Talk

.
This is my Easter Sunday talk I will give at church tomorrow. For a more traditional message watch the video.

Speaking In Church

I got a phone call from Brother Platt on April 1st asking me to speak in sacrament meeting. I thought it might be an April fool. When Brother Platt said that the bishopric needed a good speaker for Easter and they thought of me then I knew for sure it was an April fool.

On the 22 January 2009 President Obama signed an executive order that in part says, “…to be sure that our policies and practices comply with all obligations and are sufficient to ensure that individuals do not face torture and cruel treatment….” It appears that Brother Platt is not complying with this executive order — he’s still asking members to give talks.

My family enjoyed listening to all the sessions of General Conference. But half way through the last session on Sunday afternoon all of our family fell fast asleep. Two of Jake’s friends who were with us were most co-operative — they fell asleep also. We awoke to hear President Monson give a special message which we felt was just for us:

May we long remember that which we have heard during this conference. I remind you that the messages will be printed in next month’s Ensign and Liahona magazines. (Thomas S. Monson, “Until We Meet Again,” 179th Annual General Conference, April 2009)

The Life of Jesus Christ

I was requested to speak on the life of Jesus Christ. You all know a lot about His life. You know about the birth of Jesus; the friends of Jesus (John the Baptist and the twelve Disciples); the teachings of Jesus (the Sermon on the Mount and Parables); the miracles of Jesus (His power over nature, disease, and death); and the trials of Jesus (death, burial, and resurrection). In the time I have alloted I will concentrate mostly on the parables of Jesus and what he taught us about money. I will quote from our leaders and also I will add my own two shekels.

[Read more…]

Daniel leaves the chapel after his talk

Today Daniel spoke in sacrament meeting on the subject of the Holy Ghost. He leaves for his mission this month and family and friends were in attendance. Here are some highlights of his talk:

Mission Call

When my mission call came I carefully opened the envelope and began reading the letter. I wasn’t able to pronounce the name of the mission at first, which had five A’s, a B, and a U in it. It looked more like a report card than a mission name. When my mother heard me say I was going to the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission she asked, “No, tell us where are you are really going.”

The Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost is a gift from God which comforts, protects, answers questions, and reveals truth. It is the way that God communicates with us. After baptism we receive the Holy Ghost:

Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost?
Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. 2 Nephi 32:2-3

Everyone has the light of Christ, or conscience, to help guide them. Those possessing the Gift of the Holy Ghost can come to a greater light and understanding. The Holy Ghost can calm our worries and give comfort when we are sad.

Daniel with a few of his friends

The Rest Stop

A boy got his favorite drink from the store. He liked it so much that he drank all 64 fluid ounces of it straight away. Immediately his parents took him on a trip. After awhile on the road he realized his favorite drink might not stay with him. This caused him great discomfort and he was really worried. But then up ahead he saw a sign that said “Rest Stop 1 mile.” The comfort that the boy received from seeing the sign can be like the peace we get from the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost Protects Us

The Holy Ghost protects us from physical and spiritual danger. The gift of the Holy Ghost will prompt us to resist temptation by reminding us of the gospel law in the very moment of temptation. Daniel shared a short story of how he was protected on his scooter from being hit by a car.

The Holy Ghost Reveals Truth

The Holy Ghost reveals the truth of all things. He helps us have a sure knowledge of truth. The way we get this knowledge is found in Moroni:

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. Moroni 10:4-5

Daniel said that he tried this for himself and he received the answer that the Church was true. This quote by Elder Bednar added additional insight:

Please notice how the power of the Spirit carries the message unto but not necessarily into the heart…. Ultimately,…the content of a message and the witness of the Holy Ghost penetrates into the heart only if a receiver allows them to enter. David A. Bednar, “Seek Learning by Faith,” Ensign, Sep 2007, 60–68

Here is a quote that Daniel didn’t have time to read but is worth including here:

I believe the Spirit of the Holy Ghost is the greatest guarantor of inward peace in our unstable world. It can be more mind-expanding and can make us have a better sense of well-being than any chemicals or other earthly substance. It will calm nerves; it will breathe peace to our souls. This Comforter can be with us as we seek to improve. It can function as a source of revelation to warn us of impending danger and also help keep us from making mistakes. It can enhance our natural senses so that we can see more clearly, hear more keenly, and remember what we should remember. It is a way of maximizing our happiness. James E. Faust, “The Gift of the Holy Ghost—A Sure Compass,” Ensign, Apr 1996, 2.

Daniel with Rachel, Amy, Adri, Joni, and Katie

Jesus Christ Teaches About Money