3-APR-2019

Elders,

Good evening – It is another fine spring day. It is fun to see friends and neighbors coming out of hibernation and starting to work in the yard and spend time outside. Weather changes minute to minute, but the draw of the outdoors is unmistakable. It just feels good to be out in the sunshine. This past Sunday afternoon we pulled out my Christmas present (a Spike Ball set) and attempted to play. While we certainly aren’t world-class players, we had a great time. There was more laughing and snorting as we bumbled and fumbled our way around the game than actual game play, but it was well worth it. If you haven’t played before, come borrow our set and have fun.

The Dalton’s led our lesson last Sunday. It was based on the talk “Stand Forever” by Lawrence Corbridge. There was good productive discussion about knowledge and truth – the things that are critical know and the universe of potential questions that can arise. Questions are good, it is how we obtain knowledge and learn truth. We have various methods of learning knowledge – the scientific method, the analytical method, the academic method, and the divine method. We use the various methods every day throughout our lives. The divine method encompasses and builds upon the other three. It doesn’t excuse or exclude them, but builds upon them and adds a witness from the Spirit. Elder Corbridge says: “Pay whatever price you must pay, bear whatever burden you must bear, and make whatever sacrifice you must make to get and keep in your life the spirit and power of the Holy Ghost” That spirit will guide you to truth as you make use of the other three methods.

Be aware, of course, that not all questions are of equal value and importance – some truths are far more valuable to learn than others. Some of the key foundational truths that we should learn include: 1) Is there a God who is our Father? 2) Is Jesus Christ the Son of God, the Savior of the world? 3) Was Joseph Smith a prophet? and 4) Is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the kingdom of God on the earth? As we come to a knowledge of these core truths, the other questions we encounter can be put into their proper frame and context. They won’t necessarily go away, but we can more effectively live with them as we keep looking for answers. Yes, questions are good. I have plenty and I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and the framework it provides me to live a happy life.

This weekend is General Conference. Sessions are at 10:00am and 2:00pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday night at 6:00pm is the general priesthood session. The priesthood session will be broadcast at the stake center. I will be gathering with my dad, brothers, and sons up at my dad’s stake center. We will enjoy the session and then go out for dinner. I love the traditions we have built over the years. What traditions do you have around general conference? 

Conference is a fantastic time to ask questions and listen for answers in the words of the prophets. I love conference weekend – and not just because I can listen while in dressed in sweats. I hope that you will take the opportunity to fully participate.

Thanks as always. Let’s see what opportunities for change and personal growth that general conference brings,

President Oldroyd
801-573-6828