Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
The Lord promises that He will fulfill all of His promises to us (ex. Section 82:10). We do not know how or when this commitment will be effective or realized, but His promise is real and binding. Sections 81-83 help guide us in times of testing and trials along life's paths as well as in our service in the Lord's church. Heartaches and tragedies need not bring us down in despair as we remember God's promises.
Lord’s advice for your calling:
The Parable of the Popcorn:
Behold at the time of harvest, the ears of corn did bring forth kernels which were dried and prepared for the popper’s hand. And then it was that the popper did take the kernels, all of which did appear alike unto him, and did apply the oil and the heat. And lo, it came to pass that when the heat was on, some did explode with promise and did magnify themselves an hundred fold, and some did burst forth with whiteness which did both gladden the eye and satisfy the taste of the popper. And likewise, some others did pop, but not too much.
But lo, there were some that did just lie there and even though the popper’s heat was alike unto all, they did bask in the warmth of the oil and kept everything they had for themselves. And so it came to pass that those which did not burst forth, were fit only to be cast out into the pail and were thought of with hardness and disgust. And thus we see that …...
When the heat is on, some come forth and give their all, while others fail to pop.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell: "“The Lord does not ask about our ability or inability, but only about our availability. And if we prove our dependability, the Lord will take care of our capability.” (Ensign July 1975, p. 7).
President Henry B. Eyring: “With every covenant there are great and sure promises from our Heavenly Father. . . .
“Every covenant with God is an opportunity to draw closer to him. To anyone who reflects for a moment on what they have already felt of the love of God, to have that bond made stronger and that relationship closer is an irresistible offer.” (Covenants [CES fireside for college-age young adults, 6 Sept. 1996], 2).
Joseph Smith: "I made a desperate struggle, as I was forced out, to extricate myself, but only cleared one leg, with which I made a pass at one man, and he fell on the door steps. I was immediately overpowered again; and they swore ... they would kill me if I did not be still, which quieted me. ... They then seized me by the throat and held on till I lost my breath."("History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints").
Joseph Smith: "My friends spent the night in scraping and removing the tar, and washing and cleansing my body; so that by morning I was ready to be clothed again. This being the Sabbath morning, the people assembled for meeting at the usual hour of worship, and among them came also the mobbers; “viz.: Simonds Ryder, a Campbellite preacher and leader of the mob; one McClentic, who had his hands in my hair; one Streeter, son of a Campbellite minister; and Felatiah Allen, Esq., who gave the mob a barrel of whiskey to raise their spirits.
Besides these named, there were many others in the mob. With my flesh all scarified and defaced, I preached to the congregation as usual, and in the afternoon of the same day baptized three individuals.” (https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/lucy-mack-smith-history-1845/225).
Elder Marvin J. Ashton: "If we are offended and resentful, can we believe that He is bound to help us in our tragedies and disappointments? This scripture does not tell us how or when this commitment will be effective or realized, but His promise is real and binding. Our challenge is to endure. There will always be testing and trials along life's paths. Heartaches and tragedies need not defeat us if we remember God's promise." (Ensign, November 1984, p. 20.)
Presdient Ezra Taft Benson: "To members, the term stake is a symbolic expression. Picture in your mind a great tent held up by cords extended to many stakes that are firmly secured in the ground. The prophets likened latter-day Zion to a great tent encompassing the earth. That tent was supported by cords fastened to stakes. Those stakes, of course, are various geographical organizations spread out over the earth. Presently Israel is being gathered to the various stakes of Zion” (Come Unto Christ, pg. 101).
President Ezra Taft Benson: "What are those garments? Those garments are the garments of righteousness, the garments of devotion to the truth the gospel in action." (Conference Report, Apr. 1955, p. 50.)
When we wear the “garments of righteousness” we:
Elder James E. Talmage: "Be diligent; for the day in which you can use your earthly riches will soon pass. Take a lesson from even the dishonest and the evil; if they are so prudent as to provide for the only future they think of, how much more should you, who believe in an eternal future, provide therefore! If you have not learned wisdom and prudence in the use of `unrighteous mammon', how can you be trusted with the more enduring riches? If you have not learned how to use properly the wealth of another, which has been committed to you as steward, how can you expect to be successful in the handling of great wealth should such be given you as your own? Emulate the unjust steward and the lovers of mammon, not in their dishonesty, cupidity, and miserly hoarding of the wealth that is at best but transitory, but in their zeal, forethought, and provision for the future." (Jesus The Christ, pp. 463-64.)
What can we do for those who have lost a spouse?
Teaching Thoughts:
Lord’s advice for your calling:
- Be faithful in council (v. 3).
- Pray always (v. 3).
- Proclaim the gospel (v. 3).
- “Be faithful” and “stand in” your calling (v. 5).
- Succor the weak (v. 5).
- Lift up the hands which hang down (v. 5).
- Strengthen the feeble knees (v. 5).
- And in doing these things thou wilt do the greatest good unto thy fellow beings, and wilt promote the glory of him who is your Lord (v. 4).
- Will acknowledge you and your service (v. 3).
- “Bless you, and also thee” (v. 3).
- “a crown of immortality,
- and eternal life in the mansions which I have prepared in the house of my Father.”
- Remember: And in doing these things thou wilt do the greatest good unto thy fellow beings, and wilt promote the glory of him who is your Lord (v. 4).
The Parable of the Popcorn:
Behold at the time of harvest, the ears of corn did bring forth kernels which were dried and prepared for the popper’s hand. And then it was that the popper did take the kernels, all of which did appear alike unto him, and did apply the oil and the heat. And lo, it came to pass that when the heat was on, some did explode with promise and did magnify themselves an hundred fold, and some did burst forth with whiteness which did both gladden the eye and satisfy the taste of the popper. And likewise, some others did pop, but not too much.
But lo, there were some that did just lie there and even though the popper’s heat was alike unto all, they did bask in the warmth of the oil and kept everything they had for themselves. And so it came to pass that those which did not burst forth, were fit only to be cast out into the pail and were thought of with hardness and disgust. And thus we see that …...
When the heat is on, some come forth and give their all, while others fail to pop.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell: "“The Lord does not ask about our ability or inability, but only about our availability. And if we prove our dependability, the Lord will take care of our capability.” (Ensign July 1975, p. 7).
President Henry B. Eyring: “With every covenant there are great and sure promises from our Heavenly Father. . . .
“Every covenant with God is an opportunity to draw closer to him. To anyone who reflects for a moment on what they have already felt of the love of God, to have that bond made stronger and that relationship closer is an irresistible offer.” (Covenants [CES fireside for college-age young adults, 6 Sept. 1996], 2).
Joseph Smith: "I made a desperate struggle, as I was forced out, to extricate myself, but only cleared one leg, with which I made a pass at one man, and he fell on the door steps. I was immediately overpowered again; and they swore ... they would kill me if I did not be still, which quieted me. ... They then seized me by the throat and held on till I lost my breath."("History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints").
Joseph Smith: "My friends spent the night in scraping and removing the tar, and washing and cleansing my body; so that by morning I was ready to be clothed again. This being the Sabbath morning, the people assembled for meeting at the usual hour of worship, and among them came also the mobbers; “viz.: Simonds Ryder, a Campbellite preacher and leader of the mob; one McClentic, who had his hands in my hair; one Streeter, son of a Campbellite minister; and Felatiah Allen, Esq., who gave the mob a barrel of whiskey to raise their spirits.
Besides these named, there were many others in the mob. With my flesh all scarified and defaced, I preached to the congregation as usual, and in the afternoon of the same day baptized three individuals.” (https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/lucy-mack-smith-history-1845/225).
Elder Marvin J. Ashton: "If we are offended and resentful, can we believe that He is bound to help us in our tragedies and disappointments? This scripture does not tell us how or when this commitment will be effective or realized, but His promise is real and binding. Our challenge is to endure. There will always be testing and trials along life's paths. Heartaches and tragedies need not defeat us if we remember God's promise." (Ensign, November 1984, p. 20.)
Presdient Ezra Taft Benson: "To members, the term stake is a symbolic expression. Picture in your mind a great tent held up by cords extended to many stakes that are firmly secured in the ground. The prophets likened latter-day Zion to a great tent encompassing the earth. That tent was supported by cords fastened to stakes. Those stakes, of course, are various geographical organizations spread out over the earth. Presently Israel is being gathered to the various stakes of Zion” (Come Unto Christ, pg. 101).
President Ezra Taft Benson: "What are those garments? Those garments are the garments of righteousness, the garments of devotion to the truth the gospel in action." (Conference Report, Apr. 1955, p. 50.)
When we wear the “garments of righteousness” we:
- Make and keep covenants (82:15).
- Help everyone according to their wants and needs (82:16).
- Improve our talents (82:18).
- Gain other talents (82:18).
- Seek “the interest of [our] neighbor” (82:19).
- Make “friends with the mammon of unrighteousness” (82:22).
- Are not judgmental (82:23).
Elder James E. Talmage: "Be diligent; for the day in which you can use your earthly riches will soon pass. Take a lesson from even the dishonest and the evil; if they are so prudent as to provide for the only future they think of, how much more should you, who believe in an eternal future, provide therefore! If you have not learned wisdom and prudence in the use of `unrighteous mammon', how can you be trusted with the more enduring riches? If you have not learned how to use properly the wealth of another, which has been committed to you as steward, how can you expect to be successful in the handling of great wealth should such be given you as your own? Emulate the unjust steward and the lovers of mammon, not in their dishonesty, cupidity, and miserly hoarding of the wealth that is at best but transitory, but in their zeal, forethought, and provision for the future." (Jesus The Christ, pp. 463-64.)
What can we do for those who have lost a spouse?
- Be present and be persistent.
- Help around the house.
- Get them out of the house.
- Memorialize the deceased.
- Bring food or flowers.
- Listen.
- Be available.
- Be patient.
- Refer to the deceased by name.
- Keep in touch. (https://www.considerable.com/life/death/thoughtful-gestures-someone-dies/; https://www.funeralwise.com/grief/spouse_cope/)
Teaching Thoughts:
- Write down the blessings you have received from accepting a calling? Share them with someone.
- Write down the blessings you have received from someone else doing their calling the way the Lord would have them serve. Express your gratitude to two or three who have done this.
- How could you apply the Lord’s reminder to forgive today?
- How can you use more “wisdom and prudence in the use of `unrighteous mammon’?”