Elder Randall K. Bennett, a General Authority Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, delivered Tuesday’s BYU Devotional address. He shared recent teachings of President Russell M. Nelson and taught about the promised blessings that come when saints follow guidance from the Lord’s prophets.
Elder Bennett began by sharing that neither he nor his wife came from perfect circumstances, but that did not stop them from finding happiness.
“You may not come from perfect circumstances either,” said Elder Bennett. “But I promise that if you will act with faith in your Heavenly Father and His plan, and in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, and follow God’s prophets, you will be given power to do whatever the Lord needs you to do.”
He shared a story about a time his wife, Shelley, accepted an invitation from an apostle. The apostle invited her to kiss her father on the cheek every night and say, “I love you.” Shelley accepted that invitation and it blessed their lives.
“You can trust the Lord’s Apostles. Love them. Sustain each one as a prophet, seer and revelator. I promise you that great blessings will follow!”
Elder Bennett shared that others, including President George Albert Smith and President Ezra Taft Benson, have also taught that following the prophet will lead to blessings. Today, he said, the words of a prophet come from President Russell M. Nelson.
Elder Bennett then turned toward teachings of President Nelson, highlighting six invitations that have been extended to members of the Church and the promised blessings that will come when these invitations are accepted.
- Ask Heavenly Father how He feels about you and your mission here on Earth
By accepting this invitation, we are promised that we will never be the same. Elder Bennett emphasized that these promises and blessings are personal.
- Learn all you can about Jesus Christ and follow him
President Nelson promised that as you learn all you can about Christ, your love for him and for God’s laws will grow, and your ability to turn away from sin will increase. We are promised strength, wisdom, sustained peace and true joy as we learn about and follow Christ.
- Spend more time where the Spirit is present
Elder Bennett said that the Spirit can be present in any appropriate place where you can be with those who earnestly seek to invite his influence.
“I promise you that as you consistently give the Lord a generous portion of your time, He will multiply the remainder,” said President Nelson.
- Learn how to hear and follow the whisperings of the Holy Ghost
President Nelson promised that if you listen to the Holy Ghost, you will be given answers and direction in your life. Elder Bennett said that while the answers may not come immediately, they will always come.
- Prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day
By accepting this invitation, we are promised that we will make better decisions every day. According to President Nelson, reading the Book of Mormon can act as an “immunization” against evils.
- Serve your ancestors and others in the temple
President Nelson promises miracles will happen to those who serve in the temple.
Elder Bennett added: “Being outward and other-focused instead of inward and self-focused will bring great blessings and incredible joy as you serve others.”
He said that if you follow the Lord’s prophet, you can “experience incomprehensible joy — in spite of adversity, sorrow, suffering or your circumstances.”
Elder Bennett concluded with an invitation to prepare for April General Conference. Conference is a gift, he said, where we are given the latest revelation from heaven for God’s children here on Earth
Next Forum: Dr. Sugata Mitra, Professor of Educational Technology at Newcastle University
Dr. Sugata Mitra, Professor of Educational Technology at Newcastle University in England, will deliver the next BYU Forum on March 26, at 11:05 a.m. in the Marriott Center.
