Ensign, Nov. 2007 - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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86 from that of traditional Christianity. It is largely operated by a lay ministry. Voluntary service is its genius. As it has grown and spread abroad, thousands upon thousands of faithful and able men have directed its efforts. Today I stand in wonder at the marvelous things which God revealed to His appointed prophet while he was yet young and largely unknown. The very language of these revelations is beyond the capacity of even a man of great learning. Scholars not of our faith, who will not accept our singular doctrines, are puzzled by the great unrolling of this work, which is touching the hearts of people across the earth. We owe it all to Joseph the Prophet, the seer and the revelator, the Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, who was foreordained to come forth in this generation as an instrument in the hands of the Almighty in restoring to the earth that which the Savior taught when He walked the roads of Palestine. To you, this day, I affirm my witness of the calling of the Prophet Joseph, of his works, of the sealing of his testimony with his blood as a martyr to the eternal truth. Each of you can bear witness of the same thing. You and I are faced with the stark question of accepting the truth of the First Vision and that which followed it. On the question of its reality lies the very validity of this Church. If it is the truth, and I testify that it is, then the work in which we are engaged is the most important work on the earth. I leave with you my testimony of the truth of these things, and I invoke the blessings of heaven upon you. May the windows of heaven be opened and blessings showered upon you as the Lord has promised. Never forget that this was His promise and that He has the power and the capacity to see that it is fulfilled. I so pray as I leave my blessing and love with you in the sacred name of our Redeemer, even the Lord Jesus Christ, amen. ■ SUNDAY AFTERNOON SESSION October 7, 2007 Personal Revelation: The Teachings and Examples of the Prophets ELDER ROBERT D. HALES Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Personal revelation is the way we know for ourselves the most important truths of our existence. As we begin the concluding session of this historic conference, I join you in expressing gratitude for the privilege of sustaining President Henry B. Eyring as a counselor in the First Presidency, Elder Quentin L. Cook in the Quorum of the Twelve, and Elder Walter F. González in the seven Presidents of the Seventy. I offer them my love and support and testify that they are called of God by a living prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley, “according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy.” 1 The events of these past two days teach us the need for revelation in the Lord’s work and personal revelation in our own lives. Personal revelation is the way we know for ourselves the most important truths of our existence: the living reality of God, our Eternal Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ; the truthfulness of the restored gospel; and God’s purpose and direction for us. Much of what I know about personal revelation I have learned from the examples of the prophets, both ancient and modern. This afternoon I would like to share a few of these personal examples and pray that they will inspire each of us to seek the blessings
of personal revelation in our own lives. As a young regional representative, I was assigned to assist Elder Marion G. Romney in reorganizing a stake. During the long, quiet ride to the conference, our conversation turned to the spiritual dimensions of our assignment. Elder Romney taught me about how the Lord blesses us with revelation. “Robert,” he said, “I have learned that when we are on the Lord’s errand, we have His blessings to accomplish whatever we are asked to do.” Elder Romney further explained that we would arrive in the distant city, kneel in prayer, interview priesthood holders, kneel in prayer again, and the Holy Ghost would reveal to us the person whom the Lord had chosen to be the new stake president. He promised me it would be one of the great spiritual experiences of my life, and it was. Each of us has been sent to earth by our Heavenly Father to merit eternal life: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” 2 How do we know the Father and the Son for ourselves? By personal revelation. Personal revelation is the way Heavenly Father helps us know Him and His Son, learn and live the gospel, endure to the end in righteousness, and qualify for eternal life— to return back into Their presence. You may ask, “How do we seek personal revelation?” Paul counseled the Saints to rely on the Spirit rather than the wisdom of the world. 3 To obtain that Spirit, we begin with prayer. President Lorenzo Snow had studied the gospel for several years before joining the Church. But he did not receive a witness until two or three weeks after his baptism when he retired in secret prayer. “The Spirit of God descended upon me,” he said. “O, the joy and happiness I felt, [for] I then received a perfect knowledge that God lives, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and of the restoration of the holy Priesthood, and the fulness of the Gospel.” 4 I have learned that prayer provides a firm foundation for personal revelation. But more is required. While still a regional representative, I had the opportunity to learn from another Apostle, Elder Boyd K. Packer. We were assigned to reorganize a stake and began by kneeling in prayer together. After interviewing priesthood leaders and having prayer, Elder Packer suggested that we walk around the building together. As we walked, he demonstrated a vital principle of seeking personal revelation—the principle the Lord taught Oliver Cowdery: “Behold, . . . you must study it out in your mind.” 5 We pondered our assignment, counseled together, and listened to the voice of the Spirit. When we went back, we prayed and studied further, and then we were prepared to receive revelation. Revelation comes on the Lord’s timetable, which often means we must move forward in faith, even though we haven’t received all the answers we desire. As a General Authority, I was assigned to help reorganize a stake presidency under the direction of Elder Ezra Taft Benson. After praying, interviewing, studying, and praying again, Elder Benson asked if I knew who the new NOVEMBER 2007 87
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T H E C H U R C H O F J E S U S C H
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The 177th Semiannual General Confer
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INDEXES STORIES Letter written by M
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Prior to a conference session (left
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the “weak things of the world.”
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Church or out. No service could be
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experiences that grew out of their
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spoke on a topic a couple of months
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Through this power, I was able to o
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covenants will receive God’s glor
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My father returned to us unharmed,
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and responsibilities. It means stre
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we enter the grand stage of life to
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SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION October
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the way to live in order to enjoy a
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and the end of the pathway of disci
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Love is the greatest of all the com
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Preach My Gospel—the Unifying Too
Page 37 and 38: Preach My Gospel for family home ev
Page 39 and 40: and was baptized. He served a fullt
Page 41 and 42: investing more of your time in the
Page 43 and 44: oft-noted “mystery of the trinity
Page 45 and 46: Scriptural Witnesses ELDER RUSSELL
Page 47 and 48: All 16 French-speaking missionaries
Page 49 and 50: After experimenting with the Fosbur
Page 51 and 52: interacting with people. As an incr
Page 53 and 54: ecame clear. A large yellow sign re
Page 55 and 56: us for the eventual realization of
Page 57 and 58: taught the meaning of cutting off o
Page 59 and 60: Remember the times I have set a tab
Page 61 and 62: A Royal Priesthood PRESIDENT THOMAS
Page 63 and 64: authority, resulting in a loss of p
Page 65 and 66: It is the cycle which is repeated a
Page 67 and 68: THE FIRST QUORUM OF THE SEVENTY THE
Page 69 and 70: didn’t have to do what he was doi
Page 71 and 72: a desire to serve Him and to keep H
Page 73 and 74: very active members and have 6 chil
Page 75 and 76: thrilled to hear the children recit
Page 77 and 78: I saw you walk out the door, I woul
Page 79 and 80: is homemaking. Homemaking includes
Page 81 and 82: ook, begins to read it, and continu
Page 83 and 84: of the heart and will to God, and a
Page 85 and 86: and spotless before God is a source
Page 87: prophetically (see Hebrews 12:1). F
Page 91 and 92: eceived. When President David O. Mc
Page 93 and 94: In Denmark, part of the fellowshipp
Page 95 and 96: Nourished by the Good Word of God D
Page 97 and 98: Several months ago I attended a tra
Page 99 and 100: on how I was feeling. Then we talke
Page 101 and 102: Another thing that must be our perm
Page 103 and 104: young man who was not of our faith,
Page 105 and 106: others through seemingly simple act
Page 107 and 108: est. Even though a particular choic
Page 109 and 110: in our Church responsibilities,”
Page 111 and 112: GENERAL RELIEF SOCIETY MEETING Sept
Page 113 and 114: In São Paulo, Brazil, members lear
Page 115 and 116: Feed My Sheep SILVIA H. ALLRED Firs
Page 117 and 118: In Moroni 6:4 we are admonished to
Page 119 and 120: No better advice can be found than
Page 121 and 122: children to embrace and hold dear.
Page 123 and 124: small note of thanks, a brief telep
Page 125 and 126: The power of the gospel can indeed
Page 127 and 128: President Henry B. Eyring Second Co
Page 129 and 130: of Jesus Christ was a defining even
Page 131 and 132: The Presidency of the Seventy Seate
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Ensign, Nov. 2007 - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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