“Be Peaceable Followers of Christ”

Last updated on November 25th, 2023 at 11:51 pm

General Conference Applied

S2 E7 – Sunday, November 19, 2023 | “Be Peaceable Followers of Christ” by Elder Quentin L. Cook; October 2023 General Conference

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Podcast Episode Social Media Posts

• Reel: Facebook | Instagram
• Invitations: Facebook | Instagram

Corresponding Talk Outline: “Be Peaceable Followers of Christ“

Podcast Episode Outline

Report on Prior Week’s Action Item

I was going to write down the inspiration I’ve received over the past seven days for my calling as a Primary Activities leader, and then text this inspiration to my Primary Activities co-leader. Then together we would take action.

Introduction

Doctrines, Principles, and Christlike Attributes

As we have discussed in previous episodes of General Conference Applied, it is important to identify the applicable doctrines, principles, and Christlike attributes of each General Conference address. In “Be Peaceable Followers of Christ,” I identified 4 doctrines (Plan of Salvation, Atonement of Jesus Christ, Prophets and Revelation, and Commandments), 8 principles (Jesus Christ, Our Chosen Leader and Savior, Freedom to Choose, The Atonement of Jesus Christ, The Church of Jesus Christ Today, Faith in Jesus Christ, Obedience, The Final Judgment, and Exaltation), and 6 Christlike attributes (Faith, Hope, Integrity, Patience, Humility, and Obedience). I have included a detailed breakdown of these doctrines, principles, and Christlike attributes in the talk outline, but I will share additional insights during this podcast episode.

In each episode of General Conference Applied, we are attempting to answer two questions:

1. What is the speaker inviting me to do?
2. How might I consider taking action?

What is the speaker inviting me to do?

Overview

Sunday, November 19, 2023: Elder and Sister Cook are participating in a Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults.

Tribute to President M. Russell Ballard (passed away on Sunday, November 12, 2023):

1. Elder Cook stated (this was not in his published address, but it was what he stated when he first stood at the microphone): “I feel privileged to have had the blessing of hearing my Quorum President, M. Russell Ballard, bear his precious testimony. He’s been a general authority longer than anybody else that has lived at this time.” In his prepared remarks, Elder Cook stated: “President Russell M. Nelson and President M. Russell Ballard have both strongly emphasized the significance of the new second edition of Preach My Gospel.”
   • Elder Cook was one of the two Apostles (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland was the other) asked to speak at President Ballard’s funeral. In his remarks, Elder Cook stated that it was “one of the highlights of his life” to serve with President Ballard in the development of both editions of Preach My Gospel.
2. Elder Cook: “We live in a time when ‘peaceable followers of Christ’ (Moroni 7:3) experience unique challenges. Those who believe in, humbly worship, and testify of Jesus Christ have always experienced trials, tribulation, and adversities. My wife, Mary, and I are no different. In the last few years, we have seen many of our close high school friends, missionary companions, some of their precious wives, and former work associates pass away, or, as President Russell M. Nelson has said, graduate to the other side of the veil. We have seen some who were raised in faith and belief step off the covenant path. Sadly, we lost a grandson of 23 who died in a tragic single-car accident. Some dear friends, family members, and colleagues have also endured significant health challenges.”
   • Elder M. Russell Ballard, “The Atonement and the Value of One Soul“, April 2004 General Conference: “This past January our family suffered the tragic loss of our grandson Nathan in an airplane crash. Nathan had served in the Russian-speaking Baltic Mission. He loved the people and knew it was a privilege to serve the Lord. Three months after I officiated at his eternal marriage to his sweetheart, Jennifer, this accident took his life. Nathan’s being taken so suddenly from our mortal presence has turned each of our hearts and minds to the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. While it is impossible for me to put into words the full meaning of the Atonement of Christ, I pray that I can explain what His Atonement means to me and our family and what it might also mean to you and yours.”
3. Wednesday, November 15, 2023 – The Church News reported that Jeffrey R. Holland had been set apart as the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. There is no jockeying for position – what a “peaceable” transition.

Connection

Elder Cook’s October 2023 General Conference address seems to be inspired by President Russell M. Nelson’s and President Henry B. Eyring’s April 2023 General Conference addresses:

• President Nelson – “Peacemakers Needed”
  • “Today I invite you to examine your discipleship within the context of the way you treat others. I bless you to make any adjustments that may be needed so that your behavior is ennobling, respectful, and representative of a true follower of Jesus Christ. I bless you to replace belligerence with beseeching, animosity with understanding, and contention with peace.”
• President Eyring – “Finding Personal Peace”
  • “There is an enemy of your soul who does not want you and those you love to find peace. He cannot enjoy it. He works to prevent you from even wanting to find the peace the Savior and our Heavenly Father desire you to have.”

Invitations

1: “Be Peaceable Followers of Christ.”

• Peaceable: “inclined to avoid argument or violent conflict”
• Disciple: “a follower or student of a teacher, leader, or philosopher”
• President Nelson – “Peacemakers Needed”
  • “Now, I am not talking about ‘peace at any price.’ I am talking about treating others in ways that are consistent with keeping the covenant you make when you partake of the sacrament. You covenant to always remember the Savior. In situations that are highly charged and filled with contention, I invite you to remember Jesus Christ. Pray to have the courage and wisdom to say or do what He would. As we follow the Prince of Peace, we will become His peacemakers.”
  • Footnote 18: “Being a peacemaker does not require us to agree with the ideas or beliefs of others.”
• What This Means: Say and do what Jesus Christ would say and do in all situations.
• President Nelson – “Think Celestial!”
  • “Here is the great news of God’s plan: the very things that will make your mortal life the best it can be are exactly the same things that will make your life throughout all eternity the best it can be!”
• Social Media Post (Facebook | Instagram) – “The Intentional Engineer: A Guide to a Purpose-Driven Life and Career for Engineers and Technical Professionals“, written by my good friend Jeff Perry
  • “Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk. These are household names because the products these men created have changed (and are continuing to change) the world.
    
    “Have you ever desired to make a big impact? I know I have. However, I encountered an idea in a book I finished earlier this week that has shifted my paradigm.
    
    “The book is entitled ‘The Intentional Engineer: A Guide to a Purpose-Driven Life and Career for Engineers and Technical Professionals,’ and it was written by my good friend Jeff Perry. Though I’m not an engineer, I learned a lot about the power of mindsets, career clarity, the importance of intentionality, and so much more. A different title for the book could be ‘Creating the Intentional Life.’
    
    “Here’s the quote I’d like to share with you today:
    
    “‘Many engineers and professionals I talk to care a lot about the impact they make through their work. Will their work make lives better? Does the company they work for promote social values they believe in? What is the overall societal impact of the work?
    
    “‘This is great! It’s fabulous to desire impact beyond the paycheck and to work on something that provides meaning in our lives.
    
    “‘Yet sometimes we may be looking beyond the mark in regards to the impact we make. Does it really have to be just about the products and services we work on? What about the small impacts we make on those we work with, live with, and interact with on a daily basis?
    
    “‘And what if we could actually change the world just by changing our own mindset?
    
    “‘I believe we can, if we embrace an Outward Mindset, as taught by the Arbinger Institute.
    
    “‘The Outward Mindset invites us to truly see people in our lives as people. When we do this, we treat them differently (usually much better). We care more about learning about others’ challenges, hopes, fears, and dreams. We are no longer only focused on our own cares and desires. We spend more time focusing on the team’s success, which encourages us to take actions that help others be successful.’
    
    “What does this quote mean? Treat people like people. Get to know the members of the various organizations to which we belong – work, family, church, community, etc. – and then focus on their success. Focus less on ourselves and more on others. Empower those around us to shine.
    
    “I am reminded of a powerful quote from author and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar:
    
    “‘You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.’
    
    “Sure, you and I probably won’t create a world-altering product. But the way we treat someone today just might alter their world. Now that’s something to get excited about.”

How might I consider taking action?

Invitations

1: “Be Peaceable Followers of Christ.”

Directives (“an official or authoritative instruction”)

1. “As peaceable followers of Christ, we strive to live His commandments.”
   • Obedience (Christlike attribute): “I strive to live in accordance with the laws and principles of the gospel. (Doctrine and Covenants 41:5)”
2. “Peaceable followers of Christ… are warm, engaged members of the communities where we live. We love, share, and invite all of God’s children to follow Christ’s teachings. We follow the counsel of our beloved prophet, President Nelson: we choose the role of ‘a peacemaker, now and always.’”
3. “For those of us in the Church striving to be peaceable followers of Christ, a brighter day awaits us as we focus on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
   • Faith (Christlike attribute): “I think about the Savior during the day and remember what He has done for me. (Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79)”
4. “We can joyfully be peaceable followers of Christ.”
   • Hope (Christlike attribute): “I feel peaceful and optimistic about the future. (Doctrine and Covenants 59:23)”
5. “Lives full of praise, music, and thanksgiving are uniquely blessed. Being joyful and relying on heavenly help through prayer is a powerful way to be peaceable followers of Christ.”
   • Faith (Christlike attribute): “I have faith that God will bring about good things in my life and the lives of others as we devote ourselves to Him and His Son. (Ether 12:12)”

Other Ideas

• “Lay hold upon every good thing” – Moroni 7:19 – “Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ.”
• Be thankful. Doctrine and Covenants 78:19 – “And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.”
• “Serve and grow, faithfully and quietly.” (Elder David A. Bednar, “In the Path of Their Duty“, October 2023 General Conference)
• Repent and return to the covenant path if we have strayed and welcome others back to the covenant path without judgment and with open arms. (Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Prodigal and the Road That Leads Home“, October 2023 General Conference)
• Patience (Christlike attribute): “I face adversity with patience and faith. (Alma 34:40–41)”
• Humility (Christlike attribute): “I strive to be submissive to God’s will. (Mosiah 24:15)”
• Elder Cook stated: “The Lord provides His people a chance to prepare for the challenges they will face.”
  • Sister Amy A. Wright, “Abide the Day in Christ“, October 2023 General Conference: “In my mind I asked Heavenly Father, ‘Am I going to die?’
    
    “The Holy Ghost whispered, ‘Everything is going to be OK.’
    
    “Then I asked, ‘Am I going to live?’
    
    “Again, the answer came: ‘Everything is going to be OK.’
    
    “I was confused. Why did I receive the exact same answer whether I lived or died?
    
    “Then suddenly every fiber of my being filled with absolute peace as I was reminded: We did not need to hurry home and teach our children how to pray. They knew how to receive answers and comfort from prayer. We did not need to hurry home and teach them about the scriptures or words of living prophets. Those words were already a familiar source of strength and understanding. We did not need to hurry home and teach them about repentance, the Resurrection, the Restoration, the plan of salvation, eternal families, or the very doctrine of Jesus Christ.
    
    “In that moment every family home evening lesson, scripture study session, prayer of faith offered, blessing given, testimony shared, covenant made and kept, house of the Lord attended, and Sabbath day observed mattered—oh, how it mattered! It was too late to put oil in our lamps. We needed every single drop, and we needed it right now!”
• Elder Cook stated: “The scriptures are clear: many will succumb to an ‘eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die’ approach. Other nonbelievers retreat to somber enclaves of like-minded participants who advocate for the next ‘new thing’ and philosophies of men. They know not where to find the truth. Peaceable followers of Christ do not follow either path. We are warm, engaged members of the communities where we live. We love, share, and invite all of God’s children to follow Christ’s teachings. We follow the counsel of our beloved prophet, President Nelson: we choose the role of ‘a peacemaker, now and always.'”
  • President Nelson – “Think Celestial!”: “Any addiction—be it gaming, gambling, debt, drugs, alcohol, anger, pornography, sex, or even food—offends God. Why? Because your obsession becomes your god. You look to it rather than to Him for solace.”
  • Take an honest look at our lives and determine if we are following the ‘eat, drink, and be merry’ path or the ‘next new thing / philosophies of men’ path. If we are, abandon those paths and get back on the covenant path.

REMEMBER THIS

If you remember nothing else from this podcast episode, remember this:

• Elder Cook is inviting us to be peaceable followers of Jesus Christ – which means to say and do what Jesus Christ would say and do in all situations.

This Week’s Action Item

“That which is measured improves. That which is measured and reported improves exponentially.”

Karl Pearson, an early 20th-century British mathematician

“Those who measure their progress improve. Those who measure and report their progress improve exponentially.”

Dan Sullivan, founder and president of The Strategic Coach Inc.

“Do something, do anything! But to start, just do ONE thing.”

Mitch Peterson

This week, I will journal for 15 minutes on this topic: “What am I doing each week that is reinforcing my identity as a ‘peaceable follower of Jesus Christ’?” I will share one insight from this journaling session with my accountability partner.

Let Me Know

How will you take action on this General Conference address? Let me know on social media or email me.

Tags

Adversity | Atonement | Discipleship | Jesus Christ | Joy | Peacemaking | Preparation