Last updated on September 3rd, 2023 at 01:16 pm
General Conference Applied
S1 E5 – Sunday, August 27, 2023 | “Remember What Matters Most” by President M. Russell Ballard; April 2023 General Conference
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Report on Prior Week’s Action Item
Last week (season 1 episode 4) I committed to creating a social media schedule for General Conference Applied so that I could more effectively share the gospel. I worked with my wife, Morgan Peterson, to share General Conference Applied content on both Instagram and Facebook throughout the week. I have shared the links to my social media accounts in the show notes.
Introduction
In each episode of General Conference Applied, we are attempting to answer two questions:
- What is the speaker asking me to do?
- What am I going to do about it?
This talk included two action items which we will discuss shortly.
About a month ago, my neighbor spoke in Sacrament Meeting and shared that his favorite habit of Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” is “begin with the end in mind.” This neighbor really does begin with the end in mind. For example, he moved into his home over 5 years ago, but he had a plan for what his yard would eventually look like. Over the years, he has taken steps here and there such that his plan has now been realized and his yard looks spectacular! I spoke with my neighbor later in the week after he had delivered that talk, and I shared with him that, though “begin with the end in mind” is an excellent habit, my favorite habit is “put first things first.” In this talk by President Ballard, he shares four “first things” that we ought to “put first.”
Powerful Stories
President Ballard’s wife, Barbara, passed away over 4 years ago. In this talk, he shared:
“When Barbara passed away, our children put on her headstone several lessons that Barbara wanted them to remember. One of those lessons is “what matters most is what lasts longest.””
If I was asked to speak on “Remember What Matters Most” in a Sacrament Meeting, or if I was asked to teach on this talk in an Elders Quorum, Relief Society, or other Church meeting, I would start with a story. Stories are memorable. And, perhaps more importantly, Jesus Christ used stories when He taught. (see ‘Teach the Doctrine‘ in ‘Teaching in the Savior’s Way‘)
You might consider sharing the story from President Ballard’s talk about one of the lessons written on his wife’s tombstone. You could introduce another story from material that you have studied in preparation to teach (for example, I might share the story from “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” about the two men speaking at a funeral). You could even share a funny anecdote to capture the audience’s or the students’ attention (for example, Hermione telling Harry and Ron that being expelled is worse than death, and Ron remarking that Hermione needs to sort out her priorities). In all three stories, you have shared interesting information that reinforces what is being taught – that is, there are some things in life that are more important than others.
Then, you might consider asking your audience: so, what is most important?
Introduction to the Most Important Quote
In President Ballard’s talk, he shares four things that matter most:
- “First, a relationship with our Heavenly Father and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, is most important. This relationship matters most now and in eternity.”
- “Second, family relationships are among those things that matter most.”
I testify that these relationships – first with our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ, and second with our families – are the two things that matter most. I have had experiences in my life that have testified to me that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are real and that They are aware of me. And, because I have a testimony that the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith, I also testify that families can be eternal.
That being said, President Ballard shares two additional things that matter most, and that is where I would like to spend the rest of our time today. For additional information on the importance of our relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, please listen to season 1 episode 3 of General Conference Applied. Regarding family relationships, President Ballard included extended family, friends, and even ward members in his description of “family” relationships. What might it look like in a ward for there to be such unity that we can truly call our ward our family?
- “Another thing that matters most is following the promptings of the Spirit in our most important relationships and in our efforts to love our neighbors as ourselves, including in our private and public ministries.”
- In his talk, President Ballard shared an experience as a Bishop in which he put off a prompting and missed the opportunity to visit with and give a sister in his ward a Priesthood blessing before she passed away. We are entitled to receive revelation within our sphere of influence.
- In his April 2023 General Conference address entitled “Jesus Christ Is the Strength of Parents,” Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf stated: “Another powerful way the Lord supports parents is through the gift of personal revelation. God is eager to pour out His Spirit to guide parents. As you are prayerful and sensitive to the Spirit, He will warn you of hidden dangers. He will reveal your children’s gifts, their strengths, and their unspoken concerns. God will help you see your children as He sees them—beyond their outward appearance and into their hearts. With God’s help, you can learn to know your children in a pure and heavenly way. I invite you to accept God’s offer to guide your family by personal revelation. Seek His guidance in your prayers.” *By the way, next week’s episode will be Elder Uchtdorf’s April 2023 General Conference address.
- Good information leads to good inspiration.
- I served on a High Council, and the Stake President urged us to be his “eyes and ears.”
- Also, monthly family council meetings where we share our biggest accomplishment, our most inspiring learning, and our greatest current challenge are enlightening. We are often hesitant to share the burdens we are facing, sometimes especially with those who love us the most.
- Church leaders sought for information so that they could receive inspiration so that they could select the Sale Lake Valley as the settling place for the saints.
- “I testify that being converted to the Lord, bearing testimony of Him, and serving Him are also among the things that matter most.”
This is the tie in to what I’ve identified as the most important quote (see below). And the most important quote includes the two action items. As you can see, you could devote an entire Sacrament Meeting talk or lesson to just one of the “most important things” that President Ballard shared. In a talk, you can follow the Spirit and choose what to speak on. In a lesson, be courageous enough to invite the class and the Spirit to guide the direction of the lesson. *You might even consider inviting those who will be attending your class (and even those who will be attending Sacrament Meeting) to study the General Conference address before the actual talk or lesson are delivered.
Most Important Quote
“Often in our testimony meetings on fast Sundays, we hear the phrases “I am thankful” and “I love” more than we hear the phrases “I know” and “I believe.”
“I invite you to bear your testimony of Jesus Christ more often. Bear testimony of what you know and believe and what you feel, not just of what you are thankful for. Testify of your own experiences of coming to know and love the Savior, of living His teachings, and of His redemptive and enabling power in your life. As you bear testimony of what you know, believe, and feel, the Holy Ghost will confirm the truth to those who earnestly listen to your testimony. They will do so because they have watched you become a peaceful follower of Jesus Christ. They will see what it means to be His disciple. They will also feel something they may not have felt before. A pure testimony comes from a changed heart and can be carried by the power of the Holy Ghost into the hearts of others who are open to receive it.
“Those who feel something as a result of your testimony may then ask the Lord in prayer to confirm the truth of your testimony. Then they can know for themselves.”
The Best Footnote
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Questions for Reflection Asked by the Speaker
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Action Items
Let’s drill into those two action items.
1: “I invite you to bear your testimony of Jesus Christ more often. Bear testimony of what you know and believe and what you feel, not just of what you are thankful for. Testify of your own experiences of coming to know and love the Savior, of living His teachings, and of His redemptive and enabling power in your life.”
A friend who is listening to General Conference Applied shared some feedback with me this week. In the feedback, this friend remarked how they liked hearing my testimony. This friend said: “I believe there is power hearing the words “I know” and “I believe.””
Get specific – rather than simply stating that I know Jesus Christ is my Savior (which I do), get more granular. For example, when Jesus says “arise” in the Book of Mormon video and he has a smile on his face, this helped me realize that the Savior is approachable, and I testified of this knowledge in a Fast and Testimony Meeting.
Here are some obvious ways to bear testimony of Jesus Christ more often:
- Stand and bear testimony in a Fast and Testimony Meeting.
- Share our testimony of Jesus Christ online or on social media.
- Find ways in our regular, day-to-day interactions with our families (especially our children) to bear testimony.
Here are some less obvious ways to bear testimony of Jesus Christ more often:
- Make note of your “own experiences of coming to know and love the Savior, of living His teachings, and of His redemptive and enabling power in your life.”
- Speak more of Jesus Christ by utilizing the correct name of the Lord’s Church (and politely inviting others to also use the correct name). President Nelson and Elder Andersen have shared their thoughts on the power that comes from utilizing the correct name of the Church.
President Bonnie H. Cordon, stated in her April 2023 General Conference address entitled “Never Give Up an Opportunity to Testify of Christ”: “My dear father said with urgency, “Bonnie, never give up an opportunity to testify of Christ.” I have pondered and prayed over Dad’s counsel. I have often asked myself if I fully know what it means to never give up an opportunity to testify of Jesus Christ. Like you, I have occasionally stood on the first Sunday of the month and borne a witness of Christ. Many times I have testified of gospel truths as part of a lesson. I have boldly taught truth and declared the divinity of Christ as a missionary. Yet this plea felt more personal! It seemed as though he was saying, “Bonnie, don’t let the world overtake you! Stay true to your covenants with the Savior. Seek to experience His blessings every day, and be able to testify through the Holy Ghost of His power and presence in your life!” … Our closeness to Christ grows through worshipping frequently in the temple, repenting daily, studying scriptures, attending church and seminary, pondering our patriarchal blessings, worthily receiving ordinances, and honoring sacred covenants. All of these invite the Spirit to enlighten our minds, and they bring added peace and protection. But do we honor them as sacred opportunities to testify of Christ? I have attended the temple many times, but when I worship in the house of the Lord, it changes me. Sometimes while fasting, I find myself simply going hungry, but other times, I feast on the Spirit with purpose. I sometimes have mumbled prayers that are repetitive and routine, but I have also come eager to receive counsel from the Lord through prayer. There is power in making these holy habits less of a checklist and more of a witness.” *We bear testimony through diligently living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
2: “Those who feel something as a result of your testimony may then ask the Lord in prayer to confirm the truth of your testimony.”
Several months ago in an excellent Fast and Testimony Meeting, this directive from President Ballard came to mind. A few stalwart youth had borne testimony and invited their peers to also stand and bear testimony. I decided to stand at the pulpit and encourage these youth to not only bear testimony, but to listen closely to the testimonies of others and then to pray to know that what was said was true.
Are we choosing to pray about the testimonies we hear? Why might this be important?
Here are some ways to take action on this directive:
- Rather than packing up once the speaker or teacher begins their concluding testimony, we might consider tuning in to what they are sharing. The speaker’s or teacher’s testimony matters.
- We could study the testimonies of prophets, seers, and revelators (for example, the ‘How I “Hear Him”‘ video series or in the scriptures) and pray to know if what they say is true.
- Official proclamations and pronouncements, such as The Family: A Proclamation to the World, The Living Christ, and The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are powerful testimonies that we can study and then pray about.
Accountability Partners
“That which is measured improves. That which is measured and reported improves exponentially.”
Karl Pearson, an early 20th-century British mathematician (“Pearson’s Law”)
“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. (“Sullivan’s Law”)
In Gospel Doctrine last week, a few comments were made about goals being overwhelming, and the important thing is to become like Jesus Christ. I contemplated this, and wondered – okay, but how can I measure that I’m actually becoming like Jesus Christ? Then, the inspiration came: utilize the Attribute Activity in chapter six of Preach My Gospel. Our goal is clear, as stated in 3 Nephi 27:27 – “Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.”
In the book ‘Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance’ by Angela Duckworth, the author writes: “Grit is about holding the same top-level goal for a very long time… This is how experts practice: First, they set a stretch goal, zeroing in on just one narrow aspect of their overall performance. Rather than focus on what they already do well, experts strive to improve specific weaknesses. They intentionally seek out challenges they can’t yet meet… Then, with undivided attention and great effort, experts strive to reach their stretch goal. Interestingly, many choose to do so while nobody’s watching… As soon as possible, experts hungrily seek feedback on how they did. Necessarily, much of that feedback is negative. This means that experts are more interested in what they did wrong—so they can fix it—than what they did right. The active processing of this feedback is as essential as its immediacy… And after feedback, then what? Then experts do it all over again, and again, and again. Until they have finally mastered what they set out to do. Until what was a struggle before is now fluent and flawless. Until conscious incompetence becomes unconscious competence… And . . . then what? What follows mastery of a stretch goal? Then experts start all over again with a new stretch goal. One by one, these subtle refinements add up to dazzling mastery.”
What are each of us trying to master? To become like the master. For the addict, it’s clear what changes need to happen. But the more we become like Christ, the more “subtle refinements” are required. The Attribute Activity says it is the quest of a lifetime.
In future episodes of General Conference Applied, we will take a deeper look at how the action items from General Conference speakers are inviting us to become more like our Savior Jesus Christ.
“Do something, do anything! But to start, just do ONE thing.”
Mitch Peterson
This Week’s Action Item
I will watch seven of the ‘How I “Hear Him”‘ videos (one each day this week) and write down one thing I learned from each testimony.