Stake Conference talk 2019
Today I would like to speak specifically to the youth. So youth, put those phones away, sit up straight and listen up! My topic is, “The role of the rising generation in the gathering of Israel.” In June, Pres and Sister Nelson held a Worldwide Youth Devotional to invite all between the ages of 12-18 to “Enlist in the youth battalion of the Lord to help gather Israel.” Youth, I know that the mention of this much talked of devotional might cause you to roll your eyes and slump back down in your chair. But stay with me—I think I have a unique perspective to share.
To begin, a quick reminder on the Gathering of Israel. Pres Nelson explains, “Tonight, we want you to know that the gathering of Israel ultimately means offering the gospel of Jesus Christ to God’s children on both sides of the veil who have neither made crucial covenants with God nor received their essential ordinances.”
He goes on to say, “My dear young brothers and sisters, these surely are the latter days, and the Lord is hastening His work to gather Israel. That gathering is the most important thing taking place on earth today. Nothing else compares in magnitude, nothing else compares in importance, nothing else compares in majesty. And if you choose to, if you want to, you can be a big part of it. You can be a big part of something big, something grand, something majestic!
Notice the words he uses. These will be important later….Most important, big, grand, majestic.
Later he asks the youth, “Would you like to be a big part of the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on earth today?”
THE GREATEST.
While I have been incredibly inspired by Pres Nelson’s words, I have to admit to also feeling a little intimidated. How can I be a part of something so big? So important? I’m only one person! What could I do to make a big difference? I’m not particularly grand, majestic or important. Youth, I wonder if any of you felt that way too?
As I pondered and studied, the answer to my questions came in a paradoxical way. All you English enthusiasts like me know that a paradox is a figure of speech in which a statement appears to contradict itself.
I was reading the April 2018 talk by President Dallin H Oaks titled, “Small and Simple Things.” Small and simple seems to stand in direct contrast to big, majestic and important. But Pres Oaks teaches how these two different ideas perfectly fit together. He said, “We are taught many small and simple things in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to be reminded that in total and over a significant period of time, these seemingly small things bring to pass great things.”
Small and simple brings to pass great, majestic, important and grand things. Small and simple are words I can handle!
This pattern of small and simple acts bringing to pass great things is repeated over and over in the scriptures. When the people of Moses were plagued by fiery serpents they simply had to look at the brass serpent staff to live.
Naaman was told by the prophet Elisha to simply wash in the river Jordan 7 times to cure his leprosy, and in Matthew, Jesus tells us, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (Matthew 17-20)
Young Women and Young Men of the Boulder Colorado Stake, you have a role to play in the Gathering of Israel.
The small and simple acts you perform each day like reading your scriptures, praying to Heavenly Father, going to seminary and living the standards laid out in the For Strength of Youth are the building blocks to great things.
Elder Oaks said, “Though each of these practices may seem to be small and simple, over time they result in powerful spiritual uplift and growth. This occurs because each of these small and simple things invites the companionship of the Holy Ghost”
Now, I would like to give three examples of how small and simple acts, faithfully completed by YOU and your friends, are adding up to GREAT things. You might not realize it, but you are already a big part of the greatest work on the earth today. And I hope through these examples you are inspired to other small and simple acts you can do to fulfill your role in the gathering of Israel.
I am continually impressed with your strength, testimony, and desire to be a witness of Jesus Christ. Pres Nelson thinks you are pretty great too. He said, “My beloved younger brothers and sisters, you are among the best the Lord has ever sent to this world. You have the capacity to be smarter and wiser and have more impact on the world than any previous generation!”
My first example begins with another quote from the Worldwide Youth Devotional.
“Anytime you do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—take a step toward making covenants with God and receiving their essential baptismal and temple ordinances, you are helping to gather Israel. It is as simple as that.”
Often when we speak of the Gathering of Israel we focus on missionary work done here on the earth today. But the gathering happening on the other side of the veil is equally important.
This summer the youth were challenged by the former Stake YW Presidency and the current Stake YM presidency to index 20,000 names. That’s a lofty goal! But you youth and your leaders rose to the occasion. My daughter had the opportunity to attend several “Indexing Parties,” as leaders opened their homes and shared their Wifi to help the youth succeed in reaching this goal.
If only a few youth chose to participate, this goal would have been nearly impossible to reach. But, as many youth decided to dedicated a little time and effort to this cause, GREAT things were brought to pass. In the end, the youth of the Boulder Stake Indexed 21,055 names in 90 days.
1 Nephi 16:29 says, “And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.” Youth, you brought to pass great things by participating in this indexing challenge. Not only did you index more than 20,000 names but I believe you were also recipients of the blessings Elder Bednar promised to youth who participate in family history work.
He said, “Your testimony of the Savior will become deep and abiding. And I promise you will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary. As you participate in this holy work, you will be safeguarded in your youth and throughout your lives.” That sounds pretty great to me.
Example #2
Pres Nelson challenged the youth to “Pray daily that all of God’s children might receive the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” I know of a seminary class in Erie that has taken on this seemingly small and simple challenge.
With the help of their amazing and inspired seminary teacher, they compiled a list of all the countries in the world where missionaries are not yet allowed. Each week they pick two countries from the list, unify their faith, and pray in their opening exercises that the gospel might be preached in these countries. The whole simple task takes probably 2 minutes or less. But I think the results could be greater than those sweet students might imagine.
By following this simple counsel from our prophet, not only will Heavenly Father hear and answer their prayers for their brothers and sisters who live in countries where the blessings of the gospel are not yet available, but these students will be missionary minded and empathetic to the plight of others. As they go forth and serve missions of their own, who knows what great miracles and blessings will come from the prayers of a small seminary class in the small town of Erie, CO.
Example #3
Pres Nelson asked the youth to “stand out; be different from the world.” He said, “You and I know that you are to be a light to the world.”
Many Young Women will tell you that they look forward to Girl’s Camp all year long. It is a place for us to bond together, have fun, and be spiritually renewed. Much to my disappointment, I did not have the opportunity to attend this year. But, as I have entered this new calling I have been told countless stories of amazing Youth Camp leaders, who we refer to as YCL’s. These girls embraced the call to stand out and be a light to the world. Specifically to be a light to the younger campers they were called to serve.
I heard stories of YCL’s who would lovingly tuck first year campers into bed each night, favoring them with a lullabye before lights out.
YCL’s who planned a dance class to teach younger campers the EFY line dances so they would not feel left out at our legendary Thursday night dance party, and YCL’s who embraced girls who were struggling or sad and offered aid and comfort.
Through these simple acts of service, testimonies were strengthened, resolve was renewed, and, as many parents of YW can attest, girls came home with the the light of Christ alive in their eyes. Thank you YCLs for heeding the call to stand out and be a light.
President Howard W. Hunter taught that “frequently it is the commonplace tasks … that have the greatest positive effect on the lives of others, as compared with the things that the world so often relates to greatness.”
In conclusion, My challenge for you today is this. If you are feeling overwhelmed, weary, or lacking in spiritual guidance, diligently do the small and simple things each day that will allow the spirit to be with you. Decide on one small thing right now that you can do this week. After I’m done speaking, write it down. As you do the small and simple things, God will be able to work miracles in you and through you.
Pres Brigham Young said, “Our lives are made up of little, simple circumstances that amount to a great deal when they are brought together, and sum up the whole life of the man or woman.”
Youth, what is your role in the gathering of Israel? It is big, great, majestic, and important. How will you accomplish it? Through small and simple acts performed consistently over time.
D&C 64:33 Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.”
I bear testimony of the Savior. He loves you. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ all things are possible. Youth, I love you. I believe in you. I echo Pres Nelson when he says you ARE the Hope of Israel. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
