Sunday Report

The lesson for the week was the TFOT conference talk given by Elder Bednar and taught by Peggy Campbell. Elder Bednar discussed the necessity of having spiritual early warning systems that parents, and all of us, can be more watchful and discerning concerning not only the youth of Zion but everyone, no matter what age. Spiritual early warning signals are a source of protection and direction to our lives. He cited examples from the scriptures of those in tune such as Noah and Lehi receiving alerts to dangers that they needed to prepare for. Even the Word of Wisdom was a warning signal against the evils and designs in the hearts of conspiring men that are so evident in our time but were not so obvious in Joseph Smith's day.

Spiritual warning should lead to vigilant watching...watching with all perseverance. Parents are on the forefront of this watching, but we all have a vested interest in helping. He cited three things that can help deliver early warnings and the teaching moments needed to help others. especially the youth, to be able to avoid problems and strengthen their own abilities to receive warnings for themselves.

The first is reading and discussing the Book of Mormon, the keystone of our religion and the most correct of any book on earth, according to the teachings of Joseph Smith. Within its pages is the fullness of the Savior's gospel and the convincing and converting powers of this book come from its focus on the Savior and the plainness and clarity of its teachings.

The second is the frequent and heartfelt bearing of testimony, informally and tailored to the circumstances of everyday life where gospel lessons and truths can be learned and recalled and applied to the experiences that come from daily living.

The third is encouraging youth of any age, and we are all still spiritually young in the context of eternity, to use moral agency to act and not merely be acted upon, especially as gospel learners, for we should all be "doers of the word, and not hearers only." (James 1:22) By properly exercising agency and acting in accordance with correct principles we are inviting the teaching and testifying power of the Holy Ghost.

We must help others to do this no matter how young. by helping them to not just learn the gospel principles but learn how to apply them in their lives. As we help them to deal with the ordinary experiences of life, we can encourage them to apply gospel principles to solve their problems and make decisions, and to seek further learning and further application of true principles on their own as they mature spiritually. They will thus become agents who act and seek learning by study and by faith, and therefore be better prepared to be steadfast and immovable in righteousness.

Next week will be General Conference, the week following Stake Conference.

Our next RS lesson will be from the Gospel Principles Book, Lesson 19 Repentance given by Traci Cline.

Remember to listen to a prophet's voice and the inspired words of the Lord's chosen servants next week.

The Relief Society Presidency