Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. This is not true, for the decision is ourswe may accept or reject, comply or ignore[However,] we cannot avoid the penalties of disobedience to law (Spencer W. Kimball, The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pp. . Hundreds of thousands of us today are in this position. Let us assume the counsel given applies to us, to me. When he was three years old, his father accepted a call to preside over a stake in Thatcher, Arizona. The way to become perfect is to change your lifeto substitute the good for the evil in every case. Defense stockpiles increase. It is because of their love and integrity that they cannot modify the Lords message merely to make people feel comfortable. While the iron curtains rise and thicken, we eat, drink, and make merry. Pray carefully over all your decisions. Do we lose faith, do we lose patience, do we lose hope, do we get weary in waiting, because the day is long and the event delayed? Both a righteous man and a righteous woman are a blessing to all those their lives touch. His was not a long-distance leadership. We are led by revelation. and the four new members of the First Quorum of the Seventy who poured out their hearts in those moments they had? Yet work goes on, merchandise is sold, athletic entertainments, fishing, hunting go forward without regard to commandments. Let us begin with a few examples. Its symptoms are manifested in every corner of the globe. 17:2832. 1:26.). They suffered the fulfillment of every dire prophecy. Of course, a one-sided disarmament could be madness if worldliness and materialism continued, but a serious turn of the masses could forestall all military conquests, all tragedies of conflict. We understand further that as families are raised, the talents God has given you and blessed you with can often be put to effective use in additional service to mankind. The outlook is bleak, but the impending tragedy can be averted. We can transform, but will we? He also toured the Middle East and dedicated the Orson Hyde Memorial Garden on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. 29-34 (Click here for a link to read the PDF version in the Conference Archives). The brethren are not out of touch nor asleep. A relatively few people attend their church services, pay their tithing, serve their fellow men. We wonder how often hearers first rejected the prophets because they despised them, and finally despised the prophets even more because they had rejected them. 1:7, And there shall be none to molest them 2 Ne. Illegitimate births are said to reach as high as one in ten, yet promiscuity far exceeds illegitimacy. With no further adieu, from the General Conference Archives here is Spencer W. Kimballs full Oct. 1961 address (minus the first paragraph that was simply a greeting): Our world is in turmoil. Hunger scaled the walls; thirst broke down the gates; immorality, cannibalism, idolatry, godlessness stalked about till destruction came. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy Ex. "Heave ho!" They had been taught. Others of the sisters are experiencing the anguish that often goes with aging. In 1972, he underwent open-heart surgerya practice pioneered and performed by President Russell M. Nelson. For those who heed the warning and make their preparations, for those found at midnight with the oil of righteousness in their lamps, for those with patience, long-suffering, and full dedication, the promise is that they shall sit down at the banquet with their Lord. The ways of the world will not prevail, for the ways of God will triumph. Indeed, he seeks the misery of all mankind (2Ne. Remember, too, as we focus on the glories and importance of family life here, that all of us belong to the eternal family of our Father in Heaven. They had four children who recall that their home was one of support, encouragement, and appreciation between family members. Time had passed, and he had not come. But finally the net was in shallow water and the fish began to jump frantically, trying to escape. The edible ones were saved and the catch was brought to the fire for the feast. Thou shalt not commit adultery Ex. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. Spencer W. Kimball reports that David O. McKay had said "that in his view homosexuality was worse than heterosexual immorality; that it is a filthy and unnatural habit." (20) 1959- Advise and Consent published. For instance, we read that war, pestilence, plagues, famine, etc., will be visited upon the inhabitants of the earth, but if distress through the judgments of God comes upon this people, it will be because the majority have turned away from the Lord., The worlds living prophet has warned and pleaded that the people return to God, who has said again: I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise D&C 82:10. Be assured, too, that all faithful sisters, who, through no fault of their own, do not have the privilege during their second estate of being sealed to a worthy man, will have that blessing in eternity. 26:14-43. The newspapers carry glaring headlines, politicians wrangle, students and authorities harangue. Certainly, there are today false Christs and deceivers in the land such as were spoken of by the Lord from the heights of the Mount of Olives. 26:4-6,8, The land will be barren, (perhaps radioactive or dry from drought.). Why should there be spiritual blindness in the day of brightest material vision? Experience is a dear teacher but fools will learn by no other. But we continue on in our godlessness. The pioneers thought it would be soon and watched for signs; our grandparents watched for the sprouting of the fig tree; our parents watched for the reddening of the sky; and we ourselves have heard all our lives that the Second Coming is near. Remember, in the world before we came here, faithful women were given certain assignments while faithful men were foreordained to certain priesthood tasks. They are boats, cars, and luxuries. Just because something is in our midst does not mean that we have been in the midst of it. Some of you have not yet had the great privilege of marriage. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. Changes can come best if we take one item at a time.https. Immortality is a reality. Prophets who were not glib, but slow of speech, were esteemed as naught. The cares of the world, the honors of the world, and looking beyond the mark are all determined by a persuasive few who presume to speak for all. Even if the tomato you eat is a $2.00 tomato, it will bring satisfaction anyway and remind us all of the law of the harvest, which is relentless in life. Can they not see the gross selfishness that will lead finally to deep loneliness? (Acts 1:7.) There will be faintness of heart and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase you into flight and you will fall when none pursueth. They were sealed the following year in the Salt Lake Temple. they cried, and all together we pulled and strained. Instead of responding to Pauls message, some saw his bodily presence as weak and regarded his speech as contemptible. Partly due to his work in Brazil and other South American countries, he was led to question the Churchs policy of restricting priesthood and temple blessings from those of African descent, a practice which had begun during the time of Brigham Young. When they have belatedly sought to fulfill the requirements and finally reach the hall, the door is shut. Spencer W. Kimball : biography March 28, 1895 - November 5, 1985 As World War II neared its conclusion, Kimball and other LDS church leaders constantly responded to the needs of the friends and families of LDS war casualties. There is no greater and more glorious set of promises given to women than those which come through the gospel and the Church of Jesus Christ. These real heroines have true humility, which places a higher value on integrity than on visibility. We know also that God is perfect in his love for each and all of us as his spirit children. One stroke of his omnipotent hand could make powerless all nations who oppose and save a world even in its death throes. It was not simply a call to repentance, but it felt like Spencer W. Kimball was raising a prophetic voice effectively saying "YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED" so as to wash his garments clean from the blood and sins of our generation. And then he gave the parable of the fish and the net: Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. It is difficult to be prepared for an event so long delayed. They help us to see the end from the beginning. . When we know these truths, my sisters and associates in this divine cause, it should help us greatly as we all experience much less than perfect love and perfect justice in the world. Your dead bodies will be piled upon the materialistic things you sought so hard to accumulate and save. May God help us in the opportunities which are ours to live righteously as a way of witnessing to the world, to speak out humbly but forthrightly, to lead out effectively and thoughtfully, ever using the gospel of Jesus Christ as our constant guide. Whenever I reflect and ponder upon the glorious truths of the gospel, and that is often, I wonder if we even begin to appreciate the implications of these glorious truths. "Rationalizing is the bringing of ideals down to the level of one's conduct. The prophets have always been free from the evil of their times, free to be divine auditors who will still call fraud, fraud; embezzlement, embezzlement; and adultery, adultery. In the Church there is full equality between man and woman. Free love and indiscretions and deviations of every nature are common in our day. As we follow the teachings of Christ, we will feel the Spirit testify the truth of the things we do. We rejoice in your devotion. Like. This talk is AMAZING. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. By one means or another, the swiftest method of rejection of the holy prophets has been to find a pretext, however false or absurd, to dismiss the man so that his message could also be dismissed. In our lives the oil of preparedness is accumulated drop by drop in righteous living. One cannot read about the prophet Ether, warning the city by day and hiding by night in a cave, without marveling at his capacity to go each day once again into that hostile city. A month later, Spencer's parents sensed that five-year-old Fannie, who had been suffering for several weeks, would soon pass away. Those who seem to flout the institution of marriage, and who regard chastity before marriage with fidelity after as old-fashioned, seem determined to establish a new fashion on their own and impose it upon others. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. Too late, too late! Everybody expresses opinions, but few approach the real cause or the real cure. The book spent 102 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. How can one share faith or testimony? As both the wheat and the tares grew up in the same field together, the question was asked of the landowner, "Shall we go and gather up the tares?" It was baptized by water, and its sins were washed away. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. Amen.Spencer W. Kimball,Conference Report, October 1961, pp. President Boyd K. Packer indicated that Elder Kimball felt that his father came to him in this dream to let Spencer know that he approved of his life. BYU Speeches He lives. This was not selfishness or unkindness. Various excuses have been used over the centuries to dismiss these divine messengers. . Too often the holy prophets are wrongly perceived as harsh and as anxious to make a record in order to say, I told you so. Those prophets I have known are the most loving of men. For they have warned that if the inhabitants of this land are ever brought down into captivity and enslaved, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land (see 2 Ne. . He learned from diligent and faithful parents to work hard on the farm and in school and to love the gospel. 13:55.) Can they not see that, pushed by pleasure, they will become more and more distant from joy? Six days shalt thou labour Ex. In an ancient situation somewhat comparable to our own, there was a great destruction, and when the quiet came, those who were spared were wailing: . I recall my first trip to Hawaii. I'll never forget an experience that Sister Nelson and I had about three decades ago with President Spencer W. Kimball and his beloved Camilla. Regardless of who is getting the adversarys special attention at any given time, he seeks to make all people miserable like unto himself (2Ne. I am prepared to live or die and need not fear. It is a capitulation to the carnal in man and a rejection of joy and beauty in this life and in the world to come. This saintly soul realizes there is one thing left undone to make him a totally honest man. Even if the plot of soil you cultivate, plant, and harvest is a small one, it brings human nature closer to nature as was the case in the beginning with our first parents. The first area presidents outside of the United States and Canada were also set apart. Of such the Lord said: And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins. Yet even when the hardening is swift, it can also be subtle. God will fight our battles if we honor him and serve him with all our hearts, might, mind, and strength. The cares of the world are so many and so entangling, even very good people are diverted from following the truth because they care too much for the things of the world, such as the young man who had kept all the commandments from his youth up. Now as we conclude this general conference, let us all give heed to what was said to us. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. The Kimball family moved and Spencer grew up there. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Yet here are bribery, fraud, deceit, theft, padding of expense accounts, tax evasion, installment buying beyond ability to pay, and gambling running into the billions. 2:18). For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. Finally, in 1978 he announced that he had received a revelation which extended the holding of the priesthood to all worthy male members of the Church, also extending temple blessings regardless of race. Primary helps little boys and girls prepare for their future great responsibilities as mothers and fathers and citizens of Zion. With no warning, no last-minute preparation is possible. By President Spencer W. Kimball Read by his wife, Sister Camilla Kimball My beloved sisters: I have been looking forward for months to the pleasure of meeting with you dear sisters once again in a worldwide conference of the women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It seems that while remedies have been applied, staph infection has set in, and the patients suffering intensified. The dignity and self-esteem that honest work produces are essential to happiness. He later became the church's president . Those who keep a book of remembrance are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives. These realities will not go away simply because we have different opinions about them. If race tracks were closed on the Sabbath, if gambling ceased, drinking eliminated, work and play confined to week days; if stores were closed and all people went to their sanctuaries truly to worship even as best they know; if taverns never opened, and transgressors all repented, and broken homes were mended, and children were trained in uprightness; if families all knelt in prayer night and morning, if tithes were paid and integrity and worship reigned in the lives of men, the era of total peace would be ushered in. He also stayed involved in the growth of his community through civic and volunteer organizations. We love you sisters. When God speaks and we obey, we will always be right." 9:13. As a boy I saw how all, young and old, worked and worked hard. Yet in high places and in low, in government office and in business, in everyday life, men have rationalized until consciences seem to have been seared in the matter of honesty. They had cheated themselves. It is aging toward senility. As the net load came closer to the shore, it was fuller and heavier and the unruly waves covered us many times. They stand at his mercy which will be extended only if they repent. That infallible cure is simply righteousness, obedience, Godliness, honor, and integrity. President Kimball commissioned extensive study of the scriptures in regard to the matter, and after hearing from Elder Bruce R. McConkie that there was nothing in the scriptures to necessitate the restriction, he made it a matter of fervent and exhaustive prayer in the temple. But both husband and wife are to be parents! It was consecrated as a land of promise to the people of the Americas, to whom God gave these great promises: It will be a land of liberty to its people 2 Ne. Will we ever turn wholly to God? We read that he went away sorrowful for he had great possessions. Copyright 2023 My Life By Gogo Goff | Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Doctrine of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, Ezra Taft Benson: A Time of Crisis in America April 1968 General Conference, Eldred G. Smith: Can you endure to the end for two hours? In 1969, then-Mormon Apostle Spencer W. Kimball wrote a book addressed to his people titled The Miracle of Forgiveness. We wish you to pursue and to achieve that education, therefore, which will fit you for eternity as well as for full service in mortality. 20:7 italics added). A Sabbath show or a game or a race replaces solemn worship. The scriptures and the prophets have taught us clearly that God, who is perfect in his attribute of justice, is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). (Matthew 24:43-44.) The precipitous walls on the high hills of Jerusalem deflected for a time the arrows and spears of enemies, the catapults and firebrands. Midnight is so late for those who have procrastinated. The following year also brought an important development: the King James Version of the Bible was released with an inclusion of LDS study aids. They are too kind to be so cruel. Thus misery achieves a ghastly monument. Sinai by the hand of Moses Lev. The writer of Hebrews warns: Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. And learning this the bridegroom will relent. He gave us another parable to try to make clear the importance of being always prepared. Fear envelops the world which could be at ease and peace. He has even said it would be so. In our day the routing is from Palmyra to Paris, not the reverse. and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 218 University Press Building (Matthew 24:21-22.) They needed all their oil for themselves; they could not save the foolish. That book, which went up through President Kimball's first year as president, set the standard at the time for Latter-day Saint biography. . The righteous were saved in Enochs day and the wicked were drowned in the flood. Their examples helped him gain a testimony of their callings as ministers of Jesus Christ. (See 1Sam. No wonder we who bear the plan of salvation feel a special urgency in sharing the gospel, because we love our own neighbor. If we need a reminder of harsh realities and the dangers of duty which prophets face, Jonah gives us a glimpse in relation to his call to the exceeding great city of Nineveh, which took three days just to walk through, its size was so intimidating. If persistently resisted it will "get the message" and stay away." Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness 1 likes Like "What message may I take from you to the young people in Zion?" He goes through an immense personal struggle and emerges victorious. The disdain for work among some today may merely signal the return of harshness and wildnessperhaps not to our landscape but to some people. He served in the Quorum of the Twelve for thirty years and became the president of the Church in 1973. I was not a General Authority at that time. In this connection, I stress again the deep need each woman has to study the scriptures. It seems that we would rather tax ourselves into slavery than to pay our tithes; rather build protections and walls than drop to our knees with our families in solemn prayers night and morning. (Matthew 25:1-13.) For many years, this book has been widely read by the membership and even recommended at general conferences. In the parable, oil can be purchased at the market. . Your poweryour supremacyyour pride in superioritywill be broken. Can they change? In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Many of the Lord's parables and sayings urged men to be prepared for his Second Coming and for the end of this period of the world's existence. Far from freeing those involved, sin is an admission of surrender to the herd. With bulging eyes and gasping mouths they struggled. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. We understand that. "My brethren, I wonder if we are . He passed away in 1985 in Salt Lake City. Scriptures are read little, and the holy day becomes a holiday. The initiated who knew fish and were able to judge picked the worthless ones and cast them back into the sea. They are found among men in high places, in hut and mansion. 19:35-37 Three hundred soldiers and God and Gideon routed the powerful army of the Midianites Judg. Numerous mothers prefer the added luxuries of two incomes to the satisfactions of seeing children grow up in the fear of God Deut. 45:1. Terror is substituted for reason. Provo, Utah 84602, The Second Century of Brigham Young University. How special it is for Latter-day Saint women to be given the lofty assignments they have been given by our Father in Heaven, especially those of you who have been privileged to be born in this part of this last dispensation. We bow down to the god of mammon, the god of luxuries, the god of dissipation. Mountains of arms and ammunitions will not guarantee safety, for enemies can also build fortifications and missiles and bomb shelters. Ye shall dwell in your land safely and none shall make you afraid. My beloved brethren and sisters, this is a momentous time. Spencer W. Kimball began work as a bank clerk, then moved on to the life insurance and real estate industries. Has there ever been an era when so many nations, large and small, have been involved in wars? . When Spencer was twenty-nine, his father passed away and Spencer was called to the stake presidency that his father had served in for three decades. Posted by cconover2 | Jul 23, 2018 | Uncategorized | 0 |, Spencer W. Kimball "Preparedness the Ten Virgins", http://providentlivingandme.blogspot.com/2011/08/spencer-w-kimball-preparedness-ten.html, The ancients looked forward to the coming of the Lord and asked, "When shall all these things be?" O that we had repented before this great and terrible day, and then would our brethren have been spared . We need men and women who think of things that have never been thought of and who dream of things that have never been dreamed of, and who ask, "Why not?" After all, who has any greater need to treasure up the truths of the gospel (on which they may call in their moments of need) than do women and mothers who do so much nurturing and teaching? Wearing some old overalls, I waded with them into the sea. Has the rot of age and flabbiness set in? (Matthew 24:29-31, 36. ) Do we twentieth century people have reason to think that we can be immune from the same tragic consequences when we ignore the same divine laws? "It's not possible that the problems of this world be resolved by the pesimists and sceptics whose horizons are guided by the obvious realities. Feeling a special love and concern for those in the lands of the Book of Mormon, President Kimball conducted several area conferences in South America. In 1914, he graduated from the Gila Academy with highest honors. 20:3 italics added). This past month I have received hundreds and hundreds of birthday cards. Today is another day, but history repeats itself. I beg of you to listen and act, in the name of Jesus Christ. We have the general warning that comes from these world conditions, but we have no precise timetable. . (Helaman 13:38.) I remember coming to this tabernacle as a boy from Arizona, with my father, to attend general conference. Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness 1 likes Like "We would all be well advised to avoid the motivation to the evil thought. the hierophant reversed love, 100 e carroll st, salisbury, md 21801,
Fi Collar Flashing Green Light,
Chegg Charges On My Credit Card,
20 Things To Expect After Brain Surgery,
Quokka Import Lodash,
Articles S
