Here’s the talk this week. I’ll update the post later with a video and a little more embellishment:
by Neil L. Andersen
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
In the meantime, please have a wonderful Christmas. May the whole week point you to Christ and the joy that comes with both His coming and our coming to Him.
by Richard C. Edgely
First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
One of the main messages that seemed to be a recurring theme throughout the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference was: Satan is active, and we must be active in defending ourselves and our families. Bishop Edgely’s comments confirmed this message and highlighted the power we have as we make the choice to be faithful.
I really liked how he stated that we do not have to understand all things to have a solid faith about matters of salvation. I try to not get hung up on the unanswered questions and do what he said: “bridge the gap with my faith and move on.” No matter where we are in our testimonies, we can make choices to act in accordance to the faith we have already acquired and prepare our testimonies to grow.
“Yes, faith is a choice, and it must be sought after and developed. Thus, we are responsible for our own faith. We are also responsible for our lack of faith. The choice is yours.”
How about you? What are your favorite principles or quotes from this talk? Is there anything you learned here that you had not considered before? What stood out to you as you studied it? And, most importantly, what did it make you feel or want to do?
Please share your thoughts in the comments below. (If this is your first time to General Conference Book Club, click here to learn more about it.)
“Because of Your Faith”
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
October 2010 General Conference
Saturday Morning Session
This is it, friends: the official beginning of a new round of General Conference Book Club! I am excited to have so many new people join us, and it’s sincerely my hope that participation in this book club will help us personally in our gospel study goals, and collectively as we share testimony, encouragement, and insight. We will begin with Elder Holland’s beautiful talk, “Because of Your Faith.” It seemed to me that the goal of this talk was simply validation– the bearing of testimony that our righteous efforts are seen by a loving Heavenly Father and appreciated by Him, by His servants, and by His church. It was a lovely reminder that whatever contributions we make, no matter how small or insignificant or unnoticed they may seem, they are puzzle pieces in building God’s kingdom and in building ourselves. When we offer our hearts and our service to Him, we are becoming what He wants us to be. And He is pleased.
“I have struggled to find an adequate way to tell you how loved of God you are and how grateful we on this stand are for you. I am trying to be voice for the very angels of heaven in thanking you for every good thing you have ever done, for every kind word you have ever said, for every sacrifice you have ever made in extending to someone—to anyone—the beauty and blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
What are your favorite moments or quotes from this talk? Is there anything you learned here that you had not considered before? What stood out to you as you studied it? And, most importantly, what did it make you feel or want to do?
Please share your thoughts in the comments below. The comment thread is set up so that you can comment on and reply to each other’s comments as well. Below each comment is a “reply” button. If you are interested in receiving everyone’s responses, there is a box to check in the comment form that allows you to get all the follow-up comments by email. Or you can come back and check out the progress of the post at anytime.
When you click on the link at the top of this post to read Elder Holland’s talk, you’ll see a page that looks like this:
Notice that on the right side, there are links that allow you to watch the video, listen to audio, print, download, etc. There is also a link to the Study Notebook feature so that you can highlight and comment on the talk “in the margins.”
General Conference Book Club, Week 20:
“All Things Work Together for Good” by Elder James B. Martino of the Seventy
When we are in the midst of challenges, it is difficult to see the purpose in our struggles. We sometimes fear that the trial is bigger than our ability to bear it. Even Joseph Smith, in a dark time during his imprisonment, cried out to the Lord, “O God, where art thou?” (D&C 121:1), to which he received this reassurance: “… Know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.”
In this conference talk, Elder Martino testifies:
“Our trials come in many forms, but each will allow us to become more like the Savior as we learn to recognize the good that comes from each experience. As we understand this doctrine, we gain greater assurance of our Father’s love. We may never know in this life why we face what we do, but we can feel confident that we can grow from the experience.”
What insights do you gain about facing trials as you study this talk?
Go here to find the media versions of the talk (audio, video, mp3, etc.). If this is your first visit to the General Conference Book Club, click here to learn more about it.
Sometimes, even when you know something is the right thing to do, it’s hard to step forward. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in anxieties and the possibility of worst-case scenarios. Sometimes you can start a journey with confidence, but a few steps in, you find yourself dragging your feet and looking back over your shoulder. Sometimes faith and courage don’t come as easy as you thought they would.
Sometimes you’ve got to close your eyes, feel it deep, and just jump in.
“Somewhere in your quest for spiritual knowledge, there is that ‘leap of faith,’ as the philosophers call it. It is the moment when you have gone to the edge of the light and stepped into the darkness to discover that the way is lighted ahead for just a footstep or two.” ~ Elder Boyd K. Packer
“Beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing. If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now… Face your doubts. Master your fears. ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence.’ Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you.” ~ Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
I can do this.
Right?
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