Things of the spirit Robert

To understand our identity, we need to understand the Fall—the reality that King Benjamin’s people finally confronted. President Ezra Taft Benson taught:

Just as a man does not really desire food until he is hungry, so he does not desire the salvation of Christ until he knows why he needs Christ. No one adequately and properly knows why he needs Christ until he understands and accepts the doctrine of the Fall and its effect upon all mankind.

Brothers and sisters, I testify that this is the way we are born again and receive the glorious inheritance that is ours as children of the living God. As you begin this new year, I invite you to reevaluate your goals to ensure that you focus on the “simple, humble path of Christian discipleship.”

I promise that as you do, you will receive grace—the strength that comes from being built on a sure foundation. You will find joy and peace in a journey that increasingly reveals God and His glory. You will see more clearly your divine identity, and you will be filled with hope that you, in fact, can receive all that He has.

Keith Vorkink 3/28/2017 BYU

Often things happen and we try to find meaning and cause. If we are not careful, this could cause us to have some mistaken ideas about, righteousness, obedience and love.

Honest, Simple, Solid, True


The music is a wonderful song of pleading. Letting the acapella be both humble and deep.

The Savior seems to say to us: “Come unto me, and I will give you such assurance and hope and strength that you cannot be taken hostage by anyone who seems to do you harm. I will liberate you into love. And then you will no longer give anyone cause to resent or fear you. Instead, they will respond to the love that I have bestowed upon you. By abiding in me, you will do much good, bear much fruit.”

A dear friend of mine this weekend told me that the gospel of Jesus Christ could be summed up in two words, "Be Selfless". In this simple declaration, I hear the Savior say, "Love God and Love thy neighbor as thy self..." I hear Elder Oaks famous talk "The Challenge to Become". I found this talk pull me, over and over to not just do good, but to change why I do good. I found it to be one of the most powerful talks on wanting to change my core, to be better, strive, work and love more deeply for the right reasons.

Fighting through darkness and despair and pleading for the light is what opened this dispensation. It is what keeps it going, and it is what will keep you going. With Paul, I say to all of you:

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the
promise. [Hebrews 10:35–36]

This talk deals with the difficulties that we all face, sometimes simple issues, sometimes crushing ones. Our Savior has told us again and again, in many different ways to not be afraid. Even when there are reasons to be afraid, we are commanded to keep going.

The music for this comes from a video Rigeletto... it's a touching song of a young girl who made the choice to do what was right, amid significant pressure to cave. This scene is doubly powerful as she is singing and proving her worth, her teacher is being brutally murdered by a mob because of perceived injustices. It's a reminder to always, always focus on what is right, and let that be your standard regardless of cost or difficulty.

Neal A Maxwell is a profound man. As a speaker, he not only instructs, but does so in a way that increases our ability to learn. I consider him a true guide, one to listen to, one to ponder on, one to try to emulate.
His understanding of gospel principles are unmatched. His ability to use language has no equal.
Listen to his talk, then listen again, to catch what you didn't hear the first and second time.
This talk, given in 1981, is about becoming more centered, more "rooted", more firmly established. He talks about this as an environment where we can be nourished... and I love that word. Nourished has the implication of health, nurturing, nutritious and strength. These are all things that are needed.