“Despite all of the negative challenges we have in life, we must take time to actively exercise our faith,” Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said during the Sunday afternoon session of general conference on Oct. 5. “Such exercise invites the positive, faith-filled power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ into our lives.”
In the premortal world all were taught that the purpose in coming to earth is to be tested, tried and stretched while facing evils of the adversary.
“We live in trying times,” Elder Scott said. “I need not list all of the sources of evil in the world. It is not necessary to describe all of the possible challenges and heartaches that are a part of mortality. Each of us is intimately aware of our own struggles with temptation, pain and sadness.”
Because of the trying times, Heavenly Father has given tools to help His children come unto Christ and exercise faith in His Atonement.
“When these tools become fundamental habits they provide the easiest way to find peace in the challenges of mortality,” he said.
Elder Scott shared four tools and invited all to “consider evaluating your personal use of each tool, then seek the guidance of the Lord to determine how you could make better use of each one of them.”
Prayer
“Choose to converse with your Father in Heaven often,” he said. “Make time every day to share your thoughts and feelings with Him. Tell Him everything that concerns you. He is interested in the most important as well as the most mundane facets of your life. Share with Him your full range of feelings and experiences. …
“Protect your children from negative worldly influence by fortifying them with the powerful blessings that result from family prayer. Family prayer should be a non-negotiable priority in your daily life.”
Scripture study
“To know what the voice of the Divine sounds and feels like, read His words, study the scriptures and ponder them,” he counseled. “Make them an integral part of everyday life. If you want your children to recognize, understand and act on the promptings of the Spirit, you must study the scriptures with them.”
Elder Scott encouraged listeners to not yield to “Satan’s lie that you don’t have time to study the scriptures. Choose to take time to study them. Feasting on the word of God each day is more important than sleep, school, work, television shows, video games or social media. You may need to reorganize your priorities to provide time for the study of the word of God. If so, do it.”
Family Home Evening
“Be cautious not to make your family home evening just an afterthought of a busy day,” he said. “Decide that on Monday night your family will be together at home for the evening. Do not let employment demands, sports, extracurricular activities, homework or anything else become more important than that time you spend together at home with your family.”
Temple attendance
“We all know there is no more peaceful place on this earth than in the temples of God. If you don’t have a temple recommend, qualify to get one. When you have a recommend, use it often. Schedule a regular time to be in the temple. Don’t let anyone or anything prevent you from being there.”
As members integrate these tools into their lives, Elder Scott noted, they are able to respond to the invitation to “come unto Him.”
