Talk - Construction

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Talk for Ward Conference
2_2003

I was invited to speak in Last Lecture Series:
Topics were:
§ Barney - Foundation for solving problems – Prayer, Read Scriptures, Obedience
§ Bassett- Thy Will be Done + We do hard things
§ Brasher- Be of Good Cheer - Enjoy life – and this is done by getting involved in the gospel
§ Cannon- Be filled with Love for all – Be nice – Angels are among us – Spirit of God is in all
§ Hathaway- Where can I turn for peace – follow the prince of peace – hymns help us understand peace
§ Nelson- Love the work – get involved – we can all participate with growth of kingdom –
What topics would you choose?
Millennium

Nephi taught in 1 Ne 7 – that his whole purpose is to point people to follow Christ
Scriptures are given us to ‘bring us to Christ’.
Dream of the ‘Iron Rod’ is a metaphor for ‘coming unto christ’. What are the elements?
§ Awaken/Arise - We must want to do it – recognize our place and desire to change it - (some didn’t choose it, and walked away)
§ Commit - must take hold – we must make a commitment
§ Press Forward- We must follow the path – obedience, pressing forward
§ Endure- We must hold to the rod, even if…even if we lose faith. Even if we lose hope. Even if we feel unworthy. Even if we are offended. Even if we lose a loved one. Even if a leader is unworthy.
§ Gratitude- We must partake of the fruit and enjoy the fruit. Don’t think – ‘that’s it’

Life is not routine. We each must live it as we choose. We must fight our own fights. We must be responsible for our own way.
§ This was brought to my attention the other day when we released an ‘old’ Bishop, and called a ‘new’ bishop. To most in the ward, it was just another routine day. Another man had been called to stand in front on Sundays. But to the man who was released, he had lost the only ward he would probably ever preside over. To the new bishop, this was a total change of pace, of responsibility, a whole new world of sacrifice that he and his family would need to pick up. After one day of ‘glory’ this man would have 5 years of hard work…day in and day out.
§ This is true of marriage. People get married all the time.
§ Ned has married over 7,500 couples. It could seem almost routine. But each person’s marriage is unique, each is a gift where every day is filled with hard work, frustrations, and great joys.
§ A year ago, I was at my cousin’s wedding breakfast, and everyone was celebrating with him how this one, particular, wonderful marriage is. I sat at the table with my Aunt and Uncle. Kent for years had struggled with Dimmensia. For the last 2 years he was unable to sit up, dress or bath himself, or feed himself. His wife was his care giver. As I watched her care for him after 50 years of marriage – I was moved with the strongest feeling that here at this table – watching a 70 year old woman feed her 70 year old husband of 50 years, is what successful marriage is all about. Not all the pomp and celebration that accompanies a young man taking a young bride. But the years of dedicated work that comes to a conclusion.
Will we be successful. It’s up to us. It is our hard work that will spell success or failure.

§ Now having said that – we must rely on Christ. We must depend on him. Probably one of the most common sins we commit, is that we don’t rely on the mercies of him who is mighty to save. We don’t listen. We don’t obey. We don’t depend on him for our salvation.
§ Instead we go out and assume everything depends on our good works. We trust in the arm of flesh. We trust that our money will make everything right. We trust that our house, our cars, our education, our jobs will make everything right. We trust ourselves and our ability to accomplish and work.

What is the answer? How do we depend on Christ – while at the same time build our own lives?

It comes in the form of building codes.

When we go to build a house, a building, or any sort of structure – we must plan ahead what we will do. We must make our plan in accordance with building codes. There are earthquake codes, there are codes for where the electrical outlets need to be, there are codes for flooding, etc. If we build our building according to codes, then when the storms come, and the earthquakes hit, our structure will be secure and will endure.

Christ is the foundation upon which we build our home. We do the building – he provides the codes and the foundation for building. If we build on his foundation, and use the building codes he provides, then when the storms come – we will survive.

The thing I’ve learned when we added onto our home, is that building by code is not cheap. It is also not very fast. It takes more time to build a good home using codes. But when it is complete, it is solid and is secure.

When we understand this, then we see how other people can build a life quickly that looks fun, solid, or wonderful without using the codes provided by Christ. And we wonder why we are required to build by code. But when eternal storms rock these marriages and families which have not been built upon the rock of Christ, using his codes, will crumble and fall.

Brigham Young stated that he was building the temple to last through the mellinium.

How do we build our families so they can last through the meliinium?

So what are these building codes we’ve been given?

1. Proclamation to the Family
2. Temple Recommend
3. For the Strength of Youth
4. 3-Fold Mission of the Church
5. Duty to God and Young Women Recognition Award
6. Missionary White Book

Why are codes so critical?

1- They protect us
2- They give us strength to do hard things
3- They help us do things ‘The Lord’s way’ rather than ‘our will’.

Thank heaven’s for families to help us build the right way.
- Remind us to have FHE
- Remind us to read our scriptures
- Remind us to read our church magazine.
When everyone in the family helps remember the building codes, then it’s a lot easier.

Others in the family help us be accountable for things that are hard for us to do.

Others in the family remind us what is important to the family at large

Rather than ask – “Why” should I keep the covenants? We should ask, “Why not?” Why not do as the prophet has asked? If it’s what the Lord wants, then I’ll do it.

Assume a position of Obedience

Will you always keep the standards and build your family with codes?

PHinkley said – “We live in the greatest of times. Some say that our temptations are greatest. But if you will just make a decision that you will not do, then the temptations subside, and you can enjoy all the blessings of this great day.”

– in this world of sin – where it looks like evil is winning the day - Don’t be mistaken – It will fall. Corruption cannot maintain the weight of it’s own decay. Only righteousness builds a building strong enough to endure the eternities.