Sunday Afternoon Session 

Hymn: (Hymn) – Hymn (#)

Conducting: President Dallin H. Oaks – First Counselor (First Presidency)

Hymn: There Is Sunshine in My Soul

Invocation: Brad Wilcox – Second Counselor (Young Men General Presidency)

• Good for us to be here today
• Bless all those moving this work forward\
  • To overcome the world
  •  to prepare the world for the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ
  • Bless may he come quickly

Talk: (Henry B. Eyring) – Second Counselor (First Presidency)

Legacy of Encouragement

Themes:

Stories:

Scripture References: Moroni 7:45–47;

• Life is a test
• Wherever you are on the covenant path, you will find a struggle against the physical trials of mortality and the opposition of Satan
• Faith, Hope, Meekness, and Charity from Moroni 7
• I see how that gift of charity, the pure love of Christ, strengthened, guided, sustained and changed my mother in the struggle on her way home.
• The Savior knows our struggles
• The Savior knows your struggles in detail. 
  • He knows your great potential to grow in faith, hope, and charity.
• When you sit with someone as their ministering sister or brother, you represent the Lord. 
  • Think of what He would do or say. 
• We have been married for 60 years. 
  • It is because of that experience that I now understand the meaning of these scriptural words: faith, hope, meekness, enduring, seeking not our own, rejoicing in the truth, not thinking evil and, above all, charity.
• The commandments and covenants He offers you are not tests to control you. 
  • They are a gift to lift you toward receiving all the gifts of God and to returning home to your Heavenly Father and the Lord, who love you.
  • Jesus Christ paid the price of our sins. We may claim that blessing of eternal life if we will have faith in Him enough to repent and become like a child, pure and ready to receive the greatest of all the gifts of God.
• Everyone needs a faithful friend or family member to provide encouragement at some point. 
• When you sit with someone as their ministering sister or brother; you represent the Lord.
  • Think of what He would do or say.
  • The Savior would invite them to come unto Him, encourage them, notice and praise their efforts, and be the perfect example for them to emulate.
• Even with a good example in this life, the strongest example to follow is the Savior. 
• The Savior knows your struggles in detail. 
  • He knows your great potential to grow in faith, hope, and charity.
• I pray for our missionaries across the world. May they be inspired to encourage each person to want and to believe that the invitation is from Jesus Christ through His servants who have taken His name upon them
•  

Talk: Ryan K. Olson – Seventy

The Answer Is Jesus

Themes:

Stories:

Scripture References: John 14:1–6; 

• Don’t worry, you belong.
• We are born for greatness 
•  Nash, How did you get so smart?
  • Jesus
• Jesus is the way, the truth, and the Life
  • He is the answer to the question of how to come unto Heavenly Father. 
• In our relationship with the savior, he looks on the heart and is no respecter of persons
  • He invites us to follow him, and I believe he reassures us that we belong with him. 
•  In our relationship with the Savior, he looks on the heart and is no respecter of persons. 
  • Consider how he chose his apostles. 
  • He didn’t pay attention to status or wealth. 
•  I am grateful for what I learn from the youth.
  • I am grateful for what my children teach me, for what our missionaries teach me, and for what my nieces and nephews teach me. 
•  The answer to the simplest questions, and to the most complex problems, is always the same. 
  • The answer is Jesus Christ. 
    • Every solution is found in Him.
• Serving is not about you, it is about the Savior. 
• We are trying to help new friends understand that the answer is Jesus. 
• The answer is simple
  • It is always Jesus. 

• When we have questions or doubts, we may feel that the solutions are too complex or that finding answers is too confusing. 
  • May we remember that the adversary is the architect of confusion. 
  • The Savior is the Master of simplicity.

• This is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and this is where we belong. 
  • Everything that President Nelson lovingly encourages us to do will lead us closer to the Savior.

Hymn: ?

Talk: Jonathan S. Schmitt – Seventy

That They Might Know Thee

Themes:

Stories: 

Scripture References:John 17:3; John 14:6;

•  Which of Christ’s names should I take upon myself this week?   
• Ask during times of personal worship. 
•  And this is life eternal… that they might know thee.  
• Jesus knew and called people by name. 
• At times Jesus gave others new names.  
  • Examples 
    • Israel – Let God prevail
    • Simon Peter – A Rock
•  Many of Jesus’s names are titles that help us understand him and his divine mission. 
• Knowing these names help us to become more like him. 
• President Nelson invited the youth to understand His names.
• Jesus wants us to be good shepherds, particularly in our families and as ministering brothers and sisters. 
• In our ministering, texting and technology should be used to enhance, but not replace, personal contact
• Every time we worship in the temple, we leave endowed with greater power to make our homes places of holiness.
• One simple way to get to know someone is by learning their name. 
• Jesus knew and called people by name. 
• Just as Jesus knows each of us by name, one way we can come to better know Jesus is by learning His many names.
• Just as President Russell M. Nelson and other leaders have said, Latter-day Saints can draw closer to the Savior and better develop His attributes by seeking to understand His various titles and names, and what they mean for us personally.
• As we come to know Jesus’ many names, we will come to better understand His divine mission and His selfless character. 
  • Knowing His many names also inspires us to become more like Him.
• 5 names and titles that have applications to each of us. 
  • 1) The Good Shepherd
    • He knows His Sheep. 
    • He wants us to be good shepherds. 
    • We can feed his sheep to show that we are good shepherds. 
  • 2) The High Priest of Good things to come. 
    • In me ye should have peace. 
    • There is a great need for us to preach and practice positivity. 
  • 3) The same yesterday, today and forever
    • Consistency is a valuable attribute
    • As we are consistent in living the gospel, we become more like Jesus. 
    • Make time for the Lord – Pres Nelson’s admonition
  • 4) The Holy One of Israel
    • We can become a holy one in Israel
    • Time in the temple will increase holiness in our lives. 
  • 5) Faithful and True
    • Don’t ever give up on Jesus
    • He will never give up on you. 
    • Look unto me with every thought, doubt not, fear not.   
• Joyfully living the gospel helps us to become disciples of good things to come.
•  Jesus wants for us to know Him because His is the only name under heaven whereby we can be saved. 
  • My earnest desire is that you will come to know Jesus Christ by His many names and that you will become like Him as you exemplify His divine attributes in your life
• Don’t ever give up on Jesus — He will never give up on you.

Talk: Mark D. Eddy – Seventy

The Virtue of the Word

Themes:

Stories: Alma visits the Zoramites

Scripture References: Alma chs. 32-34; Hebrews 4:12; Helaman 3: 19–20; Alma 5:7; Alma 26:13

• Preaching of the word is more powerful than the sword.  
  • Try the virtue of the word of God
• The Book of Mormon is our latter-day survival guide
• Thus we learn that there is virtue in the words of ancient and modern prophets precisely because their words are the Lord’s words.
• I plead with you to experience the virtue of the word of God, particularly through the Book of Mormon, every day of your life.
• I testify that our Heavenly Father has given us the word because He loves us perfectly and wants each of us to return home to live with Him forever.
• Throughout scripture are examples of the miraculous blessings poured out upon those who chose to try the virtue of the word of God in their lives.
• 3 Examples
  • 1) First, Alma reminded his people of how the Lord delivered their fathers and how they were in the midst of darkness but their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word   
    • Their hearts were illuminated by the word of God
  • 2) Second, Ammon referenced how many of their Lamanite brethren were “loosed from the pains of hell” and “brought to sing the song of redeeming love” because of the power of his word
    • There are many who yearn for someone to be brought to sing redeeming love. “In all our efforts, let us remember to try the virtue of the word of God, which is in us
  • 3) Helaman teaches the word of God, “which is quick and powerful” will “divide asunder” the methods of the devil.  
    • Leads in a straight course. 
    • Helps us cut through the cunning and clouds of confusion.
    • Helps us Focus on the covenant path
• Among many possible solutions, Alma’s faith led them to rely on the power of the word. 
• Do you desire to disperse the clouds of confusion caused by an overabundance of information in order to focus more singularly on the covenant path? 
  • Please try the virtue of the word of God 
• Does your soul ache for illumination? 
  • If so, please try the virtue of the word of God
• Are you seeking to cut through all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil so prevalent in the philosophies of our day? 
  • Please try the virtue of the word of God.
• We must drink deeply and often directly from the source
• There is virtue in the words of ancient and modern prophets precisely because their words are the Lord’s words
  •  Accepting this eternal truth is critical to our spiritual survival in the latter days.
•  President Nelson
  • As you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions — every day. 
  • I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. 
  • I promise that as you daily immerse seeyourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day,
• As helpful as other sources may be in our study of the Savior and the words of His prophets, they must never become a replacement for them.
• Experience the virtue of the word of God, particularly through the Book of Mormon, every day of your life

Hymn: Now Let us Rejoice

Talk: Gary E. Stevenson – Quorum of the Twelve

(Title)

Themes:

Stories: Kevin from Utah

Scripture References:

• For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 
• Kevin’s courage
• Your testimony is a most precious possession, often associated with deep spiritual feelings. These feelings are usually communicated quietly and described as a still small voice
•  5 Elements
  • God is our heavenly Father
  • Jesus Christ lives
  • Joseph Smith is a prophet
  • The Church of Jesus Christ is the restored church. 
  • The Restored church is led by a prophet
•  Another way you share your testimony is through your righteous behavior
•  Matthew Cowley: What do you do when your mind goes blank 
  • Bear testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith
• Fear comes from the adversary. 
• How do I keep my testimony?
  • Nourish it. 
  • Feast on the word of God, Heartfelt Prayer – Eyring
  • Partake of the sacrament – Oaks
  • Feed your testimony truth. Nourish it, Hear Him, Spend time in family History and temple work.   – Pres Nelson
• I promise as you more fully understand what a testimony is, and as you share it, you will overcome obstacles of uncertainty and fear enabling you to nurture and keep this most precious possession, your testimony.  
•  
•  
•  

Talk: Issac K. Morrison – Seventy

We Can Do Hard Things Through Him

Themes:

Stories: Death of child while playing

Scripture References: John 9:1–10; Philippians 4:13; John 16:33; D&C 121; 

• The Family Proclamation
•  2 Rules
  • 1) Listen to and heed the promptings of your wife. 
  • 2) If you are not sure for any reason, refer to rule number 1. 
• Exercising faith in the Lord has helped to ease bitterness. 
• We came to feel united and bound by our temple covenants 
• Nobody is spared from the struggles of life
•  I have learned some of my best lessons during the hardest times in my life, times that took me out of my comfort zone.
• All can be made right through the atonement of Jesus Christ.
  • He can help us endure every trial, but only if we turn to him.
  • Don’t suffer in silence, turn to God in prayer
• Some of our best lessons are learned during the hardest times in our lives. 
  • Times that took us out of our comfort zone
•  The Lord always compensates our righteous desires
•  As we follow Him, especially in our difficult times, we can grow to become more like Him
• The love we feel because of the Savior and His Atonement becomes a powerful resource to us in our trying moments
• We can be of good cheer and be filled with peace in our tough times. The love we feel because of the Savior and His Atonement becomes a powerful resource to us in our trying moments.
• The body is not evil – it is beautiful and essential, but some passions, if not used properly and appropriately bridled, can separate us from God and His work and adversely impact our testimony

• • During tough times, one can feel peace and cheer because of Him. 
    • The love we feel because of the Savior and His Atonement becomes a powerful resource to us in our trying moments.
  • By exercising faith in the Lord during trials, one grows in discipleship and receives strength and help from the Savior to carry burdens. 
    • As we follow Him, especially in our difficult times, we can grow to become more like Him
  • Whatever the source of our challenges, they can be a golden opportunity to grow
  • We can be of good cheer and be filled with peace in our tough times.
  • The love we feel because of the Savior and His Atonement becomes a powerful resource to us in our trying moments.
  • As we follow Him, especially in our difficult times, we can grow to become more like Him.

Talk: Quentin L. Cook – Quorum of the Twelve

Be True to God and His Work

Themes:

Stories:

Scripture References:Alma 38:12; 42:29

• We each need a personal testimony of God’s work and the seminal role of Jesus Christ.
• We live in a world where iniquity abounds and hearts turn from God because of the precepts of men
• We cannot obtain the Celestial Kingdom and live with God the Father on borrowed light, we need our own testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel. 
• Impressions made by the Holy Ghost are more typical. These impressions can be equally as important as angelic manifestations 
•  2 Passions
  • 1) Anger
  • 2) Lust
    • We need to lead pure moral lives
    • Avoid pornography
    • Evaluate what we are streaming in our homes. 
    • Alma’s preventive council – bridle passions
    • Daily repentance 
      • Not an event, but a process. 
      • Pathway to purity
      • Purity brings power. 
• When spirit speaks to spirit, the imprint on the soul is difficult to erase
• Because of the Savior’s Atonement, mercy can prevail for those who have repented and allow them to return to the presence of God. 
  • We would do well to ponder this wonderful doctrine
• None can return to God by his or her own good works alone; we all need the benefit of the Savior’s sacrifice. 
  • All have sinned, and it is only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we can obtain mercy and live with God 
• Elder Cook’s great-great-grandfather Heber C. Kimball and fellow Apostle Brigham Young had the responsibility of evacuating the Saints from Missouri while Joseph Smith was in Liberty Jail.
• About 30 years later, Heber C. Kimball, then in the First Presidency, taught that: Many of you will see the time when you will have all the trouble, trial and persecution that you can stand, and plenty of opportunities to show that you are true to God and His work.
• To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you to have a knowledge of the truth of this work for yourselves.
• The Book of Mormon prophet Alma gave counsel to his three sons  — two were “true to God and His work.”
  • Alma wanted each to have a testimony of Jesus Christ. His preventive counsel was to bridle passions, but for those who have transgressed, to repent.
• In Alma’s day, in Heber’s day, and certainly in our day, we all need to seek our own testimony of Jesus Christ, bridle our passions, repent of our sins, and find peace through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and be true to God and His work
• We each need a personal testimony of God’s work and the seminal role of Jesus Christ.’
• Alma’s preventive counsel was to bridle passions, but for those who have transgressed, to repent.
• Because of the Savior’s Atonement, healing is available to all.

Talk: President Russell M. Nelson – Prophet

(Title)

Themes:

Stories:

Scripture References:

•  I promise that increased time in the temple will bless your life in ways not possible in any other way. 

• Focus on the temple in ways you never have before

• It is significant that the Savior chose to visit the people in the temple. 
• I pray you will “grow closer to Jesus Christ everyday.”
• I love you and may God be with you till we meet again  
• There are 168 operating temples around the world 
  • 53 temples under construction
  • 54 pre-construction
  • 18 new temples
• TEMPLES ANNOUNCED
  • Busan, Korea
  • Naga, Philippines
  • Santiago, Philippines
  • Eket, Nigeria
  • Chiclayo, Peru
  • Buenos Aires City Center, Argentina
  • Londrina, Brazil
  • Riberão Prêto, Brazil
  • Huehuetenango, Guatemala
  • Jacksonville, Florida
  • Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Prosper, Texas
  • Lone Mountain, Nevada
  • Tacoma, Washington
  • Cuernavaca, Mexico
  • Pachuca, Mexico
  • Toluca, Mexico
  • Tula, Mexico
• The Lord is making his temples more accessible 
• Increased time in the temple will bless your lives in a way that nothing else can. 
• Our Heavenly Father and His beloved son, Jesus Christ, stand ready to help you.
  •  I urge you to increase your efforts to seek their help

 

Hymn: God Be With You Till We Meet Again

Benediction: Jorge M. Alvarado – Seventy