony that Great purpose comes into your life when you make it your quest to follow the will of the Lord and to do so wholeheartedly.  I know that our best efforts are purifying our hearts and preparing us for a glorious future.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Revelation: The Gift, the Test, and the Promise - Boyd K. Packer

https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1994/10/personal-revelation-the-gift-the-test-and-the-promise?lang=eng&adobe_mc_ref=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1994/10/personal-revelation-the-gift-the-test-and-the-promise?lang=eng&adobe_mc_sdid=SDID=43626FC040166D60-30B3AB84D78F8A8C|MCORGID=66C5485451E56AAE0A490D45%40AdobeOrg|TS=1691379513 

There are many hidden gems in this talk.   Each thing in bold is something that Elder Packer has learned about PERSONAL REVELATION.....fascinating!

I will tell you, as plainly as I can, what I have learned about personal revelation.

Dual Beings

For “there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding,”⁴ and the Spirit of Christ “giveth light to every man that cometh into the world.”⁵

The gift of the Holy Ghost

While the Holy Ghost may inspire all mankind, the gift carries the right to have it as a “constant companion.”⁶ It is “by the power of the Holy Ghost [that you] may know the truth of all things.”⁷

Prayer

You have your agency, and inspiration does not—perhaps cannot—flow unless you ask for it, or someone asks for you.

No message in scripture is repeated more often than the invitation, even the command, to pray—to ask.

Prayer is so essential a part of revelation that without it the veil may remain closed to you. Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind, in your heart. Pray on your knees.

Begin Where You Are

Study

Still Small Voice

Prompting

This voice of the Spirit speaks gently, prompting you what to do or what to say, or it may caution or warn you.

Ignore or disobey these promptings, and the Spirit will leave you. It is your choice—your agency.

Faith

The flow of revelation depends on your faith. You exercise faith by causing, or by making, your mind accept or believe as truth that which you cannot, by reason alone, prove for certainty.²⁴

Word of Wisdom

Your body is the instrument of your mind. In your emotions, the spirit and the body come closest to being one. What you learn spiritually depends, to a degree, on how you treat your body. That is why the Word of Wisdom²⁶ is so important.

The habit-forming substances prohibited by that revelation—tea, coffee, liquor, tobacco—interfere with the delicate feelings of spiritual communication, just as other addictive drugs will do.

Do not ignore the Word of Wisdom, for that may cost you the “great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures”²⁷ promised to those who keep it. And good health is an added blessing.

Music

Reverence

Temptation

The Church

The Comforter

When sore trials come, you will learn why the Holy Ghost is called the Comforter.

You must face life “led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which [you] should do,”³⁸ just as Nephi did.