YSA DEVO: Elder Bednar speaks to New York-area single adults

Photo courtesy of LDS Public Affairs

Those who have "eyes to see and ears to hear" can attune themselves to know great mysteries of the kingdom, in this life and no matter what age, Elder David A. Bednar said Saturday during a young single adult devotional in Syracuse, N.Y.
Elder Bednar, accompanied by his wife, Susan, spoke to a group of YSAs from the Buffalo, Rochester, Palmyra, Syracuse, Owego and Utica Stakes after a full day of training for leaders, missionaries and members in the upstate New York area. The Apostle spoke with Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Presidency of the Seventy and Elder Gordon Smith of the area presidency in the northeast United States. Elder Bednar began with a few brief remarks, then opened up the two-hour-plus meeting to Questions & Answers from the audience, inviting the other General Authorities and their wives to weigh in at intervals.
The format required the youth to actively engage with these authorities, and to think critically about issues they would like addressed during the devotional.

"If one is to learn by the power of the Holy Ghost, then it requires the use of moral agency," Elder Bednar said. "Agency is the capacity to act and not merely be acted upon."

The leaders addressed such issues as the Priesthood, effective home and visiting teachers, overcoming adversity and avoiding Satan's influence in the world, becoming converted by putting off the natural man and the new church-wide missionary age change.
Elder Bednar reminded the young adults that, despite their solitary status in the world, they are never truly without a friend and companion.

"You are never alone because of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost," he said. "And if you don't have the priesthood in your home, go to His home where you can have the priesthood all the time." 

The new missionary age range allows families to continue teaching their children, preparing them to serve honorable full-time missions well before the 18- and 19-year-old missionaries arrive at their respective training centers. These lessons are made possible because of the church's vast array of teaching materials available online at lds.org.

"You can have Sunday School anywhere you want, with the same textual and digital resources that the church has," Elder Bednar said. "You are now the library." 

The youth of the church are able to serve today better than in other eras. It is not enough to wait until reaching a future marital status, education level or state of employment to begin serving in the kingdom.

"Young adults should not ask what the church can do for them, but what can they do for the church?" Elder Bednar's wife, Susan, said. "You are special. You have so much to add. Don't just think about what you can take." 

 

Elder Bednar to speak to Upstate NY YSA

Photo courtesy of LDS Public Affairs

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will speak at a Young Single Adult fireside tonight in Syracuse, N.Y. 

Elder Bednar will be joined by Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Presidency of the Seventy, Bishop Dean Davies of the Presiding Bishopric and Elder Gordon Smith, who represents the area presidency in the northeastern United States.

Follow @AskMormonGuy on Twitter to follow the meeting, and join the conversation at #BednarYSA. If you'll be at the meeting, which encompasses young single adults of the church from across Upstate New York and their guests, feel free to join in the conversation.

BEDNAR: 'Do Not Shrink'

Elder Bednar and his wife, Susan, leave the Conference Center following a session of the October 2010 General Conference. Photo courtesy of LDS Public Affairs.

Sometimes, it's all you can do to hold on.
But other times, surviving is not enough. We must seek to actively grow, to 'not shrink' in front of temptation and trial.
That was the message of Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles at a CES broadcast on Sunday, Mar. 3, 2013 at UT-Arlington.

"Even with strong faith, many mountains will not be moved," Elder Bednar said. "And not all of the sick and infirmed will be healed. If all opposition were curtailed, if all maladies were removed, then the primary purposes of the Father's plan would be frustrated."

Passing through trials does not mean the Lord has left us. Rather, it means He is hearing our prayers, is guiding our paths and leading us through these times by the hand. Our job is not only to survive these challenges, but also to not shrink in front of them. Having the strength to not shrink in front of our trials is a gift for all church members, not just General Authorities and others specially chosen by God.
Remember that having faith in God is not knowing that He WILL heal us, but only that he CAN heal us.
"We must have the faith to accept the Lord's will, even when it is not what we want," Elder Bednar reminded us. Learning to accept God's will is one of the chief learning opportunities of mortality.
For the full address by Elder Bednar, including a foreword by his wife, Sister Susan Bednar — "the love of [Elder Bednar's] life, and very cute" — click here.

 

 

Pres. Monson's Latter-day Blog Post

Courtesy of LDS PA

Pres. Thomas S. Monson has a message to share.
But you won't find this one in General Conference, or the Ensign.
The President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took to the Internet on Friday to pen a thoughtful piece on his five years as president of the church. During that time, missionary work has exploded -- including the announcement of a lower age for service; temple work has expanded, including 31 new temples announced, 16 dedicated and five more rededicated, with another dedication planned in Tegucigalpa, Honduras in March; and thousands of church members strive weekly to seek after "the one" who may be lost, wandering or trying to return to full church activity.
It's been 50 years since Pres. Monson was called to serve as an Apostle, as well, and like any 85 year old, age is a natural part of progression. That's why his words on the subject were incredibly beneficial to any who wonder at his strength or mobility at such an advanced age:

Despite any health challenges that may come to us, despite any weakness in body or mind, we serve to the best of our ability. I assure you that the Church is in good hands. The system set up for the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve assures that it will always be in good hands and that, come what may, there is no need to worry or to fear. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, whom we follow, whom we worship, and whom we serve, is ever at the helm.

Much work has been done, but there is even more work to do. The church needs each of its members to accomplish a great work in their sphere of influence. Friday was a great time to remind us — and thanks to the Internet, he did.

 

LDS AGE: New Missionaries Prompt New MTC in Mexico

It had to happen.
With the recent surge in missionary applications brought on by the LDS mission age-change, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was going to need a facilities upgrade to keep up with the thousands of additional youth who would soon flood training centers around the world.
The church announced Jan. 31 that Benemerito de las Americas -- a high school in Mexico -- will be converted to a full-time Missionary Training Center in July 2013. The change will displace hundreds of high school students who study at a faith-based private school, in the place of thousands who will learn to teach the gospel to potentially millions.
Elder Russell M. Nelson mentioned the school's long history, while also reflecting on its great potential, in remarks made during the announcement:

“This hallowed ground where we stand today will become more sacred with each passing year,” Elder Nelson said. “Better, higher and holier purposes will be served in the future than we’ve ever known before.”

The First Presidency was brief in its statement to the media regarding the announcement:

Church leaders announced today that the Church-owned high school Benemerito de las Americas near Mexico City will become a training center for missionaries who will serve in Mexico and other counties of North, Central and South America.
Church leaders made the decision after considering every immediate alternative that could alleviate the demand at the Church’s other missionary training centers around the world, including the MTC in Provo, Utah.

The church had previously announced massive increases in missionary applications, with some speculating an increase of as much as 2,000 percent. Either way, there are going to be a lot of missionaries coming. And now, many of them -- from a variety of nations -- can go straight to Mexico City before leaping into the field.

TWO-FOR-TUESDAY: Another Mormon Video

I know I just posted an "I'm a Mormon" video, but this one really struck me.

Lindsey Stirling is the subject of one of the latest installments of the popular YouTube video series. The irony? She's already a YouTube sensation, having performed with The Piano Guys, Alex Boye and others with her unique brand of modern violin music — performed while dancing.

In this video, Lindsey doesn't just talk about her work, though. She also opens up about her earlier struggles with eating disorders — a fact that is often left unchronicled, and seems unfathomable for as beautiful of a girl as her — while urging the viewer to remember their true worth as children of God.

Watch the video. You will be impressed.

MULTIMEDIA MONDAY: Sports and Life

Those who know me know that I'm a sportswriter. I love sports; the thrill of the crowd, the passion of the fans, the gall produced by every player on the field for his time. It's where heroes are born, legends are made, and real men (and women) step up.

Sport is more than a game. It is a passage to another life. Much like movies, sports can take us away from our troubles and worries for a brief respite, allowing us to feel the collective energy of a team or fanbase linked for one common good. Plain and simple, sports are the epitome of unity in this world.

And even Mormons play them — beyond the recreational church-basketball leagues.

Will Hopoate is an accomplished rugby player, turning pro with Manly in New Zealand's top-flight professional rugby league when he was 18. But as his 19th birthday neared, he faced a decision. Hopoate, after all, is a Mormon. And like most Mormon men at 19, Hopoate wanted to served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The ramifications could be brutal. He would leave his home for two years, not being allowed to play rugby the whole time, ending his contract with his team and the financial security (rumored to be around $1.5 million a year) that came with it.

But Hopoate also knew what he knew. He wanted to preach the gospel and share the message of Jesus Christ's love with the world. So he took the plunge — and is now serving as Elder Hopoate in Australia.