June 16-17 Littleton Stake Conference

Agenda's

Littleton Colorado Stake Conference

Ward and Stake Council Leadership Meeting

16 June 2018, 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm

“Ministering with Strengthened

Melchizedek Priesthood Quorums and Relief Societies”

Presiding:    President Mark L. Sabey

Conducting:    President Gary B. Blaylock

Music Director:    Teag Solberg (Cornerstone Park)

Organist:    Kent Jones (Centennial)

3:30 pm    Welcome    President Gary Blaylock

    Announcements    President Gary Blaylock

    Opening Hymn    “Sweet is the Work” (#147)

    Invocation    Brenda Eddington (BG YW 1st Counselor)    (10 minutes)

3:40 pm    Talk/Discussion    President Jack Marble    (20 minutes)

        “Ministering Led by the Spirit”

        Video/Slideshow – “Another Testament:

        Reflections of Christ”

4:00 pm    Talk/Discussion    President Gary Blaylock    (20 minutes)

        “Inspired Ward Council Meetings”

        Video – Pres. Ballard talk excerpts (3:41)

4:20 pm    Musical Number    “Savior Redeemer of My Soul”    (5 minutes)

        Judy Hadfield (Centennial)

        Kari Elsworth, violinist

        Accompanied by Kent Jones (Centennial)

4:25 pm    Questions    Stake Presidency    (20 minutes)

        Question and Answer Session

   

4:45 pm    Talk/Discussion    President Mark Sabey    (40 minutes)

        “Ministering Interviews”

        Video – “Ministering Interviews”

• Busy Guy Vignette
• Relief Society Vignette

Powerpoint presentation

5:25 pm    Closing Hymn    “More Holiness Give Me” (#131)    (5 minutes)

    Benediction    Lane Cammack (Littleton EQ 2nd Counselor)

Littleton Colorado Stake Conference

Saturday Evening Adult Session

16 June 2018, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

“Ministering with Strengthened

Melchizedek Priesthood Quorums and Relief Societies”

Presiding:    President Mark L. Sabey

Conducting:    President Jack R. Marble

Music Director:    Calene Brown (Centennial)

Organist:    Kent Jones (Centennial)

7:00 pm    Welcome    President Jack Marble    (10 minutes)

    Announcements    President Jack Marble

    Opening Hymn    “Be Still My Soul” (#124)

    Invocation    Laura Cronin (Centennial)

7:10 pm    Musical Number    “Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy”    (5 minutes)

        Andrea Flinders and Angi Wood (Centennial)

        Accompanied by Kent Jones (Centennial)

7:15 pm    Comments    President Jack Marble    (3 minutes)

7:18 pm    Video    “Welcome”    (2 minutes)

7:20 pm    Speaker    Sonia Miloni    (12 minutes)

        “Ministering Example”

7:32 pm    Speaker    President Mitchell Chesney &    (18 minutes)

        Sister Joyce Chesney, Denver Colorado

        Temple Pres. First Counselor & Asst. Matron

7:50 pm    Intermediate Hymn    “Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah” (#83)    (5 minutes)

       

7:55 pm    Speaker    President Gary Blaylock    (20 minutes)

        “Ministering in the Savior’s Way”

        Video – “A Vision of Ministering”

8:15 pm    Break    [Additional time, as needed]    (10 minutes)

8:25 pm    Speaker    President Mark Sabey    (30 minutes)

        “Ministering – Dependent on Revelation”

        Video – “The Spirit of Home Teaching” (2:23)

        Video – Pres. Nelson talk excerpts (4:09)

        Video – “Be One” 40 Year Celebration (7:00) (if time)

8:55 pm    Closing Hymn    “Each Life That Touches Ours for Good” (#293)    (5 minutes)

        Verses 1, 2 and 4

    Benediction    Bruce Jafek (Bowles Grove)

Audio-Visual Needs:  Video

Littleton Colorado Stake Conference

Sunday General Session

17 June 2018, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Presiding & Conducting:    President Mark L. Sabey

Music Director:    Sue Brown (Centennial)

Organist:    Kent Jones (Centennial)

9:40 am    Organ/Choir Prelude   

10:00 am    Welcome    President Mark Sabey    (10 minutes)

    Announcements    President Mark Sabey

    Opening Hymn    “How Firm a Foundation” (#85)

    Invocation    Jamie Chaney (Southglenn)

10:10 am    Stake Business    President Gary Blaylock    (5 minutes)

        Sustainings / Ratification of Priesthood Ordinances

10:15 am    Stake Choir    “Take Time to Be Holy”    (5 minutes)

        Directed by Melissa Hansen (Southglenn)

        Accompanied by Kent Jones (Centennial)

10:20 am    Testimony    Lynne Eldredge (read by President Sabey)    (5 minutes)

10:25 am    Testimony    Madeline Pebbles (Centennial)    (5 minutes)

        “Ministering”

10:30 am    Speaker    President Kirk Gifford & Sister Holley Gifford    (15 minutes)

        Colorado Denver South Mission

10:45 am    Speaker    Sister Janae Fredericks (Stake RS President)    (15 minutes)

        “Trusting in the Lord”

11:00 am    Intermediate Hymn    “Press Forward, Saints” (#81)    (5 minutes)

11:05 am    Speaker    President Jack Marble    (15 minutes)

        “Ministering & Faith bring Hope”

11:20 am    Speaker    President Gary B. Blaylock    (15 minutes)

        “Revelation: Learning the Language of

        The Holy Ghost“

11:35 am    Speaker    President Mark L. Sabey    (20 minutes)

        “Battle of Faith”

11:55 am    Closing Hymn/    “The Spirit of God”    (5 minutes)

    Stake Choir    Directed by Melissa Hansen (Southglenn)

        Accompanied by Kent Jones (Centennial)

    Benediction    Jacob Redford (Cornerstone Park)

President Sabey's Talks

THE BATTLE OF FAITH

What an exciting time in the Church! My heart is filled with hope. The Savior is moving the work forward in power and majesty.  It has been thrilling to see the changes that took place at the recent general conference and since.  This is a time of important growth and learning that will bring us to a higher level in our service and in our connection with God. In and amongst all the excitement, however, I also heard a voice of warning.  In solemn tones, President Nelson warned us that “in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”  What does that look like to have the constant influence of the Holy Ghost?  I want to try to answer that question, by telling you about our family reunion last weekend.  

This was a mini reunion involving only my parents, their 6 children and spouses.  14 people.  It was a much more calm and relaxed reunion than when the extended family is there.  Really fun. Parents are both 90 years old.  My oldest siblings are approaching 70, and I am approaching 60.  It was kind of a geriatric reunion, but we had a wonderful time.  Despite our advanced age, a few of us rented mountain bikes and took the lift up and rode our bikes down the ski runs at Breckenridge.  

One evening we went around the circle talking about the blessings and miracles in our lives.  My brother Jim who is now happily remarried, said that he has experienced a fair number of major challenges in his life, including a hard marriage, divorce, a child with serious issues, cancer and unemployment. He said unemployment was the hardest of them all, which surprised me. As I thought back, I realized that many, many years of his life have been pretty challenging.  I often thought: “I don’t think I could handle that as well as he does.”  Despite these hardships, he exclaimed:  “My miracle is that every day for me is really good no matter what. I trust God that it will all work out. Like Nephi who was led by the Spirit not knowing beforehand what he should do, I don’t know what each day will bring, but I trust God. He leads me and helps me, and it is really good.”  Jim then compared the flow of the Spirit to the flow of water and said:  “As I take the the sacrament each week, that turns on main water line.  Then my daily scripture study in the morning turns on the faucet.  That flow continues as I go through the day.”  He was released from teaching seminary when he was divorced about four years ago, and they had covered the Book of Mormon up to about Mosiah.  When he taught seminary, he could not study the chapters in full detail, because he needed to get the gist of the message and prepare his lesson.  But, once he was released, he started studying in much more detail.  He used the LDS.org scriptures which allows you to record your thoughts, and questions and ponderings in an online notebook.  He started with Mosiah four years ago, and he is now in Ether.  That is way less than a page a day. That tells you how much he thought, and researched and explored.  He loves his scripture study because he really engages and seeks a deeper understanding. His morning scripture study and prayer jump start the flow of the Spirit for him, and the rest of the day, he said, the skids are greased. He carries that Spirit with him, and God really does guide his actions and help him in all of his endeavors. And Jim is one of the happiest, funniest people I know. He is not somber, and doesn’t take himself too seriously.  He is very aware of others needs and what he can do to help.  To me, Jim is what it looks like to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.       

In his testimony on Sunday morning, Jim talked about his relationship with God in terms that were almost romantic.  He talked about how much he loves Heavenly Father and the Savior.  He talked about how amazing God’s mind and heart are.  How God sees so much more than we do and provides such sweet insight.  When you are in love, he said, you don’t need to be reminded to call or text your loved one, as though it were a burden or a duty.  No, you pray and read their writings because you really want to.  Jim said something like: “Isn’t it amazing that God is the most powerful being in the universe, and He wants to hang with me?!”

Since the reunion, I have been thinking about Jim and how he got to this point of having the Spirit with him constantly.  The greatest battles of life are fought in the silent chambers of the soul.  Faith is a choice, but in this fallen world with its many temptations and tribulations, faith is also a battle. You have to battle for faith.  And that battle takes place mostly in the mind.  Joseph Smith taught that when we work by faith we work by mental exertion, rather than physical exertion. The bottom line is that Jim fought the battle to establish faith in his mind and heart. Instead of feeling sorry for himself and feeling unfairly oppressed by God and asking “why is this happening to me?, He has chosen to embrace the curriculum of life, to literally thank God for his challenges, and to trust that God and Christ will help him through. He has chosen to see evidence of God’s love all around him, to focus on his abundance rather than his lack. Instead of living in fear and anxiety and stress, he has chosen to establish thought patterns of trust in God. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7.  Jim has chosen to invest in his relationship with God day in and day out, to pray and study and really seek to know our Savior and his teachings. And the battle has been a good one, even enjoyable along the way.

When I think of Jim, I want to be more steady in my faith.  I want to overcome my tendencies towards stress and anxiety that at times tend to separate me from God. I want to be more trusting, more calm.  When I feel discouraged or distant from God, I often turn to 3 Nephi, because it is so hopeful.   

There had been great storms and much destruction. The people were in a pitch black vapor of darkness. Surely they were afraid about where they stood in relation to this all powerful being who was speaking down to them from the darkness.  

As Christ spoke to them from the heavens, he said “come unto me,” “return unto me,” “receive me” 11 times.  He wants a personal connection with us.  He invited them to come to him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, as a little child. He invited them to be vulnerable, to trust him as a little child trusts a loving parent.  I really love chapter 9 verse 14:

14 Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.  

If ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Period. There are no qualifications and no restrictions. That is perhaps the simplest statement of the gospel there is. If ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. All we need to do is come unto Him, and eternal life is guaranteed. Then he says: “whosoever will come, him will I receive.” We don't have to worry about being rejected by him. He understands and loves us completely. Whosoever will come, him will I receive.

Not only does He give an iron clad guarantee that He will receive us, also makes it clear that he knows we will stray again and tells us that he will gather us in again and again, as often as it takes.  

“how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you.” “yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not.”  “how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart.” You don’t have to gather someone often if they just stay put, but he knows we will wander and wants us to really know that he will freely and willingly gather us back and nourish us.  

When we understand this mercy and patience, we can trust in God despite our sins and imperfections.  Sister Romberg (just returned from her senior mission in Helsinki Finland) recently said to me:  Repentance is not part of the plan, it is the plan.  And we are talking about ongoing, joyful, hopeful repentance as we are encircled about by the arms of love and safety.  
    The Lectures on Faith state that faith starts with an accurate idea of the character and attributes of God, His perfection and love.
The Lectures explain:

“Unless he was merciful, and gracious, slow to anger, long suffering, and full of goodness, such is the weakness of human nature, and so great the frailties and imperfections of men, that unless they believed that these excellencies existed in the divine character, the faith necessary to salvation could not exist; for doubt would take the place of faith, and those who know their weakness and liability to sin, would be in constant doubt of salvation, if it were not for the idea which they have of the excellency of the character of God, that he is slow to anger, and long suffering, and of a forgiving disposition, and does forgive iniquity, transgression and sin. An idea of these facts does away doubt, and makes faith exceedingly strong.”

Even the best among us have to repent.
David Whitmer recounted: [Quote] “One morning when [Joseph Smith] was getting ready to continue the translation, something went wrong about the house and he was put out about it. Something that Emma, his wife, had done. Oliver and I went upstairs, and Joseph came up soon after to continue the translation, but he could not do anything. He could not translate a single syllable. He went down stairs, out into the orchard and made supplication to the Lord; was gone about an hour—came back to the house, asked Emma’s forgiveness and then came up stairs where we were and the translation went on all right. He could do nothing save he was humble and faithful.”[Unquote]
David Whitmer, interview by William H. Kelley and George A. Blakeslee, Sept. 15, 1881, Saints’ Herald, Mar. 1, 1882, p. 68.

Spencer W. Kimball talked about times when he felt a distance between himself and Good. He would immerse himself in the scriptures until the distance narrowed and he was able to reconnect with God.

May we fight the battle of faith, develop thought patterns of trust in God, and invest in that loving relationship so that we can live at least most of our days with the Spirit as our companion. And when we lose the Spirit for a time, we can trust in God’s mercy and kindness and love, and know that our Savior will receive us back with open arms.    

Revelation is the Very Key to Effective Ministering

Home teaching joke. A few decades from now, nobody will even understand that joke.

 At the risk of beating a dead horse, I want us to watch a video named the Spirit of Home Teaching:

https://www.facebook.com/mormonactordad/videos/406142513069456/

Exaggerated to be funny, but many a truth is said in jest.  Under home teaching, we were so focused on doing the required visits and giving the message, that we often failed to consider seriously what else we might do to truly serve and bless.

    Let’s think about traditional home teaching and visiting teaching, although there was more flexibility for visiting teaching, we tended to set an appointment for a visit before the end of the month, whether they needed it or not.  We delivered a message from the first presidency, whether they needed it or not. And we repeated that pattern month after month, whether they needed it or not.  In our defense, we did generally ask them if there was anything we could do to help them.

That question made sense, right?  Because who knows better than they do what help they need?  Right?

Instead of asking that as a rhetorical question, let’s look at it as a legitimate question.  

Who knows better than they do what help they need?  Who really does know better than them.  God does.

Since God really does know what is needed, and since it will not be the same thing for each person or family, we are being invited to a higher and holier way of ministering. Instead of a set expectation, we are being invited to pray about our families and ask God what they need and how we can best serve them.  Contrast the feeling of that silly video, with the feeling of a ministering brother and his son who humbly pray to understand and empathize with this dear widow’s challenges and needs, who come to love her, and who seek guidance about how to serve her.  The feeling is so very different and the outcomes so much better.  Revelation is the very key to effective ministering. Elder Stevenson said in one of the ministering training videos:   “Ministering starts with prayers to understand their needs by inspiration.  Once we have an affirmation of the Spirit as to their needs, then we can minister.”  True ministering starts with prayers. Will God answer those prayers and provide prompting to help us do His work. He absolutely will.  As we pray and receive promptings, and as we act on those promptings, many wonderful things will happen.  I want to give you a big picture perspective on what is happening in the Church, with ministering at the center of it all.  

Notes from meetings with Elder Priday (with paraphrased quotes from Church leaders)

From Elder Priday--The Living Lord Jesus Christ is restoring this Church upon the earth. This is a time of great revelation. This general conference is just a primer.  There is much more to come.

From Elder Hallstrom--This is not a re-branding of the old program.  It is a fundamental change, a higher law.  Like the change from the Law of Moses to the Law of Christ. We are going to awaken the shepherds of Israel.

From Bishop Caussé--Youth need to feel central to this work of salvation, not just ancillary.   We need to place the rising generation front and center in this work. 

From President Ballard--Keep this simple.  Do not add bells and whistles. The devil is the master of complexity.  Do not make it a program. Keep it as simple as possible.

Unattributed comments--

• Ministering should be much less mechanical.  Let them receive their own revelation. 

• The members who will catch the spirit of these changes and embrace this newer, higher, holier way of doing things, will become the hinge point for a dramatic shift in the Church toward Zion.
• It all started with an emphasis on the Sabbath Day.  We are moving towards more caring for others and more teaching in the home.  We are becoming more home-centered and temple-centered, and less chapel centered.  The strong are becoming stronger.
• This is a signal moment.  The General is gathering his leaders for the final battle.  If you want revelation, you will get plenty of it. Long for it. Ask for it. The Lord truly wants to connect with us.

This is not just a time of great revelation at the highest levels of the Church. This is a time when the Church is encouraging all of us, at all levels of service in the Church, to receive revelation for our lives, our families, our responsibilities, and our ministering.  This focus will connect us with God in a powerful way and will bring greater hope and happiness into our lives.

There are two very important kinds of revelation that will help us to be effective ministers, one kind of revelation is not directly focused on those to whom we minister, the other kind that is focused directly on them.  

The first kind is revelation from our daily worship and temple worship about the scriptures, about the doctrines and principles of the gospel and about our own connection with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Second kind of revelation is revelation that comes from directly praying about assigned individuals and families.

Let’s focus first on the first kind of revelation and the blessings that will come to others as we receive revelation during our daily worship and temple worship about the scriptures, about doctrines and principles of the gospel, and about our own connection with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I’d like for us to focus on two verses of scripture.

D&C 12:8    D&C 84:85  Write references on the board.

Who has D&C 12:8?  Please stand a read it loudly.  

And no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care.

This scripture is on my home screen so that I see it often daily.

Doctrine and Covenants 84:85
85 Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour . . . .
I am going to read these again quite slowly.  Then we are going to take 30 seconds or so for you to review and think about these scriptures as they relate to ministering.  I ask you to listen with your heart for what the Spirit is helping you notice and what the Spirit is teaching you about ministering.
What did you notice?
Why do you think that is important?
What will you do with that understanding?
Sister Eubanks said:  You are the gift, when you carry hope and love and light in your countenance.  

Now let’s focus on the second kind of revelation:  revelation that comes from directly praying about assigned individuals and families.

How many of you feel confident in your ability to receive revelation from God about those to whom you minister?  

We often have thoughts such as I am too imperfect, unworthy, unimportant, or I am not good at receiving revelation.

When I was called as bishop, I felt that I would have to turn down the calling. The5th Article of Faith terrified me, a man must be called of God by prophecy. I had no confidence in my ability to receive revelation on demand. President Sabey told me that faith is a principle of action. You have to be moving forward to receive revelation. You pray at the beginning of your bishopric meetings and please for God to guide and direct you as you make staffing decisions, then move forward trusting that he is helping you. I found that the more I trusted, the better I was able to sense divine help and influence. I realized that I had been looking beyond the mark and expecting inspiration to be more dramatic or obvious. Out of respect for our agency and growth, God’s guidance is subtle and gentle.  I have come to understand that God is helping us more than we know.  Even in this calling that still small voice is still small, but over many years, as I have replaced doubt with trust, the voice of inspiration has become more and more recognizable. I testify to you that God is willing and even eager to reveal things to imperfect men and women.  This was confirmed powerfully to me at this last general conference where we received the message again and again of God’s willingness to provide revelation to you and me.

I have always supported the current prophet, trusted the system, without needing to seek a personal witness that he is a prophet of God. Yet, that witness has typically come over time. In the case of President Nelson, my experience was different. After he delivered his talk Revelation for the Church, Revelation for our Lives, I was tingling from head to toe, I stood up and testified to my family, that man is a prophet of God. I knew it.  I also knew that that talk would change my life, and it has. . . and it will continue to do so.  President Nelson taught us how to grow in the principle of revelation.  And I am working on it.  Let’s watch a couple of excerpts from that talk:  

President Nelson video:  7:37--8:07, 12:15--15:54

I am memorizing and implementing that formula. Here is the quote I am memorizing and here is the bedside book in which I write my impressions.  Now I want to share a teaching experience with praying for somebody to whom I am assigned to minister and then listening for promptings. Will Merrill assigned me and my wife to drop off an invitation to Carrie Harper. If anybody else had received that assignment, she would not have let them in. But she recognized us from years ago in the Littleton First Ward, when she had a different married name. We were assigned to home teach her and we became dear friends. She started reading her scriptures and the Ensign daily and she began feeling much closer to God. Every time we visited there was the definite smell of cigarette smoke, so we knew she had a smoking problem. We never brought it up, but as we arrived for each visit, I imagined her hiding her ash trays and spraying air freshener. We had been trying to minister to her and to love her, but I was not in the practice of praying for her and asking God how I should help her. So after President Nelson's talk, I decided I should try. I thought carefully about what she really needed, and I thought that maybe I should raise the issue of smoking and offer to help her overcome, because I felt that smoking was probably the biggest reason why she had not come to church more often. I prayed for her and listened. What came to me was, don't ask her about smoking, but ask her how she would like you to help her. I thought, that is brilliant, it will be much better if she decides on her own that she needs to stop smoking and asks for help. So I called Carrie up and asked her to pray about what she would most like help with, and told her I would ask her during our next visit. When I asked her, she said she needs to move to a better location and would like some help with that. That was fine, but it was not what I had expected. Then she said: “I am going to have some difficulty selling this place, because the guy downstairs smokes so much that the smell seeps through into my apartment.” I was shocked to learn that she is not a smoker at all. I am so glad I prayed and approached it in God's way rather than asking her if we could help her with her smoking problem!

When we pray for those to whom we minister, we should pray first and foremost to see them as Christ the Advocate sees them, the see their best qualities and great potential, for vision of who they really are and who they will be in the eternities. Then we listen.  Next we should pray to understand them as the atoning Christ sees them, we should pray for that kind of deep empathy that understands their struggles and pain. Then we listen. In the June Ensign there is a beautiful article by Elder Holland about the kind of empathy required to help bear one another’s burdens.  Once we see them as they should be seen and understand them with empathy, then we are ready to serve. We pray to understand their needs and what we can do to help.  Then we listen and write the thoughts that come to our hearts.  I say the thoughts that come to our hearts because impressions of the Spirit most often come as feelings that we then have to translate into words or actions.  The careful, quiet listening is important because our relationship with God is about becoming, and one of the things Our Father wants us to become is more sensitive and more tender. The writing is important because it helps us to actually act upon the promptings rather then letting them fade and be forgotten.  If we follow the promptings we receive, we qualify ourselves for further promptings.  

     The name of one of the ministering videos struck me powerfully:  it said: Simple, individualized, and led by the Spirit. True ministering is simple, individualized, and led by the Spirit. Simple, not over the top.  Individualized, don’t forget to focus on individuals in a family who may have very different needs.  Ministering led by the spirit is never completed, so you will need to pray about those you are assigned on an ongoing basis, giving the Lord further opportunities to lead you.  

Although we do not always recognize it, there is nothing that will bring greater blessings and light and abundance into our lives than a growing connection with God so that we can receive revelation to do His work better, to love and lift and bless people.  It is so joyful to be the Savior’s hands and heart and to share the hope and joy of the gospel, to bring abundance into people’s lives.


President Blaylock's talks

“Ministering in the Savior’s Way”

Stake Conference Saturday Evening Adult Session

Introduction

Good evening, dear brothers and sisters. I am beginning this evening with a

video titled “A Vision of Ministering.” As you watch, I invite you to listen for key

phrases that help you to understand more fully what ministering in the Savior’s

way looks like.

Body

VIDEO – “A VISION OF MINISTERING” 1

MINISTERING IN THE SAVIOR’S WAY

The Savior showed the way

The Savior has showed us the way to minister. He loved, taught, prayed for,

comforted and blessed those around Him, and invited all to follow Him. We

should prayerfully seek to serve as He would – to “comfort those that stand in

need of comfort,” “to be with and strengthen them,” and help each become a

true disciple of Jesus Christ. 2

We have developed patterns of home and visiting teaching over many

years. Those patterns usually focused on monthly visits. Much that was good has

been accomplished by you as home teachers and visiting teachers. Elder Jeffrey R.

Holland spoke of the past by noting that “As we lift our spiritual eyes toward living

the law of love universally, we pay tribute to the generations who have served

that way for years.” 3

1

2 See the “Ministering with Strengthened Melchizedek Priesthood Quorums and Relief Societies” Enclosure to the

First Presidency letter dated April 2, 2018, question #9.

3 Jeffrey R. Holland, “Be With and Strengthen Them,” Ensign, May 2018.

Page 2 of 3

In his announcement regarding the changes, President Russell M. Nelson stated,

“We have made the decision to retire home teaching and visiting teaching as we

have known them. Instead, we will implement a new holier approach to caring for

and ministering to others.” 4 Note that the word President Nelson used to describe

the change is “retire.” (1:30)

Be led by the Spirit

As we seek to understand this new holier approach and to know how to

minister, an essential first step is to seek the guidance of the Spirit. The

preparation necessary to receive guidance includes studying, praying and

pondering. The First Presidency letter announcing the changes instructs us that

“Finding inspired answers to [questions regarding how to minister] and using all

available methods for making contact … is central to inspired ministering. … [We]

cannot rely on routine visits or predetermined messages; [we should] seek

inspiration and counsel with family members to best care for those to whom [we]

are assigned – using the time and resources [we] have.” 5

My family has been blessed many times by your spiritual promptings to

minister to us. A few examples include:

 Car rides, babysitting, phone calls, visits, even doing our laundry

 A sister visiting following surgery and teaching a new skill during the early

days of recovery.

 A Priesthood brother coming by my home to comfort me.

 Inviting us to join with you for an activity.

 A Bishop stopping by the hospital late at night on his way home from the

airport.

A few months after we moved to Denver 36 years ago and one month

following the birth of our second child, Cheryl spent three weeks in the hospital.

Sister Lewis, the Relief Society president, visited Cheryl in the hospital almost

every day. During the first week, she watched our two-year-old toddler and one

month old baby during the day. Our parents and almost of our family lived in Utah

4 Russell M. Nelson, “Inspired Ministering,” Ensign, May 2018.

5 See the “Ministering with Strengthened Melchizedek Priesthood Quorums and Relief Societies” Enclosure to the

First Presidency letter dated April 2, 2018, question #12.

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and we hadn’t made many friends yet in our new ward. We only lived in the ward

for four months, but we will never forget Sister Lewis and her ministering to us at

what was a most difficult time.

Individualized

Ministering is customized to the needs of each individual. In her General

Conference talk, Sister Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society General President,

described several simple ways in which we might minister. 6 Your ministry may

follow some of her examples, but many will be different as you are led by the

Spirit. The ability to receive inspiration will be enhanced as you speak with and

listen carefully to those to whom you minister in order to understand how best to

serve, the frequency and type of contact they desire, and the need for and

content of messages you might share. 7

When Mormon was ten years old, Ammaron came to him and said that he

perceived that Mormon was a sober child and quick to observe. 8 Being quick to

observe is a spiritual gift we can develop to help us in our ministry. Being quick to

observe includes both noticing with spiritual eyes to see those who have a need

and obeying the spiritual nudge we receive. 9

Simple

Ministering can and often should be simple. Sister Reyna Aburto, 2 nd

Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, said, “I want to assure you

that the Lord accepts all of your efforts. The announcements in general

conference about ministering in a higher and holier way weren’t necessarily

asking us to do more. Our lists are already very full! But maybe we can do the

right things. The simple things. The things the Lord himself wants done.” 10 [end

quote]

6 Jean B. Bingham, “Ministering as the Savior Does,” Ensign, May 2018.

7 See the “Ministering with Strengthened Melchizedek Priesthood Quorums and Relief Societies” Enclosure to the

First Presidency letter dated April 2, 2018, question #14.

8 Mormon 1:2

9 See David A. Bednar, “Quick to Observe,” Ensign, Dec. 2006.

10 Sharon Eubank and Reyna Aburto “That We May All Sit Down in Heaven Together,” given May 3, 2018, at BYU

Women’s Conference in Provo, Utah

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Sister Sharon Eubank, 1 st counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency,

added “I have started asking the Lord, What is one thing you want me to do

today?” She then described some of those “one things”: a phone call, teaching

kids to play Yahtzee, listening to a forgetful friend tell stories she had already

heard, and (my personal favorite) once it was taking a nap.

One way to make it simple is to look for opportunities to minister in the

moment. In Matthew 9, a man with palsy was brought to the Savior. Jesus stopped

and healed him. Then Jesus had a discussion with the Pharisees and a man

interrupted, saying his daughter had died. So Jesus left to assist the man. On His way,

a woman touched His garment. Jesus healed her. He continued on His way and raised

the girl, Jairus’s daughter, from the dead. As He departed their home, two blind men

followed Him, and He healed them. As He continued on His way, He cast the devil

from a man possessed. These events all happened in one chapter. 11

Sister Sarah Jane Weaver, a reporter for the Church News, accompanied

President and Sister Nelson and Elder and Sister Holland on their global ministry

tour this past April. Sister Weaver described President Nelson’s ministry as one

“With a surgeon’s eye single to the task directly in front of him, President Nelson

zones in on the smallest details and the smallest members.” She wrote of

watching him reach down and pick up a child who had brushed against his leg,

watching him kneel down to another child’s level and responding to the hugs of

others. 12

Cheryl Aurora experience

I have asked my wife, Cheryl, to share an experience she had many years

ago. (Aurora, becoming a friend)

I guess it is a good thing for our family that Cheryl is allergic to drugs.

More than a friend – Brian

11 See Matthew 9, also see Bonnie D. Parkin, “Personal Ministry: Sacred and Precious,” BYU Devotional, 13 February

2007

12 Sarah Jane Weaver, “What the Global Ministry Taught Me about Ministering in the Moment,” Church News, May

24, 2018.

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Being a friend is an essential aspect of ministering, but ministering is more

than that. Ministering is focused in a more spiritual way. Ministering includes

being a righteous influence in someone’s life.

When my brother, Brian, attended BYU his freshman year, he decided he

was away from his parents and free to make his own choices. He felt that if he

didn’t want to go to church, he didn’t have to. His roommate, Kurt Walters, would

try to wake him up on Sunday morning by shaking his ankle and saying, “Come on,

it’s time to get up for church.” If Brian didn’t get up, Kurt wouldn’t speak to him

for days. Brian realized that it was miserable living in a 10x15 foot dorm room

with a roommate that wouldn’t talk to him. Eventually, because of Kurt and the

atmosphere at school, Brian began to get a deeper understanding of and

appreciation for spiritual things. His freshman year experience led Brian to decide

to serve a mission. 13

I am two years older than Brian and was serving a mission during this time.

I returned home the month before Brian left on his mission and quickly realized

that he was not the same brother who had in high school spent much of his time

and most of his money on his 1967 Mustang. Brian considers Kurt Walters one of

the finest men he has ever known. Now, I wouldn’t recommend not speaking to

someone for days as a strategy for being a righteous influence, but Kurt’s

influence on him began the process that, along with his mission, changed the

trajectory of his life.

Elder Neil L. Andersen taught: “To minister spiritually can begin with baking

cookies or playing a basketball game, but eventually this holier way of ministering

requires opening your heart and your faith, taking courage in encouraging the

positive growth you are seeing in a friend or in expressing concerns about things

you see and feel that are not consistent with discipleship.” 14

CLOSING

My brothers and sisters, let us rejoice in living in a time of revelation. Let us

embrace our mandate from a prophet of God to follow a newer, holier approach

13 Brian Blaylock Life Sketch (Prepared for Dr. Karen Wilson Scott, The Adult Learner), p. 30

14 Neil L Andersen, “A Holier Approach to Ministering,” BYU Devotional, 10 April 2018

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to caring for and ministering to others. Let us labor side by side with the Lord of

the vineyard in offering a helping hand to His children.

President Russell M. Nelson is a prophet of God who holds the keys to lead

this church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at this time. Jesus

Christ is our Savior and our Redeemer. The Book of Mormon is another testament

of Jesus Christ. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

“Revelation: Learning the Language of the Holy Ghost”

Stake Conference Sunday General Session

June 17, 2018

Introduction

Good morning, dear brothers and sisters. I have titled my talk this morning,

“Revelation: Learning the Language of the Holy Ghost.” In the Sunday morning

session of General Conference, President Russell M Nelson promised us that “…

as [we] continue to be obedient, expressing gratitude for every blessing the Lord

gives [us], and as [we] patiently honor the Lord’s timetable, [we] will be given the

knowledge and understanding [we] seek. Every blessing the Lord has for [us]-even

miracles-will follow. That is what personal revelation will do for [us].” 1 [end quote]

What a remarkable blessing can be ours. “Every blessing the Lord has for [us]-

even miracles-will follow.”

I have not found it easy in my own life to regularly hear and recognize the

promptings of the Holy Ghost, but I am continuing to learn. I would like to share a

few thoughts this morning that have helped me in my quest to learn the language

of the Holy Ghost and act on the impressions I have received.

Principles

STRIVE TO BE WORTHY

First, I begin with a caution. The scriptures teach that “the Spirit of the Lord

doth not dwell in unholy temples.” 2 What do we need to do to be worthy to

receive personal revelation? We are not perfect and might feel that we are not

worthy to receive personal revelation. Elder Ronald A. Rasband has taught us to

“strive to live worthy of the Holy Ghost.” 3 President Russell M. Nelson referred to

“increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking.” 4 [end quote] Increased

purity, not perfect purity.

1 Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign, May 2018.

2 Helaman 4:24.

3 Ronald A. Rasband, “Let the Holy Spirit Guide,” Ensign, May 2017, pp. 93-96.

4 Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign, May 2018.

Page 2 of 3

As we strive to improve ourselves, as we are diligent, as we earnestly seek

to follow the Savior, and as we repent regularly, we will be able to receive and

understand the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

PONDER

Second, we should take time to be still and ponder. The words ponder, still

and quiet are used over 200 times in the scriptures. Following the Savior’s birth,

we read that Mary “kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” 5 As

the Savior was preparing to leave the Nephites after he had taught them and

ministered to them, He invited them to go to their homes and ponder the things

which he said. 6 Joseph Smith reflected on the words of James 1:5 again and

again. 7

President Nelson encouraged us to follow the example of the Prophet

Joseph and find a quiet place where we can regularly go. 8 Even the Savior had a

quiet place where he went. Of Gethsemane, we read, “And he came out, and

went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives …” 9 When you pray, when you study

the scriptures, when you attend the temple, ponder what you should learn and

what God has in store for you.

QUIET THOUGHTS

Third, most answers from the Holy Ghost come in a still, small voice as

feelings to our heart and thoughts to our mind.

For me, some of the most instructive teachings regarding the promptings of

the Holy Ghost were given to Oliver Cowdery by revelation from the Lord through

Joseph Smith. In D&C 8:2, he was taught, “I will tell you in your mind and in your

heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your

heart.”

5 Luke 2:19.

6 3 Nephi 17:2-3

7 Joseph Smith History 1:12

8 Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign, May 2018.

9 Luke 22:39.

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I think of dwelling as settling. It remains in our heart long enough for us to

feel it and understand it. Elder Ronald A. Rasband taught that “The Spirit most

often communicates as a feeling. [We] feel it in words that are familiar to [us],

that make sense to [us] and prompt [us]. … These feelings are gentle, a nudge to

act, to do something, to say something, to respond in a certain way. 10 [end quote]

Oliver was also taught that as he had inquired of the Lord, his mind was

enlightened. 11 Have you ever been searching for an answer to a question and your

mind can’t seem to think clearly? In time, as you study, pray, ponder and even

act, your situation is clarified in your mind and you can see an unmistakable and

clear path forward.

For me, answers most often seem to come as quiet thoughts to my mind. I

may be pondering about something I have read. I may be thinking about a

particular individual. I may be attending the temple or going on a walk. Many

times for me it is early in the morning when thoughts and impressions come to

my mind. When that happens, my first reaction is to try to go back to sleep. It

often doesn’t work so I get up and write down the thoughts I have.

ACT

Fourth, we need to act immediately on the promptings we receive. Your

reaction may be similar to mine. My first thought is often to question the

prompting. Was that prompting really from the Holy Ghost? Was it a spiritual

impression or just my own thought? Too often, I let the thought sit in my mind for

a period of time. When I do that, the thought usually leaves my mind and I miss

the opportunity. Mormon 7:13 teaches us that “every thing which inviteth and

enticeth to do good … is inspired of God.” Elder Ronald A. Rasband invited us to

be “confident in our first promptings.” He reminded us of those who are first

responders – firefighters, police officers, paramedics (for whom we are grateful) –

who arrive with lights flashing. The Lord’s way is less obvious, but an immediate

response is just as important. 12 [end quote]

10 Ronald A. Rasband, “Let the Holy Spirit Guide,” Ensign, May 2017, pp. 93-96.

11 D&C 6:15.

12 Ronald A. Rasband, “Let the Holy Spirit Guide,” Ensign, May 2017, pp. 93-96.

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GRADUAL ANSWERS

Fifth, inspiration is often received gradually, over a period of time. Elder

David. A. Bednar described it in these words:

“In contrast to turning on a light in a dark room, the light from the rising

sun [does] not immediately burst forth. Rather, gradually and steadily the

intensity of the light increase[s], and the darkness of night [is] replaced by

the radiance of morning. … The gradual increase of light radiating from the

rising sun is like receiving a message from God “line upon line, precept

upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30).” [end quote]

Remember Nephi’s efforts to obtain the brass plates. He and his brothers

tried and failed twice. Still, Nephi didn’t waver. He continued “not knowing

beforehand the things which [he] should do.” Then we read these critical words:

“Nevertheless I went forth …” 13

As with Nephi, so it is with us. Elder Richard G. Scott explained:

“When we seek inspiration to help make decisions, the Lord gives gentle

promptings. These require us to think, to exercise faith, to work, to struggle

at times, and to act. Seldom does the whole answer to a decisively

important matter or complex problem come all at once. More often, it

comes a piece at a time, without the end in sight.” 14 [end quote]

In our day, we have seen the miracle of the blessings of the temple become

more available to all of God’s children. When I was born, there were ten

operating temples in the world, eight of which were located in the western United

States and Canada. Today, there are more temples in Mexico than there were in

the world when I was born and 85% of the members of the church live within 200

miles of the temple.

One important decision that increased the availability of temples in recent

years was the development of small temples. In the October 1995 General

13 1 Nephi 3-4.

14 Richard G. Scott, “Learning to Recognize Answers to Prayers,” Ensign, November 1989.

Page 5 of 3

Conference, President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “I have a burning desire that a

temple be located within reasonable access to Latter-day Saints throughout the

world. We can proceed only so fast. … It is my constant prayer that somehow it

might be speeded up so that more of our people might have easier access to a

sacred house of the Lord.” 15

Two years later, October 1997, Presidency Hinckley announced “… there

are many areas of the Church that are remote, where the membership is small …

Are those who live in these places to be denied forever the blessings of the

temple ordinances? While visiting such an area a few months ago, we prayerfully

pondered this question. The answer, we believe, came bright and clear. We will

construct small temples in some of these areas …” 16

The direction to build small temples came, in President Hinckley’s words, as

a result of constant prayer that the building of temples might be speeded up. As

he pondered and prayed, clear direction eventually came.

Conclusion

In conclusion, one of my favorite stories in the Old Testament is that of

Joshua. Consider his circumstances. Moses led the children of Israel out of

bondage in Egypt. They followed Moses in the wilderness for 40 years. Now,

Moses is dead and the Lord has called Joshua to lead the children of Israel. Not

only is he to lead them, but he is lead them to the promised land. How might

Joshua have felt following in the footsteps of Moses. Joshua is strengthened by

the Lord with the promise that the Lord “will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” 17 As

Joshua prepares to lead the children of Israel past the river Jordan, the Lord says

to him: “This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they

may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.” 18 Joshua said unto the

children of Israel, “Come hither, and hear the words of the Lord your God.” 19 He

told the priests to take the ark of the covenant and walk into the waters of the

15 Gordon B. Hinckley, “Of Missions, Temples and Stewardship,” Ensign, November 1995.

16 Gordon B. Hinckley, “Some Thoughts on Temples, Retention of Converts and Missionary Service,” Ensign,

November 1997

17 Joshua 1:5.

18 Joshua 3:7.

19 Joshua 3:9.

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overflowing river Jordan. As they did, the waters rose up upon an heap and all the

Israelites passed over on dry ground. 20

For me personally, as I listened to President Russell M. Nelson speak in

General Conference on Sunday morning, Easter Sunday, I felt as if I were one of

the children of Israel to whom the Lord was teaching “This day will I begin to

magnify a prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, that you might know, that I will

be with him.”

Speaking to the youth of the church two weeks ago, President Nelson said:

“I promiseyou—not the person sitting next to you, butyou—that, wherever you

are in the world, wherever you are on the covenant path—even if, at this

moment, you are not centeredon the path—I promise you that if you will

sincerely and persistently do the spiritual work needed to develop the crucial,

spiritual skill of learning how to hear the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, you will

haveallthe direction you will ever need in your life. You will be given answers to

your questions in the Lord’s own way and in His own time.

Jesus Christ is Our Savior. This is His church. The Book of Mormon is the

word of God and another testament of Jesus Christ. There is a prophet on the

earth today. I say this in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.