Considering Priorities

Given in Ridgeland Ward 11/20/2022


I would like to preface my talk today with a few comments and maybe an apology. First, as you might recall President Francom in our last Stake Conference invited us to fast and pray about our Patriarchal Blessing and if we did not have one to fast and pray about when would be the right time for us to get a blessing. As I accepted that challenge, I read through my Patriarchal Blessing to see what stood out to me and what I thought the Lord would want me to remember and focus on. There was one line that stood out to me. It says, “Develop your ability to communicate in the powers of expression, for you will have many opportunities to teach in the church and kingdom, and to communicate important ideas as a leader in the community in which you live.”

I have given many talks in my life. I have become better over time, but I still feel that I don’t have the eloquence that I wish for. I often feel like I have not adequately expressed the feelings that I want to express. At times of my life, I have tried to speak from a few notes and let the spirit guide my speaking. That never really went very well! In more recent years I tend to write out my talks word for word so I can spend a lot of time trying to phrase things in just the right way. But then I found I lost all expression in my voice and my reading did not come across well either.

So, I have considered that advice from my blessing to develop my ability to communicate in the powers of expression. One of the beautiful things about Patriarchal blessings and living up to your covenants is that there is always something we can be learning and striving to do better. As I have prepared this talk, I have taken a slightly different approach that I have been prompted to try. My apology is that if this does not go well, I am sorry and I will know one more thing that doesn’t work and I will try something new next time!

Considering invitations from our leaders, Elder Bednar in this past conference invited us to “evaluate our temporal and spiritual priorities sincerely and prayerfully to identify the things in our lives that may impede the bounteous blessings that Heavenly Father and the Savior are willing to bestow upon us.”

He taught us in depth about the parable of the royal marriage feast and those that were willing and prepared to accept the invitation. This parable teaches us about considering the priorities in our lives and if they qualify us to partake of the wedding feast. Initially many that received the invitation could not be bothered. They were much more interested in going about farming, or gardening, or going work, or pursuing business interests. I think it is important to consider if these things were wrong or if they just had the wrong priority in their hearts. We can look to many of our church leaders and acknowledge that they have been very successful in their work and careers. You don’t become a world-famous heart surgeon or a Supreme Court justice without a lot of time an energy devoted to your work and education. I think the things the parable wants us to consider is where our heart is.

This reminds me of a story that Elder Renlund once told. During the time that he was in training as a surgeon he worked many long hours and often came home very tired and in need of some sleep. On one particular Sunday when he was ready to leave the hospital he knew if he hurried, he could get home in time to go to church with his family. But he had worked all night and he was very tired. If he waited just a few more minutes before leaving he would miss his family and he could get a well-deserved nap while they were at church. He opted for the nap. But the desired sleep didn’t come. He was tormented by the decision he had made. As he prayed and reflected, he discovered that there were things in his life that had slipped from their proper priority. Reading, studying, and praying had become more casual. He recommitted his priorities to those items and he reports that “Over the course of a few weeks, the zeal returned and the fire of testimony burned fiercely again.”

I find it worth noting that Eldar Bednar invited us to evaluate both our temporal and spiritual priorities. Maybe it is hobbies or other ways we spend our time that can be impeding us. These can be some of the most difficult decisions to make or recognize. For many years I had a hobby that I enjoyed quite a lot. I participated in a trap shooting league that met every Thursday evening. I shot on a team with some great members of our stake that I got to know quite well. We had a wonderful time associating with one another. We would often stop and get a shake on the way home from shooting. It was just a great time. After having done this for many years, I was called to be the Bishop of the Heritage Ward. Thursday nights were still fairly free so I continued to participate. In time, my scores began to drop, and I was not shooting as well as I once had. I grew frustrated and wondered why I wasn’t getting any better but getting worse. As anyone who has ever participated in a sport knows, there is just as much of a mental aspect to performing well as a physical aspect. I found that as I stood at the firing line waiting for my turn in the rotation my mind was wandering to people in my ward, to my duties as the Bishop, to how to conduct effective Bishopric and Ward Council meetings, and all kinds of things. Simply put, my mind wasn’t in the game. I had a very hard decision to make. Was it time to give up something I loved doing? Was shooting hindering my ability to receive the blessings I needed to effectively fulfill my calling? I eventually came to the decision to quit. I then found my mind much more settled. Without the worry of letting down my friends with low shooting scores, and agonizing over my performance, I was able to concentrate better on the things the Lord wanted me to concentrate on. I received bounteous blessing during that time of my life. The decision was hard because there is nothing wrong with what I was doing. It was just a matter of where my priorities should be at that time of my life. I still hope to be able to return to that hobby again some day and will do so when and if I feel it won’t impede my ability to receive the blessings I need in order to serve the Lord.

So, sometimes it is difficult to see things in our life that may be impeding the bounteous blessings that Heavenly Father wants to bestow on us. As I have studied, I have concluded that many times it isn’t about avoiding the pitfalls and temptations of life as much as it is striving to do more and be more. One of my wife’s favorite quotes is that “it isn’t enough to be good, you have to be good for something.” She reminds me of that when I need it. I think it is safe to say that we are all good people. You are here today on the Sabbath Day partaking of the sacrament and worshipping our Heavenly Father. What more can you become? As you pray and ponder over all your priorities in life, the Holy Ghost will help you see yourselves as you really are and as you can really become. Having eyes to see is a spiritual gift from our Heavenly Father. As we seek this gift, the Lord will help us to make wise decisions, and strengthen our connection with Him.

Elder Uchtdorf offers another perspective that may be useful. He suggests that when we are trying to find balance in our lives we think this means dividing our time equally among competing interests. Viewed this way, our commitment to Jesus Christ would be one of many things we need to fit into our busy schedules.

But trying to find balance in our lives is much like riding a bicycle. We maintain balance when we ride a bicycle by moving forward. As we move forward and look at what is ahead of us, keeping balance is more simple.

Similar principles apply when it comes to finding balance in our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ. How to distribute your time and energy among your many important tasks will vary from person to person and from one season of life to another. (When Elder Uchtdorf says we distribute our time and energy among many tasks is very similar to Elder Bednar asking us to evaluate our temporal and spiritual priorities.). But our common, overall objective is to follow the Way of our Master, Jesus Christ, and return to the presence of our beloved Father in Heaven. This objective must remain constant and consistent, whoever we are and whatever else is happening in our lives.

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is not just one of many things we do. The Savior is the motivating power behind all that we do. He is not a rest stop in our journey. He is not a scenic byway or even a major landmark. He is “the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by [Jesus Christ].” That is the Way and our ultimate destination.

Let me give you Elder Bednar’s invitation again to evaluate your temporal and spiritual priorities sincerely and prayerfully to identify the things in your lives that may impede the bounteous blessings that Heavenly Father and the Savior are willing to bestow upon you.

As you continue your Sabbath Day observance today, I hope that you will consider seeking guidance and direction from the Holy Ghost to have eyes to see what you may really become. As I said when I began today, our Patriarchal Blessings may be a good place to look for things that could use our time and energy.

I am grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ. When I was first called as a Bishop 7 years ago, I was overwhelmed at the responsibility and the accountability. I have served in callings my whole life but at that time I committed that for the next several years I would give my calling everything I had. As I really committed myself, I found that I was even more dependent upon the Savior than I ever imagined. I learned things about allowing the Savior to guide your life that I wished I had learned 30 years earlier. I know that there are bounteous blessings in store for us and as we focus on becoming better disciples of Jesus Christ we will come to realize these miracles in our life.



ITNOJC,A

The Covenant Path

 

General Session of Stake Conference

Last General Conference Pres Nelson taught us several things we can do to improve the spiritual momentum in our lives.1  One of the things we need to do is get on the covenant path and stay there.

We have heard in this conference about the joy of repenting which brings us to the covenant path.  We have talked about making covenants through baptism, and temple ordinances to get on the covenant path.  Those are all wonderful milestones and accomplishments in our life as we make and renew covenants with our Savior.  Now we want to ensure that we stay on this path and not stray.

President M Russell Ballard once told a story that is very instructive.  He talks of a friend who was preparing to take a trip down the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon which is famous for its white water rapids.  President Ballard relates, “At the beginning of the trip, one of the experienced river guides reviewed important safety instructions, emphasizing three rules that would ensure the group’s safe travel through the rapids. “Rule number one: stay in the boat! Rule number two: always wear a life jacket! Rule number three: always hold on with both hands!” He then said again, with even more emphasis, “Above all, remember rule number one: stay in the boat!

“This adventure reminds me of our mortal journey. Most of us experience periods in our lives where the tranquil waters of life are appreciated. At other times, we encounter white-water rapids that are metaphorically comparable to those found in the 14-mile stretch through Cataract Canyon—challenges that may include physical and mental health issues, the death of a loved one, dashed dreams and hopes, and—for some—even a crisis of faith (or trust) when faced with life’s problems, questions, and doubts.

The Lord in His goodness has provided help, including a boat, essential supplies such as life jackets, and experienced river guides who give guidance and safety instructions to help us make our way down the river of life to our final destination.”2

As I have pondered this subject for several weeks, I keep asking what it is that causes some to stray from the covenant path or not stay in the boat.  There are probably lots of different answers to that question so I wonder what will keep me on the covenant path.  What will keep me in the boat?

I am just a regular member of the church like all of you; subject to all the trials and tribulations of the world.  I want to hold on to my testimony.  I want to feel like I am striving to be like the Savior, knowing that I have so many weaknesses.  I have had several experiences over the past few weeks that have helped me.  I have been instructed by excellent sacrament meeting talks.  I have been able to participate in some elders quorum discussions that talked about this specifically.  And I have had other experiences that have helped me to understand this question better.

One experience I had was while conducting temple recommend interviews.  As I read those questions, some important insight came to me.  It is interesting how that happens.  It was nothing I didn’t already know but it had an impact that was somehow different.  It is when your spirit communicates with the Holy Ghost and you feel something at a spiritual level that just resonates somewhere deep inside.  The first four questions cause us to reflect on our testimony.  To review they are:

1. Do you have faith in and a testimony of God, the Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost?

2. Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and of His role as your Savior and Redeemer. 

3. Do you have a testimony of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

4. Do you sustain the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the prophet, seer, and revelator?3

I realized that if I could answer each one of those questions positively then nothing else really mattered.  In my mind any question that might come up could be addressed through those four principles.  We have all read in the news or talked with friends or family members that have questions about the church.  I don’t want to minimize asking questions.  If Joseph Smith hadn’t asked a question we wouldn’t be here today.  We all need to pursue truth but sometimes there are no answers to our questions or sometimes the answers don’t resonate with commonly accepted philosophies of the world.

At this point, I turn back to my faith.  Do I have faith in God, the Eternal Father?  Does he have a plan for me?  Is there a reason for my existence on earth?  Do I believe in the Atonement of Jesus Christ as the key to our Father’s plan?  Do I have a testimony in the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and that that restored authority has been passed down and is now held by President Nelson as God’s prophet, seer, and revelator?  If so then many of the questions take on a different light.  Questions such as, are the church’s policies on the family in line with current “expert opinion”?  The church’s policies and doctrine come through the restored gospel and his prophets, therefore I may not understand everything specifically but I have faith in the prophets.  I may wonder why the church as an organization does not always function like other global organizations in terms of transparency or accountability but I know that the organization of the church is led by a prophet of God and that God will not lead us astray.  Therefore, I can accept things I don’t understand and continue serving in the Kingdom based on my faith in our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and their promise to me of salvation and exaltation.

I have therefore determined that cultivating faith in Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is the most important thing we can do to stay on the convent path that leads to the realization of God’s eternal promises.  President Nelson has given us excellent direction on cultivating that faith.  He has told us to attend the temple.  He even suggests that if we don’t completely understand why we attend the temple or have other questions about the temple that we attend more often and not less in order to gain the understanding we seek.4

In the New Testament there is the story of the Jewish leader, Jairus whose daughter was sick.  He came to Jesus to plead that he heal her.  As they journeyed to his house a servant came and told the anxious father, “Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.”

“But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.”5

Fear not: believe only.  I think there are lots of things we fear in life.  We fear our ability to fulfill our calling, we fear speaking in Stake Conference!, we fear the personal growth and diligence that repentance requires.  We fear the conflicting opinions and voices of the world.  When the Savior arrived at Jairus’s house all that were there “laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead”.  We fear being laughed at because we hold on to believe that seems to defy conventional wisdom.

So all we have to do is believe.  Sounds easy doesn’t it?  It is not.  I know that it is not easy to have the belief the Savior is talking about.  In another instance, a father brought his child who had an evil spirit to the Savior to be healed.  “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

“And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”6

This father desperately wanted to believe that his son could be healed.  He wasn’t sure his belief was sufficient but he knew that not only could the Lord heal his son, he could heal his unbelief.

The path to healing isn’t easy.  It takes a great deal of humility and perseverance.  But if we can have the humility to believe in God, the Eternal Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ, we have taken the first step.  Then we can believe that modern day prophets and apostles are called by God and are doing God’s work.  We will look to the words of the prophets as instruction for us personally.  We will look to see what the Lord has to say to us as individuals through the words of the prophets.  And slowly our belief will strengthen and we will see God’s hand in the world despite the laughing and scorning that is all around us.

Our Heavenly Father wants us to receive all the blessings he has promised us.  Our Prophet wants us to receive all that our Heavenly Father has.  As a stake presidency, we love all of you and desire that you inherit in this life and in the next all that our Heavenly Father has for you.  We pray for you and hope you will do all you can to stay firmly on the covenant path.

1. Russell M Nelson, The Power of Spiritual Momentum

2. M Russell Ballard, Stay in the Boat and Hold On!

3. Russell M Nelson,  Closing Remarks

4. Russell M Nelson, The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation

5. Luke 8:41-55

6. Mark 9:23-24

Priesthood Principles

 Leadership Session of Stake Conference

Chapter 3 of the Handbook talks about Priesthood Principles.  There is so much good information in this chapter that is important to remember.  I will quote extensively from this section but I also hope to add some additional commentary that is helpful.  You could just go home and read this section yourself so I hope you will learn something you can apply to your lives.  The section starts out by reminding us that the priesthood is the authority and power of God.  God grants authority and power to His sons and daughters on earth to help carry out this work.  We will talk more about authority and power but it is important to remember this is granted to both His sons and His daughters to help carry out the work.

3.2 Blessings of the Priesthood

God grants us many blessings through priesthood covenants and ordinances.  We get a list of 6 specific blessings we know we receive in addition to many more.

• We are baptized, confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

• Some of us may barely remember when we were baptized but it is a blessing that has continued with us throughout our life.  I don’t really remember my actual baptism and confirmation.  I’ve seen pictures and I know it happened and that the gift of the Holy Ghost has been very important to me throughout my life.  It has blessed me for decades.

• Some may remember very distinctly when they were baptized and the great joy that brought to you and your friends and families.  I really enjoy hearing stories of those who were baptized later in life and can relate the experience of having the Holy Ghost as a constant companion compared to when that was not a part of their life.

• We can partake of the sacrament.  

• One of the temple recommend questions asks if we prepare for and worthily partake of the sacrament.  I hope you consider that question often.  What does it mean to prepare for the sacrament.

• We receive power and authority to serve in church callings and assignments.

• We will talk more about this in a minute.

• We are endowed with God’s power in the temple.

• As we talk about priesthood power, consider how your temple endowment gives you priesthood power to act on the earth

• We are sealed to our family members for eternity.

• The prophet Elijah committed the keys of the sealing power. These keys provide the authority that allows ordinances performed on earth to be binding in the next life.  I am only barely starting to understand the full impact of the sealing power of the priesthood.  I have experienced very heart-warming experiences as I have done sealing work for deceased ancestors from both my direct ancestors and the ancestors of my wife.  I feel like that sealing power draws together families in

Take Charge of Your Testimony

 Given in Oxford Ward Aug 21, 2022

Some of you may have recently seen the social media post from President Nelson about your testimony.  It is a short little video clip where he says:

“I plead with you to take charge of your testimony.  Work for it. Own it. Care for it. Nurture it so that it will grow. Feed it truth.  Don’t pollute it with the false philosophies of unbelieving men and women and then wonder why your testimony is waning.”

“Engage in daily, earnest, humble prayer. Nourish yourself in the words of ancient and modern prophets. Ask the Lord to teach you how to hear Him better. Spend more time in the temple and in family history work.”

 “As you make your testimony your highest priority, watch for miracles to happen in your life.”  

This is a very powerful charge from our prophet.  I learned a couple of things as I pondered what he was saying.  I realized how important it is to want to have a testimony of Jesus Christ.  We have all come to a point where we believe in some degree in Jesus Christ, in the restoration of the Gospel, in the priesthood and Gospel Ordinances.  It is important to want to know these things.  Consider the implications of this knowledge.  If it is all true, then the promise is that we will receive the Father’s Kingdom, therefore all that the Father hath shall be given unto you. 

If we really want something, it takes effort.  Have you ever wanted to be good at something?  Maybe you wanted to be good at playing a musical instrument, or singing, or playing a particular sport, or a particular video game.  Maybe you wanted to be a good leader such as a student body officer, a manager or supervisor at your work.  Maybe you wanted to be really good at drawing or writing or teaching.  Maybe it is carpentry skills, or metal work that you want to be really good at.  You know that whatever it is requires a great deal of work and practice.  So why would being good at having a testimony of Jesus Christ not require the same efforts?

To be good at any of these things we have mentioned there are things we need to do.  First, we usually look to someone who is already good for some coaching.  This someone could be a personal coach or teacher or someone who shares their knowledge through books or YouTube videos or other online classes.  So, who would you say is good at having a testimony of Jesus Christ?  Maybe it is your parents.  Maybe it is a friend.  Maybe it is other ward and stake leaders.  I think we can all agree that the Prophets and Apostles are good at having a testimony of Jesus Christ.

That takes us back to the video clip from President Nelson.  He is good at having a testimony of Jesus Christ, so let’s listen to what he says is necessary to have a strong testimony of Jesus Christ.  First, he says we must take charge of our testimony.  We must work for it, own it, care for it.  We have already talked a bit about that.  We have to really want it.

Then we must nurture it and feed it truth.  We can’t nurture our testimony if we are feeding it the false philosophies of men and women who are trying to change the doctrine of Christ.  Some will flat out deny the existence of God, some will try to put false words into God’s mouth.  Some will try to reconcile the doctrine of Christ with the current generally accepted philosophies of the world.  None of these are nurturing a deeper testimony of Jesus Christ.

President Nelson tells us five things we can do to ensure that we are feeding our testimony truth.

1. Engage in daily, earnest, humble prayer.

2. Nourish yourself in the worlds of ancient and modern prophets.

3. Ask God to teach you how to hear him better.

4. Spend more time in the temple.

5. Spend more time in family history work.

I don’t think President Nelson, or the Lord, expects you to run home and set lofty goals in each of these five areas and then get overwhelmed and not accomplish anything.  We already know that it takes time and practice to become good at anything.  Look at these five areas.  Decide what a little bit of a stretch would be for you.  Maybe you are already pretty good at most of those things, but your daily prayers could use a little work.  Maybe they need to become more earnest and more humble.  Maybe you need to work at spending more time in the temple or doing family history work.

It is the temple that I would like to take a little more time to talk about.  It took me years to begin to have a better understanding of how time in the temple can affect our daily lives.  I feel there may be some of you who are also wondering how it is that going to the temple makes a difference.

Like most of the things we have been talking about, one single experience may not be very meaningful or seem to make a difference.  I notice this in two areas, as an example.  As I read the scriptures daily, I may not read anything that has a profound impact.  Some days I do but many days I just enjoy the words.  It isn’t until later that I look back and I can see the compound effect of daily scripture reading.  I can see what the Lord means when he says that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass.  The cumulative effect of studying for a long period of time has made a huge difference to me.  I also see this in paying tithing.  I almost do it mindlessly.  I go online, click a few buttons, and my tithing is paid.  It is not an especially notable experience.  But as I look back over a lifetime of tithe paying, I can see many blessings I have received in my life from paying tithing.  It is in the reflection that I appreciate the blessings and my testimony is strengthened.

Spending time in the temple is much the same.  It is from the cumulative impact of regular temple worship where you will grow.  Almost a year ago in General Conference President Nelson had some important things to say about the temple.  It would be good to review some of those.  He said, “(The Lord) is the One who wants you to understand with great clarity exactly what you are making covenants to do. He is the One who wants you to experience fully His sacred ordinances. He wants you to comprehend your privileges, promises, and responsibilities. He wants you to have spiritual insights and awakenings you’ve never had before.”

He is promising here that we will have great experiences in the temple.  I don’t mean to imply that we can’t have great insights during any one temple visit.  Clearly, we can come away from the temple with personal revelation in answer to questions and great insights.  I have had some amazing experiences at the temple.  We can enjoy both singular experiences as well as the benefit of cumulative experiences.

President Nelson goes on to say “If you don’t yet love to attend the temple, go more often—not less. Let the Lord, through His Spirit, teach and inspire you there. I promise you that over time, the temple will become a place of safety, solace, and revelation.”

Here we are reminded that sometimes it is over time that we recognize the blessings.

And finally, he says, “And to each of you who has made temple covenants, I plead with you to seek—prayerfully and consistently—to understand temple covenants and ordinances. Spiritual doors will open. You will learn how to part the veil between heaven and earth, how to ask for God’s angels to attend you, and how better to receive direction from heaven. Your diligent efforts to do so will reinforce and strengthen your spiritual foundation.” 

When speaking of spending time in the temple, my feeling is that any time we spend in the temple is spiritually rewarding.  For the six months between the time when I was released as the Bishop of the Heritage Ward and my current calling to the Stake Presidency, I served in the temple as an ordinance worker.  I had some amazing experiences in the temple with different patrons and I also felt a tangible effect in my spirituality as I spent 4 hours, once a week, in the temple.  I would really encourage anyone who can set aside a 4-hour block, once a week, in the morning, mid-day, afternoon, or evening, to go to your Bishop and ask that he submit a recommendation for you to serve in the temple.  All you need is time and reasonable health.  There is a fair amount of standing and moving around but if you can do that, don’t worry about anything else.  You can use cards to prompt you in what to say for as long as you need to.  There are super loving coordinators and other workers that will train and teach you.  You can do the work if you have the time and health.  Please consider it.

Shortly after President Nelson’s social media post, he posted again and said, “Recently, I invited you to “take charge of your own testimony.” Please share with me what steps you are taking to accomplish this. I can’t wait to be inspired by you!” 

My invitation to you is the same.  What steps are you going to take, starting today, to take charge of your own testimony.  As you make a conscious effort to feed your testimony with truth you will see miracles happen in your life! 

 1 https://www.instagram.com/p/CguXLDypFHK/

 2 D&C 84:38

 3 Alma 37:6

 4 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/10/47nelson?lang=eng

 5 https://www.instagram.com/p/ChFOAaDOuP0/

 6 Same as 1, last sentence.

Still Small Voice

Given at General Priesthood Meeting

My wife, Lanta, and I just returned from a 12 day vacation to Newfoundland Canada.  Newfoundland is the northernmost province in Canada.  It is a big island that sits out in the North Atlantic northeast of Nova Scotia.  You might wonder why anyone would vacation in Newfoundland!  It is mostly surrounded by big cliffs.  The few beaches are just rocky stretches.  The water is so cold you can only stand in it for a few seconds before you have to jump out.  And it is always cold and windy!!

Well, Lanta’s parents were both born and raised in Newfoundland.  They joined the church as young adults, met in the small branch, and then moved to Utah and got married and raised 5 beautiful girls.  Over the years, I have done a lot of family history research on Lanta’s family in Newfoundland.  For the most part we can’t trace her ancestors back to Europe.  They were some of the earliest settlers in Newfoundland and the record keeping was pretty non-existent because everything was so remote.  A priest or pastor might come around once a year to do some baptisms but if you were out fishing that day, your kids didn’t get baptized and there was no record of them.  Fishing was the primary method of earning a living and surviving in the small villages that dotted the coastline around Newfoundland so it was essential.

Lanta last visited Newfoundland right after she graduated High School.  She stayed with her grandparents for about a month and met many of her aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Some have visited Utah over the years but we have always wanted to go back and see Newfoundland.  We were finally able to do that.  Lanta’s sister, her husband, and Lanta’s mom came with us.  There were so many incredible experiences but I would like to share with you just two things that were meaningful to me.

As I said, I have done a lot of research and really wanted to see for myself all the places I read about.  I wanted to see where these small fishing villages were, how remote they were, and get a feel for living in that area.  I feel a real bond with these people who are Lanta’s ancestors, not mine.  What has impressed me over time and especially while I was in Newfoundland, is how the Sealing ordinance truly binds us together here on earth as well as in heaven.  When I met Lanta’s cousins, I felt like I was meeting my own.  I know that through the sealing ordinance of our marriage that my heart is turned to them.  The “Spirit of Elijah”  as we sometimes say is very real.  I feel as committed to researching Lanta’s family as I do my own.  We traveled to several small villages where we knew we had family.  There are small cemeteries dotted along the road and we stopped at each one.  I would wander through the cemetery looking for familiar last names.  As I found them I took pictures with my Billion Graves app.  I took about 400 pictures so I have a ton of stuff to sort through and see if I can find some additional names we can take to the temple.  They are all related in some way but finding the connections may be hard.

The other interesting thing happened when we visited a place called Cabot Tower.  It sits on top of a big hill overlooking the entrance to the harbor in St. John’s.  St. John’s is the capital city of Newfoundland and by far the most populated area of the island.  It is situated on the far eastern shore and is where all of Lanta’s relatives now live.  I learned some interesting history at Cabot Tower.  In 1901, the famed inventor and radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi, was trying to prove some of his theories on long distance wireless communications.  His goal was to send a wireless transmission across the Atlantic Ocean.  He found a spot in Cornwall, England where he would transmit the message.  On this side of the Atlantic he picked Signal Hill where Cabot Tower is located as the point to receive the transmission.  Since St John’s is the easternmost point in North America, that would be the shortest distance but still transAtlantic.  In December 1901 at the prearranged time they began transmitting from England.  It had been decided that the simple transmission would just be the letter “S”.  In Morse code the letter “S” is 3 consecutive dots, or short sounds.  It was believed that if you could hear three distinct sounds together over all the static and other noise that you could be sure it was the transmission you were picking up and not just random noise from the atmosphere or whatever.  Marconi records that on that day he heard the three distinct sounds on three separate occasions and announced to the world that he had accomplished a transAtlantic wireless transmission that would change communications forever.

Well, the telegraph companies of the day had invested a lot of money in laying cables across the Atlantic to implement wired communications.  This was of course a threat to them so they went to great lengths to try and dispute Marconi’s claims.  They offered alternative explanations for what he heard or tried to convince others that he had not really heard what he claims to have heard.  Marconi was not dissuaded and pursued his theories that have ultimately led to the world as we know it today where wireless communications and transmissions of all sorts are so commonplace we don’t even think about it.

As I was standing in Cabot’s Tower reading this amazing story on the big plaques posted there, I was struck by how similar this story is to our ability to listen to still small voices over the noise and static of the world.  Just as Marconi had to try and filter out the static and noise that surrounded him in order to hear the message he was looking for, we have to filter out the static and noise of this world in order to hear messages from the Holy Ghost. And if we are successful then we can be sure of the messages we are receiving.  I also think there might be times when we question our faith or let the world try to tell us we didn’t hear the things we thought we heard, or they offer alternate explanations to cause us to question if we really did feel those impressions and hear the still small voice.  But we can follow the example of Marconi, or listen to the same truth as revealed by the Lord.  He said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.  Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning this matter?”  You can be confident in the feelings you had when you heard the still small voice.  You can know what is true and forge ahead with courage and confidence.

I hope that you will strive to hear truth as it is revealed to you by the Holy Ghost and cling to that truth when the noise of the world might be saying otherwise.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Covenants and ordinances strengthen our testimony of Jesus Christ

 Given in Memorial ward

Covenants and ordinances strengthen our testimony of Jesus Christ

As we are beginning to figure out what we are supposed to be doing, we turned to the General Handbook of Instructions.  Elder Dunn counseled us to pay special attention to the first four chapters of the Handbook.  Those first chapters lay the doctrinal foundation for everything we do.  The rest of the Handbook describes in detail policies and procedures for organizing and executing the Lord’s church.  But in those first chapters we are reminded of our purpose here on Earth and why we make covenants, obey the Lord, and serve in His kingdom.

3.5 Priesthood Power

Priesthood power is the power by which God blesses His children. God’s priesthood power flows to all members of the Church—female and male—as they keep the covenants they have made with Him. Members make these covenants as they receive priesthood ordinances. (See Doctrine and Covenants 84:19–20.)

The blessings of priesthood power that members can receive include:

    Guidance for their lives.

    Inspiration to know how to serve family members and others.

    Strength to endure and overcome challenges.

    Gifts of the Spirit to magnify their abilities.

    Revelation to know how to fulfill the work they are ordained, set apart, or assigned to do.

    Help and strength to become more like Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.

3.5.2 Ordinances

An ordinance is a sacred act performed by the authority of the priesthood. Ordinances have always been part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The first ordinances on earth were performed in the days of Adam and Eve (see Genesis 1:28; Moses 6:64–65).

In many ordinances, individuals make covenants with God. Examples include baptism, the sacrament, the endowment, and the marriage sealing ordinance. In other ordinances such as patriarchal blessings or blessings on the sick, individuals do not make covenants, but they do receive guidance and strength to keep covenants.

Ordinances have symbolic meaning that point individuals to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. In the ordinances that include covenants, the symbolism helps individuals understand the promises they make and the blessings they receive through their faithfulness.

Each ordinance allows individuals to receive rich spiritual blessings. The Lord revealed, “In the ordinances [of the priesthood], the power of godliness is manifest” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:20). Ordinances of salvation and exaltation are essential for eternal life.

We just read that ordinances and covenants point us to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  What is it about ordinances and covenants that do this?  First, the covenant describes to us in words what we are promising to do and what the Lord is promising in return.  In the sacrament ordinance we promise to take upon us the name of Christ, to always remember him, and to keep his commandments.  In return, the Lord promises that His Spirit will always be with us. He promises the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost to help accomplish those things we read earlier, Inspiration, Strength, Gifts of the Spirit, Revelation, etc.

If the words of the sacrament ordinance remind us of the covenant what is the symbolic meaning of the sacrament?  I tend to be a very literal person.  Probably to a fault.  I have a difficult time finding meaning in symbolism.  So what I share is only a very tiny part of what is to be had.  Several years ago while I was a Bishop we received some instruction on offering the sacrament to those with Gluten intolerances.  It was suggested that the member provide a small piece of gluten-free bread or something similar instead of a small cracker so that the bread could still be broken to symbolize how the Savior’s body was broken.  In all my life to that point I had never realized that was one of the reasons why the bread was broken.  I guess I just assumed it was for convenience.  My point is that there are probably many other things about the sacrament, other than the bread representing the body of Christ and the water representing the blood of Christ, that we can learn from if we pay attention and pray for inspiration.  In recent years I have made more of an effort to understand more about the sacrament ordinance and it has been truly enlightening.

Similarly we can say the same things about the temple ordinances.  There are the words to the covenants that we make but there is also great meaning in the symbolism of the things we do and see in the temple.  Frequent and regular temple attendance will prove this to be true for you.  In the same way we can pay greater attention to the sacrament, we can pay greater attention in the temple and be taught.

Every time President Nelson speaks in General Conference he speaks the most magnificent things.  You can just hang on every word he says. But one talk in particular has had a profound impact on me and has been quoted extensively.  It is the talk he gave last October about our Spiritual Foundation and the Temple. When that talk was given I had just been released as a Bishop two weeks prior.  I had started thinking about the possibility of asking to serve as an ordinance worker in the temple.  Then President Nelson, in talking about the Savior, said, “He is providing opportunities for each of us to bolster our spiritual foundations more effectively by centering our lives on Him and on the ordinances and covenants of His temple. When you bring your temple recommend, a contrite heart, and a seeking mind to the Lord’s house of learning, He will teach you.”  To me, that was an answer.  I soon thereafter began serving as an ordinance worker in the temple.

Through this experience I believe there is an intangible benefit from going to the temple.  I had hoped to learn and be taught and I certainly did learn many wonderful things.  But there was an intangible change in my life that I can’t explain from a logical level.  After a while my wife said to me, “you have changed”. I asked her how I had changed and all she said was I don’t know but you can’t ever stop going to the temple!  I did feel like I had changed somehow for the better.  I can’t explain it but it is there.  I think it was also helping to prepare me for my current calling.  I worked the Tuesday night shift but now with many stake meetings on Tuesdays I have had to be released as an ordinance worker.  I was only able to serve for six months and I miss it terribly but I will do what I can in the future to arrange my schedule such that I have an opening each work to do that great service.

In modern times the Lord uses covenants and ordinances to help us strengthen our testimony of Him.  As we have been studying the Old Testament this year we can see that the Lord has always used covenants and symbolism to draw us nearer to Him.  Unfortunately, it seems that sometimes these things were lost on the children of Israel but we can learn from them today.  We have recently studied about the Tabernacle.  Consider these things that we learn from the Tabernacle.   The tabernacle was considered the dwelling place of God.  It was always placed in the center of camp to represent that God should always be at the center of our lives.  The altar was used to make sacrifices.  The sacrifices were intended to be a foreshadowing of the great and last sacrifice of our Savior.  Today, we consider what sacrifices are required of the Lord.  We are to give up our sins and offer a broken heart and a contrite spirit.  The laver of water, the candlestick, the table of shewbread, the altar of incense, the veil, and the holy of holies all are important symbols of our relationship with Christ and our covenant duties toward him.  All of these things help to strengthen our testimony of Him.

Referring to the General Handbook again, Chapter 4 has a section that talks about ministering to all of God’s children.

4.2.2 Jesus ministered personally to people, reaching out to lift and teach those who felt alone, hopeless, or lost. Love the people you serve as Jesus did. Pray “with all the energy of heart” to be filled with His love (Moroni 7:48). Establish sincere friendships. Reach out to those who may be lonely, need comfort, or have other needs. Your love will bless their lives and help people desire to come unto Christ.

Help individuals deepen their conversion and strengthen their faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Help them prepare to make covenants as they receive their next ordinance. Encourage them to keep the covenants they have made and partake of the blessings of repentance. Help them know they can progress toward fulfilling their divine potential regardless of the challenges they face.

The idea of receiving your next ordinance is a great way to focus your efforts and points to the value ordinances have in our life.  As we consider our friends and neighbors, we should ask ourselves what is the next ordinance they need?  This is always an appropriate path to pursue.  For friends who are not of our faith we could say that baptism is the next ordinance they need.  We can then develop sincere relationships with these people so we can share the gospel in normal and natural ways.  Maybe our friends have not received temple covenants and ordinances.  Similarly we develop sincere relationships so we can offer invitations to prepare for the temple or answer questions that they may have.  Members who have been away for some time may need to return to church.  In that case, the sacrament is the next ordinance they need.  

We can also consider what our own next ordinance is.  As children are you preparing for baptism.  As youth are you preparing for temple ordinances, As young single adults are you preparing to receive the sealing ordinances.  Are we also making sure we are true to the convents we have made, enduring to the end, and learning throughout our whole life more about how ordinances and covenants bind us to our Savior and make us more like him.

I have one last story about the baptismal ordinance that has been meaningful to me ever since I learned about the story.  I learned about this story many years ago while visiting with my Grandmother.  My Grandma Stevens was born in a small community in Northern Wyoming…..

She grew up, met and married my Grandpa Stevens in the Logan temple and was faithful to her covenants her whole life.  She is a great example to me.

This is an email that I received from Elder Dunn on the day we were set apart as a new stake presidency in the Salt Lake Granger South Stake.

Presidents Francom, Stevens and Turley,

Just wanted to tell you how much Elder Boswell will forever relish being a party to your sacred callings today! You are a powerful presidency and will do so much good in the Granger South Stake. We feel blessed by the experience of this past weekend and, again, attest to the divine inspiration in your callings.

One last thought from today’s training; please make sure amidst the business of the next few weeks, that you take time to journal your feelings and impressions of this sacred weekend. Details will soon become fleeting, so please take a few minutes to record your personal history. If not for yourself, please do this for your grandchildren.

In the spirit of that, attached please find two photographs from the weekend. These are high enough resolution that you can print them out and include them in a journal. You can also upload these to the FamilySearch “memories” app if you have that on your phone. That is a great—a permanent way—to preserve important moments.

Thank you again and all best as you begin your sacred ministries!

Michael A. Dunn

General Authority Seventy

Called to Serve

 

On April 16, 2022 I was called my Elder Michael Dunn of the Quorum of the Seventy to serve as the first counselor in the Salt Lake Granger South Stake.

Most of what follows for the next 9 years will be talks that I prepare and give in my capacity of a member of the Stake Presidency.  I suspect over 9 years that will be several.

Note:  I am putting this and other talks in the order that they occurred.  This post is actually made on June 24, 2024 as I am posting talks I have saved to this blog.  Hopefully, if there are inconsistencies, I will clear them up from this point on.   And hopefully, I continue to post my talks on this blog!