Gospel topic
Season: Greatest in the History of the Church
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Restoration of the Priesthood
President Gordon B. Hinckley
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To live on the earth in this season of the dispensation of the fulness of times is the blessing of a lifetime. I say thank you on behalf of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve and the Church Board of Education. Thank you. A number of years ago, when I was in Rexburg, President and Sister Hinckley were there. And we were having a dinner to express gratitude to people who were supporting the university. And I was seated next to President Hinckley, and we were talking about his schedule and all the talks that he had to prepare. And there was a moment where my hands were just up on the table, and kind of suddenly he just patted my hand, and he said, “David, this is the greatest season in the history of the restored Church. David, it wasn’t better in the days of Joseph. It wasn’t better in the days of Brigham. Never has the Church been as well-regarded, as well-recognized as it is today in all the world. David, never have we had the resources to move this work forward in all the world. David, this is the greatest season in the history of the restored Church.” And he’s right. Absolutely right. Think of the things we are blessed to see. Consider that we live this year in the 200th anniversary of the First Vision, and we see the Church in Papua, New Guinea, where a temple has been announced. In Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Who would’ve thought? I’m old enough to remember when I could not have conceived the thought that we would have missionaries in the Soviet Union. And now we have a temple in Ukraine and missionaries in formerly communist countries. This is the greatest season in the history of the restored Church. And we have a particular responsibility in this day. There’s not a gracious way to say this. When I was the president of BYU–Idaho, every Tuesday we had a devotional. And every single devotional speaker began his or her message with, “You’re the finest generation. You have been saved for this day.” I’ve had that up to here; I’m just tired of hearing it. That’s right. In Arkansas, where I lived for a long time, there’s a saying: “When you pick up a stick, you get both ends.” If they’ve been saved for this day, it’s because they have a lot to do, and we have a role in helping them to be ready for that, and we have a lot to do. And we need to be ready for that. This is the greatest season in the history of the restored Church. The greatest opposition, the greatest opportunities.
Elder David A. Bednar
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If you take a look at the construction of temples, you begin to see in the 1970s increased construction of temples all around the world. What we're seeing now is an acceleration of what began in the 1970s in bringing the temples closer to the people. That is a magnificent thing to behold in this remarkable season of the history of the church. I think this is one of the great indications that the restoration is ongoing. In the early history of the church the call to the Latter-day Saints all over the world was come to Zion, come to Kirtland, come to Nauvoo, come to Salt Lake, and Joseph taught that the purpose of the gathering was so that the saints would be in a position, in a place where temples could be built. They needed the resources. They needed the skills to be able to do that but that began to change in the administration of President Kimball when he and other church leaders said no, stay where you are, don't come to Salt Lake City, this is not the only place where you find Zion. So, for the saints in Argentina, Zion is in Argentina. The great blessing is that in a world that grows increasingly dark and increasingly wicked, access to the power of godliness through the covenants and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ is one of the greatest spiritual resources and blessings the members have.
Elder David A. Bednar
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he sat by President Gordon B
Elder David A. Bednar
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As often as you can, refer to the "House of the Lord," instead of "templo." There's nothing wrong with the word "templo." It's just better to talk about the House of the Lord because it focuses on Him. Why did President Nelson want us to be known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Because it focuses on Him. To you beloved, covenant people of the Lord. I love you. This is a remarkable season in the dispensation of the fullness of times. Please do not be casual. Please do not take it for granted. If you need to repent, repent now. What matters most are the covenants and the ordinances that connect us to the Father and the Son.
Elder David A. Bednar
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