Lesson 12 - The Atonement

Things As They Really Are

Things As They Really Are

This week, we had the opportunity to hear from Sarah Acree. She chose the talk, “Things As They Really Are,” given by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Elder Bednar starts off by likening his feelings to those of Jacob, the brother of Nephi, saying, “I this day am weighted down with much...desire and anxiety for the welfare of our souls” (Jacob 2:3). He informs the listeners/readers that this topic has come to him over time, as he has listened to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. He exhorts us to listen with rapt attention and with a purpose. His purpose centers around the simple and clear definition of truth set forth by the Book of Mormon:

“The Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls” (Jacob 4:13).

Isn’t it interesting how often he pulls references from Jacob? May I suggest that we all go back and re-study this book of scripture - perhaps it will align us better with the purpose of Elder Bednar’s talk.

If you’ve ever noticed a talk given by Elder Bednar, you’ll notice that he writes/gives his talks much like you would propose a thesis project: a opening statement, thesis, and then three supporting points. I’ve given a brief overview of the opening statement and his thesis, and below are his three supporting points.

1. “We will first review several key elements of our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness as the doctrinal foundation for knowing and understanding things as they really are.”

2. “We will then consider methods of attack used by the adversary to distract us from or inhibit our capacity to discern things as they really are. 

3. ‘And finally, we will discuss the responsibilities that rest upon you as the rising generation.
    -You will need to be obedient, to honor sacred covenants, and to discern things consistently as they really are in today’s world that grows ever more confused and wicked.”

Instead of going into depth on all three points, I’ll just mention the things in this talk that caught my attention, and perhaps share a bit with you about why.

Our Divine Destiny
-President Boyd K. Packer has taught, “Our spirit and our body are combined in such a way that our body becomes an instrument of our mind and the foundation of our character.”
   ‘Thus, our relationships with other people, our capacity to recognize and act in accordance with truth, and our ability to obey the principles and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ are amplified through our physical bodies.’

 ‘Because a physical body is so central to the Father’s plan of happiness and our spiritual development, we should not be surprised that Lucifer seeks to frustrate our progression by tempting us to use our bodies improperly.’

The Adversary’s Attacks
“I testify that as you desire to so learn, as you ‘watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives,’ you will be spiritually enlightened and protected.”

“Satan also strives to entice the sons and daughters of God to minimize the importance of their physical bodies. This particular type of attack is most subtle and diabolical.”

Read the paragraph that begins with: ‘Sadly, some young men and women in the Church today ignore “things as they really are....” He continues to talk about marriage and about how distractions of excessive video gaming or online socializing effect our covenants that we have made in the House of the Lord.

One of my favorite quotes from this talk: “Today, I raise an apostolic voice of warning about the potentially stifiling, suffocating, suppressing, and constraining impact of some kinds of cyberspace interactions and experiences upon our souls.”

Closing message: “The Lord knows who we really are, what we really think, what we really do, and who we really are becoming.... For your happiness and protection, I invite you to study more diligently the doctrine of the plan of salvation - and to prayerfully ponder the truths we have revisited.

He then offers 2 questions for personal consideration and studying:
1. Does the use of various technologies and media invite or impede the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost in your life?

2. Does the time you spend using various technologies and media enlarge or restrict your capacity to live, to love, and to serve in meaningful ways?

-The Rising Generation: Elder Maxwell once made a statement that greatly impressed Elder Bednar: “The youth of this generation have a greater capacity for obedience than any previous generation.” Elder Bednar then wonders if we have hear this description so much, as we are the rising generation, that we have begun to take it for granted.

This is the point that hit me so hard when I read this talk: “Thus, obedience is the principal weapon upon which the rising generation must rely in the latter-day battle between good and evil.”

“As we heed that inspired counsel, we can and will be blessed to recognize and repel the attacks of the adversary-today and in the days that lie ahead. We can and will fulfill our foreordained responsibilities and contribute to the work of the Lord in all the world.”

In a closing statement of my own, I would like to reiterate what I shared on Sunday during our testimony time. Lately, I've been feeling over inundated by media influences, and not by any choice but my own. Whether I have been reading comments from good friends on Facebook to pouring over the blogs of other friends, I have had a pressure upon me that was making me feel inadequate. I wasn't buying a new car; I wasn't taking my kids to Disneyland; I wasn't "keeping up with the Jones'," as my mom would say. I felt as if I wasn't good enough to contribute to the world because I wasn't doing everything my 'friends' were doing. Now, I'm old enough to understand the difference between reality and digitally perceived reality, but I found myself feeling bad about myself. So, I decided to take a break from those outlets. I didn't blog as much. I didn't check my email as much. I didn't pour over Facebook as much. Then I came across this talk and understood why I had felt prompted to do so. I think that re-evaluating my life helped me to make a change that worked for me. I hope that you will search your lives, and align yourself with the Lord's will. Then, as we do that, the things we have placed in our lives will line up in rank of priority, or they will simply fall out of our lives.

I hope you'll re-read this talk. Any apostolic witness of the doctrine would be worthy of a second-glance.

Have a wonderful week!

Krista Hollingshaus