Where Will This Lead?

[Bernard Gui]

In sacrament meeting today, a brother announced that he had been asked to give a talk about President Oaks’ April Conference address. Most of the time, this type of talk is like a book report “Elder Oaks said this....,” “then Elder Oaks said that.....” I prefer to read the book myself rather than hear someone’s rehash of it.

Today, however, was not one of those days. Today was transformational. Taking this quote as his starting point

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Our present and our future will be happier if we are always conscious of the future. As we make current decisions, we should always be asking, “Where will this lead?”

our speaker gave perhaps the best sermon I have ever heard and felt on repentance. He said at first he worried that his words might not be appropriate, but then he came to the conclusion that what he had to say was what the Lord wanted him to say. He told his story...

A life-long member, seminary graduate, returned missionary young man who had made some very poor choices and ended up in many years of inactivity, moral degradation, addiction, depression, homelessness, self-loathing, and despondency. At a point when he was making the decision whether or not to live any longer, he thought of his father. He called him and asked if they could meet. They agreed and at that visit in their home, his father gave him a blessing during which the slate was wiped clean. Embraced by his parents, from that moment he began to take the steps that would restore his spirit, mind, and body through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Now three years later, he is sealed to a sister from our ward who had earlier suffered at the hands of an abusive ex-husband. They and their little baby boy are now a healthy and whole loving family. God be praised!

There were many tearful eyes in the congregation, and some wept openly. We did not know of his journey, only that he had come as a great blessing into the life of our friend. I am sure many were thinking of loved ones they fear have slipped forever away from the path into forbidden areas from which there will be no return. Or perhaps there were those who are having similar feelings of uselessness and despair themselves. As the Spirit bore witness, we were given the hope that “Where will this lead?” does not necessarily have to be to tragedy, but rather to deliverance, and redemption, and joy. It is possible for all of us.

Thanks to this good brother for sharing his story of repentance, and thanks be to God and our Savior Jesus Christ. 

 

Edited November 30, 2019 by Bernard Gui

[longview]

The Power of the Atonement is astonishing.  The Love of God is way beyond the bounds of this Earth.

[Hamba Tuhan]

2 hours ago, Bernard Gui said:

As the Spirit bore witness, we were given the hope that “Where will this lead?” does not necessarily have be to tragedy, but rather to deliverance, and redemption, and joy. It is possible for all of us.

Indeed. There is always a way back and a way forward for anyone who wishes there to be. No one falls outside the love of God or the grace of the Son.

This is precisely why it is a doctrine of devils to teach people to accept (even celebrate) who they are right now as some sort of fixed state instead of teaching them to look forward with the eye of faith to who God intends for them to be.

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Thanks to this good brother for sharing his story of repentance, and thanks be to God and our Savior Jesus Christ. 

Amen and amen!

[Robert F. Smith]

Generations of Saints have been deeply moved by the words of apostles such as St Paul and other NT writers.  It is so nice to know that a modern apostle can also have that effect.  I hope that someone passes this summary along to Elder Oaks.

Maybe this is why God's Plan is called the "Plan of Happiness."  You have made my day, Bernard.  😊

[Gazelle]

I thought I heard a similar talk in sacrament today and the closing punch line put the exclamation point on it when he said: "I refuse to take for granted the blessings I now enjoy". What a creed to follow!!!  I also want to refuse to take for granted the blessings I enjoy. It's a change in perspective that comes when Christ enters in and carries the burdens life and the effects of sin off our backs. What a living miracle and sign post for others along the path. Excellent.

[The Mean Farmer]

Beautiful sentiments in here.   The board would be even better with more of this type of post.

How grateful I am for the Grace, Mercy, Atonement, Plan, and Hope that comes from God and His holy child Jesus.  I really believe that the slate can indeed be wiped clean for all of us!  No exceptions, No Lost Causes.

 

I would be happier, more motivated, and 'better' if I were to remember and hold my blessings in life as Pearls of Great Price.

 

 

 

[rockpond]

Beautiful, thank you for sharing this.