Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
Elder David A. Bednar: “I hope you also are learning about and becoming quick to observe. Your future success and happiness will in large measure be determined by this spiritual capacity.”
“As used in the scriptures, the word observe has two primary uses. One use denotes “to look” or “to see” or “to notice”-as we learn in Isaiah 42:20: “Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.” The second use of the word observe suggests “to obey” or “to keep”-as is evident in the Doctrine and Covenants: “But blessed are they who have kept the covenant and observed the commandment, for they shall obtain mercy” (D&C 54:6).
“Thus when we are quick to observe, we promptly look or notice and obey. Both of these fundamental elements-looking and obeying-are essential to being quick to observe.”
“Let me now address the question of why the spiritual gift of being quick to observe is so vital for us in the world in which we do now and will yet live. Simply stated, being quick to observe is an antecedent to and is linked with the spiritual gift of discernment. And for you and for me, discernment is a light of protection and direction in a world that grows increasingly dark.” (“Quick to Observe,” Devotional address was given at Brigham Young University on 10 May 2005).
The gift of discernment operates basically in four major ways.
Elder David A. Bednar: “Anger, backbiting, slander, falsehood, and various passions are manifested by people under the influence of false and deceptive spirits. Now, the gift of discerning of spirits not only gives men and women who have it the power to discern the spirit with which others may be possessed or influenced, but it gives them the power to discern the spirit which influences themselves. They are able to detect a false spirit and also to know when the Spirit of God reigns within them.” (“Quick to Observe,” Devotional address was given at Brigham Young University on 10 May 2005).
President Stephen L. Richards: “First, I mentioned the gift of discernment embodying the power to discriminate, which has been spoken of in our hearing before particularly as between right and wrong. I believe that this gift when highly developed arises largely out of an acute sensitivity to impressions–spiritual impressions, if you will–to read under the surface as it were, to detect hidden evil, and more importantly to find the good that may be concealed. The highest type of discernment is that which perceives in others and uncovers for them their better natures, the good inherent within them.” (Conference Report, April 1950, pp. 162-163).
Elder George Q. Cannon: “One of the gifts of the Gospel which the Lord has promised to those who enter into covenant with Him is the gift of discerning of spirits–a gift which is not much thought of by many and probably seldom prayed for; [See, there is great counsel for us. We ought to think about it, and we ought to pray for it] yet, it is a gift that is of exceeding value and one that should be enjoyed by every Latter-day Saint. No Latter-day Saint should be without this gift, because there is such a variety of spirits in the world which seek to deceive and lead astray. In a revelation to the Church upon the spirits which have gone abroad in the earth the Lord says: Behold, verily I say unto you, that there are many spirits which are false spirits, which have gone forth in the earth deceiving the world (D&C 50:2).” (Gospel Truth, 1:198-200).
President Russell M. Nelson: “True disciples of Jesus Christ are willing to stand out, speak up, and be different from the people of the world. They are undaunted, devoted, and courageous. …
“There is nothing easy or automatic about becoming such powerful disciples. Our focus must be riveted on the Savior and His gospel. It is mentally rigorous to strive to look unto Him in every thought. But when we do, our doubts and fears flee. (“Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 40–41)
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: “The maturing Mormon, by then fifteen years of age, stood beyond the sinfulness around him and rose above the despair of his time. Consequently, he ‘was visited of the Lord, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus…’” (Mormon 1:15). (Christ And The New Covenant, p. 318).
Hugh Nibley: “The first two chapters of Mormon give a wonderful description of the complete breakdown of a civilization. “And it was one complete revolution throughout all the face of the land’ (Mormon 2:8). Recent studies have shown that when the Roman Empire collapsed all of a sudden, just such vast roving and plundering bands filled the earth as those described in the Book of Mormon. Insecurity was complete (Mormon 1:18); people took refuge in “sorceries, and witchcrafts, and magics” (Mormon 1:19). The Dark Ages were upon them. “No man could keep that which was his own, for the thieves, and the robbers, and the murderers, and the magic art, and the which was in the land’ (Mormon 2:10).” (An Approach to the Book of Mormon, p. 395).
Nephite / Lamanite Wars are outlined in Mormon
Hugh Nibley: “The tragedy of the Book of Mormon is not what became of the Nephites but what the Nephites became.” (Since Cumorah, as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 477).
Teaching Ideas:
We can and should seek the spiritual gift of discernment to:
In a wicked society, we can be like Mormon and develop deep faith in Christ.
“As used in the scriptures, the word observe has two primary uses. One use denotes “to look” or “to see” or “to notice”-as we learn in Isaiah 42:20: “Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.” The second use of the word observe suggests “to obey” or “to keep”-as is evident in the Doctrine and Covenants: “But blessed are they who have kept the covenant and observed the commandment, for they shall obtain mercy” (D&C 54:6).
“Thus when we are quick to observe, we promptly look or notice and obey. Both of these fundamental elements-looking and obeying-are essential to being quick to observe.”
“Let me now address the question of why the spiritual gift of being quick to observe is so vital for us in the world in which we do now and will yet live. Simply stated, being quick to observe is an antecedent to and is linked with the spiritual gift of discernment. And for you and for me, discernment is a light of protection and direction in a world that grows increasingly dark.” (“Quick to Observe,” Devotional address was given at Brigham Young University on 10 May 2005).
The gift of discernment operates basically in four major ways.
- It helps us detect hidden error and evil in others as we “see beneath the surface.”
- It helps us detect hidden errors and evil in ourselves. It is not just discerning these things in others, but it is discerning error and evil within ourselves.
- It helps us find the good that may be concealed in others.
- It helps us find the good that may be concealed in us. It brings about confidence, spiritual confidence.
Elder David A. Bednar: “Anger, backbiting, slander, falsehood, and various passions are manifested by people under the influence of false and deceptive spirits. Now, the gift of discerning of spirits not only gives men and women who have it the power to discern the spirit with which others may be possessed or influenced, but it gives them the power to discern the spirit which influences themselves. They are able to detect a false spirit and also to know when the Spirit of God reigns within them.” (“Quick to Observe,” Devotional address was given at Brigham Young University on 10 May 2005).
President Stephen L. Richards: “First, I mentioned the gift of discernment embodying the power to discriminate, which has been spoken of in our hearing before particularly as between right and wrong. I believe that this gift when highly developed arises largely out of an acute sensitivity to impressions–spiritual impressions, if you will–to read under the surface as it were, to detect hidden evil, and more importantly to find the good that may be concealed. The highest type of discernment is that which perceives in others and uncovers for them their better natures, the good inherent within them.” (Conference Report, April 1950, pp. 162-163).
Elder George Q. Cannon: “One of the gifts of the Gospel which the Lord has promised to those who enter into covenant with Him is the gift of discerning of spirits–a gift which is not much thought of by many and probably seldom prayed for; [See, there is great counsel for us. We ought to think about it, and we ought to pray for it] yet, it is a gift that is of exceeding value and one that should be enjoyed by every Latter-day Saint. No Latter-day Saint should be without this gift, because there is such a variety of spirits in the world which seek to deceive and lead astray. In a revelation to the Church upon the spirits which have gone abroad in the earth the Lord says: Behold, verily I say unto you, that there are many spirits which are false spirits, which have gone forth in the earth deceiving the world (D&C 50:2).” (Gospel Truth, 1:198-200).
President Russell M. Nelson: “True disciples of Jesus Christ are willing to stand out, speak up, and be different from the people of the world. They are undaunted, devoted, and courageous. …
“There is nothing easy or automatic about becoming such powerful disciples. Our focus must be riveted on the Savior and His gospel. It is mentally rigorous to strive to look unto Him in every thought. But when we do, our doubts and fears flee. (“Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 40–41)
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: “The maturing Mormon, by then fifteen years of age, stood beyond the sinfulness around him and rose above the despair of his time. Consequently, he ‘was visited of the Lord, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus…’” (Mormon 1:15). (Christ And The New Covenant, p. 318).
Hugh Nibley: “The first two chapters of Mormon give a wonderful description of the complete breakdown of a civilization. “And it was one complete revolution throughout all the face of the land’ (Mormon 2:8). Recent studies have shown that when the Roman Empire collapsed all of a sudden, just such vast roving and plundering bands filled the earth as those described in the Book of Mormon. Insecurity was complete (Mormon 1:18); people took refuge in “sorceries, and witchcrafts, and magics” (Mormon 1:19). The Dark Ages were upon them. “No man could keep that which was his own, for the thieves, and the robbers, and the murderers, and the magic art, and the which was in the land’ (Mormon 2:10).” (An Approach to the Book of Mormon, p. 395).
Nephite / Lamanite Wars are outlined in Mormon
- Conflict in the borders of Zarahemla, by the waters of Sidon (Mormon 1:11-12).
- Series of Conflicts in the Land Northward (Mormon 2:1-9).
- Driven to the land of Shem (Mormon 2:20-21).
- Conflicts, treaty, and dividing of the land (Mormon 2:22-29).
- Battle at city of Desolation (Mormon 3:4-7).
- “come down again to battle” … many Lamanites thrown into the sea (Mormon 3:8).
- Nephites lose Desolation and flee to Teancum (Mormon 4:1-3).
- Nephites defend Teancum and retake Desolation (Mormon 4:6-8).
- Lamanites take Teancum and Desolation (Mormon 4:10-14).
- The Nephites, “with exceedingly great anger” beat the Lamanites (Mormon 4:15).
- Lamanites take Desolation, Nephites flee to Boaz, more slaughter (Mormon 4:17-22).
- Lamanites lose at Jordan (Mormon 5:1-3).
- Nephites maintain many cities (Mormon 5:4).
- Nephites lose and flee (Mormon 5:6-7).
- Battle at Cumorah (Mormon 6).
Hugh Nibley: “The tragedy of the Book of Mormon is not what became of the Nephites but what the Nephites became.” (Since Cumorah, as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 477).
Teaching Ideas:
We can and should seek the spiritual gift of discernment to:
- Help us detect hidden error and evil in others.
- Help us detect hidden errors and evil in ourselves.
- Help us find the good that may be concealed in others.
- Help us find the good that may be concealed in us.
In a wicked society, we can be like Mormon and develop deep faith in Christ.
- Be “quick to observe.”
- Forgive and don’t seek revenge (see Mormon 3:9-12). •Don’t be entertained by other’s sins.
- Be willing to stand alone in doing what is right.
- Rise above the “despair of his time.”