President Monson's Messages

It was great to hear from President Monson at this general conference this weekend.  He obviously does not have the strength he once had, but even if they are relatively short, his messages are still filled with important teachings for us.  This is the third general conference in which he has given only brief messages, and so there are obviously few things that he can mention.  One theme that has been consistent, though, is how to obtain power from the Lord to face our challenges.  It seems to me that he is trying to leave us with the tools we will need to successfully overcome whatever difficulties the future may bring us.  Today he taught us that the Book of Mormon is one of those tools: “It is essential for you to have your own testimony in these difficult times….  I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day. As we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive Heaven’s help in our lives.”  Yesterday in the Priesthood session he taught us to be charitable and kind, inviting us: “Brethren, let us examine our lives and determine to follow the Savior’s example by being kind, loving, and charitable. As we do so, we will be in a better position to call down the powers of heaven for ourselves, for our families, and for our fellow travelers in this sometimes difficult journey back to our heavenly home.”  We cannot expect to successfully call upon the powers of heaven if we are not treating those around us with love.    

               In the general conferences of 2016 President Monson also taught us ways we can prepare to better face our difficulties.  He taught how obedience to the Word of Wisdom will bring us strength because of the promises of the Lord.  In October he told the story of one soldier in WWII who was given the strength to survive at least in part because of his obedience to the Word of Wisdom.  President Monson said, “Brethren, may we care for our bodies and our minds by observing the principles set forth in the Word of Wisdom, a divinely provided plan. With all my heart and soul, I testify of the glorious blessings which await us as we do.”  In the April 2016 conference he also encouraged us to increase our faith as a bulwark against the adversary: “May we choose to build up within ourselves a great and powerful faith which will be our most effective defense against the designs of the adversary—a real faith, the kind of faith which will sustain us and will bolster our desire to choose the right.”  In April he also told the incredible story of his friend who was shot down in WWII and was rescued because he used the Priesthood to command a ship that was passing by to pick him up.  President Monson commented, “A faithful and worthy bearer of the priesthood, in his extremity, had exercised that priesthood, blessing his life and the lives of others.  May we determine, here and now, ever to be prepared for our time of need, our time of service, our time of blessing.”  Putting all of these talks together helps us see that worthily calling upon the Priesthood, building up our faith, keeping the Word of Wisdom, developing charity, and sincerely studying in the Book of Mormon will bring spiritual power to face the great challenges the lie ahead of us.