Week 2: Quick to Observe

Dear Friends,

I hope that you are enjoying a wonderful New Year! I recently read Elder Bednar’s devotional address, “Quick to Observe” and feel inspired to share it with you this week. I am grateful to have this master teacher as one of our Apostles. I am grateful for his ability to teach simple, but profound doctrine in a way that I can embrace and observe it. One of my goals this New Year is to more fully access the Gifts of the Spirit available to us. I am grateful for Elder Bednar’s careful and detailed teaching about the blessings of being quick to observe and how this brings the gift of discernment. When we have this gift, we are able to be greater instruments in the hands of the Lord as we discern truth and error, good and evil, and uncover for ourselves and others our better natures. I hope Elder Bednar’s words will lift, inspire, and encourage you as they have me.

Much love,

Noni


MP3 Link

Quick to Observe Bednar.mp3 - David A. Bednar

“Quick to Observe”
DAVID A. BEDNAR
David A. Bednar was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this devotional address was given at Brigham Young University on 10 May 2005.
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Sister Bednar and I are delighted to be with you. She and I have been anxiously engaged in university life for more than 30 years, and we love the young people of the Church. Time spent with you this morning is a sacred privilege for us. I now seek for and invite the assistance of the Holy Ghost as I speak with you about essential spiritual truths.

In October 1987 Elder Marvin J. Ashton, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, spoke in general conference about spiritual gifts. I recall with fondness the impact his message had upon me at that time, and the things he taught then continue to influence me today. In his message Elder Ashton detailed and described a number of less conspicuous spiritual gifts—attributes and abilities that many of us might not have considered being spiritual gifts. For example, Elder Ashton highlighted the gifts of asking; of listening; of hearing and using a still, small voice; of being able to weep; of avoiding contention; of being agreeable; of avoiding vain repetition; of seeking that which is righteous; of looking to God for guidance; of being a disciple; of caring for others; of being able to ponder; of bearing mighty testimony; and of receiving the Holy Ghost (see Marvin J. Ashton, “There Are Many Gifts,” Ensign, November 1987, 20–22).

This morning I want to talk with you about another seemingly simple and perhaps underappreciated spiritual gift—the capacity of being “quick to observe.” I will also attempt to explain why appropriately seeking for this blessing is vitally important for you and for me in the world in which we do now and will yet live...... For the rest of this talk click this LINK