BY PRESIDENT THOMAS S. MONSON
Introduction
A knowledge of truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient to the commandments of God.
A knowledge of truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient to the commandments of God.
LEARNER READINESS
READ A
A - Throughout the ages, men and women have sought for knowledge and understanding concerning this mortal existence and their place and purpose in it, as well as for the way to peace and happiness. Such a search is undertaken by each of us.
READ B
B - This knowledge and understanding are available to all mankind. They are contained in truths which are eternal. In Doctrine and Covenants section 1, verse 39, we read, “Behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever.”
READ C
C - Some would ask, “Where is such truth to be found, and how are we to recognize it?” In a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio, in May of 1833, the Lord declared:
“Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come. …
“The Spirit of truth is of God. …
“And no man receiveth a fulness unless he keepeth his commandments.
“He that keepeth [God’s] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.”
What a glorious promise! “He that keepeth [God’s] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.”
LEARNER INVOLVEMENT
Q: Why is keeping the commandments so important? [we will know all things]
Q: Will other people understand what you have learned through obedience?
Q: What does the natural man think about what we have learned through obedience?
READ D - Alma 12:10-11
READING 'D'
Alma 12:10-11
10 And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will notharden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
11 And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell.
Q: What does it mean "Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell"? [they have lost their ability to see truth]
READ E - D&C 93:1
Q: Is there path that is taught to us in the scriptures? What are the elements of the path back to to God?
READ 'F'
F - There is no need for you or for me, in this enlightened age when the fulness of the gospel has been restored, to sail uncharted seas or to travel unmarked roads in search of truth. A loving Heavenly Father has plotted our course and provided an unfailing guide—even obedience. A knowledge of truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient to the commandments of God.
SAY : Many of us, however, learn through experience the wisdom of being obedient.
[Tell the Story of when P. Monson was a boy burning the weeds]
Danny and I learned several difficult but important lessons that day—not the least of which was the importance of obedience.
Q: Can you give me any examples of following incorrect principles leading to poor results?
LEARNER APPLICATION
Q: Who is our greatest example of obedience?
READ G
Quotation from President Monson
G - The Savior demonstrated genuine love of God by living the perfect life, by honoring the sacred mission that was His. Never was He haughty. Never was He puffed up with pride. Never was He disloyal. Ever was He humble. Ever was He sincere. Ever was He obedient.
SAY: Many verses of scriptures indicate a step by step pattern to return to the presence of God. We have quoted a few today.
Q: What is the first rung of the ladder?
READ H - 3 Nephi 9:20-23
READING 'H' 3 Nephi 9:20-23
20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, ...
21 Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin.
22 Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God...
Q: If we are were to keep the commandments without first sacrificing a broken heart and contrite spirit, becoming meek and humble as a little child, what happens? [we think we are better than others for keeping the commandments that we do keep, we judge others that aren't doing as well as we are, we become self rightieous]
SAY: The Lord then declares his doctrine in 3 Nephi 11. He then declares his commandments in chapters 12 through 15. After declaring his commandment, the Lord says in chapter 15 verse 10.
Behold, I have given unto you the commandments; therefore keep my commandments. And this is the law and the prophets, for they truly testified of me.
CONCLUSION
SAY, At the end of the talk, President Monson state:
The knowledge which we seek, the answers for which we yearn, and the strength which we desire today to meet the challenges of a complex and changing world can be ours when we willingly obey the Lord’s commandments. I quote once again the words of the Lord: “He that keepeth [God’s] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.”
This progression upward, back to God is enduring to the end. And it take heart rending effort.
Amen
A - Throughout the ages, men and women have sought for knowledge and understanding concerning this mortal existence and their place and purpose in it, as well as for the way to peace and happiness. Such a search is undertaken by each of us.
READ B
B - This knowledge and understanding are available to all mankind. They are contained in truths which are eternal. In Doctrine and Covenants section 1, verse 39, we read, “Behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever.”
READ C
C - Some would ask, “Where is such truth to be found, and how are we to recognize it?” In a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio, in May of 1833, the Lord declared:
“Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come. …
“The Spirit of truth is of God. …
“And no man receiveth a fulness unless he keepeth his commandments.
“He that keepeth [God’s] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.”
What a glorious promise! “He that keepeth [God’s] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.”
LEARNER INVOLVEMENT
Q: Why is keeping the commandments so important? [we will know all things]
Q: Will other people understand what you have learned through obedience?
Q: What does the natural man think about what we have learned through obedience?
READ D - Alma 12:10-11
READING 'D'
Alma 12:10-11
10 And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will notharden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
11 And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell.
Q: What does it mean "Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell"? [they have lost their ability to see truth]
READ E - D&C 93:1
READING 'E'
D&C 93 1 Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am;Q: Is there path that is taught to us in the scriptures? What are the elements of the path back to to God?
READ 'F'
F - There is no need for you or for me, in this enlightened age when the fulness of the gospel has been restored, to sail uncharted seas or to travel unmarked roads in search of truth. A loving Heavenly Father has plotted our course and provided an unfailing guide—even obedience. A knowledge of truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient to the commandments of God.
SAY : Many of us, however, learn through experience the wisdom of being obedient.
[Tell the Story of when P. Monson was a boy burning the weeds]
Danny and I learned several difficult but important lessons that day—not the least of which was the importance of obedience.
Q: Can you give me any examples of following incorrect principles leading to poor results?
LEARNER APPLICATION
Q: Who is our greatest example of obedience?
READ G
Quotation from President Monson
G - The Savior demonstrated genuine love of God by living the perfect life, by honoring the sacred mission that was His. Never was He haughty. Never was He puffed up with pride. Never was He disloyal. Ever was He humble. Ever was He sincere. Ever was He obedient.
SAY: Many verses of scriptures indicate a step by step pattern to return to the presence of God. We have quoted a few today.
Q: What is the first rung of the ladder?
READ H - 3 Nephi 9:20-23
READING 'H' 3 Nephi 9:20-23
20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, ...
21 Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin.
22 Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God...
Q: If we are were to keep the commandments without first sacrificing a broken heart and contrite spirit, becoming meek and humble as a little child, what happens? [we think we are better than others for keeping the commandments that we do keep, we judge others that aren't doing as well as we are, we become self rightieous]
SAY: The Lord then declares his doctrine in 3 Nephi 11. He then declares his commandments in chapters 12 through 15. After declaring his commandment, the Lord says in chapter 15 verse 10.
Behold, I have given unto you the commandments; therefore keep my commandments. And this is the law and the prophets, for they truly testified of me.
Read Gal 5:14
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Q: In what is Law fulfilled?
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Q: In what is Law fulfilled?
Q: How does this scripture relate to the keeping of the commandments?
CONCLUSION
SAY, At the end of the talk, President Monson state:
The knowledge which we seek, the answers for which we yearn, and the strength which we desire today to meet the challenges of a complex and changing world can be ours when we willingly obey the Lord’s commandments. I quote once again the words of the Lord: “He that keepeth [God’s] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.”
This progression upward, back to God is enduring to the end. And it take heart rending effort.
Amen
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