Sep
28
Submitted by Jeffrey on Sun, 2003-09-28 08:40
Time: 8:40
Study: Talk Preparation on D&C 90:24
I have been asked to give a talk on D&C 90:24. The following are my notes.
"24 Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another."
The first part of the verse is our vertical relationship with God. The second part, after the promise, is our horizontal relationship with our neighbors. This verse is fulfilling the two greatest commandments; love God and love neighbor.
Love God
Search Diligently = desire to know with care and attention over time; faithfulness; trust
Pray always = ask; communicate; share; in everything, everywhere, in righteousness or wickedness (in sin, you will eventually be healed with real prayer)
Be believing = act as though you know. We know precious little for certain in this life. But if we act according to our beliefs, we will be growing in capacity and knowledge, and power.
Love Neighbor
Walk uprightly = act with honesty and complete integrity. D&C 97:8-9 Self confidence and power. Being an example.
Remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another. = we have made many covenants in our lives, but some are specifically directed at our neighbors. Baptism, for example (Mosiah 18:8-9; Mosiah 4).
The Fruit
All things shall work toegether for your good. = This is like Joseph Smith's promise in D&C 122:7, “…all these things shall give thee experience and shall be for thy good.”
Outcome of Talk
The resulting talk was about as short as could be read. Str. Wagnon spoke before me, on the same topic and verse. She even broke down the verse in the same way. The high councilman had requested at least 20 minutes, so I had little new to say and less time to say it in. So I simplified the verse to “Love God” and “Love Your Neighbor”, bore testimony to the simplicity of the plan and sat down. It was highly effective.
