Abstract
This portfolio meets the standards of a “guided project” on the S&I website. The purpose
for this project was to strengthen my testimony of prophets, seers and revelators and to increase
my understanding of their words and the importance of following their counsel. By doing this, I
hope to use both the words of the Brethren along with the scriptures more effectively than I’ve
been able to before in my teaching. To help accomplish this I studied the scriptures and 24
addresses from our leaders as well as recording my reflections and feelings along the way.
My conclusion is this: as we keep the commandments of the Lord, spoken to us through
His prophets, we will prosper in the land. As we ignore the counsels of God, we will be cut off
from His presence and perish (see 2 Nephi 1:20). The only way to true peace and joy in
mortality is to follow the guidelines that the Lord has laid out for us. We learn about these
guidelines from the men that God has chosen to serve as His spokesman on the earth. Therefore,
it is vital that we learn the will of the Lord and then act on this knowledge. As we do this, we
will stay on safe ground and receive the help we need from the Lord to stay on the gospel path.
1
Introduction
The purpose of this project is to strengthen my testimony of prophets, seers and
revelators. I hope to increase my understanding of their words and the importance of following
their counsel. One thing I have always wanted to do better in the classroom is incorporate the
words of the living prophets into my lessons. I have a strong feeling about the importance of
General Conference and what the Brethren are CURRENTLY teaching us. I feel that this project
will help me be better able to put their words in my lessons.
One area that I think S&I as a whole, and especially me personally, could do better on is
studying the words of the Brethren given to us not only in General Conference, but in the annual
Evening with a General Authority as well. I really enjoy this broadcast, and then for the most
part I go home and forget about it until the following year. I feel that studying these addresses
will provide a wealth of insight into how the Brethren would like us to teach the youth. There's
no doubt that studying the current addresses of General Authorities will also help me become
more efficient at using modern day teachings from Conference in my lessons REGULARLY,
and not just sporadically.
I really believe the youth of the Church have a love for President Monson and the
Apostles, and a hunger to be taught by them. As I become more knowledgeable in the teachings
of the Brethren, I'll be better able to use their teachings in class in a variety of ways, from
everything to glue-ins to the various media methods we have now. Combining the words of
current Brethren from Conference and past prophets in the scriptures will greatly help the youth
strengthen their testimonies that the Lord speaks to His children through His chose mouthpieces.
2
Literature review
The sources for this project were the Standard Works, General Conference addresses and
addresses given specifically to religious educators.
3
Table of contents
Introduction…………………..……………………………………………………………………2
Literature review…………………………………………………………………………………..3
Part one: The Standard Works…………………………………………………………………….5
Part two: General Conference addresses…………………………………………………………12
Part three: Landmark addresses to S&I [Before 2004]…………………………………..………23
Part four: Recent addresses to S&I [2004 to present]……………………………………………31
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………….……45
4
PART 1: The Standard Works
These are the 10 verses of scripture I chose that teach the importance of giving heed to the words
of prophets, seers and revelators
1. Doctrine and Covenants 1:37-38= This is the very first reference I thought of that
teaches this principle. I’m sure I thought of it not only because it’s a scripture mastery
reference, but also because I think it teaches the principle of the importance of following
modern-day prophets as powerfully as anywhere in scripture. The Lord tells us simply that
whether the prophecy comes directly from Him or from his anointed mouthpiece on this earth,
there is ZERO difference. In other words, when President Monson speaks to us as the Prophet,
we should feast up his words and do our best to follow his counsel just as if Jesus Christ Himself
had spoken them to us.
2. Amos 3:7= I learned to love this verse in the mission field. We tracted often and one
of my favorite door approaches was to tell people that we have a living prophet on the earth that
speaks the mind and will of God. We would often quote this verse and bear our testimonies that
the heavens are open again and the Lord once again speaks to his children. Of course, many
people would still slam the door in our faces, but the truth that there are prophets once again on
the earth intrigued many people to at least listen to what we had to teach. I feel that this verse is
another sign of the love that Heavenly Father has for His children. He won’t do anything until
(see JST footnote “a”) he reveals it through his spokesman on earth.
3. 3 Nephi 20:24= This verse is the Savior speaking when He appeared in the Americas to
the Nephites. He teaches the principle that all the prophets, both those before the time of the
Savior and those that would come after, testify of Him. I believe this is the #1 reason that we
need to heed the words of prophets: they teach and testify of Christ and His Atonement. As we
5
apply their words into our lives, we become more like the Master and qualify ourselves for
eternal life.
4. Mosiah 13:33-35= Abinadi teaches multiple principles in this passage. Once again, a
major role of a prophet is to teach about the life of and redemption that can be found in Jesus
Christ. This has been the duty of every prophet since the world began. In addition to the
scriptures, we can learn much about the life of the Savior, the example He set for us, and the
miracles He performed. Knowing that the Savior lived in mortality just as we do can inspire
hope and confidence in His power to succor us. He was tempted just as we are, and He knows
what it’s like to experience every feeling that a human being faces on this earth. He was
“oppressed and afflicted” just as we are, although there is no way we can compare our suffering
to His. Prophets also teach of the resurrection of the dead, which, according to the LDS Bible
dictionary, “is the most glorious of all messages to mankind” (see page 761).
5. Jacob 4:4, 6= These two verses are loaded with reasons as to why we must give heed to
the Brethren. The word that stands out to me in verse four is hope. The prophets want us to
know that they know Christ. Hearing their words and their witnesses can inspire hope in each of
us and solidify our testimonies. General Conference is a feast of the words of the Lord directed
to us. We hear witness after witness after witness of the Savior and His mission and His power.
Just as it says in verse six, “having all these witnesses, we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh
unshaken.” Jacob goes on to say that the trees and the mountains and the waves of the sea will
obey us. Those are pretty incredible promises!
6. 1 Nephi 22:1-2= Nephi had just finished reading to his brethren from the plates of brass.
He then teaches them that the Lord manifests (or shows) the prophet all things by the voice of the
Spirit. A key word in verse two is the word all- the Spirit will make all things known unto the
6
prophet that shall come upon the children of men. As we keep our eye on the prophet, we can
become more aware of the times we live in, the challenges we are facing and will face, and we
will receive guidance on how to deal with and overcome these challenges. We can also have
faith that the Brethren are speaking under the influence of the 3rd member of the Godhead: the
Holy Ghost.
7. Doctrine and Covenants 107:91-92= We need to hearken to the prophets because, as is
taught in this passage, they preside over the Church and have all the gifts of God given to them.
They are prophets, seers and revelators. I love the phrase “and to be like unto Moses” at the end
of verse 91. If we announced to our seminary students that Moses was coming to speak to the
seminary, we would most likely have 100% attendance. President Monson is no different than
Moses, and we have more access to his words than at any time in the history of the world.
8. Mosiah 8:13-18= Every six months in General Conference we sustain our leaders as
prophets, seers and revelators. This passage teaches us that a seer is greater than a prophet and
that the gift of seership is the greatest gift a man can have. A seer can know of things past,
present and future, all things are made known unto them, and “hidden things shall come to light”
(see verse 17). The reasons this gift is given is stated in verse 18: so that mighty miracles can be
performed and “he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings.” What a blessing it is to be led
by 15 men we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators.
9. Moses 8:19-30= In this passage, Noah declares the gospel to his people. We learn of the
consequences of not following the Lord’s servants. In short, the Lord declared, “I will destroy
all flesh from off the earth” (verse 30). And what did Noah teach that was rejected? The pure
and simple gospel: faith in Christ, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Verse 24
summarizes Noah’s preaching: “Believe and repent of your sins and be baptized in the name of
7
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, even as our fathers, and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost, that ye
may have all things made manifest; and if ye do not this, the floods will come in upon you;
nevertheless, they hearkened not.” With the wickedness of the world increasing more and more
and Satan spreading lies and falsehoods like never before, the importance of hearking to the
Brethren is more critical now than ever before, and will be so in the future.
10. Doctrine and Covenants 136:36-38= I feel that this passage is the perfect summary of the
role of a prophet and why we must listen and obey. The Savior, through President Brigham
Young, said, “Therefore, marvel not at these things [the killing of prophets], for ye are not yet
pure; ye can not yet bear my glory; but ye shall behold it if ye are faithful in keeping all my
words that I have given you, from the days of Adam to Abraham, from Abraham to Moses, from
Moses to Jesus and his apostles to Joseph Smith, whom I did call upon by mine angels, my
ministering servants, and by mine own voice out of the heavens, to bring forth my work” (see
verse 37, italics added). Prophets carry forth the word of the Lord. And the Savior himself
promised us that if we are “faithful in keeping all [their] words” we shall one day behold His
glory.
How my life would be different if I did not have the teachings of the living prophets
It is hard to even imagine what life would be like without the Brethren. I have grown up
in the Church and I know I take a lot of things for granted. The older I get, the “hungrier” I get
for General Conference. As a young kid, often Conference weekend was a break from church
and a chance to catch up on a little sleep. I look at Conference a little differently now! There are
countless talks over the years that have shaped my testimony, my outlook on things, and the way
I live my life. In Doctrine and Covenants 50:24 we learn, “That which is of God is light; and he
that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light growth brighter
8
and brighter until the perfect day.” That is exactly how I feel about the words of the Brethren:
when they speak and I listen intently, it feels as if light is entering my heart and mind. So to
answer the question of how would my life be different without living prophets? It would be
filled with darkness. So many teachings of the Brethren over the years have answered questions
that I’ve had about the gospel, strengthened my testimony of the Savior, and given me guidance
on how to live my life. I have found that as we go into General Conference (or any other time
that we study the words of our leaders) with a sincere question in mind, the Lord will speak to us
directly. I don’t know how many times I have had the thought, “That talk was written just for
me.”
One general example of a prophet who made a big impact on me was President Gordon
B. Hinckley. He was our prophet during an important stage of my life. Some phrases that he
repeated over and over throughout his ministry were (paraphrasing): “just do the best you can” or
“try a little harder” or “be a little better today than you were yesterday.” Now that might sound
too profound or prophetic, but as a teenager struggling with different things and as a young
husband and father, his counsel seemed attainable. I felt like he could relate to the struggles so
many of us had, and if he was the prophet of God, then there is hope! His optimism and cheerful
outlook on life had a HUGE effect on me and the way I try to look at things. I remember him
saying so many times statements to the effect of “There has never been a more wonderful time to
be alive” or “this is the most exciting era in the history of this Church.” For a prophet of God to
say that, knowing the absolute wickedness that there is in the world, made me (and still makes
me) want to have a glass half-full approach to life. I love President Hinckley for not only what
he said in numerous address, but for the way he lived his life. In summary, the words of
prophets, seers and revelators bring light. The absence of their words is darkness.
9
Obstacles in paying attention to the prophets and what can be done
I feel that there are many obstacles as to why people don’t pay attention to what the
prophets are teaching us. I will focus on two of these reasons. From my perspective, one of the
main reasons is that there are many people who live with the feeling that “all is well is Zion” (see
2 Nephi 28:21). They feel that life is going well, everything is fine, and there isn’t a real urgency
to heed the prophets. Jacob taught of this in the Book of Mormon: “When they are learned they
think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing
they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And
they shall perish” (see 2 Nephi 9:28-29). Perishing is a pretty extreme consequence for setting
aside the words of the Brethren, but that is exactly what we do spiritually when we don’t listen to
the words of the Lord through His appointed servants. It is human nature to turn to heaven in
times of crisis and need. The real challenge is to keep looking to God in times of plenty and
prosperity.
I feel another reason people don’t listen to prophetic counsel is because of plain old
busyness. These days we are often so over programmed with so many good things that we don’t
take time for the essential things, such as scripture study, reading Church magazine such as the
Ensign, and making General Conference a priority. Just this week many students told me that
they weren’t going to be able to watch Conference for one reason or another.
So now the question is: what can be done? One of the answers lies in King Benjamin’s
sermon. If we would “always retain in remembrance the greatness of God, and [our] own
nothingness” (Mosiah 4:11), we would never live with the attitude of “all is well in Zion”
because we would remember the Lord and His word in good times and bad. How do we
remember? The Lord has given us so many ways, covenants and the weekly sacrament, to name
10
a few. There are “small and simple things” (Alma 37:6) we do can do daily, such as personal
prayer and scripture study, that are valuable ways in helping us remember the Lord in our lives.
King Benjamin also gave us some insight on how to handle the busyness of our lives
when he taught, “for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And
again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all
things must be done in order” (Mosiah 4:27). At different stages of our lives, it would do us all
well to take a long hard look at the priorities in our lives and see how much time we dedicate to
different activities. This would help us ensure that we are putting God and His words to us at the
top of the list. As we are diligent in seeking the kingdom of God first above any other pursuit we
may have in life, our Heavenly Father will bless us in many ways.
11
PART 2: General Conference Addresses
Three General Conference addresses that teach about listening and following the prophet
1. “Give Heed Unto the Prophets’ Words,” Elder Quentin L. Cook, April 2008
Elder Cook gave this talk the very spring that Thomas S. Monson became Prophet of the
Church. He ended his talk by pointing out the primary responsibility of all Apostles: “[to]
valiantly testif[y] of the name of Jesus Christ in all the world,” which President Monson has
done his whole life. Elder Cook’s purpose in this address was to remind priesthood holders of
how important it is to heed the words of the prophets. In fact, later in the talk he teaches that it is
the “solemn responsibility” of priesthood holders to follow the prophet. I have never thought of
it this way. I have always felt that it is wisdom and for our benefit to apply the words of the
Brethren, but I don’t know if I’ve considered the fact that it is our duty and responsibility to heed
their words.
After recounting a story from of his great-grandfather and the Martin and Willie handcart
company, Elder Cook taught this principle: “My grandfather told me that consistent, faithful
dedication to the counsel of a prophet is the real lesson I should learn from my greatgrandfather’s service.” I have felt this for years: many of us are ready to go do some great thing
for the Lord (like Naaman was), and yet we disregard the day-to-day so-called “small things” in
the gospel: consistent home-teaching, personal prayer and scripture study, family home-evening.
We might even feel that we need to hold a major calling in the church to really make a
difference. Elder Cook taught of President Monson’s ability throughout his life to do the “small”
things: “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.”
These are the things that really matter in each of our personal ministries- to help those around us
and serve them as the Savior would. President Monson is the perfect example of this.
12
2. “The Blessings of General Conference,” Elder Paul V. Johnson, October 2005
Elder Johnson began his talk by describing the “exciting and wonderful” time we live in, and
also the “challenging times” we are facing in the last days. He spoke specifically to Aaronic
Priesthood holders and outlined all the guidance the Lord has given us in our battle with the
adversary: the Holy Ghost, scriptures, parents, Church leaders and teachers, and then he focused
the rest of his address on General Conference- one of the main ways we get direction from living
prophets, seers and revelators.
Elder Johnson related an experience that I identified with right away. He told of a time
while he was in college when he received a witness through the Holy Ghost that Harold B. Lee
was a prophet of God. I remember the exact moment I had this experience while serving in
England. I was back on the stage in the stake center as President Hinckley was speaking. I don’t
remember anything he was saying, but I remember exactly what it felt like when the Holy Ghost
testified to my heart, for several seconds, that the man who was speaking was truly a prophet of
God. I knew more sure then than I ever had previously that he was God’s prophet, and I’ve
always known since then that whatever the Lord’s servants speak to us in Conference is directly
from the Lord. I’ve always been grateful that the Lord was kind enough to allow me to have an
experience like that.
Elder Johnson taught of how important it is to not only listen to the words of the Lord’s
servants, but to ACT upon them. When we are obedient to what God wants us to do, he pours
out great blessings. He mentions one powerful blessing that comes from obedience: “For by
doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will
disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for you good”
(D&C 21:6). I know that when I listen and then obey the words of the prophets, I stand on safe
13
ground. That knowledge brings so much peace and confidence into my life every day. When we
follow God’s prophet, we prosper. When we neglect his words, we suffer. In my mind it’s as
simple as that.
3. “Our Very Survival,” Elder Kevin R. Duncan, October 2010
Elder Duncan began by describing the difficult conditions the pioneers faced in the Salt Lake
Valley in 1847-48. There was much doubt about how if this was the correct place to establish
Zion and if the Saints would be able to survive in this location. President Brigham Young
prophesied that this was “the right place” along with other prophecies about the future of the
Saints in this valley. Elder Duncan then said, “…every prophecy Brigham Young declared has
come to pass” (emphasis added). When I read this line from his talk I thought of Doctrine and
Covenants 1:38: “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and
though the heavens and the earth shall pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be
fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (emphasis
added). This story of Brigham Young is a literal example of that doctrine.
Elder Duncan described how so many people put their trust in the “arm of flesh” (i.e.
self-help books, the internet, etc.) when looking for happiness and solutions to life’s problems.
He counseled us to look to “the source of pure truth, even God Himself.” The Brethren have
spoken numerous times on virtually every topic we would need to know about to find answers to
life’s challenges. He encouraged us to look to the Brethren for help and guidance. The words of
our prophets have never been more available to us than they are now. We really don’t have any
more excuses as to why we don’t seek out their counsel.
Elder Duncan pointed out the exact same principle that Elder Johnson did in his talk: it is
not only a “blessing” and a “privilege” to follow the Lord’s servants, but he quoted President
14
Benson by saying that “our [very] salvation hangs on” following the prophet. He then quoted the
“14 Fundamental in Following the Prophet” by President Benson. Two that stood out to me
were number ten: “the prophet may be involved in civic matters,” and number tweleve: “the
prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldy.” We are seeing these exact
things in our days. Many people feel that the Church should just mind it’s own business and stay
out of the public arena on different topics. That won’t ever happen. And as kind and loving as
President Monson is, there are many in the world that don’t agree with the Church’s stance on
various issues. As we continue to have faith that the prophet is the mouthpiece of God on the
earth, we won’t be “carried about with every wind of doctrine” (see Ephasians 4:14).
Three General Conference addresses on a topic of choice: Celestial Marriage
1. “Celestial Marriage,” Elder Russell M. Nelson, October 2008
In the first half of this address, Elder Nelson teaches sections of the Proclamation to the
Family powerfully and clearly. He uses such phrases as, “My purpose in speaking….is to
declare, as an Apostle of the Lord, that marriage between a man and a woman is sacred—it is
ordained of God.” He teaches that true joy comes when we live our lives in accordance with the
“great plan of happiness” that God has outlined for us. Elder Nelson also expounded on the
doctrine taught in Doctrine and Covenants 131:1-4. To obtain the highest level of the celestial
kingdom, we not only need to be married in a holy temple, we need to then faithfully keep the
covenants we have made for the rest of our lives. I feel that sometimes there is much emphasis
put on marrying the right person at the right time at the right place. As important as this is (and
it IS important), we should teach with as much force the importance of having our marriages
sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise (see D&C 132:7). This happens as we make a concerted
effort day after day to make our marriages work.
15
Elder Nelson stated, “All Church activities, advancements, quorums, and classes are
means to the end of an exalted family.” I have heard President Packer and other Brethren teach
this same truth on many different occasions. The Family Proclamation makes it clear that the
greatest possibilities for happiness are to be found in an eternal marriage. I know this is true
because I’ve lived it. I think of the care-free days of being a teenager and young adult. As much
fun as those days were, there pale in comparison to the happiness I’ve experienced with my wife
and four children. On the other hand, Elder Nelson also taught of the consequences of rejecting
the Lord and his gift of eternal marriage. Simply put, a marriage is that is performed outside a
temple of God will last until death. To me that is anything but romantic.
One other principle that Elder Nelson taught of which I have a strong testimony of is the
need of marriage partners to “esteem the welfare of his or her spouse among the highest of
priorities.” My grandpa was able to seal Jennalyn and me. One piece of counsel he gave us was
that from that point forward, we were to put the happiness and comfort of our spouse above our
own happiness- forever. He said that this was the great key to a lasting marriage. And he was
right.
2. “Marriage: Watch and Learn,” Elder L. Whitney Clayton, April 2013
Ever since Elder Clayton interviewed us before we were hired by CES, I’ve been partial
to his talks in Conference! This is one of my favorite talks on the doctrine of eternal marriage.
He taught five main principles to guide us as we strive to build celestial marriages. These
principles are (summarizing in my own words): first, spouses need to consider their marriages
priceless and then treat them that way; second, for marriages to truly be successful, the must be
built on the foundation of faith in Jesus Christ; third, repentance must be a major part in the
marriage relationship; fourth, husbands and wives must respect each other at all times; and fifth,
16
husbands and wives are commanded to cleave to one another as they strive to keep the
commandments of God. I will share a few thoughts on these principles.
Once again, my grandfather gave us such wise counsel in the sealing room back on
August 23, 2000. He taught us the value in being quick to say, “I’m sorry.” Living in love and
with no contention is more important than being right. As a natural man, it is sometimes hard to
be quick to apologize, let alone do it at all! But I know that as I pray to the Lord for humility and
seek to avoid contention, setting my ego aside, peace can be restored quickly in our relationship.
Another principle Elder Whitney taught mirrors what Elder Nelson taught in the previous talk:
the need to put the other person first in every decision. Once again, it’s not always simple to put
my spouse #1 in every single aspect of my life. I’m a selfish person sometimes. But I’ve found
that over the years, it has become easier (and brought me a lot more joy) to constantly be
thinking about and seeking different ways to make Jen happy. It is a true principle that the
Savior himself taught: “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his
life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it” (Mark 8:35).
Elder Whitney said that many prophets have counseled us to be “fiercely loyal” to each
other. I have always loved that phrase. I like the word fierce in a sports sense. I picture a
determined, dedicated, passionate, hard-working basketball player, giving it everything he has to
pull out a victory. As men of the priesthood, we should exemplify those same characteristics
when it comes to presiding over our families and being solid husbands to our wives. Elder
Clayton taught that the definition of the word cleave is to “be completely devoted and faithful to
someone.” We need to cleave to two people for an eternal marriage: our spouse and our God.
As we do this, the Lord pours out His blessings and provides us with the strength and wisdom we
need to learn and progress in our relationships with our spouse and children.
17
3. “Eternal Marriage,” Elder F. Burton Howard, April 2003
This talk has been one of my favorites for years now, and mainly because of a memorable
analogy Elder Howard uses right at the end about some forks, knives and spoons. Elder Howard
begins by quoting multiple prophets as to the extreme importance of the marriage covenant. I’ll
just mention one quote here: President Howard W. Hunter described celestial marriage as “the
crowning gospel ordinance…” Elder Howard then explains right after that as wonderful as the
gift of celestial marriage is, it is not free. This covenant comes with wonderful blessings
promised by Heavenly Father, and it also comes with serious responsibilities on our part. Elder
Howard described these parts of this covenant: first, eternal marriage requires us to continually
grow and improve; second, marriage partners must put forth great effort to be successful and stay
within the boundaries the Lord has set, working together as equal partners; and third, celestial
marriage requires that parents must sustain each other in every way and also teach their children
the gospel.
In the world we live in today, many people bail out of the marriage commitment at the
first sign of trouble. Times get hard and they figure it’s easier to just end the relationship than
put in the work necessary to be successful in the relationship. Elder Howard taught of a set of
silverware that his wife acquired over the years that only came out on special occasions. While
he admitted that for years he thought his wife was “a little bit eccentric,” he learned a principle
that, to me, is the highlight of the whole talk. The principle is this: “If you want something to
last forever, you treat it differently.” We must treat our relationships with our eternal
companions just as his wife polished and protected this special set of silverware. When we enter
the marriage covenant in a temple of God, that relationship takes precedence over everything
18
else in life. And, just as Elder Howard stated at the beginning of his talk, this relationship will
bring more happiness than any other relationship on earth.
Three General Conference addresses from a prophet, seer and revelator of choice:
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
1. “Like a Broken Vessel,” October 2013
I am so grateful for this address by Elder Holland. It seemed to me that by him speaking on
mental illnesses (depression, etc.) it has taken some of the stigma away from discussing these
issues. In other words, he put it on the table, so to speak, and now we don’t have to shy away
from these real life challenges that many people face. One of the first points he makes is that we
live in a fallen word. This is for a divine purpose and we need to try and keep that in mind. He
then gave many examples of individuals who have struggled with depression. I was especially
touched when he included his own story in that list of examples. I have always held Elder
Holland in such high regard, that is was humbling to hear that a man as mighty as he is has
fought his own battles over the years. Of course that is silly to think that he wouldn’t endure
trials like the rest of us, but it was a neat experience to hear him speak of it.
Elder Holland spent a majority of his talk giving us counsel on ways we can deal with
depression and other mental health challenges. His thoughts included everything from keeping
faith in our Heavenly Father to partaking of the sacrament weekly to seeking out the best medical
help possible. He also gave counsel to caregivers to “not run faster than you have strength.” I
especially loved when he quoted President Monson on God’s love: “That love never changes …
It is simply always there.”
If I had to pick one moment of General Conference throughout my whole life where I felt
the Spirit of the Lord the strongest, it would Elder Holland’s concluding testimony of the power
19
of the Resurrection of Christ. I will remember that forever. My oldest daughter has had some
physical and mental struggles since the day she was born. She is a perfect little girl and I look
forward to the day when she will be perfect in mind and body. I know this will happen more
than I know anything else in life. And I know it will happen because of the gift Jesus Christ has
given us all through His Resurrection. Elder Holland testified, “I bear witness of that day when
loved ones whom we knew to have disabilities in mortality will stand before us glorified and
grand, breathtakingly perfect in body and mind. What a thrilling moment that will be!” That is
my testimony as well.
2. “Lord, I Believe,” April 2013
As with the previous talk, I found it so refreshing that Elder Holland would give us some
counsel in this area, especially considering the numbers of students we have in each of our
classes who have doubts and questions. As he stated at the beginning, this talk was directed to
all of us in one way or another. He began by teaching a story found in Mark 9 about a boy
whom the Savior heals. Elder Holland teaches the scriptures in a way that really makes them
come alive. I love the insights he shares as he takes us through the stories he teaches. This boy’s
father displayed his honest faith, and the Savior had mercy on the boy, his father and the whole
family, and performed a miracle.
Elder Holland shared three observations about this account (paraphrasing): first, the
father showed forth his faith and strength first, and his weakness second. Elder Holland
implored us again and again to “hold the ground you have already won.” Second, we need to be
true to the faith that we already do have. We will all have questions and even doubts, but we
have received so many witnesses of the truth as well. We need to remember these experiences
and not let doubt take over. Finally, he counsels us to ask for help if we need to. We can get this
20
help from the Lord, other people filled with faith, and Elder Holland even invited us to lean on
his faith in times of testing.
A part of this talk that really stood out to me was when Elder Holland asked us to “be
kind regarding human frailty” and to be patient and forgiving. In a humorous way, he reminded
us that all the Lord has to work with is imperfect people, and although that must be frustrating,
He deals with it, and so should we! We often don’t know the battles that those around us are
fighting. Instead of our judgments, they need our kindness, help and support. The Savior’s life
was dedicated to blessing and healing those around Him. If we’re serious about being his
disciples, we should do the same. As always, Elder Holland finished his address with a powerful
declaration of what he does know, most importantly that God is our loving Father in Heaven and
that Jesus’ redemption is for the rest of us who are not perfect, and that we will rise again one
day.
3. “The First Great Commandment, October 2012
This was another powerful talk by Elder Holland (it seems like they all are) on the
importance of the first great commandment: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind” (Luke 10:27). Elder
Holland described the state of the Apostles after His crucifixion. I’ve never really considered
what their feelings and lives must have been like immediately after the Savior’s death. And I
think we forget that they only had three short years of training to carry on the work of building
the kingdom of God. I have always admired Peter and his almost child-like enthusiasm for the
work, exemplified by him jumping out of the boat when He recognized it was the Savior
speaking to them.
21
Elder Holland then details a conversation Peter had with Christ where he is instructed to
feed His sheep. The Lord needs disciples, and not just those early disciples or our modern day
Quorum of Twelve, but He needs all of us, and He needs us forever. He needs our loyalty and
our commitment and our determination to follow Him at all costs, in all times and in all things
and all places” (see Mosiah 18:9). One of the shortest scripture mastery verses we memorize in
seminary is John 14:15: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Although short and simple,
that is exactly what disciples of Christ do and the best way to show our love for Him.
A highlight of this talk for me is when Elder Holland described what most likely will
happen on Judgment Day. We will stand face to face with the Savior and He may simply ask us,
“Did you love me?” That simple question causes a lot of reflection and self-analysis. It
motivates me to work hard and live in a way so that I can have peace in my heart when that
encounter does occur. Elder Holland concludes, “Your father in Heaven expects your loyalty
and your love at every stage of your life.” There really is no retirement in this Church- true
discipleship is a full-time job, and also a wonderful privilege.
22
PART 3: Landmark addresses to S&I [Before 2004]
10 most important landmark addresses ever given to S&I (before 2004)
1. “The Charted Course of Church in Education,” President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
2. “Beware of Pride,” President Ezra Taft Benson
3. “The Candle of the Lord,” Elder Boyd K. Packer
4. “The Dangers of Priestcraft,” Paul V. Johnson
5. “Eternal Investments,” President Howard W. Hunter
6. “Cleansing the Inner Vessel,” President Ezra Taft Benson
7. “A Teacher Come From God,” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
8. “Teaching the Doctrine of the Family,” Julie B. Beck
9. “Those Seedling Saints Who Sit Before You,” Elder Neal A. Maxwell
10. “We Must Raise Our Sights,” Elder Henry B. Eyring
Five addresses of my choice
1. “Those Seedling Saints Who Sit Before You,” Elder Maxwell
It is impossible to summarize in one page anything Elder Maxwell writes- every one of his
addresses is “landmark” in my mind! I feel like this talk is a classic because of how
comprehensive it is in addressing our profession as teachers. He delves into so many different
aspects of teachings along with the blessings that come from the gospel in a general sense. He
describes the condition of the world and the students that we teach and gives insight as to how
we can become better in the coming years. He counsels us to teach with more urgency than ever
before and describes why the gospel is so relevant in the lives of our youth. He gives insight as
to how the adversary is operating and what we can do to combat his tactics. He gives specific
examples of techniques and methods we can use (i.e. repetition) to help our students better grasp
23
gospel concepts. He provides encouragement and hope and an eternal perspective as to the work
that we are really engaged in. And he testifies all throughout the address, just not in conclusion.
Elder Maxwell really does seem to cover everything in this one address- it is a spiritual buffet!
Elder Maxwell’s remarks are loaded with principles to help us not only as religious
educators but also as disciples of Christ trying to keep our covenants. I will mention a few of my
favorite. As teachers, we are to clarify, to verify and to testify. We are also to exemplify by our
lives the blessings of gospel living. This last charge is a full-time duty, not just when we are “on
the clock.” And it is righteous living that gives us power and allows us to clarify, verify and
testify. He taught that “the influence of teachers is incremental.” Not all students will remember
all we have taught, but some will remember some of what we have taught, and it will make a big
difference in their efforts to choose the right. We are only one piece of the puzzle. Another
principle he teaches is that we are to teach with a sense of urgency, and balance that with the fact
that knowledge and goodness are acquired over time, not in a moment of emotion or strong
feelings. Becoming a disciple of Christ is a lifetime pursuit- by small and simple things are great
things brought to pass (see 1 Nephi 16:29).
Near the end of his remarks, Elder Maxwell stated, “As you set the alternatives lovingly
before your students, who are free to choose, they will sense that you are helping to mark the
way” (emphasis added). This is a great reminder that these youth don’t need people preaching to
them- they need teachers and leaders that genuinely love them and that are there to help them
walk the gospel path. We can do this by word, and more importantly, by example.
2. “Eternal Investments,” President Hunter
This is one of my all-time favorite talks and I have read it occasionally over the years.
24
Although I don’t remember him well, I have always admired President Hunter and the humble,
Christlike way he teaches. I feel that this talk is so powerful because of it’s simplicity. President
Hunter gets right to the heart of teaching and instructs us on the basics of what we are to be
doing as teachers. I’ll like things plain, simple and straightforward, and I think that’s why I
enjoy this talk so much.
President Hunter teaches six principles for being successful in blessing the lives of God’s
children. They are: teach from the scriptures, invite students to come unto Christ through the
influence of the Holy Ghost, work hard, teach by the Spirit, focus on “the one,” and don’t just
teach the gospel- live it! I will highlight a few principles that stood out to me. In his instruction
on teaching by the Spirit, President Hunter pointed out that our classrooms are “weekday
sanctuaries” where students should be able to feel the influence of the Holy Ghost. I have tried
to create that environment in my classroom, to make it a “refuge from the storm” (see D&C
115:6). “Sanctuary” is a pretty strong word and there are things I can do better to make sure
students have that experience. My favorite principle taught in this talk is the truth that this is a
work of ministering to individuals. As the Church continues to grow by the millions, we need to
remember the example of the Savior during His ministry. He blessed people one by one, not by
the thousands (see 3 Nephi 17:21). When the students walk out the door at the end of every
trimester and I look at them one last time, I’m always reminded of individuals that I don’t feel
like I made a big enough effort to connect to. President Hunter admonished us to “give special
attention to those who may be struggling,” along with making efforts to fortify the strong
students. Despite all the demands on our time, we need to reach out to every student and serve
them the way the Savior would have us. These efforts can make a world of difference in the life
25
of a young man or young woman. In summary, we are to constantly ask ourselves what the
Savior would do if He were in our situation and how he would have us act, and then follow suit.
3. “The Dangers of Priestcraft,” Elder Johnson
I’m sure that one of the reasons this is a landmark talk to me is the fact that this was my first
(and last) opportunity to go to symposium at BYU. I remember clearly listening and taking
notes during this talk. I also believe that it is so important because the warnings of priestcraft
apply to EVERY SINGLE TEACHER in the entire world- no one is exempt from this danger.
Elder Johnson focused on some “safety training” and warned us of occupational hazards that we
face in our employment, divorce and teaching false doctrine being among them. He then focused
the rest of his remarks on priestcraft, which Nephi defined as when men “preach and set
themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they
seek not the welfare of Zion” (2 Nephi 26:29). Elder Johnson specifically addressed the
elements of priestcraft: getting gain and seeking the praise of the world. He helped us recognize
the signs and gave a very descriptive list of the symptoms so that there would be no question in
our minds as to how to recognize and then try to eradicate this behavior in our teaching. As I
read through the list once again, it was such a profound reminder of even the little things we do
each day that might distract from the Spirit and from true discipleship. I feel that this talk to be
required reading at least once a year for every teacher.
While it is fine to be a charismatic teacher and have many abilities and a personality that
the students can relate to, we “have to invite [our] students into the scriptures themselves, not
just give them [our] interpretation and presentation of them” (Elder Johnson quoting President
Hunter). Elder Johnson reminded us that we are not always going to be there for them, but the
Lord and the Holy Ghost will. On my mission I remember being aware of converts that were so
26
attached to the missionaries who taught them that when a new set of missionaries came in to
town, some would even leave the Church. They were converted to the Elders, not to the Gospel
that they taught. I remember feeling terrible seeing this happen- we can’t let it happen with our
students. President Hunter exhorted us to “…please make sure the loyalty of these students is to
the scriptures and the Lord and the doctrines of the restored Church.” That is where true
conversion comes and how they will be able to withstand the “fiery darts of the adversary” (1
Nephi 15:24).
There are some powerful results of constantly trying to stay free of priestcraft in our
profession. Two specific promises that Elder Johnson taught were: we can teach the gospel by
the power of the Spirit in a simple way. Also, students will love us but they won’t be dependent
on us. They will be turned to the Lord, their parents and their priesthood leaders. THOSE are
the real sources of strength and wisdom that they will be able to depend on for the rest of their
lives. I know that the Holy Ghost attends us in our teaching as we set the Savior up as the Light
that we should follow. And it is the Holy Ghost that truly converts and changes hearts.
4. “A Teacher Come from God,” Elder Holland
I love this talk as much as any talk I’ve ever read on teaching. Whenever I need a
recharging of my spiritual batteries, I turn to these words of Elder Holland. There are so many
times throughout his message that I think in my mind “AMEN,” that is exactly how I feel too. I
love how he just gives us the good word with both barrels, holding nothing back. One of the first
principles he points out is that we are ALL teachers. No matter where we serve in the Church or
whatever capacity we are currently in (parent, etc), we are constantly teaching. And there is “no
greater call” in this life than teaching. Elder Holland challenges us to re-emphasize superior
teaching in all areas of the Church, not just in the CES classroom. I really believe, just as he
27
taught, that people come to church and to our classrooms, hungry to feel the Spirit and to be
spiritually nourished. And it is our responsibility to do everything we can to provide that
experience for them.
Elder Holland (quoting President Kimball) mentioned all the efforts we make to get
people to come to our church meetings, but then we don’t take care of them like we should when
they get there. The same could be said of S&I. If we’re going to work hard in the recruitment of
youth to our seminary classes, we better be sure we are taking care of their needs when they do
sign up and come to our classes. And this takes much personal effort. We have to make sure our
hearts are right through prayer, scripture study, and constant devotion to our lesson preparation
and to righteous living. To avoid feeding the students “theological Twinkies” and “fried froth,”
we need to nurture our students with the influence of the Holy Ghost. Our efforts must be pure
as we strive to link their hearts with the Lord.
I love how Elder Holland said, “Satan is certainly not subtle in his teachings; why should
we be?” We have talked in the Church the last few years about the Lord hastening His work. I
believe this is absolutely true. We can’t forget that the adversary is also hastening his work in
the last days, and we must match and surpass his constant efforts to destroy us. Another classic
line from Elder Holland is when he encourages us to “never make our faith difficult to detect.”
This is the true gospel of Jesus Christ and we should teach it with most enthusiasm, joy and
power that we can. It is a blessing to be engaged in this work. I still feel the same amount of
gratitude to be employed by S&I as I did the day I was hired. This is the work of the Lord.
5. “We Must Raise Our Sights,” Elder Eyring
This was the first address I heard as a young student teacher back in 2001, and these words of
28
Elder Eyring have stayed with me ever since. I truly feel that he was speaking as a prophet, seer
and revelator as he warned many times in this talk of the times that are coming and the
challenges that the rising generation will face. He began by describing the wickedness of the
world and how the moral standards are eroding quickly. In describing these conditions, he
stated, “The spiritual strength sufficient for our youth to stand firm just a few years ago will soon
not be enough…even the best of them are sorely tested. And the testing will soon become more
severe.” It was eye-opening to me to think that that this was thirteen years ago. Most definitely
the morality of the world has not improved since then. But what makes this a great talk to me is
the fact that Elder Eyring doesn’t just describe the terrible conditions of our day- he gives us
counsel on what we can do about it.
There is one line from his talk that has been the subject of numerous faculty in-services,
lunch time discussions, and personal pondering sessions for me. Elder Eyring said, “The pure
gospel of Jesus Christ must go down into the hearts of young people by the power of the Holy
Ghost.” This is what has to happen in order for true conversion to occur. Now the question
becomes: how do we do this? After quoting the first seven verses of Mosiah 5 (which outline
how this mighty change takes place), Elder Eyring summarizes how this event takes place: the
Word of God is planted deep into the heart by the power of the Holy Ghost, the person pleads to
the Lord in faith while continuously repenting of sin, covenants are made, and then, in the timing
of a kind and loving God, a new heart and a new life are given. We need to remember as
teachers that this change takes time. We need to be patient and focus on our charge, which is to
teach powerfully and effectively. We aren’t responsible for when the change takes place- that is
for the Lord decide.
29
As I stated before, I like things plain, simple and straightforward. It really stood out to
me how many times Elder Eyring used the words “plain” and “pure” in his talk. He taught that
the reason why there were so many converts in the early days of the Church in England: the
brethren simply “taught that the pure gospel of Jesus Christ had been restored.” We don’t need to
use multiple fancy or emotional stories and gimmicks to catch their attention. We need to do
what our Objective states: “We teach students the doctrines and principles of the gospel as found
in the scriptures and the words of the prophets.”
30
PART 4: Recent Addresses to S&I [2004 to present]
1. “As He Thinketh in His Heart,” Elder Dallin H. Oaks, February 2013
Elder Oaks focused his message on the basic doctrine of marriage and the family and how we
can teach this doctrine more effectively to the youth. Right at the beginning he commented how
we sometimes neglect to teach simple basic gospel truths because we just figure everyone
understands them. If fact, these basic gospel principles are the most important things we teach. I
saw this myself just last trimester. We had been discussing the principle of tithing for a few
minutes in class when a student raised her hand and asked, “So exactly what is tithing?” We had
wrongly all assumed EVERYONE knew what tithing was. We started over with the basics and
had a discussion that I felt all the students were edified by.
Elder Oaks pointed out that members of our Church “think differently” than others
because “our starting points or major premises—are different from many of our friends and
associates.” For example, much of the world now believes that marriage is not important and
that it makes no difference if children are born to unwed parents. Contrast this to principles
taught in the Family Proclamation: “Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God”
and “children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony.” As we get further and further
into the latter days, the gap between the doctrine of Christ and the ways of the world will widen
and widen. Another example of a widespread belief in the world is the thought of “moral
relativism,” meaning there is no absolute right or wrong. Once again, contrast that belief with
the doctrine that “there is a God who is the source of eternal law, and he has given
commandments that establish a right and a wrong for many choices.” These are just two
examples of how the thinking of the world is drifting far away from the truth of God.
31
Woven throughout his talk are promises Elder Oaks gives us as we strive to be anchored
in the restored Gospel. We won’t be free from pain and trials, but we can sleep at night with
peace in our hearts and be assured that we’re on the path to our Heavenly Father. Despite the
wickedness of the world in the last days, we can have confidence that the Lord is with us and that
the devil has no power over us, as long as our foundation is built upon Christ (Helaman 5:12).
The Holy Ghost will help us recognize truth and reject the false teachings of the devil, helping us
stay securely on the path towards eternal life.
2. “How to Survive in Enemy Territory,” President Boyd K. Packer, January 2012
This was a special talk because it commemorated 100 years of seminary in the Church.
President Packer shared much wisdom and insight with the youth of the Church on this occasion.
I believe once again that this was an example of one of the Brethren speaking as a prophet, seer
and revelator. He said, “I speak as one who has seen the past and would prepare you for the
future.” Here is a list of the main principles I learned from this talk:

The greatest understanding occurs when the Gospel is taught in a plain and simple way.

Teachers are always learning. And I would add, when a teacher decides he has learned
enough, it is time for a career change.

The Holy Ghost comforts us and protects us. When we have the influence of the Spirit in
our lives, we can’t be deceived or destroyed. It takes a lifetime to learn how the Holy
Ghost operates.

The Holy Ghost cannot dwell in unclean places. He only dwells in clean and pure
tabernacles.

Personal prayer should be one of our highest priorities. The Lord is always there and our
prayers are always heard.
32

As we keep our eyes on the prophets and heed their words, we will always be on safe
ground.

We have each been given the gift of agency and we are to use it to choose the right.

The Atonement of Christ is like an eraser- it can perfectly cleanse us of our sins and guilt.

Constant repentance brings peace.

One of the best ways to “learn wisdom in thy youth” is by attending seminary (Alma
37:35).

As we live worthy of the Holy Ghost, we can look to the future with faith and hope.
I really appreciated this talk by President Packer. It was such a blessing to have him open the
floodgates of his memory (so to speak) and impart so much wisdom that he has gained
throughout the years. We would be wise to follow his counsel, because he is one who has “been
there and done that” when it comes to every aspect of teaching in this Church.
3. “A Teacher of God’s Children,” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, January 2011
President Uchtdorf has always been one of my favorite speakers to listen to. I always feel
so encouraged and full of hope after listening to one of his addresses. Whenever the Brethren
repeat a principle repeatedly, we should take notice. In almost every one of these addresses, the
Brethren mention how important teaching is in building the kingdom of God in the last days.
Right at the beginning of his remarks, President Uchtdorf (like many of the other Apostles in
their talks) reemphasized what a great calling it is to teach. He quoted President David O.
McKay: “No greater responsibility can rest upon any man [or woman], than to be a teacher of
God’s children.” We need to always keep this truth in our minds, especially at times when we
feel we’re in the “dog days” of teaching or like we’re not really making a difference.
33
President Uchtdorf provided us with 5 topics of counsel. In his first topic, “Follow the
Master Teacher,” he encouraged us to teach the youth to love the Savior. As we do this, they
will be prepared to loyal loving parents and “leaders of eternal families.” I LOVE this phrase.
So often we focus on preparing the youth to be the next generation of leaders in this Church.
While that is good and true, the most important thing we can prepare them for is celestial
marriage and parenthood. I remember my mission president saying that his #1 priority was
teaching us how to be “priesthood men” even more than how to be effective missionaries. He
also said that he would know he was an effective mission president when our grandchildren
were sealed in the temple raising eternal families. That way he would know the doctrine he
taught about being righteous husbands and fathers had sunk deep into our hearts to the point that
we acted on it and had taught it to our children. I also remember Sister Julie Beck teaching us in
a broadcast a few years ago that we need to focus more on preparing the youth to be mothers and
fathers, not just great leaders in the Church.
President Uchtdorf counseled us to be both bold AND humble and to avoid hobby-horse
subjects in the gospel. I feel that we’re more effective tools in the Lord’s hands when we’re
well-versed in a variety of gospel subjects instead of an “expert” on one or two. President
Uchtdorf taught the exact same principle that Elder Oaks did in his talk that God’s laws are
absolute truths and that gospel principles are eternal, despite what the world believes more and
more about moral relativism. That is a tactic Satan is employing that is proving to be very
effective. And this false belief that there is no right or wrong is another reason we need to
emphasize and teach our students how to find gospel principles and apply them to their
individual circumstances.
34
President Uchtdorf taught many other hopeful principles, but I’ll finish with this one:
teachers who have sincerity, passion and conviction are much more effective than those who are
polished and can put together well-crafted sentences. Our motives need to be pure. If our main
desire is to bring these students to the Savior by the power of the Holy Ghost, we need to keep
this as our focus and what drives us day after day. No other priority can take precedence.
As he quoted, “The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book.”
4. “To Know and Love God,” President Henry B. Eyring, February 2010
Whenever President Eyring speaks, I feel like we are in the same room having a one-on-one
conversation. He has a gift of connecting individually while still speaking to thousands. He
shared lessons he has learned at different stages of his life: as an early-morning teacher, at Ricks
College, and as deputy commissioner of Church Education. But before relating these lessons, he
reminded us that a testimony gained by the power of the Holy Ghost is the only kind of
testimony that will withstand the trials and temptations our youth will face in the last days. I also
really liked how he pointed out that the phrase “I do not know” is one of the best and most
intelligent things we can say in the classroom. It is much safer than wandering into unknown
territory where the Holy Ghost won’t validate our words.
As an early-morning teacher, he realized the importance of praying less for himself and
more for his students as individuals. I was also struck by the idea that he prayed for their
parents. In my 12 years of teaching full-time, I don’t remember if I’ve ever prayed for the
parents of my students. If I have, it hasn’t been with consistency. Of course it would be
impossible to pray for hundreds of students every single day, but I believe in the power and
charity that comes into our lives when we start praying for individual young men and young
women as opposed to saying a general prayer to cover all of our classes. The other part of this
35
equation is taking action after our prayer is complete. We need to act upon our righteous desires.
President Eyring also learned to wait for answers in the Lord’s time, not his.
At Ricks College he learned the principle of praying that his students would “pray in faith
that the spirit would come to teach us all.” As teachers, we can pray in mighty faith for the Spirit
to attend the class and teach us what we need to know. But how much more powerful would it
be to teach our students to do the same thing. What a blessing it would be if the teacher and all
30 students were united in the prayer of faith for the Holy Ghost to be present throughout the
class. As he became deputy commissioner, his classroom expanded to the thousands. He
repeated a truth that so many of the other Brethren have also taught in their talks: “our task has
always been to serve the one among the many.” As stated so many times before, this Church
(and world) is made up on individual sons and daughters of a Supreme Creator. The Savior
loves His children, each of them. And it’s our privilege to teach them and love them.
5. “Choices and Challenges,” Elder Quentin L. Cook, February 2009
I remember my mission president, Tim Taggart, teaching us all the time in Zone Conference:
“The most important thing you can learn as a missionary is how to listen to the Holy Ghost.
Why? Because that is how you’ll correctly make the most important decision in your life- the
decision of whom to marry.” To me, this is one of the major principles Elder Cook was teaching
in this talk. He told of a story of Steven and Benjamin and how their lives took different courses.
And the major factor that determined how their lives turned out? The decision of which girl they
would marry. I don’t know if this was even what Elder Cook was trying to get across to us, but
that is what I came away with. As we help students have experiences with the Holy Ghost every
day in the classroom, they will be more prepared to make this vital decision when the time is
right. I love how Elder Cook elaborated on the “foolishness” we see all over the place these
36
days, especially with the youth. That is one of the reasons so many are putting off the important
responsibilities of marriage and family life.
Another principle I caught from this same story was the importance of putting the Lord first
in our lives, no matter what. This would eliminate a lot of the foolishness that people engage in.
When we seek to serve Heavenly Father first and foremost, we are blessed and prospered in the
land. When we don’t, we perish. That promise is repeated over and over again in the Book of
Mormon. And I know it’s true. The happiest times in my life are when I’m focused in on how I
can build God’s kingdom and bless the lives of those around me. When I stray off that path and
start going after my own objectives, it’s amazing the difference in the way I feel. It’s a feeling of
emptiness. Elder Cook reminds us that we can be a source of example, knowledge, and spiritual
strength to those we have in our classes. This theme is repeated so many times in these “Evening
with a General Authority” addresses. I especially feel the importance of example. I think of the
seminary teachers that I had when I was in high school, and the way they carried themselves and
the relationships they had with their families are more memorable to me than any lesson they
ever taught.
6. “Conversation with Teachers,” President Boyd K. Packer, February 2008
It is hard to believe that President Packer said at the beginning of this talk that “I am going to
read a scripture or two, all I have written by way of notes.” He finished his thoughts twelve
pages later! He really was speaking by inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and I found the stories and
verses he shared to be enlightening, helpful and very interesting. He taught us to teach and treat
each student as if they were our own child. Looking at these youth we teach with that mindset
puts things in a different light. I would do anything for my own children. We have all had
37
challenging students that we were glad when they were absent. But one day that could be my
own boy, and I would pray that a teacher would go the extra mile to make a difference in his life.
I found it so interesting when President Packer called the Quorum of Twelve a bunch of
“nobodies” and that they were as ordinary as ordinary can be. On a personal level, I have felt
that often as a teacher and in various church callings. But I also know that what President
Monson has taught so many times is true: “Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies,” and “When
we are on the Lord’s errand we are entitled to the Lord’s help.” The very fact that I am on the
Lord’s “team” in teaching the gospel to the youth of the Church, I can have confidence that He
will be sustain and support me as I qualify for His blessings.
In a way, President Packer told us (as teachers) that we are the “troops” in the Church. I
love that thought. One of my favorite Jazz basketball players a few years back was Matt
Harpring. He never set any records or did anything extraordinary, and many people probably
don’t even remember his name. But I loved how he did the small things that most other players
didn’t want to do, such as diving on the floor or playing solid defense. I’m not saying at all that
teaching seminary is “grunt work.” But as President Packer taught us, “Teaching is not a sport
for the weary or those who tire easily because it never ends.” It is a challenging thing to teach
religion to teenagers that have a million other things on their minds. And it is especially
challenging to do it effectively with the necessary amount of passion and enthusiasm. And I love
it. I love the idea of being a “troop” for Jesus Christ.
I was reminded of the blessing it is to be led by prophets, seers, and revelators when
President Packer mentioned the different emotions he has seen in the presiding councils of the
Church over the years. He has seen shock, concern, disappointment, but never fear. I know the
Savior is in charge of this work, and I know He directs it through his chosen servants. There is
38
so much comfort and security in that truth, and I pray we don’t ever take it for granted. In
conclusion, President Packer emphasized that he doesn’t like to use the word absolutely, but then
he went ahead and used it: “It is absolutely crucial that you as teachers in the Church measure up
and do as you are called and ordained or appointed to do and simple teach. Teach the gospel of
Jesus Christ in its simplicity.” There’s that word again: simplicity. That is one of the main
themes I am going to take out of my reading of these addresses and try to put into practice even
more in the future.
7. “Seek Learning by Faith,” Elder David A. Bednar, February 2006
After this address was delivered by Elder Bednar, I remember it being the topic of
conversation for years at the building I was teaching at. A whole certification paper could be
done on just this talk alone. Elder Bednar began by pointing out two basic principles of
teaching: we are to teach the truths of the gospel by the power of the Spirit (D&C 50:14), and we
are to seek learning by faith (D&C 88:118). He shared the insight found in 2 Nephi 33:1 where
we learn that the Holy Ghost is how a gospel message is delivered into the heart of the one
receiving the message, and that the receiver must allow it to enter. We can explain, demonstrate
and testify with all the power we possess, and these efforts will take the message unto the
learner, but it is up to the student whether or not they receive the doctrine. After teaching the
doctrine of faith, Elder Bednar quoted President Packer’s example of the need to take a few steps
into the darkness—“expecting and trusting the light to move and illuminate the way.” He used
another example of the children of Israel needing to get their feet wet before the Red Sea parted.
A core principle of learning by faith is to be doers of the word and not hearers only. As
teachers we need to help our students understand their roles in the learning process. The most
gifted teacher in the world won’t make a bit of difference is the learners aren’t prepared to go out
39
and do something about what they are learning. The knowledge they need will never come
unless they exercise faith and act upon what they Holy Ghost has taught them. I have had
students over the years that just showed up to the class with the mindset that they were there to
just relax, enjoy the experience and be fed spiritually. And I’m sure they had a good experience
learning about the scriptures. But the students I’ve seen that became on fire with the blessings of
the gospel were those that went the extra mile to really put into practice the principles so they
could gain their own witness of the truth. Joseph Smith going into the grove of trees to follow
the counsel in James 1:5 is a perfect example of seeking learning by faith.
One last thought: I am grateful for Elder Bednar’s reminder that “it is never about me and
it is never about you.” The Holy Ghost is the teacher and the Son of God is the light that we
hold up. Anything else is priestcraft.
8. “To Understand and Live Truth,” Elder Richard G. Scott, February 2005
I appreciate Elder Scott’s different approach in this talk by bringing a young woman forward
to not only tell us what he wanted us to know, but to show us. He began by sharing a concern
that President Hinckley has regarding the youth in seminary. They are attending class but failing
to internalize the doctrine “in fleshy tables of the heart” (2 Corinthians 3:3). We need to do a
better job anchoring the truth in the hearts of our students so that when they face difficult times
they have gospel principles to rely on to guide their choices and actions. Elder Scott said our
objective is to be to “help students understand, retain, and use divine truth.” He encouraged us to
keep that objective at the forefront of our minds when we prepare and teach. If we can help
students understand, internalize and apply truth, we have accomplished our purpose. I like how
he asked us to help them make principles part of their “guidebooks for life.” That simply is what
we’re trying to do each day.
40
One part of this talk stood out to me more than any other. I think it’s because I have
gained a strong testimony of this principle throughout my years of teaching. I believe that the
lecturing is the worst form of teaching. Much of my undergraduate degree was spent taking
notes and then spitting it back out on a test at the end of the week. I remember little of what I
learned. Some of the most rewarding experiences in seminary are when a student makes a
comment such as, “I really like what Sarah said in her devotional…” or “When Scott was talking
I got thinking about…” My favorite part of teaching, hands down, is listening to the students
talk to each other about their experiences with the gospel. Elder Scott was very forceful when he
directed us to “Never, and I mean never, give a lecture where there is no student participation. A
‘talking head’ is the weakest form of class instruction.” And then he gave us a wonderful
illustration of how to do this when he called Rebecca to come forward. I don’t feel at all as if
Elder Scott is saying we should completely remove ourselves from the learning process. But we
must remember, as Elder Bednar said in the previous address, that this isn’t about us, and it never
will be.
9. “The One Pure Defense,” President Boyd K. Packer, February 2004
I have always enjoyed hearing President Packer tell the experience he had right after
World War two ended when he decided to become a teacher. He mentioned that he “had a
burning witness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.” I remember back in one of my first day
in the pre-service program when Brent Cottle, our pre-service director, told us the two things
necessary to be successful in this occupation: a love for the gospel and a love for the youth. He
then told us that if we didn’t have either of these two things, we shouldn’t bother coming back
for the next class session. Just as President Packer had his moment of decision, this was mine. I
41
felt had a love for both of those things and I remember feeling as if I should give it my best
attempt at getting hired. I haven’t regretted that decision for one second.
President Packer taught a simple pattern of gospel instruction. We are to teach the
students the gospel, and they are to pray for their own witness of its truthfulness. We teach them
about the Apostasy and Restoration and the doctrine found in the scriptures. And they can put
the promise at the end of the Book of Mormon to the test. They can ask with a sincere heart and
real intent, and the Holy Ghost will manifest the truth of it unto them. The youth need a solid
testimony to be safe in the wicked world in which we live.
President Packer again reminded us that the family is the first line of defense, not us. Just
like our callings in the Church, we are here to support the family, not replace them. This is
where President Eyring’s counsel to pray for the youth AND their parents can really come into
play. The greatest teaching and nurturing will happen in the home and we would be wise to
make every effort to support the teaching in the home. Of course there are more and more youth
that aren’t getting the gospel nourishment they need in the home setting, and that is where
leaders and teachers become the first defense. President Packer taught that a “knowledge and a
testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ are like a vaccine. We can inoculate them.”
President Packer mentioned a few times in his remarks about how wicked the world is
and how much worse it will get in the coming years. I love how he testified that “they need not
fear. We need not fear. Fear is the opposite of faith.” In another talk he said that we should
never take counsel from our fears. I have seen the great influence Satan has had and how it
seems to be increasing. But I know that righteousness will one day conquer all and wickedness
will lose. The Savior will return to this earth in power and great glory. And we need to always
remember that we are on His team.
42
Other address
10. “We Are On the Lord’s Errand,” Elder Russell M. Ballard, August 2010
There are a few principles that stood out to me from Elder Ballard’s remarks:

“Every student is precious.” He used the word “precious” four times in one paragraph.
He taught that the greatest joy the Lord has is when His children repent of their sins and come
unto Him. As teachers, we have the opportunity to play a part of that process, working together
with their families and ecclesiastical leaders. One of the themes of each of these addresses has
been the emphasis on serving and loving individuals. One of our scripture masteries teaches that
“the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 18:10). We need to
pray for the ability to look at these young people as the Savior looks at them.

We are to “keep the gospel simple.” That is another theme throughout each of the talks
of the Brethren. Once again, Elder Ballard used the word “simple” four times in one paragraph.
He counseled us to be “real and relaxed.” I like that combination of words. And when we are,
the more effectively we will be able to accomplish the work. “Today I am going to teach you
something that you’ll never hear in General Conference” are words that should NEVER come
out of our mouths. We need to stay strictly with the Brethren and the scriptures. I really feel that
the second we leave this safe ground, the Holy Ghost withdraws immediately.

Another vital part of teaching is “to be worthy to have the Holy Ghost” so that students
will be able to both feel and hear the message. As an Apostle of the Lord, Elder Ballard invited
us to examine our lives and repent TODAY of anything that would stand in the way of our
ability to teach by the Spirit. We have such an important task each day and we need all the help
we can get from heaven. I remember my mission president saying often that the closest we can
get to hell in this life is to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost and then lose it,
43
and that there is nothing more miserable than trying to do missionary work without the Spirit. I
believe this idea applies with teaching as well.

He stressed how important it is to “love [our] students.” Love should the basis for
everything we do in the classroom. He taught us of the power of truly expressing love to
individuals in our teaching and also in our church callings. Some days it’s harder to feel this
love than others. It is on those days that we need to follow the counsel of Moroni and “pray unto
the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath
bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ…” (Moroni 7:48).
One final thought: Elder Ballard described the Savior in a way that I’ve never heard
before. After repeatedly reminding us that we are on the Lord’s errand, he asked us to invite “the
perfect Gentleman” to join us in our responsibilities. I love that title for the Savior and have
never thought of Him in that light. He truly is the perfect example of a Gentleman, someone we
can look to as we strive to become better husbands, father, and teachers.
44
Conclusion
Studying the words of modern-day prophets, seers and revelators has been a wonderful
blessing in my life for many reasons. I also believe the work that has been put into this portfolio
will be a benefit to the students I teach and the men I work with. My testimony of the men who
lead this Church has been deepened and solidified. That’s what studying 24 of their talks will do
for you! The Lord says in Doctrine and Covenants 1:37 that all his words shall be fulfilled. I
have read numerous prophecies of the Brethren that have literally come to pass right before our
very eyes. The warnings they have give us have been prophetic, and the counsel they give us is
truly the only way to stay on safe ground in the latter-days and have the power we need to
combat the adversary. I am more aware now of the teachings of the prophets than I have ever
been in my life. And as a result of this, I’m more excited and prepared for the upcoming General
Conference than I’ve ever been.
This project will be a great benefit to me as a teacher, and hopefully to my students as
well. I feel more prepared and “equipped” than ever to walk into the classroom and utilize the
words of our leaders. I feel like I have a better grasp on what the current “word of the Lord” is
to His people than I did a few weeks ago. As I studied these addresses, the themes of the
Brethren were made very clear to me: teach the gospel with plainness and simplicity, teach by
the power of the Holy Ghost, and love and minister to the students one by one, to name a few. I
feel that these messages have been burned into my soul.
I feel that we are blessed more than we realize to be led by a prophet on the earth today,
along with fourteen other men we also sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators. I know that as
we follow his direction to the best of our abilities, the Lord will strengthen and protect us in our
journey through mortality.
45