And as final examinations approached, Sam was prepared. Sustaining of General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers, By Union of Feeling We Obtain Power with God, Video: The Light That Shineth in Darkness. Ponder a promise the Lord made. I promise that as we both prepare and press forward with faith in the Savior, we all can receive the same grade on the ultimate examination of mortality: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”18. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the Sunday afternoon session of the 190th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Oct. 4, 2020. Credit: Intellectual Reserve, Inc. By Church News Staff On Wednesday, the text of the October 2020 general conference talks became available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Likewise, tests in the school of mortality are a vital element of our eternal progression. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the Sunday afternoon session of the 190th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Oct. 4, 2020. Credit: Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Sunday Afternoon Session. “For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.”2, And the Lord declared in 1833, “Therefore, be not afraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in my heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy.”3, The year 2020 has been marked, in part, by a global pandemic that has proved, examined, and tried us in many ways. Isaiah 40:31; emphasis added; see also Isaiah 40:28–30. But I always will remember this good man also declaring that he knew God knew the reasons and timing for the passing of his child—and that was good enough for him. The Church of Jesus Christ Russell M. Nelson. Saturday afternoon session. “And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. The middle-ground options will be removed from us as Latter-day Saints. As we now hear our beloved prophet close this conference, may we remember, as Russell Nelson has demonstrated all of his life, that those who “wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength [and] shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; … they shall walk, and not faint.”18 I pray that “by and by”—soon or late—those blessings will come to every one of you who seeks relief from your sorrow and freedom from your grief. I bear witness of God’s love and of the Restoration of His glorious gospel, which is, in one way or another, the answer to every issue we face in life. “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. I am not now speaking of pandemics or prisons but of you, your family, and your neighbors who face any number of such challenges. This has been a marvelous conference, but it is the second time that COVID-19 has altered our traditional proceedings. “And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. Learn to choose now.”. There this great high priest teaches that if the word of God is planted in our hearts as a mere seed, and if we care enough to water, weed, nourish, and encourage it, it will in the future bear fruit “which is most precious, … sweet above all that is sweet,” the consuming of which leads to a condition of no more thirst and no more hunger.13, Many lessons are taught in this remarkable chapter, but central to them all is the axiom that the seed has to be nourished and we must wait for it to mature; we “[look] forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof.”14 Our harvest, Alma says, comes “by and by.”15 Little wonder that he concludes his remarkable instruction by repeating three times a call for diligence and patience in nurturing the word of God in our hearts, “waiting,” as he says, with “long-suffering … for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.”16. October 2020; April 2020; October 2019; April 2019; All conferences (101) Speakers. Posted by Jeffrey R. Holland on Thursday, March 26, 2020 Elder Holland shared in a Feb. 23 Facebook post that, as a young adult, he faced many of the same challenges facing young adults today. Russell M. Nelson. October 2020 General Conference. I speak of the yearning of many who would like to be married and aren’t or who are married and wish the relationship were a little more celestial. In fact, Lord, be careful to keep me from all the experiences that made Thee divine. Doctrine and Covenants 98:14; emphasis added. Elder Matthew S. Holland is the oldest son of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. President Russell M. Nelson. Now is the time to prepare and prove ourselves willing and able to do all things whatsoever the Lord our God shall command us. While asking such questions, we can, if we try, hear another’s cry echoing from a dank, dark prison cell during one of the coldest winters then on record in that locale. He told the congregation that he and his family, though sorrowful, would be fine; their testimonies remained firm and steadfast. General Conference. Susan and I invited a group of students to meet and visit with Elder Holland before he delivered his message. Christianity’s Lost Priesthood. President Henry B. Eyring speaks during the October 2020 General Conference held at the Conference Center Theater. As disciples of the Savior, we are commanded to “prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.”5. Rather, words such as prove, examine, and try are used to describe various patterns of demonstrating appropriately our spiritual knowledge about, understanding of, and devotion to our Heavenly Father’s eternal plan of happiness and our capacity to seek for the blessings of the Savior’s Atonement. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland October 2017 LDS General Conference talk. Collected Talks of Jeffrey R. Holland. Going with the stream, following the tide, drifting in the current will not do. This truth is taught clearly and persuasively in the 32nd chapter of Alma in the Book of Mormon. Consider this pleading by the Psalmist David: “Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. See Numbers 32:13; Deuteronomy 2:7; Joshua 5:6. When will these burdens be lifted? We also laughed a lot. This has been a marvelous conference, but it is the second time that COVID-19 has altered our traditional proceedings. “Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 5 Highlights for “Waiting on the Lord” by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. That issue was settled in a very private garden and on a very public hill in Jerusalem long ago. To help you remember the spirit you felt, here is one quote from each October 2020 general conference talk. We also are promised that “if ye are prepared ye shall not fear. Our Father in Heaven clearly expects us to address these wrenching public issues as well as the personal ones, but there will be times in our lives when even our best spiritual effort and earnest, pleading prayers do not yield the victories for which we have yearned, whether that be regarding the large global matters or the small personal ones. A new video from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints highlights Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s April 2020 General Conference address, “A Perfect Brightness of Hope.” The consistency of prophetic counsel over time creates a powerful concert of clarity and a warning volume far louder than solo performances can ever produce. But, of course, the reward for doing so is monumental. “And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.”1. For every infirm man healed instantly as he waits to enter the Pool of Bethesda,3 someone else will spend 40 years in the desert waiting to enter the promised land.4 For every Nephi and Lehi divinely protected by an encircling flame of fire for their faith,5 we have an Abinadi burned at a stake of flaming fire for his.6 And we remember that the same Elijah who in an instant called down fire from heaven to bear witness against the priests of Baal7 is the same Elijah who endured a period when there was no rain for years and who, for a time, was fed only by the skimpy sustenance that could be carried in a raven’s claw.8 By my estimation, that can’t have been anything we would call a “happy meal.”, The point? On an afternoon a few months ago, Susan and I inventoried our food storage and emergency supplies. So while we work and wait together for the answers to some of our prayers, I offer you my apostolic promise that they are heard and they are answered, though perhaps not at the time or in the way we wanted. The middle of the road will be withdrawn. He declared that “whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning … and the wiles of the devil, and lead the [disciple] of Christ in a strait and narrow course.” I invite you, my dear sisters, to create a home that is a place of security. My primary responsibility as a teacher was to help students learn how to learn for themselves. Elder Holland’s statement about increasing polarization has been proven prophetic by the societal trends and events of the 22 years since he answered my question. The Message, the Meaning, and the Multitude October 2019. Elder D. Todd Christofferson: ‘Sustainable Societies’ President Steven … I speak of the poor, whom the Savior told us never to forget, and I speak of you waiting for the return of a child, no matter what the age, who has chosen a path different from the one you prayed he or she would take. ... By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. ... October 2020, Sunday afternoon session. We are so tired of this contagion, we feel like tearing our hair out. His approach enabled him to learn the law and not merely memorize details. Using his personal experience, he reminded others of the powerful strength and testimony that comes with reading the Book of Mormon. Terror, Triumph, ... 2007 at BYU Women’s Conference. Sam’s approach to his legal education highlights one of the Lord’s primary patterns for growth and development. “Well, if this is the case,” you might say, “shouldn’t His love and mercy simply part our personal Red Seas and allow us to walk through our troubles on dry ground? See Rankin Wilbourne and Brian Gregor, “Jesus Didn’t Suffer to Prove a Philosophical Point,” Christianity Today, Sept. 20, 2019, christianitytoday.com. He was helping them to prepare and press forward to and through the proving, examining, and trying experiences of their lives. How long shall thy hand be stayed?”1 How long, O Lord, how long? October 2020 General Conference: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland - "Waiting on the Lord" Printable Lesson Helps and Handouts for Latter-day Saints Contents ... Jeffrey R. Holland. The missionary’s father spoke in the service and described the heartache of an unexpected mortal separation from a beloved child. In some other areas, however, improvement was necessary because we had not recognized and addressed particular needs in timely ways. As unflinching in his intellectual and spiritual defense of the church as he is unceasingly aware and empathetic to those who may be struggling. You simply will go wherever the current takes you. Jeffrey R. Holland “Waiting on the Lord” (October 2020 General Conference) admin October 4, 2020 one Comments Discussion questions, summary, and action steps for the October 2020 General Conference talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (Quorum of … A Heretic Reviews Conference, October 2020. #GeneralConference — Zach Bloxham (@zblox) October 4, 2020 We hope they will help you feel the peace that comes from Jesus Christ. “They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: “But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. …. General Conference Talks By Jeffrey R. Holland. (photo courtesy The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Elder Jeffrey R. Holland speaks during the Sunday morning session of General Conference on April 5, 2020. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father … in heaven is perfect” [Matthew 5:48]. Last update: October 8, 2020. Let Patience Have Her Perfect Work, and Count It All Joy! An effective test helps us to compare what we need to know with what we actually know about a specific subject; it also provides a standard against which we can evaluate our learning and development. Our efforts to prepare for the proving experiences of mortality should follow the example of the Savior, who incrementally “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man”7—a blended balance of intellectual, physical, spiritual, and social readiness. I speak of the continuing struggle with emotional and mental health challenges that weigh heavily on the souls of so many who suffer with them, and on the hearts of those who love and suffer with them. General conference weekend is filled with inspiring stories, profound insights, and spiritual promptings. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and M. Russell Ballard, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve, converse before the Sunday afternoon session of the 190th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Oct. 4, 2020. The path to holiness and happiness here and hereafter is a long and sometimes rocky one. My beloved brothers and sisters, we are all eager—no one more than I—to hear concluding remarks from our beloved prophet, President Russell M. Nelson. We wanted to find out our grades on these unannounced tests. In the redeeming name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen. back General Conference Close Panel. General Conference. Invitations. Table of Contents. The process of proving ourselves is a fundamental part of Heavenly Father’s great plan of happiness. ... Wells at the Exponent recently looked at who gets quoted and how they’re referred to in the past 50 years of General Conference talks. Instant Download for Non-subscribers. Doctrine and Covenants 88:119; emphasis added. ... Elder Jeffrey R. Holland promised members that … Foretelling the widening divergence between the ways of the Lord and of the world, Elder Holland warned that the days of comfortably having one foot in the restored Church and one foot in the world were vanishing quickly. Elder Matthew S. Holland, a General Authority Seventy and son of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speaks during the afternoon session of the 190th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020. Of these truths I joyfully testify in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen. Yet surely the Lord would never give us a commandment He knew we could not keep. In fact, he found the final exam period to be one of the least stressful parts of his legal training. Conferences. I speak of those who have to deal with the unwanted appearance of a serious medical condition—perhaps an incurable one—or who face a lifelong battle with a genetic defect that has no remedy. Please know that we do pray constantly for those who have been affected in any way, especially for any who have lost loved ones. I pray for the assistance of the Holy Ghost for all of us as I share the thoughts and feelings that have come to my mind and heart in preparation for this general conference. Sustaining of General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers, By Union of Feeling We Obtain Power with God, Video: The Light That Shineth in Darkness. But they are always answered at the time and in the way an omniscient and eternally compassionate parent should answer them. Bearing One Another’s Burdens. I pray that we as individuals and families are learning the valuable lessons that only challenging experiences can teach us. So, we are not the first nor will we be the last to ask such questions when sorrows bear down on us or an ache in our heart goes on and on. “Thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more.”11. Why the delay when burdens seem more than we can bear? We learned a great deal. (above all else) “…there will be times in our lives when even our best spiritual effort and earnest, … Frankly, we were afraid to open and inspect some of the containers for fear of unleashing another global pandemic! When Jeffrey R. Holland was called to be an apostle for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, his brother Dennis remarked that he was not surprised: All Jeff ever wanted to do was teach the gospel to students in a classroom, he said. “But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Let God Prevail. Russell M. Nelson; ... October 2020. The point is that faith means trusting God in good times and bad, even if that includes some suffering until we see His arm revealed in our behalf.9 That can be difficult in our modern world when many have come to believe that the highest good in life is to avoid all suffering, that no one should ever anguish over anything.10 But that belief will never lead us to “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”11, With apologies to Elder Neal A. Maxwell for daring to modify and enlarge something he once said, I too suggest that “one’s life … cannot be both faith-filled and stress-free.” It simply will not work “to glide naively through life,” saying as we sip another glass of lemonade, “Lord, give me all thy choicest virtues, but be certain not to give me grief, nor sorrow, nor pain, nor opposition. Some Church members opine that emergency plans and supplies, food storage, and 72-hour kits must not be important anymore because the Brethren have not spoken recently and extensively about these and related topics in general conference. October 2020 General Conference printable lesson helps and handouts for "Waiting on the Lord" by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland - for Latter-day Saint Relief Society sisters Sorry this page is … “Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.”8, “But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, Ye know me not.”9, At least on this exam, the five foolish virgins proved themselves to be hearers only and not doers of the word.10. Faith means trusting God in good times and bad, even if that includes some suffering until we see His arm revealed in our behalf. “We are witnessing an ever greater movement toward polarity. A New Normal. I also hope that all of us will more fully acknowledge the “greatness of God” and the truth that “he shall consecrate [our] afflictions for [our] gain.”4. During the course of a semester, Sam invested time every day to review, summarize, and learn from his notes for each course in which he was enrolled. And a vital element of my work was creating, grading, and providing feedback about student performance on tests. How long do we wait for relief from hardships that come upon us? ... Jeffrey R. Holland said of Elijah that he. Holland next said, Observing the Christian world in that day, we would … I have a friend who was a conscientious student in law school. But periodic tests absolutely are essential to learning. He treats us to his unique Conference talk style and displays a talent for taking experiences from the past and translating them to our modern lives. And apparently, some of my Brethren have already taken that course of action. Also see other collected talk by Church Leaders. October 2020 General Conference. Contents. October 2020 General Conference. ... We Talk of Christ. As our time together was drawing to a close, I asked Elder Holland, “If you could teach these students just one thing, what would it be?”. But you should be happy to know that we properly disposed of the hazardous materials and that health risk to the world was eliminated. Let Patience Have Her Perfect Work, and Count It All Joy! I once attended a funeral for a young missionary who was killed in an accident. To help you carry the messages from our Church leaders with you, here is one invitation or promise given by each of the speakers during general conference. This servant of the Lord was encouraging the young people to choose, prepare, and become devoted disciples of the Savior. These scriptures provide a perfect framework for organizing and preparing our lives and homes both temporally and spiritually. He concluded his remarks with this declaration: “I want you to know that as far as the gospel of Jesus Christ is concerned, our family is all in. At the time, COVID-19 was spreading rapidly, and a series of earthquakes had jolted our home in Utah. Interestingly, however, the word test is not found even one time in the scriptural text of the standard works in English. Jesus Christ is His Only Begotten and living Son, our Savior and Redeemer. “If you are treading water in the current of a river, you will go somewhere. As you may already know from personal experience, tests typically are not the part of the learning process that students like the most! Susan and I invited a group of students to meet and visit with Elder Holland before he delivered his message. All Conferences; October 2020 General Conference; October 2020 General Conference; Additional Resources. Saturday Morning Session. You can also click on the speaker's name to find a summary of his or her remarks at Church News. As we “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men,”15 we are blessed with an eternal perspective and vision that stretches far beyond our limited mortal capacity. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s modification of Elder Neal A. Maxwell’s text; see Neal A. Maxwell, “Lest Ye Be Wearied and Faint in Your Minds,” Ensign, May 1991, 88. Please do not let anyone dislike me or betray me, and above all, do not ever let me feel forsaken by Thee or those I love. Author Ziff Posted on 13 October 2020 17 Comments. Lest Ye Be Wearied and Faint in Your Minds. Two basic principles can guide and strengthen us as we face proving and trying circumstances in our lives, whatever they may be: (1) the principle of preparation and (2) the principle of pressing forward with a steadfastness in Christ. I can think of no better disciple of Christ than Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. While I was serving as the president of Brigham Young University–Idaho, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland came to the campus in December 1998 to speak in one of our weekly devotionals. The answer is “by and by.”17 And whether that be a short period or a long one is not always ours to say, but by the grace of God, the blessings will come to those who hold fast to the gospel of Jesus Christ. 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