Talk given by Elder Kevin W. Pearson of the First Quorum of the Seventy

Elder Kevin W. Pearson of the First Quorum of the Seventy
Gave a farewell address to Moscow Branch 15 November 2009

Elder Pearson’s talk impressed me deeply. I felt the Lord’s spirit testify what he was saying is true. More specifically I felt the talks he and his wife gave were for me. Direct messages that I needed to hear. Because of this I took notes. I thought about what they said all day and the next morning I began trying to type them up into a readable format. Two friends came to visit me and I asked them to help me add their thoughts on the talks.

As many of you know Melece and I were medical evacuated from Moscow just 12 days later. I believe that this is another evidence of a “Tender Mercy”. I was given a refresher course on effective prayers just as I needed it most.

I have been given permission by him to post the notes I took of his talk on my blog. Please realize that if there are errors they are not his. - Shaura

Adam and Eve were cast out of the garden because of agency. At that time prayer accompanied sacrifice to the Lord. Prayer and burnt offerings inseparably connected to each other. Then Christ taught the new way to pray. Now prayers were to Father in Christ’s name. We teach (show and demonstrate and make sure they know) how to pray.

When I was a mission president I was seldom home and several nights I observed my sons pouring their hearts out to God. I knew they were struggling and I could see them actually tremble as they prayed. I then would go to my knees to beg for help for my sons. I learned the pattern for prayer from the bible dictionary. Mind of Christ means to be obedient and submissive to have our minds and hearts united with the purpose of God. We will be prompted what to pray for.
In the LDS version of the Kings James Version of the Bible we read in the dictionary on page 752.
As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7: 7-11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.
There are many passages in the N.T. that teach the duty of prayer (e.g., Matt. 7: 7; Matt. 26: 41; Luke 18: 1; Luke 21: 36; Eph. 6: 18; Philip. 4: 6; Col. 4: 2; 1 Thes. 5: 17, 25; 1 Tim. 2: 1, 8). Christians are taught to pray in Christ’s name (John 14: 13-14; John 15: 7, 16; John 16: 23-24). We pray in Christ’s name when our mind is the mind of Christ, and our wishes the wishes of Christ - when his words abide in us (John 15: 7). We then ask for things it is possible for God to grant. Many prayers remain unanswered because they are not in Christ’s name at all; they in no way represent his mind, but spring out of the selfishness of man’s heart.
Book of Mormon references on prayer include 1 Ne. 18: 3; Alma 34: 17-28; Ether 2: 14.
• John 14: 13-14
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Remember who you are talking to. God knows all things, he does not need to be updated. A missionary was praying and reciting all the needs of his investigators, making specific requests. I said “Who are you talking to?” God doesn’t need to be updated; to be told what’s happening in our lives or the lives of our friends and family. Consider when you pray what and how to pray. Take 2 or 3 minutes considering who you are addressing. Mindlessly we speak to God as though he is an online shopping facility. A correct prayer will have deep unending gratitude. Ponder “what can I do? “What has he asked me to do?” Pray for the ability to grow and move forward. Instead of praying for our family with a long list of requests we can ask, “What should/can I do to help them?” “What can I do to love them more effectively?”
During those tired prayers in the morning and the evening we make our lists, Take time to think.
#1. Remember when you are pressing hard for a blessing for family that these are HIS children, no need to update Him He loves them. Ask “how can I understand Thy children?”

#2. The Lord draws us towards humility and feeling passionate for all His children. Change the way we pray. And our hearts will be full of love for all men.

I have been ordained to witness of Jesus Christ & the Father. I have learned by the Holy Ghost. I know they exist.
We can fulfill our individual missions by choosing His mind and will.
I testify of the great compassion he has.
The Holy Ghost can be our constant companion.
I know Joseph Smith was a prophet and Thomas S. Monson is a full Prophet in every sense of the word.

Stolen Wallet

Joseph’s Coat is a thrift store dedicated to helping abused women and children. I visited the shop the first week of December. It had 5 tables loaded with all kinds of Christmas things. Plus several bookshelves also loaded with seasonal items, as well as a large selection of clothing, furniture, books, and misc. household items. I carefully chose one snowman to add to my collection and brighten my hotel room and some well worn clothes to exercise in. I really enjoyed the cheerful atmosphere and the 3 friends that had brought me enjoyed looking at the many items for sale. This Tuesday I decided to revisit the store to buy a few more Christmas decorations. I turned the wrong way and went past another thrift store. I stopped to shop; after browsing I selected a few paperback books 3 for $1 and some Christmas containers for my fudge. Then I drove back to Joseph’s coat where everything in the store was 50% off.

After selecting several Christmas decorations and some used paperback books, I found the perfect skirt and a pretty lace top and headed to the register. The clerk tallied up the items and I reached into my bag for the wallet I had recently used in the other thrift store.

And no wallet! I frantically looked through my near empty bag, no where to hide. I raced around the store looking to see if it had dropped out somewhere. Then ran to the car to check my coat pockets, and the bag of merchandise I had purchased. No wallet!! I ran back into the store again searched the store this time asking for help and assistance from shoppers nearby. No one had seen my wallet.

I ran back to the car, searched the car checking under the seat and in the trunk again. Perhaps I had left it on the counter at the other store or thought I was placing it safely in my bag had actually dropped it? A race back through rush hour traffic seemed to take ages but probably only 5 minutes. No, no wallet. It was not in the store or parking lot. I drove back to Joseph’s Coat and more thoroughly searched the store. And I finally decided that it had been stolen. Another shopper gave me the number to call the non-emergency police. After waiting 30 minutes I was told that the police would call me at home and take the details needed for the report.

I sadly headed back to the apartment. And began making the calls to replace the contents of my wallet and put fraud alerts and stop payment arrangements on the one credit card I was carrying. I ponder how “expensive” the skirt and lace blouse had become.

I was grateful that no charges had been made between the time I noticed my wallet was stolen and I made the report to the credit card company.

Wednesday morning bright and early I again search the parking lots. I also searched dumpsters and spoke to a person in each of the shops along the strip that shares the parking lot with Joseph’s coat. No wallet had been found and turned in. After I had paid for the items with a check that I had been unable to purchase the night before I asked to have my name and number written down in case my wallet turned up. I was handed a spiral notebook above where I wrote I noticed 2 other names of women who had also “lost” a wallet on Tuesday. It seems I wasn’t the only victim.

22 things we can do to make this Christmas special

President Hunter said,
This Christmas,
[1] mend a quarrel.
[2] Seek out a forgotten friend.
[3]Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.
[4] Write a letter.
[5] Give a soft answer.
[6] Encourage youth.
[7] Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.
[8] Keep a promise.
[9] Forgo a grudge.
[10] Forgive an enemy.
[11] Apologize.
[12] Try to understand.
[13] Examine your demands on others.
[14] Think first of someone else.
[15] Be kind.
[16] Be gentle.
[17] Laugh a little more.
[18] Express your gratitude.
[19] Welcome a stranger.
[20] Gladden the heart of a child.
[21] Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.
[22]Speak your love and then speak it again.

Radio Choir of the Year Contest

A recent conversation regarding "signs following believers". and my belief that they are usually a result of faith exercised, reminded me of a “Sunday” experience I had while I was a member of the White Rosettes Chorus.

We/they compete in the Radio 3 choir of the year contest. This contest is a national UK contest and has 4 rounds. Sometimes one of the rounds would be on a Sunday and I would stay home and not go. One year during my service as Chair/president of the chorus an important round was to be held in Manchester on a Sunday. I did not sign up to go. But that year because of some dropouts and sickness and people who had to work. The lead section, (the section of sopranos that mostly sing the leading melody line. Not the bass, baritone, or tenor sections ) didn’t have many people going. Our musical director requested that I make an exception and please go and support the chorus. I belabored the decision mightily. I would miss church, because of the early time we had to depart, I would be gone the entire day, and return very late. There was a good chance if more leads did not commit to going we would lose the round because the chorus would be out of balance. I would be skipping out on my official duties as Chair of the chorus, therefore not serving the chorus in the way I had promised. I finally agreed to go and sing with the group of people I love.

When we arrived we were greeted by famous radio and TV personalities, there was a lively excitement in the chorus. On the way to our rehearsal/dressing room people I knew told me to make sure and buy a program. I had brought meals with me and was not planning on buying anything on the Sabbath.

Chorus members who had arrived by car asked me if I had seen the program with excitement in their eyes.

Finally in curiosity, I asked to see a program. There in full color was a large photo of me on the page about our category. (We were competing in the Adult category, as opposed to the children, or high school chorus category.) And just of me, no other member of our chorus was featured in the program. When I looked at the photo I felt the confirming spirit tell me that my decision to support my chorus on a Sunday was acceptable.

I saw it as a sign from God to one of his believers. The professional photographers covering the contest take hundreds of photos…and the odds of a photo taken of me from another round on another year being selected to be put in that year’s program was phenomenal.

I have the photo in a frame above my sewing machine along with the photo that was taken that night when we won the round and I, as chair of the chorus, and Sally, the musical director stood on stage and received the certificate award on behalf of the chorus. It was an exciting day and I rejoiced that I was part of it.