I feel, and the Spirit seems to accord
Probably one of the greatest talks given in the General Conferences of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was given in April of 1985. It was the last testimony of an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer the year before, it was the subject of a special family fast that he have the strength to give this conference talk, just a few days before his death. Who is it, and why do I bring it up?
Very simple. Elder Bruce R. McConkie was the Apostle. He was known as a master of the scriptures, having been on the committee to revamp the standard works for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was also the author of what had been considered the go to resource for doctrinal information, known as Mormon Doctrine. He was tall, his voice was powerful, and he stuck to teaching doctrine, always heeding the whispering of the Holy Ghost. I watched a BYU devotional where he stood up, and said he had prepared remarks, but wasn't going to use them, opting for a different topic, for which he spoke for 45 minutes. He never sat at the head of the church as prophet and president, but was an Apostle, and as such was sustained as a prophet, seer, and revelator, along with the rest of us Quorum every conference.
So why bring up a 33 year old talk? Simple.
I have the opportunity to serve weekly in the Kansas City Missouri Temple. This week was the last time that the current Temple President would be working on our shift. President Karpowitz is one of the most meek men that I have ever met. He has been part of the leadership of the Kansas City Temple since it was dedicated in 2012. As part of our prayer meeting to start the day, he shared excerpts of this talk, along with the background of Elder McConkie's life leading up to it. The man stood at the pulpit of the Tabernacle, did not look like he was dying, he was no doubt strengthened by the Spirit, so that his testimony could be given fully.
If you haven't seen it, it is a tremendous explanation of the doctrine of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, given in a way that leaves no doubt as to whom the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints relies on. The Lord Jesus Christ. This is the message that the Lord's Prophet and Apostles proclaim today. It is the message that I proclaim. Christ lives. He knows each of us by name. He loves us unconditionally, no matter what we have done in our mortality. His love is infinite. A wave that, if we allow it, can wash us clean of pain, suffering, anger, and sin. It can fill us with compassion and love toward our fellowman. His testimony closes the way only an Apostle of the Lord can close:
I am one of his witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears.
But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God's Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way.
God grant that all of us may walk in the light as God our Father is in the light so that, according to the promises, the blood of Jesus Christ his Son will cleanse us from all sin.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Do we live our lives in a way that pleases Our Savior? "If ye love me, keep my commandments" It really is that simple. As we serve God in our own way, we build our faith in him. I will add my testimony, that he lives. This I know, of my own self. I stumble and fall all the time on my path back to him. But continue forward, having faith in the one who knows me, and loves me. Do you?
Here is the link to the talk, if you want to watch it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6X425gT4DQ
Thank you President for your service to the Lord, and to His children.
questions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints?
mormon.org
Very simple. Elder Bruce R. McConkie was the Apostle. He was known as a master of the scriptures, having been on the committee to revamp the standard works for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was also the author of what had been considered the go to resource for doctrinal information, known as Mormon Doctrine. He was tall, his voice was powerful, and he stuck to teaching doctrine, always heeding the whispering of the Holy Ghost. I watched a BYU devotional where he stood up, and said he had prepared remarks, but wasn't going to use them, opting for a different topic, for which he spoke for 45 minutes. He never sat at the head of the church as prophet and president, but was an Apostle, and as such was sustained as a prophet, seer, and revelator, along with the rest of us Quorum every conference.
So why bring up a 33 year old talk? Simple.
I have the opportunity to serve weekly in the Kansas City Missouri Temple. This week was the last time that the current Temple President would be working on our shift. President Karpowitz is one of the most meek men that I have ever met. He has been part of the leadership of the Kansas City Temple since it was dedicated in 2012. As part of our prayer meeting to start the day, he shared excerpts of this talk, along with the background of Elder McConkie's life leading up to it. The man stood at the pulpit of the Tabernacle, did not look like he was dying, he was no doubt strengthened by the Spirit, so that his testimony could be given fully.
If you haven't seen it, it is a tremendous explanation of the doctrine of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, given in a way that leaves no doubt as to whom the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints relies on. The Lord Jesus Christ. This is the message that the Lord's Prophet and Apostles proclaim today. It is the message that I proclaim. Christ lives. He knows each of us by name. He loves us unconditionally, no matter what we have done in our mortality. His love is infinite. A wave that, if we allow it, can wash us clean of pain, suffering, anger, and sin. It can fill us with compassion and love toward our fellowman. His testimony closes the way only an Apostle of the Lord can close:
I am one of his witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears.
But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God's Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way.
God grant that all of us may walk in the light as God our Father is in the light so that, according to the promises, the blood of Jesus Christ his Son will cleanse us from all sin.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Do we live our lives in a way that pleases Our Savior? "If ye love me, keep my commandments" It really is that simple. As we serve God in our own way, we build our faith in him. I will add my testimony, that he lives. This I know, of my own self. I stumble and fall all the time on my path back to him. But continue forward, having faith in the one who knows me, and loves me. Do you?
Here is the link to the talk, if you want to watch it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6X425gT4DQ
Thank you President for your service to the Lord, and to His children.
questions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints?
mormon.org
Comments
Post a Comment