WEBVTT 00:00:02.320 --> 00:00:04.660 Welcome to closer to Christ through general conference 00:00:04.660 --> 00:00:06.700 where two friends who love Jesus share our own 00:00:06.700 --> 00:00:08.539 approach to studying the most recent general 00:00:08.539 --> 00:00:11.500 conference talks. This is Abby and Amy. Let's 00:00:11.500 --> 00:00:32.890 jump into it. Today's talk is The Lord Looketh 00:00:32.890 --> 00:00:35.409 on the Heart by Elder Ronald M. Barcellos of 00:00:35.409 --> 00:00:39.929 the 70. This 70 is from Brazil. He married his 00:00:39.929 --> 00:00:42.670 wife Karen in 1999 and he was sustained as a 00:00:42.670 --> 00:00:46.409 70 in April of 2025. So he's brand new for us. 00:00:47.729 --> 00:00:50.030 When looking for the next king, Samuel had... 00:00:50.079 --> 00:00:52.859 One in mind, and the Saviour warned Samuel, Look 00:00:52.859 --> 00:00:55.340 not on his countenance, or on the height of his 00:00:55.340 --> 00:00:57.979 stature, because I have refused him. For the 00:00:57.979 --> 00:01:00.859 Lord seeth not as man seeth. For man looketh 00:01:00.859 --> 00:01:02.600 on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh 00:01:02.600 --> 00:01:05.739 on the heart. David was chosen. While David may 00:01:05.739 --> 00:01:08.000 not have been physically the strongest or most 00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:10.239 skilled of his brothers, his heart was strong 00:01:10.239 --> 00:01:14.939 in the sight of God. Thanks, Abby. Elder Barcellos 00:01:14.939 --> 00:01:17.900 states, the story teaches us that all God needs 00:01:17.900 --> 00:01:20.319 to accomplish his purposes and to help us become 00:01:20.319 --> 00:01:23.159 who he wants us to become is for each of us to 00:01:23.159 --> 00:01:26.000 turn our hearts fully to him. I have seen this 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:28.219 over and over in my life. I've said this before. 00:01:28.519 --> 00:01:30.620 I wasn't blessed with a lot of practical spiritual 00:01:30.620 --> 00:01:33.040 gifts and yet... I've been called to various 00:01:33.040 --> 00:01:34.959 callings, much to my surprise, and probably those 00:01:34.959 --> 00:01:40.700 people around me. But if we only look at the 00:01:40.700 --> 00:01:43.959 real qualifier to be on an errand for God or 00:01:43.959 --> 00:01:46.980 to be called of God, it's for each of us to turn 00:01:46.980 --> 00:01:49.799 our hearts fully to Him. Then He can work a miracle 00:01:49.799 --> 00:01:51.640 through us. And to be honest, He works miracles 00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:54.140 on us as individuals as well, because our very 00:01:54.140 --> 00:01:56.790 nature's changed. as we partner with God and 00:01:56.790 --> 00:01:58.609 allow the atonement of Christ to strengthen our 00:01:58.609 --> 00:02:00.849 weakness. A line from a recent priesthood blessing 00:02:00.849 --> 00:02:04.430 comes to my mind as I was reviewing it. It was 00:02:04.430 --> 00:02:06.310 something that has brought clarity to my heart 00:02:06.310 --> 00:02:09.250 each time I read it. The Lord has no doubt in 00:02:09.250 --> 00:02:12.590 his mind that with your strengths and his perfect 00:02:12.590 --> 00:02:15.469 strengths making up for your weaknesses, you'll 00:02:15.469 --> 00:02:17.889 be able to get through these challenges. For 00:02:17.889 --> 00:02:20.650 me, this promise is as valid for me as it is 00:02:20.650 --> 00:02:22.530 for anyone who's listening to this right now. 00:02:22.590 --> 00:02:25.250 In my mind, I see this as a perfect balance. 00:02:25.969 --> 00:02:28.969 Christ's perfect strengths balance out each of 00:02:28.969 --> 00:02:31.650 our weaknesses. When we view our own life and 00:02:31.650 --> 00:02:34.050 challenges, especially through this lens, we 00:02:34.050 --> 00:02:36.969 are better able to see the balance that Jesus 00:02:36.969 --> 00:02:39.569 Christ brings to our life. And also, I think 00:02:39.569 --> 00:02:41.569 this is the biggest part, we remember where our 00:02:41.569 --> 00:02:44.590 trust is and who we lean on in times where our 00:02:44.590 --> 00:02:47.680 weaknesses feel very real. It's super important 00:02:47.680 --> 00:02:50.099 to recognize them, know that they're a weakness, 00:02:50.419 --> 00:02:53.300 so that we can recognize when we've allowed His 00:02:53.300 --> 00:02:55.840 strength to come up. For sure. And what strengths 00:02:55.840 --> 00:02:58.919 to ask for to balance it out. The Savior taught 00:02:58.919 --> 00:03:01.039 that if our hearts are fully tuned to Him, because 00:03:01.039 --> 00:03:03.300 of His atoning sacrifice, we can be blessed with 00:03:03.300 --> 00:03:05.280 the strength and spiritual gifts we need to overcome 00:03:05.280 --> 00:03:07.939 our mortal challenges, resist temptation, receive 00:03:07.939 --> 00:03:09.800 direction and understanding, and feel joy and 00:03:09.800 --> 00:03:12.520 peace in our lives. Out of small things proceedeth 00:03:12.520 --> 00:03:15.409 that which is great. He said He can make weak 00:03:15.409 --> 00:03:18.370 things become strong and bless us with everything 00:03:18.370 --> 00:03:20.909 we need to succeed in this mortal life and to 00:03:20.909 --> 00:03:23.490 receive eternal life. And He said in Scripture 00:03:23.490 --> 00:03:26.949 many times, and He applies His promise to every 00:03:26.949 --> 00:03:29.870 humble seeker of Christ, every single one of 00:03:29.870 --> 00:03:32.310 us. Maybe some days we don't feel like we fall 00:03:32.310 --> 00:03:34.949 under this umbrella. The best news is that we 00:03:34.949 --> 00:03:37.870 can course correct or turn to Him again and qualify 00:03:37.870 --> 00:03:39.689 for the blessings of joy and peace and spiritual 00:03:39.689 --> 00:03:42.110 direction in our lives. The Lord sees our hearts 00:03:42.110 --> 00:03:46.050 and our intentions and He knows when we choose 00:03:46.050 --> 00:03:51.770 Him. reminds us that Jesus corrected the scribes 00:03:51.770 --> 00:03:53.750 and Pharisees who did indeed follow the law. 00:03:53.810 --> 00:03:56.310 So they followed the law, but more to be seen 00:03:56.310 --> 00:03:58.830 of their peers than because their hearts loved 00:03:58.830 --> 00:04:01.509 God above all else. And so Jesus said this, the 00:04:01.509 --> 00:04:03.710 people drawth nigh unto me with their mouth, 00:04:04.169 --> 00:04:06.449 and on earth me with their lips, but their heart 00:04:06.449 --> 00:04:15.550 is far from me. There's no point to list various 00:04:15.550 --> 00:04:19.699 variations of error. It's another aspect of seeking 00:04:19.699 --> 00:04:21.800 to live a higher and holier way, which is to 00:04:21.800 --> 00:04:23.379 direct ourselves as we listen to the guidance 00:04:23.379 --> 00:04:26.120 of the Holy Ghost. We are the best judge of why 00:04:26.120 --> 00:04:27.899 we're doing the things and if we are to judge 00:04:27.899 --> 00:04:30.579 ourselves as Elder Bednar, as talk dives into, 00:04:30.759 --> 00:04:33.579 it's wise to get lots of practice and self -assessment. 00:04:34.420 --> 00:04:37.420 I like this because, I mean, wasn't the whole 00:04:37.420 --> 00:04:40.060 point of this? heart thing. He was kind of going 00:04:40.060 --> 00:04:41.500 in for a physical because he is at a certain 00:04:41.500 --> 00:04:44.160 age. I'm at a certain age. All of these maintenance 00:04:44.160 --> 00:04:45.740 things are coming up for myself too. And I'm 00:04:45.740 --> 00:04:47.759 like, it's been working fine. You don't really 00:04:47.759 --> 00:04:49.319 think that there's a problem, but when you stop 00:04:49.319 --> 00:04:51.000 and you do some assessment, you do some self 00:04:51.000 --> 00:04:52.579 -reflection, you're like, Oh, we can make these 00:04:52.579 --> 00:04:54.519 tweaks. Like he said, he had some things to fix. 00:04:54.699 --> 00:04:56.680 And so it was like some lifestyle changes or 00:04:56.680 --> 00:05:00.519 whatever. And I thought, what a great life experience. 00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:04.620 has then led to this great conference talk platform 00:05:04.620 --> 00:05:07.920 to say, things can be great, but if you do a 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:09.779 self assessment and you really give some thought 00:05:09.779 --> 00:05:12.160 into it, there can be some, you can kind of take 00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:13.800 it up with the Lord and say, you know, I've been 00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:15.699 doing these things for whatever reason, like 00:05:15.699 --> 00:05:17.160 help me see it a different way. Do we need to 00:05:17.160 --> 00:05:18.980 make some minor tweaks and some, some course 00:05:18.980 --> 00:05:23.399 corrections? And oftentimes he helps us figure 00:05:23.399 --> 00:05:25.939 out what those are going to be. It's not just 00:05:25.939 --> 00:05:29.100 what we do that we do good works, but also know 00:05:29.100 --> 00:05:32.610 why we do. what Jesus asked us to do. I mean, 00:05:32.689 --> 00:05:34.110 like the scribes and the Pharisees, if you look 00:05:34.110 --> 00:05:35.949 at it just in, you know, face value, you're like, 00:05:36.250 --> 00:05:38.689 they did things perfectly. They did it perfectly 00:05:38.689 --> 00:05:40.850 for the wrong reason, the wrong intent. What's 00:05:40.850 --> 00:05:42.850 written on their heart doesn't really get the 00:05:42.850 --> 00:05:45.050 message across. And so when we're asked to self 00:05:45.050 --> 00:05:47.050 -reflect, we're like, well, did we do that because 00:05:47.050 --> 00:05:49.810 we were putting on a show, we knew people were 00:05:49.810 --> 00:05:51.889 watching us, and so we were obligated to do it? 00:05:51.889 --> 00:05:54.930 Or did we do it, even if imperfectly we did it, 00:05:55.110 --> 00:05:57.370 did we do it for the right reasons? That's a 00:05:57.370 --> 00:06:00.449 much better outcome. Jesus Christ has asked us 00:06:00.449 --> 00:06:04.870 to do these things for our desires and motives. 00:06:04.949 --> 00:06:06.870 He said, for I, the Lord, will judge all men 00:06:06.870 --> 00:06:08.730 according to their works, according to the desires 00:06:08.730 --> 00:06:10.329 of their hearts. I don't know if I was saying 00:06:10.329 --> 00:06:14.350 that quite right, but we do things with the motive 00:06:14.350 --> 00:06:17.029 of learning to become like Jesus Christ or being 00:06:17.029 --> 00:06:19.449 servants on His behalf. he can sense that. That's 00:06:19.449 --> 00:06:21.290 why I'm saying like the thing that we're doing 00:06:21.290 --> 00:06:23.629 does not have to end up perfectly for it to be 00:06:23.629 --> 00:06:26.649 the lesson that we're learning. Oh yeah. Um, 00:06:26.889 --> 00:06:28.629 so here's where we get into the self assessment 00:06:28.629 --> 00:06:31.129 of our hearts. This is interesting because it 00:06:31.129 --> 00:06:33.129 builds upon, like we said, elder builders talk 00:06:33.129 --> 00:06:36.050 about us being the judge of ourselves. Very interesting 00:06:36.050 --> 00:06:38.009 idea. And I'm excited to jump more into that. 00:06:38.110 --> 00:06:40.449 So first, the first one, the elder Barcellos 00:06:40.449 --> 00:06:43.870 gives us is our focus, our priorities and motives. 00:06:44.529 --> 00:06:47.850 And he shares this scripture for where you're 00:06:47.689 --> 00:06:50.569 treasure is there will your heart be also right 00:06:50.569 --> 00:06:53.470 where we the things that we value most that's 00:06:53.470 --> 00:06:55.509 where our heart is and then there's a question 00:06:55.509 --> 00:06:58.629 for self -assessment do I make the Savior a priority 00:06:58.629 --> 00:07:02.230 in my life is my eye single to his glory in all 00:07:02.230 --> 00:07:05.949 that I do and then second our willingness to 00:07:05.949 --> 00:07:08.610 obey God's commandments Nephi exhorted his brothers 00:07:08.610 --> 00:07:10.410 how is it that you do not keep the commandments 00:07:10.410 --> 00:07:12.569 of the Lord How is it that you will perish because 00:07:12.569 --> 00:07:14.490 of the hardness of your hearts? And then to the 00:07:14.490 --> 00:07:16.870 saints of Missouri, the Lord said this, but he 00:07:16.870 --> 00:07:19.129 that doeth not anything until he is commanded 00:07:19.129 --> 00:07:21.649 and receiveth the commandment without with doubtful 00:07:21.649 --> 00:07:24.629 heart and keepeth it with slothfulness. The same 00:07:24.629 --> 00:07:26.790 is damned. That brings to mind something that 00:07:26.790 --> 00:07:30.410 Elder Bednar said years ago. He said the saints 00:07:30.410 --> 00:07:33.269 of the church should not be waiting for every 00:07:33.269 --> 00:07:35.769 single thing to come across the pulpit of what 00:07:35.769 --> 00:07:37.910 they should be doing. And I feel like that is 00:07:37.910 --> 00:07:43.420 where He's so huge on self inspiration, personal 00:07:43.420 --> 00:07:45.459 inspiration. For sure. Because it's going to 00:07:45.459 --> 00:07:47.560 be a little bit different for each person. Different 00:07:47.560 --> 00:07:49.819 than you thinking that you're receiving this 00:07:49.819 --> 00:07:51.620 inspiration that the whole church should be doing 00:07:51.620 --> 00:07:54.319 it. 100%. It is for you, right? And those who 00:07:54.319 --> 00:07:56.560 you have a steward over, which is probably children. 00:07:56.779 --> 00:07:59.480 And that's where it ends, right? But yeah, it 00:07:59.480 --> 00:08:02.860 is very important that we are in tune and that 00:08:02.860 --> 00:08:06.040 we know... We don't have to be told in all things. 00:08:06.339 --> 00:08:08.379 Yeah. There was a third point. I'll cover that 00:08:08.379 --> 00:08:10.480 one. It says, our diligence in studying the scriptures 00:08:10.480 --> 00:08:12.980 and seeking revelation. There we go. The Lord 00:08:12.980 --> 00:08:15.379 admonished Oliver Cowdery to treasure up these 00:08:15.379 --> 00:08:18.040 words in thine heart. A Benediah and Cignoan 00:08:18.040 --> 00:08:21.300 priest, it was said to them, ye have not applied 00:08:21.300 --> 00:08:23.259 your hearts to understanding, therefore ye have 00:08:23.259 --> 00:08:26.420 not been wise. So another question for self -assessment. 00:08:26.500 --> 00:08:28.839 Am I making a sincere effort to study the scriptures 00:08:28.839 --> 00:08:31.220 daily and to apply my heart to understand them 00:08:31.220 --> 00:08:34.960 through prayer? Am I expecting it to be laid 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:37.360 out for me? Am I willing to put any effort into 00:08:37.360 --> 00:08:40.179 it? And sometimes it's just a matter of opening 00:08:40.179 --> 00:08:42.139 the scriptures and starting there, even if you're 00:08:42.139 --> 00:08:44.220 not going to like deep dive and get so much out 00:08:44.220 --> 00:08:46.279 of it. It's a good starting point. They say, 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:48.179 God doesn't speak to me. Well, when was the last 00:08:48.179 --> 00:08:49.679 time that you looked at the stuff that he wrote 00:08:49.679 --> 00:08:55.299 down? Fourth, there was a fourth point. He said, 00:08:55.379 --> 00:08:57.100 our thoughts in our words, the Savior taught 00:08:57.100 --> 00:08:58.940 that out of the heart proceed with evil thoughts 00:08:58.940 --> 00:09:00.899 and that out of the abundance of the heart, the 00:09:00.899 --> 00:09:04.009 mouth speaketh. The question you could ask yourself 00:09:04.009 --> 00:09:06.269 here is, am I fostering negative thoughts about 00:09:06.269 --> 00:09:09.309 my own or others' actions or motive? Meaning, 00:09:09.409 --> 00:09:12.389 am I too quick to judge and condemn others or 00:09:12.389 --> 00:09:15.309 myself? Do I seek to find excuses or justification 00:09:15.309 --> 00:09:18.169 for my mistakes? Do my words lift and inspire 00:09:18.169 --> 00:09:20.789 those around me or do they create conflict and 00:09:20.789 --> 00:09:22.610 resentment? I feel like he had really good... 00:09:22.610 --> 00:09:24.789 These are all direct questions from him. He had 00:09:24.789 --> 00:09:27.230 really good ones where if you just... you know, 00:09:27.269 --> 00:09:29.909 we take some time and sit and ponder they could 00:09:29.909 --> 00:09:32.710 really help us in our self -assessment. A good 00:09:32.710 --> 00:09:35.029 reminder also for each of us as we perform the 00:09:35.029 --> 00:09:37.950 spiritual assessment of our heart and we might 00:09:37.950 --> 00:09:39.870 notice some negative symptoms starting to creep 00:09:39.870 --> 00:09:42.169 in. He says, please don't panic. The Savior has 00:09:42.169 --> 00:09:44.450 provided excellent spiritual medication and treatment 00:09:44.450 --> 00:09:46.809 to help each of us. He has even promised to give 00:09:46.809 --> 00:09:49.309 us a new heart. I have always loved this scripture. 00:09:49.450 --> 00:09:53.509 It's in Ezekiel 36 26. And he says, a new heart 00:09:53.509 --> 00:09:56.350 also will I give you. in a new spirit will I 00:09:56.350 --> 00:09:59.029 put within you. And I will take away the stony 00:09:59.029 --> 00:10:01.429 heart out of your flesh, and I will give you 00:10:01.429 --> 00:10:03.549 a heart of flesh." Here are some actions that 00:10:03.549 --> 00:10:06.570 can improve our heart's spiritual strength. The 00:10:06.570 --> 00:10:08.490 first one is strengthen your relationship with 00:10:08.490 --> 00:10:14.460 Christ. Nephi's example is, and He did soften 00:10:14.460 --> 00:10:16.559 my heart that I did believe all the words which 00:10:16.559 --> 00:10:18.580 had been spoken to my father." And then here's 00:10:18.580 --> 00:10:21.399 the Nephites example later on. They did fast 00:10:21.399 --> 00:10:24.000 and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:25.980 in their humility, and the firmer and firmer 00:10:25.980 --> 00:10:28.019 in the faith of Christ, unto the filling of their 00:10:28.019 --> 00:10:31.179 souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to 00:10:31.179 --> 00:10:34.259 the purifying and sanctification of their hearts, 00:10:34.700 --> 00:10:37.399 which sanctification cometh because they're yielding 00:10:37.399 --> 00:10:43.210 their hearts unto God. You bring in these examples 00:10:43.210 --> 00:10:46.389 of Nephi, like above we had said something about, 00:10:46.710 --> 00:10:48.129 you know, like, why don't you believe these things? 00:10:48.350 --> 00:10:51.049 He kind of poses to his brothers like, they have 00:10:51.049 --> 00:10:54.389 the same parents. They get to make their own 00:10:54.389 --> 00:10:57.149 decisions and like, why does it turn out so differently 00:10:57.149 --> 00:10:59.149 for each of them? And we know that the hardness 00:10:59.149 --> 00:11:02.590 of like Laman and Lemuel's hearts, like change 00:11:02.590 --> 00:11:09.429 the course of nations. Second, if we align our 00:11:09.429 --> 00:11:13.080 will with... His the Savior taught if you love 00:11:13.080 --> 00:11:15.519 me keep my commandments He invites us to demonstrate 00:11:15.519 --> 00:11:17.559 our love by making and keeping covenants with 00:11:17.559 --> 00:11:20.519 him as Nephi testified I know that if ye shall 00:11:20.519 --> 00:11:22.539 follow the Son with purpose of heart and acting 00:11:22.539 --> 00:11:25.139 no hypocrisy and no deception before God But 00:11:25.139 --> 00:11:27.899 with real intent repenting of your sins witnessing 00:11:27.899 --> 00:11:29.759 unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:32.320 you the name of Christ by baptism Then shall 00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:34.899 ye receive the Holy Ghost and then last we're 00:11:34.899 --> 00:11:36.879 gonna serve God and others with all our heart 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:40.009 The Savior invites all to serve with him With 00:11:40.009 --> 00:11:45.070 all our heart, that's from DNC4 too. It makes 00:11:45.070 --> 00:11:47.110 a difference, Amy. When you're doing service 00:11:47.110 --> 00:11:49.629 just because you think out of some sort of obligation 00:11:49.629 --> 00:11:51.289 that, oh, it's time for some service, I need 00:11:51.289 --> 00:11:53.950 to do some service. Is that a bad thing to do? 00:11:54.370 --> 00:11:57.750 No. Service is always good. Service looks a lot 00:11:57.750 --> 00:12:02.110 different when you're doing it for no ulterior 00:12:02.110 --> 00:12:07.409 motive with no seek for... praise or approval. 00:12:07.629 --> 00:12:09.570 You just go about, you do things because they 00:12:09.570 --> 00:12:11.590 can be small little things. Like a small service 00:12:11.590 --> 00:12:13.990 could be, you know, rolling your neighbor's garbage 00:12:13.990 --> 00:12:16.490 can out. I bought a gallon of milk from the guy 00:12:16.490 --> 00:12:18.429 behind me. We were having this, like my jam kept 00:12:18.429 --> 00:12:20.169 falling back, you know, behind the line of his 00:12:20.169 --> 00:12:21.590 thing. I'm like, I think that jam wants to go 00:12:21.590 --> 00:12:23.850 home with you. And I was like, it's just as easy 00:12:23.850 --> 00:12:25.730 to move that partition and pay for the one gallon 00:12:25.730 --> 00:12:27.029 milk. He thought it was the nicest thing. I'm 00:12:27.029 --> 00:12:32.450 like, that was a $4 spend, right? But I knew 00:12:32.450 --> 00:12:35.070 that Like it would be such a small thing, but 00:12:35.070 --> 00:12:36.690 like he like literally left the store with a 00:12:36.690 --> 00:12:40.350 little bit of a smile. So, you know, sometimes 00:12:40.350 --> 00:12:42.730 the service that we do, it's drawn out over months. 00:12:42.789 --> 00:12:44.309 It's going to be a big, it's going to take a 00:12:44.309 --> 00:12:46.450 lot of manpower, a lot of effort, a lot of mental 00:12:46.450 --> 00:12:49.330 space. If we're doing that out of obligation, 00:12:49.490 --> 00:12:51.429 I can promise you it looks a lot different than 00:12:51.429 --> 00:12:53.830 it's going to look when you're just doing it 00:12:53.830 --> 00:12:57.289 with full intent of heart and just kind of bring 00:12:57.289 --> 00:13:00.409 whatever glory you can to father and son. That 00:13:00.409 --> 00:13:08.519 is very good. Very good, Abby. I love that. When 00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:11.000 we choose to do each thing the Lord has asked 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:12.759 us to do, such as keeping the commandments or 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:14.559 partaking the sacrament, worshipping the temple, 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:16.379 serving others with a sincere heart and with 00:13:16.379 --> 00:13:18.480 real intent, not just because it's a checkbox 00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:21.679 of things that we would do, each act of service 00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:24.679 and worship becomes a powerful spiritual experience 00:13:24.679 --> 00:13:26.840 that strengthens our faith and testimony and 00:13:26.840 --> 00:13:29.000 fills our hearts with joy and love for God and 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:31.440 our fellow man. I just want to testify, add my 00:13:31.440 --> 00:13:34.139 testimony to his, that that is true. Yeah. I 00:13:34.139 --> 00:13:35.919 also love that when you're saying that too, you 00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:38.220 know, just now we read it and it kind of feels 00:13:38.220 --> 00:13:40.580 like a list because there are you know sequential 00:13:40.580 --> 00:13:43.700 thing of different ideas or different commandments 00:13:43.700 --> 00:13:46.139 we've been asked to do. The part I love though 00:13:46.139 --> 00:13:49.740 is that with each of these things that we are 00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:52.480 asked to do let's call them commandments it is 00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:55.769 an invitation. for us to bring Jesus Christ into 00:13:55.769 --> 00:13:58.250 our lives, into our hearts, and with that, He 00:13:58.250 --> 00:14:01.210 purifies us and sanctifies us and gives us blessing. 00:14:01.529 --> 00:14:05.649 So really, where's the downside for us? It's 00:14:05.649 --> 00:14:08.029 all positive. You know what I mean? Like, I just 00:14:08.029 --> 00:14:09.629 think it's interesting when sometimes we just 00:14:09.629 --> 00:14:12.990 think of either commandments or a list of things 00:14:12.990 --> 00:14:15.210 to do, or it's kind of a burden or a sacrifice. 00:14:15.590 --> 00:14:18.710 It really is the best thing we can be doing with 00:14:18.710 --> 00:14:22.769 our time. In reviewing this talk, I was struck 00:14:22.769 --> 00:14:25.330 by this thought. So if we're our own judges, 00:14:25.970 --> 00:14:28.490 then what if we're too easy on ourselves? The 00:14:28.490 --> 00:14:31.110 thought that kept coming to me was that the answer 00:14:31.110 --> 00:14:33.470 is reciprocal to the question or another way 00:14:33.470 --> 00:14:37.159 to put that is that often our answers. are as 00:14:37.159 --> 00:14:39.220 specific as our questions. We need to put, like 00:14:39.220 --> 00:14:42.179 you were saying, Abby, an honest effort into 00:14:42.179 --> 00:14:45.519 the questions. And this talk, I feel like, poses 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:47.879 really good questions, either by Elder Barcellos 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:50.700 himself or from the scriptures that he shared. 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:53.820 He went through and found really good scriptural 00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:58.840 stories and citations where people had been talking 00:14:58.840 --> 00:15:01.059 about purifying their hearts and how they, you 00:15:01.059 --> 00:15:03.659 know, put the word of the Lord in there. They're 00:15:03.659 --> 00:15:06.340 specific. These questions are specific and they 00:15:06.340 --> 00:15:09.799 are meant to bring out our true intents and desires. 00:15:10.320 --> 00:15:12.399 And as we each invite the Holy Ghost to be an 00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:14.500 active participant of this, we can facilitate 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:17.169 an honest self -assessment. and gently course 00:15:17.169 --> 00:15:20.289 correct where needed. I'm so grateful that the 00:15:20.289 --> 00:15:23.169 Lord has promised us a new heart. I gratefully 00:15:23.169 --> 00:15:26.149 claim that blessing each time I repent or study 00:15:26.149 --> 00:15:28.129 the scriptures or overcome a weakness or walk 00:15:28.129 --> 00:15:29.789 through a challenge with the Lord at my side. 00:15:30.049 --> 00:15:32.370 And I look forward with joyful anticipation when 00:15:32.370 --> 00:15:34.610 Jesus performs his consummate act of healing 00:15:34.610 --> 00:15:37.370 at the resurrection. And I have a new heart, 00:15:37.629 --> 00:15:40.330 fully healed and fully alive. And my hope is 00:15:40.330 --> 00:15:43.970 the same for each of you listening today. Abby, 00:15:44.029 --> 00:15:49.539 did you have Anything else to add? Kind of just 00:15:49.539 --> 00:15:52.639 everything heart related coming to when I listen 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:56.220 back to this talk and I thought it is. so important 00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:59.659 for us in our physical beings to be considered 00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:01.580 of our hearts and the things that it's asked 00:16:01.580 --> 00:16:05.120 to do for us and how easily it ties into gospel 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:08.519 principles, how we need to do a check -in and 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:10.840 we need to assess and we need to see is that 00:16:10.840 --> 00:16:13.159 a soft pliable heart, the kind that we want that's 00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:17.379 going to keep us alive and rejuvenated and doing 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:20.620 the things we're doing or are we going to let 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:25.929 that atrophy or weaken from the challenges that 00:16:25.929 --> 00:16:28.309 we're experiencing in life. Like you said, he 00:16:28.309 --> 00:16:30.149 asked like a million questions. I would suggest 00:16:30.149 --> 00:16:33.409 as you listen back through it, kind of go into 00:16:33.409 --> 00:16:35.590 this one with the thought like, help something, 00:16:35.889 --> 00:16:38.570 help the thing that I need. Help the question 00:16:38.570 --> 00:16:43.870 that I need to prick my heart. There are a ton 00:16:43.870 --> 00:16:45.450 of questions that you could ask yourself on this 00:16:45.450 --> 00:16:46.750 one, but there's going to be one that's going 00:16:46.750 --> 00:16:50.779 to kind of start helping peel back. get you to 00:16:50.779 --> 00:16:53.259 the core of what change that he's ready to help 00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:55.299 you realize because you've asked him, you've 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:58.679 put your agency into it. Maybe it is that you 00:16:58.679 --> 00:17:00.480 need to do more service. Maybe it's that you 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:02.100 need to allow yourself to be served. Maybe it's 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:04.759 that you need to be in his word more. Maybe it's, 00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:07.279 there's a million things that it could be. And 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:09.240 the spirit knows exactly what each one of us 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:12.559 needs. The prophet Alma's question still echoes 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:14.940 today. Have you been spiritually born of God? 00:17:15.130 --> 00:17:17.410 Have you received his image in your countenances? 00:17:17.890 --> 00:17:20.470 Have you experienced this mighty change in your 00:17:20.470 --> 00:17:24.410 hearts? That's the perfect question to ask. Thank 00:17:24.410 --> 00:17:27.230 you for joining us. Amy and I pray for the Lord's 00:17:27.230 --> 00:17:29.430 love to be with each of you this week as we reflect 00:17:29.430 --> 00:17:32.910 on the state of our own hearts. Love the Abbey. 00:17:33.230 --> 00:17:33.809 Have a good week.