I Have Given You an Example - Elder Scott

In reading Elder Scott’s Conference talk April 2014, "I Have Given You an Example", he mentions ways we can be a righteous and good influence on our loved ones and those we hope will accept the gospel.  It is worthy of being written as bullet points:

• Sincerely love those we want to help in righteousness
• Sharing lessons I have learned, experiences I have had, and principles I have followed to find solutions to my own struggles.
• Show sincere interest in their well being.
• Share my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Encourage those I love to seek to understand what the Lord would have them do.
• Ask them questions.
• Allow them sufficient time to ponder and seek to work out the answers for themselves.
• Help them know how to pray and to recognize answers to their prayers.
• Help them know the scriptures are a vital source of receiving and recognizing answers.
• Focus my life on the most basic principles – Plan of Salvation
• Sharing what I know
• Help loved ones want to commit to obey all God’s commandments and to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ.
• Always seek to strengthen families.
• Love them.
• Trust them.  I really liked this:  Every child of God in mortality chose the Savior’s plan.  Trust that given the opportunity, they will do so again.
• Share principles that help them to press forward.  We all grow line upon line.  Keep it simple.
• Bear testimony of Atonement of Jesus Christ.  Use prayer, the Book of Mormon and other scriptures, and my commitment to Priesthood ordinances.
• Concentrate on this basic principle:  The Atonement of Jesus Christ makes possible our becoming more like our Father in Heaven so that we can live together eternally in our family units.

 That’s a long list and one to ponder a lot!  As I counsel with my children who, for some reason, will confide in me, I need to internalize the scripture references he used at the end of his talk.  They speak of the perfectness of Christ and His pattern for everyone in life.  Elder Scott tells us to study them diligently.  It’s a long list, and needs to be given the time it deserves.  

• Alma 7 - Christ will be born of Mary—He will loose the bands of death and bear the sins of His people—Those who repent, are baptized, and keep the commandments will have eternal life—Filthiness cannot inherit the kingdom of God—Humility, faith, hope, and charity are required.
• Alma 42 - Christ will be born of Mary—He will loose the bands of death and bear the sins of His people—Those who repent, are baptized, and keep the commandments will have eternal life—Filthiness cannot inherit the kingdom of God—Humility, faith, hope, and charity are required.
• 3 Nephi Chapters 11-30 – The time the Savior spent teaching His “other sheep” in Ancient America.
• Moroni 10:32-33 – Come unto Christ and be perfected in Him.
• D&C 18:10-16 – The worth of souls is great in the eyes of God.
• D&C 19:13-19 – If we don’t repent, we must suffer even as Christ suffered.  In other words, our sins will be paid for twice because Christ has already paid for them!
• D&C 29:3 – If we sin after having been forgiven already, perils will come.  This doesn’t mean we can’t repent again.  Just don’t be surprised when things go bad.
• D&C 88:1-13 - 1–5, Faithful Saints receive that Comforter, which is the promise of eternal life; 6–13, All things are controlled and governed by the Light of Christ;
• Moses 5:6-12 – Adam and Eve praise God because of their transgressions they were able to bear children and experience good from evil. 

Elder Scott’s marching orders are:  Remember to do as the Savior has done, i.e. share our love, trust and knowledge of truth with others who have not yet embraced the brilliant light of the gospel.  It fits quite well with our RS lessons yesterday.