Notable quotes:
“The year 2020 has been marked, in part, by a global pandemic that has proved, examined and tried us in many ways. I pray that we as individuals and families are learning the valuable lessons that only challenging experiences can teach us.”
“Now is the time to prepare and prove ourselves willing and able to do all things whatsoever the Lord our God shall command us.”
“I promise that as we both prepare and press forward with faith in the Savior, we all can receive the same grade on the ultimate examination of mortality.”
Summary points:
- As important as they are in education, tests in the school of mortality are a vital element of eternal progression.
- Two basic principles can guide and strengthen individuals facing life’s proving and trying circumstances — preparation and pressing forward with a steadfastness in Christ.
- “The process of proving ourselves is a fundamental part of Heavenly Father’s great plan of happiness.”
Talk summary:
Tests in “the school of mortality” are a vital element in eternal progression. Scriptural words such as “prove,” “examine” and “try” are used to describe knowledge about, understanding of and devotion to Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness and the Savior’s Atonement.
“The year 2020 has been marked, in part, by a global pandemic that has proved, examined and tried us in many ways. I pray that we as individuals and families are learning the valuable lessons that only challenging experiences can teach us.”
Two basic principles can guide and strengthen individuals facing life’s proving and trying circumstances — preparation and pressing forward with a steadfastness in Christ.
“I invite each of us to ‘consider [our] ways’ (Haggai, 1:5, 7) and ‘examine [ourselves], whether [we] be in the faith; [and] prove [our] own selves’ (2 Corinthians 13:5) What have we learned during these recent months of lifestyle adjustments and restrictions? What do we need to improve in our lives spiritually, physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually? Now is the time to prepare and prove ourselves willing and able to do all things whatsoever the Lord our God shall command us.”
Faithfulness is “trusting and placing our confidence in Jesus Christ as our Savior, on His name and in His promises. As we ‘press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men’ (2 Nephi 31:20), we are blessed with an eternal perspective and vision that stretches far beyond our limited mortal capacity.”
“I promise that as we both prepare and press forward with faith in the Savior, we all can receive the same grade on the ultimate examination of mortality: ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’ (Matthew 25:21)”
In the news:
- Elder Bednar spoke on the opening day of Brigham Young University’s online Religious Freedom Annual Review on June 17 and said the ongoing pandemic has presented essential opportunities to “reaffirm” and “shore up” religious freedom.
- Speaking of the remission of sins at the 2020 Mission Leadership Seminar in June, Elder Bednar detailed three fundamental truths about repentance.
- In a Church News interview in April, Elder Bednar explained how temple blessings are readily available despite closures due to the pandemic.
- In a social media post and video on April 21, Elder Bednar explained how he hears the words of Jesus Christ through reading the scriptures.
About the speaker:
- Elder David A. Bednar has been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for nearly 16 years. He was ordained and set apart on Oct. 7, 2004.
- He served as a full-time missionary in Germany.
- He and his wife, Sister Susan Bednar, were married in the Salt Lake Temple on March 20, 1975. They are the parents of three sons.
- Elder Bednar currently serves as chairman of the Temple and Family History Executive Council.
Recently on Social:
- Elder Bednar expressed his anticipation for October general conference in a Facebook and Instagram post on Sept. 22. Although participation in conference may look different because of the pandemic restrictions, “the opportunity to strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ remains constant and powerful!” he wrote.
- In an Aug. 28 Instagram post, Elder Bednar shared that he and his wife have become far more cautious in their interactions, they spend more time together as a couple because he is traveling less, and they have given each other haircuts.
- On June 25, Elder Bednar posted on Twitter about a historic broadcast he participated in for the Middle East/Africa North Area, where members are eagerly anticipating and preparing for a new temple in Dubai.
- After speaking at the BYU Religious Freedom Annual Review on June 17, Elder Bednar posted the following on Facebook: “While believers and their religious organizations must be good citizens in a time of crisis, we cannot allow government officials to treat the exercise of religion as simply ‘nonessential.’”
- Elder Bednar posted on Twitter on May 3 that temples “are a point of intersection between heaven and earth.” He wrote, “In a season when we have temporarily suspended temple operations, it is a choice opportunity to invite the covenants and ordinances of the temple to pass through us.”
