Regardless of whether or not we are in a position of leadership, we
all lead each other by example, and it would not be a bad thing for
each of us to understand these principles.
1 It is wisdom in me; therefore, a commandment I give unto you, that
ye shall organize yourselves and appoint every man his stewardship;
that every man may give an account unto me of the stewardship which is
appointed unto him. For it is expedient that I, the Lord, should make
every man accountable, as a steward over earthly blessings, which I
have made and prepared for my creatures.
2 For what happens in cultural decline both leaders and followers are
really accountable. Historically, of course, it is easy to criticize
bad leaders, but we should not give followers a free pass. Otherwise,
in their rationalization of their degeneration they may say they were
just following orders, while the leader was just ordering followers!
However, much more is required of followers in a democratic society
wherein individual character matters so much in both leaders and
followers.
The prophet Mormon unselfishly consented to lead a people who were in
steep decline. He prayed for them, but confided that his prayers were
without faith because of the people’s wickedness (see Morm. 3:12).
Other times a visionary leader, like Joseph in Egypt, lifts people out
of the endangered routine they’re in by preparing them for the
specific challenges of the future (see Gen. 41:46–57). A few, like
Lincoln, though in a political role, provide spiritual leadership as
well. Lincoln, by the way, warned of how individuals of ambition and
talents would continue to arise and that such an individual “thirsts
and burns for distinction, and if possible … will have it, whether at
the expense of emancipating slaves or enslaving freemen” (cited in
John Wesley Hill, Abraham Lincoln--Man of God [1927], 74; emphasis in
original).
Of unselfish George Washington it has been written: “In all history
few men who possessed unassailable power have used that power so
gently and self-effacingly for what their best instincts told them was
the welfare of their neighbors and all mankind” (James Thomas Flexner,
Washington: The Indispensable Man [1984], xvi).
3 Clarence Sharer said, “The real qualities of leadership are found in
those who are willing to sacrifice for the sake of objectives great
enough to demand their whole-hearted allegiance. Simply holding a
position of leadership does not make a man a leader … If you would be
a real leader you must endure loneliness … If you would be a real
leader you must endure weariness. Leadership requires vision.”
4 Of course, in setting priorities we must establish objectives. Then
establishing priorities aids us in achieving our goals. You may have
heard of the pilot who announced to his passengers that he had some
good news and some bad news. The good news was, “We are traveling at
965 kilometers per hour.” The bad news, “We are lost.” I suppose his
objective was to arrive at his destination. But his priorities were
confused. Many people have the same problem.
5 The story was told of General Antigonus (382–301 B.C., general of
Alexander the Great) who was preparing to have his men attack the
enemy. The plan was devised, the strategy decided, and the hour
determined. General Antigonus’s men were outnumbered severely. The
signal to attack was given. No one attacked. In fact, they were about
ready to retreat ingloriously. General Antigonus asked what the
problem was. The captains replied that they were outnumbered so
severely that the men dared not attack. General Antigonus thought for
a moment and then asked, “For how many then wilt thou reckon me?” This
spirit spread through the ranks; they attacked and won a great battle.
How many do you think the Lord counts each of his righteous servants
for? How many do you count a President Spencer W. Kimball for? How
about a Nathan Eldon Tanner, a Marion G. Romney, or an Ezra Taft
Benson? These are not men to be conquered. When you make your
contribution in life, will men list your assets and fortune or will
they talk about your character and integrity?
6 “To become as God would wish us, we must accustom our minds to
rejoice in seeing others prospered as ourselves; rejoice in seeing the
cause of Zion exalted by whatsoever hands Providence may order; and
have our bosoms closed against the entrance of envy when a weaker
instrument than ourselves is called to greater honor; be content in
magnifying a lesser office till called to a higher; be satisfied in
doing small things and not claim the honor of doing great ones.” He
compared the Church to a great building, with individual Saints as
parts of that building, saying that we should “never feel too lofty to
be sometimes cut down, squared, scored, and hewed to be fitted into
the place we are to occupy in the spiritual building.”
7 One of the marks of great leadership always has been and ever will
be the humble spirit.
8 The effectiveness of an inspired bishop, adviser, or teacher has
very little to do with the outward trappings of power or an abundance
of this world’s goods. The leaders who have the most influence are
usually those who set hearts afire with devotion to the truth, who
make obedience to duty seem the essence of manhood, who transform some
ordinary routine occurrence so that it becomes a vista where we see
the person we aspire to be.
9 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as
fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them,
to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties,
and rulers of tens:
10 A good leader expects loyalty. He in turn gives his loyalty. He
backs up those to whom he has given a job. The loyalty extends to
matters beyond the call of duty. He is loyal when honors come to those
with whom he serves. He takes pride in their successes. He does not
overrule unless he first confers with him whose decision he overrules.
He does not embarrass an associate before others. He is frank and open
with him.
A love of people is essential to effective leadership. Do you love
those whom you work with? Do you realize the worth of souls is great
in the sight of God? Do you have faith in youth? Do you find yourself
praising their virtues, commending them for their accomplishments? Or
do you have a critical attitude toward them because of their mistakes?
No wise leader believes that all good ideas originate with himself. He
invites suggestions from those he leads. He lets them feel that they
are an important part of decision making. He lets them feel that they
are carrying out their policies, not just his.
11 And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the
responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if
we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore,
by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our
garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we
would not be found spotless at the last day.
12 The power of your worthy example is increased as you help others
caught in the web of transgression and guide them into a harbor of
safety where there is parental strength and priesthood inspiration,
where they can repair through repentance the strained and damaged
parts of their character. Many yearn to overcome transgressions that
bind them to a path they really don’t want. While public actions
denounce any desire to change, privately they want to change but don’t
know where to begin. Be that saving influence in their lives. Help
them.
13 All need to be known, recognized, and loved. Hearts and souls reach
out for nurturing and meaningful association. Even those who claim
they just want to be left alone are in reality seeking their own
identity.
14 Within your sphere of responsibility you have as serious an
obligation as do I within my sphere of responsibility. Each of us
should be determined to build the kingdom of God on the earth and to
further the work of righteousness.
15 Many of you will remember President N. Eldon Tanner, who served as
a counselor to four Presidents of the Church. He provided an
undeviating example of righteousness throughout his career in
industry, during service in the government in Canada, and as an
Apostle of Jesus Christ. He gave us this inspired counsel: “Nothing
will bring greater joy and success than to live according to the
teachings of the gospel. Be an example; be an influence for good.” He
continued: “Every one of us has been foreordained for some work as
[God’s] chosen servant on whom he has seen fit to confer the
priesthood and power to act in his name. Always remember that people
are looking to you for leadership and you are influencing the lives of
individuals either for good or for bad, which influence will be felt
for generations to come.”
16 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even
as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour
among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to
esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace
among yourselves.
17 He that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To
him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth
his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth
his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for
they know his voice.
18 Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the
office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. He that is slothful
shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty
and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand.
Even so. Amen.
Younger Elder Brooksby
1-D&C 104:11-13
2-“Repent of [Our] Selfishness” (D&C 56:8) by Neal A. Maxwell, April
1999 General Conference
3-Self-Denial by Vaughn J. Featherstone, January 1979 Liahona
4-Choosing Eternal Priorities by Victor L. Brown, March 1980 Liahona
5-“These Are Not Men to Be Conquered” by Vaughn J. Featherstone,
January 1981 Liahona
6-Teachings of Presidents: Lorenzo Snow-Chapter 18: Church Leadership
and Selfless Service
7-Teachings of Presidents: Ezra Taft Benson-Chapter 19: Leadership
8-Examples of Righteousness by Thomas S. Monson, April 2008 General Conference
9-Exodus 18:21
10-Teachings of Presidents: Ezra Taft Benson-Chapter 19: Leadership
11-Jacob 1:19
12-Making the Right Decisions by Richard G. Scott, April 1991 General Conference
13-While They Are Waiting by Marvin J. Ashton, April 1988 General Conference
14-An Ensign to the Nations, a Light to the World by Gordon B.
Hinckley, October 2003 General Conference
15-Guided Safely Home by Thomas S. Monson, October 2014 General Conference
16-1 Thessalonians 5:11-13
17-John 10:2-4(edited)
18-D&C 107:99-100
Monday, December 15, 2014
Sunday, November 16, 2014
The Book of Brooksby, Chapter 18
God knows our needs, thoughts and desires, but the purpose of prayer
is not to get God aligned with our will, but us aligned with his.
1 Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may
conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of
Satan that do uphold his work.
2 When prayer works as it should, we express the feelings of our
hearts in simple words. Heavenly Father typically answers by putting
thoughts in our minds accompanied by feelings. He always hears the
sincere prayer we offer when we pray with a commitment to obey Him,
whatever His answer and whenever it comes.
3 Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?--If ye will
not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall
receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these
things shall be made known unto you.
4 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your
mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will
cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel
that it is right.
5 Sometimes, when our prayers are not answered as we desire, we may
feel the Lord has rejected us or that our prayer was in vain. We may
begin to doubt our worthiness before God, or even the reality and
power of prayer. That is when we must continue to pray with patience
and faith and to listen for that peace.
6 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I
will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye
shall search for me with all your heart.
7 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the
locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves,
and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will
I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their
land.
8 Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall
be your blessing--yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures
of earth and corruptibleness to the extent thereof.
9 If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication,
that your souls may be joyful.
10 There are the personal prayers which are less formal. We always
have a prayer in our hearts that we may do our best, that we may
appear well, that we may remember the things we have learned. We pray
as we stand to speak, as we walk, as we drive. We remember our
friends, our enemies. We pray for wisdom and judgment. We pray for
protection in dangerous places and for strength in moments of
temptation. We utter momentary prayers in word or thought, aloud or in
the deepest silence. Can one do evil when honest prayers are in his
heart and on his lips?
11 And now, my brethren, I wish from the inmost part of my heart, yea,
with great anxiety even unto pain, that ye would hearken unto my
words, and cast off your sins, and not procrastinate the day of your
repentance; but that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and
call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not
be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy
Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and
all long-suffering; having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye
shall receive eternal life; having the love of God always in your
hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his
rest.
12 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit
indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
13 What are some common problems that may be holding us back from
receiving answers? One is that we ask impatiently. We sometimes expect
the Lord to give us immediate answers. But he hasn�ft promised
that--and sometimes it�fs for our good that he waits. Sometimes when
the Lord doesn�ft answer our questions immediately--or within a day,
or a week, or a month--we assume that he isn�ft going to answer them
at all. That, of course, is a serious mistake. As long as we continue
in our prayers we have the promise of an answer. But we�fve never been
promised an answer to questions that we don�ft ask and we�fve never
been promised an immediate answer.
A second problem is that we don�ft listen. Our senses are constantly
bombarded with other information: we kneel to pray and feel the floor
under our knees or our arms folded across our chests; a truck rumbles
past the house; rain hits the window pane; the clock ticks loudly in
the corner. No wonder it�fs difficult to find enough spiritual quiet
to hear the things the Lord is trying to tell us. But we can make
things even worse by failing to make a real effort to listen. We utter
our prayers, even with feeling and sincerity, and then immediately
rise and jump into bed, rise and run to work, rise and converse with a
family member about non-related concerns.
How can the Lord get us to hear an answer under those conditions? It
takes practice and patience to learn how to receive spiritual
communications in the best of circumstances. Again, the difficulty is
not with the Lord; it is with us. I believe he will give us answers
rather freely, but if we are not listening or if we are not in tune,
we may not receive or understand the answer. The result is that we may
think the Lord is not even listening, when the real problem is that
we�fre not listening.
14 �gA person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the
spirit of revelation, for instance, when you feel pure intelligence
flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas so that by
noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon; that is,
those things that were presented into your minds by the Spirit of God
will come to pass, and thus learning by the spirit of God and
understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation until
you become perfect in Christ Jesus.�h (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph
Smith, Section 3, subheading 2 from the end, p. 151.)
15 I�fm afraid I�fm making this all sound very complicated. Actually
it isn�ft once we learn. When we righteously seek help and counsel
from the Lord, remembering the principles we�fve considered here,
we�fll grow in our ability to receive and interpret the answers to our
prayers.
16 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the
ministry of the word.
17 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee
for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord,
that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the
morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these
things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
18 Pray to Him. Thank Him for all that is good in your life. Ask Him
to know what individuals He has placed in your way for you to serve.
Plead that He will help you give that service. Pray so that you can
forgive and so that you can be forgiven. Then serve them, love them,
and forgive them.
19 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and
his raiment was white and glistering.
20 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus prayed unto the
Father, he came unto his disciples, and behold, they did still
continue, without ceasing, to pray unto him; and they did not multiply
many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray, and they
were filled with desire. And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them
as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them,
and the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they
were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus; and
behold the whiteness thereof did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even
there could be nothing upon earth so white as the whiteness thereof.
21 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the
energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath
bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ;
that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall
be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this
hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.
Younger Elder Brooksby
1-D&C 10:5
2-The Prayer of Faith by Henry B. Eyring, October 2014 Liahona
3-1 Nephi 15:11
4-D&C 9:8
5-Peace through Prayer by Rex D. Pinegar, April 1993 General Conference
6-Jeremiah 29:12-13
7-2 Chronicles 7:13-14
8-D&C 19:38
9-D&C 136:29
10-Prayer by Spencer W. Kimball, March 1980 Liahona
11-Alma 13:27-29
12-Matthew 26:41
13-Questions and Answers by Lindsay R. Curtis, July 1980 Liahona
14-Revelation and You by Harold B. Lee, February 1980 Liahona
15-Questions and Answers by Lindsay R. Curtis, July 1980 Liahona
16-Acts 6:4
17-Alma 37:37
18-The Priesthood Man by Henry B. Eyring, April 2014 General Conference
19-Luke 9:29
20-3 Nephi 19:24-25
21-Moroni 7:48
is not to get God aligned with our will, but us aligned with his.
1 Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may
conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of
Satan that do uphold his work.
2 When prayer works as it should, we express the feelings of our
hearts in simple words. Heavenly Father typically answers by putting
thoughts in our minds accompanied by feelings. He always hears the
sincere prayer we offer when we pray with a commitment to obey Him,
whatever His answer and whenever it comes.
3 Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?--If ye will
not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall
receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these
things shall be made known unto you.
4 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your
mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will
cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel
that it is right.
5 Sometimes, when our prayers are not answered as we desire, we may
feel the Lord has rejected us or that our prayer was in vain. We may
begin to doubt our worthiness before God, or even the reality and
power of prayer. That is when we must continue to pray with patience
and faith and to listen for that peace.
6 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I
will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye
shall search for me with all your heart.
7 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the
locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves,
and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will
I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their
land.
8 Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall
be your blessing--yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures
of earth and corruptibleness to the extent thereof.
9 If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication,
that your souls may be joyful.
10 There are the personal prayers which are less formal. We always
have a prayer in our hearts that we may do our best, that we may
appear well, that we may remember the things we have learned. We pray
as we stand to speak, as we walk, as we drive. We remember our
friends, our enemies. We pray for wisdom and judgment. We pray for
protection in dangerous places and for strength in moments of
temptation. We utter momentary prayers in word or thought, aloud or in
the deepest silence. Can one do evil when honest prayers are in his
heart and on his lips?
11 And now, my brethren, I wish from the inmost part of my heart, yea,
with great anxiety even unto pain, that ye would hearken unto my
words, and cast off your sins, and not procrastinate the day of your
repentance; but that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and
call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not
be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy
Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and
all long-suffering; having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye
shall receive eternal life; having the love of God always in your
hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his
rest.
12 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit
indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
13 What are some common problems that may be holding us back from
receiving answers? One is that we ask impatiently. We sometimes expect
the Lord to give us immediate answers. But he hasn�ft promised
that--and sometimes it�fs for our good that he waits. Sometimes when
the Lord doesn�ft answer our questions immediately--or within a day,
or a week, or a month--we assume that he isn�ft going to answer them
at all. That, of course, is a serious mistake. As long as we continue
in our prayers we have the promise of an answer. But we�fve never been
promised an answer to questions that we don�ft ask and we�fve never
been promised an immediate answer.
A second problem is that we don�ft listen. Our senses are constantly
bombarded with other information: we kneel to pray and feel the floor
under our knees or our arms folded across our chests; a truck rumbles
past the house; rain hits the window pane; the clock ticks loudly in
the corner. No wonder it�fs difficult to find enough spiritual quiet
to hear the things the Lord is trying to tell us. But we can make
things even worse by failing to make a real effort to listen. We utter
our prayers, even with feeling and sincerity, and then immediately
rise and jump into bed, rise and run to work, rise and converse with a
family member about non-related concerns.
How can the Lord get us to hear an answer under those conditions? It
takes practice and patience to learn how to receive spiritual
communications in the best of circumstances. Again, the difficulty is
not with the Lord; it is with us. I believe he will give us answers
rather freely, but if we are not listening or if we are not in tune,
we may not receive or understand the answer. The result is that we may
think the Lord is not even listening, when the real problem is that
we�fre not listening.
14 �gA person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the
spirit of revelation, for instance, when you feel pure intelligence
flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas so that by
noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon; that is,
those things that were presented into your minds by the Spirit of God
will come to pass, and thus learning by the spirit of God and
understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation until
you become perfect in Christ Jesus.�h (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph
Smith, Section 3, subheading 2 from the end, p. 151.)
15 I�fm afraid I�fm making this all sound very complicated. Actually
it isn�ft once we learn. When we righteously seek help and counsel
from the Lord, remembering the principles we�fve considered here,
we�fll grow in our ability to receive and interpret the answers to our
prayers.
16 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the
ministry of the word.
17 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee
for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord,
that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the
morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these
things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
18 Pray to Him. Thank Him for all that is good in your life. Ask Him
to know what individuals He has placed in your way for you to serve.
Plead that He will help you give that service. Pray so that you can
forgive and so that you can be forgiven. Then serve them, love them,
and forgive them.
19 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and
his raiment was white and glistering.
20 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus prayed unto the
Father, he came unto his disciples, and behold, they did still
continue, without ceasing, to pray unto him; and they did not multiply
many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray, and they
were filled with desire. And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them
as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them,
and the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they
were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus; and
behold the whiteness thereof did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even
there could be nothing upon earth so white as the whiteness thereof.
21 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the
energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath
bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ;
that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall
be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this
hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.
Younger Elder Brooksby
1-D&C 10:5
2-The Prayer of Faith by Henry B. Eyring, October 2014 Liahona
3-1 Nephi 15:11
4-D&C 9:8
5-Peace through Prayer by Rex D. Pinegar, April 1993 General Conference
6-Jeremiah 29:12-13
7-2 Chronicles 7:13-14
8-D&C 19:38
9-D&C 136:29
10-Prayer by Spencer W. Kimball, March 1980 Liahona
11-Alma 13:27-29
12-Matthew 26:41
13-Questions and Answers by Lindsay R. Curtis, July 1980 Liahona
14-Revelation and You by Harold B. Lee, February 1980 Liahona
15-Questions and Answers by Lindsay R. Curtis, July 1980 Liahona
16-Acts 6:4
17-Alma 37:37
18-The Priesthood Man by Henry B. Eyring, April 2014 General Conference
19-Luke 9:29
20-3 Nephi 19:24-25
21-Moroni 7:48
Monday, October 27, 2014
The Book of Brooksby, Chapter 17
CHAPTER 17
Faith without works is called belief, a good yet incomplete part of
the power we could and should have. This power we attain through study
and prayer, and it is completed by works.
1 Our faith in Jesus Christ lies at the foundation of our religion,
the foundation of our hope for remission of sins, and for exaltation
after death, and for the resurrection from death to everlasting life.
Our faith in the doctrines that have been restored through the
instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith confirms and strengthens
us and establishes beyond a question or doubt, our faith and belief in
the divine mission of the Son of God.
It is said that faith is a gift of God, and so it is; but faith does
not come without works; faith does not come without obedience to the
commandments of God.
2 Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed,
ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it
shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
3 Faith leads to action, including repentance, obedience, and
dedicated service. When you have faith in Jesus Christ, you trust the
Lord enough to follow His commandments--even when you do not
completely understand the reasons for them. You accomplish what the
Lord wants you to accomplish. You help bring about good in your own
life and the lives of others. You are able to do miracles according to
the Lord�fs will. Your faith will be manifest through diligence and
work.
4 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a
man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith
without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
5 If we speak of faith in the abstract, it is the power of God by
which the worlds are and were made, and is a gift of God to those who
believe and obey his commandments. On the other hand, no living,
intelligent being, whether serving God or not, acts without belief. He
might as well undertake to live without breathing as to live without
the principle of belief. But he must believe the truth, obey the
truth, and practice the truth, to obtain the power of God called faith
(DBY, 153).
When a person is placed in circumstances that he cannot possibly
obtain one particle of anything to sustain life, it would then be his
privilege to exercise faith in God to feed him, who might cause a
raven to pick up a piece of dried meat from some quarter where there
was plenty, and drop it over the famishing man. When I cannot feed
myself through the means God has placed in my power, it is then time
enough for him to exercise his providence in an unusual manner to
administer to my wants. But while we can help ourselves, it is our
duty to do so (DBY, 155).
6 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to
do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so
be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to
him.
7 For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no
miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their
faith.
8 What we need today is faith in the living Christ, which is more than
a mere feeling, but a power that moves us to action--a faith that will
put purpose into life and courage into the heart. We need the gospel
of application.
9 We are all aiming for celestial glory, and the grandeur of the
prospects before us cannot be expressed in human language. If you will
continue faithful to the work in which you are engaged, you will
attain unto this glory, and rejoice evermore in the presence of God
and the Lamb. This is worth striving for; it is worth sacrificing for,
and blessed is the man or the woman who is faithful unto the obtaining
of it.
10 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able
to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
11 Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and
the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a
hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can
command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the
mountains, or the waves of the sea.
12 �gFaith is the moving cause of all action.�h. If you stop to
consider that for a moment, I think you will agree that it is
absolutely true in temporal things as well as in spiritual things. It
is true with us in our own acts, as well as with the acts of God.
13 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he
walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind
boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying,
Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and
caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst
thou doubt?
14 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all
men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let
him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a
wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
15 The Lord personally taught this truth to his disciples: �gIf ye
have faith,�h he said, �gnothing shall be impossible unto you�h (Matt.
17:20). Faith is nurtured through knowledge of God. It comes from
prayer and feasting upon the words of Christ through diligent study of
the scriptures.
16 Verily, I say unto you, there are those among you who seek signs,
and there have been such even from the beginning; but, behold, faith
cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe. Yea, signs
come by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the
will of God.
17 Every man and woman who serves the Lord, no matter how faithful
they may be, have their dark hours; but if they have lived faithfully,
light will burst upon them and relief will be furnished.
18 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto
thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many
witnesses.
Younger Elder Brooksby
1-Teachings of Presidents: Joseph F. Smith-Chapter 6: Faith: The
Foundation of All Righteousness
2-Matthew 17:20(edited)
3-Preach My Gospel Chapter 6: How Do I Develop Christlike Attributes?
4-James 2:17-18, 26
5-Teachings of Presidents: Brigham Young-Chapter 8: Faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ
6-1 Nephi 7:12
7-Ether 12:12
8-Teachings of Presidents: David O. McKay-Chapter 21: The First
Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel
9-Teachings of Presidents: Lorenzo Snow-Chapter 5: The Grand Destiny
of the Faithful
10-Ephesians 6:16
11-Jacob 4
12-Teachings of Presidents: Joseph Fielding Smith-Chapter 5: Faith and
Repentance
13-Matthew 14:29-31
14-James 1:5-6
15-�gWith God Nothing Shall Be Impossible�h by Russell M. Nelson,
April 1988 General Conference
16-D&C 63:8-10
17-Teachings of Presidents: Lorenzo Snow-Chapter 7: Faithfulness in
Times of Trial: �gFrom the Shadows into the Glorious Sunshine�h
18-1 Timothy 6:12
Faith without works is called belief, a good yet incomplete part of
the power we could and should have. This power we attain through study
and prayer, and it is completed by works.
1 Our faith in Jesus Christ lies at the foundation of our religion,
the foundation of our hope for remission of sins, and for exaltation
after death, and for the resurrection from death to everlasting life.
Our faith in the doctrines that have been restored through the
instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith confirms and strengthens
us and establishes beyond a question or doubt, our faith and belief in
the divine mission of the Son of God.
It is said that faith is a gift of God, and so it is; but faith does
not come without works; faith does not come without obedience to the
commandments of God.
2 Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed,
ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it
shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
3 Faith leads to action, including repentance, obedience, and
dedicated service. When you have faith in Jesus Christ, you trust the
Lord enough to follow His commandments--even when you do not
completely understand the reasons for them. You accomplish what the
Lord wants you to accomplish. You help bring about good in your own
life and the lives of others. You are able to do miracles according to
the Lord�fs will. Your faith will be manifest through diligence and
work.
4 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a
man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith
without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
5 If we speak of faith in the abstract, it is the power of God by
which the worlds are and were made, and is a gift of God to those who
believe and obey his commandments. On the other hand, no living,
intelligent being, whether serving God or not, acts without belief. He
might as well undertake to live without breathing as to live without
the principle of belief. But he must believe the truth, obey the
truth, and practice the truth, to obtain the power of God called faith
(DBY, 153).
When a person is placed in circumstances that he cannot possibly
obtain one particle of anything to sustain life, it would then be his
privilege to exercise faith in God to feed him, who might cause a
raven to pick up a piece of dried meat from some quarter where there
was plenty, and drop it over the famishing man. When I cannot feed
myself through the means God has placed in my power, it is then time
enough for him to exercise his providence in an unusual manner to
administer to my wants. But while we can help ourselves, it is our
duty to do so (DBY, 155).
6 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to
do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so
be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to
him.
7 For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no
miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their
faith.
8 What we need today is faith in the living Christ, which is more than
a mere feeling, but a power that moves us to action--a faith that will
put purpose into life and courage into the heart. We need the gospel
of application.
9 We are all aiming for celestial glory, and the grandeur of the
prospects before us cannot be expressed in human language. If you will
continue faithful to the work in which you are engaged, you will
attain unto this glory, and rejoice evermore in the presence of God
and the Lamb. This is worth striving for; it is worth sacrificing for,
and blessed is the man or the woman who is faithful unto the obtaining
of it.
10 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able
to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
11 Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and
the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a
hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can
command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the
mountains, or the waves of the sea.
12 �gFaith is the moving cause of all action.�h. If you stop to
consider that for a moment, I think you will agree that it is
absolutely true in temporal things as well as in spiritual things. It
is true with us in our own acts, as well as with the acts of God.
13 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he
walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind
boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying,
Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and
caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst
thou doubt?
14 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all
men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let
him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a
wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
15 The Lord personally taught this truth to his disciples: �gIf ye
have faith,�h he said, �gnothing shall be impossible unto you�h (Matt.
17:20). Faith is nurtured through knowledge of God. It comes from
prayer and feasting upon the words of Christ through diligent study of
the scriptures.
16 Verily, I say unto you, there are those among you who seek signs,
and there have been such even from the beginning; but, behold, faith
cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe. Yea, signs
come by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the
will of God.
17 Every man and woman who serves the Lord, no matter how faithful
they may be, have their dark hours; but if they have lived faithfully,
light will burst upon them and relief will be furnished.
18 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto
thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many
witnesses.
Younger Elder Brooksby
1-Teachings of Presidents: Joseph F. Smith-Chapter 6: Faith: The
Foundation of All Righteousness
2-Matthew 17:20(edited)
3-Preach My Gospel Chapter 6: How Do I Develop Christlike Attributes?
4-James 2:17-18, 26
5-Teachings of Presidents: Brigham Young-Chapter 8: Faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ
6-1 Nephi 7:12
7-Ether 12:12
8-Teachings of Presidents: David O. McKay-Chapter 21: The First
Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel
9-Teachings of Presidents: Lorenzo Snow-Chapter 5: The Grand Destiny
of the Faithful
10-Ephesians 6:16
11-Jacob 4
12-Teachings of Presidents: Joseph Fielding Smith-Chapter 5: Faith and
Repentance
13-Matthew 14:29-31
14-James 1:5-6
15-�gWith God Nothing Shall Be Impossible�h by Russell M. Nelson,
April 1988 General Conference
16-D&C 63:8-10
17-Teachings of Presidents: Lorenzo Snow-Chapter 7: Faithfulness in
Times of Trial: �gFrom the Shadows into the Glorious Sunshine�h
18-1 Timothy 6:12
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)