Elder W. Mark Bassett, a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, delivered Tuesday's devotional address. He spoke on taking care of ourselves and others by remaining connected to God’s pure sources of truth.
Elder Bassett’s remarks centered around the New Testament counsel from Paul to Timothy; Paul directs Timothy to “take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:16). The choice to follow these two instructions requires diligent effort, according to Elder Bassett.
Elder Bassett cited the Savior’s example of constant connection with God as a way to “take heed unto ourselves” and keep our spirits, bodies, and minds strong.
“[We] will best take heed unto ourselves by offering regular, even constant and sincere prayer, along with making time for diligent daily study of the word of God, found both in scripture and in the words of God’s living prophets,” said Elder Bassett.
Taking heed unto the doctrine, Elder Bassett explained, comes by following President Russell M. Nelson’s recent encouragement to seek sources of purity and then change behaviors accordingly.
Elder Bassett pointed to several sources of purity that can lead to a more abundant life and life eternal.
Pure truth
Although the needle of a compass points north and almost aligns with the north pole, the earth’s magnetic field can pull the needle away from true north. Similarly, the magnetic pulls of the world can be distracting from the ‘true north’ of our proper spiritual destination.
Staying fixed in the ‘true north’ direction towards Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ comes through heeding “the pure doctrine of Jesus Christ, and the knowledge of the plan set forth by our Father in Heaven,” said Elder Bassett.
Pure doctrine
Citing a recent General Conference address by Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Elder Bassett reiterated that repentance is necessary to receive God’s blessings.
“God does love us the way we are, but we must strive to be better than we are to enter His Kingdom in Heaven,” explained Elder Bassett.
“As we come unto Christ and lay our sins before Him, we can find ourselves among the righteous at the right hand of God.”
Pure revelation
In the New Testament, Paul answered the call when he received revelation. Elder Bassett described how Paul “was humble, teachable, and … quickly redeemed” after seeing the Lord himself. Paul was quick to ask what the Lord wanted him to do.
Following Paul in becoming an example of the believers can ultimately lead us in going forth to the abundant life enabled by Jesus Christ.
“As you take heed unto yourself and take heed unto the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” Elder Bassett said, “I know you will both save yourself and ‘ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto many others.’”
Next forum:
Rev. Dr.
William Barber II, American Protestant minister and social activist, will deliver the next forum address on Tuesday, November 30, at 11:05 a.m. in the Marriott Center.
Reverend Barber’s remarks will also be broadcast live on BYUtv, BYUtv.org, KBYU-TV 11, Classical 89 FM, BYUradio 107.9 FM and SiriusXM 143.
