Every 6 months I do a little review of the most recent general conference, posting several quotes that have relevance to singles members of our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (as well as all members). Remember that Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7), as well as this point: What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. (Doctrine & Covenants 1:38). General conference is a time to learn and apply the most current will and direction from the Lord through his servants. Finally, in the words of the late great President Ezra Taft Benson remember that “The great task of life is to learn the will of the Lord and then do it.”
Conference Quotes—October, 2024:
*Frequent attendance at the temple will bless us in many ways, including having the companionship and inspiration of the Holy Ghost:
Frequent participation in the ordinances of the temple can create a pattern of devotion to the Lord. When you keep your temple covenants and remember them, you invite the companionship of the Holy Ghost to both strengthen and purify you.
You may then experience a feeling of light and hope testifying that the promises are true. You will come to know that every covenant with God is an opportunity to draw closer to Him, which will then create a desire in your heart to keep temple covenants. We have been promised, “Because of our covenant with God, He will never tire in His efforts to help us, and we will never exhaust His merciful patience with us.”
--President Henry B. Eyring, “All Will Be Well Because of Temple Covenants”
*Each week when taking the sacrament, we renew our baptismal covenants and enjoy a regular renewal to strengthen us:
This same revelation directs that the Church “meet together often to partake of bread and wine [water] in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus.” The importance of this ordinance is evident in the words of covenants specified for the elder or priest who officiates. He blesses the emblems of the bread for “the souls of all those who partake of it, that they … witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them.” Today we understand the role of covenants in the restored Church and the worship of its members. President Gordon B. Hinckley gave this summary of the effect of our baptism and our weekly partaking of the sacrament: “Every member of this church who has entered the waters of baptism has become a party to a sacred covenant. Each time we partake of the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, we renew that covenant.”
--President Dallin H. Oaks, “Covenants and Responsibilities”
Regular temple attendance will help you more than basically anything else you could spend your time doing:
My dear brothers and sisters, here is my promise. Nothing will help you more to hold fast to the iron rod than worshipping in the temple as regularly as your circumstances permit. Nothing will protect you more as you encounter the world’s mists of darkness. Nothing will bolster your testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement or help you understand God’s magnificent plan more. Nothing will soothe your spirit more during times of pain. Nothing will open the heavens more. Nothing! The temple is the gateway to the greatest blessings God has in store for each of us, for the temple is the only place on earth where we may receive all of the blessings promised to Abraham. That is why we are doing all within our power, under the direction of the Lord, to make the temple blessings more accessible to members of the Church.
--President Russell M. Nelson, “Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys”
Final Thoughts:
Much of this recent general conference focused on attending the temple regularly and the ways this attendance will help and bless your life. Taking the sacrament regularly was also highlighted as important as well. If you are not currently able to attend the temple or partake the sacrament, please work to be able to regain these blessings as soon as reasonably possible. Work with the bishop to change and conform your life in whatever ways are needed to enjoy these blessings again. Regularly partaking of the sacrament and attending the temple are the most important things for you can be doing regularly to receive blessings, along with the principles of faith and repentance. All this will help you personally, but also will help prepare you for your marriage. And remember that “…neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Dr. G
P.S. If you have any questions, comments, or a future article request for me, feel free to contact me at drgilchrist@yahoo.com.
| 2024-05-12 | Randy Gilchrist | Spirituality |
About the author
Hello, my name is Dr. Randy Gilchrist (aka "Dr. G"). I am a licensed clinical psychologist, a licensed marriage & family therapist, and a certified hypnotherapist in private practice in Roseville, CA (www.dr-rg.com), practicing since 1997. Also, I am happily married in the temple (Manti) since 1996 and have 4 sons. I am a volunteer writer and contributor to LDS Dimension. I use my training, education, and experience to share insights with LDS Dimension on all things of interest to the LDS dating community. Please read my articles and columns on this site to assist you in your online dating journey. Also, to be considered for an answer in a future Q and A column, please email me your dating/relationship oriented questions to drgilchrist@yahoo.com. Finally, I also offer a powerful, effective worldwide custom hypnosis recording service just for LDS Dimension members for weight loss, pornography, and many other issues of concern to those in the LDS dating community (please learn more now at www.dr-rg.com/lds; email me questions to drgilchrist@yahoo.com).