The Godhead and the Plan of Salvation - Elder Oaks, Apr 2017

The Godhead and the Plan of Salvation

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2017 General Conference

"As spirit children of God, in an existence prior to mortality, we desired a destiny of eternal life but had progressed as far as we could without a mortal experience in a physical body. To provide that opportunity, our Heavenly Father presided over the Creation of this world, where, deprived of our memory of what preceded our mortal birth, we could prove our willingness to keep His commandments and experience and grow through the other challenges of mortal life."

Sharing the Restored Gospel - Elder Oaks, Oct 2016

Sharing the Restored Gospel

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2016 General Conference

"Sharing the gospel is not a burden but a joy. What we call “member missionary work” is not a program but an attitude of love and outreach to help those around us. It is also an opportunity to witness how we feel about the restored gospel of our Savior."

Opposition in All Things - Elder Oaks, Apr 2016

Opposition in All Things

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2016 General Conference

"To be tested, we must have the agency to choose between alternatives. To provide alternatives on which to exercise our agency, we must have opposition."

Newness of Life

The other day I was asked to give a talk on Baptism at the baptismal service for a family that is newly attending our congregation.  I like to talk of the symbolism of baptism, and there are many different ways that the physical act of full immersion under the water can be viewed.  In Romans 6:3, we read, "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?".  One symbol of baptism is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Paul goes on in Romans 6:4, telling us, "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

The week before the baptism, I happened upon a quote on Facebook that caught my attention:

A seed is buried,
It comes undone,
It becomes unrecognizable,
It’s old self dies.
And just at the moment when all seems destroyed,
New life comes.

 

A new connection was made in my mind - the transformation of a seed at the moment it begins to grow, and how it has to be buried for that to happen.  And then I thought about us being the seed.  In Moses 5:11 we read, "And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient."

The analogy began to form.  If we are buried as the seed during baptism, then our "new life" begins at that moment  We are no longer the seed, but a plant growing and developing. 

As I thought about this, I thought if a bag of pumpkin seeds I have had in our drawer for a few years.  I didn't use them in the garden, and they have just sat there in the same state with no development.  It is only when I put them in the ground that they are able to transform into a pumpkin plant, and from there they are able to grow and produce new pumpkin seeds that perpetuate their existence.  So it is with us - the "newness of life" that comes from baptism, and ultimately resurrection, that will lead us to eternal life.

Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ - Elder Oaks, Oct 2015

Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2015 General Conference

"Our Savior’s Atonement does more than assure us of immortality by a universal resurrection and give us the opportunity to be cleansed from sin by repentance and baptism. His Atonement also provides the opportunity to call upon Him who has experienced all of our mortal infirmities to give us the strength to bear the burdens of mortality. He knows of our anguish, and He is there for us."

The Parable of the Sower - Elder Oaks, Apr 2015

The Parable of the Sower

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2015 General Conference

"We have the seed of the gospel word. It is up to each of us to set the priorities and to do the things that make our soil good and our harvest plentiful. We must seek to be firmly rooted and converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Loving Others and Living with Differences - Elder Oaks, Oct 2014

Loving Others and Living with Differences

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2014 General Conference

"In dedicated spaces, like temples, houses of worship, and our own homes, we should teach the truth and the commandments plainly and thoroughly as we understand them from the plan of salvation revealed in the restored gospel. Our right to do so is protected by constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech and religion, as well as by the privacy that is honored even in countries without formal constitutional guarantees."

The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood - Elder Oaks, Apr 2014

The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2014 General Conference

"Ultimately, all keys of the priesthood are held by the Lord Jesus Christ, whose priesthood it is. He is the one who determines what keys are delegated to mortals and how those keys will be used."

No Other Gods - Elder Oaks, Oct 2013

No Other Gods

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2013 General Conference

"Knowledge of God’s plan for His children gives Latter-day Saints a unique perspective on marriage and family. We are correctly known as a family-centered church. Our theology begins with heavenly parents, and our highest aspiration is to attain the fulness of eternal exaltation. We know this is possible only in a family relationship. We know that the marriage of a man and a woman is necessary for the accomplishment of God’s plan. Only this marriage will provide the approved setting for mortal birth and to prepare family members for eternal life. We look on marriage and the bearing and nurturing of children as part of God’s plan and a sacred duty of those given the opportunity to do so. We believe that the ultimate treasures on earth and in heaven are our children and our posterity."

Followers of Christ - Elder Oaks, Apr 2013

Followers of Christ

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2013 General Conference

"Jesus’s teachings were not meant to be theoretical. Always they were to be acted upon. Jesus taught, 'Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man'"

Protect the Children - Elder Oaks, Oct 2012

Protect the Children

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2012 General Conference

"Children are highly vulnerable. They have little or no power to protect or provide for themselves and little influence on so much that is vital to their well-being. Children need others to speak for them, and they need decision makers who put their well-being ahead of selfish adult interests."

Sacrifice - Elder Oaks, Apr 2012

Sacrifice

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2012 General Conference

"I believe that Latter-day Saints who give unselfish service and sacrifice in worshipful imitation of our Savior adhere to eternal values to a greater extent than any other group of people. Latter-day Saints look on their sacrifices of time and means as a part of their schooling and qualifying for eternity."

Teachings of Jesus - Elder Oaks, Oct 2011

Teachings of Jesus

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2011 General Conference

"Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten and Beloved Son of God. He is our Creator. He is the Light of the World. He is our Savior from sin and death. This is the most important knowledge on earth, and you can know this for yourself, as I know it for myself. The Holy Ghost, who testifies of the Father and the Son and leads us into truth, has revealed these truths to me, and He will reveal them to you. The way is desire and obedience."

Desire - Elder Oaks, Apr 2011

Desire

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2011 General Conference

"Let us remember that desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. In addition, it is our actions and our desires that cause us to become something, whether a true friend, a gifted teacher, or one who has qualified for eternal life."

Two Lines of Communication - Elder Oaks, Oct 2010

Two Lines of Communication

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2010 General Conference

"We must use both the personal line and the priesthood line in proper balance to achieve the growth that is the purpose of mortal life. If personal religious practice relies too much on the personal line, individualism erases the importance of divine authority. If personal religious practice relies too much on the priesthood line, individual growth suffers. The children of God need both lines to achieve their eternal destiny. The restored gospel teaches both, and the restored Church provides both."

Healing the Sick - Elder Oaks, Apr 2010

Healing the Sick

by Dallin H.Oaks

April 2010 General Conference 

"Latter-day Saints believe in applying the best available scientific knowledge and techniques. We use nutrition, exercise, and other practices to preserve health, and we enlist the help of healing practitioners, such as physicians and surgeons, to restore health.

The use of medical science is not at odds with our prayers of faith and our reliance on priesthood blessings."

Love and Law - Elder Oaks, Oct 2009

Love and Law

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2009 General Conference

"God does not intervene to forestall the consequences of some persons’ choices in order to protect the well-being of other persons—even when they kill, injure, or oppress one another—for this would destroy His plan for our eternal progress. He will bless us to endure the consequences of others’ choices, but He will not prevent those choices."

Unselfish Service - Elder Oaks, Apr 2009

Unselfish Service

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2009 General Conference

"Each year tens of thousands of Latter-day Saints submit their papers for full-time missionary service. Seniors put aside the diversions of retirement, the comforts of home, and the loving companionship of children and grandchildren and go forth to serve strangers in unfamiliar places. Young men and women put work and education on hold and make themselves available to serve wherever they are assigned. Hundreds of thousands of faithful members participate in the unselfish service we call “temple work,” which has no motive other than love and service for our fellowmen, living and dead. The same unselfish service is given by legions of officers and teachers in our stakes and wards and branches. All are uncompensated in worldly terms but committed to Christlike service to their fellowmen."

Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament - Elder Oaks, Oct 2008

Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2008 General Conference

"The ordinance of the sacrament makes the sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the Church. It is the only Sabbath meeting the entire family can attend together. Its content in addition to the sacrament should always be planned and presented to focus our attention on the Atonement and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ."

Testimony - Elder Oaks, Apr 2008

Testimony

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2008 General Conference

"A testimony of the gospel is a personal witness borne to our souls by the Holy Ghost that certain facts of eternal significance are true and that we know them to be true. Such facts include the nature of the Godhead and our relationship to its three members, the effectiveness of the Atonement, and the reality of the Restoration."

Good, Better, Best - Elder Oaks, Oct 2007

Good, Better, Best

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2007 General Conference

"It is good to belong to our Father in Heaven’s true Church and to keep all of His commandments and fulfill all of our duties. But if this is to qualify as “best,” it should be done with love and without arrogance. We should, as we sing in a great hymn, “crown [our] good with brotherhood,” showing love and concern for all whom our lives affect."

Divorce - Elder Oaks, Apr 2007

Divorce

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2007 General Conference

"President Spencer W. Kimball taught: 'Two individuals approaching the marriage altar must realize that to attain the happy marriage which they hope for they must know that marriage … means sacrifice, sharing, and even a reduction of some personal liberties. It means long, hard economizing. It means children who bring with them financial burdens, service burdens, care and worry burdens; but also it means the deepest and sweetest emotions of all.'"

Early Christian Writings

Recently I found an interesting website about Early Christian Writings. I've been reading a different book about the early periods of Christianity that I found on Amazon that talks about the other writings that we know of from that time period. In the past I've read some of what is known as the Apocrypha as well as parts of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and I really enjoy some of the insight and inspiration I have received from reading them. This latest website is a huge treasure trove of information, and I can't wait to dig in and start exploring!

More info on the website:

"Early Christian Writings is the most complete collection of Christian texts before the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. The site provides translations and commentary for these sources, including the New Testament, Apocrypha, Gnostics, Church Fathers, and some non-Christian references."

He Heals the Heavy Laden - Elder Oaks, Oct 2006

He Heals the Heavy Laden

by Dallin H. Oaks

October 2006 General Conference

"Healing blessings come in many ways, each suited to our individual needs, as known to Him who loves us best. Sometimes a “healing” cures our illness or lifts our burden. But sometimes we are “healed” by being given strength or understanding or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us."

All Men Everywhere - Elder Oaks, April 2006

All Men Everywhere

by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2006 General Conference 

"When new writings come forth—and according to prophecy they will—we hope they will not be treated with the rejection some applied to the Book of Mormon because they already had a Bible (see 2 Ne. 29:3–10). As the Lord said through a prophet in that book, “And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man” (2 Ne. 29:9).

Truly, the gospel is for all men everywhere—every nation, every people. All are invited."

Book of Mormon Videoos - Official Trailer of 1 Nephi