Saturday, 5 April 2014

2014-04-05 Priesthood Session General Conference

Conducting: Pres. Uchtdorf
Music: Priesthood Choir from BYU-I

(BYUchoir) Saints Behold our Great Jehovah

Prayer: Legrand R Curtis

(BYUc)Secret Prayer
Elder Oaks: There is no up or down in callings. only forward and back which is determiened by how we act on the callings extended to us. Keys and authority of the priesthood will be the topic.  Priesthood power blesses all of us. Keys direct men and women. Priesthood authority applies to women as well as men. consumate power on this earth, same power that created the earth.  Same priesthood that was in the beginning is also in the end.  Same that will resurrect us. Keys are used to govern the use of priesthood, all priesthood work is all directed by someone holding keys. controling the exercise of priesthood authority, keys enlarge and limit. All keys are held by the Lord Jesus Christ. He determines who will held thme and how they will be used.  Joseph received only the keys of this dispensation.  There are keys of creation and resurrection not given to man on earth. 1st pres and q12 can make decisions of policy and procedure.  Theyare not allowed to change the pattern that men are only allowed to hold priesthood.

3 points what are they?

Joseph Fielding Smith, the sisters have not received priesthood, they have still been given authority.  These can be binding.  The work done in the house of the Lord is done through binding authority.  Just as valid as that done by priesthood authority. women have been given authority, mentioned many times in his talk.  [me] find this talk. Work done in wards is still done by authority given from God, under direction of Bishops, who hold keys. Women are given Priesthood authority to do a priesthood work. That is what they receive when set-apart. When authority is received we should stop worrying about rights and worry more about responsibility.

The Lord has ordained that only men will hold priesthood offices. but we are not the priesthood. J Rueben Clark said men need women for the role of creation that men cannot do. The power of creation is complimentary to priesthood.   In the eyes of God men and women are equal in value.  Elder Ballard at Education week last year. Neither gender is valued more, in temple both receive endowment. Power and blessing of priesthood is available to all.

Keys are handled in fullness by prophet.  The priesthood belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ.


Elder Hallstrom: This meeting is to help us understand what manner we ought to be as men holding the Priesthood.  Technology to allow us to hear the prophets is of no value unless we change.  When we conclude that this is just who we are then we cut ourselves off from any opportunity to become better.  We meet in the name of Jesus Christ with the understanding that he gives power to change.  when we meet the spirit can be poured out upon us.

Story of man in India that had polio and was disabled.  Missionaries taught him that he had potential.  Served a mission even with a cane in each hand. Brother nulu, explained that the gospel changed him permanently.  What changes are required of us to become who we should be.

1. we need to be preisthood men.  showing spiritual maturity because we have made covenants. Our every action should show our gratitude.  If we don't frequently think on the priesthood we already need to change.
2. We need to serve. The essence of the priesthood is to magnify our calling.  Family, callings in church, home teaching, are so important.
3. We need to be worthy. we need to wake up and understand the fact that commonly accepted practices in the world choke the power of the priesthood.  Change. Repent. be perfect like He is.

Brother Ridd: Chosen generation, the choice generation because never have so many choices been placed before you. God has sent you at this time because it was known that you could manage the challenge of knowing what to choose.  With a click of a button the internet will allow you to access whatever you desire.  What does your heart desire, because you will be led to that thing.  Everything we say, think, and do leave their mark on us, which Father and Jesus can read just like a book.  There is cyber tracking of our every action on the internet where legions await to fill the desires of our heart as it has tracked.   We must use agency to learn to pursue and pursue righteous desires.  With each click, you must ask, where will this lead?  Our choices will allow the internet  (educate desires) to refine us or bind us down.
1. knowing who you really are makes making decisions easier. wayward boy received vision of who he really was through patriarchal blessing.  decided to serve mission.
2. plug into the source of power.  we have the wisdom of all the prophets in our cell phone.  need a full charge of spiritual power that are received through prayer and scripture study, these allow us to have the holy ghost and his inspiration.  Shouldn't we listen to the lord as we attend text messages.
3. Owning a smart phone does not make you smart, but using it wisely can.  dont do dumb things with your smart phone, don't let it distract you.   When you drive, drive. when you are with your friends give them the gift of your attenion [me] we have the gift of Fathers attention
4. Use technology to hasten the work. - influence the world.  Oh that I had the voice of an angel and could proclaim the gospel to all the world.

(BYUc & C) Rejoice the Lord is King

Pres. Uchtdorf: Rip van Winkel, unambitious man avoided work and his wife. Slept for 20 years? He slept through the american revolution.  Don't sleep through the revolution.  Are you sleeping through the restoration.  Is the restoration complete? It is an ongoing process it includes all that god has revealed, reveals now and yet reveal as preparation for the second coming of the Lord.   Will we report that we rolled up our sleeve and worked or that we were mostly an observer:
1. Selfishness, those who are selfish seek their own interest for oneself over anything else. Think on selfless service. Selfie is word of the year per Oxford English Dict.  What is the remedy, the answer is in the scriptures. Follow Christ.  Those who serve others will not sleep through the restoration
2. Addiction, cause us to sleep walk through restoration.  Strings that weave into thick fabrics of bondage.  We are endowed with unspeakable potential, not to be shackled to earth.  Addictions are easier to prevent than to cure. Sat in pilot seat of Airforce 1, hand on throttle, Pres Monson said don't even think about it".  When we are tempted listen to the loved ones.  Once there, know first that there is hope, get help from family, leaders, and counselors.  With the Saviors help you can break free from addiction. The atonement was wrought to help you be free and clean.  Keep far away from habits that lead to addiction.  If we do then we can work in the restoration.
3. Competing priorities, cart pulled by work animals in different directions which keep us from moving forward at all.  What are our highest priorities and how do we give them the attention we need. Love God first. Love thy neighbor as thyself.  don't be lulled into indifference.
Promise unto preisthood holders D&C 84:33 Oath and covenants of priesthood.  Amazing blessing of renewal

Pres. Eyring: Grew up in Princeton New Jersey, Dodgers, Yankees, Giants, Phillies.  Joe Dimagio was one of his heroes.  tried to copy his swing.  When we choose heroes we will copy things that they do.  Pres. only saw Joe Dimagio one time, but each week saw priesthood holders to be his heroes.  Aaronic Priesthood leader.  Marine that also attended their branch, he was a star player at Princeton's football, basketball, and baseball teams.  taught him many things when he would visit their home for church or otherwise.  We become heroes whether we know it or not.  What kind of model are we?  Matthew Ye are the light of the world.
1. Prayer, often and with real intent. thank in the evening. for people. for how people blessed you, it will take time and thought.  As you ask for forgiveness it will help you to forgive others.  It will surprise you.  As this is done you will know that you are a child of God.  We will know of his expectations for us. Bless us to put the desires of others above our own.
2. Service, some already serve so much and so well. The joy we feel in the temple are only a token of what we will feel on the other side of the veil.  Serve by bringing others to the gospel.
3. Honest, we will know of His sadness when we are not honest.
Heroes often don't recognize their great qualities in themselves, so be modest in how you share things.
No service is greater than to help others to make changes to find Eternal life.

Pres. Monson: We need to have courage to do the right thing, say no or yes when it is appropriate.  WE will be called upon to defend what we believe.  Will we have the courage to do so? Inner courage, to do what is right when no one is watching, or standing alone to defend beliefs. 18 year old seamen that was not afraid to pray, each night by the side of his bunk.  A couple noticed a young man who inspired others at church, but then later that day was in scruffy clothes and smoking.  Are we the same in the dark as the light?  Abinadi was a great example to defend truth even at the expense of his life.  Moroni persevered in righteousness to the end.  Joseph Smith defended truth, Parley Pratt tells story of how Joseph Smith rebuked the guards.  Not all acts bring remarkable results but they bring peace of conscience. Have courage of prophets.

May we leave here tonight with I will not remove mine integrity from me. Job

(BYUc) Abide with Me
Prayer: Russell T. Osguthorpe

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