WEBVTT 00:00:07.499 --> 00:00:09.660 Welcome to Closer to Christ through General Conference, 00:00:09.880 --> 00:00:12.080 where two friends who love Jesus share our own 00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:13.939 approach to studying the most recent General 00:00:13.939 --> 00:00:16.879 Conference talks. This is Abby and Amy. Let's 00:00:16.879 --> 00:00:30.059 jump into it. Welcome. Today we're going to talk 00:00:30.059 --> 00:00:32.820 about the plan of mercy by Elder James R. Rasband. 00:00:33.119 --> 00:00:35.700 So last April, soon after the joyful news that 00:00:35.700 --> 00:00:37.460 the church had acquired the Kirtland Temple, 00:00:37.920 --> 00:00:40.299 President Russell M. Nelson invited us to study 00:00:40.299 --> 00:00:42.960 the dedicatory prayer of this temple, recorded 00:00:42.960 --> 00:00:46.119 in section 109 of the DNC. The dedicatory prayer, 00:00:46.219 --> 00:00:50.039 said President Nelson, is a tutorial about how 00:00:50.039 --> 00:00:52.439 the temple spiritually empowers you and me to 00:00:52.439 --> 00:00:54.659 meet the challenges of life in these last days. 00:00:55.439 --> 00:00:57.780 It was such a good reminder to go back to that 00:00:57.780 --> 00:00:59.799 dedicatory prayer. For sure. And the purpose 00:00:59.799 --> 00:01:01.640 of this podcast, I think we've talked about it 00:01:01.640 --> 00:01:03.460 in other ones, you know, the power that comes 00:01:03.460 --> 00:01:05.340 as we study that section as we were directed 00:01:05.340 --> 00:01:09.099 to by the prophet. But some blessings that just 00:01:09.099 --> 00:01:14.140 kind of come right to the surface from that dedicatory 00:01:14.140 --> 00:01:18.040 prayer. The blessings of God's presence and glory 00:01:18.040 --> 00:01:21.799 will rest upon those who attend. We'll have protection 00:01:21.799 --> 00:01:24.469 from our enemies. an outpouring of the Spirit 00:01:24.469 --> 00:01:28.769 and knowledge. We'll receive forgiveness and 00:01:28.769 --> 00:01:31.430 cleansing. We'll have power in the preaching 00:01:31.430 --> 00:01:33.670 of the gospel. We'll have the ability to gather 00:01:33.670 --> 00:01:37.250 Israel. There was blessings for leaders and saints, 00:01:37.530 --> 00:01:41.829 vindication of the saints and God's work, and 00:01:41.829 --> 00:01:44.450 there will be peace and unity. So these promises 00:01:44.450 --> 00:01:47.109 and blessings were specific to the Kirtland Temple, 00:01:47.170 --> 00:01:50.629 but also... reminded time and time again that 00:01:50.629 --> 00:01:52.810 they have relevance in modern temple worship 00:01:52.810 --> 00:01:55.730 and covenant living every temple that happened 00:01:55.730 --> 00:01:58.670 from that point in this dispensation right right 00:01:58.670 --> 00:02:00.790 i do appreciate that he said that that he said 00:02:00.790 --> 00:02:03.750 you know this is this is specific to this temple 00:02:03.750 --> 00:02:06.349 yes and it's overarching for every other temple 00:02:06.349 --> 00:02:09.250 so it's still very um applicable which is why 00:02:09.250 --> 00:02:11.469 the The prophet asked us to look at it. We each 00:02:11.469 --> 00:02:13.449 can find a special connection to temples and 00:02:13.449 --> 00:02:15.870 our worship there. And Elder Rasband took this 00:02:15.870 --> 00:02:18.009 opportunity to share some of the truths that 00:02:18.009 --> 00:02:19.969 he learned himself from taking the prophet's 00:02:19.969 --> 00:02:22.169 invitation. So truth number one would be the 00:02:22.169 --> 00:02:24.569 Lord is merciful and that our Heavenly Father's 00:02:24.569 --> 00:02:27.250 plan of salvation is truly a plan of mercy. The 00:02:27.250 --> 00:02:29.210 temple is designed to give us a real opportunity 00:02:29.210 --> 00:02:31.610 to see how God intends for that plan to work 00:02:31.610 --> 00:02:34.759 out. One of the coolest things that we've maybe 00:02:34.759 --> 00:02:37.400 witnessed in recent years is that newly called 00:02:37.400 --> 00:02:38.919 missionaries are encouraged to receive their 00:02:38.919 --> 00:02:42.259 temple endowment soon after graduation, like 00:02:42.259 --> 00:02:44.379 when they have to meet like 18 or graduation 00:02:44.379 --> 00:02:47.680 or whatever, but as soon as possible. And the 00:02:47.680 --> 00:02:50.060 reason is that they may serve as temple workers 00:02:50.060 --> 00:02:52.639 before they begin their missionary service. As 00:02:52.639 --> 00:02:54.500 the youth prepare for missionary service, it 00:02:54.500 --> 00:02:57.930 might be possible. It possibly might be the greatest 00:02:57.930 --> 00:03:01.289 teaching tool prior to entering the MTC to learn 00:03:01.289 --> 00:03:06.189 more about God's covenants and the covenants 00:03:06.189 --> 00:03:08.490 that His children can make. to understand them 00:03:08.490 --> 00:03:10.389 more deeply so that then they can take that message 00:03:10.389 --> 00:03:12.729 out into the world that they're going into. Previous 00:03:12.729 --> 00:03:14.870 guidelines might have suggested that you might 00:03:14.870 --> 00:03:16.629 wait until marriage or mission before receiving 00:03:16.629 --> 00:03:18.930 your endowment. But the updated handbook emphasizes 00:03:18.930 --> 00:03:21.949 receiving it as soon as one feels ready, provided 00:03:21.949 --> 00:03:23.990 that they're graduated and at least 18 years 00:03:23.990 --> 00:03:26.590 old. They personally feel ready. And then you 00:03:26.590 --> 00:03:28.669 have to be, have been confirmed a member for 00:03:28.669 --> 00:03:30.729 up to a year. So young adults are encouraged 00:03:30.729 --> 00:03:32.830 to prayerfully consider when they are ready to 00:03:32.830 --> 00:03:34.509 take the significant step in their spiritual 00:03:34.509 --> 00:03:36.949 development. Not like, oh, you're getting married. 00:03:37.159 --> 00:03:39.319 going on a mission right you know like your cattle 00:03:39.319 --> 00:03:41.120 is just part of the thing go forward you know 00:03:41.120 --> 00:03:43.500 what i mean like you're in the gate now no they 00:03:43.500 --> 00:03:45.780 can decide for themselves i really do like that 00:03:45.780 --> 00:03:48.900 uh truth too God empowers new missionaries, indeed 00:03:48.900 --> 00:03:51.740 all of us, in an additional sacred way. The prophet 00:03:51.740 --> 00:03:53.919 Joseph Smith prayed that when thy servant shall 00:03:53.919 --> 00:03:56.780 go from thy house to bear testimony of thy name, 00:03:56.879 --> 00:03:59.080 the hearts of all people would be softened, both 00:03:59.080 --> 00:04:01.159 the great ones of the earth and all the poor, 00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:03.800 the needy, and the afflicted. He prayed that 00:04:03.800 --> 00:04:06.400 their prejudices might give way before the truth, 00:04:06.520 --> 00:04:08.979 and thy people may attain favor on the side of 00:04:08.979 --> 00:04:11.219 all, that all the ends of the earth may know 00:04:11.219 --> 00:04:14.719 that we, thy servants, have heard thy voice, 00:04:14.759 --> 00:04:17.540 and that thou hast sent us. Abby, I liked also 00:04:17.540 --> 00:04:22.240 that he talks about a lot Elder Rasband. He touched 00:04:22.240 --> 00:04:26.000 on the fact that Joseph Smith many times in this. 00:04:26.600 --> 00:04:28.899 pled for Heavenly Father to have mercy on us 00:04:28.899 --> 00:04:31.819 and that he really, it was really a prayer that 00:04:31.819 --> 00:04:34.560 was straight from his heart as well. And then 00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:36.060 we see all the blessings that flow from that. 00:04:36.100 --> 00:04:37.819 I liked that part of it, just seeing that there 00:04:37.819 --> 00:04:41.019 was a very human and a father and son relationship 00:04:41.019 --> 00:04:44.199 in that. It's so good. That last phrase that 00:04:44.199 --> 00:04:46.279 you were reading about, the promise that was 00:04:46.279 --> 00:04:48.300 made, truth number two that he pointed out, so 00:04:48.300 --> 00:04:50.279 nice for new missionary moms, you especially. 00:04:50.860 --> 00:04:53.420 It's nice to think that the promise to have prejudice 00:04:53.420 --> 00:04:55.959 give way before the truth to obtain favor. the 00:04:55.959 --> 00:04:57.759 sight of all, to have the world know that they're 00:04:57.759 --> 00:05:01.040 sent by the Lord. It's nice also for us, we think 00:05:01.040 --> 00:05:02.860 of ourselves as member missionaries, to have 00:05:02.860 --> 00:05:05.439 access to that same blessing. Each of us really 00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:08.519 needs the same blessing in our lives. Because 00:05:08.519 --> 00:05:10.620 I think too often we're fearful that we're going 00:05:10.620 --> 00:05:12.300 to be rejected so we don't open our mouths. And 00:05:12.300 --> 00:05:16.240 it's like, whatever we're able to testify of 00:05:16.240 --> 00:05:18.660 Jesus Christ is a positive thing, regardless 00:05:18.660 --> 00:05:21.939 if somebody takes that on them or not. I think 00:05:21.939 --> 00:05:24.110 it's worth spending some time. thinking how that 00:05:24.110 --> 00:05:27.970 blessing in section 109 is ours to have, is our 00:05:27.970 --> 00:05:30.829 blessing to have. Wouldn't it be nice to know 00:05:30.829 --> 00:05:33.310 that hearts were going to be softened as we interact 00:05:33.310 --> 00:05:35.790 with neighbors or coworkers, those people like 00:05:35.790 --> 00:05:40.069 closest to us in our circles? How do you think? 00:05:40.519 --> 00:05:43.019 temples bring forth this blessing. I think it's 00:05:43.019 --> 00:05:45.279 cool that it says, you know, have prejudices 00:05:45.279 --> 00:05:47.459 give way before the truth, because that really 00:05:47.459 --> 00:05:50.800 can be our own prejudices. Like we thought things 00:05:50.800 --> 00:05:52.560 were going to go a certain way. We don't realize 00:05:52.560 --> 00:05:55.839 they're prejudices. But when you're in the house 00:05:55.839 --> 00:05:58.920 of the Lord, again, he's able to, his spirit 00:05:58.920 --> 00:06:03.560 is able to dissolve any borders and any walls 00:06:03.560 --> 00:06:06.689 that there may be up between you and truth. So 00:06:06.689 --> 00:06:08.589 you would just hope that you're able to bring 00:06:08.589 --> 00:06:10.589 that spirit with you and that it would help to 00:06:10.589 --> 00:06:12.250 dissolve others. Like you were saying with coworkers 00:06:12.250 --> 00:06:15.569 and with friends and neighbors, that that spirit 00:06:15.569 --> 00:06:18.370 would, the spirit of Christ that dissolves borders 00:06:18.370 --> 00:06:20.550 would be with you. You'd be able to carry that. 00:06:20.689 --> 00:06:24.529 I love that. The dedicatory prayer does not explain 00:06:24.529 --> 00:06:26.629 exactly how our time in the temple will soften 00:06:26.629 --> 00:06:28.629 others' hearts, but I'm convinced it is bound 00:06:28.629 --> 00:06:31.410 up with how time in the house of the Lord softens 00:06:31.410 --> 00:06:33.850 our hearts, our own hearts, by centering us on 00:06:33.850 --> 00:06:37.589 Jesus Christ and His mercy. Yes, what you said. 00:06:37.689 --> 00:06:39.990 I love that he said that, too, because, again, 00:06:40.129 --> 00:06:44.230 he brought it right back to we focus on ourselves. 00:06:44.939 --> 00:06:47.040 We're not going to the temple to change other 00:06:47.040 --> 00:06:49.959 people. We are going to the temple to change 00:06:49.959 --> 00:06:52.279 our very natures, that we become new creatures 00:06:52.279 --> 00:06:55.139 in Christ. And again, as that happens, we go 00:06:55.139 --> 00:06:57.540 out into the world and our interactions are different. 00:06:57.680 --> 00:06:59.620 Well, and if there's like a coworker or a specific 00:06:59.620 --> 00:07:01.240 child that's on your mind as you go into the 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:04.459 temple and you have, what can I do to benefit 00:07:04.459 --> 00:07:08.040 or bless them? Focusing on Jesus Christ and willing 00:07:08.040 --> 00:07:09.839 to be his hands, but not what we're trying to 00:07:09.839 --> 00:07:12.160 do to change them, but what you can do to serve 00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:15.389 them. I think that seems like one manifestation 00:07:15.389 --> 00:07:17.350 of what we're talking about. Very good. I like 00:07:17.350 --> 00:07:19.529 that. From the very first prayer in the sacred 00:07:19.529 --> 00:07:21.910 grove, Joseph wanted to know his standing before 00:07:21.910 --> 00:07:23.790 the Lord. He wanted to know, would his sins be 00:07:23.790 --> 00:07:26.110 forgiven? This prayer opened the windows of heaven. 00:07:26.290 --> 00:07:28.470 In the dedication prayer, a similar plea for 00:07:28.470 --> 00:07:30.110 mercy is answered, just like you were talking 00:07:30.110 --> 00:07:32.610 about. His plea first for mercy was for members 00:07:32.610 --> 00:07:34.689 of the church, then for enemies of the church, 00:07:34.730 --> 00:07:36.689 for leaders of the country, for the nations of 00:07:36.689 --> 00:07:39.740 the earth. Very personally, he pled with the 00:07:39.740 --> 00:07:41.879 Lord to remember him and have mercy upon his 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:44.959 beloved Emma and their children. So sweet. One 00:07:44.959 --> 00:07:47.759 week later, on Easter Day, 1836, as recorded 00:07:47.759 --> 00:07:50.500 in Section 110, the Savior appears in the Kirtland 00:07:50.500 --> 00:07:54.819 Temple and says, I have accepted this house, 00:07:54.939 --> 00:07:57.459 and my name shall be here, and I will manifest 00:07:57.459 --> 00:08:00.939 myself to my people in mercy in this house. President 00:08:00.939 --> 00:08:03.199 Nelson taught last April this promise also applies 00:08:03.199 --> 00:08:06.670 to every dedicated temple today. And again, We 00:08:06.670 --> 00:08:09.930 can see right here that it was a very direct 00:08:09.930 --> 00:08:12.490 answer to his prayer because what did he pray 00:08:12.490 --> 00:08:14.850 for the whole thing? Mercy all throughout. And 00:08:14.850 --> 00:08:18.209 he says here, I will manifest myself in mercy. 00:08:18.370 --> 00:08:21.470 That 14 -year -old child opened the windows of 00:08:21.470 --> 00:08:24.379 heaven. all those years ago and because he would 00:08:24.379 --> 00:08:27.180 listen to the lord and and and moved the church 00:08:27.180 --> 00:08:29.540 and the restoration along then we get to this 00:08:29.540 --> 00:08:32.200 point where they did indeed listen to the lord 00:08:32.200 --> 00:08:35.539 asking him build a house into my name and like 00:08:35.539 --> 00:08:38.000 let the powers that i'm ready to unleash come 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:41.139 come forth here uh from the talk truth number 00:08:41.139 --> 00:08:44.019 three there are so many ways in which we can 00:08:44.019 --> 00:08:46.240 find mercy in the house of the lord the lord 00:08:46.240 --> 00:08:48.299 first commanded israel to build a tabernacle 00:08:48.299 --> 00:08:50.950 and place at its center the mercy seat wasn't 00:08:50.950 --> 00:08:53.350 that a great reminder yes we find mercy in the 00:08:53.350 --> 00:08:55.590 covenants we make at both baptism and the additional 00:08:55.590 --> 00:08:57.690 covenants we make in the temple when we bind 00:08:57.690 --> 00:08:59.629 ourselves to the father and son by covenant we 00:08:59.629 --> 00:09:01.529 are given increased access to what president 00:09:01.529 --> 00:09:04.370 nelson has taught is a special kind of love and 00:09:04.370 --> 00:09:07.690 mercy called hesed in hebrew we find mercy in 00:09:07.690 --> 00:09:09.450 the opportunity to be sealed to our families 00:09:09.450 --> 00:09:12.070 for eternity in the temple we also come to understand 00:09:12.070 --> 00:09:14.309 with greater clarity that the creation the fall 00:09:14.309 --> 00:09:16.769 the savior's atoning sacrifice and our ability 00:09:16.769 --> 00:09:18.929 to enter again into our heavenly father's presence 00:09:19.819 --> 00:09:22.360 Indeed, every part of the plan of salvation are 00:09:22.360 --> 00:09:25.299 manifestations of mercy. It might be said that 00:09:25.299 --> 00:09:27.720 the plan of salvation is a plan of happiness 00:09:27.720 --> 00:09:30.639 precisely because it is a plan of mercy. Oh, 00:09:30.779 --> 00:09:34.840 that's so good. I love that. Truth number four, 00:09:34.940 --> 00:09:36.720 the Lord's mercy is one of the most powerful 00:09:36.720 --> 00:09:38.759 ways to fill the witness of the Holy Ghost, and 00:09:38.759 --> 00:09:42.120 pondering on His mercy opens the door to a testimony 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:44.759 of the Book of Mormon. Similar principles beautifully 00:09:44.759 --> 00:09:47.740 taught in Moroni 10, 3 -5. And oftentimes we 00:09:47.740 --> 00:09:50.200 shorthand these verses to teach that if we sincerely 00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:52.500 pray, then we can use that to learn whether the 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:55.509 Book of Mormon is true or not. But the shorthand 00:09:55.509 --> 00:09:57.509 can neglect the important role of mercy. Could 00:09:57.509 --> 00:09:59.970 you maybe read those verses for us? Sure. Three. 00:10:00.309 --> 00:10:02.590 Behold, I would exhort you that when you shall 00:10:02.590 --> 00:10:04.570 read these things, if it be wisdom in God that 00:10:04.570 --> 00:10:06.269 you should read them, that you would remember 00:10:06.269 --> 00:10:09.149 how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children 00:10:09.149 --> 00:10:11.990 of men from the creation of Adam, even down until 00:10:11.990 --> 00:10:13.590 the time that you shall receive these things 00:10:13.590 --> 00:10:16.500 and ponder it in your hearts. Number four, and 00:10:16.500 --> 00:10:17.980 when you shall receive these things, I would 00:10:17.980 --> 00:10:19.600 exhort you that you would ask God, the eternal 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:22.019 Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, if these 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:24.399 things are not true. And if you shall ask with 00:10:24.399 --> 00:10:26.419 a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith 00:10:26.419 --> 00:10:28.820 in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto 00:10:28.820 --> 00:10:31.559 you by the power of the Holy Ghost. Number five, 00:10:31.659 --> 00:10:34.279 and by the power of the Holy Ghost, ye may know 00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:37.519 the truth of all things. So thank you for the 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:42.899 emphasis on that word. merciful. And it's good 00:10:42.899 --> 00:10:45.620 to point out Moroni urges us not just to read 00:10:45.620 --> 00:10:47.720 these things, the record he was about to seal 00:10:47.720 --> 00:10:53.000 up, but ponder. The stories, the words that the 00:10:53.000 --> 00:10:55.539 Book of Mormon reveals about how merciful the 00:10:55.539 --> 00:10:58.220 Lord has been unto the children of men. So it's 00:10:58.220 --> 00:11:00.620 in the pondering upon the Lord's mercy that then 00:11:00.620 --> 00:11:03.019 prepares us to ask God, the Eternal Father, in 00:11:03.019 --> 00:11:04.940 the name of Christ, if those things are true. 00:11:05.080 --> 00:11:07.120 That's great. The Book of Mormon is full of examples 00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:09.340 of God's mercy, like we've been talking about 00:11:09.340 --> 00:11:11.659 through this whole talk. Alma taught that God's 00:11:11.659 --> 00:11:13.720 plan of mercy assures that every person who ever 00:11:13.720 --> 00:11:16.179 lived on this earth will be resurrected and that 00:11:16.179 --> 00:11:18.059 they will be restored to their perfect frame. 00:11:18.519 --> 00:11:21.080 Amula taught. that the Savior's mercy satisfied 00:11:21.080 --> 00:11:24.399 all the bitterly real demands of justice that 00:11:24.399 --> 00:11:26.659 we would otherwise be obligated to pay. Instead, 00:11:26.940 --> 00:11:30.320 he encircles us in the arms of safety. Then there's 00:11:30.320 --> 00:11:32.500 Alma. He testified that Christ suffered not only 00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:34.639 for our sins, but for our pains and afflictions, 00:11:34.679 --> 00:11:37.259 so that he could know how to succor his people 00:11:37.259 --> 00:11:39.879 according to their infirmities. King Benjamin 00:11:39.879 --> 00:11:42.500 taught that as a free gift, he atoned for the 00:11:42.500 --> 00:11:44.559 sins of those who have died, not knowing the 00:11:44.559 --> 00:11:47.179 will of God concerning them, or who would have 00:11:47.179 --> 00:12:05.389 ignorantly sinned. That's kind of special. I'm 00:12:05.389 --> 00:12:07.730 just thinking about Abinadi who himself suffered 00:12:07.730 --> 00:12:11.710 bruise and like burning, whatever. I mean, he 00:12:11.710 --> 00:12:14.269 said it in words, but he in action understands 00:12:14.269 --> 00:12:16.710 those words maybe more than any of us. Absolutely. 00:12:18.330 --> 00:12:21.370 We're invited to ask ourselves, could these stories 00:12:21.370 --> 00:12:24.789 possibly be true? And Elder Rasband answers that 00:12:24.789 --> 00:12:27.409 himself. He says, I testify that it is and that 00:12:27.409 --> 00:12:29.389 the peace giving and hopeful teachings of mercy 00:12:29.389 --> 00:12:32.690 in the Book of Mormon are true. I love that testimony. 00:12:33.330 --> 00:12:36.750 I love that he knows this for himself and is 00:12:36.750 --> 00:12:38.509 willing to share a personal struggle he faced 00:12:38.509 --> 00:12:41.590 himself. He kind of reached out to those who 00:12:41.590 --> 00:12:43.789 are struggling to fill anything despite faithfully 00:12:43.789 --> 00:12:46.750 reading and their prayers. He said many years 00:12:46.750 --> 00:12:51.360 ago. My own first couple of reads of the Book 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:53.059 of Mormon did not yield any immediate and clear 00:12:53.059 --> 00:12:55.779 answers to my prayers. And so his advice to focus 00:12:55.779 --> 00:12:58.200 on specific examples of mercy shown to God's 00:12:58.200 --> 00:13:00.379 children in these stories and then ponder on 00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:02.620 them, whether these things could be true, and 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:05.039 if that same mercy could be available to each 00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:09.360 of us, comes from personal knowledge and understanding 00:13:09.360 --> 00:13:11.620 of doing that process absolutely and maybe it 00:13:11.620 --> 00:13:13.039 won't work for everybody or maybe people aren't 00:13:13.039 --> 00:13:14.539 struggling they're like i read and i got the 00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:16.639 answer and it was so great but he's reaching 00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:19.460 people like a lot of us we're asking we're asking 00:13:19.460 --> 00:13:20.860 we're asking we want to know we want to have 00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:23.059 that firm like that burning in our bosom to know 00:13:23.059 --> 00:13:25.740 and he promised us the truth that he knows is 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:29.379 that reading it and pondering on it can lead 00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:34.509 to that realization so good Amy, he gave us a 00:13:34.509 --> 00:13:36.370 specific invitation. You want to read what he 00:13:36.370 --> 00:13:38.809 said to us? Sure. May I invite you to follow 00:13:38.809 --> 00:13:41.090 Moroni's counsel to ponder on the many ways the 00:13:41.090 --> 00:13:43.389 Book of Mormon teaches how merciful the Lord 00:13:43.389 --> 00:13:45.789 hath been to the children of men. Based on my 00:13:45.789 --> 00:13:48.590 experience, I hope that when you do, the peace 00:13:48.590 --> 00:13:50.850 of the Holy Ghost can enter your heart and you 00:13:50.850 --> 00:13:53.129 can know, believe, and feel that the Book of 00:13:53.129 --> 00:13:55.789 Mormon and the plan of mercy that it teaches 00:13:55.789 --> 00:13:59.950 are true. That's so good, Abby. I really do love 00:13:59.950 --> 00:14:02.389 that we have touched on the word mercy and the 00:14:02.389 --> 00:14:04.769 principle of mercy all throughout. And that again, 00:14:04.970 --> 00:14:09.529 it's a plan of mercy. That Heavenly Father is 00:14:09.529 --> 00:14:12.009 a father of mercy. Yes, we have all of his commandments, 00:14:12.169 --> 00:14:15.350 all of the guidelines. He has just pretty much 00:14:15.350 --> 00:14:16.909 shown us that through the Book of Mormon and 00:14:16.909 --> 00:14:19.090 also through all of our temple covenants and 00:14:19.090 --> 00:14:20.929 everything that we learned there, there's just 00:14:20.929 --> 00:14:23.649 more and more mercy extended if we will just 00:14:23.649 --> 00:14:27.009 take that. Take his hand. In our little valley, 00:14:27.129 --> 00:14:30.289 we experienced a very tragic loss. Just a young 00:14:30.289 --> 00:14:34.309 woman, she passed away in a tragic accident last 00:14:34.309 --> 00:14:37.850 week. And kind of just letting the family process, 00:14:37.909 --> 00:14:42.409 you know, their emotions. But the Facebook posts 00:14:42.409 --> 00:14:45.889 have been coming out and the family member, one 00:14:45.889 --> 00:14:48.549 in particular, just expressing his love of his 00:14:48.549 --> 00:14:52.490 family, their temple covenants, and the father's 00:14:52.490 --> 00:14:54.500 plan. being the most important thing right now 00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:56.700 so i was like in this tragic moment when you 00:14:56.700 --> 00:15:01.679 can testify that uh mortality works and that 00:15:01.679 --> 00:15:04.480 you know there is a merciful god in heaven and 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:06.980 rather than just being angry like my natural 00:15:06.980 --> 00:15:09.580 inclination probably just to be angry in the 00:15:09.580 --> 00:15:12.039 situation but i find so much peace knowing that 00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:15.360 they're going to find peace so much sooner because 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:17.960 they they know that the plan is is good those 00:15:17.960 --> 00:15:21.529 covenants that they made are real and that God 00:15:21.529 --> 00:15:24.750 is merciful. So, you know, she's doing just fine. 00:15:24.850 --> 00:15:26.610 On the other side, she's going to continue to 00:15:26.610 --> 00:15:28.370 be an awesome little missionary like she's been. 00:15:28.529 --> 00:15:30.809 But the family that's left behind to suffer, 00:15:30.950 --> 00:15:32.850 if they can hold on to those truths that they 00:15:32.850 --> 00:15:37.429 know that, you know, that they've already accepted 00:15:37.429 --> 00:15:39.210 that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God and 00:15:39.210 --> 00:15:41.409 that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is on 00:15:41.409 --> 00:15:43.470 this earth, and if they can cling to that, it's 00:15:43.470 --> 00:15:45.190 going to make the storm that they're being asked 00:15:45.190 --> 00:15:48.539 to weather so much. more tolerable i guess yeah 00:15:48.539 --> 00:15:51.840 painful still right and like you said the real 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:54.200 miracle of it is that they can find peace now 00:15:54.200 --> 00:15:57.100 that that is that would be my biggest hope for 00:15:57.100 --> 00:15:59.340 them so that's that's what they're demonstrating 00:15:59.340 --> 00:16:01.299 right now and like that's my prayer that all 00:16:01.299 --> 00:16:03.100 of these people that she's touched their lives 00:16:03.100 --> 00:16:04.860 that they'll cling to those truths that they 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:08.460 know amidst it being easy to just get angry right 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:12.600 His final testimony, I express my gratitude for 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:14.700 the Savior's great plan of mercy and for the 00:16:14.700 --> 00:16:16.740 Savior's willingness to carry it out. I know 00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:19.139 that he will manifest himself in mercy in his 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:21.460 holy temple and in every part of our life if 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:23.820 we seek him. And this he does in the name of 00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:26.279 Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen. Thanks for being with 00:16:26.279 --> 00:16:27.379 us. See you next time.