Welcome to the Talk Of The Week Club. I began this club as a way to share my love of learning and growing in the gospel of Jesus Christ through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My hope and desire is for you to learn and grow in your faith and love of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Each Thursday a new talk will be posted, come back, open your heart and mind, allow yourself to receive and I promise you will be spiritually fed.
It has been a pleasure to share our testimonies with you over the past two years. We pray for you and your families to have a wonderful new year and that you will continue to feel the Savior's love through the talks we share.
Love, Shauntell, Noni, Sarah, and Alida
This is the fifth Thursday of the month. Which means it is time to think about all the great talks and quotes you've heard recently and share with the rest of us. How you do that is you either write about it in the comments of this post or you can email it to me at talkoftheweek@gmail.com and I will put it in the comments for you.
The opportunity to learn the gospel is just as important as the admonition to teach the gospel. In D&C 50: 22, we read the following: "Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together." Let us teach and receive of one another so we can ALL be edified and rejoice together in the sweetness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
I can't wait to be edified by you wonderful friends and family.
Recently I heard a friend complaining, “I feel guilty if I don’t buy presents for everyone and their brother. I think I am going to start boycotting presents beginning next year!”
I agree that Christmas has become commercialized and that the true reason we celebrate Christmas has been all but forgotten by the mainstream. Our need to give lavish gifts and gifts in excess has created a "gimmee, gimmee" society that is not in sync with the true meaning of “Christmas Spirit.” However, I think at the core giving gifts to the ones we love is a wonderful tradition when done meaningfully and without excess. I think we would be remiss not to acknowledge the many God-given gifts that we have been given and that endure all time. I also think it’s important to remember, as we share our love with others, the reason we do these things is in similitude of the ultimate gift that was given to us by our Heavenly Father. He sent us his Son.
This week’s talk was delivered during General Conference in April 1993 by President Thomas S. Monson and is simply entitled “Gifts”. Unfortunately, the audio has not been archived for this specific General Conference and therefore it is only available in text format. I could not pass it up. Please take the time to read it; I know you will benefit from it as much as I have.
This beautiful talk helps direct our thoughts to the gifts we’ve received from our Heavenly Father and reminds us that, as stated by President Harold B. Lee: “Life is God’s gift to man. What we do with our life is our gift to God.”
I want to wish a Merry Christmas to each of you. I pray that as you go about this week you will remember Christ in everything you do.
President David O. McKay would frequently suggest the need for us to turn from the hectic day-to-day schedule filled with letters to answer, calls to be made, people to see, meetings to attend, and take time to meditate, to ponder, and to reflect on the eternal truths and the sources of the joy and happiness which comprise each person’s quest. When we do, the mundane, the mechanical, the repetitious patterns of our lives yield to the spiritual qualities, and we acquire a much-needed dimension which inspires our daily living. When I follow this counsel, thoughts of family, experiences with friends, and treasured memories of special days and quiet nights course through my mind and bring a sweet repose to my being. The Christmas season, with its special meaning, inevitably prompts a tear, inspires a renewed commitment to God, and provides, borrowing the words from the lovely song “Calvary,” “rest to the weary and peace to the soul.” I reflect on the contrasts of Christmas. The extravagant gifts, expensively packaged and professionally wrapped, reach their zenith in the famed commercial catalogs carrying the headline “For the person who has everything.” In one such reading I observed a four-thousand-square-foot home wrapped with a gigantic ribbon and comparable greeting card which said, “Merry Christmas.” Other items included diamond-studded clubs for the golfer, a Caribbean cruise for the traveler, and a luxury trip to the Swiss Alps for the adventurer. Such seemed to fit the theme of a Christmas cartoon which showed the Three Wise Men traveling to Bethlehem with gift boxes on their camels. One says, “Mark my words, Balthazar, we’re starting something with these gifts that’s going to get way out of hand!” Then there is the remembered Christmas tale of O. Henry about a young husband and wife who lived in abject poverty yet who wanted to give one another a special gift. But they had nothing to give. Then the husband had a ray of inspiration: “I shall provide my dear wife a beautiful ornamental comb to adorn her magnificent long black hair.” The wife also received an idea: “I shall obtain a lovely chain for my husband’s prized watch which he values so highly.” Christmas day came; the treasured gifts were exchanged. Then the surprise ending, so typical of O. Henry’s short stories: The wife had shorn her long hair and sold it to obtain funds to purchase the watch chain, only to discover that her husband had sold his watch, that he might purchase the comb to adorn her beautiful long hair, which now she did not have. 1 Go HERE for the rest of this article
Hi everyone – This was a Priesthood talk so there isn’t an MP3 but I really wanted to share it with you. I really wanted to get this out to you. “I’ll be home for Christmas…” It reminded me that we all long to be HOME – to return with Heavenly Father and with our Savior. Are we doing what we need to have the light of Christ shine through us?
This is oft times a times a min by min process. There have often been struggles in my home recently as I and my husband strive to be righteous empowering parents to our teen-age son and our other two children. I was humbled by the story of Jack and his father and reflected on how I was/am doing in my parenting.As I read Emily’s story I pondered on how I am doing in being the answer to the prayers of God’s children. I asked for forgiveness and offered a plea to help me do better.
I pray that we will strive to LIVE so that we may hear the affirming words and feel the Spirit bear witness – “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”.
We can, with the Lord’s help, reach out and rescue those for whom we have responsibility.
My dear brethren, it is a humbling experience to stand before you this evening and to realize that beyond the imposing audience in this, the Conference Center, many hundreds of thousands of priesthood bearers are similarly assembled throughout the world.
While contemplating the responsibility to speak to you, I recalled a definition of priesthood authority declared by President Stephen L Richards. Said he: “The Priesthood is usually simply defined as ‘the power of God delegated to man.’ This definition, I think, is accurate. But for practical purposes I like to define the Priesthood in terms of service and I frequently call it ‘the perfect plan of service.’ ” 1
This is my favorite time of year. I couldn't help but to turn on Christmas music early in November. Before my family could tease me I declared to them that listening to Christmas music makes me happy. The music from this time of year is so ingrained in my mind and heart that it is the only music I can actually remember lyrics too year round! Many a late night feeding, and rocking of my children have been to the humming and singing of "Silent Night".
I would like to add my testimony to Elder Nelson's that worthy music does bring power and protection to our lives. May I challenge us all to review the music that we choose to listen too and remove music that does not invite worthy thoughts or the spirit to dwell in our hearts and minds. We can not be so brazen to think that listening to unclean music will not hurt us. Our minds are very tender and can be harmed by very small negative thoughts. Our only protection is to refuse to put anything that is unworthy into our ears. If you have had an experience with choosing worthy music and would like to share it with us please feel free to leave a comment.
May you all have a very blessed and enjoyable Christmas season and enjoy the precious music that testifies of our Savior, Jesus Christ's birth.
It is a joy for my wife, Wendy, and me to be with you, my dear brothers and sisters. From the BYU Marriott Center in Utah, we are broadcasting to many congregations throughout the world. Thanks to each of you for being with us.
We extend a special welcome to those who will soon be finishing high school and are attending a CES fireside broadcast for the first time. As you enroll in institutions of higher learning and continue your education, I hope you will participate in institute classes so that you may have this strong spiritual resource to balance your secular learning. You will also have opportunities to attend future CES firesides such as this. Take advantage of those occasions. They will enlighten and encourage you.
The title of my message tonight is “Power and Protection Provided by Worthy Music.” This topic is especially applicable to young adults. As you know, people of your age have made many significant contributions as writers, composers, and connoisseurs of worthy music.
Power
The power of worthy music was felt tonight as we sang these words in our opening hymn:
Come, ye children of the Lord, Let us sing with one accord. Let us raise a joyful strain To our Lord who soon will reign.1
Through music we raised our voices in powerful praise and prayer.
Such a hymn provides a pattern of worship that is pleasing to God. His prophet taught us to “praise the Lord with singing, with music, . . . and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving” (D&C 136:28). Read the entire talk HERE and a condensed version is found in the December 2009, Ensign, page 13-17.
As we welcome the Christmas Season, I have pondered how I can keep my focus on the Savior and make it one where I am filled with the Spirit and spiritually nurtured each day. I want so much to hear those quiet promptings to assist others and to feel connected with My Heavenly Father each day. I was deeply touched by Elder Kikuchi's article "Opening the Heavens" in the August Ensign. His insights and testimony are inspiring and encouraging. I also appreciate his tender sharing of Elder Melvin J. Ballard's sacred dream. How I have come to treasure those early morning minutes when I can enjoy my own "Sacred Grove" to drink deeply from the scriptures and the words of Apostle's and Prophets. I have found the early morning hours to be the time I am least distracted by the cares of the day. How grateful I am that we have the sweet privilege and opportunity of praying to our Father in Heaven without restriction or limitation. I testify that He does rush to answer every earnest prayer and that our Savior lives and He stands by to lift and succor us. How grateful I am for the Gift of the Holy Ghost in our lives to teach, testify, comfort, and sanctify us.
Do you want to feel the love of God more powerfully in your life? Do you want to feel more in tune with His Spirit? Do you want to have the heavens opened to you daily?
There is a way you can feel a daily renewal of God’s everlasting love and drink from “the fountain of living waters” (1 Nephi 11:25). It follows a pattern set by the Prophet Joseph Smith when he went to a grove of trees early one morning in 1820 seeking answers to his questions. I speak of a morning devotional time spent in prayer, meditation, and scripture study. If you have a devotional every morning, even if only for a few minutes, you will be deeply blessed. I know this to be true.
Would you like to be added to our weekly email list? Every Thursday the Talk of the Week is emailed out as well as posted here. If you would like to be added to the list please email me with Talk of the Week in the subject line.
If you would like to download a talk to your computer follow these directions. If you are having problems please feel free to email me
If a talk has an MP3 Link right click on it with your mouse, choose the option 'Save Target As', decide where on your computer you will save it, (I created a file in My Music called Talks) click Save. A box may come up to show you the progress. From there you can add it to your potable MP3 player or to a CD, or just listen from your computer.
About Me: Shauntell
Second and Fifth Week
I am a mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend. I grew up in Washington, Utah then in 1994 moved to Logan, Utah. I was married in 1995 and in 1999 I became a mother and began a whole new journey in life. Here I am 12 years later with 3 beautiful children who have been a blessing and have been the cause of much of my growth! I hope that I am a person who brings hope and happiness to others. This year I am working on just being me and serving Jesus Christ. Ever since I can remember I have enjoyed learning about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I enjoyed all the classes and opportunities I have had to learn and grow in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For many years I based a lot of my studies on knowing who I am and what I am supposed to be. I am grateful for the things I have learned and desire so much for as many people as possible to know what I know and trust in what they feel in their hearts.
Contributors: Noni
First Week
I was born in Logan, Utah and spent my school years in Snowflake, Arizona. I met my awesome husband the second month I attended Ricks College. In June of 1985, after he returned from serving a mission, we married in the Logan Temple and I graduated from BYU in December of that year. We spent 8 of our first married years in Canada-- Magrath, Alberta and Hamilton, Ontario--where 3 of our sons were born. We moved to Utah 15 years ago. I am becoming a woman of Faith. I strive to live each day with eternal goals in mind. The past three years, I have grown immensely as I have been stretched and challenged. I have learned to rely on our Father in Heaven and the Savior as never before. Most of all, I have learned to trust Them and Their perfect plan for each of us. The days I let Them steer my ship, my life is much sweeter, despite the difficulties, than the times I rely on my own strength and insights. I know as we each allow Them to guide our daily activities, we can feel the peace and joy that come from being in Their service and doing exactly what They would have us do each day. I am daily striving to be more like Them and know that our joys increase as we do this. I am also learning to better hear and heed the Spirit and I am so grateful for His direction in my life. I know our safety depends on each of us developing this Gift. Most of all, I want to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to fulfill His purposes while I have the privilege of being here on earth. I love being a wife and mother to five wonderful sons, and my desire is that each person I have contact with each day feels better for the time we have shared and that somehow I might assist in bringing the light of the Gospel to them.
Sarah
Third Week
I am a mother, wife, daughter, friend, mentor and business owner. I grew up in a small town in central NJ and then in 1992 I moved to ID to attend college. I met and fell in love with the man of my dreams and we were married in the SLC, Temple on General Conference weekend. In 1996, I graduated from USU with a Bachelor’s of Science and a few weeks later became a mother. It’s been over 16 years since I was married and I now have 3 strong-willed and valiant children. I can honestly say that the last 7 years I have been on the steepest learning curve of my whole life. I have been blessed both temporally and spiritually in ways I never dreamed. Since I was a little girl I have listened to conference talks and the scriptures. My mom would play them on a small tape recorder while she hand-washed dishes, made dinner, or even while we were driving in the car. When I started my own family we started listening to the CDs of the scriptures as well as General Conference. Now we simply put them on our IPOD. Whatever the medium of listening, I have been strengthened throughout my life to hear the voice of the God. I know he loves each of us. We are his children and because we are His he blesses us each day and encourages us to lift, heal, edify, strengthen, love, learn and more.
Alida
Fourth Week
I am the daughter of a loving Heavenly Father who has blessed me in countless ways. I am a mother to 5 beautiful children, the wife to an amazing priesthood holder, a daughter of goodly parents, a sister and a friend to many. My journey began almost 19 years ago when I was just 8 years old and two beautiful sister missionaries knocked on our door in Bayside, Queens, NY. That day my life changed forever. Two short months later I was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Our membership in the church led us to Provo, Utah when I was 12 years old. After graduating from Provo High School, I married my best friend on April 17, 1999. We were sealed together in the Bountiful, Utah Temple. Over the last 9 years, our life together has seen its share of ups and downs, including the birth of a child with Cystic Hygroma. Throughout our trials I have been able to stay close to the Lord through study and much prayer. The knowledge that we have a living prophet by which He speaks to us has sustained me. I know that I can always turn to Latter-day talks to build my faith and understanding. I always seem to find the right words at the right time when I seek to know more. Throughout this year I have been striving to learn patience and trust in the Lord and in his timing. I want to be an example of Christ-like love and to make Him the center of my home. I know that through the gospel of Jesus Christ those things are not hard to achieve if we put our faith in him. I am thankful that he guided those two sister missionaries to our house that September day in 1989 and that my parents chose to let them come in and share their message. I am dedicated to sharing that message with the world so that they to may know my JOY!
Here are a few helpful hints to make the most of the Talk of the Week
~upload the talk to your MP3 player, listen while exercising , cleaning or getting ready for the day ~burn the talk to a CD and listen to it in the car, kitchen, bathroom, etc. ~have your journal nearby to write your thoughts and inspiration ~share your thoughts with a friend or family member or comment on the blog ~remember that this is supposed to be an enjoyable experience read or listen to the talks that catch your attention first ~ be open to the Spirit's promptings and you will never go wrong
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