Welcome to closer to Christ through general conference
where two friends who love Jesus share our own
approach to studying the most recent general
conference talks. This is Abby and Amy. Let's
jump into it. Today's talk, The Lord is Hatening
His Work by Elder Quentin L. Cook, Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles. Charles Dickens began his
classic novel, A Tale of Two Cities, with the
assertion that it was the best of times, it was
the worst of times. And in a sense, this is true
of our day. We live in a turbulent time when
the whole earth is in commotion. President Russell
M. Nelson's admonition to be peacemakers as followers
of Jesus Christ is an essential part of fostering
unity, peace, and healing for the worst of times.
We also live in the best of times, which will
be my emphasis today is what he said. The Lord
in the preface to the DNC declared the fullness
of the gospel would be proclaimed unto the ends
of the world. The Lord is truly hastening his
work in our time. For sure. We just talked about
it in the last one. I have to say the line that
I loved. There's never been a better time to
be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter -day Saints than today. Love it. A history
of our numbers. Between 1837 and 1850, many missionaries
went to the UK to preach the gospel, which resulted
in thousands of baptisms. The call was to gather
to Utah. I think a lot of us can trace our ancestry
back there. The first presidency and a marching
band greeted the immigrants at the mouth of immigrant
canyon. The desert news described them as a band
of pilgrims, including sisters and children walking
sunburnt and weather beaten, but not forlorn.
Their hearts were light and buoyant, which was
plainly manifest by their happy and joyful countenances.
As they passed the temple block, thousands of
men, women and children gathered from various
parts of the city to unite in the glorious and
joyful welcome. President Brigham Young addressed
them, May the Lord God of Israel bless you. We
have prayed for you continually. Thousands of
prayers have been offered up for you by day by
day. to him who has commanded us to gather Israel,
save the children of men by the preaching of
the gospel and prepare them for the coming of
the Messiah." I love how he starts out his talk
with that picture, you know, just them coming
out of the canyon and what they look like versus
the feeling that was in their hearts, you know,
the immigrants, and then also just everyone who
came and gathered and supported them. And then
I love that he said thousands of prayers have
been said for you. After reading this, I invite
each of us to take these words to heart. This
is what Elder Cook says. He says, So an invitation
for each of us Am I noticing new and returning
converts? Do I pray for their progress along
the covenant path? These 900 ,000 new converts
in the past three years, that's a lot. Yeah.
I love that thinking of the saints and the stories
and the ancestry that we can trace back coming
across the plains, entering that Salt Lake Valley,
kind of turning a desert into a blossoming flower,
whatever. But then the responsibility that we
have is we're sending. more missionaries than
ever out into the world and gathering people
and just I love that 900 ,000 in the last three
years, right? And it's only going to just grow
from there. I love it. And it's like 5 % of our
whole membership. It's pretty awesome. It's wonderful.
I love it. Yesterday we got to attend the Casper
Temple. 9 ,000 square feet. We live in a place
where our temple is like 18 ,000 square feet,
and I think it's pocket size. It is a little
thing. But when I saw 9 ,000 square foot one,
one of those kind of modular. Oh, that's built
off site and comes in. Yeah. Because we live
in very cold time. We do. Our building season
is so short, but it kind of has some like multi
-function and I'm just like, this was so cool
to experience the feeling the second I walked
in the door and the artwork and the attention
to detail in it is just as special. just in a
compact size, and I'm thinking this is what the
Lord has provided to get these temples quickly
to His children wherever you can. Right? Yeah.
Ma, do you like building it somewhere else? That
is definitely hastening, you know? I love that,
Abby. So, Abby, we can help build a Zion people
where we are, and this is what He talked about.
And one, of one heart, and one mind and well
and righteousness. So you and I have discussed
this before. One heart and one mind, it doesn't
necessarily mean that we have to be the same.
What does it mean to be of one heart and one
mind? Simplicity in Jesus Christ is our last
talk. We can be such unique members of the church,
but if we have a focus on the Lord and we are
one with the Lord, then with our uniqueness,
we have one common goal and that's how we can
be of one mind. I love it. And being peacemakers,
right? We can be peacemakers when we all love
Jesus Christ. We know that that is our goal and
he is our exemplar. I love that, Abby. All members,
regardless of baptism date, share responsibility
to welcome others. We help each other. President
Gordon B. Hinckley taught us that a new convert
needs a friend. They need a responsibility and
they need nurturing with the good word of God.
We can be among the friends who assure these
new converts that they belong and are not just
guests. We can help them understand that they
are disciples of Jesus Christ who can minister
to others and accept callings to serve, including
serving a mission. I thought that was interesting,
Abby. His words and advice to converts, he said,
you know, as far as missions go, young converts
should consider serving a full -time mission.
All should be determined to strive to live a
Christ -like life. And then as far as the temple
goes, preparing yourself for the temple should
be an immediate goal. the gospel makes exaltation
possible which requires the making and keeping
of sacred covenants with God and I thought this
is a good note aside from baptism confirmation
and also the conferral of the Melchizedek priesthood
for men all the ordinances are done in the temple
and then for the dead all everything is done
in the temple so It is the place to be as we
progress along the covenant path and also help
our ancestors to do the same. So what's another
point of encouragement the Elder Cook had for
new and returning members? He reminded them that
at times they will feel inadequate about what
they know and I was just thinking as you were
talking like how overwhelming would it feel you
just become a new member of the church and then
you're expected to throw on a badge and then
go out and serve. I can't think of a better way
to get a solid testimony of the gospel than be
out there and consecrate to the Lord and just
testifying each day. And what I love is that
as new members will present questions to them,
they'll think, I just had that question recently
for myself. And this is where I turn to, you
know, to find answers to those things. But also
was thinking back to just the last talk that
we discussed, the simplicity of the gospel of
Jesus Christ can be summarized in a sentence.
Yes, it can be complicated. Yes, we can know
so many things and so many of the mysteries of
the world. we get into it. But what's really
important is those basic doctrines. And absolutely,
what a better missionary than one that isn't
that just knows that filling of the Holy Ghost,
guiding their life, filling the Lord's hand in
their life, knowing that obedience to the commandments
are bringing that peace and that usually there's
a big change that's happened. Yeah, there's challenges
that come when you join the church or you're
doing things contrary to Satan, what he wants
for you. but the peace of the gospel of Jesus
Christ is undeniable. And we've seen stories
of the, we've seen, you know, members as early
as maybe a year, a year convert, out serving
missions, they do amazing work. And they're so
good for the companions that they serve with.
For sure. A fresh perspective. I love it. He
goes on to teach that the gospel knowledge is
a great blessing obtained incrementally over
time. but it's not a saving ordinance. It's a
good point. Yeah, it's such a good point. And
at the same time, President Nelson promised as
you perfectly study the Book of Mormon every
day, you will make better decisions every day.
As you ponder what you study, the windows of
heaven will open and you will receive answers
to your own questions and direction in your own
life. Yes. So we grow incrementally. I love that
as we put effort in. I mean, even a missionary
that's been out the 18 months or the two years.
is going to look a lot different to somebody
that's been out in the field a week. And I mean,
you could be like, oh yeah, he's a better missionary,
but is that really true? Experience. Yeah, experience
has seasoned them and their testimony has deepened,
but they did start somewhere. And I don't think
the intent is ever to be like, you know, like
I'm so much better than you. It's all a process.
So if you come in just fresh, all that you have
is a testimony of the Book of Mormon and your
Savior, Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father and His
plan. That's all you need. Absolutely. Sometimes
actually don't even get that until they start
teaching. Just a desire to serve, right? Your
cause of the worst. We rotate every four years
to cover all of the books of scriptures and over
time I'm feeling more confident. As I grow in
the gospel, I'm definitely learning new things
in the Doctrine and Covenants this year, but
also can see my notes that I've made for myself
and can see the growth that I've had in the four
years. Even studying the other books, but then
I come to that next book, I'm always like, what
a great thing to add to that knowledge in a different
way or the things that I'm needing in my life.
I can be directed to those answers in the book
that we're studying. I think all of that's amazing.
But regular scripture study is the key here.
He says, it will bless and enrich your life by
deepening your conversion to the gospel of Jesus
Christ. And I will testify that is absolutely
true. Absolutely. And I love that too. With us
rotating every four years. I always am amazed,
which I don't know why I am, but. Regardless,
I'm always amazed that wherever I am in scripture,
it completely is mirroring what's happening in
my life right then. It is absolutely an answer.
It is absolutely a, hey, Amy, I see you and maybe
this is a better way to look at things. Yeah,
a little more patience or turn to God more or
find joy, whatever it is. It's just always applicable.
They're living scriptures. Learning the pure
doctrine of Jesus Christ. We talked about this
in the last one again, that President Nelson
talked about this. Learning the pure doctrine
of Jesus Christ is a lifelong pursuit. So both
an understanding doctrine and also living a Christ
-like life. Emphasis on the living. Right, I
really like that reminder. You can read the scriptures
and that's where it stops. You read it, great,
but it's a gospel of action. Once you learn what
you're supposed to do, follow the example of
our Savior Jesus Christ. How do we do? Yeah,
absolutely. Not because the doing saves you,
because the doing shows us that we want to be
like Him. I agree. And we learn the pure doctrine
of Christ by study and prayer. Yes. And like
you said, by living the gospel. So it's not just
the study, but a daily practice. He reminds us
that we have two huge gifts in this church, covenants
that bind us to God and living prophets. So he
says essential covenants provide a framework.
You've heard it described as the covenant path.
Love that. And then words of the prophet, all
members, especially new and returning ones would
be blessed by studying and adopting the prophetic
message on covenants and the covenant path. President
Nelson covered that. That's who he was referring
to at the time, because I'm sure when he wrote
his talk, you know, that's who is the current
prophet. And there is so much material that he
has during that. So we would all do well to,
you know, look back on it. And I think all of
our lives, every person I've talked to, And maybe
there are others that, you know, it's just the
ones I've talked to, but they're like, yeah,
I had like a special connection with President
Nelson. And I feel like a lot for me, it was
because he gave so many invitations that were
so direct and felt personal to me. I'm sure that
every prophet has done the same thing. For some
reason, it hit me differently. I think it was
a different time in my life where I was receptive
to that. So I just, and how many of his, how
many of his invitations were like three words
or two, three or less words. For me, I was thinking
about him a lot on the last talk that we did
in simplicity in Jesus Christ. When you make
the invitation simple, it feels more achievable,
more doable. Be a peacemaker. You're just like,
yeah, I should be doing that. That's why I had
to be like, it's not even three words sometimes.
It's two words sometimes. What I wanted to say
too was the chatter that we hear. A lot of people
will put a spin on the restrictions that we face
as members of the church, like the bondage that
we put ourselves in because of covenants. And
I just want to say that is the opposite message
of the truth. It is me linking myself to them.
They're very willing to help me however much
I want. Right. It's like, I need the lifeline
and they're more than willing to extend that
for me. I don't feel burdened down by the covenants
that I made. I feel... Joyful and just extreme
gratitude because there are so many things that
I could not do on my own without my Savior Jesus
Christ So percent it's a winning team who doesn't
want to be out, you know, like if let's say you're
a marathon runner who doesn't want to be with
the The best one in the world. I would love that
coaching you on Exactly Speaking of covenants
who can talk about eternal marriage here one
covenant eternal marriage involves uniting your
efforts with the companion again Why do this
life alone if you have the option to link yourself
by covenant with another person who's on the
same trajectory? Don't get discouraged if eternal
merit is not possible at this time. Those that
keep the commandments of God are blessed in all
things, and if they are faithful to the end,
they may dwell with God in a state of never -ending
happiness. I think that's awesome to point out.
Good thing to remember, right? Because it's really
hard. This life feels like it's... going to last
forever sometimes. And to have that perspective
is amazing. The last point the Elder Cook shares
I think is a critical one for each of us to remember.
None of us is perfect. What? He says, you will
find if you haven't already that the members
are not perfect. So we each make mistakes. We
live in an imperfect world, not a celestial world.
This life, I love that he puts it this way. This
life is a time of testing with constant opportunities
to repent and prove ourselves. And you know,
the proving means to God. We're being tested
and proven by our Father in heaven. And also
I feel like it's another way to say we're going
to hurt each other and we'll be hurt. We will
annoy others and we will, you know, others will
annoy us. We'll make mistakes over and over again
to the day we die. So that's the opportunities
he's talking about, right? And there are plenty
of them. It's so funny. I used to think when
I was a kid that my parents, they were adults
and they had it all figured out. And then when
I got to that age, I was like, oh, shoot, they
didn't have it all figured out. And then I talked
to my parents now and they still say they don't
have it figured out. And I'm like, I mean, I
love them. They're human. Everybody is. But just
as a kid, you think that there's a certain point
you're going to hit. No, it's called eternal
progression for a reason. Right. So, I love this
part. All of us feel inadequate as we strive
to become like Jesus Christ, right? That is our
goal. That is why we're here and that's why we're
members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
-day Saints. It offends people when you say that
you want to strive to be like your Savior, Jesus
Christ, like other religions. Like you think
you can be a God. I want to be like Him. I do
want to be like Him. Yeah. Why would he have
been sent as a sample if I wasn't trying to be
like him do I think I can achieve it? Not even
kind of with his atonement. Can I get a little
closer every day? I'm so grateful for his atonement
and like you said it allows us to repent daily
and Every time we fall short and I stand with
Nephi and saying we must press forward with a
steadfastness in Christ Having a perfect brightness
of hope and a love of God and of all men Wherefore,
if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the
word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold,
thus saith the Father, ye shall have eternal
life." These are profound guiding words in this
life. And like you were just saying, Abby, I
literally tell my kids, at least weekly, we never
stood a chance without Jesus and His Atonement.
Like, whatever it is that happens, I'm like,
we never stood a chance. Like, it was stacked
against us, so I'm so grateful. for a plan that
was already in place, that already has, it's
a fail -safe, it's a something that can really
redeem us from anything. Can you remember the
question that one of our kiddos asked us in primary
today, like right from the beginning? About,
I can't remember how she worded it, but it was
the Christmas lesson and we were encouraged to
take him to the living Christ. That was what
the suggested lesson was. Yeah, I don't remember
what she said. I think she was asking why it
said something about Jesus Christ making a covenant
or something. Isn't that what it was? Abby, I
don't even think I heard that. I'm so sorry.
No, it's totally okay, but it was such a good
question. Basically, I told her the fact that
she's here means that she chose yet. I remember
you're actually chose the plan and I were and
and that We had to have witnessed Jesus Christ
doing things in that pre -mortal existence to
know that we could trust him Mostly I just tied
it into my testimony of it and I encouraged him
to read through the Living Christ Highlight a
piece that they like and then to flip it over
and write their own testimony of Jesus Christ
so that they could You know gift that testimony
to somebody that they love in the coming holiday
season I also love your thoughts. Do you have
anything else you want to share? I just want
to testify I'm seeing the Lord hastening his
work. And what I think is amazing is that it
took me a while. It took me a while in my aging
process to feel like life was going fast. But
I'm hearing younger and younger kids say, wow,
that went by really fast. Like this last year.
Can you believe it's been a year? I mean, I hit
a time in my 20s or 30s and I was like, life
is just yeah. Rushing past me. I didn't feel
that way in my teens, but I'm hearing my teens
and younger children say how fast things are
going Well, if we're feeling that rush at younger
ages There's a reason for that and I'm happy
I love I think it's really healthy to point out
like when we're noticing the Lord accelerating
his work We don't want to be left behind and
we want to be actively engaged in it it's important
for us to recognize those things that are speeding
things up of you know The most recent change
that 18 year old missionaries, sister missionaries,
like it's a minor change to some, but it's just
amazing to me to think, okay, that's a little
change that we can make right now. Yeah. That'll
get more people that have, you know, had the
luxury of the gospel of Jesus Christ here. Yeah.
And go out into the world and thinking of sisters
in other countries. Maybe that Maybe they've
been twiddling their thumbs, like maybe their
education ended at 16 or something. And they're
like, what do I do when I'm waiting to whatever
age they were waiting until? That's a really
good point, Abby. I like that, that you're saying
that. the fact that things are changing and being
hastened, things do change. Like I was just having
a conversation with my husband, like last week,
maybe the week before, and he was saying, I miss
X, Y, Z about how the brethren used to teach.
And I was just listening, you know, and I was
like, yeah, I mean, that's, that's his perspective
on things. And then after like a while, I, this
was not my answer. I felt like the spirit. Yeah.
And it was like, Um, I said to my husband, I
said, I feel like we're all like things are changing
and the Lord is asking us things are getting
more and more of a celestial way. Do you want
to live a celestial life? Do you want the teaching
to be different? Whereas like the teaching is
now if you want to attain a celestial kingdom,
these are the things that you'll do not do this
or else. Do you know what I mean? Like more of
a fear based. I feel like it kind of used to
be that because just That's how things were in
an earlier time. So I just feel like every single
thing we're asking, we're being asked and invited,
do you want to live life in a higher and holier
way? And so yeah, that's just a really good thing
that you said. Like with each change, do we say
yes? Do we opt in at each change? Because it's
going to happen incrementally. Yeah. Hopefully,
hopefully something I said didn't make like sound
fair based where it's like, you know, if you
notice the hastening, do you want to be left
behind or like, do you want to be up with it?
because all I want it to be is optimistic. If
you're seeing the hastening and you want to be
involved, you'll opt in at whatever level you
have the capacity for. And as you do that, your
capacity does increase. And the Lord meets us
where we are. Yep. I'm excited to see what unfolds.
Things are going to be run a little bit differently
with a new prophet, but it's always been primed
by the prophet before. Somebody made some comment
and they said they were like complaining against
the church to the point of like, you guys rely
too much on modern day revelation to answer something.
And I'm thinking, if you were in the time of
Moses... Or Noah. All of them. Yeah. I mean,
they were prophets of old and they did get that
direct relationship with the heavenly father.
They were prophets of their time and they were
able to distill that information on people. So,
I'm just so grateful that we know that... That's
that's God's plan for us that we we've got his
good books that we can read in and that we've
got modern day leaders who are primed and ready
for Revelation to make these like minor changes
that just furthers the work in a faster way.
Absolutely and the Spirit of the Lord to help
us know which thing is most important right then,
right? Because it's all the Word of God. This
talk is just making me extra grateful for the
testimony that I have of prophets. For sure,
living prophets. I agree. And all of them just
in the right time and place for whatever season
the church needs to be in. He prepares the next
leaders to hasten this work. Absolutely, Abby.
I love that. Thank you. That's my final thought.
Thank you. I'm going to end with his final words.
He says following the Savior and his doctrine
and teachings will never be easy in a world that
is constantly in commotion. It'll not be easy
for the Savior. It was not easy for the Savior
in the volatile world during his mortal sojourn.
It was not easy for our early leaders and members
or ancestors, and it is not easy for us. Fortunately,
living prophets provide the guidance we specifically
need for our day. President Dallin A. Jokes will
continue that spiritual powerful legacy. He says,
I testify that the doctrine of the Church of
Jesus Christ is eternal and true. I bear my sure
and certain witness that Jesus Christ lives and
because of his atonement, we can be one with
him in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Catch you next week. See you next time.