Consider Conference

October 2012

Elder M. Russel Ballard Be Anxiously Engaged

Golden honeyone of natures most beneficial foods. In fact, nutritionists tell us it is one of the foods that includes all the substancesenzymes, vitamins, minerals, and waternecessary to sustain life. Honeybees are driven to pollinate, gather nectar, and condense the nectar into honey. It is their magnificent obsession imprinted into their genetic makeup by our Creator. It is estimated that to produce just this one pound (0.45 kg) of honey, the average hive of 20,000 to 60,000 bees must collectively visit millions of flowers and travel the equivalent of two times around the world. Over its short lifetime of just a few weeks to four months, a single honeybees contribution of honey to its hive is a mere one-twelfth of one teaspoon. Though seemingly insignificant when compared to the total, each bees one-twelfth of a teaspoon of honey is vital to the life of the hive. The bees depend on each other. Work that would be overwhelming for a few bees to do becomes lighter because all of the bees faithfully do their part.

D&C 58: 27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

How do we ingrain this love of Christ into our hearts? There is one simple daily practice that can make a difference for every member of the Church

That simple practice is: In your morning prayer each new day, ask Heavenly Father to guide you to recognize an opportunity to serve one of His precious children. Then go throughout the day with your heart full of faith and love, looking for someone to help. Stay focused, just like the honeybees focus on the flowers from which to gather nectar and pollen. If you do this, your spiritual sensitivities will be enlarged and you will discover opportunities to serve that you never before realized were possible.

Ann M. Dibb I know it. I love it. I live it.

A few years ago, I was in line to make a purchase at my local grocery store. Ahead of me stood a young woman, about 15 years old. She appeared confident and happy. I noticed her T-shirt and couldnt resist talking to her. I began, Youre from out of state, arent you? What meaningful phrase I would choose to have printed on my T-shirt reflecting my belief And testimony.???? She was surprised by my question and replied, Yes, I am. Im from Colorado. How did you know? I explained, Because of your T-shirt. I made my accurate supposition after reading the words on her shirt, Im a Mormon. Are you?

I continued, I must tell you that Im impressed by your confidence to stand out and wear such a bold declaration. I see a difference in you, and I wish every young woman and every member of the Church could have your same conviction and confidence.

I know it

I love it
This feeling comes as we feel the Holy Ghost witnessing to us that we are children of our Heavenly Father, He is mindful of us, and we are on the right path. Our love for the gospel grows as we experience the love of our Father in Heaven and the peace promised by the Savior as we show Him we are willing to obey and follow Him.

Elder Russel M. Nelson

Ask the missionaries! They can help you!
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost

Today, under the direction of modern apostles and prophets, that same charge has been extended to missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. These missionaries serve in more than 150 nations. As representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ, they strive to fulfill that divine commandrenewed in our day by the Lord Himselfto take the fulness of the gospel abroad and bless the lives of people everywhere.

Jerrys father was a Baptist minister; his mother, a Methodist minister. One day Jerrys close friend Pricilla shared with him the pain she felt from the death of her child during childbirth and a bitter divorce that occurred shortly thereafter. Struggling as a single mother, Pricilla has four childrenthree daughters and a son. As she opened her heart to Jerry, she confessed that she was thinking of taking her own life. With all the strength and love Jerry could muster, he tried to help her understand that her life had value. He invited her to attend his church, but Pricilla explained that she had given up on God. Jerry did not know what to do. Later, while watering trees in his yard, this man of faith prayed to God for guidance. As he prayed, he heard a voice in his mind saying, Stop the boys on the bikes. Jerry, a little bewildered, wondered what this meant. As he reflected on this impression, he gazed up the street and saw two young men in white shirts and ties riding bicycles toward his home. Stunned by this coincidence, he watched them ride by. Then, realizing that the situation required him to act, he shouted out, Hey, you, please stop! I need to talk to you!

With a puzzled but excited look, the young men stopped. As they approached, Jerry noticed that they wore name tags identifying them as missionaries in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jerry looked at them and said, This may sound a little weird, but I was praying and was told to stop the boys on the bikes. I looked up the street, and here you are. Can you help me? The missionaries smiled, and one said, Yes, I am sure we can. Jerry explained the worrisome plight of Pricilla. Soon the missionaries were meeting with Pricilla, her children, and Jerry. They discussed the purpose of life and Gods eternal plan for them. Jerry, Pricilla, and her children grew in faith through sincere prayer, their study of the Book of Mormon, and the loving fellowship with members of the Church. Jerrys already strong faith in Jesus Christ grew even stronger. Pricillas doubts and thoughts of suicide turned to hope and happiness. They were baptized and became members of Christs restored Church

Yes, missionaries can help in many ways.

Ask the missionaries! They can help you!