Twice each year, in early April and early October, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often inadvertently called the Mormon Church, holds a general conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. The conference consists of five two-hour sessions and is broadcast all over the world, having been translated into many languages. Modern technology also takes it to the internet and the written page very quickly. During general conference Mormons are blessed to hear poignant and timely messages from prophets, seers, and revelators—their prophet, apostles, and seventies—all witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ.
God’s Instructions for Good Living
At the April 2013 general conference, Elder Stanley G. Ellis, of the Quorum of the Seventy, spoke regarding the instruction that God has given us to live, learn, and marry, among other things. Elder Ellis began by explaining his role as a “seventy” in The Church of Jesus Christ. A seventy is especially tuned to doing missionary work: “to share the word of the Lord as we receive it from the apostles and prophets and from the Spirit and to be especial witnesses of the name of Christ in preaching the gospel in all the world, in building up the Church and regulating its affairs” (see D&C 107:25, 34).
Elder Ellis then cited his experiences as he matured, which taught him how to follow God’s commandments and instructions for good living. As a farm boy from Idaho, he learned to work hard, to work smart, to honor the Lord’s timing, to do what is most needed, to be direct, and to do things simply.
We can apply those sound principles to our own lives, whether we live on farms, or not. Elder Ellis counseled members of The Church of Jesus Christ to find The Way (Jesus Christ) and follow the path to eternal life, all the while using our talents and gifts to build God’s kingdom on earth.
Who Are We? How Then Should We Live?
Elder Ellis explained that we know who we are. We are sons and daughters of God.
He is our Heavenly Father, who knows us, loves us, and wants us to return to Him. Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer, who through the Atonement made it certain we will overcome death and live again and possible for us to be exalted and have eternal life. The Holy Ghost is our comforter, revelator, teacher, testifier, and guide.
Because of the fact that we are directed from heaven, we have a sure guide, as long as we are willing to listen and follow.
God has the way to live, to love, to help, to pray, to talk, to interact with each other, to lead, to marry, to raise children ,to learn, to know the truth, to share the gospel, to choose wisely what we eat, etc.
The Lord’s way is that we hearken to our leaders’ teachings, understand correct principles, and govern ourselves.
We can find out the Lord’s way by reading the scriptures and other wise church publications, hearkening to our leaders, and praying for specific direction.
Especially in the work of salvation, we learn that “in the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way” (Ether 12:11). The doctrine of Christ “is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God” (2 Nephi 31:21).
Elder Ellis spoke not only of the confusion and sin in the world, but the hastening of Christ’s work on the earth, as well. It is more important than ever to be able to discern the voice of the Lord in the din of the world, and to discern our role in helping to establish the kingdom of God on earth.
I witness the Lord has the way! Our Heavenly Father knows us, loves us, and wants to help. He knows best how to help. We are not spiritual orphans!
Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; see also Alma 38:9). His way is based on eternal truth and leads us to “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23). I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Additional Resource: