Capstone

Capstone to Quote Book

            This semester we have been collecting quotes from modern-day apostles and prophets on ten topics relevant to our lives.  Most of my quotes are from the living apostles, but I chose a couple from other speakers in General Conference.  Family, atonement, agency and pornography were chosen for us.  Though I may not have chosen pornography, I understand why it was chosen.  Pornography is addictive and it attacks the family.  Family is the eternal unit.  Agency encompasses our choices and they, with the atonement, make it possible to have forever families.  I also chose Priesthood power and how to exercise it in my life, recognizing the Holy Ghost and living worthy of His direction, Endurance, with a smile if possible, remembering that the suffering is optional, Charity--understanding how the nature of our Father in Heaven can change our natures as we practice it, Humility/Pride because if you are not practicing one, you are practicing the other and faith and the many ways it is expressed.    All of these subjects pertain to our eternal salvation and strongly impact our status there.

As I learn about the atonement, I gain understanding of its full power and effect in my life.  One quote I found from Sis. Burton speaks to how the atonement helps us put our adversities into perspective and gain peace in knowing that it’s not about being fair.  Another quick quip from Elder Cook reminds me that there is great peace in the grace of the atonement.  In 1996 Elder Nelson gave a really great talk entitled, “The Atonement”.  It was filled with good information.  The culmination for me was this quote: “That is why we respond to our own calls from the Lord. When we comprehend His voluntary Atonement, any sense of sacrifice on our part becomes completely overshadowed by a profound sense of gratitude for the privilege of serving Him.”  This leads us to agency.

Agency is our responsibility to choose.  It is freely given but certainly costs in consequences.  Elder Hales speaks of agency often.  One of the things he clearly teaches is that “the devil made me do it” is a poor excuse.  The adversary must depart if we tell him to depart.  This is a powerful principle that is often forgotten in the moment.  When he affects our minds and bodies, we have allowed it.  He powerfully shows through the only perfect example, Jesus Christ, “He taught us that when we choose to do the will of our Heavenly Father, our agency is preserved, our opportunities increase, and we progress.”  Using our agency we chose our family.

The Proclamation on the Family was given in 1995.  It was not new information but needed to be reiterated for the benefit of all.  It is concise and inclusive and states in no uncertain terms what constitutes a family.  I collected quotes that pertain to how our choices affect a family.  I do not have children but I come from a family and it is my eternal goal to have a family.  It is my responsibility to learn how to be a mother, daughter, grandmother, granddaughter, sister, aunt and sister in Christ while here on the earth so that I may continue those relationships in the manner that God has prescribed.  The disintegration of the family is very evident in our society today.  In this age of political correctness and tolerance, we may have unwittingly played a part in this attack.  The Brethren have been very direct and firm in this matter.  Pornography attacks the family.

Pornography is addictive and has a voracious appetite.  It is the antithesis of love and only satisfies lust in the moment.  It is degrading to women and we have been instructed to “avoid it like the plague.” I like how Elder Holland differentiates between the fleeting moment of lust and the permanence of love in his talk, “Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul”. 

The most detrimental thing about pornography is the destruction of our spirits.  “To be carnally minded is death” refers to spiritual death.  We cannot be true to our baptismal covenant of always having the spirit with us if we are partaking of pornography.  This leads us to the Holy Ghost. 

            I chose the Holy Ghost because he speaks to me in a variety of ways depending on my needs.  Sometimes I find it hard to differentiate and only know in hindsight that something was a result of the Holy Ghost.  Elder Richard G. Scott has spoken of this the most.  He has a tender spirit that seems to ache for us as he speaks of the guidance and peace of the Holy Spirit.  What I learned is that if I am being obedient then I can have peace regardless of the circumstance and know that the Lord is sustaining me through the Holy Ghost.  Having the Holy Ghost or lack of His spirit, reflects our degree of humility or pride.

            I chose humility and pride together because they are opposite ends of the same spectrum and absolutely effect our decisions.  I have always loved President Benson’s talk on pride given at 1989 General Conference.  I keep a copy of this talk in my scriptures with my patriarchal blessing.  It was shared with me by a friend long ago but I never saw it delivered until this assignment.  It was delivered by then Elder Gordon B. Hinckley.  He did it justice because he too was a man that didn’t mince words when it came to our eternal salvation.  Many times in my life the line “there is no such thing as righteous pride” has rung through my head and I have been humbled.  With humility comes charity.

            Charity Never Faileth.  It is the pure love of Christ and impacts our lives and decisions.  I chose quotes about using charity to color our judgment.  We must daily make judgments about what we will do and how we will do it.  If we do it with love, we will not offend.  We read in Moroni, “Cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all. … Whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.” 8 Charity can be the outward expression of faith and hope. If sought and obtained, these three foundation elements of celestial character will abide with us in this life and beyond the veil into the next life.”  Elder Wirthlin shared this statement in “Cultivating Divine Attributes” given October 1998.  The way we love will affect how we endure our trials.

            I chose Endurance/Trials as a topic because I have never been great at follow through.  I am a great idea girl, but in the long haul I lose interest and direction.  The quotes I chose are to remind me why I want to endure it well and stay true to my covenants.  You cannot discuss covenants without discussing the power to administer them.  That is why I chose priesthood power. 

            Priesthood is the power and authority to act for God on the earth.  It is only given to men but I have full access to all the blessings of the priesthood through my covenants.  I cannot know what I have access to if I do not understand the priesthood.  Also, I have a responsibility to teach what I learn.  God has freely given His power to those who accept and honor His priesthood, which leads to the promised blessings of immortality and eternal life.  Sometimes it is hard to comprehend the teachings that apply to our spiritual lives which is why I also chose the topic of faith.

            Faith is why I am writing this summary today.  I take comfort and power from the statement, “Man cannot live without faith, because in life’s adventure the central problem is character-building—which is not a product of logic, but of faith in ideals and sacrificial devotion to them.”  Elder Scott shared this in 2003.   I am comforted by the lyrics to the hymn When Faith Endures.

I will not doubt, I will not fear; God's love and strength are always near. His promised gift helps me to find An inner strength and peace of mind. I give the Father willingly My trust, my prayers, humility.  His Spirit guides; his love assures That fear departs when faith endures.

I will never forget last conference when Elder Holland instructed us not to lead with our unbelief.  He humorously equated it as trying to stuff a turkey through the beak.  Why dwell on what we don’t know without first acknowledging what we know?  It is counterproductive and tool of the adversary to convince us to give up.  Elder Holland adds, “Honestly acknowledge your questions and your concerns, but first and forever fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe.”