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Show Put Father Back Forgiveness Is Ultimate Love by God and Man From an address erepared for delivery ct (he Friday morning l session of the 143rd General Conference In the Tabernacle. According to Elder Hanks, not salvation our eternal only depends on our willingness and capacity to forgive wrongs against us, but, Our joy and satisfaction in this life, and our true freedom depend upon our doing so. Why did Christ bid us turn the other check, walk the second mile, forgive those who despitefully use us or persecute us. give our cloaK to him who would "Perhaps the ultimate form of love for God and men is forgiveness, said Elder Marion D. Hanks in conference Friday morning The Assistant t the Twelve added, It is required of us to forgive Our salvation depends upon it Elder Hnaks said.Christ manifested a fullness of love in giving his life for us. But there was another gift he bestowed while ha was on the cross, a gift that further measured the magnitude of his spiritual maturity and selfless love. He forgave those who persecuted and crucified him. Elder Hanks, Christ's evampie and infractions to His friends are clear. He forgave, and He said: 'Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which use and you, despitefully persecute yew.'" (Matt. 5:44 Referring to the Doctrine and Covenants, Elder Hanks quoted: My disciples, in days of old, sought occasion against one another and forgave not one another in their hearts; and for this Head of Home Elder Morion D. Hanks . Said . . forgive all men they were afflicted and soiely chastened. "Wherefore, 1 say unto you that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses stoiideth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin. "I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men. (DAC 64 evil take our coat? Elder Hanks said these requirements were to teach us the mighty lesson that resentment and bitterness are emotions all of us are susceptible to, and may occasionally feel, but cannot afford because of what they do to us. He pointed out that as we sin, either through failing to forgive or by other means, we separate ourselves from the spirit of the Lord. He also noted, "There are times when, in defense of others and principle, we must speak. Those who know the right must speak and speak again, for silence makes cowards of men. if ourselves, suffer injury or imposition, must not return the evil. Bui for we we Christ gave las life on a cross, and on that cross he fully, freely and divinely forgave From an address Drepored for delivery ai the Friday momma session of fhe 143rd General Conference in fhe Tabernacle Semi-Annu- A humble, but powerful, plea to put fathers back at the head of their homes was given by Elder lames E Faust, an Assistant to the Twelve, morning in the Sail I ake Tabernacle. Elder Faust said he had gone (he Lord in earnest prayer to eek Hr-- mi m preparing his address The church authority said that since the primary purpose of the the family and church is to its member, how well the father functions in his responsibility is oi upmost importance. In urging 'hat the fathers be put back ,.i the head of their homes, we wish to take nothing away Horn mothers. In all the world, there is no higher or greater honor or responsibility than motherhood. It is to be hoped that hy , tm., will have their powerful influence extended to even a greater degree within the home and beyond the home," vini Eider Faust. He said in order to strengthen the father m lus position, he ii In-I- vvouid inn H ' . m sugges- - tvvii T irst Sustain and respect the father in Ins position. Second g Giu him love, and some appreciation under-standin- for his ettcn - Listening Is Essential Part of Praying; Since Answers From Lord Come Quietly, Few Hear From an address prepared for delivery at the Friday morning session of the 143rd General Conference In the Tabernacle. the Lord Imetli He chasteneth. and scourgeth eveiy son whom Semi-Annu- He Bishop Peterson emphasized that trials arc an evidence of a Father's love. Listening is an essential part of praying, because, said Bishop H. Burke Peterson, answers from the Lord come quietly. The counselor in the Presiding Bishopric was the second speaker in the opening session Friday Generof the 143rd al Conference in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. "They are given as a blessing to Ills children. They are given as opportunities for growth," he said. He said that many times when a person gives up, or goes to Semi-Annu- pieces because of trials or adversity it's because he loses contact with the greatest source of strength the Lord. Bishop Peterson said that few of us hear the Lords answers audibly with our ears. "We must be listening so carefully or we will never recognize them. Most answers from the Loid are felt in our heart as a warm comfortable expression, or they may come as thoughts to our mind. They come to those who are prepared, and who are patient," he explained. Bishop Peterson spoke to the theme of adversity and prayer, and pointed out that adversity should be used to advantage to make us strong, not as an excuse to weaken us. 4 CHURCH reeeneth." Bishop H. Burke Peterson . . . listen carefully Hebrews He quoted from where it reads: "My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him: for whom WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 6, 1 973 He is the key to our enjoying sweetness m adversity m gaining strength from our trials. He and He alone," Bishop Peterson said. He also quoted from I Corinthians where the promise is given that the Lord will not let a person be tempted beyond his ability to withstand that temptation. "Did you get the significance of that scriptural promise we will have no temptation or trial beyond our ability to He will provide a overcome way for us to rise above whatever it may be." Bishop Peterson declared He enipha-ie- d that no man can slam! alone in his struggle through life The best way to to the source of keep eke strong! Ii is through prayer. "Some mav be thinking that because they have a Word of Wisdom problem, or because they have been dishonest or immoral because they have not prayed for years because of many reasons they now feel unworthy they may say, It's too late. I've made so many mistakes so why even try?' To liiese we av. For your own sake, give yourself another eluoK e.' ' Bishop Ieterson said. Regardless of the pattern of our life, we owe it to ourselves to learn to talk to and listen to the Lord We eau all improve in -- this need "As we learn to develop this communication, the standard of our life will improve. We will see things more dearly, we will try harder to do better, we will see the real joy that can come through trials and testing Although problems will still be with us peace, content-moand inn- happiness will be two-wa- y d (Mil s ii, , tbund, in, " p said. . . . help the femily. "There are some voices in our society who would demean some of the attributes of masculinity. A few of thc-are women who mistakenly believe that they build their ow u feminine causes by tearing down the image of e manhood MU uliv5 MLuti overtones, because a primary problem in the insecurity of both sons and daughters can be the diminution of the role of the father image. ' Elder Faust declared. He also warned "Let every mother understand that if she does anything to diminish her children's father or tne fathers image in the eyes of the children, it may injure and do irreparable damage to the selfesteem and personal security ol the children, themselves. How minutely nioiv productive and satisfying it is for a woman to build up her husband, rather than tear linn down. You women are so superior to men in so manv ways, that you demean youi selves by posturing or belittling masculinity and manhood He also said that it should be remembeied that in terms of giving fathers love and understanding, that they also have times of insecurity and doubt. fathers knows Everyone make mistakes especially they themselves. Fathers are in need of ail the help they can get, mostly they need love, support from their and understanding own," he said Elder Faust further explained that it is important to remember that in the church, tne husbands and fathers and members of the family through them, enjoy a power and influence in their lives, far beyond the natural gifts of intellect ar.d character of the father. I refer to the priesthood ol God, which every worthy man and boy over 1? years of age has." said Elder Faust |
