Last updated on March 31st, 2024 at 11:28 am
General Conference Applied
“Eternal Truth” by Elder John C. Pingree Jr.; October 2023 General Conference
Corresponding General Conference Applied episode show notes: S2 E25
Talk Outline
Invitations
“Our aim is to teach truth in a way that invites the converting power of the Holy Ghost.”
Directives (“an official or authoritative instruction”)
- “Center on Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and Their fundamental doctrine.”
- “Stay grounded in the scriptures and the teachings of latter-day prophets.”
- “Rely on doctrine established through multiple authoritative witnesses.”
- “Avoid speculation, personal opinions, or worldly ideas.”
- “Teach a point of doctrine within the context of related gospel truths.”
- “Use teaching methods that invite the influence of the Spirit.”
- “Communicate clearly to avoid misunderstanding.”
Promises
None.
Doctrines
Prophets and Revelation: “Revelation is communication from God to His children. When the Lord reveals His will to the Church, He speaks through His prophet. The scriptures—the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price—contain revelations given through ancient and latter-day prophets. The President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God’s prophet on earth today.”
Principles
Prophets of God: “We have a prophet living on the earth today. This prophet is the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has the right to revelation for the entire Church. He holds ‘the keys of the kingdom,’ meaning that he has the authority to direct the entire Church and kingdom of God on earth, including the administration of priesthood ordinances (see Matthew 16:19). No person except the chosen prophet and President can receive God’s will for the entire membership of the Church. The Lord said, ‘There is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred’ (D&C 132:7). The President of the Church is assisted by his counselors in the First Presidency and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve, who are also prophets, seers, and revelators.
“We should do those things the prophets tell us to do. President Wilford Woodruff said that a prophet will never be allowed to lead the Church astray:
“‘The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place’ (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff [2004], 199).”
Christlike Attributes
Knowledge: “The Lord counseled, ‘Seek learning, even by study and also by faith’ (Doctrine and Covenants 88:118). During your mission and throughout your life, seek knowledge, especially spiritual knowledge.
“Study the scriptures every day, as well as the words of the living prophets. Through study and prayer, seek help for specific questions, challenges, and opportunities. Look for scripture passages you can use in teaching and in answering questions about the gospel.
“As you study diligently and prayerfully, the Holy Ghost will enlighten your mind. He will teach you and give you understanding. He will help you apply the teachings of the scriptures and latter-day prophets in your life. Like Nephi, you can say:
“‘My soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them. … Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard’ (2 Nephi 4:15–16).”
Attribute Activity
- “I feel confident in my understanding of gospel doctrine and principles. (Alma 17:2–3)”
- “I study the scriptures daily. (2 Timothy 3:16–17)”
- “I seek to understand the truth and find answers to my questions. (Doctrine and Covenants 6:7)”
- “I seek knowledge and guidance through the Spirit. (1 Nephi 4:6)”
- “I cherish the doctrine and principles of the gospel. (2 Nephi 4:15)”
Most Important Quote
“How we teach truth really matters. Paul encouraged us to speak ‘the truth in love’ (see Ephesians 4:14–15). Truth has the best chance of blessing another when conveyed with Christlike love.
“Truth taught without love can cause feelings of judgment, discouragement, and loneliness. It often leads to resentment and division—even conflict. On the other hand, love without truth is hollow and lacks the promise of growth.
“Both truth and love are essential for our spiritual development. Truth provides the doctrine, principles, and laws necessary to gain eternal life, while love engenders the motivation needed to embrace and act upon what is true.”
Powerful Stories
- “After my wife, Anne, and I received a call to serve as full-time mission leaders, our family determined to learn each missionary’s name before arriving in the field. We obtained photos, created flash cards, and began studying faces and memorizing names.
“Once we arrived, we held introductory conferences with the missionaries. As we mingled, I overheard our nine-year-old son:
“‘Nice to meet you, Sam!’
“‘Rachel, where are you from?’
“‘Wow, David, you’re tall!’
“Alarmed, I went to our son and whispered, ‘Hey, let’s remember to refer to the missionaries as Elder or Sister.’
“He gave me a puzzled look and said, ‘Dad, I thought we were supposed to memorize their names.’ Our son did what he thought was right based on his understanding.”
The Best Footnote
Footnote 31: “I do not know all the reasons that God withholds some eternal truths from us, but Elder Orson F. Whitney provided an interesting insight: ‘It is blessed to believe without seeing, since by the exercise of faith comes spiritual development, one of the great objects of man’s earthly existence; while knowledge, by swallowing up faith, prevents its exercise, thus hindering that development. ‘Knowledge is power;’ and all things are to be known in due season. But premature knowledge—knowing at the wrong time—is fatal both to progress and to happiness’ (“The Divinity of Jesus Christ,” Improvement Era, Jan. 1926, 222; see also Ensign, Dec. 2003, 8–9; Liahona, Dec. 2003, 14–15).”
Questions for Reflection Asked by the Speaker
- “What is our understanding of truth in today’s world?”
- “What is truth, and why is it important?”
- “How do we find truth?”
- “When we find truth, how can we share it?”
- “Is the concept taught consistently in the scriptures and by living prophets?”
- “Is the concept confirmed by the witness of the Holy Ghost?”
- “What should we do when we sincerely seek for truth not yet revealed?”
Tags
Church Doctrine | Holy Ghost | Love | Prophets | Revelation | Teaching | Truth
Additional Content
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