Talk by President Hoer

Story of Swiss Air Flight 111 – Paul: “I am not sure why I was preserved – I must have some purpose to fulfill.” What is my purpose?

In the mission, we constantly teach the missionaries to ask themselves this question, “what is my purpose?” For a missionary, our purpose is clearly stated in Preach My Gospel: Find Teach and Baptize. After one’s mission, the prophet has said our priorities should be to 1) establish an eternal family (which is a less direct way of saying, “get married”) and 2) obtain an education.

But what is our purpose as members? The answer to this question can be found in the mission of the church. What is the mission of the church? When I ask this question, I most often get the following response: 1) perfect the Saints, 2) preach the gospel, and 3) redeem the dead; however this answer omits the most important part of the mission statement. The full statement reads “to bring souls unto Christ” by 1) perfecting the Saints, 2) preaching the gospel, and 3) redeeming the dead.

Therefore, our purpose as members of the church can be stated as using a variety of means to bring souls to Christ. In a family, bringing souls to Christ starts with bringing ourselves, our wives and husbands, our children and other family members unto Christ.

When we know our purpose, then we can ask ourselves, “Is what I am doing right now helping me to achieve my purpose? Ultimately, our life is made up of time. How we spend our time determines what we achieve in this life – including if we achieve our purpose, or not.

Now we know there is opposition in all things. In 2 Nephi 2:11 we are told there must be opposition in all things. In verse 17 and 18 we read where the opposition comes from: Satan “became the devil having sought to do that which was evil before God. And because he had fallen from heaven and had become miserable forever, he sought also the misery of all mankind.” So we know the purpose of Satan!

Verse 16: “Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one of the other.”

I used to coach boy’s soccer teams -- our boys started playing soccer at age 5. At that age, some young boys don’t realize they are even playing a game. They are distracted by people in the sidelines. They run about, totally unaware that the ball is passing them by or the opposing team is about to score a goal. They don’t realize their lack of action could cost them the game.

Unfortunately, we see people in and out of the church that act much like these young boys playing soccer. They have no idea they are fighting a battle and are so distracted by the things of the world – the things on the sidelines that don’t matter -- that Satan is able to bind them into captivity and lead them carefully down to hell.

In soccer, games are often decided by just one goal. Unfortunately, the game of life is similar to soccer in that sometimes just one goal by Satan is enough for us to lose the game. We cannot afford to be complacent!

I have found one of the most effective and biggest lies that Satan will tell us is: “This is a little thing – it does not matter.” However, the Lord tells us, in fact, small things do matter. DC 64:33 and Alma 37:6-7.

What are the small things with regards to bringing our families unto Christ? The brethren have told us over and over again. (In fact, our local leaders here in Taiwan have come up with a formula they call 3+2. The three things are family prayer, family scripture study, and family home evening. The plus 2 things are keeping the Sabbath Day holy and paying a full tithe.) [If time discuss temporal blessings from Sabbath and Tithing.]

1.Family Prayer – set a time and do it. To date, out of about 350 missionaries that have passed through the Taichung Mission while Sister Hoer and I have been here the past 3 years, I have yet to meet one that was unable to accomplish his/her goals due to lack of ability. The reason for failure to accomplish a goal is almost always not setting a time to accomplish the goal. This is why Franklin Day Planners became such a hit – (and I can say this because I own no stock in Franklin Day Planners and you don’t need to use the planner, just the idea). First, write down your goals for the day and week, then write down when you will do those things. Nobody will fail on saying family prayer because of lack of ability. We fail because we do not set a time. With any goal, if you are not accomplishing your goals, ask yourself if you are setting a time.

2. Family Scripture Study – There were many mornings Sister Hoer and I wondered if reading the scriptures had any impact on our kids. Sometimes they would be all be sound asleep. Sometimes, we felt like sleeping! However, we now know that scripture study had a great impact on their lives. Sister Hoer just received a letter from one of our sons regarding her example of studying the scriptures:

You have been the best and most consistent example in my life as far as
things of a spiritual nature. I think I probably started reading the Book
of Mormon because I remembered all of the times when you read to us in the morning and when I saw you reading on your bed when I would come home from school. I know how much that book means to you and it has left a strong impression in my mind that I can't ignore. I know how
different my life might be without the countless prayers you have said on my
behalf, and the times you have left my name in the temple. I want you to
know that I do notice when you make such an effort to always be such a good
example to me, and that it does sink in and it does affect me.

3. Family Home Evening: The key with family home evening is to start out very young. Maybe when we read “out of small things proceedeth that which is great” it means small children! In our family home evenings, we made we taught an important principle, but we also made sure to have fun. Our kids had a hard time being serious singing the songs, probably because we are terrible singers, but we had a good time. Our kids would always change the words to the songs. In fact, I remember singing “Swallow the Chocolate” instead of “Follow the Prophet”.

The Lord has said in DC 130:20-21 that when we obtain any blessings it is because of obedience to the law upon which it is predicated.

On the other hand, DC 93:40-42 tells us the source of family unhappiness.

Verse 49: what I say to one, I say to all.

So in summary, so far we know:

First: our purpose is to bring souls to Christ – especially our family.

Second: Satan will do everything he can to make us fail in this goal because he wants us to be miserable like he is.

Third: We have clear direction that the way to bring our families to Christ is to have family prayer, family scripture study and family home evening.

So knowing that we have a fool proof method to overcome Satan’s plan to destroy our families and make us miserable, why don’t we do these three things. It has been said, We judge ourselves by our intentions and we judge others by their actions. We need to judge ourselves by our actions as well.

Well, I suppose the list of excuses is as long as the day is long – but they are just that – excuses!

But basically I think our excuses can be summarized into one, we don’t think it is worth the effort and two, we don’t think we can do it.

Let’s address the first by reading in John 7:17 In other words, we must act, then we will obtain a witness that these things are of God. They are true. In fact, if we will obey any of the commandments, we will see in our lives the great impact.

The second reason why we might not be doing these three things that will bring our families to Christ is because we don’t think we can do it. We might have great obstacles against us – perhaps we do not have the support of our spouse. Or perhaps we do not have a spouse. In this case, I bear testimony that you can do these three things alone – and the blessings will come. For many years, I traveled in my job and often Sister Hoer had to hold family prayer, scripture study and family home evening all by herself – but she did it and our family has been blessed because of her determination to do so.

One of the great lessons in the Book of Mormon is what we like to call “youbanfa” – when everybody says there is no way, then read the Book of Mormon and you can see there is a way. The Book of Mormon stories make our excuses look pathetic! I am convinced one of the reasons these testimonies are in the Book of Mormon is so we know we can accomplish any righteous endeavor.

Read about Nephi 1 Nephi 3:7 and 15. Now if you told your family, as the Lord liveth and as I liveth, we will have family prayer before I go to the work wilderness each morning, then I think you will be successful. By if you are like Laman and Lemuel. 1 Nephi 3:5 Oh, this “is a hard thing” that is required.

Ammon: Alma 17:28,29, 36 When we are standing next to Ammon at the judgment day, we are going to feel pretty lame saying, Oh, I didn’t have time for family scripture study. Then the heavenly clerk will say, but the record shows you watched 11,863 hours of TV in your life. (which is only half hour per day – the exact amount of time needed to read the scriptures)

The sons of Heleman: Alma 56:6-7 I was going to have family home evening, but my wife wouldn’t make treats. Whatever our excuse is, I guarantee we are going to feel pretty embarrassed and deeply regretful. We need to have a youbanfa attitude – we will hold family home evening or die trying.

In Moroni 7:33 – we are told we can accomplish anything that is expedient in the Lord.

Faith is action and usually the action that is required is to change, or in other words, faith unto repentance.

Testimony.

Marriage and Family - by Sister Hoer

When President Hoer was young, his mother always baked homemade wheat bread every week. When we got married, I went to the store and bought some white bread. When he saw it, he said, “What is this?” I said, “it’s bread.” He said, “Don’t you make homemade wheat bread?” I said, “No!” He was so disappointed and I thought that might end the marriage! So I wanted to learn how to make homemade wheat bread but I had never made it before and I didn’t know how to do it.
My first attempts at bread making produced very flat, heavy bread. At that time, we were students at BYU and I made sandwiches out of my bread and President Hoer took them to school to eat at lunchtime. Every day, when he ate his sandwich, other students would laugh and say, “What is that? Why is your sandwich so tiny?” President Hoer just proudly said that his wife was learning how to make bread. And he pretended to enjoy the sandwich!

After several failed attempts, I realized I needed a recipe. I needed something I could follow and copy if I wanted to make good bread. I asked President Hoer’s mother to give me her bread recipe because I knew she made delicious wheat bread. I followed her recipe exactly and my bread became a little better. Now it tasted good but it was still very flat. I called his mother again and asked her what I was doing wrong. She said that she used a different brand of wheat flour and yeast. Also, she told me that my oven was probably different than her oven so the bread wasn’t the same.

So, I started to make adjustments to her recipe and finally found out what I needed to do to make good wheat bread. President Hoer was very happy!
The reason I’m sharing this story with you is because we are talking about marriage and family life today. In the church, we always teach the recipe of ideal family life and eternal marriage. The reason we teach the ideal recipe is that many people have never seen what an ideal LDS family or marriage looks like. The world doesn’t show it so we need to teach it.
In D&C 52: 14, the Lord says: “And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived”. The Lord reveals the pattern or recipe for family life so we know what kind of marriages and family we should strive for. We can all agree on the recipe or pattern as it comes from the Lord. We can then make individual adaptations as our personal situations dictate.

President Hoer and I were both taught the Lord’s pattern of happy family life as we were growing up. We were both raised by parents who love each other and love the Lord. We were very blessed because our parents are members and were married in the temple. President Hoer’s family has 7 children and my family has 6 children. We watched our parents work together to raise their families. We both grew up with family prayer, family scripture study, and FHE. Our parents set the example for their children by serving in the church. My parents have been on a mission and President Hoer’s parents have served 5 missions! Does this mean our families are perfect? NO! But even in their old age, our parents continue to be faithful, active members of the church. They continue to set an example for us to follow. They continue to teach us the Lord’s pattern.

Now, I know that all of us here have different family circumstances. Some of us are married to active members. Some of us have spouses who are inactive or who are not members. Some of us have supportive, loving spouses. Some of us don’t. Quite a few of us are single. Many of us our converts. We want to have happiness in our eternal families but we don’t know how. So my prayer for each one of you is that the Spirit will be with us so you can be taught what you should do in your own life. That may be different than what the person sitting next to you will learn from the Spirit. As I said, we teach the pattern and then we need to make individual adaptations as our personal situations dictate.

One of the most important principles that I learned from my parents is that nothing is more important than the family. Not work, or even church service is more important than the family. In the family, the most important relationship is the husband and wife. Parents and children’s relationship is important but not as important and the mother and father’s relationship. My father always taught us that the most important thing you can do for your children is to love their mother. He taught us this by his example.

President Hoer and I feel that our relationship is the most important relationship in our family. Why? Well, one day our children are going to grow up and marry and have their own families. If we reach exaltation, we will do it with our spouses. President Hoer and I take care of our relationship by doing several things that we will share with you.
The first thing is that we spend time together. We love to talk to each other. We take an evening walk every night and just talk about whatever we want to talk about. President Hoer is my best friend – not my daughter or my sister, but my husband. His best friend is me – not his friends, or his son, but me. Even when President Hoer traveled a lot for business, we always spoke on the phone. That communication is vital to a happy marriage.

We also do fun activities together. When I was growing up, my family played a lot of tennis. When President Hoer and I married, he realized that he needed to learn how to play tennis so he could fit in with my family. Sharing similar hobbies and talents is very important. President Hoer learned how to scuba dive in college. I decided that if I didn’t want him going scuba diving without me, I better learn how to dive. Now we both share the love of diving. We both like to ski. We both love to go hiking and biking. We spend a lot of time together doing the things we love because we have similar interests. We created this situation because we want to be together. Of course when our children were small, we didn’t have much time to do a lot of activities. But we always made sure that we spent some time alone doing something we enjoyed. This is why the church counsels us to go on a date night every week. Couples need that time alone without their children. This shows the children that the marriage relationship is important.

The second thing we do is that we try to meet each other’s needs. I have heard it said that the quality of any relationship is determined by how well the needs of each person are met. I believe this is true. Brethren, if you want to learn wisdom, listen to this secret: If your wife’s needs are being met, she will be a happy wife. She will feel that you are a wonderful husband . Wise sisters will listen to this secret: If the needs of a husband are being met, he will feel he has a loving wife and a happy marriage. The secret to meeting the needs of your spouse is knowing what those needs are. Now, how do you know what your spouse needs? I simply ask President Hoer, “What do you need me to do for you in this family?” I have told him what I need from him. Then we work to meet each other’s needs. Think how happy all marriages would be if everyday, each spouse asked, “What can I do to make my wife or husband happy today?” We all have different needs. Maybe I don’t need President Hoer to help me cook food, clean the house or do laundry. When our children were small, he always came home from work and played with them. They loved it and it was exactly what I needed. Sometimes all I need him to do is smile, laugh or give me a big hug. When he meets my needs, I feel really loved. I also feel really happy when I can meet his needs.

The Lord’s recipe for marriage is that husbands and wives work together and are equal partners. We have individual roles in the family and we can learn what those roles are in the Proclamation on the Family. This is truly the Lord’s recipe or pattern for happy family life. President Hoer treats me like an equal partner. We are a team and together we are striving to raise up a family to the Lord. It is hard work but the Lord is always there to help us. We can use a tripod to demonstrate how a husband and wife are equal partners with the Lord.
Now we know what the Lord’s pattern is but what about a sister who finds herself alone or with a spouse who is not the spiritual leader in the home? or a brother who has a spouse who is not a member or who is not supportive? That is when you need to make adjustments.
Show the tripod with one leg shorter. This means that You and the Lord together can lead the family in spiritual things. You can have family scripture study, you can have family prayers, you can hold FHE. You can bring your children to church. You can be the example. For many years in our married life, President Hoer traveled much of the time. Every day, I continued to hold family prayers and family scripture study. Every week, I had FHE. Sometimes it was hard, but I have learned that I can do hard things even when my husband isn’t there. Not doing these things is not an option because they are important. And I testify that as we do these important things in our family, the Lord will always be there to help us.

Now I would like to speak to the sisters. Some of you have husbands or will have husbands who will be leaders in the church. My father served as a bishop 3 times. He was a stake president, and 1st counselor in a temple presidency. It is often very stressful for a wife of a leader in the church. There are many meetings her husband has to attend. There are many demands on her husbands’ time. The wife has to sit alone in church meetings and try to keep all of the children reverent.

I have learned something from watching my mother for many years. First, my mother never complained about my father’s church callings. Never! Remember, she had 6 children. I am sure it was difficult for her when my father had heavy church responsibilities. Even though he wasn’t home to help her, she never complained. If a mother complains to her children about church callings, the children will likely grow up resenting the church. What a tragedy! Always teach your children that they are blessed to have a father who is worthy to be called to any church position. Teach them what a blessing it is to have a father who honors his priesthood.

Another lesson I have learned is to build up my husband in the eyes of my children and others. Always support him, praise him and teach your children to respect and honor him by your example. Our words have power and our children learn from us.

And on that note for all sisters and the brethren: NEVER, ever speak negatively about your spouse with your children or other people in public. I truly feel it is a vital aspect of total fidelity in marriage that we don’t ever speak ill of our spouse with others

Brethren, now a special word to you. It has been said that the mother is the heart of the home. When she is happy, the whole family is happy. When she feels overwhelmed, unloved or unappreciated, the feeling in the home suffers. Now, this is what I’ve learned from my father and my husband: that when a wife feels loved and adored by her husband, she will blossom. Now, you may think, “Well, of course my wife knows that I love her.” But if you don’t regularly tell her, she will unlikely feel adored in the way she deserves to feel. My father always said to us, “Do you kids know that you have the most beautiful mother in the world?” This was a powerful example to us as we were growing up and I must say that President Hoer has done an equally excellent job of making me feel loved and cherished for 30 years. This has then, in turn, blessed his life in many ways.

I testify that we are children of a loving Heavenly Father who wants to bless us, our marriages and our families. We need to apply the principles of the Gospel in our homes. We need to strive for the blessings of the temple in our marriages. Our greatest joy can come within the walls of our own home. This is my prayer for each of us in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Jesus Christ Website

www.JesusChrist.lds.org

Engaging in a Good Cause by President Baclayon

Last week my family had the wonderful opportunity to see Janice Kapp Perry, composer of several well-known church songs found in the hymnbook and the Primary Songbook, at the stake center. She gave a wonderful musical fireside about her songs she has written. As my daughter sat on my lap, we sang her songs from memory, and I thought about the impact of her songs on my family. It was a special moment to be able to sing such inspiring songs with the original composer. How I wished my mother or brother could have been there, to sing “I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus,” which holds special meaning for both of them. While she was talking about her life, there was one thing she said that surprised me. She mentioned that she didn’t start composing songs until she was over forty. This is in stark contrast to the world’s statement, echoed by American Mathematician, Richard Hamming, “You have got to do it when you are young or you will never do it.” What a blessing it was for her to find her talent when she was older and have the courage to develop and share her talent with others. Talking of doing something significant, Hamming further says,” When they were young they had independent thoughts and had the courage to pursue them.”

Now, I am not trying to give a talk about trying new things in your old age. The principle we learn here is not to get stuck in a rut. A lot of people who are young are not in a rut yet. But most of us have been in the church for a long time, and have developed a familiar pattern within our church lives. We should be pushing ourselves to try to do more. What can I do? Who can I serve? What can I learn? What talents can I develop? In the church, just as in life, we often find our comfort level and set up camp. We might have been baptized. We might have a calling. We might be worthy of a temple recommend. Though some may view the church as an organization with positions to fill, the gospel is not a static entity. It is dynamic. More properly put, it inspires dynamic change within people. If we have come to a point where we have lost that spirit that makes us want to improve and make ourselves better, we are sinking in despair. The rivers of Babylon have taken us and we are floating downriver on our raft of content.

The basic principles and ordinances of the gospel represent this dynamic spirit. The fourth article of faith reads, “We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.” We start with faith. Finding something that is true, and then acting on that truth is the essence of faith. Prophets old and new have taught us of the inseparable connection between faith and work. In the New Testament, James taught us, “Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” More recently, President Hinckley said, “We walk by faith. We move forward on our eternal journey, one step at a time.” Faith needs righteousness in order to maintain its strength. It needs righteous and works in order to grow. C.S. Lewis said, “What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step.” If we profess faith, yet fail to work, we are telling the root to grow but withholding nourishment. Faith is shown by our deeds. We should be as serious about nourishing our faith as we are about nourishing our physical bodies, both of which may cry out in hunger.

When we have found our faith, we then repent of what we have done wrong. Repentance is another principle where action is at the very core. When we repent, we often think about the sorrow since it is the strongest feeling, but a larger part of repentance is returning. We need to return to righteousness. Of repentance, Elder Neil L. Anderson said, “repentance is more a journey than a one-time event. It is not easy. To change is difficult. It requires running into the wind, swimming upstream.” Repentance requires work. Work is the only way we can improve. Imagine for a minute that you were to take a test for a class. How much would you learn if the teacher simply wrote the answers on the board and told you to write the correct answers? Just as we need to study to learn, we need to work to receive forgiveness for our sins and eventually salvation. Repentance requires us to have a desire to change, and then act on that desire. In Doctrine and Covenants 58:43, we learn that in order to repent we must both confess and forsake our sins. To truly repent, we confess our sins, and the make sure we strive to stay on the path of righteousness.

Once we have faith and have repented of our sins, we then are baptized into the church. Many people view baptism as a culminating event. Once we receive baptism, we have reached the end of a journey. Although many have come a long way to baptism, it is merely a doorway leading to another path. There are many that sit right inside the doorway of baptism opining their need to rest, then never rise again after feeling the comfort of idleness. They see the worn path true disciples of Christ take, and become even more tired in anticipation of future labors before even taking a step. Of baptism, Neil A. Maxwell said, “Upon receiving the ordinance of baptism, one officially becomes a disciple of Jesus Christ. This discipleship involves constant challenges as we strive to follow His example and become perfect as He has commanded.” Even after baptism, when we stop striving to be better, when we stop nourishing our testimonies, our spiritual strength becomes weak. We become unable to cope with the harshness of life and gospel living. Our spirits deteriorate and lose strength we once had.

The Lord knows of the difficulties of gospel living, so he has given us a gift, the gift of the Holy Ghost. In Doctrine and Covenants 121:46 we read, “The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth.” The Doctrine and Covenants further teaches us that the Spirit will enlighten our minds and fill our souls with joy. Of the Holy Spirit, President Joseph F. Smith said, “The spirit of God may be enjoyed as a temporary influence by which divine light and power come to mankind for special purposes and occasions.” We are given the gift of the Holy Ghost to help us to choose the right and bring to pass God’s purposes. If we fail to work, fail to fulfill our callings, fail to keep the commandments, we are rejecting this gift from our Heavenly Father, essentially telling Him that we don’t’ need it.

I am eternally grateful to those influences in my life, who choose to be anxiously engaged in a good cause. One great example is my wife. For the last six years, she has become a single mother on Sundays. But despite the difficulties of driving two small children to church in the difficult traffic we sometimes see outside, she chooses to faithfully support her husband and bring herself and her children to learn the doctrines of Christ in a language that is not her native language.

Brothers and sisters, our greatest example of being engaged in a good cause and work is the Savior, Jesus Christ. In Luke 9:58, we read, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” He has endured all that we have endured and more. He is the perfect example. In closing, I would like to share a poem I found that is relevant to this topic. It is called “The Mountain.”

Here I stand, at mountain’s foot,
And glance up at the peak,
Where trials end, and faithful sent
To dwell amidst the meek

My vision’s blurred by fog and rain
That wander on the slopes
Elusive, clouded, volatile
Become my journey’s hopes

The gate I’ve passed, to enter on
The straight path to the top
But ridges with their summer breeze
Content me, so I stop

I pause a bit on mountains walls
And help those passing by
My duty done, bumps overcome
I return to meadow nigh

But difficulties can arise
With one hand to assist
The other, waiting for relief,
Is helpless at the wrist

The only way to truly help
Wayfarers on the way
Is to join them on the path
And share their joys and frays

Take a step, though each one hurts
Endurance is the key
To gaining strength and preparing us
For life and eternity


It is my prayer that as we strive to become anxiously engaged in a good cause, that we look to His example. In the name of Jess Christ, Amen.

Teaching Video

Please view this video for helping you teach lessons.

Ensign Article of the Month

When King David was pleading for mercy in the fifty-seventh Psalm, he cried: “My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.” (Ps. 57:4.)

In the world today we are victims of many who use their tongues as sharp swords. The misuse of our tongues seems to add intrigue and destruction as the media and private persons indulge in this pastime. In the vernacular of the day, this destructive activity is called bashing. The dictionary reports that to bash is to strike with a heavy, crushing blow.

Such a popular behavior is indulged in by far too many who bash a neighbor, a family member, a public servant, a community, a country, a church. It is alarming also how often we find children bashing parents and parents bashing children.

We as members of the Church need to be reminded that the words “Nay, speak no ill” are more than a phrase in a musical context but a recommended way of life. (See Hymns, no. 233.) We need to be reminded more than ever before that “if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” (A of F 1:13.) If we follow that admonition, there is no time for the dastardly hobby of bashing instead of building. Click for more....

February's Talks

The Army of Helaman

talk given by Sister Jana Hogan

In Alma 57:26 we read, “And now, their preservation was astonishing…And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power.

Let me repeat the first part, “And now, their preservation was astonishing…And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God.”

While some in the congregation may recognize the story to which this scripture refers, I want to extract its meaning to be applied more broadly. I will later make reference to the popular scripture story, but first I want to focus on the simple yet profound concept being talked about. That principle is: when we exercise faith, miracles follow. When we exercise faith, miracles follow.

Perhaps one of the most simple ways to exercise faith is to keep simple commandments. Heavenly Father does not necessarily meet grand, sweeping gestures of faith with equally grand blessings. A humble prayer, a sacrament covenant, a refrain from fowl language. These simple acts of faith exercised day after day are met with the greatest, grandest, most sweeping blessing available to us; eternal life. As in Alma 57, we are preserved, according to the miraculous power of God because of our faith.

Now let’s refer back to the scripture I opened with. “Their preservation” refers to the preservation of the 2,000 stripling warriors, also known as the Army of Helaman. Have you ever heard of 2,000 soldiers doing battle and suffering not a single casualty? Can you imagine the bows and arrows, the swords and armor, and all the mortal combat and not a single death? There could not be any other explanation for such a miracle other than divine intervention, as was the case with the stripling warriors. Indeed, such preservation is the work of God and his work alone.

This, brothers and sisters, is a grand and sweeping blessing. It is tangible and awe-striking. Frankly, it is cool. However, the grandeur and magnitude of such a miracle is not the point of the story. Rather, the point of the story is to learn a simple principle, faith yields miracles. In this story, 2,000 young men, who’d never fought before, took up their swords in defense of their country. They defended loved ones who could not fight for themselves. They went up against blood-thirsty enemies in the name of the Lord and with all they knew to be true about the gospel, and, indeed, they were spared, all 2,000 soldiers.

Brothers and sisters, in these latter-days, we have a great call to do battle before us. We were preserved as valiant, brave, and faithful saints who were to come down to earth at this time and slay unrighteousness for the last time. We have been through basic training, i.e. primary, missionary discussions, and baptism. We have been outfitted in armor talked about by Paul: “the breastplate of righteousness, “the shield of faith,” “the helmet of salvation,” “and “the sword of the Spirit.” Most importantly, we are being led by the most valiant, the most courageous, and the most intelligent commander in chief that has ever been, Jesus Christ.

As in the second verse of “We’ll Bring the World His Truth,” from The Children’s Songbook:

We have been saved for these latter days
To build the kingdom in righteous ways.
We hear the words our prophet declares,
“Let each who’s worthy go forth and share.”

It is my sincere testimony that miracles follow faith. I know this to be true. I have fought for the gospel since my conversion, not with stones and swords, as the righteous Army of Helaman did, but rather with meekness and perseverance. My example and my testimony are all I can control, all I can contribute to the building up of the kingdom of our Lord.

Just like each of Helaman’s soldiers, they could not individually swing the swords of their bretheren. They could not individually charge the enemy on their bretheren’s behalf. However, they could each forge onward, united in the common cause to fight valiantly and overcome the adversary. Likewise, each one of us has the privilege of wearing the name of Christ on our hearts and, together, we can prevail over the powers of darkness once and for all.

I pray that we will forge on with faith. We are not alone, brothers and sisters. We are most definitely not alone. We have participated in powerful covenants and mighty temple ordinances. We have partaken of countless sacraments and heard innumerable compelling words from the Lord to each of us through His prophet.

Let this aid reinforce your faith and your testimonies every day. And keep the promise found in Doctrine and Covenants 14:7 at the forefront of your minds, “And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.” I leave these words with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Captain Moroni

talk given by Brother Kevin Hogan

(this talk was actually not given in full as Brother Hogan instead bore testimony of the Savior and His gospel)

The story of Captain Moroni in the Book of Mormon illustrates how we should respond to forces of power that hope to diminish our freedom of choice. At the time Captain Moroni tore his coat, wrote upon it the Title of Liberty, and gathered those who believed what it said, there were opposing forces. These opposing forces desired to take control of the government and the people’s freedom. Captain Moroni knew how easily, if he did not take a firm stance, the people would slowly and weakly lose to those who wanted to take control. This weak defense would have cost them their freedoms and lives.

So it is in our own lives. Do we make a solid commitment to follow the gospel, or do we slowly and weakly live the gospel, thus allowing other people and things to take away our freedom and happiness?

The story of Captain Moroni is not only a strong example of protecting our basic freedoms but a vivid display of spiritual commitment. When applied to us, do we support and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, as if they were our own Title of Liberty? Do we make a firm stance to follow those principles which ultimately free us from the bonds of sin? Do we treat sin as serious as it should be?

There were many during the time of Captain Moroni who thought he was too serious. Even some members today think that Captain Moroni was too zealous and strict. Sometimes it seems that if the gospel is too strict or too hard, it is nearly impossible to stand behind it as firmly as those who supported Captain Moroni’s Title of Liberty. I would bring to our attention that if we don’t stand as firmly as Captain Moroni in the gospel, we will fall for just about anything. We live in a world that is constantly turning and changing to the popular and entertaining. A world which focuses on pleasure and instant gratification. A world that makes people feel foolish for standing up for what is good and holy.

We are heavily influenced through media and friends that tell us that the best route is no route and that freedom comes from indulging in our senses every day possible. In this type of society, who wants to hear, “You shouldn’t,” or, “It’s a commandment.”? If we react the way the world would, we should seriously revisit our Heavenly Father’s love for us. It isn’t out of pure love that our friends tell us to indulge in this or that. It is, however, out of pure love from our loving Father in Heaven that we should learn to control ourselves and establish a healthy lifestyle that will bring happiness to us and to our friends and family.

All of us, at times, struggle with standing out. For myself, I need to speak more comfortably about the principles of the gospel.

In the story of Captain Moroni, those who did nothing to protect their freedom were the cause of sore reactions. Because of their unwillingness to help the cause of freedom, many of them lost their lives or were imprisoned.

In this life, we have the ability to be proactive and move the Kingdom of God forward and to teach his principles and love his children. We should not choose to not share the gospel thereby neglecting His children. Some even choose to try to destroy the church completely.
There are many examples which would help us understand how similar today’s members and nonmembers are to those in the story of Captain Moroni.

To leave on a more enlightening and hopeful tone, I will say this. Despite our faults and mistakes in the past, we can gather around Christ’s teachings for the first time again after a period of wrong choices. God sent His Son to pave the way for us. Our Heavenly Father wants us to succeed and defeat the powers of darkness that surround us. His Son, Jesus Christ’s life is the only perfect Title of Liberty, which if we follow the best we can every day, we will be saved from our enemies and ourselves.

It is my humble prayer that we remain firm every day as if others’ lives depend on it, because they do. It is also my sincere request that all of us realize our responsibility to protect ourselves and our loved ones. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The Fight With Sin Is Real

talk given by President Lucas Baclayon

Of all sections of the Book of Mormon that are difficult for members to understand, I hear the most frustration about the wars between the Nephites and Lamanites in Alma chapters 45-62. There is so much war and bloodshed that people get overwhelmed and fail to see the application. But Nephi’s statement about likening the scriptures unto us applies to all scriptures. Said Nephi, “I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for out profit and learning.” As we read the scriptures or listen to the words of the prophets, which is what the scriptures are, if there is something we don’t understand, instead of asking, “Why am I reading this?” we should ask, “What am I not seeing?” The scriptures are before us, and of all the things the prophets could have included in the Book of Mormon, they chose to include war. The people of Ammon were probably doing very righteous things. There were other things going on at the time among the Nephites, but we read about war. Why?

As I think about the wars between the Nephites and Lamanites, I think of the hymn “Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel” where it says, “The fight with sin is real.” In our own lives we are at war with sin, and the principles and practices that are taught in Alma apply very closely to us in our own battles that we have with sin. We must remember that a lot of scriptures are like the parables of Jesus, in that there is a surface meaning and a deeper metaphorical meaning. Such is the case with the wars in Alma.

In Alma chapter 49, the Lamanites are coming against the Nephites in an invasion. But they don’t choose the cities that they will attack at random. Just as Satan does, they choose those cities that were easy to take in the past. In verse three we read, “Because the Lamanties had destroyed it once because of the iniquity of the people, they supposed that it would again become an easy prey for them.” So what did the Nephites do? In verse four, “But behold, how great was their disappointment; for behold, the Nephites had dug up a ridge of earth round about them, which was so high that the Lamanites could not cast their stones and arrows at them.” The Nephites had built up and defended the city of Ammonihah and later the city of Noah. We should do likewise. We know our own weaknesses. We know where Satan will attack. If we really want to turn Satan away, we need to build up our fortifications and defend them in order to turn away the adversary.

So the Nephites have their victory in the lands of Ammonihah and Noah. What then do they do? In chapter 50 verse 1, we read, “Moroni did not stop making preparations for war, or to defend it his people against the Lamanites.” Rest assured that if we have a victory over Satan, he will not rest. He will keep coming with his legions, who outnumber us, just as the Lamanites greatly outnumbered the Nephites. “Now, the Lamanites were numerous, yea by more than double the number of the Nephites.” How do we win against such great odds? Moroni attributes his victories to “that all-powerful God, who has strengthened our arms.”

Reading farther, in chapter 51 we have the account of when Teancum goes to the tent of Amalackiah, king of the Lamanites, and slays him in his tent. But that does not end it. Amalackiah’s brother, Ammoron, takes place. So it is with us and our war with sin. If we conquer one sin, another sin will come forth to take its place. Sometimes we may feel as Hercules did when he fought the Lernean Hydra, who when he destroyed one of the Hydra’s heads, two more would rise in its place. Thus, the importance of putting our faith in the Lord and the atonement. We should be as the stripling warriors, “Their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually.”

Brothers and Sister, may we read the scriptures with the attitude of learning, and as we learn may our faith in our Heavenly Father and His Son grow. This is my testimony that I leave with you, that the Book of Mormon was written for our day, by prophets who saw what our world was like, and wrote accordingly, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.