WEBVTT 00:00:02.320 --> 00:00:04.660 Welcome to closer to Christ through general conference 00:00:04.660 --> 00:00:06.719 where two friends who love Jesus share our own 00:00:06.719 --> 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 --> 00:00:32.170 jump into it. Today's talk, The Lord is Hatening 00:00:32.170 --> 00:00:34.490 His Work by Elder Quentin L. Cook, Quorum of 00:00:34.490 --> 00:00:37.250 the Twelve Apostles. Charles Dickens began his 00:00:37.250 --> 00:00:39.490 classic novel, A Tale of Two Cities, with the 00:00:39.490 --> 00:00:41.710 assertion that it was the best of times, it was 00:00:41.710 --> 00:00:44.750 the worst of times. And in a sense, this is true 00:00:44.750 --> 00:00:47.229 of our day. We live in a turbulent time when 00:00:47.229 --> 00:00:49.530 the whole earth is in commotion. President Russell 00:00:49.530 --> 00:00:52.409 M. Nelson's admonition to be peacemakers as followers 00:00:52.409 --> 00:00:55.049 of Jesus Christ is an essential part of fostering 00:00:55.049 --> 00:00:57.729 unity, peace, and healing for the worst of times. 00:00:58.289 --> 00:01:00.549 We also live in the best of times, which will 00:01:00.549 --> 00:01:04.290 be my emphasis today is what he said. The Lord 00:01:04.290 --> 00:01:06.590 in the preface to the DNC declared the fullness 00:01:06.590 --> 00:01:08.870 of the gospel would be proclaimed unto the ends 00:01:08.870 --> 00:01:11.290 of the world. The Lord is truly hastening his 00:01:11.290 --> 00:01:14.209 work in our time. For sure. We just talked about 00:01:14.209 --> 00:01:16.930 it in the last one. I have to say the line that 00:01:16.930 --> 00:01:18.930 I loved. There's never been a better time to 00:01:18.930 --> 00:01:20.469 be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of 00:01:20.469 --> 00:01:22.870 Latter -day Saints than today. Love it. A history 00:01:22.870 --> 00:01:26.030 of our numbers. Between 1837 and 1850, many missionaries 00:01:26.030 --> 00:01:28.170 went to the UK to preach the gospel, which resulted 00:01:28.170 --> 00:01:31.030 in thousands of baptisms. The call was to gather 00:01:31.030 --> 00:01:33.810 to Utah. I think a lot of us can trace our ancestry 00:01:33.810 --> 00:01:38.489 back there. The first presidency and a marching 00:01:38.489 --> 00:01:40.670 band greeted the immigrants at the mouth of immigrant 00:01:40.670 --> 00:01:43.409 canyon. The desert news described them as a band 00:01:43.409 --> 00:01:45.689 of pilgrims, including sisters and children walking 00:01:45.689 --> 00:01:47.670 sunburnt and weather beaten, but not forlorn. 00:01:47.750 --> 00:01:49.469 Their hearts were light and buoyant, which was 00:01:49.469 --> 00:01:51.590 plainly manifest by their happy and joyful countenances. 00:01:51.930 --> 00:01:53.790 As they passed the temple block, thousands of 00:01:53.790 --> 00:01:55.409 men, women and children gathered from various 00:01:55.409 --> 00:01:57.590 parts of the city to unite in the glorious and 00:01:57.590 --> 00:01:59.530 joyful welcome. President Brigham Young addressed 00:01:59.530 --> 00:02:02.010 them, May the Lord God of Israel bless you. We 00:02:02.010 --> 00:02:03.829 have prayed for you continually. Thousands of 00:02:03.829 --> 00:02:06.370 prayers have been offered up for you by day by 00:02:06.370 --> 00:02:09.439 day. to him who has commanded us to gather Israel, 00:02:09.759 --> 00:02:11.419 save the children of men by the preaching of 00:02:11.419 --> 00:02:13.259 the gospel and prepare them for the coming of 00:02:13.259 --> 00:02:16.539 the Messiah." I love how he starts out his talk 00:02:16.539 --> 00:02:20.539 with that picture, you know, just them coming 00:02:20.539 --> 00:02:23.360 out of the canyon and what they look like versus 00:02:23.360 --> 00:02:25.000 the feeling that was in their hearts, you know, 00:02:25.039 --> 00:02:29.400 the immigrants, and then also just everyone who 00:02:29.400 --> 00:02:32.479 came and gathered and supported them. And then 00:02:32.479 --> 00:02:34.340 I love that he said thousands of prayers have 00:02:34.340 --> 00:02:37.930 been said for you. After reading this, I invite 00:02:37.930 --> 00:02:40.449 each of us to take these words to heart. This 00:02:40.449 --> 00:02:59.750 is what Elder Cook says. He says, So an invitation 00:02:59.750 --> 00:03:02.689 for each of us Am I noticing new and returning 00:03:02.689 --> 00:03:05.250 converts? Do I pray for their progress along 00:03:05.250 --> 00:03:09.789 the covenant path? These 900 ,000 new converts 00:03:09.789 --> 00:03:13.550 in the past three years, that's a lot. Yeah. 00:03:14.110 --> 00:03:17.270 I love that thinking of the saints and the stories 00:03:17.270 --> 00:03:19.090 and the ancestry that we can trace back coming 00:03:19.090 --> 00:03:21.610 across the plains, entering that Salt Lake Valley, 00:03:21.930 --> 00:03:24.370 kind of turning a desert into a blossoming flower, 00:03:24.389 --> 00:03:26.449 whatever. But then the responsibility that we 00:03:26.449 --> 00:03:28.909 have is we're sending. more missionaries than 00:03:28.909 --> 00:03:31.150 ever out into the world and gathering people 00:03:31.150 --> 00:03:35.590 and just I love that 900 ,000 in the last three 00:03:35.590 --> 00:03:38.099 years, right? And it's only going to just grow 00:03:38.099 --> 00:03:40.159 from there. I love it. And it's like 5 % of our 00:03:40.159 --> 00:03:42.180 whole membership. It's pretty awesome. It's wonderful. 00:03:57.460 --> 00:04:05.439 I love it. Yesterday we got to attend the Casper 00:04:05.439 --> 00:04:08.740 Temple. 9 ,000 square feet. We live in a place 00:04:08.740 --> 00:04:10.819 where our temple is like 18 ,000 square feet, 00:04:10.919 --> 00:04:13.060 and I think it's pocket size. It is a little 00:04:13.060 --> 00:04:15.960 thing. But when I saw 9 ,000 square foot one, 00:04:16.199 --> 00:04:19.639 one of those kind of modular. Oh, that's built 00:04:19.639 --> 00:04:22.000 off site and comes in. Yeah. Because we live 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:24.180 in very cold time. We do. Our building season 00:04:24.180 --> 00:04:28.220 is so short, but it kind of has some like multi 00:04:28.220 --> 00:04:30.579 -function and I'm just like, this was so cool 00:04:30.579 --> 00:04:32.879 to experience the feeling the second I walked 00:04:32.879 --> 00:04:35.480 in the door and the artwork and the attention 00:04:35.480 --> 00:04:38.730 to detail in it is just as special. just in a 00:04:38.730 --> 00:04:40.810 compact size, and I'm thinking this is what the 00:04:40.810 --> 00:04:42.970 Lord has provided to get these temples quickly 00:04:42.970 --> 00:04:44.990 to His children wherever you can. Right? Yeah. 00:04:44.990 --> 00:04:46.629 Ma, do you like building it somewhere else? That 00:04:46.629 --> 00:04:49.009 is definitely hastening, you know? I love that, 00:04:49.170 --> 00:04:53.470 Abby. So, Abby, we can help build a Zion people 00:04:53.470 --> 00:04:55.850 where we are, and this is what He talked about. 00:04:56.089 --> 00:04:59.600 And one, of one heart, and one mind and well 00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:01.480 and righteousness. So you and I have discussed 00:05:01.480 --> 00:05:04.759 this before. One heart and one mind, it doesn't 00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:07.000 necessarily mean that we have to be the same. 00:05:07.439 --> 00:05:09.180 What does it mean to be of one heart and one 00:05:09.180 --> 00:05:12.980 mind? Simplicity in Jesus Christ is our last 00:05:12.980 --> 00:05:16.040 talk. We can be such unique members of the church, 00:05:16.060 --> 00:05:20.759 but if we have a focus on the Lord and we are 00:05:20.759 --> 00:05:23.439 one with the Lord, then with our uniqueness, 00:05:23.779 --> 00:05:25.600 we have one common goal and that's how we can 00:05:25.600 --> 00:05:27.839 be of one mind. I love it. And being peacemakers, 00:05:27.980 --> 00:05:31.839 right? We can be peacemakers when we all love 00:05:31.839 --> 00:05:33.579 Jesus Christ. We know that that is our goal and 00:05:33.579 --> 00:05:36.459 he is our exemplar. I love that, Abby. All members, 00:05:36.740 --> 00:05:38.980 regardless of baptism date, share responsibility 00:05:38.980 --> 00:05:41.600 to welcome others. We help each other. President 00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:44.699 Gordon B. Hinckley taught us that a new convert 00:05:44.699 --> 00:05:46.819 needs a friend. They need a responsibility and 00:05:46.819 --> 00:05:48.620 they need nurturing with the good word of God. 00:05:49.529 --> 00:05:51.949 We can be among the friends who assure these 00:05:51.949 --> 00:05:54.089 new converts that they belong and are not just 00:05:54.089 --> 00:05:56.170 guests. We can help them understand that they 00:05:56.170 --> 00:05:58.089 are disciples of Jesus Christ who can minister 00:05:58.089 --> 00:06:00.589 to others and accept callings to serve, including 00:06:00.589 --> 00:06:02.850 serving a mission. I thought that was interesting, 00:06:02.990 --> 00:06:04.829 Abby. His words and advice to converts, he said, 00:06:04.829 --> 00:06:07.189 you know, as far as missions go, young converts 00:06:07.189 --> 00:06:09.629 should consider serving a full -time mission. 00:06:09.990 --> 00:06:11.529 All should be determined to strive to live a 00:06:11.529 --> 00:06:13.470 Christ -like life. And then as far as the temple 00:06:13.470 --> 00:06:15.689 goes, preparing yourself for the temple should 00:06:15.689 --> 00:06:19.220 be an immediate goal. the gospel makes exaltation 00:06:19.220 --> 00:06:21.600 possible which requires the making and keeping 00:06:21.600 --> 00:06:25.180 of sacred covenants with God and I thought this 00:06:25.180 --> 00:06:27.720 is a good note aside from baptism confirmation 00:06:27.720 --> 00:06:30.019 and also the conferral of the Melchizedek priesthood 00:06:30.019 --> 00:06:32.680 for men all the ordinances are done in the temple 00:06:32.680 --> 00:06:35.040 and then for the dead all everything is done 00:06:35.040 --> 00:06:37.759 in the temple so It is the place to be as we 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:40.319 progress along the covenant path and also help 00:06:40.319 --> 00:06:43.459 our ancestors to do the same. So what's another 00:06:43.459 --> 00:06:45.819 point of encouragement the Elder Cook had for 00:06:45.819 --> 00:06:49.339 new and returning members? He reminded them that 00:06:49.339 --> 00:06:51.740 at times they will feel inadequate about what 00:06:51.740 --> 00:06:54.199 they know and I was just thinking as you were 00:06:54.199 --> 00:06:56.980 talking like how overwhelming would it feel you 00:06:56.980 --> 00:06:58.519 just become a new member of the church and then 00:06:58.519 --> 00:07:00.000 you're expected to throw on a badge and then 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:03.079 go out and serve. I can't think of a better way 00:07:03.079 --> 00:07:05.379 to get a solid testimony of the gospel than be 00:07:05.379 --> 00:07:06.980 out there and consecrate to the Lord and just 00:07:06.980 --> 00:07:09.180 testifying each day. And what I love is that 00:07:09.180 --> 00:07:11.060 as new members will present questions to them, 00:07:11.079 --> 00:07:13.259 they'll think, I just had that question recently 00:07:13.259 --> 00:07:15.759 for myself. And this is where I turn to, you 00:07:15.759 --> 00:07:18.199 know, to find answers to those things. But also 00:07:18.199 --> 00:07:20.240 was thinking back to just the last talk that 00:07:20.240 --> 00:07:22.120 we discussed, the simplicity of the gospel of 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:24.339 Jesus Christ can be summarized in a sentence. 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:26.899 Yes, it can be complicated. Yes, we can know 00:07:26.899 --> 00:07:29.259 so many things and so many of the mysteries of 00:07:29.259 --> 00:07:32.199 the world. we get into it. But what's really 00:07:32.199 --> 00:07:34.980 important is those basic doctrines. And absolutely, 00:07:35.259 --> 00:07:38.300 what a better missionary than one that isn't 00:07:38.300 --> 00:07:40.699 that just knows that filling of the Holy Ghost, 00:07:41.199 --> 00:07:43.000 guiding their life, filling the Lord's hand in 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:46.420 their life, knowing that obedience to the commandments 00:07:46.420 --> 00:07:48.980 are bringing that peace and that usually there's 00:07:48.980 --> 00:07:51.620 a big change that's happened. Yeah, there's challenges 00:07:51.620 --> 00:07:53.160 that come when you join the church or you're 00:07:53.160 --> 00:07:55.360 doing things contrary to Satan, what he wants 00:07:55.360 --> 00:07:58.459 for you. but the peace of the gospel of Jesus 00:07:58.459 --> 00:08:01.139 Christ is undeniable. And we've seen stories 00:08:01.139 --> 00:08:06.079 of the, we've seen, you know, members as early 00:08:06.079 --> 00:08:09.459 as maybe a year, a year convert, out serving 00:08:09.459 --> 00:08:12.319 missions, they do amazing work. And they're so 00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:14.240 good for the companions that they serve with. 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:19.439 For sure. A fresh perspective. I love it. He 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:21.620 goes on to teach that the gospel knowledge is 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:23.720 a great blessing obtained incrementally over 00:08:23.720 --> 00:08:26.870 time. but it's not a saving ordinance. It's a 00:08:26.870 --> 00:08:29.089 good point. Yeah, it's such a good point. And 00:08:29.089 --> 00:08:31.069 at the same time, President Nelson promised as 00:08:31.069 --> 00:08:33.029 you perfectly study the Book of Mormon every 00:08:33.029 --> 00:08:34.830 day, you will make better decisions every day. 00:08:34.870 --> 00:08:36.889 As you ponder what you study, the windows of 00:08:36.889 --> 00:08:38.570 heaven will open and you will receive answers 00:08:38.570 --> 00:08:40.490 to your own questions and direction in your own 00:08:40.490 --> 00:08:42.990 life. Yes. So we grow incrementally. I love that 00:08:42.990 --> 00:08:47.929 as we put effort in. I mean, even a missionary 00:08:47.929 --> 00:08:50.129 that's been out the 18 months or the two years. 00:08:52.120 --> 00:08:55.139 is going to look a lot different to somebody 00:08:55.139 --> 00:08:58.539 that's been out in the field a week. And I mean, 00:08:58.539 --> 00:09:00.059 you could be like, oh yeah, he's a better missionary, 00:09:00.080 --> 00:09:03.480 but is that really true? Experience. Yeah, experience 00:09:03.480 --> 00:09:06.019 has seasoned them and their testimony has deepened, 00:09:06.019 --> 00:09:08.100 but they did start somewhere. And I don't think 00:09:08.100 --> 00:09:09.679 the intent is ever to be like, you know, like 00:09:09.679 --> 00:09:11.980 I'm so much better than you. It's all a process. 00:09:12.100 --> 00:09:15.259 So if you come in just fresh, all that you have 00:09:15.259 --> 00:09:19.299 is a testimony of the Book of Mormon and your 00:09:19.299 --> 00:09:21.100 Savior, Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father and His 00:09:21.100 --> 00:09:24.000 plan. That's all you need. Absolutely. Sometimes 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:25.899 actually don't even get that until they start 00:09:25.899 --> 00:09:28.620 teaching. Just a desire to serve, right? Your 00:09:28.620 --> 00:09:32.799 cause of the worst. We rotate every four years 00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:34.700 to cover all of the books of scriptures and over 00:09:34.700 --> 00:09:38.279 time I'm feeling more confident. As I grow in 00:09:38.279 --> 00:09:40.539 the gospel, I'm definitely learning new things 00:09:40.539 --> 00:09:42.679 in the Doctrine and Covenants this year, but 00:09:42.679 --> 00:09:45.179 also can see my notes that I've made for myself 00:09:45.179 --> 00:09:47.539 and can see the growth that I've had in the four 00:09:47.539 --> 00:09:49.240 years. Even studying the other books, but then 00:09:49.240 --> 00:09:52.580 I come to that next book, I'm always like, what 00:09:52.580 --> 00:09:55.980 a great thing to add to that knowledge in a different 00:09:55.980 --> 00:09:57.659 way or the things that I'm needing in my life. 00:09:57.820 --> 00:10:00.480 I can be directed to those answers in the book 00:10:00.480 --> 00:10:02.500 that we're studying. I think all of that's amazing. 00:10:03.379 --> 00:10:05.820 But regular scripture study is the key here. 00:10:06.139 --> 00:10:08.399 He says, it will bless and enrich your life by 00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:10.299 deepening your conversion to the gospel of Jesus 00:10:10.299 --> 00:10:12.620 Christ. And I will testify that is absolutely 00:10:12.620 --> 00:10:15.740 true. Absolutely. And I love that too. With us 00:10:15.740 --> 00:10:18.779 rotating every four years. I always am amazed, 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:21.320 which I don't know why I am, but. Regardless, 00:10:21.840 --> 00:10:23.940 I'm always amazed that wherever I am in scripture, 00:10:24.179 --> 00:10:26.320 it completely is mirroring what's happening in 00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:28.460 my life right then. It is absolutely an answer. 00:10:28.600 --> 00:10:31.700 It is absolutely a, hey, Amy, I see you and maybe 00:10:31.700 --> 00:10:33.899 this is a better way to look at things. Yeah, 00:10:34.059 --> 00:10:36.279 a little more patience or turn to God more or 00:10:36.279 --> 00:10:38.440 find joy, whatever it is. It's just always applicable. 00:10:38.600 --> 00:10:41.080 They're living scriptures. Learning the pure 00:10:41.080 --> 00:10:42.980 doctrine of Jesus Christ. We talked about this 00:10:42.980 --> 00:10:45.340 in the last one again, that President Nelson 00:10:45.340 --> 00:10:47.740 talked about this. Learning the pure doctrine 00:10:47.740 --> 00:10:50.860 of Jesus Christ is a lifelong pursuit. So both 00:10:50.860 --> 00:10:53.500 an understanding doctrine and also living a Christ 00:10:53.500 --> 00:10:55.740 -like life. Emphasis on the living. Right, I 00:10:55.740 --> 00:10:58.559 really like that reminder. You can read the scriptures 00:10:58.559 --> 00:11:01.240 and that's where it stops. You read it, great, 00:11:01.299 --> 00:11:03.940 but it's a gospel of action. Once you learn what 00:11:03.940 --> 00:11:06.039 you're supposed to do, follow the example of 00:11:06.039 --> 00:11:07.980 our Savior Jesus Christ. How do we do? Yeah, 00:11:08.340 --> 00:11:10.200 absolutely. Not because the doing saves you, 00:11:10.259 --> 00:11:13.799 because the doing shows us that we want to be 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:17.659 like Him. I agree. And we learn the pure doctrine 00:11:17.659 --> 00:11:19.580 of Christ by study and prayer. Yes. And like 00:11:19.580 --> 00:11:21.740 you said, by living the gospel. So it's not just 00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:24.320 the study, but a daily practice. He reminds us 00:11:24.320 --> 00:11:26.960 that we have two huge gifts in this church, covenants 00:11:26.960 --> 00:11:30.419 that bind us to God and living prophets. So he 00:11:30.419 --> 00:11:32.460 says essential covenants provide a framework. 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:34.879 You've heard it described as the covenant path. 00:11:35.039 --> 00:11:37.720 Love that. And then words of the prophet, all 00:11:37.720 --> 00:11:39.820 members, especially new and returning ones would 00:11:39.820 --> 00:11:42.159 be blessed by studying and adopting the prophetic 00:11:42.159 --> 00:11:46.240 message on covenants and the covenant path. President 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:48.419 Nelson covered that. That's who he was referring 00:11:48.419 --> 00:11:49.960 to at the time, because I'm sure when he wrote 00:11:49.960 --> 00:11:54.179 his talk, you know, that's who is the current 00:11:54.179 --> 00:11:57.799 prophet. And there is so much material that he 00:11:57.799 --> 00:11:59.679 has during that. So we would all do well to, 00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:01.639 you know, look back on it. And I think all of 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:05.659 our lives, every person I've talked to, And maybe 00:12:05.659 --> 00:12:07.480 there are others that, you know, it's just the 00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:08.820 ones I've talked to, but they're like, yeah, 00:12:08.820 --> 00:12:10.580 I had like a special connection with President 00:12:10.580 --> 00:12:13.259 Nelson. And I feel like a lot for me, it was 00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:16.220 because he gave so many invitations that were 00:12:16.220 --> 00:12:18.779 so direct and felt personal to me. I'm sure that 00:12:18.779 --> 00:12:21.179 every prophet has done the same thing. For some 00:12:21.179 --> 00:12:22.659 reason, it hit me differently. I think it was 00:12:22.659 --> 00:12:24.480 a different time in my life where I was receptive 00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:27.799 to that. So I just, and how many of his, how 00:12:27.799 --> 00:12:30.179 many of his invitations were like three words 00:12:30.179 --> 00:12:34.039 or two, three or less words. For me, I was thinking 00:12:34.039 --> 00:12:35.879 about him a lot on the last talk that we did 00:12:35.879 --> 00:12:38.019 in simplicity in Jesus Christ. When you make 00:12:38.019 --> 00:12:41.279 the invitation simple, it feels more achievable, 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:43.100 more doable. Be a peacemaker. You're just like, 00:12:43.100 --> 00:12:50.019 yeah, I should be doing that. That's why I had 00:12:50.019 --> 00:12:51.759 to be like, it's not even three words sometimes. 00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:57.159 It's two words sometimes. What I wanted to say 00:12:57.159 --> 00:13:00.029 too was the chatter that we hear. A lot of people 00:13:00.029 --> 00:13:03.190 will put a spin on the restrictions that we face 00:13:03.190 --> 00:13:08.309 as members of the church, like the bondage that 00:13:08.309 --> 00:13:10.429 we put ourselves in because of covenants. And 00:13:10.429 --> 00:13:13.950 I just want to say that is the opposite message 00:13:13.950 --> 00:13:17.809 of the truth. It is me linking myself to them. 00:13:17.950 --> 00:13:19.970 They're very willing to help me however much 00:13:19.970 --> 00:13:23.600 I want. Right. It's like, I need the lifeline 00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:25.299 and they're more than willing to extend that 00:13:25.299 --> 00:13:30.200 for me. I don't feel burdened down by the covenants 00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:34.259 that I made. I feel... Joyful and just extreme 00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:36.200 gratitude because there are so many things that 00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:38.659 I could not do on my own without my Savior Jesus 00:13:38.659 --> 00:13:41.200 Christ So percent it's a winning team who doesn't 00:13:41.200 --> 00:13:43.340 want to be out, you know, like if let's say you're 00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:45.120 a marathon runner who doesn't want to be with 00:13:45.120 --> 00:13:49.159 the The best one in the world. I would love that 00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:54.460 coaching you on Exactly Speaking of covenants 00:13:54.460 --> 00:13:56.480 who can talk about eternal marriage here one 00:13:56.480 --> 00:13:59.059 covenant eternal marriage involves uniting your 00:13:59.059 --> 00:14:02.320 efforts with the companion again Why do this 00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:05.320 life alone if you have the option to link yourself 00:14:05.320 --> 00:14:07.980 by covenant with another person who's on the 00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:10.879 same trajectory? Don't get discouraged if eternal 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:13.620 merit is not possible at this time. Those that 00:14:13.620 --> 00:14:15.460 keep the commandments of God are blessed in all 00:14:15.460 --> 00:14:17.179 things, and if they are faithful to the end, 00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:20.500 they may dwell with God in a state of never -ending 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:23.080 happiness. I think that's awesome to point out. 00:14:23.100 --> 00:14:25.240 Good thing to remember, right? Because it's really 00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:27.580 hard. This life feels like it's... going to last 00:14:27.580 --> 00:14:30.019 forever sometimes. And to have that perspective 00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:33.220 is amazing. The last point the Elder Cook shares 00:14:33.220 --> 00:14:36.059 I think is a critical one for each of us to remember. 00:14:36.379 --> 00:14:40.320 None of us is perfect. What? He says, you will 00:14:40.320 --> 00:14:42.200 find if you haven't already that the members 00:14:42.200 --> 00:14:44.840 are not perfect. So we each make mistakes. We 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:46.980 live in an imperfect world, not a celestial world. 00:14:47.740 --> 00:14:50.279 This life, I love that he puts it this way. This 00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:53.220 life is a time of testing with constant opportunities 00:14:53.220 --> 00:14:55.840 to repent and prove ourselves. And you know, 00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:58.149 the proving means to God. We're being tested 00:14:58.149 --> 00:15:00.149 and proven by our Father in heaven. And also 00:15:00.149 --> 00:15:02.070 I feel like it's another way to say we're going 00:15:02.070 --> 00:15:04.590 to hurt each other and we'll be hurt. We will 00:15:04.590 --> 00:15:07.129 annoy others and we will, you know, others will 00:15:07.129 --> 00:15:09.529 annoy us. We'll make mistakes over and over again 00:15:09.529 --> 00:15:11.690 to the day we die. So that's the opportunities 00:15:11.690 --> 00:15:14.230 he's talking about, right? And there are plenty 00:15:14.230 --> 00:15:16.809 of them. It's so funny. I used to think when 00:15:16.809 --> 00:15:18.730 I was a kid that my parents, they were adults 00:15:18.730 --> 00:15:20.779 and they had it all figured out. And then when 00:15:20.779 --> 00:15:22.500 I got to that age, I was like, oh, shoot, they 00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:24.259 didn't have it all figured out. And then I talked 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:26.320 to my parents now and they still say they don't 00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:29.500 have it figured out. And I'm like, I mean, I 00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:31.940 love them. They're human. Everybody is. But just 00:15:31.940 --> 00:15:33.820 as a kid, you think that there's a certain point 00:15:33.820 --> 00:15:35.840 you're going to hit. No, it's called eternal 00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:40.480 progression for a reason. Right. So, I love this 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:42.340 part. All of us feel inadequate as we strive 00:15:42.340 --> 00:15:44.720 to become like Jesus Christ, right? That is our 00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:46.299 goal. That is why we're here and that's why we're 00:15:46.299 --> 00:15:48.100 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:50.600 -day Saints. It offends people when you say that 00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:52.379 you want to strive to be like your Savior, Jesus 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:55.840 Christ, like other religions. Like you think 00:15:55.840 --> 00:15:58.200 you can be a God. I want to be like Him. I do 00:15:58.200 --> 00:16:00.200 want to be like Him. Yeah. Why would he have 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:02.419 been sent as a sample if I wasn't trying to be 00:16:02.419 --> 00:16:04.379 like him do I think I can achieve it? Not even 00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:06.559 kind of with his atonement. Can I get a little 00:16:06.559 --> 00:16:11.740 closer every day? I'm so grateful for his atonement 00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:14.759 and like you said it allows us to repent daily 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:17.419 and Every time we fall short and I stand with 00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:19.700 Nephi and saying we must press forward with a 00:16:19.700 --> 00:16:22.240 steadfastness in Christ Having a perfect brightness 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:25.379 of hope and a love of God and of all men Wherefore, 00:16:25.399 --> 00:16:27.100 if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the 00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:29.820 word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:32.000 thus saith the Father, ye shall have eternal 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:34.179 life." These are profound guiding words in this 00:16:34.179 --> 00:16:36.000 life. And like you were just saying, Abby, I 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:39.259 literally tell my kids, at least weekly, we never 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:41.200 stood a chance without Jesus and His Atonement. 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:42.940 Like, whatever it is that happens, I'm like, 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:46.000 we never stood a chance. Like, it was stacked 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:49.120 against us, so I'm so grateful. for a plan that 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:51.340 was already in place, that already has, it's 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:54.220 a fail -safe, it's a something that can really 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:56.620 redeem us from anything. Can you remember the 00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:58.519 question that one of our kiddos asked us in primary 00:16:58.519 --> 00:17:02.000 today, like right from the beginning? About, 00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:04.500 I can't remember how she worded it, but it was 00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:06.359 the Christmas lesson and we were encouraged to 00:17:06.359 --> 00:17:09.349 take him to the living Christ. That was what 00:17:09.349 --> 00:17:10.809 the suggested lesson was. Yeah, I don't remember 00:17:10.809 --> 00:17:14.309 what she said. I think she was asking why it 00:17:14.309 --> 00:17:17.589 said something about Jesus Christ making a covenant 00:17:17.589 --> 00:17:20.450 or something. Isn't that what it was? Abby, I 00:17:20.450 --> 00:17:22.190 don't even think I heard that. I'm so sorry. 00:17:22.230 --> 00:17:24.349 No, it's totally okay, but it was such a good 00:17:24.349 --> 00:17:27.609 question. Basically, I told her the fact that 00:17:27.609 --> 00:17:29.750 she's here means that she chose yet. I remember 00:17:29.750 --> 00:17:31.710 you're actually chose the plan and I were and 00:17:31.710 --> 00:17:35.109 and that We had to have witnessed Jesus Christ 00:17:35.109 --> 00:17:37.089 doing things in that pre -mortal existence to 00:17:37.089 --> 00:17:39.170 know that we could trust him Mostly I just tied 00:17:39.170 --> 00:17:41.390 it into my testimony of it and I encouraged him 00:17:41.390 --> 00:17:43.730 to read through the Living Christ Highlight a 00:17:43.730 --> 00:17:45.789 piece that they like and then to flip it over 00:17:45.789 --> 00:17:47.730 and write their own testimony of Jesus Christ 00:17:47.730 --> 00:17:50.230 so that they could You know gift that testimony 00:17:50.230 --> 00:17:52.970 to somebody that they love in the coming holiday 00:17:52.970 --> 00:17:57.670 season I also love your thoughts. Do you have 00:17:57.670 --> 00:18:00.549 anything else you want to share? I just want 00:18:00.549 --> 00:18:03.009 to testify I'm seeing the Lord hastening his 00:18:03.009 --> 00:18:08.329 work. And what I think is amazing is that it 00:18:08.329 --> 00:18:10.690 took me a while. It took me a while in my aging 00:18:10.690 --> 00:18:12.990 process to feel like life was going fast. But 00:18:12.990 --> 00:18:15.369 I'm hearing younger and younger kids say, wow, 00:18:15.470 --> 00:18:17.609 that went by really fast. Like this last year. 00:18:17.609 --> 00:18:20.349 Can you believe it's been a year? I mean, I hit 00:18:20.349 --> 00:18:22.789 a time in my 20s or 30s and I was like, life 00:18:22.789 --> 00:18:26.890 is just yeah. Rushing past me. I didn't feel 00:18:26.890 --> 00:18:29.250 that way in my teens, but I'm hearing my teens 00:18:29.250 --> 00:18:31.829 and younger children say how fast things are 00:18:31.829 --> 00:18:35.329 going Well, if we're feeling that rush at younger 00:18:35.329 --> 00:18:39.849 ages There's a reason for that and I'm happy 00:18:39.849 --> 00:18:42.750 I love I think it's really healthy to point out 00:18:42.750 --> 00:18:44.710 like when we're noticing the Lord accelerating 00:18:44.710 --> 00:18:47.089 his work We don't want to be left behind and 00:18:47.089 --> 00:18:49.369 we want to be actively engaged in it it's important 00:18:49.369 --> 00:18:51.309 for us to recognize those things that are speeding 00:18:51.309 --> 00:18:55.410 things up of you know The most recent change 00:18:55.410 --> 00:18:58.509 that 18 year old missionaries, sister missionaries, 00:18:58.630 --> 00:19:01.210 like it's a minor change to some, but it's just 00:19:01.210 --> 00:19:03.009 amazing to me to think, okay, that's a little 00:19:03.009 --> 00:19:04.990 change that we can make right now. Yeah. That'll 00:19:04.990 --> 00:19:07.269 get more people that have, you know, had the 00:19:07.269 --> 00:19:10.529 luxury of the gospel of Jesus Christ here. Yeah. 00:19:10.970 --> 00:19:13.390 And go out into the world and thinking of sisters 00:19:13.390 --> 00:19:16.019 in other countries. Maybe that Maybe they've 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:17.640 been twiddling their thumbs, like maybe their 00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:19.579 education ended at 16 or something. And they're 00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:22.019 like, what do I do when I'm waiting to whatever 00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:24.019 age they were waiting until? That's a really 00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:25.920 good point, Abby. I like that, that you're saying 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:28.380 that. the fact that things are changing and being 00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:30.700 hastened, things do change. Like I was just having 00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:32.779 a conversation with my husband, like last week, 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:35.140 maybe the week before, and he was saying, I miss 00:19:35.140 --> 00:19:37.980 X, Y, Z about how the brethren used to teach. 00:19:38.180 --> 00:19:40.700 And I was just listening, you know, and I was 00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:42.180 like, yeah, I mean, that's, that's his perspective 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:45.099 on things. And then after like a while, I, this 00:19:45.099 --> 00:19:48.119 was not my answer. I felt like the spirit. Yeah. 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:50.519 And it was like, Um, I said to my husband, I 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:53.839 said, I feel like we're all like things are changing 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:56.660 and the Lord is asking us things are getting 00:19:56.660 --> 00:19:59.619 more and more of a celestial way. Do you want 00:19:59.619 --> 00:20:01.900 to live a celestial life? Do you want the teaching 00:20:01.900 --> 00:20:04.240 to be different? Whereas like the teaching is 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:07.700 now if you want to attain a celestial kingdom, 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:11.099 these are the things that you'll do not do this 00:20:11.099 --> 00:20:12.900 or else. Do you know what I mean? Like more of 00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:14.420 a fear based. I feel like it kind of used to 00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:17.559 be that because just That's how things were in 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:20.160 an earlier time. So I just feel like every single 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:22.980 thing we're asking, we're being asked and invited, 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:25.539 do you want to live life in a higher and holier 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:27.640 way? And so yeah, that's just a really good thing 00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:30.119 that you said. Like with each change, do we say 00:20:30.119 --> 00:20:32.900 yes? Do we opt in at each change? Because it's 00:20:32.900 --> 00:20:35.900 going to happen incrementally. Yeah. Hopefully, 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:38.140 hopefully something I said didn't make like sound 00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:40.220 fair based where it's like, you know, if you 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:41.779 notice the hastening, do you want to be left 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:43.559 behind or like, do you want to be up with it? 00:20:44.230 --> 00:20:46.829 because all I want it to be is optimistic. If 00:20:46.829 --> 00:20:48.230 you're seeing the hastening and you want to be 00:20:48.230 --> 00:20:50.730 involved, you'll opt in at whatever level you 00:20:50.730 --> 00:20:52.930 have the capacity for. And as you do that, your 00:20:52.930 --> 00:20:55.470 capacity does increase. And the Lord meets us 00:20:55.470 --> 00:21:00.309 where we are. Yep. I'm excited to see what unfolds. 00:21:00.509 --> 00:21:01.890 Things are going to be run a little bit differently 00:21:01.890 --> 00:21:04.690 with a new prophet, but it's always been primed 00:21:04.690 --> 00:21:07.089 by the prophet before. Somebody made some comment 00:21:07.089 --> 00:21:09.630 and they said they were like complaining against 00:21:09.630 --> 00:21:12.029 the church to the point of like, you guys rely 00:21:12.029 --> 00:21:15.710 too much on modern day revelation to answer something. 00:21:15.849 --> 00:21:18.849 And I'm thinking, if you were in the time of 00:21:18.849 --> 00:21:24.710 Moses... Or Noah. All of them. Yeah. I mean, 00:21:24.710 --> 00:21:28.809 they were prophets of old and they did get that 00:21:28.809 --> 00:21:31.849 direct relationship with the heavenly father. 00:21:31.910 --> 00:21:33.730 They were prophets of their time and they were 00:21:33.730 --> 00:21:35.890 able to distill that information on people. So, 00:21:36.230 --> 00:21:40.619 I'm just so grateful that we know that... That's 00:21:40.619 --> 00:21:42.960 that's God's plan for us that we we've got his 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:45.099 good books that we can read in and that we've 00:21:45.099 --> 00:21:47.980 got modern day leaders who are primed and ready 00:21:47.980 --> 00:21:50.279 for Revelation to make these like minor changes 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:52.380 that just furthers the work in a faster way. 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:55.259 Absolutely and the Spirit of the Lord to help 00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:58.180 us know which thing is most important right then, 00:21:58.319 --> 00:21:59.900 right? Because it's all the Word of God. This 00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:02.059 talk is just making me extra grateful for the 00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:04.240 testimony that I have of prophets. For sure, 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:06.819 living prophets. I agree. And all of them just 00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:09.460 in the right time and place for whatever season 00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:14.720 the church needs to be in. He prepares the next 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:17.579 leaders to hasten this work. Absolutely, Abby. 00:22:17.950 --> 00:22:20.069 I love that. Thank you. That's my final thought. 00:22:21.329 --> 00:22:25.150 Thank you. I'm going to end with his final words. 00:22:25.349 --> 00:22:27.069 He says following the Savior and his doctrine 00:22:27.069 --> 00:22:29.690 and teachings will never be easy in a world that 00:22:29.690 --> 00:22:32.390 is constantly in commotion. It'll not be easy 00:22:32.390 --> 00:22:35.079 for the Savior. It was not easy for the Savior 00:22:35.079 --> 00:22:37.640 in the volatile world during his mortal sojourn. 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:40.440 It was not easy for our early leaders and members 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:44.140 or ancestors, and it is not easy for us. Fortunately, 00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:46.980 living prophets provide the guidance we specifically 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:49.680 need for our day. President Dallin A. Jokes will 00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:55.059 continue that spiritual powerful legacy. He says, 00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:57.019 I testify that the doctrine of the Church of 00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:59.900 Jesus Christ is eternal and true. I bear my sure 00:22:59.900 --> 00:23:02.960 and certain witness that Jesus Christ lives and 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:05.099 because of his atonement, we can be one with 00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:07.960 him in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 00:23:09.160 --> 00:23:10.880 Catch you next week. See you next time.