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Apostles in Hong KOng
Elder Jeffery R. Holland, accompanied by Elder David A. Bednar, both of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke to nearly 1,000 adult Church members at a devotional in Hong Kong on Wednesday, May 25, 2011.
Elder Holland spoke to the saints
Describing the Savior's Book of Mormon appearance as a "wonderful beginning to a wonderful day," Elder Holland emphasized the Savior's promise in 3 Nephi 27:29: "Therefore, ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for he that asketh, receiveth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened."
He said this promise is repeated often throughout the scriptures because it is fundamental to the gospel.
If you really want a blessing for your family, you can have it, Elder Holland taught, citing 3 Nephi 17. The Savior will heal you if you are sick; He will heal your marriage if you are having difficulties.
Elder Holland bore his testimony to the members present that the Atonement can fix what is broken. We need to believe Christ, he said.
Elder Holland said that we are not in control of when we receive these blessings, but he promised the blessings would come in response to one's faith.
Elder Holland shook hands with the members
Elder Bednar held a question-and-answer session with young single adults in the Kowloon Tong Chapel.
Elder Bednar held a question-and-answer session
Among the questions asked was one regarding sacrifice and consecration. Elder Bednar explained that sacrifice means giving up things, including life, while consecration means that we are "dedicated to and developed for a holy purpose." In other words, he said, "I will develop myself as best I can in service to God . . . consecrations means I will give me and I will live for the gospel."
He urged the young single adults not to make lists of characteristics they seek in future companions, but to instead use such lists to develop themselves into worthy companions. "Strive to become what you hope your companion will be like."
In response to a question about the temple experience, he suggested that we enter the temple with reverence and regard for Him whose house it is so that we can focus on the spirit that is there. "If you focus first and foremost on the spirit that is there, then you will see more, you will learn more, you will remember more," he said. Moreover, he continued, we need to act rather than waiting to be acted upon. "Most of us pray . . . study . . . and . . . worship in the temple as objects, not agents," he said, explaining that as agents we need to take questions into our scripture study, prayer, and temple worship, actively seeking answers, in order for the Holy Ghost to "help us see what we would not ordinarily see."
Bringing this concept full circle, he returned to his opening statement of the need to act in faith in order for the Holy Ghost to teach us. "In many of the answers I've given, I've invited you to do something so you can find your own answer. If you will take your questions into the scriptures, if you will take your questions into your prayers, then the Holy Ghost will help you learn the answers."
More on the article: Two Apostles Testify of Christ in Hong Kong
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