Elder Don R. Clarke, of the Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, expressed his love for BYU, its students and the opportunity we each have for pure religion while speaking at the BYU Devotional in the Marriott Center on Tuesday.
“If you want to be happy, feel the Holy Ghost and grow closer to the Savior, practice Pure Religion,” Elder Clarke said.
Clarke opened the Devotional with an illustration about a recently returned missionary asking, "What can (we) do to be happy, feel the Holy Ghost and be close to the Savior?"
The answer to this reflects Christ’s response to Peter when he was dry of fish. After asking Peter if he loved Him, Christ urged Peter to then "feed my lambs," and "feed my sheep.”
Likewise, Clarke urged students to practice pure religion by “feeding,” or aiding:
- The widows
- The orphans
- The needy and the poor
- The lambs
- The sheep
Clarke reminded students to be instruments for the Lord’s work, and follow the Spirit’s promptings. The more students follow the Spirit, the more opportunities the Lord presents to be the answer to someone else’s prayer.
“It’s changed me to realize that these tender experiences are available at all moments of the day as we as saints strive to focus and help others in some way,” said Clarke, quoting from an email he received from the returned missionary.
As students become as shepherds, trustworthy enough to care for the lambs and the sheep, their connection with Heaven is strengthened and their love for Christ is made sure.
"As we practice pure religion by caring for and visiting widows, helping orphans, caring for the poor and needy, and helping lambs and sheep," said Clarke, "We will show Him that we love him."
If you missed the Clarke’s remarks, the Devotional can be streamed on demand on BYUtv.org and will be available on speeches.byu.edu.
Next Week's Devotional
The next BYU Devotional address will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 11:05 a.m., in the Marriott Center. Todd Parker, BYU professor of Religious Education, will deliver the address.
Parker will be speaking on the importance of reading and applying scriptures in ones daily life. He will give advice on something to look for while studying the scriptures, using ancedotes to accompany the principles.
Writer: Jenna Randle
