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2014-05-00-ensign-eng

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Although my remarks have beendirected to the youth of the Church,for parents and grandparents, I offerthe following:Recently, Elder David A. Bednardescribed a simple way to conduct afamily assessment to mark progress onthe covenant path by essential ordinances.All that is needed is a piece ofpaper with two columns: “name” and“plan for next or needful ordinance.”I did this recently, listing each familymember. Among them, I noted aninfant grandson, soon to be blessed; asix-year-old grandson, whose preparationfor baptism was essential; and ason turning 18, whose preparation forthe priesthood and temple endowmentwas imminent. Everyone on the listneeded the sacrament ordinance. Thissimple exercise assisted Lesa and me infulfilling our role to help each memberof our family along the covenant path,with an action plan for each of them.Perhaps this is an idea for you whichwill lead to family discussions, familyhome evening lessons, preparation,and even invitations for essential ordinancesin your family. 12As a skier and a snowboardermyself, I was deeply impressed withthe “four-minute” silver medal-winning86performance of Australian LDS athleteand snowboarder Torah Brightin the half-pipe competition. Shedazzled the world as she finished avirtually flawless run culminating in abackside rodeo 720. However, evenmore impressive and surprising tothe world was the way she reachedout and demonstrated Christlike loveto her competitors. She noticed thatAmerican snowboarder Kelly Clark,who had a bad first run in her finalround, appeared to be nervous abouther second run. “She gave me a hug,”Clark recalls. “She just held me until Iactually calmed down enough and Islowed my breathing. It was good tohave a hug from a friend.” Kelly Clarkwould later join Torah on the winners’podium as a bronze medalist.When asked about this unusualact of kindness toward her opponent,which could have put her own silvermedal at risk, Torah simply said, “I ama competitor—I want to do my best—but I want my fellow competitors todo their best, too.” 13With that in mind, is there someonewho needs your encouragement? afamily member? a friend? a classmateor fellow quorum member? How canyou help them with their four minutes?Dear friends, you are in the midst ofan exhilarating journey. In some ways,you are racing down the half-pipe orsled track, and it can be chall<strong>eng</strong>ing toperform each element or navigate eachturn along the way. But remember,you’ve prepared for this for millennia.This is your moment to perform. This isyour four minutes! The time is now!I express my utmost confidence inyour abilities. You have the Savior ofthe world on your side. If you seekHis help and follow His directions,how can you fail?I conclude with my testimonyof the blessing we have in a livingprophet, President Thomas S. Monson,and of Jesus Christ and His role asour Savior and Redeemer, in His holyname, Jesus Christ, amen. ◼NOTES1. See Christine Rappleye, “Mormons in theOlympics: 3 Medals for LDS Athletesat the Winter Games,” deseretnews.com/article/865597546/Mormons-in-the-Olympics-3-medals-for-LDS-athletes-atthe-Winter-Games.html.2. See Christine Rappleye, “Mormons in theOlympics.”3. See Sarah Petersen, “Noelle Pikus-PaceWears LDS Young Women Necklacethroughout Olympics,” deseretnews.com/article/865596771/Noelle-Pikus-Pace-wears-LDS-Young-Women-necklacethroughout-Olympics.html.4. See Amy Donaldson, “Army, Faith HelpedPush Mormon Bobsledder Chris Fogtto Olympic Success,” deseretnews.com/article/865597390/Army-faith-helped-push-Mormon-bobsledder-Chris-Fogt-to-Olympic-success.html.5. Alma 34:32.6. See 1 Corinthians 9:24.7. Doctrine and Covenants 84:20.8. See Alma 34:31–33.9. Hebrews 12:1.10. Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Laborers in theVineyard,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 33.11. See John 14:18.12. David A. Bednar, conversation with theauthor.13. Vidya Rao, “Snowboarder Kelly Clark: Hugfrom Competitor Helped Me Win Bronze,”today.com/sochi/snowboarder-kelly-clark-hug-competitor-helped-me-win-bronze-2D12108132.

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