My Responsibility: A Manifesto

My Responsibility

I was asked to teach Elders Quorum today in my Ward.  My Elder's Quorum President asked me to teach on the benefits of using the Priesthood.  As I began to prepare this lesson, I began thinking of Simon Sinek's TED talk.  And I started thinking about why do what we do as priesthood holders in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Manifesto

This is what I came up with, and what I will share in my lesson today.  Perhaps you will find some value in it as well.

My Responsibility

I am a Son of God.  I am a holder of the Melchizedek Priesthood.  It is my duty to live true, at all times, to the great responsibility that has been bestowed upon me to act in the name of God.  Because of this honor, there are things that I do not do. 

I do not think the things that will drive away the Spirit of God.

I do not say the things that will tear down others and reflect negatively upon the responsibility I have been given.

I do not do those things that will not lift and encourage myself and others.

I do not act in a manner that is not in harmony with a holder of the priesthood which I hold.

I do not call myself a Christian; instead, I speak and act in a manner that allows others to identify me as a Christian.

I do not pray; instead, I seek to know the will of God concerning those things with which I am entrusted.

I do not attend church; instead, I gather together with other Saints to renew my covenants, fast, pray, speak with each other concerning the welfare of our souls.

I do not preside in my home; instead, I live worthy of the respect of my wife and children. I lead them in a Christ like manner towards eternal life in the Celestial Kingdom.

I do not teach; instead, I share my testimony and inspire those I teach to reach towards everlasting life.

I do not attend the temple; instead, I make sacred covenants with my Father in Heaven and give those who have passed on the opportunity to do the same.

I do not Home Teach; instead, I watch over Heavenly Father’s children and assist them in living worthy of eternal exaltation as a family.

I do not bless the sacrament; instead, I act in the name of God to allow His children to renew their sacred covenants with Him.

I do not baptize; instead, I stand with a child of God and provide them the means to receive a remission of their sins.

I do not give blessings; instead, I act in the name of God to make the power of God manifest in the lives of those I bless.

I do not do service projects; instead, I use the time and talent God has given me to lighten the burdens of the children of God.

I do not do missionary work; instead, I testify of the truths that will bring everlasting happiness and life to all of God’s children.

My responsibility is not defined by what I do not do, my responsibility is defined by what I do, and I will do all in my power to assist Heavenly Father “…to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).





Question: What is the "why" in your spiritual life?

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"The phone's for you, it's the Bishop..." Part II

"The phone's for you, it's the Bishop..."
 

Ok, quick, you hear those words, how many excuses can you come up with in 10 seconds?? "Gee Bishop, My family is going to be in town this week, and Brooklynn's coming down with a cough and there's a huge solar storm that's suppose to hit the earth late Saturday night or early Sunday morn..."

So what does that call usually lead to?

Last week we talked about 8 Tips to Preparing a Conference-Caliber Talk. This week, let's go over 7 Ways to keep Grandpa awake and Jr. Quiet.

Ok, that's a tall order, but these tips will make the presentation of your talk 77.36% better, or your money back!*

Visualize the entire congregation in their bunny slippers
ok, that probably do very little, but feel free to try it out! Ok, take two...ACTION!!

Pray
Before going up to speak, pray to have the Spirit with you...then LISTEN to it when you speak.

Don't tell about what you thought when the Bishop called you
We all know the feeling, it's not necessary to explain how much you didn't want to talk.

If you tell a joke, make sure it's pertinent to your topic
Natural humor is funny, canned jokes get old fast!

Remember you have a unique perspective
At this moment, you are the conduit for the Father to teach His children, take comfort in that and seek to say what He would have you say.

15 minutes means 15 minutes
My Mission President taught me this one. The bishopric plans out the meetings, that's why they give us a time frame. If they say 15 minutes, don't speak for 16, and don't speak for 13. This keeps the meeting on track.

Smile
Take joy in the Gospel. Let the Prophet Joseph's view in D&C 128:22-23 permeate through your talk.

Testify
Bear testimony frequently THROUGHOUT your talk, not just at the end. It invites the Spirit to confirm your words to those who hear it.


By employing 7, or at least some of these suggestions, you will have a better chance of keeping Grandpa awake and Jr. quiet, not a 100% chance, but better.  And the great part is, that those listening should learn something, and you will invite the Spirit, and we all know that the Spirit is the most important part of any talk! 

Question: What suggestions do you have for giving a great Sacrament Meeting talk?





*Offer not valid in Alaska, Hawaii, the continental United States, or any of the 7 major continents. Most restrictions apply! :)



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"The phone's for you, it's the Bishop..." Part I

"The phone's for you, it's the Bishop..."

Ok, quick! You hear those words, how many excuses can you come up with in 10 seconds??

I'll bet most of you would suddenly be sick in your hotel room, on vacation and not sure when you were coming home!  It's funny how such humble, God-like men can elicit such general feelings of panic and horror when they call on the phone or catch you in the hall by their office!

So what does that call usually lead to?

"We'd like you to speak in Sacrament Meeting next week..."

"Will you accept a call to..."

"In reviewing the tithing records we discovered you've overpaid and are due to receive a refund"

"I just got off the phone with the Prophet, he wanted me to let you know your calling and election has been made sure..."

Ok, the last two are pretty unlikely--probably totally out of the question--but the first two are really what freak each of us out, right?

So this week, I want to give you 8 tips to preparing a conference-caliber talk!

Consider this a "Speech Buffet", take all to want, leave what you don't!

Pray
The moment I hear I'm giving a talk, I pray and ask for Heavenly Father to bring thoughts to my mind. When I do this, I invariable get ideas at random times...like making a sandwich (true story, ask my mission buddy, Elder Busath, more than once, while making a PB&J sandwich I'd say, "Elder! I just received revelation!!").

DON'T start writing the talk right away
(unless Bishop called you Saturday night or Sunday morning...then by all means, write fast!!). I've found if I begin writing right away I will limit the thoughts and ideas I get on the subject. I will typically not actually write my talk until 24-36 hours before I am to give it.

Ask for input from friends and family
I believe one of the keys to a great talk is kicking around numerous thoughts, ideas and perspectives in your head for a few days. Getting ideas from others and testing your ideas on them gives you a good sense of how to direct the talk to benefit the audience.

Structure your talk around the Plan of Salvation
Elder Bruce R. McConkie was the master of this. Every talk I've heard of his, regardless the topic, included the pre-earth life, atonement, and eternities. Doing this provides the necessary context to drive home the importance of any gospel topic.

Write in note/bullet format
I know many of you have to write out your talk word for word, and I understand.  But if you can do it, notes and bullets are great for inviting the Spirit. Making notes or bullets instead of writing your talk out word for word will allow you to deliver the talk in your own voice, rather than sounding like you're reading an article out of the Ensign. This also allows you to skip parts if time requires.

Utilize the Church Resources
From mobile apps to the notebook function and search bar on lds.org you have a MASSIVE library of material from which to draw in writing your talk. The Brethren have provided such resources, don't miss out on their benefit.

Use the language of the Scriptures
Even if you don't quote the scriptures word for word or give the reference, using the verbiage of scripture brings the word of the Lord and the voice of the Lord to your talk (see how I did that? D&C 68:4) .  Elder McConkie and Elder Maxwell were great at this!

Determine what you uniquely can convey about your topic
 If its on missionary work and your a convert, share parts of the story. If its on the importance of Personal Progress, talk about how you're helping your daughter with hers. I believe in revelation. You were asked to give this talk because Heavenly Father knew you have something to share that only you can. Discover what that is and share it!

By following these 8 steps as you prepare your Sacrament Meeting talk you will find that the Spirit will teach you and prompt you as to what you should say.  And as we all know, the Spirit is the real teacher when we speak, so do all you can to invite his influence into your talk! 

Question: How do you prepare a talk you are asked to give?

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3 Talks You Should Read Before Church Starts!

There is so much we do at Church every Sunday.  Meetings, talks, prayers, lessons, etc.  We visit with friends, we study the scriptures, we share testimonies.  But what is the real reason we get all gussied up every Sunday? 

"It is expedient that the church meet together often to partake of bread and wine in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus."
                              ~D&C 20:75

The main reason we attend church every single Sunday is to renew our baptismal covenants and receive a remission of our sins through the ordiance of the Sacrament as administered by authorized priesthood holders.  



We often hear talks about the Sacrament and what it should mean to us each Sunday.
Here are three of my favorite talks about the Sacrament. I hope you find them helpful and inspiring!

1. The Purifying Power of Gethsemane - Elder Bruce R. McConkie

2. Understanding the Lord's Sacrament - Elder David B. Haight

3.  The Sacrament and Covenant-Making - W. Cole Durham, Jr.

May we remember the real meaning for attending our Sunday meetings this week.




What is your favorite talk about the Sacrament?

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