prepare for future opportunities andchall<strong>eng</strong>es.God’s purpose is “to bring to passthe immortality and eternal life ofman.” 2 That is fundamental to all wedo. Sometimes we get so wrappedup in things that we find fascinatingor become so consumed by mundaneresponsibilities that we losesight of God’s objectives. As youconsistently focus your life on themost basic principles, you will gainan understanding of what you are todo, and you will produce more fruitfor the Lord and more happiness foryourself.When you focus your life on thebasic principles of the plan of salvation,you will better concentrate onsharing what you know because youunderstand the eternal importance ofthe ordinances of the gospel. You willshare what you know in a way thatencourages your friends to want to bestr<strong>eng</strong>thened spiritually. You will helpyour loved ones want to commit toobey all of His commandments andtake upon themselves the name ofJesus Christ.Remember that the conversion ofindividuals is only part of the work.Always seek to str<strong>eng</strong>then families.Teach with a vision of the importanceof families being sealed in the temple.With some families it may take years.34This was the case with my parents.Many years after I was baptized, myfather was baptized, and later myfamily was sealed in the temple. Myfather served as a sealer in the temple,and my mother served there withhim. When you have the vision of thesealing ordinances of the temple, youwill help build the kingdom of Godon earth.Remember, loving them is the powerfulfoundation for influencing thoseyou want to help. The influence of myGrandmother Whittle and my wife,Jeanene, would have been negligiblehad I not first known that they lovedme and wanted me to have the bestin life.Sydney, AustraliaAs a companion to that love, trustthem. In some cases it may seemdifficult to trust, but find some way totrust them. The children of Father inHeaven can do amazing things whenthey feel trusted. Every child of God inmortality chose the Savior’s plan. Trustthat given the opportunity, they willdo so again.Share principles that help those youlove to press forward along the pathto eternal life. Remember, we all growline upon line. You have followed thatsame pattern in your understanding ofthe gospel. Keep your sharing of thegospel simple.Your personal testimony of theAtonement of Jesus Christ is a powerfultool. Accompanying resourcesare prayer, the Book of Mormon andthe other scriptures, and your commitmentto priesthood ordinances. All ofthese will facilitate the direction of theSpirit, which is so crucially importantfor you to rely upon.To be effective and to do as Christhas done, 3 concentrate on this basicprinciple of the gospel: the Atonementof Jesus Christ makes possible ourbecoming more like our Father inHeaven so that we can live togethereternally in our family units.There is no doctrine more fundamentalto our work than theAtonement of Jesus Christ. At every
appropriate opportunity, testify ofthe Savior and of the power of HisAtoning sacrifice. Use scriptures thatteach of Him and why He is the perfectpattern for everyone in life. 4 Youwill need to study diligently. Do notbecome so absorbed with trivial thingsthat you miss learning the doctrineand teachings of the Lord. With asolid, personal doctrinal foundation,you will be a powerful source forsharing vital truths with others whodesperately need them.We best serve our Father in Heavenby righteously influencing others andserving them. 5 The greatest examplewho ever walked the earth is ourSavior, Jesus Christ. His mortal ministrywas filled with teaching, serving, andloving others. He sat down with individualswho were judged to be unworthyof His companionship. He lovedeach of them. He discerned their needsand taught them His gospel. He invitesus to follow His perfect example.I know that His gospel is the pathto peace and happiness in this life.May we remember to do as He hasdone by sharing our love, trust, andknowledge of truth with others whohave not yet embraced the brilliantlight of the gospel. In the name ofJesus Christ, amen. ◼NOTES1. John 13:15.2. Moses 1:39.3. See John 13:15.4. See, for example, Luke 22:39–46; John8:3–11; Philippians 4:13; James 5:15–16;1 John 1:7; 2 Nephi 1:15; 2; 25:17–30;31; Jacob 4; Alma 7; 42; 3 Nephi 11–30;Moroni 10:32–33; Doctrine and Covenants18:10–16; 19:13–19; 29:3; 88:1–13; 138:2–4;Moses 5:6–12.5. See Matthew 22:35–40; Mosiah 2:17.Shareable Video and QuoteScan this QR code or visit lds.org/go/Apr14Conf6 to watch this talkor to find a shareable picture quoteand short video from the talk.By Elder Robert D. HalesOf the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles“If Ye Love Me, KeepMy Commandments”Using our agency to obey means choosing to “do what is right[and letting] the consequence follow.”Brothers and sisters, of all thelessons we learn from the life ofthe Savior, none is more clearand powerful than the lesson ofobedience.The Savior’s ExampleIn the premortal Council in Heaven,Lucifer rebelled against HeavenlyFather’s plan. Those who followedLucifer ended their eternal progression—be careful who you follow!Then Jesus expressed His commitmentto obey, saying, “Father, thywill be done, and the glory be thineforever.” 1 Throughout His ministry,“he suffered temptations but gave[them] no heed.” 2 Indeed, “he [learned]obedience by the things which hesuffered.” 3Because our Savior was obedient,He atoned for our sins, making possibleour resurrection and preparing theway for us to return to our HeavenlyFather, who knew we would makemistakes as we learned obedience inmortality. When we obey, we acceptHis sacrifice, for we believe thatthrough the Atonement of Jesus Christ,all mankind may be saved, by obedienceto the laws, ordinances, andcommandments given in the gospel. 4Jesus taught us to obey in simplelanguage that is easy to understand:“If ye love me, keep my commandments,”5 and “Come, follow me.” 6When we are baptized, we “takeupon [us] the name of Christ” andenter “into the covenant with God that[we will] be obedient unto the end of[our] lives.” 7 Each Sunday we renewthat baptismal covenant by partakingof the sacrament and witnessing thatwe are willing to keep the commandments.We seek forgiveness for anythoughts, feelings, or actions that arenot in harmony with our HeavenlyFather’s will. As we repent by turningaway from disobedience and bybeginning to obey again, we show ourlove for Him.Types of ObedienceAs we live the gospel, we progressin our understanding of obedience. Attimes we may be tempted to practicewhat I call “natural man’s obedience,”in which we disobediently rejectGod’s law in favor of our wisdomor our desires or even popularity.Because this is widely practiced by somany, this perversion of obedienceMay <strong>2014</strong>35
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The words of the Apostle Paul seems
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By Elder David A. BednarOf the Quor
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By President Thomas S. MonsonLove
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that the reasons do not matter. If
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The revelations promise that “wha
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Hyrum. But they carried on! Theysta
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the team ever believes that it does
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Priesthoods, elders, high priests,d
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their works ye shall know them; for
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thoughts. Because He redeemed usfro
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By President Thomas S. MonsonUntil
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Stay standing, girls, while everyon
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By Bonnie L. OscarsonYoung Women Ge
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Her bishop solemnly replied, “Sis
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By President Henry B. EyringFirst C
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from seeing that a sister and daugh
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Conference Story IndexThe following
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overcome “spiritual whirlwinds,
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ARTISTS INVITED TO ENTERCOMPETITION
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Technology and Social MediaExpand W
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The Mexico City Temple Visitors’
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Church AppliesWelfare Principlesin
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Elder Lynn G.RobbinsPresidency of t
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