I gave this talk in church of Sunday. I just wanted to include it on here because this talk is a shining example of my growth. I learned so much in writing, preparing, and giving this talk. My mom had come to visit the week before and I'm so sad that she couldn't stay long enough to hear it, but she was a big help in helping decide what to talk about. I have an inability to ad lib in front of audiences so this is written pretty much word for word as it was given. I'm very surprised at how relaxed I was when I was actually on the pulpit, I mean I still pretty nervous, but it was not near as bad as it's been in the past. I thank Heavenly Father for that. Truly an answered prayer.
Well, good afternoon. Today we’re talking about Pioneers. More specifically I’m speaking about establishing Zion. If you remember nothing else from my talk, please remember this; through the Atonement of Christ, we can overcome all of our challenges and act as modern day pioneers to build Zion.
We’ve all heard pioneer stories about those who crossed the plains and there are those here who’s ancestors were directly involved. However, there are also those among us who’s membership is not a result of their ancestor’s trek crossing the plains, but their trek coming to the truth of the gospel in other ways. While having ancestors in the early days of the church is very neat, many of us do not come from that heritage. For me, my grandparents were the first members of the church in my family facing their own set of challenges along the way. My parents grew up in the church, of course met here at BYU, and raised my brothers and I in the gospel. There are those who’s parents are converts or who they themselves are the first members of their family to join the church. Each undoubtedly experiencing trials in their journey. No matter where you come from, that is your heritage and each is no more important than the next. Your journey to your membership in this church is essential to building Zion.
I do not believe that being a pioneer means to leave your homes to live in new areas, though I do understand this very well. I’ve lived in 7 different states and moved cross country twice. I understand the sacrifice that comes from leaving a place you call home and while that is a great sacrifice, I believe that we can act as pioneers today anytime we set an example; that is, any time we act in faith, or stand for truth and righteousness. When you make a sacrifice to live by what you believe to is right and put your trust in God you are pioneering the way for others to come unto Christ.
In a talk entitled, Becoming the Pure in Heart, President Kimball talks about building Zion. He outlines three ways we can do that today. The first being to rid yourself of selfishness. He says, “Zion can be built up only among those who are the pure in heart—not a people torn by covetousness or greed, but a pure and selfless people, not a people who are pure in appearance, rather a people who are pure in heart. Zion is to be in the world and not of the world, not dulled by a sense of carnal security, nor paralyzed by materialism. No, Zion is not things of the lower, but of the higher order, things that exalt the mind and sanctify the heart.” So he talks about letting go of the world and filling our lives with righteousness. The next fundamental principle of building Zion is to love your fellowman and to work in harmony together. He talk about how it is important for us to labor together “with an eye single to the glory of God.” He goes on to say, “...defining and describing Zion will not bring it about. That can only be done through consistent and concerted daily effort by every single member of the Church.“ Lastly, President Kimball says that to bring forth Zion, we must sacrifice whatever is necessary of the Lord. We offer up our willingness to serve by following the council given and fulfilling our callings. To quote President Kimball one last time, “In the Church, we can give expression to every ability, every righteous desire, every thoughtful impulse. Whether a volunteer, father, home teacher, bishop, or neighbor, whether a visiting teacher, mother, homemaker, or friend—there is ample opportunity to give our all. And as we give, we find that ‘sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven!’ And in the end, we learn it was no sacrifice at all.” By doing these three things, letting go of the world and our personal selfishness, laboring together for the will of the Lord, and sacrificing our time and talents, we can build Zion in this day.
The early pioneers of our church no doubt faced extreme difficulty. They were driven from their homes, they were persecuted for their beliefs, and on their journey west they lost loved ones and experienced harsh conditions. Though we do not experience challenges of this degree today, we still face many problems. If I could I could quote to you the entire talk given by Elder Richard G. Scott in last October’s conference, believe me I would. If you have not heard this talk I suggest very strongly that you go home and look it up because it will change your life, it changed mine. It’s called The Transforming Power of Faith and Character. It talks about how when we understand faith and apply it to our lives our character is strengthened. And as our character is strengthened our testimony is built and the more challenges we face. Elder Scott says, “As your testimony is fortified, Satan will try harder to tempt you. Resist his efforts. You will become stronger and his influence on you weaker.” So as we make correct decisions the stronger your character gets and the easier it becomes to exercise faith. It is not easy though and often takes several tries and a lot of work. One of the principles of Elder Scott’s talk that I love and has helped me through so many of my trials is that God lets you struggle to grow. He says, “As you walk to the boundary of your understanding into the twilight of uncertainty, exercising faith, you will be led to find solutions you would not obtain otherwise. With even your strongest faith, God will not always reward you immediately according to your desires. Rather, God will respond with what in His eternal plan is best for you, when it will yield the greatest advantage. Be thankful that sometimes God lets you struggle for a long time before that answer comes.” Though God lets us struggle, He is always there for us. His Atoning sacrifice has made it so that no matter what challenge we face, no matter how menial, He understands. A good friend of mine once said, “He suffered for us so He’d know how to help us. So, through the Atonement, we receive strength to do what God asks because Jesus knows how to help us. He has felt what we have felt.”
In closing Elder Scott said, “If you have determined to live righteously, don’t become discouraged. Life may seem difficult now, but hold on tightly to that iron rod of truth. You are making better progress than you realize. Your struggles are defining character, discipline, and confidence in the promises of your Father in Heaven and the Savior as you consistently obey Their commandments.” I would like to add to that by saying that as you faithfully endure the challenges of today, you are setting the example for others. You are acting as a pioneer in our day and whether you know it or not, you are influencing those around you. When trials seem at their worst and you feel that you are overwhelmed, turn to Christ. He knows how to help you, He wants to help you. Through the Atonement of Christ, you can overcome all of your challenges and act as a modern day pioneer to build Zion. I believe that with all my heart. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
We Can Be Modern Day Pioneers to Build Zion
Well, good afternoon. Today we’re talking about Pioneers. More specifically I’m speaking about establishing Zion. If you remember nothing else from my talk, please remember this; through the Atonement of Christ, we can overcome all of our challenges and act as modern day pioneers to build Zion.
We’ve all heard pioneer stories about those who crossed the plains and there are those here who’s ancestors were directly involved. However, there are also those among us who’s membership is not a result of their ancestor’s trek crossing the plains, but their trek coming to the truth of the gospel in other ways. While having ancestors in the early days of the church is very neat, many of us do not come from that heritage. For me, my grandparents were the first members of the church in my family facing their own set of challenges along the way. My parents grew up in the church, of course met here at BYU, and raised my brothers and I in the gospel. There are those who’s parents are converts or who they themselves are the first members of their family to join the church. Each undoubtedly experiencing trials in their journey. No matter where you come from, that is your heritage and each is no more important than the next. Your journey to your membership in this church is essential to building Zion.
I do not believe that being a pioneer means to leave your homes to live in new areas, though I do understand this very well. I’ve lived in 7 different states and moved cross country twice. I understand the sacrifice that comes from leaving a place you call home and while that is a great sacrifice, I believe that we can act as pioneers today anytime we set an example; that is, any time we act in faith, or stand for truth and righteousness. When you make a sacrifice to live by what you believe to is right and put your trust in God you are pioneering the way for others to come unto Christ.
In a talk entitled, Becoming the Pure in Heart, President Kimball talks about building Zion. He outlines three ways we can do that today. The first being to rid yourself of selfishness. He says, “Zion can be built up only among those who are the pure in heart—not a people torn by covetousness or greed, but a pure and selfless people, not a people who are pure in appearance, rather a people who are pure in heart. Zion is to be in the world and not of the world, not dulled by a sense of carnal security, nor paralyzed by materialism. No, Zion is not things of the lower, but of the higher order, things that exalt the mind and sanctify the heart.” So he talks about letting go of the world and filling our lives with righteousness. The next fundamental principle of building Zion is to love your fellowman and to work in harmony together. He talk about how it is important for us to labor together “with an eye single to the glory of God.” He goes on to say, “...defining and describing Zion will not bring it about. That can only be done through consistent and concerted daily effort by every single member of the Church.“ Lastly, President Kimball says that to bring forth Zion, we must sacrifice whatever is necessary of the Lord. We offer up our willingness to serve by following the council given and fulfilling our callings. To quote President Kimball one last time, “In the Church, we can give expression to every ability, every righteous desire, every thoughtful impulse. Whether a volunteer, father, home teacher, bishop, or neighbor, whether a visiting teacher, mother, homemaker, or friend—there is ample opportunity to give our all. And as we give, we find that ‘sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven!’ And in the end, we learn it was no sacrifice at all.” By doing these three things, letting go of the world and our personal selfishness, laboring together for the will of the Lord, and sacrificing our time and talents, we can build Zion in this day.
The early pioneers of our church no doubt faced extreme difficulty. They were driven from their homes, they were persecuted for their beliefs, and on their journey west they lost loved ones and experienced harsh conditions. Though we do not experience challenges of this degree today, we still face many problems. If I could I could quote to you the entire talk given by Elder Richard G. Scott in last October’s conference, believe me I would. If you have not heard this talk I suggest very strongly that you go home and look it up because it will change your life, it changed mine. It’s called The Transforming Power of Faith and Character. It talks about how when we understand faith and apply it to our lives our character is strengthened. And as our character is strengthened our testimony is built and the more challenges we face. Elder Scott says, “As your testimony is fortified, Satan will try harder to tempt you. Resist his efforts. You will become stronger and his influence on you weaker.” So as we make correct decisions the stronger your character gets and the easier it becomes to exercise faith. It is not easy though and often takes several tries and a lot of work. One of the principles of Elder Scott’s talk that I love and has helped me through so many of my trials is that God lets you struggle to grow. He says, “As you walk to the boundary of your understanding into the twilight of uncertainty, exercising faith, you will be led to find solutions you would not obtain otherwise. With even your strongest faith, God will not always reward you immediately according to your desires. Rather, God will respond with what in His eternal plan is best for you, when it will yield the greatest advantage. Be thankful that sometimes God lets you struggle for a long time before that answer comes.” Though God lets us struggle, He is always there for us. His Atoning sacrifice has made it so that no matter what challenge we face, no matter how menial, He understands. A good friend of mine once said, “He suffered for us so He’d know how to help us. So, through the Atonement, we receive strength to do what God asks because Jesus knows how to help us. He has felt what we have felt.”
In closing Elder Scott said, “If you have determined to live righteously, don’t become discouraged. Life may seem difficult now, but hold on tightly to that iron rod of truth. You are making better progress than you realize. Your struggles are defining character, discipline, and confidence in the promises of your Father in Heaven and the Savior as you consistently obey Their commandments.” I would like to add to that by saying that as you faithfully endure the challenges of today, you are setting the example for others. You are acting as a pioneer in our day and whether you know it or not, you are influencing those around you. When trials seem at their worst and you feel that you are overwhelmed, turn to Christ. He knows how to help you, He wants to help you. Through the Atonement of Christ, you can overcome all of your challenges and act as a modern day pioneer to build Zion. I believe that with all my heart. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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