For a procrastinator like myself, I can be grateful that I am giving this talk this week instead of three weeks from now when church starts a few hours earlier. I also thought that maybe Bro. Watt wouldn’t dare ask Jen and I to speak for fear that he would have to watch our children during the meeting, but alas here we are and all my built in safeguards to avoid speaking have failed. We have been assigned to speak on Teachings of Jesus Christ that bear significance in our lives.
It's tough to think about what teachings or lessons of Christ are significant in my life, it really changes day by day and sometimes hour by hour. As anyone who knows me well could tell you, it’s tough to have a conversation with me without it ultimately involving airplanes, or politics, and today will be no exception, other than I will spare you the latter.
All aircraft from the most technologically advanced airliner to the simplest fabric covered Piper Cub contain one of these, a small wet compass. The compasses sole purpose is to provide the pilot with the direction North. The compass cannot fly the airplane, it can’t navigate, and by itself it can’t even tell you where your are. The compass has one ability and one ability only it locates North. It becomes the user’s responsibility to turn that information into something useful for themselves.
Jesus taught, I am the Way the Truth and the Life. If Christ is the Way the Truth and the Life, that spells out a nice course, but what do we use to navigate it, there will be questions along the way. We need something more than just being told “Follow Me”. What can we use as our compass? How do we find him? And what is our map? The Lord knew we would have these questions and that sometimes we might end up off course. He has provided many navigation tools to help guide us, he has given us Scriptures, The Holy Ghost, Church Leaders and a Prophet to help steer us along our way. But how do we implement those things into our lives in order to help us arrive at our desired destination. Similar to a person lost in the Wilderness, just knowing where North is, and even having a map isn’t enough. We need to know how to navigate, we need to know how to employ those tools into a meaningful outcome. This doesn’t happen overnight it takes learning, it takes practice, it takes endurance, it takes vigilance,it takes courage and it takes action.
Prior to Christ coming to earth, he provided the world with Prophets, and he spoke to those Prophets and he offered them guidance. He instructed them in the proper means of worship, sacrifice, He issued Commandments, and made covenants with his people. During the Exodus from Egypt he provided Moses with sometimes day to day guidance in how to handle the affairs of The Children of Israel. He provided them with sustinence, and even a pillar of fire for them to follow. Even with all these things the Children of Israel often became lost both spiritually and literally. We today have an opportunity to have our own pillar of fire. We have our own Moses that resides less than 50 miles from this very building. A modern Prophet today who does the same for us as the Moses of yesterday. We can know the direction as clearly as the Children of Israel. Our advantages are tremendous, we live in the fullness of times, we all have the privilege of having scriptures in our home, the quadruple combination, LDS.org, with it’s vast resources we have the Ensign, and we have prayer, some of us even have the scriptures on our cell phone. We are not lacking in tools of navigation, the question is do we use them.
One of my favorite Lessons of the Savior is the importance of an Eternal Family
This lesson is taught to me Moses 1:39, and also 3rd Nephi 17. In Moses we find one of our favorite missionary scriptures. We learn of the Fathers work and glory, his design and purpose. In small verse he explains his love for his family. “For this is My work and My Glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man”. What a glorious manifestation of Love for family. To know that the Lords design and purpose is to have us return to him. To know that his Work and His Glory to be to bring to pass the eternal life of us.
The Savior taught us many lessons during his earthly ministry, he taught us by sermons, he taught us by parables, he held guided discussions with scholars, but my favorites lessons are the ones that he taught by example.
When the resurrected Savior was in the Americas he demonstrated his particular love for the children when in 3rd Nephi he
11. “…commanded that their little children should be brought.
12 So they brought their little children and set them down upon the ground round about him, and Jesus stood in the midst
This summer my family took a vacation down to Monument Valley for the Red Bull Air Races. We hiked through Arches, and played Hide and Go Seek in Goblin Valley, I was reminded of how much my family means to me. At the end of each day we would lay in the Hotel room and Jen and I would discuss what we should do the next day. It wasn’t a planned vacation to continue, but we just didn’t want to come home and so we trip kept extending the trip by another day. I got to spend additional time during the day with my children that I normally miss out on. I watched their unique personalities and observed their unique spirits. I observed behavior that was clearly learned from me, other that was obviously learned from their Mother and even more that is just unique to them and part of their preloaded software package that they arrived with on this earth. Away from the concerns of work I had the opportunity to enjoy parenthood and to gain a better understanding of the Lord to Moses. I recall looking at my children and my strongest desire was that they learn and grow and become great. It gave me a chance to reflect on Eternal Progression and the Plan of Salvation, for just as we the children of our Lord are his work and glory, similarly our children are ours.
June 19th 2004 Northwest Airlines Flight 1152 an EADS Airbus one of the most sophisticated commercial airlines operating in the world today was flying from Minneapolis, MN to Rapid City, SD., the plane landed safely at 12pm almost right on time. As the passengers disembarked they discovered that they had not landed at the Rapid City Airport, instead the Pilots had mistakenly landed at Ellsworth Air Force Base. How could this happen people asked? Multiple and redundant navigation systems, two qualified pilots, air traffic controllers an immense amount of resources all designed to help them navigate to the proper airport. How could this happen. How can a person loose their way with so many things put in place to help them properly navigate to their desired destination? How often do we feel like the Pilot of this AirBus finding ourselves arriving at stations in our lives and wondering, How did I get here? This isn’t where I want to be. And finally, How do I get back on course? In these moments I usually can identify certain things that that have been missing from my required navigation. Scripture Study, Prayer, FHE, Church Meetings, Home teaching an unfulfilled church calling. This is not a new list. we’ve heard it before. Elder Russell M. Nelson stated “Because the evil one is ever at work, our vigilance cannot be relaxed—not even for a moment.
We learn in Job 27:6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go
And again in 1 Nephi 15:11 Nephi says whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would bhold fast unto it, they would never perish
What are my favorite lessons of the Savior? One is that the Lord will guide me to him, if I will take the necessary actions, put forth the necessary effort, and hold fast to his teachings.
Through inspired leaders the Lord brought to “The Family” A Proclamation to the World. In the Proclamation we are taught that Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God
And again Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.
Just as Christ asked the Nephites to gather the children around him, he is asking the same of us today as parents. We are still commanded to bring the children to him, through teaching them the gospel.
Another Lesson that I learn from my Savior is forgiveness.
Through parables, and example the lord taught us to forgive, In Mathew 18 The Lord gives us the parable of the unmerciful servant. In which the Lord forgave the servant a large sum, and subsequently the servant refused to forgive a small sum owed to him. The Lord issued us the Commandment to forgive, and gave the ultimate example as he hung from the cross. “Father Forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Forgiveness and Repentance holds a special place in my life as I fail to live up to the necessary standard ever day. As I fall short of my absolute best, and fail to do as Christ instructed from the Sermon on the Mount. aBe ye therefore bperfect, even as your cFather which is in heaven is dperfect.
I love the lessons that the Lord gives us on Grace.
In Moroni 10 We are instructed regarding Grace, and the actions necessary for us to receive grace.
Yea, acome unto Christ, and be bperfected in him, and cdeny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and dlove God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be eperfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
There is a specific order spelled out in the scripture. First “Come unto Christ and be perfected. 2. Deny yourself of all ungodliness. 3. Love God with all your might, mind and strength. 4. And then is his grace sufficient for you.
You know, It’s amazing how sly the adversary can be at infiltrating into our homes and lives. Through internet, and other media available right at our fingertips things previously nearly unobtainable, and certainly unimaginable. These things now bombard us, we have to install filters and locks, where just a few years ago all we had to do was to stay in town.
Just as this compass has the ability to point to the North, it also has the ability to be improperly influenced. If I were to begin moving magnetic devices closer to my compass, its ability to locate North becomes compromised, just as the spirits ability to function in our lives also becomes compromised if we become an iniquitous people.
It’s not a mystery, and we shouldn’t be surprised when the spirit withdraws if we don’t shield out iniquity and refuse to succumb to temptations. A few weeks ago I had dinner with a friend who is of the Mennonite faith similar to the Amish, but with cars. And he stated that they believe we should be in the world but not of the world. I teased that he sounded a lot like a Mormon.
As Nephites reflected on their defeat and subsequent loss of the great city of Zarahemla they account how “
The Spirit of the Lord did no more preserve them; yea, it had withdrawn from them because the Spirit of the Lord doth not bdwell in cunholy dtemples—
The Nephites had allowed iniquities and temptations into their lives and they gradually lost their way.
Obedience out of Love
Is another one of my favorite lessons of Christ
Since becoming a parent, obedience, and discipline have taken on new meanings, I have frequently reflected on John 14:15 in which the Savior teaches how to express our Love. “If ye love me, keep my Commandments”. If you truly want to be with me, do as I say. A lesson not only preached by our Savior, but also demonstrated to us by numerous examples, the greatest being in the Garden of Gethsemane where three times he stated “bFather, if it be possible, let this ccup pass from me: nevertheless not as I dwill, but as ethou fwilt. Each time confirming his love for the Father through direct expression and even more so by his willingness to do as the Father asked.
Being around my family serves as a reminder of how much the Lord must Love me as I look to my family and consider my Love for them. He has instilled in them their own personal gift of “free agency”, but as parents it’s our responsibility to teach our children how to cope with such a gift. Just as my favorite lessons of the Savior are those that he taught by example, the lessons that my children learn the fastest from me are the ones that they see me perform. In order for my children to learn the principle that to love the Lord is to follow his commandments, my children must see me do the same.
Now when it comes to discipline my home isn’t exactly the shining example of perfection. My little Jack Jack has stressed out our most patient nursery leaders, and rarely can he make a sacrament meeting without multiple exits to the foyer, but we are working on the principle, that if we love one another, we will be obedient, not from fear of consequence, but out of love and respect.
That is why Obedience out of Love is another one of my favorite Lessons of Christ.
I believe in Jesus Christ, I believe he is my advocate to the Father. I know that the day will come that I will come before the Lord and that I won't be worth enough, clean enough to enter the Kingdom on my own. I know that I will require the cleansing power of the atonement. I know that I will require Christ’s grace to move forward and remain before the Lord
June 19th 2004 Northwest Airlines Flight 1152 an EADS Airbus one of the most sophisticated commercial airlines operating in the world today was flying from Minneapolis, MN to Rapid City, SD., the plane landed safely at 12pm almost right on time. As the passengers disembarked they discovered that they had not landed at the Rapid City Airport, instead the Pilots had mistakenly landed at Ellsworth Air Force Base. How could this happen people asked? Multiple and redundant navigation systems, two qualified pilots, air traffic controllers an immense amount of resources all designed to help them navigate to the proper airport. How could this happen. How can a person loose their way with so many things put in place to help them properly navigate to their desired destination? How often do we feel like the Pilot of this AirBus finding ourselves arriving at stations in our lives and wondering, How did I get here? This isn’t where I want to be. And finally, How do I get back on course? In these moments I usually can identify certain things that that have been missing from my required navigation. Scripture Study, Prayer, FHE, Church Meetings, Home teaching an unfulfilled church calling. This is not a new list. we’ve heard it before. Elder Russell M. Nelson stated “Because the evil one is ever at work, our vigilance cannot be relaxed—not even for a moment.
We learn in Job 27:6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go
And again in 1 Nephi 15:11 Nephi says whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would bhold fast unto it, they would never perish
What are my favorite lessons of the Savior? One is that the Lord will guide me to him, if I will take the necessary actions, put forth the necessary effort, and hold fast to his teachings.
Through inspired leaders the Lord brought to “The Family” A Proclamation to the World. In the Proclamation we are taught that Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God
And again Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.
Just as Christ asked the Nephites to gather the children around him, he is asking the same of us today as parents. We are still commanded to bring the children to him, through teaching them the gospel.
Another Lesson that I learn from my Savior is forgiveness.
Through parables, and example the lord taught us to forgive, In Mathew 18 The Lord gives us the parable of the unmerciful servant. In which the Lord forgave the servant a large sum, and subsequently the servant refused to forgive a small sum owed to him. The Lord issued us the Commandment to forgive, and gave the ultimate example as he hung from the cross. “Father Forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Forgiveness and Repentance holds a special place in my life as I fail to live up to the necessary standard ever day. As I fall short of my absolute best, and fail to do as Christ instructed from the Sermon on the Mount. aBe ye therefore bperfect, even as your cFather which is in heaven is dperfect.
I love the lessons that the Lord gives us on Grace.
In Moroni 10 We are instructed regarding Grace, and the actions necessary for us to receive grace.
Yea, acome unto Christ, and be bperfected in him, and cdeny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and dlove God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be eperfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
There is a specific order spelled out in the scripture. First “Come unto Christ and be perfected. 2. Deny yourself of all ungodliness. 3. Love God with all your might, mind and strength. 4. And then is his grace sufficient for you.
You know, It’s amazing how sly the adversary can be at infiltrating into our homes and lives. Through internet, and other media available right at our fingertips things previously nearly unobtainable, and certainly unimaginable. These things now bombard us, we have to install filters and locks, where just a few years ago all we had to do was to stay in town.
Just as this compass has the ability to point to the North, it also has the ability to be improperly influenced. If I were to begin moving magnetic devices closer to my compass, its ability to locate North becomes compromised, just as the spirits ability to function in our lives also becomes compromised if we become an iniquitous people.
It’s not a mystery, and we shouldn’t be surprised when the spirit withdraws if we don’t shield out iniquity and refuse to succumb to temptations. A few weeks ago I had dinner with a friend who is of the Mennonite faith similar to the Amish, but with cars. And he stated that they believe we should be in the world but not of the world. I teased that he sounded a lot like a Mormon.
As Nephites reflected on their defeat and subsequent loss of the great city of Zarahemla they account how “
The Spirit of the Lord did no more preserve them; yea, it had withdrawn from them because the Spirit of the Lord doth not bdwell in cunholy dtemples—
The Nephites had allowed iniquities and temptations into their lives and they gradually lost their way.
Obedience out of Love
Is another one of my favorite lessons of Christ
Since becoming a parent, obedience, and discipline have taken on new meanings, I have frequently reflected on John 14:15 in which the Savior teaches how to express our Love. “If ye love me, keep my Commandments”. If you truly want to be with me, do as I say. A lesson not only preached by our Savior, but also demonstrated to us by numerous examples, the greatest being in the Garden of Gethsemane where three times he stated “bFather, if it be possible, let this ccup pass from me: nevertheless not as I dwill, but as ethou fwilt. Each time confirming his love for the Father through direct expression and even more so by his willingness to do as the Father asked.
Being around my family serves as a reminder of how much the Lord must Love me as I look to my family and consider my Love for them. He has instilled in them their own personal gift of “free agency”, but as parents it’s our responsibility to teach our children how to cope with such a gift. Just as my favorite lessons of the Savior are those that he taught by example, the lessons that my children learn the fastest from me are the ones that they see me perform. In order for my children to learn the principle that to love the Lord is to follow his commandments, my children must see me do the same.
Now when it comes to discipline my home isn’t exactly the shining example of perfection. My little Jack Jack has stressed out our most patient nursery leaders, and rarely can he make a sacrament meeting without multiple exits to the foyer, but we are working on the principle, that if we love one another, we will be obedient, not from fear of consequence, but out of love and respect.
That is why Obedience out of Love is another one of my favorite Lessons of Christ.
I believe in Jesus Christ, I believe he is my advocate to the Father. I know that the day will come that I will come before the Lord and that I won't be worth enough, clean enough to enter the Kingdom on my own. I know that I will require the cleansing power of the atonement. I know that I will require Christ’s grace to move forward and remain before the Lord
1 comment:
Dang Brian, didn't Whimpey just get called into the high council today? Maybe you can talk with him if he comes to our ward.
Good talk, I hope you don't mind Jen posting it. It is good to hear good things on this dang internet, although my homepage is lds.org. I have to try you know.
The end of your talk got me good, the whole obedience out of respect and love instead of fear of the consequences. I need to make that a big poster and hang it in my kitchen for me to see everyday when I get after my kids.
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