According to Webster’s dictionary, a symbol is a mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship.

Since they are so prevalent and common, what is the symbol of our religion?

While you consider the possibilities, I have a brief anecdote to share that will help answer that question for you.

Following the renovation of the Mesa Arizona Temple, clergy of other religions in the area were invited to tour the building the first day of the open house. Hundreds responded. President Hinckley addressed the guests and offered to answer any questions. Among these attendees was a Protestant minister. The Ensign reported the following conversation in President Hinckley’s own words:

Said [the minister]: “I’ve been all through this building, this temple which carries on its face the name of Jesus Christ, but nowhere have I seen any representation of the cross, the symbol of Christianity. I have noted your buildings elsewhere and likewise find an absence of the cross. Why is this when you say you believe in Jesus Christ?”

 

I responded: “I do not wish to give offense to any of my Christian colleagues who use the cross on the steeples of their cathedrals and at the altars of their chapels, who wear it on their vestments, and imprint it on their books and other literature. But for us, the cross is the symbol of the dying Christ, while our message is a declaration of the Living Christ.”

 

He then asked: “If you do not use the cross, what is the symbol of your religion?”

 

I replied that the lives of our people must become the most meaningful expression of our faith and, in fact, therefore, the symbol of our worship . . .

 

Because our Savior lives, we do not use the symbol of His death as the symbol of our faith. But what shall we use? No sign, no work of art, no representation of form is adequate to express the glory and the wonder of the Living Christ. He told us what that symbol should be when He said, ‘If ye love me, keep my commandments.'” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Symbol of Our Faith,” Ensign, April 2005)

We have all heard this declaration, and now, more than a dozen years later, how are we doing? Is our voice being heard? Have our lives become our faith’s most meaningful expression?

In this article, we will identify and acknowledge a few of the ways I believe the Church is attempting to highlight this important symbol of our faith.

I remember the day when you could watch all the newly-released videos produced by the Church. At first they came out maybe weekly, and later, every few days. Now, there are thousands of profiles, videos, scripture stories, and true life experiences. I have watched hundreds, but there are probably thousands, many of which I will probably never see because new content is so prolific and regular.

Mormon.org profiles are published online in dozens of countries and available in many languages from all continents of the world. I actually prefer to watch the profile videos on YouTube.com because there they automatically load one after the other. I find myself smiling frequently, laughing at times, and even shedding tears on occasion. It is truly amazing how much I have in common with these people and the number of things I learn.

Advertisements on YouTube have been coming up lately with “I’m a Mormon” profiles in between videos.

To read more articles by Walter Penning, click here.

The I’m A Mormon campaign, Meet the Mormons, dozens of stories of Christ’s life, and thousands more media help us learn about good examples of people in the Church and the influence of the gospel of Jesus Christ in all of our lives—members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and those of other faiths alike! And these are just the beginning. We have available to us General Conferences since 1971, devotionals, missionary presentations, gospel libraries, websites, and more coming every day.

We also have temples that now dot the earth, a missionary force of tens of thousands of men and women, revealed scripture, saving ordinances, priesthood authority, and living apostles and prophets. All of these provide many possible symbols for our religion.

All point toward and promote the gospel of Jesus Christ and His glorious message.

That is something we can all agree on.

Walter Penning

In 1989, Walter Penning formed a consultancy based in Salt Lake City and empowered his clients by streamlining processes and building a loyal, lifetime customer base with great customer service. His true passion is found in his family. He says the best decision he ever made was to marry his sweetheart and have children. The wonderful family she has given him and her constant love, support, and patience amid life’s challenges is his panacea.

Eric Barker’s article “11 scientific studies that will restore your faith in humanity” talks about scientific studies that support the power of optimism and hope. Reading his article reminded me that the Gospel teaches the same principles. The Gospel truly is a pathway of hope and optimism!

President Gordon B. Hinckley said, We have every reason to be optimistic in this world. Tragedy is around, yes. Problems everywhere, yes. … You can’t, you don’t, build out of pessimism or cynicism. You look with optimism, work with faith, and things happen.

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God.

I took Barker’s 11 studies and looked at them from a Gospel perspective, comparing them to my life experiences.

1) You bounce back better from tougher problems.

 “Things will work out.”

Tragedy did not erode their faith; it tested it and strengthened it. And the feeling of peace the Lord has promised has already been delivered in the midst of the storm. Other miracles are sure to follow. –President Henry B. Eyring

I believe that everyone lived with God before living on this earth. This earth life presents a testing and proving ground for people to exercise faith, choose to obey Heavenly Father’s commandments, and make and keep sacred covenants.

Sometime problems manifest as inconveniences – of what we know we should do versus what we want to do, or what we feel comfortable doing. I think one benefit of having a lay clergy is that we all get a chance to step out of comfort zones, realize latent talents, and grow our abilities.

Sometimes a tough problem is just the weather. I committed to finish my visiting teaching before my husband and I moved from Punalu’u, Hawaii to American Fork, Utah. We decided to move fairly quickly and had quite a list of things to do. I planned to visit a sweet widow on my route named Auntie Faye.

It was pouring rain. We’d already sold one vehicle, and my husband had the other in Honolulu. I couldn’t reach my visiting teaching companion to see if I could ride with her.

I envisioned Auntie Faye standing in the rain waiting for us  since she had to let us into her apartment complex with a key. I couldn’t reach her to reschedule. I didn’t want to walk to her house in the drenching, pouring rain.

Then suddenly a memory flashed to mind of my aged Grandma Leona whose car wouldn’t start one frozen winter morning at 4:30 am. She was scheduled to work at the temple at 5:00 am. Determined to fulfill her commitment, and in her dress and stockings, she started walking to the next town to the temple.

A car happened to pass Grandma after she reached a main road.  The man noticed the little lady in a skirt, carrying a small suitcase. He stopped and asked if she needed a ride. He was a fellow temple worker and picked her up a few blocks from her house. What a miracle!

Grandma didn’t know she would get a ride and was committed to walk in the freezing, snowy darkness for 2 hours to reach the temple.

I decided that I could probably walk in the rain. When I reached Auntie Faye’s apartment building drenched to the bones, she was waiting for me. I later learned my visiting teaching companion had a family emergency and wasn’t able to meet with us. Auntie Faye would have been standing outside in the rain for a long time expecting us.

We had a lovely visit and I was so grateful to be able to express my love to her and say goodbye.

Was the experience significant?  To me, yes. I realized how important it was to keep that commitment. I felt the joy of a strengthened relationship.

I also recognized how much the Lord cherishes each of us – He knew Auntie Faye would be waiting. He loves her, too.

I felt the glorious effects of a long hot shower after returning home. I also felt the rippling impact of miracles in others’ lives.

Knowing that my grandmother cheerfully kept her commitment helped me face the torrential rain with optimism. I believed that the Lord would help me, too.

“But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them” (2 Chronicles 15:4).

2) Regret is not that scary.

Repentance means that as imperfect beings sometimes make imperfect decisions, they may correct their course. miscarBy following the rules of repentance, and through the atonement of Jesus Christ, mistakes don’t count. The Lord agrees to “remember no more” (Hebrew 8:12).

Because of the miraculous gift of forgiveness, transgressions are forgiven—and forgotten. Men can be cleansed and return to the path of purpose and progress and peace. –Elder F. Burton Howard

I felt trepidation the first significant time I needed to repent.

I wondered if the Savior really could or would forgive me. Logically believing something and actually experiencing something are two very different things.

As I proceeded through the appropriate steps of repentance, I felt the Savior’s love and knew I had been forgiven.

Repent right away! Hope will be restored to your heart! Don’t waste time!

Repentance’s peace distills upon every aspect of the soul.

“Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth” (Alma 29:2).

3) “What does not kill you makes you stronger” is often true.

Peter later encouraged others: “Think it not strange,” he said, “concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you” (1 Peter 4:12).

These fiery trials are designed to make you stronger, but they have the potential to diminish or even destroy your trust in the Son of God and to weaken your resolve to keep your promises to Him.

These trials are often camouflaged, making them difficult to identify. They take root in our weaknesses, our vulnerabilities, our sensitivities, or in those things that matter most to us.

A real but manageable test for one can be a fiery trial for another. Like the intense fire that transforms iron into steel, as we remain faithful during the fiery trial of our faith, we are spiritually refined and strengthened. Elder Neil L. Andersen

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” flashes me back to 10^th grade Algebra II class.

Most of our classmates knew my cousin and I were Mormons. We’d been asked some curious questions, but most of the time no one bothered us about our faith.

A classmate asked me to Homecoming. I was 15 years old. I explained that I wouldn’t date until I was 16 years old, so needed to decline his invitation.

Suddenly, persecution began.

At first I shrank a little bit. I didn’t like being the object of that kind of attention.

After a round of mocking notes actually made their way around the classroom to us after the teacher stepped out of class, I waved the paper in the air and said, “You’re right! We stay pure because of our faith! Thanks for noticing!”

Though meant to mock us, Michelle and I were emboldened by being ridiculed as being “‘purer’ than babies” and “more innocent than my puppy dog.” Instead of feeling bullied, we just laughed.

I remember the initial strain of feeling noticeably different from everyone else. But, my standards and faith were non-negotiable.

When I finally read the mockeries, I realized how silly and immature they were and knew that God strengthened my faith and gave me hope during that trial.

Incidentally, no one ever mocked my faith again, at least to my face, during high school.

“If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you” (1 Peter 4:14).

4) Reverse PTSD exists: Sometimes terrible events make us better people.

Jeffrey R. Holland

I speak of the loneliest journey ever made and the unending blessings it brought to all in the human family. … Against all odds and with none to help or uphold Him, Jesus of Nazareth, the living Son of the living God, restored physical life where death had held sway and brought joyful, spiritual redemption out of sin, hellish darkness, and despair.  -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

The Savior’s infinite suffering has put my own in perspective throughout the years.

One of my deepest personal trials, that I’m willing to share so publicly, occurred while serving a mission in Scotland. I had been healthy my whole life, experiencing only minor colds and a few run-ins with sharp objects.

During my first area on the Isle of Lewis, my legs suffered horrific pain and my vitality decreased. Doctors diagnosed me with myalgia encephalomyelitis, a common transmittable disease in Scotland, and I struggled physically and neurologically.

While teaching people, my brain would just stop and no words were forthcoming from anywhere in my universe. I started falling asleep on buses and during meetings. I felt extremely frustrated, confused, and disappointed. I hurt all the time, but still tried to do my best.

When I returned to Texas, I did so on an emergency transfer with medical help. Doctors said I would never really walk again. My mother had to help me to the bathroom. I hit rock bottom.

Mom took me to a group session where I could learn from others with similar issues. It was the most depressing meeting I’d ever attended and I never returned. I realized that I wanted to live with hope and optimism and that I would do whatever it took to live independently again.

Because of the Savior’s atoning power, I did.

I still have a few flare ups, and luckily my husband knows me well enough to just finish whatever sentence I forget to end or tell me to just sit down and be still for a minute.

I found happiness, even in the midst of incapacity.

“[H]appy is that people, whose God is the Lord” (Psalms 144:15).

I gained empathy. I felt compassion. I understood the shock of being fully capable then utterly dependent.I’ve felt the temptation to just give up. I know the power of harnessing the divine within.

I’ve seen the radical difference between despair and hope. I learned what really matters to me and what expectations and ideas I could let go.

Most importantly, I learned that the Savior’s promise is real and sure: “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:63).

5) Rarely in life are you limited by your genes.

The Lord said to Abraham, “My name is Jehovah, and I know the end from the beginning; therefore my hand shall be over thee” (Abraham 2:8).

My young friends, today I say to you that if you trust the Lord and obey Him, His hand shall be over you, He will help you achieve the great potential He sees in you, and He will help you to see the end from the beginning. –President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

One of the most basic, hopeful principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that everyone is a child of God. You lived as a spirit in His presence before you came to earth. God is your Father and prepared a way for you to return again to His presence.

“For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

One of the most debilitating lies you tell yourself is that you are worthless, insignificant, or incapable.

This quote by Elder Neal A. Maxwell emboldens me when I don’t feel capable of accomplishing something Heavenly Father has asked me to do.

God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about our availability, and if we then prove our dependability, he will increase our capability! (It’s Service, Not Status, That Counts).

“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 18:10).

6) You don’t need to win the lottery to be happy.

Why aren’t people happy?

Too many adopt the theory that happiness is dependent upon the obtaining of material things and the enjoyment of worldly pleasures: the accumulation of wealth, the achievement of fame, the ownership of palatial homes and earthly possessions, etc. …

Who are the happy people today?

Not those who forsake the Lord and devote themselves entirely to the pleasures of life and the physical things of the world.

The truly happy people are those who have faith in the Lord and keep the laws of the gospel, those who forget self in their desire and effort to bless others. –Elder Joseph Anderson

A rickety bus promised to take us from Santiago, Chile, to the small town of San Jose de Maipo, Chile. It was very crowded. I shared space with a chicken. My sisters were squished, too.

My parents served part of their mission in that area and wanted us to meet people they’d grown to love. A few miles from San Jose de Maipo, we got off the bus and stopped in at a widow’s small pink shack with a dirt floor.

Olga answered my dad’s salutation. Her beautifully wrinkled face pierced the shadow of the door-less doorway and broke into a huge smile.

Still learning Spanish, mom communicated with people the only way she could – through love.  Olga spoke to dad, but rushed over to mom and they stood for a moment embracing. Their love was palpable.

She cheerfully invited us into her tiny, but very well kept home. She chatted about her blessings. She proudly showed pictures of her family.

She told us how when she met our parents she suffered severe abdominal pains from cancer. Dad taught her about Priesthood blessings. From the moment she received a Priesthood blessing, her cancer was in remission and stunned everyone around her.

I wondered how she kept warm during an Andes’ winter when her walls and the ceiling gaped and she had no door. She happily shared her meager meal with us. She shared her happy love with each of us.

When she hugged me as we left, I cried. She who had so little temporally had found what mattered most. Her presence filled my soul.

“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:12).

7) Helping others helps you.

Our Savior teaches us to follow Him by making the sacrifices necessary to lose ourselves in unselfish service to others.

If we do, He promises us eternal life, “the greatest of all the gifts of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 14:7), the glory and joy of living in the presence of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. –Elder Dallin H. Oaks

One of the quickest ways I’ve found to feel better about myself or my situation is to serve others. In Texas, whenever I needed a pick-me-up, I took my best friend’s son with me for what he called “Drop and Runs.” With prepared treats, Liam and I drove where we felt led by the Spirit.

He ran to the door, strategically placed the plate on the doorstep, rang the doorbell and either hid nearby, or if he thought he could make it unseen, he ran like crazy for the truck. Liam was super fast and I don’t think he ever got caught!

We loved watching people find the goodies and look out into the darkness. We laughed and had fun together, and felt like we brought a little love and hope to others.

“Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren… and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success” (Alma 26:27).

8) “Both hope and despair are self-fulfilling prophecies.”

[T]he sources of hope are the sources of life itself. That’s why hope persists, even when experience, reason, and knowledge all say there is no reason to hope. … To choose hope is to choose life. To choose hope is to choose love. …

[O]ur everyday sacrifices, our ordinary hope, is so tough, so versatile, so difficult to turn into meaninglessness and despair. In fact, it cannot happen—we literally cannot despair—unless we choose to. But because we are mortal, death is entangled with life.

We can choose to feed the darkness and death in our lives, or we can choose to feed the brightness of hope in our lives. –Sister Chieko N. Okazaki

After our 10th miscarriage, I succumbed to despair. The same constant trial and disappointment wearied my soul. I attended the temple regularly and studied the scriptures. I knew that the Savior could help me.

One day, the Holy Ghost taught me that I could either just survive in despair or I could thrive with hope. It was my choice. I chose hope and happiness. The Savior heard my prayer and began to heal my soul.

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God” (Psalms 42:5).

9) Trusting too much is better than trusting too little.

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. If you trust God enough to listen for His message in every sermon, song, and prayer in this conference, you will find it.

And if you then go and do what He would have you do, your power to trust Him will grow, and in time you will be overwhelmed with gratitude to find that He has come to trust you. –President Henry B. Eyring

Trust in God has fostered the greatest happiness and peace in my life. I trust that God has a plan for our salvation. I trust His prophets. I trust the scriptures. I trust that the Savior’s Atonement is efficacious.

I trust in God’s protection. I trust in His Mercy. I trust in His Grace. I trust in a hereafter. I trust that His promises are sure. I trust in personal revelation. I trust that He knows me. I trust that I am His child.

Because I trust Him, I feel optimistic for the future and peace in the present.

“O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever” (2 Nephi 4:34).

10) Sometimes, empathy beats objectivity.

One who really understands and practices empathy doesn’t solve another’s problems, doesn’t argue, doesn’t top his story, make accusations, or take away free agency. He merely helps the person build his self-reliance and self-image so he can try to find his own solutions. –Elder Marvin J Ashton

I called Heather in the middle of the night. I needed her. I felt so frustrated, angry, and hurt that I couldn’t think straight.

We’d laughed often together. I valued her objectivity. I relied on her practicality.

I went to her home hoping she would tell me what to do. She listened to me. She told me she loved me. She told me Heavenly Father and the Savior loved me.

She asked me to identify my options. She asked which option I preferred. I found a stronghold through her gentle, empathetic guidance. I left her home facing with faith and self-confidence what became a miraculous turning point in my life.

“And of some have compassion, making a difference” (Jude 1:22).

11) The most powerful goals aren’t about being perfect; they’re about getting better.

Salvation does not come all at once; we are commanded to be perfect even as our Father in Heaven is perfect. It will take us ages to accomplish this end, for there will be greater progress beyond the grave, and it will be there that the faithful will overcome all things, and receive all things, even the fullness of the Father’s glory.

I believe the Lord meant just what he said: that we should be perfect, as our Father in Heaven is perfect.

That will not come all at once, but line upon line, and precept upon precept, example upon example, and even then not as long as we live in this mortal life, for we will have to go even beyond the grave before we reach that perfection and shall be like God. –Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

I had my first piano lesson when I was 8. Mrs. Franks, had an extraordinary insight into what motivated me. I enjoyed practicing and learned to play Silent Night from the Church hymnal that year.

When I was 10, we moved from Oklahoma to Idaho. My piano teacher had to cut back on the number of students she taught. I didn’t make the cut. I played occasionally at home when I wanted something to do.

At 12, I joined the junior high choir. Mrs. Towles said she wanted choir members to accompany the choir during the Christmas concert. Auditions would be held.

For some reason, I felt incredibly drawn to that opportunity. I wondered about my abilities. I had never auditioned for anything before. I practiced and practiced the songs.

On the day of my audition, I walked into the large hall and sat at the grand piano. It was the first time I’d ever been that close to a grand piano. My hands shook and were ice cold. Mrs. Towles showed me how to warm my hands up quickly. I played. I thought I failed. I left dejected. The next day, Mrs. Towles pulled me aside and asked me to play two songs for the concert!

Four years and a move to Texas later, I sat down to play for judges at Knox Music Competition. I had won the competition for my level the two prior years. I again had an extraordinary teacher who knew and guided me. But, I focused more on my busy high school schedule than practicing the piano.

I loved my piece (“Italian Concerto” by Johann Sebastian Bach) and could play it well, but procrastinated memorization. I figured I could wing it. I had played the song so many times. My hands were ice cold, but I began the song with vigor.

After several minutes, however, I forgot the notes and stopped playing.  One judge gently suggested I begin again. I began again, but did not “OWN” the piece like I usually did to win a competition.

After my performance, I discovered I was the only contestant at that level.

To read more of Delisa’s articles, click here.

My scores came back. The judges gave me a superior rating, but second place. One judge told me he knew I played below my ability due to lack of preparation.

There was no first place award given in that category. I lost to myself.

What a great lesson I learned from those two experiences! Hope and optimism come from faith in action.

“But if ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (Doctrine and Covenants 38:30).

“For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have” (2 Nephi 28:30).

How has the Gospel enhanced optimism and hope in your life? I’d love to read your experiences in the comment section below!

Delisa Hargrove

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have moved 64 times and have not tired of experiencing this beautiful earth! I love the people, languages, histories/anthropologies, & especially religious cultures of the world. My life long passion is the study & searching out of religious symbolism, specifically related to ancient & modern temples. My husband Anthony and I love our bulldog Stig, adventures, traveling, movies, motorcycling, and time with friends and family.

Around my birthday there would always be a special card from my aunt and another one from my grandmother, each with handwritten words of love inside—words that always meant more than the printed ones from the card company.  Later, I would look forward to letters from my husband when he was away on business, or letters from my missionary son who was serving in the Philippines.

There is something special about a letter addressed specifically to you. Not the advertisements or the junk mail with your name on it, the letters—handwritten envelopes, carefully chosen words of love, connecting you to another person  in ways unique to the both of you.  Some might call my sentiments a foolish walk down Memory Lane, since letters don’t come as often as they used to.

Others may smile in agreement, having experienced the same romantic connection with postal deliveries in the past.  And still, others may hope they will one day get their own letter in the mail, specifically written to them, addressed to them, and filled with a love that is undeniably for them.

General Conference is Like a Personal Letter to You

That time is coming. Our Heavenly Father has a personal message for you. Twice a year the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hold General Conference—a series of meetings where inspired messages from God are given by men and women who have been chosen to deliver his words—to you.  One of the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Robert D. Hales said,

“In conference we can receive the word of the Lord meant just for us. One member testified: ‘as I listened to your address, I was astounded…Your talk was personal revelation directly from the Lord to my family.

I have never experienced such a strong manifestation of the Spirit in my life as those minutes when the Holy Ghost spoke directly to me.’ Another said, ‘I have never before felt so profoundly that a talk was being given to me.’ …What is said is not as important as what you hear and what you feel. (General Conference: Strengthening Faith and Testimony, Ensign, Nov. 2013).

I remember specifically sitting through a session of conference, feeling happiness as I listened to the speakers. But in the back of my mind I had a problem looming. My current employment situation was bearing down on me in more ways than I could handle.

Even attending conference was cutting into work time and I was secretly dreading the Monday after conference when I would have to face my workload. But I sat and listened, because I wanted to let go of my troubles and feel some goodness in my heart.

The words of conference were wonderful, even though none of the talks had to do with my job situation. But Heavenly Father knew what I needed and he gave it to me through a still small prompting from the Holy Ghost. I will never forget it. It told me to lighten my load at work, and it told me exactly how to do it. The impression was as clear as a bell. My mind focused directly on the plan I was given, and I felt the courage to make it happen. I sat back and enjoyed the rest of the session without a care.

“The greatest blessing of General Conference comes after the conference is over” (Elder Robert D. Hales, General Conference: Strengthening Faith and Testimony, Ensign, Nov. 2013)

During the closing hymn of that particular conference, I began to have doubts about my new revelation from God. It would take a lot of guts for me to make the changes the way God had prompted me to in my work situation. I began to wonder if I had really felt a prompting from God, and if I did, would I have the moral courage to follow it.

Morning Devotional
To read more of Nanette’s devotionals, click the picture.

When the closing prayer was given, I again received an answer from heaven. The person giving the prayer asked Heavenly Father to bless us that we would “have the courage of our conviction to follow the promptings we heard this day”.

A smile stretched across my face, and a tear streamed down my cheek. Heavenly Father was mindful again of my concerns. This prompting led to more promptings that eventually opened a new career path for me.

I’m so grateful I was open to the message my Heavenly Father had saved for me. It was as if my mailbox was flooded with letters addressed to me, but with one in particular that had a return address from heaven.  And I’m ever thankful I recognized the handwriting, took the words to heart, and followed His direction.

Your Letter from God is Waiting

Your Father in Heaven loves you. He has a ‘letter’ waiting for you. It is your unique personal revelation—revelation you are entitled to receive because you are his son or daughter. Your personal revelation can be heard in the addresses of General Conference. In three weeks you can receive it. Conference is scheduled for the weekend of April 5th and 6th.

I invite you to hear what Heavenly Father has to tell you by making time for conference. And if not, your letter can still come to you via the Ensign in the mail. But however you receive it, remember who it is from, remember who it is for, and remember you deserve all the love that comes with it.

Nanette ONeal

Nanette O’Neal loves the gospel and is very happy to share her testimony on LDS Blogs. She is a convert to the church and still feels the spirit burn strong within her heart. She graduated from Mason Gross School of the Arts with a degree in music education and has taught children and adults in the private and public sphere for over twenty years. Nanette continues to study the gospel and the art of writing. She writes weekly inspirational articles on her blog and is currently working on an LDS fantasy novel series, A Doorway Back to Forever. You can find her at NanetteONeal.blogspot.com. Nanette has a wonderful husband, talented son, and three beautiful dogs.

As we listened to our beloved prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, speak—I wept. Tears of joy at the confirming words he spoke, which turned to tears of sorrow as I watched a spiritual giant struggle in the confines of a mortal and weakening body. I would have given anything to be there by his side, supporting him and holding him as he continues to move our Lord’s kingdom forward. Since mine is not to be by his side, I need to focus on sustaining him by living his counsels.

“We become examples of the believers by living the gospel of Jesus Christ in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. As we do so, our lights will shine for others to see. Each of us came to earth having been given the Light of Christ. As we follow the example of the Savior and live as He lived and as He taught, that light will burn within us and will light the way for others.”

President Monson then went through six attributes of a disciple, as discussed by the apostle Paul. As he did so, I realized that I have been learning these lessons through this blog challenge to be like the Good Samaritan.

Attributes 1 & 2: BEING AN EXAMPLE IN WORD AND IN CONVERSATION

“The words we use can lift and inspire, or they can harm and demean. Let us speak to others with love and respect, ever keeping our language clean and avoiding words or comments that would wound or offend. May we follow the example of the Savior, who spoke with tolerance and kindness throughout His ministry.”

Everyone wants a place where they feel loved and safe. Our conversations should offer that to those around us—a place of sanctuary. Especially as followers of Christ, we should be ever-watchful that our words are not hurtful. As you know, I’ve learned to really listen to my friends lately, and I’ve been amazed at how healing simply listening during a conversation can be. How non-judgemental listening offers a respite from a world quick to find fault.

Attributes 3 & 4 : CHARITY, THE PURE LOVE OF CHRIST; SPIRIT

“I am confident there are within our sphere of influence those who are lonely, those who are ill, and those who feel discouraged. Ours is the opportunity to help them and to lift their spirits. The Savior brought hope to the hopeless and strength to the weak. … Throughout His ministry He reached out in charity to any in need. As we emulate His example, we will bless lives, including our own.”

“[W]e strive to have in our lives kindness, gratitude, forgiveness, and goodwill. These qualities will provide for us a spirit which will touch the lives of those around us.” 

The Sunday before last, as I was walking down the hallway at Church, one of my friends approached me and pleaded, “Is there ANY way you could watch my two youngest for a couple of hours? I know how busy you are, but I could use a break, even if it’s just for an hour.” Later, we coordinated me coming to get her kids for a park playdate on Tuesday. Now, I know what I said earlier about not scheduling service; however, this was not something I had planned on, rather a chance to squeeze some service into my week. (I don’t visit teach her either, so this wasn’t “assigned service”!)

I cleared my afternoon, so I could give my friend a 3 hour break, not much in the grand scheme of things—3 hours.

When I came to pick up Kyle and Karlie for our afternoon together, I visited with their Mom for a few minutes that grew to half an hour as she shared how very overwhelmed she has been feeling with a calling as Primary President, a husband working long hours and trying to finish his college degree, and running a household with 3 children.  

After our visit, I packed up the kids and we headed to the park. As the kids ran and played, I sat enjoying watching them tumble about … and my phone rang. Caller ID identified the caller as someone who likes to complain … a LOT. I usually try to avoid her calls; however, I had set aside this time as the Lord’s to serve Him and the kids were happily playing. I answered, she shared her burdens with me, and I listened. (See how often this trait is being used by the Lord?)

Normally, I would have found a reason to get off the phone; instead, this time, I listened and showed compassion and empathy and didn’t try to rush her off the phone. As I acted with love, I began to feel love. I began to feel the weight of her burdens and how hard they were for her to carry. I began to feel a closer sense of sisterhood. After about an hour and a half on the phone, we hung up with expressions of love on both sides, then I herded the kids for a stop at the local library.

I go to the library a LOT! All four of my kids and I are very well known at the library—let’s just say that we are bona-fide bibliophiles! So when the librarian saw me there with kids that were much younger than my own—she came over to investigate. She was kind and sweet, but obviously feeling very sad. I still had some time left, and the children were happily playing with the toys there, so I asked her why she seemed sad. She shared, and her frustration, hurt, and anger came pouring out—all I could offer was a listening ear. Again, it was what was needed.

We are asked to reach “out in charity to any in need.” I gave the Lord 3 hours of my week to do with as He chose fit and He allowed me the opportunity to serve three women who needed something I could give—acceptance and love.

Attributes 5 & 6: FAITH; PURITY OF HEART

“To be an example of faith means that we trust in the Lord and in His word. It means that we possess and that we nourish the beliefs that will guide our thoughts and our actions.”

We need to be more consciously living our beliefs—I have learned that so deeply through this journey of trying to live like the Good Samaritan. We need to make an effort—the wounded souls are there, waiting and needing us—do we have the faith to trust that in our busy lives, the Lord will make a way for us to do more of what we should be doing?

“Our minds should be filled with uplifting and ennobling thoughts and kept free from those things which will pollute. In order to have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we must be worthy. Brothers and sisters, purity will bring us peace of mind and will qualify us to receive the Savior’s promises. Said He, ‘Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.’”

I want to someday see my Savior. For now, I want … no, I need the Holy Ghost as my constant companion. To prevent me from stumbling in my own weakness, to help me be more and better than I am on my own … I need the Holy Ghost’s presence in my heart. If constantly turning my mind to God is the way to make this happen, I can do that.

Let us set aside time for the Lord to use us. Let us really love and listen to those around us.

Let me end with the words of our beloved prophet, President Monson, as each of us continues on, striving to help the wounded on the Road to Jericho:

To read more of Emlee’s articles, click here.

“My brothers and sisters, our opportunities to shine surround us each day, in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. As we follow the example of the Savior, ours will be the opportunity to be a light in the lives of others, whether they be our own family members and friends, our co-workers, mere acquaintances, or total strangers.”

*For President Monson’s complete talk, please visit:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/be-an-example-and-a-light?lang=eng

Emlee Taylor

Growing up all over the world gave Emlee Taylor an opportunity to see the incredible differences the Lord created in humanity; and even better, the passions we all share as members of the human race: love for family, faith, & a desire to make a difference.

Emlee lives life with passion—focusing her time now on raising four children and teaching them to recognize truth and to live true to that truth, regardless of others’ expectations. Emlee is passionately in love with her bestest friend and husband of more than 20 years. 

I’ve found a way to overcome this desperation. While I, as one individual, may not have power or influence to change world policy, I, and everyone else in my situation, have access to a power greater than that of all the world leaders combined. This time of year brings me to my knees as I claim the power of faith in priesthood authority—General Conference is here again.

We listen to a prophet’s voice

Thomas S. Monson is the current prophet of the Mormons.

General Conference, for those of us who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a glorious time. We get to hear the words of modern day prophets who are special witnesses of Jesus Christ—words that are meant for all of us in this dispensation of time. While I love to read the words of the prophets of old in the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon as well as other scriptures which I study, listening to modern-day prophets brings me closer to the Savior with a reverence and authority like no other form of study.

Those of the Catholic faith and even those who are not, were able to feel the spirit when Pope Francis visited the United States this past month. For Latter-day Saints, it is similar. We do not have a pope, but we recognize the line of priesthood authority from the formation of Christ’s church with the head apostle, Peter, as the first prophet of Christ’s dispensation. We also believe that line of authority has been restored in these latter days through the prophet, Joseph Smith, and has thus given us a modern day prophet to guide and direct the people of the world. His name is Thomas S. Monson.

When dark skies hang over us—have no fear

For the last twenty-six years I have listened to the words of the prophets, apostles, and other authorities. and I have felt comfort and reassurance over the situations in my life—whether it be personal or on a global scale. I can say, without a doubt, that I have lived through numerous apocalyptic predictions, (as we all have), and I have never been drawn into believing any of them. Any time I had heard talk of “tent cities” or “calls to evacuate”, I had said to myself, “What have the General Authorities said lately in regards to the end of the world?”

I’d review the last several General Conference addresses and would note how none of them discussed such events, and I’d rest assured knowing I had nothing to fear. So, when dark times and trials seem to hang over the world, and it appears as if disaster is imminent, the first course of action I take is to heed what the prophet has to say and have no fear.

Modern-day counsel that can make a difference today

Still, it is so disturbing to see the sufferings of the world and have no control or influence to stop it. The impatience in all our heart riles up and the desire to make a difference burns strong in all of us. The frustration of feeling worthless to help even one person in agony is overwhelming. Again, I turn to the words of our modern-day prophets and apostles for answers.

Henry B. Eying, First Counselor to the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave inspired counsel during the April 2014 General Conference on exactly what we can do to help the desperate situations of the world. He taught how we can make a difference if we believe there is a power greater than our own—a power that, when combined with other believers, can have a lasting effect for good on the suffering people all over the world. We can exercise faith in fasting, prayer, and tithe offerings.

Fasting and Prayer

We take for granted the impact of prayer. Prayer is a real power, channeling the supremacy of heaven. We have witnessed man-made powers in machinery and technology, and we have experienced the forces of nature. It is not impossible to believe that there is an even higher authority in existence—one from God in heaven that can work righteous acts here on earth. I have witnessed this in my daily life, from the simplest whispering of assurance during lonely times of sorrow to great miracles of spiritual manifestations too sacred to reveal.

God is real and has the power to make miracles happen. If this is so for individuals, then why not for others around the world? I testify that it is. He is making miracles happen for everyone. Our heartfelt prayers for the people in crisis all over the globe indeed make a difference to those who are suffering. They act as a blanket of protection to those in need—absorbing the ill winds of adversity to make their burdens more light.

Tithing

A tithe, or one tenth of your increase given to the church to help those in need, is another meaningful way to make a difference. When an honest tithe is given and the money is used for the poor and needy, it is as if the Lord himself is reaching His loving hand down to those who need it most. It is not merely a physical donation; it is a spiritual manifestation of the Lord’s blessings on earth.

The Law of the Fast changes hearts

It is clear to see how a fast offering can change the lives of those in need. But it is more miraculous to consider that the law of the fast can have as great a change on the one who is fasting as well. Fasting with a purpose, including a heartfelt prayer as well as secession of two meals and a generous offering,  can strengthen the one fasting as much as the one receiving from the fast—this is how miraculous God’s power is.

President Henry B. Eyring said in regards to the law of the fast,

“The brief time we fast every month and the small amount we offer for the poor may give us only a small part of the change in our natures to have no more desire to do evil. But there is a great promise, even as we do all that we reasonably can to pray, to fast, and to donate for those in need:

“Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward.

“Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.” Isaiah 58:8-9.

Morning Devotional: To read more of Nanette’s work, click here.

What a wonderful promise in a time when the world seems to be out of control and we may feel we can do nothing to stop it. We can follow the law of the fast. In so doing, we not only help the recipient with much needed welfare, but we strengthen them spiritually. In turn, the prayers we send to those in need strengthen us.

They give us the desire to do no more evil in our own lives, and doesn’t that also contribute to the betterment of this world? Imagine the possibilities of following the law of the fast on a global scale. Faith on that level will change the world—one fast offering at a time.

Nanette ONeal

Nanette O’Neal loves the gospel and is very happy to share her testimony on LDS Blogs. She is a convert to the church and still feels the spirit burn strong within her heart. She graduated from Mason Gross School of the Arts with a degree in music education and has taught children and adults in the private and public sphere for over twenty years. Nanette continues to study the gospel and the art of writing. She writes weekly inspirational articles on her blog and is currently working on an LDS fantasy novel series, A Doorway Back to Forever. You can find her at NanetteONeal.blogspot.com. Nanette has a wonderful husband, talented son, and three beautiful dogs.

Indeed, it is a privilege to have my opinion counted as important. As our church has grown to exceed 15 million members worldwide, every person still matters. Each conference, we are given the opportunity to raise our arm to the square and stand in solidarity with God as He ushers His work forward.

Sustaining the prophet and apostles is not considered a vote. In fact, the decision has already been made. Choosing to sustain or oppose the prophet does not throw out his authority, because the power to decide does not belong to us.

In a talk given last october entitled, Sustaining the Prophets, Elder Russell M. Nelson makes this clear:

“The Lord … said, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you.”You and I do not “vote” on Church leaders at any level. We do, though, have the privilege of sustaining them.”

Therefore, the prophet has already been called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority to preach the Gospel and administer the ordinances thereof.

Sound familiar? It’s the fifth article of faith, a truth established since the foundation of our latter-day church.

Via lds.org. Copyrighted by Intellectual Reserve

Elder Nelson further defines sustaining the prophet as:

…a personal commitment that we will do our utmost to uphold their prophetic priorities. Our sustaining is an oath-like indication that we recognize their calling as a prophet to be legitimate and binding upon us.

It would seem that the act of sustaining the prophet is nothing more than an outward sign of our inward belief. A symbol of our willingness to support the Lord’s anointed in all that he does and says and asks of us.

However, it really is so much more. It is our promise to:

• pray for our dear prophet
• to follow his counsel
• to defend him
• to carry out his counsel

And to understand that there is nothing done by him, his counselors, or the quorum of the 12 apostles that is not done in unison and without Christ’s consent.

It is a promise to not:

• mock
• belittle
• decry
• slander
• actively mislead.

If we find ourselves involved in any of these activities, it is time to step back and look within. It is not just the prophet that we are calling out, it is Christ, our Lord and Savior. The King of Kings. The only man who could suffer for our sins and vanquish death, our foe. The one who will bruise the serpent’s heel.

And might I remind you, God will not be mocked. As Paul wrote to the Galations:

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Galations 6:7).

Again, Paul spoke of those who toe the gray line:

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate (Titus 1:15–16).

Out of the mouth of Paul, one who knew so well the consequences of opposition, comes this terrible set down. There is one who knows what is in our hearts, even as we try to hide it.

As I listend closely and watched carefully during the sustaining ceremony, my soul yearned for the prophet. I longed to be there in person, standing front and center, to show my love and support for a man I esteem in the highest.

But I could not be there in person, and the prophet cannot see my arm held strong and firm to the square. But God knows. And Christ knows.

And now others around me will know too, as I move forward from this day because I will profess to know. I will show this by my words, by my actions, and by my deeds. I will sustain the prophet every day through how I live my life. For me, it will not be enough to raise my own arm, but to lift another’s.

I stand as a witness of God, at all times and in all things, and in all places (Mosiah 18:9) and hope to be numbered with the rest of the saints as we support and sustain our dear Prophet and his apostles.

Jessica Clark

Jessica Clark is a wife, mom, writer, runner, knitter, and proud Canadian. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Anthropology, and has been a student of people and cultures ever since. Right now she is busy studying the behavior and cultures of the people of Texas.

I’ve lived through spiritual uncertainty—much like being tossed about by the storms of life. But I found the eye of the storm. I decided I enjoyed the peace and clarity of mind and heart more than the confusion and turmoil that lies beyond the eye wall. I decided it was safer to follow the eye rather than plant my feet on worldly soil and brave the storm as it passes over me. The eye is obviously the safest place to be.

Today, the eye of the storm is the modern-day prophet, Thomas S. Monson. It will be easier to understand this statement if you can identify the storm.

The Storm of Spiritual Confusion

Before I found The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I had always felt that I was a child of God and that heaven was a place called home where we would return some day, but I was discouraged by the differing doctrines of faith between cultures. Why was there such a disparity in all the world’s religious teachings? This made no sense to me. God was a master architect and loving Father—why would his world be organized with complete perfection yet his doctrine so vague with so many varying interpretations? Even the Bible states we should be united in one faith.

Spiritual differences are stemmed from man’s misinterpretation of God’s plan, man’s desire for power and control, and even man’s distractions from God’s ways. A spiritual storm of confusion has been brewing ever since man has had agency to act on his own. In contrast, a perfect God would have a perfect plan for salvation for all of his children regardless of their means or circumstances. He would also give us a sure way to find it and a way to follow it.

In Amos chapter 3, verse 7 it states, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” God had prophets in the Old Testament who prepared the people for the higher law of the gospel. He continued to have prophets in the New Testament who ushered in that higher law. In every dispensation of time, God has either had prophets on the earth, or he withdrew them because of the corruption of the people.

Apostasy and Restoration

The higher law, or plan of salvation, was fulfilled through Jesus Christ. After the prophets and apostles in the New Testament times were martyred, God withdrew his authority on the earth for a time. This was known as the Dark Ages. But this would not last forever. God prepared the world to receive a new prophet to bring forth the last dispensation of time—the time before the second coming of Jesus Christ. A young boy in a new nation founded on religious freedom asked the same question—which is the true church of God. Joseph Smith received his answer in a quiet grove of trees when Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ visited him personally and called him to be the first prophet of this last dispensation. God opened the heavens again—the eye of the spiritual storm—so that his children could navigate in safety.

Apostolic revelation

Joseph Smith was called of God. He received his priesthood authority from resurrected heavenly messengers who held the priesthood keys. He used that authority to call others and to establish the true church on the earth again. This act unlocked the heavens to pour out revelation to all people—not just the powerful or those who could pay off their way to salvation, not just the elite, but to all of God’s children. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has since had fifteen prophets, with Thomas S. Monson serving currently as the sixteen prophet is this day.

Russell M. Nelson of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught recently in the October General Conference how a prophet is not elected or appointed by man. He said, “No prophet or any other leader in this Church, for that matter, has ever called himself or herself. No prophet has ever been elected. The Lord made that clear when He said, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you. (John 15:16) You and I do not “vote” on Church leaders at any level. We do, though, have the privilege of sustaining them.

“The pattern of revelation begins with the prophet and ends with the individual. President Boyd K. Packer described that identifying mark of the true Church this way: “Revelation continues in the Church: the prophet receiving it for the Church; the president for his stake, his mission, or his quorum; the bishop for his ward; the father for his family; the individual for himself.” (Russell M. Nelson, Sustaining the Prophets, General Conference, Oct 2014).

Likewise, when a prophet speaks for the church, Heavenly Father confirms the truth not only to him, but to his counselors and apostles as well. It is comforting to know that no one man can thus lead the people astray. Modern day prophets have taught us the pattern of authority set by Jesus Christ. Elder Nelson further said, “When we sustain prophets and other leaders, we invoke the law of common consent, for the Lord said, “It shall not be given to anyone to go forth to preach my gospel, or to build up my church, except he be ordained by someone who has authority, and it is known to the church that he has authority and has been regularly ordained by the heads of the church. (D&C 42:11).”

To me, this is just one more example of how the spiritual confusion that torments the world need not leave us frightened. God’s holy prophet does not speak alone. “Counterbalances and safeguards abound so that no one can ever lead the Church astray. Senior leaders are constantly being tutored such that one day they are ready to sit in the highest councils. They learn how to hear the voice of the Lord through the whisperings of the Spirit. (Russell M. Nelson, Sustaining the Prophets, General Conference, Oct 2014).

Personal Revelation: The freedom to pray, to ponder, and to act on our own

Even as a child I knew our Father in Heaven would not steer his children into a violent storm without a plan for safety. I knew he loved us individually and gave us the agency to pray and find answers on our own, free of intimidation, guilt, or oppression. In a sense, I knew there had to be an eye in the storm of religious confusion and I knew a loving Heavenly Father would help his children who earnestly sought to find it.

We each have the freedom to study for ourselves with an open heart, to search for truth with sincerity and real intent, to ponder what we have learned, to test the fruit of our labor. We have a right to receive answers from Heavenly Father. Personal revelation comes gently over time, after much effort and persistence. But when it does come, it is uniquely divine.

Safety in the eye of the storm

Morning Devotional
To read more of Nanette’s devotionals, click the picture.

Life is full of turmoil; voices of contention swirl around us much like a tropical storm. But like the storms at sea, there is a safe haven from the confusion—there is an eye of clarity and reason.

How important is it for you to feel spiritually protected? Are there times when you may go to bed at night wondering what your future holds? Do you carry family burdens, sorrow for your children’s future, physical uncertainty? Times of trouble come to everyone, but we can rest assured—there is safety from the storm.

I invite you to ponder the possibility of a modern-day prophet, Thomas S. Monson—the spiritual eye of the storm.

Nanette ONeal

Nanette O’Neal loves the gospel and is very happy to share her testimony on LDS Blogs. She is a convert to the church and still feels the spirit burn strong within her heart. She graduated from Mason Gross School of the Arts with a degree in music education and has taught children and adults in the private and public sphere for over twenty years. Nanette continues to study the gospel and the art of writing. She writes weekly inspirational articles on her blog and is currently working on an LDS fantasy novel series, A Doorway Back to Forever. You can find her at NanetteONeal.blogspot.com. Nanette has a wonderful husband, talented son, and three beautiful dogs.

Fable of the man, the boy and the donkey

A man and his son were taking their donkey to market. As they walked, another man saw them and said, “Old man, you’re a fool—a donkey is for riding.” So the man put the boy on the donkey and continued onward. They came upon a group of men who called out, “Look how selfish that boy is—riding while his father walks.” The son then got off and let his father ride instead. Later, two women saw the man on top of the donkey and said, “What a lazy father, not letting his son have a turn.” Confused at what to do now, the father put his son on the donkey with him and they both rode. Soon they got to town, only to find more jeering. This confused the man further. The people said to him, “How dare you over-burden that poor donkey?” Finally, not knowing what else to do, he tied the donkey’s feet to a pole and hoisted the animal up for him and his son to carry. They got even more laughs from the crowd. As they crossed the bridge, the donkey struggled, the boy dropped his end, and the donkey went crashing down into the river and drowned.

What went wrong for the man and the boy?

The man and the boy were ridiculed in their journey for the choices they made. Rather than sticking with their original choice, which wasn’t hurting anyone, they heeded the cries of each passer-by. As they journeyed on, the ridicule persisted, no matter what choice they made. So they continued to change their actions according to the next person’s opinion—they followed the next “latest trend”. Rather than giving them peace of mind, it only confused them more and more until they lost what they had. The moral of this story is “to please all, you please no one.” What went wrong for the man and the boy? They were too desirous to please the people around them. They lost their focus on which voice they should have been listening to in the first place—the voice of sound mind and reason.

God’s prophets have spoken to us with that very voice.

I never stand alone when I stand with God’s chosen prophet.

The united voice of God’s holy prophets is a sure voice with a moral center. It is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. To stand with God’s prophets is to never stand alone. But God’s words do not always fit with the latest trends of society. God asks us to sacrifice, to give of ourselves, to have faith and to believe when it appears there is nothing to benefit. God does not manifest himself according to our desires. He can be seen, heard and felt in spiritual ways, not scientific or physical ways. His laws have everlasting benefits that our mortal eyes may not be able to comprehend at this time. Because his ways are not the same as the ways of the world, we may feel we stand alone when we stand with God and his prophets. But we are never alone when we stand with the master of the universe and those who are called to proclaim his eternal plan.

There are some people who profess to follow God’s chosen leaders and yet they do horrible things “in the name of God.” There are others who also claim to be followers of Christ but their actions are not consistent with Biblical truths—in fact their differences are as vast as the number of Christian denominations that dot the earth today. Trying to discern all of these voices would be tantamount to the man and the boy listening to the people along the way to market—we would be confused and ultimately lose everything. Finding the one true voice is the key to eternal happiness. But how does one do this? The Bible provides the answer.

God’s pattern since Biblical days—Listen to a prophet’s voice

Mormons follow the prophet to follow God

In the Bible, God spoke through prophets—men who were set apart with certain priesthood authority to hear the word of God directly from Him and to guide the people according to God’s will and man’s faithfulness. This pattern began from the time of Adam and Eve (Adam being the first prophet) and has been consistent throughout history. We know of many prophets of old—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Malachi, even John the Baptist. They had the authority to act in God’s name. During the time of Christ’s ministry, Jesus continued to follow this pattern by calling prophets and apostles, setting apart Peter as the next prophet to lead his church. The line of authority continued until men became so corrupt; they killed the prophets and apostles of old. It seemed as if God’s chosen way—leadership through prophets—would come to an end.

Shouldn’t there be a prophet today?

When you read about current events around the world you can’t help but see the vast turmoil that presses down on God’s children—greater even than in times of old. Isn’t the world in need of a prophet now more than ever? We’ve seen nations fall to the lies of cruel dictators and leaders who are only out for their own gain. The Bible states, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7). So where is our prophet today?

Many people have decided that God does not speak to his children anymore—that revelation ceased with the death of the original apostles of old. Others believe that since they cannot see the hand of God in their lives today, there must not even be a God. Many people have lost faith in God, thinking he must have loved his children of old more than those who walk the earth today—the heavens are closed to revelation. So they follow the words of whoever speaks closest to their own conscience, while the winds of change toss them about.

While there are many good religious leaders in the world today, many of them differ with each other in the doctrine of the gospel. Many have decided that their voice, not the voice of a living prophet, is the voice of authority. But why would God alter his given pattern in the modern day by having differing voices to believe? Why would he condone confusion amongst his children? If having a prophet was necessary to prepare the people for the first coming of Christ when he began his ministry, why would Heavenly Father not provide a prophet to usher in the second coming of Christ?

“My dear brothers and sisters, if the Restoration (of the original gospel of Jesus Christ) did anything, it shattered the age-old myth that God had stopped talking to His children. Nothing could be further from the truth. A prophet has stood at the head of God’s Church in all dispensations, from Adam to the present day.” (Russell M. Nelson, Sustaining the Prophets, General Conference Oct 2014).

For those who think we could never have another prophet again because it seems too hard to believe this could happen, I invite you to ponder this thought—why not?

Single out the one true voice

In the fable of the man, the boy, and the donkey, neither the man nor the boy could decide what was the best way to act. They could not distill the voice of reason from the confusing din of the crowd. We need not journey through life with the same confusion. Our Father in Heaven is a loving Father who wishes for us to know for ourselves the one true voice to follow. Not only has he indeed called a prophet to usher in the last dispensation before the coming of Christ, he has provided for us a way to know who that prophet is.

Morning Devotional
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I testify that Thomas S. Monson is the true and living prophet on the earth. He is guiding the Lord’s church today. I know this because I researched the churches of our day, studied the doctrine of old, and compared what I found. I did so with a sincere desire to know of the truth for myself. I prayed directly to my Heavenly Father. The answer came in quiet manifestations that can only be discerned by the spirit. I have experienced confirmations of the truths I have learned time and time again, some too sacred to share, all too vivid to deny.

Next week, I would like to share some of the things that helped me make my decision. You can then ponder the facts for yourself and receive the same testimony. God lives. He called prophets in Biblical days to guide us back home. He has called a prophet again. We need not ever be tossed about by the dictates of man or the impulses of the world.

Nanette ONeal

Nanette O’Neal loves the gospel and is very happy to share her testimony on LDS Blogs. She is a convert to the church and still feels the spirit burn strong within her heart. She graduated from Mason Gross School of the Arts with a degree in music education and has taught children and adults in the private and public sphere for over twenty years. Nanette continues to study the gospel and the art of writing. She writes weekly inspirational articles on her blog and is currently working on an LDS fantasy novel series, A Doorway Back to Forever. You can find her at NanetteONeal.blogspot.com. Nanette has a wonderful husband, talented son, and three beautiful dogs.

You might recall that Alma was originally one of the wicked priests of King Noah. The teachings of the prophet Abinadi converted Alma, who then became the leader of a whole converted segment of the population. When the king came looking to kill Alma and his people, Alma led them into the wilderness. They arrived in a place called Helam, and began to prosper in that place, being obedient to all the commandments of God. Spoiler alert: these verses (Mosiah 23:21-24) tell the ending of their story.

 Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith. Nevertheless—whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with this people.

 

For behold, I will show unto you that they were brought into bondage, and none could deliver them but the Lord their God, yea, even the God of Abraham and Isaac and of Jacob. And it came to pass that he did deliver them, and he did show forth his mighty power unto them, and great were their rejoicings.

As the Lamanite army was chasing King Limhi and his people back to Zarahemla (this comes from an earlier story in the Book of Mormon), they happened to find Alma and his people… And it just so happened that their leader was one of the most wicked of the wicked priests of King Noah, named Amulon. Amulon won the favor of the king of the Lamanites and was made a sub-king over a number of lands, one of which included the people of Alma. Amulon and some of the other wicked priests blamed much of their sufferings on Alma and relished the idea of making him suffer as much as possible.

Amulon began to persecute Alma and he caused “that his children should persecute their children.” He placed taskmasters over Alma’s people and “so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God.” Amulon “fixed” this by declaring that if the people were caught praying, they would be put to death. That did not stop the prayers of these righteous souls. They poured out their hearts in silent prayer to God, and He knew the “thoughts of their hearts.”

This next part is very important, so I will quote it directly from the scriptures. It is in these verses from Mosiah 24:13-16 that the lessons are to be learned.

And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.

 

And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

 

And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

 

And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.

These were righteous people who obeyed the commandments. The Lord allowed them to fall into bondage for very specific reasons. One reason is for the purification of this group of people. This experience helped them develop greater faith in the Lord, patience in suffering, and a closeness as a people (think Zion society—of one heart and one mind). The Lord said He needed them to be witnesses to others that He really does visit His faithful saints in times of affliction.

The Lord did not just remove their suffering, but he strengthened them. In this case, He strengthened them physically so they were able to carry their physical burdens and not feel the adverse physical effects of their bondage. So great was their patience in their suffering, and so great was their cheerfulness in their time of bondage, that the Lord told the prophet Alma that on the morrow He would miraculously deliver the people from their bondage.

The fact that they suffered in patience, and did so cheerfully, seems to be an important aspect of what the Lord is looking for in these instances. We’ll see more of that requirement as we go along. Oh, and to finish the story, they spent all night gathering their possessions and flocks, and in the morning the Lord caused all the Lamanites to fall into a deep sleep so the people of Alma were able to just walk out of town. They all arrived safely in Zarahemla.

 Nephi, Grandson of Helaman

Back story: The Lamanite prophet, Samuel, made a big fuss on the city walls of Zarahemla about the signs that would precede the Savior’s birth. This was thrilling to the members of the Church, but was a sore point for those who hated the Church. When the signs of the Savior’s coming began to be fulfilled, the people who did not like the Church began to get very vocal about the “failed” prophecy. This may happen to us over something or other someday, so pay attention. Their voices of protest got louder and louder until they finally proclaimed that if the sign of the Savior’s birth was not fulfilled by a certain date, all the people who believed in the teachings of the prophets would be killed.

Nephi, who was the prophet was very grieved at this. He had no more knowledge of when the sign was to be given than any of the people. They were his responsibility, and he had to answer for their welfare to the Lord. On the day before the murders were to take place he spent all day long praying to the Lord. This was the Lord’s response in 3 Nephi 1:13:

Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.

Happy endings—I like those. When the Lord makes a promise  but the time for fulfillment seems to have passed us by, are we willing to stay faithful to the promise until further knowledge is revealed? When we are at the end of our rope, so to speak, how long are we willing to spend on our knees until we receive direction and guidance?

There seems to be a strong connection to faith and cheerfulness. Cheerfulness supports faith, whereas gloom and doom defeats our faith. Even when things look dark for us, are we willing to lift up our heads and be of good cheer because in our hearts we fully believe that the Lord has already come off the victor, and that no mortal situation can put a dent in that eternal victory? The cheerfulness seems to be an indicator as to how strong our faith is.

Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail

In all the preceding examples, we have very little text, because we are relying on what was recorded by the prophets in scripture. Let’s face it—scripture is not exactly known for being full of juicy details. But in the case of Joseph Smith, we have lots of details. We have so many details about his incarceration in Liberty Jail that I will have to leave most of them out due to space considerations.

The contents of this part come from the talk given by Elder Holland called “Lessons From Liberty Jail.” It is an amazing article and one I strongly encourage you to read. Let’s paint the backdrop of this scene so you get an idea as to why the prophet was so distressed.

Liberty Jail was essentially escape-proof, with walls four feet thick, a holding cell that was below the floor, with a ceiling that was low enough that anyone close to six feet in height would have to stoop to walk around. The floors were rough-hewn slabs of bare stone with dirty straw here and there, but not enough of it to protect them from the cold of the rock they were forced to sleep on during one of the coldest winters ever recorded in Missouri, USA.

Their food was sometimes contaminated and old. One of them in the jail said the food was so filthy they could only eat it when “driven to it by hunger.” On at least four occasions they were deliberately poisoned so they either spent days vomiting or in a state of delirium, not caring whether they lived or died. The wicked speech and behavior of the guards was so bad that Joseph said that even angels could not adequately describe the “malice of hell” that he suffered there.

These are just some of the things that caused those in the jail to suffer. After months of this treatment, which probably seemed like a lifetime to them, Joseph finally broke down and plead with the Lord. He wanted to know why he and his friends who suffered with him had been abandoned by God to suffer like this? How long was the Lord going to let it continue? Basically, he was saying to the Lord, “Where are you? Why are you hiding from us? How long will you continue to let this go on?” This conversation makes up three sections of the Doctrine and Covenants: Sections 121, 122, and 123.

To read more of Kelly’s articles, click here.

In response to his accusations of abandonment, though admittedly, very respectfully worded, the Lord sets the record straight with the prophet. He challenges the prophet’s thinking about just how much he has suffered by asking Joseph if he thinks he is greater than God? He reminds Joseph that he has not yet suffered as much as Job. The conversation continues and the Lord teaches the prophet about His plans for the righteous and for the wicked that persecute the saints. His opening words are found in D&C 121:7-8.

My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

 

And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.

Joseph was strong. He lasted months before he broke down and complained to the Lord about his condition. The Lord was patient with him, and let him get to the end of his rope then watched to see how he would react. As you read the first six verses of Section 121, pay careful attention to how respectfully Joseph addresses the Lord, even under these dire circumstances. In the next section we will look at some of the principles we can all learn from our personal times when we feel like we have been put into Liberty Jail.

Kelly P. Merrill

Kelly Merrill is semi retired and writes for https://gospelstudy.us. He lives with his wife in Idaho. His strength is being able to take difficult to understand subjects and break them down into understandable parts. He delights in writing about the gospel of Christ. Writing about the gospel is his personal missionary work to the members of the Church and to those of other faiths who are wanting to know more about Christ’s gospel and His Church.

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Before we dive into Piatt’s article, let’s take a fast look at the Mormon view of what a prophet is. First, Mormon is a nickname for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and, contrary to popular opinion, the Book of Mormon isn’t our Bible. Mormons believe both books are scripture. Both books also contain the writings of ancient prophets, so Mormons spend a lot of time on the subject of prophets.

LDS.org, the official Mormon website for members of the Church defines a prophet this way:

Like the prophets of old, prophets today testify of Jesus Christ and teach His gospel. They make known God’s will and true character. They speak boldly and clearly, denouncing sin and warning of its consequences. At times, they may be inspired to prophesy of future events for our benefit—LDS Study by Topic.

True prophets won’t be found on television summoning the spirits of the dead or telling fortunes. They won’t be doing that privately, either. Instead, their responsibility is to testify of the Savior and His gospel and to learn and share God’s will for the Church and for His children. It’s not a glamorous job, especially since it also involves leading the Church, but it is an essential one that has existed since the beginning of life on earth.

What Does a Prophet Do?

To understand the importance and work of a prophet, we can look to the Bible. “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7). From this verse we know that prophets are essential. In order for God to operate His Church, He must have a prophet who can receive truth and instruct the membership. This verse helps us to know that if there is no prophet, God’s church isn’t on the Earth at the moment.The prophet speaks for God. When He speaks, it is as if God were speaking, although this applies only when He is speaking as a prophet. So, for instance, if the prophet says Brigham Young University will win the football game this week, he is not speaking as a prophet. Real prophets don’t predict football games, because they have no impact on God’s Church, and so this is merely His opinion.

The Bible shows us that prophets are ordinary people given extraordinary assignments. They came from all walks of life before becoming prophets. They often had no special theological training. What they had was faith and a willingness to do whatever God told them to do. They were not perfect, even after they received their calling. They were people—but people of great faith.

Before he became the prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ezra Taft Benson talked about the role of a prophet. He spoke specifically of Joseph Smith, the first prophet in modern times. President Benson wrote:

“A revealing characteristic of a true prophet is that he declares a message from God. He makes no apology for the message, nor does he fear for any social repercussions which may lead to derision and persecution.” (See  Ezra Taft Benson, Joseph Smith: Prophet to Our Generation, General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, October 1981.)

Prophets and Popular Culture

Interestingly, Piatt also said a true prophet says things that are true, but not always popular. This is a common theme among Mormons, and one other people sometimes have a hard time understanding. Often, Mormons will be told their church needs to modernize its views and to do a better job of fitting in with the times. They don’t usually mean things like accepting technology (which Mormons are very good at already). They want the Mormons to adapt to changing moral standards. If something is “in” today, Mormons are supposed to alter truth to fit the teachings of the popular crowd, so to speak. Then, if the “in crowd” changes its mind tomorrow, we ought to do the same.

The problem with this sort of teaching is that it doesn’t require a prophet. For that matter, it doesn’t require a God. Who needs a God if everything will be decided by votes, movie stars, magazines, or other measures of popularity? God’s truths are based on eternal principles, not ever-changing standards made by mankind.

Over the generations, we’ve found that letting popular vote choose morality has not been very successful. Divorce has increased so much it is nearly the norm instead of the unusual occurrence. More and more children are in foster care or aborted because their parents couldn’t or wouldn’t care for them. More children are born out of wedlock and more are growing up without a father or a mother. People are increasingly unhappy. The “new” morality is not bringing them what they seek.

Sheri L. Dew, a former Mormon leader at the international level and now the CEO of Deseret Books, said:

“Several years ago, I participated in an international policy forum where the discussion moved from prostitution to pornography to abortion and so on. When the moderator invited me to comment, I noted that it seemed impossible not to notice a common theme—that every thorny issue had immoral underpinnings. I then told about my parents, who are devout members of our faith, what they had taught me about marriage and chastity, and how those teachings had governed my life. Afterwards, one woman after another pulled me aside and said the same thing: “You are so lucky. I didn’t think chastity was even possible. I wish someone had told me this years ago—it would have changed my life.”

I personally know tens of thousands of youth and young adults who are living morally clean lives. They are happy, productive, and anxiously engaged in becoming engaged. Moral purity is not outdated. Admittedly, it is also not easy. But I submit that it is easier than the alternative. Virtuous men and women never worry about a surprise pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease. Never agonize over confessing unfaithfulness. Have no emptiness after a one-night stand. No pain in losing one’s family to infidelity. No haunting memories of indiscretions. Quoting C. S. Lewis, “Virtue—even attempted virtue—brings light; indulgence brings fog.” (Sheri L. Dew, “The Power of Virtue,” Church News, August 9.)

Should a Prophet be perfect?

Piatt felt a prophet should not have false perfection. He said many felt no one would want to emulate them if they were perfect. The Bible is very open about the imperfections of its prophets. They were seldom glamorous. Moses stuttered so much (or possibly couldn’t communicate in the vernacular of the Hebrews) God allowed him to have a spokesperson. Despite this, he was a great prophet who is often held up as an example.

Sometimes people will attack Mormonism by noting that its leaders are not perfect. They never pretended they were. As Piatt may have understood, a prophet who is clearly human is actually easier to follow. We find it much easier to identify with someone who is more like us. Mormons teach that Jesus Christ was the only perfect person.

The current Mormon prophet, Thomas S. Monson, is not the glamorous sort of person Piatt complained of in discussing the false prophet that sparked his article. He is an elderly man who has clearly never had plastic surgery. His suits are modest and not flashy. He is known for his cozy style. The stories he tells when he speaks are often of his own imperfections—the time he ignored a prompting, for instance, or his incompetence in the kitchen. In a recent conference, he shared the story of a time he and his friend, at age eight, disobeyed family rules about playing with matches and started a fire the community had to help put out. He does not expect us to see him as perfect. While he has certainly reached a level of obedience to God’s commands that is impressive, he wants us to understand he is still mortal, and therefore imperfect. A true prophet is humble enough to be admit he is an imperfect human being and still growing, as we all are. To me, that makes him a far better role model.

Piatt brings up interesting points about authority and hope. I’m sure he’s not entirely in agreement with me on this subject, but Mormons do believe a prophet must have the proper authority. Piatt didn’t make any suggestions as to how a prophet would gain authority, but Mormons do. As we study the Bible, we see that no prophet became a prophet because he decided to be one. In fact, many of them tried to talk God out of it when the call came. However, God called them and authorized them to carry out his work. Mormons believe their own prophets serve under the authority given to them by God.

Now, many ask how we know President Monson really is the prophet. We know in exactly the same way the people of the Bible knew. They were not present when the call came and God didn’t appear to them to tell them. Every person must find out for himself who the prophet of God is. We have the ability and the responsibility to pray to know what is true, as is taught in James 1:5. Once we have that confirmation from God, we have a personal responsibility to follow the prophet.

Do Mormons Follow the Prophet No Matter What?

When people hear that Mormons follow their prophet, they picture mindless obedience to every command, no matter how trivial or dangerous. This is not how it works for Mormons. First, as I said above, the prophet teaches about things that matter to God, so many things are outside the scope of his job. Secondly, as I also mentioned, we (the lay members) have the ability to confirm anything at all with God.

When I was investigating the Church, I prayed to know if the prophet—then Spencer W. Kimball—was really a prophet. Being new to the idea of prophets, I didn’t entirely know how it worked, so I wasn’t always sure what was doctrine and what was opinion. I sometimes struggled with something that was different than I’d assumed it would be. When that happened, I prayed about the specific doctrine in question. Eventually, I realized God always confirmed that the prophet was right and I didn’t find a need to do that very often. Once in a while, I have a chat with God about something, though, even today. I’m not embarrassed to do that. It’s what He expects me to do. A true prophet is not afraid to have his followers confirm his teachings with God.

It’s not blindly following if I’ve gotten a sure witness from God. In the same way I don’t have to touch every hot stove to prove it is dangerous to touch a hot stove, I no longer need to pray about every single word the prophet says. It is learning by experience and testing, not blind following.

Hope

Piatt seemed to have some problems with the issue of prophets offering hope. I’m not entirely sure of his intent with that one, but he mentioned, critically, that promises of a better life always required you to do something. That seemed a bit odd to me. After all, how else do we improve our lives except by changing something in them? A person who hopes to escape poverty will get more education, improve his skills, and begin doing the kinds of things that lead to good employment. A person who hopes for love will become the kind of person who is lovable. A person who wants eternal life will work to become the kind of person who is worthy to be in the presence of God for eternity.

God’s promises, throughout the Bible, always require us to do something to receive the blessings. We’re told that if we pay tithing, God will open the windows of heaven to pour out blessings. Mormon prophets do offer hope—but yes, you have to make wise choices in order to receive the promised blessings.

In a powerful sermon on hope, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor to the Mormon prophet, defined hope from a religious perspective:

Hope is not knowledge, but rather the abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promise to us. It is confidence that if we live according to God’s laws and the words of His prophets now, we will receive desired blessings in the future. It is believing and expecting that our prayers will be answered. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance.

In the language of the gospel, this hope is sure, unwavering, and active. The prophets of old speak of a “firm hope” and a “lively hope.” It is a hope glorifying God through good works. With hope comes joy and happiness. With hope, we can “have patience, and bear … [our] afflictions” (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, The Infinite Power of Hope, General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, October, 2008).

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.