Serve with the Spirit - Henry B. Eyring

  The power of this presentation is like having eyes opened to knowledge we had but don't use well.  While given to the Priesthood, this talk was applicable in other settings also.  That challenge at the beginning is direct and unavoidable: "We have been called to use divine power to serve the children of our Heavenly Father.  How well we meet that obligation will have eternal consequences for those we are called to serve and for us and for generations yet unborn."
  Suggestions he gave:

•   "... never miss an opportunity to participate with all our hearts with all our hearts in the promise offered in every sacrament meeting ... to "take upon them the name of [God's] Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them.""
•   "... pray for the manifestations of the Holy Ghost to come to us in our service."
•   Ponder.  "But when we ponder, we invite revelation by the Spirit.  Pondering, to me, is the thinking and the praying I do after reading and studying in the scriptures carefully.
•   "... magnification of our power to serve will come as we respond with faith to go forward in our callings with the Holy Ghost to help us."
• President Monson:  "And how does one magnify a calling?  Simply by performing the service that pertains to it."
•   "I urge all of us, young and old, who are called to speak in a meeting in the name of the Lord to dismiss our feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy.  We don't have to use soaring language or convey deep insights.  Simple words of testimony will do.  The Spirit will give you the words for you to speak and will carry them down into the hearts of humble people who look for truth from God."
•   And from President George Q. Cannon;  "Whenever darkness fills our minds, we may know that we are not possessed of the Spirit of God. ... When we are filled with the Spirit of God we are filled with joy, with peace, and with happiness, no matter what our circumstances may be; for it is a spirit of cheerfulness and of happiness.  The Lord has given unto us the gift of the Holy Ghost.  It is our privilege to have that Holy Ghost reign within us, so that from morning till night and from night till morning we shall have the joy, the light and the revelation thereof."

  It was not in my power to use more effective words than these to summarize this talk than those above. We need to recognize the influence of the Spirit, give thanks when we feel and use it and always remember him in every decision and situation.

Pride and the Priesthood - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

  This wonderful talk full of counsel about pride left us all identified as the focus of the matter.  Without publicly exposing my own struggles with this precept, I will comment on other instances of experience and observation.  He put sports right there on the table for examination.  Church sports has been the lab case for many as they try to live the gospel while winning.  The desire to be number ONE for self or team has been the open sore for many.  Well I remember two very well thought of leaders of one stake who got into it on the floor of the "game."  It was so disrespectful and sad.  That stake president declared the ultimate sanction for them both.  They were banished from the floor of play.  I don't know if it was just a suspension or a lifetime prohibition, but both players soon moved out of the stake.  How sad.
  Another observation regards justice in our system.  I have heard from some about some great victory won in the courts and how well the legal representative prevailed.  Not much is said about the rightness or even justice of the outcome.
  On the other hand, when we ponder an event precipitated by "I am right and he, she or they are wrong" we must be quiet in our spirit and allow the Lord to mark for us the way to peace the road to which us almost always real humility.
  To quote; "Pride is the deadly cancer. ... This sin has many faces.  It leads some to revel in their own perceived self-worth, accomplishments, talents, wealth or position.  They count these blessings as evidence of being "chosen," "superior," or "more righteous" than others.  This is the sin of "Thank God I am more special than you."  At its core is the desire to be admired or envied.  It is the sin of self-glorification."
  "Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom." (Proverbs 13:10)
  Since this talk was given to the priesthood, it can be assumed that we are the group most guilty of the sin and in need of this wisdom and challenge.  Because priesthood callings sometimes put us in front of members of the wards and stakes, it must always be considered in light of the temptation to be prideful in this sense.
  Like brother Uchtdorf, I am "proud" of my family in every respect.  They exemplify to me the great hope of the eternal promises made to us as fathers, mothers, and seekers of truth.
  On this topic, there is an insightful article in Mormon Times, The Anatomy of a Real Apology that also referenced a book that might be helpful; "I Only Say This Because I Love You."  I have not yet read it but it is available on the Kindle.

Come unto Me with Full Purpose of Heart, and I Shall Heal You - Patrick Kearon

  This story of the scorpion sting was almost a perfect description of the sting Shirlyn received walking barefoot in the kitchen in the Rowel house.  Robby was a witness of the intense pain and suffering she went through.  She thought she was going to die.  It caused extreme pain to her and distress to us.
  This "full purpose of heart" is the instruction to us to avoid the spiritual pain that will be the consequence of our failure to soften our hearts towards others.  It is one of those teachings that cause me to search my heart in relation to the daily things that present themselves.  I loved President Faust's quote; "When obedience becomes our goal, it is no longer an irritation; instead of a stumbling block, it becomes a building block..."
  "... Obedience leads to true freedom.  The more we obey revealed truth, the more we become liberated."
  And the closing testimony; "Not one of you has thrown away your last chance.  You can change, you can come back, you can claim mercy.  Come unto the only One who can heal, and you will find peace."

Be Thou an Example of the Believers - Russell M. Nelson

  To the priesthood this speech let us know once again that we are all missionaries, whether it be full-time as Shirlyn and I find ourselves now or a member of a ward or branch. For the young men and women serving it is a time full of opportunity to actually feel the power of the Spirit while teaching.  I am impressed that we have the promise of the spirit with us when keeping the commandments, but my experience tells me that the witness of the Spirit is liberated in us when we are teaching the gospel principles.  During such times, the Spirit gives us power to teach and takes the witness to any seeker after truth on that occasion.
  The challenge in this talk included specifically, "Each Sunday extend a hand of fellowship to at least one person you did not know before.  Each day of your life, strive to enlarge your own circle of friendship."  This was followed by that great experience where he gave his copy of the Book of Mormon to a couple who were friends.  What a challenge he gave them after their "thanks a lot" was challenged as he knew they had not read it.
  Every day we meet people who fit that category of "there are many yet on the earth ... who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it."
  I was impressed by his short challenge regarding using our blogs and online social networks.  This blog is my first real hands-on experience with a blog and it is not so difficult to master.  This blog has a specific purpose and will be completed this month.  My next project using a blog will reach out to a broader group of our family members that will follow his recommendation here.