- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
http://www.staylds.com/?page_id=29 I put a new “LDS General Conference Talks” section into the “Additional Resources” page of our main website. We already had Elder Wirthlin’s “Concern for the One” linked. I wanted to add the Elder Uchtdorf talk that mentions the checklist issue, and it is also just a great talk on the love of God. I thought it would be nice to highlight these talks, and to add more that relate directly to our mission and the issues we help people with at StayLDS. The highlighting aspect I think will be nice to show that the Church does, in fact, have great love for those of us who feel different, and has more compassion than we think for the struggles of members.
Let me know other talks, ones that relate directly to issues we discuss here, and I would be happy to link them too in that section.
Brian, I think this is a great idea. I thought of multiple talks that over the years have been personal scripture to me, especially the last year or so. How many talks do you want to post? At the top of my list is Elder Oaks (surprisingly, since he isn’t my favorite speaker…but this hit the mark!)
Dallin H. Oaks, “The Challenge to Become,” Ensign, Nov 2000, 32–34.
Quote:From such teachings we conclude that the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.
…
Now is the time for each of us to work toward our personal conversion, toward becoming what our Heavenly Father desires us to become. As we do so, we should remember that our family relationships—even more than our Church callings—are the setting in which the most important part of that development can occur.
…
I hope the importance of conversion and becoming will cause our local leaders to reduce their concentration on statistical measures of actions and to focus more on what our brothers and sisters are and what they are striving to become.
In my opinion, the requirements from the church that we should be obedient to are not done out of fear that we will be banned from Heaven without completing the punch-list of things to do…but are opportunities in this day and age to practice what Christ preached, and become someone worthy to be with God and our families. Conversion is a process or journey…not a membership card. Interpretations of scriptures are there to help enlarge our soul and motivate us to practice “pure religion”, not determine the correct answer to life’s questions.That message is consistent with this website.
I added it to the list. Here is my description. Let me know if you want it to say something else. Quote:The Challenge to Become, by Elder Dalin H. Oaks, LDS General Conference, September 2000
This talk by Elder Oaks discusses the processes of our life journey, and avoiding the trap of trying to add up a tally of good deeds and evil deeds for a reward.
Speaking of Elder Oaks, I REALLY enjoyed his last talk on Priesthood Blessings. It was fantastic. I needed to give a man a blessing a few weeks ago. He was going into surgery to have a steel plate inserted into his neck, and Elder Oaks talk was very helpful to me. I would include Elder Uchtdof’s recent talk about how easily and naturally programs, interpretations and rules can obscure the Gospel. I’m only checking in today while generally being sick, so I’ll leave it to everyone else to find it and provide the link. I like this thread, should it be in the public forum also? Heber, I love that! I was not familiar with that talk. Personally I found Elder Oaks talk “Testimony” April 2008 Conference, a big help in realizing that it’s okay and right to separate the physical or natural world from the spiritual. He said: “While there are some “evidences” for gospel truths (for example, see Psalm 19:1; Helaman 8:24), scientific methods will not yield spiritual knowledge.” and “When we know spiritual truths by spiritual means, we can be just as sure of that knowledge as scholars and scientists are of the different kinds of knowledge they have acquired by different methods.”
I also quoted this in my “Separating the Physical from the Spiritual” post. This one idea for me is the foundation of my reconciliation strategy. Considering the value of the symbol, being less absolutist, and being genuinely open to spiritual experiences and growth all grow out of this idea. Obviously my avatar represents this as well.
Once we get the additional resources section populated (how many are you thinking of as an initial target?), I would love to have someone highlight each talk in the public forum and let everyone discuss it. We then could ask for input as to what other talks we might put in the resources section. I added a link to a talk from way back in 1932 by Stephen L Richards. It is one of my all-time favorites, and very inspirational to me. I’ll check on others in this thread when I am home from work. Old-Timer wrote:I would include Elder Uchtdof’s recent talk about how easily and naturally programs, interpretations and rules can obscure the Gospel. I’m only checking in today while generally being sick, so I’ll leave it to everyone else to find it and provide the link.
I think this is a great sermon that should be referenced as evidence of how clearly our leaders do see things.To me, this talk speaks volumes:
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Love of God,” Ensign, Nov 2009, 21–24
Quote:How Do We Become True Disciples of Jesus Christ?
The Savior Himself provided the answer with this profound declaration: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” This is the essence of what it means to be a true disciple: those who receive Christ Jesus walk with Him.
But this may present a problem for some because there are so many “shoulds” and “should nots” that merely keeping track of them can be a challenge. Sometimes, well-meaning amplifications of divine principles—many coming from uninspired sources—complicate matters further, diluting the purity of divine truth with man-made addenda. One person’s good idea—something that may work for him or her—takes root and becomes an expectation. And gradually, eternal principles can get lost within the labyrinth of “good ideas.”
This was one of the Savior’s criticisms of the religious “experts” of His day, whom He chastised for attending to the hundreds of minor details of the law while neglecting the weightier matters.
So how do we stay aligned with these weightier matters? Is there a constant compass that can help us prioritize our lives, thoughts, and actions?
Once again the Savior revealed the way. When asked to name the greatest commandment, He did not hesitate. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,” He said. “This is the first and great commandment.” Coupled with the second great commandment—to love our neighbor as ourselves—we have a compass that provides direction not only for our lives but also for the Lord’s Church on both sides of the veil.
Because love is the great commandment, it ought to be at the center of all and everything we do in our own family, in our Church callings, and in our livelihood. Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk.
When we truly understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us, the confusion clears and our priorities align. Our walk as disciples of Christ becomes more joyful. Our lives take on new meaning. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes more profound. Obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.