He was talking about the winter of 1848 in Salt Lake City and what a difficult and challenging time that was for the Saints. Many of the saints struggled with being obedient to the counsel of the prophet. Here are some excerpts from his talk...
"They learned-as we all must learn-that the only sure and secure road to protection in this life comes through trusting in and obeying the counsel from the prophets of God. Surely one of the crowning blessings of membership in this Church is the blessing of being led by prophets of God."
This world is full of so many self-help books, so many self-proclaimed experts, so many theorists, educators, and philosophers who have advice and counsel to give on any and all subjects. With technology today, information on a myriad of subjects is available with the click of a keystroke. It is easy to get caught in the trap of looking to the “arm of flesh” 5 for advice on everything from how to raise children to how to find happiness. While some information has merit, as members of the Church we have access to the source of pure truth, even God Himself. We would do well to search out answers to our problems and questions by investigating what the Lord has revealed through His prophets. With that same technology today, we have at our fingertips access to the words of the prophets on nearly any subject. What has God taught us about marriage and the family through His prophets? What has He taught us about education and provident living through His prophets? What has He taught us about personal happiness and fulfillment through His prophets?
"What the prophets teach may to some seem outdated, unpopular, or even impossible. But God is a God of order and has established a system whereby we may know His will. "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7)
"Trusting in and following the prophets is more than a blessing and a privilege. President Ezra Taft Benson declared that "our [very] salvation hangs on" following the prophet."
"...there is no safer way to approach life, find answers to our problems, gain peace and happiness in this world, and protect our very salvation than by obeying their words."
I am so grateful for the prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. I am so grateful for the testimony that I have that he is God's prophet living on the earth today. And I'm grateful for that testimony that was instilled in me from my infancy. Truly my parents loved the prophets and taught me to love them as well and to be obedient to their words. I am grateful that President Monson teaches about marriage and family, about education and provident living, about personal happiness and fulfillment. I pray that my heart will always want to be obedient! President Monson does not fear the world and it's state of ruin. But he has faith in the future and the promised blessings. And so I will continue to follow and be grateful that Heavenly Father has not left us alone!
I so needed that today. Thanks for posting it. I hope you are well and in good spirits. I think of you often and you are always in my prayers.
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