Spiritual nourishment to be found in Christ's gospel
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With the increasing occurrence of natural and human-caused disasters, there is a growing desire for spiritual direction being felt throughout the world, said Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve.
"This yearning for spiritual guidance is a natural consequence of our being children of a divine Heavenly Father," said Elder Scott during the Sunday morning session of conference. "It is understandable that when we face difficulty we turn to our Creator for help. Our loving Heavenly Father knew that deteriorating world conditions would lead His children to seek His spiritual nourishment."
The question, then, is how to find such nourishment.
In the pre-mortal existence, God's children gained an understanding of their Heavenly Father's plan of salvation and the promise of help during mortal life, Elder Scott said. They also learned the purpose of life.
"That purpose is to prove yourself obedient to the commandments of the Lord, and thereby grow in understanding, capacity, and every worthy trait," he said. "It is to receive every required ordinance and make and keep every needed covenant. It is to form and nourish a family. This experience includes having periods of trial and happiness with the objective of returning triumphantly having met well the challenges and opportunities of mortal life to receive the glorious blessings promised for such obedience."
During mortal life, all would be encouraged, but not forced, to obey God's commandments, Elder Scott said.
"You understood that while you could choose your path on earth you could not determine the outcome of your choices. That would be decided by eternal law."
A person's memory of pre-mortal life was sealed to ensure a valid test during mortality. Still, guidance was provided for people to know how to live, Elder Scott said.
Prophets and the light of Christ offer guidance. "It gives light and life to all things. It prompts all individuals throughout the earth to distinguish truth from error, right from wrong."
The light of Christ is not a person, Elder Scott explained. Rather, it is a power and influence that come from Heavenly Father through Christ. God communicates His truth and will so that His faithful, believing children can make correct choices.
From the earth's foundation, God has consistently followed a plan, calling prophets to teach divine truths, he added. He said that many prophets were rejected and the truths they taught were replaced by spiritual darkness. Christ would restore the truth and establish His Church, and through His suffering He became the Savior and Redeemer, Elder Scott said.
"His infinite atoning sacrifice is a supernal gift that allows the repentant to be forgiven of sins and qualify for eternal life," Elder Scott said. "But even so the Son of God was rejected by all but a few. His apostles and Church members were persecuted and many killed. The earth sank into a long and dreadful period of intense spiritual darkness."
Then God the Father Himself appeared to Joseph Smith, the "greatest prophet sent to earth," Elder Scott said.
"About to come forth was the return of priesthood authority, the complete restoration of the Church established by the Savior, with additional scripture required for our time provided by continuing revelation from the Savior."
The Restoration brought with it the Father's plan of salvation and happiness, Elder Scott said.
"When that plan is lived it will help you overcome every challenge in life," he added. "It will help you qualify, through faith and obedience, to have the divine spiritual guidance you need. The support will give you the strength to live as you know you ought to live, no matter how world conditions degrade."
The Book of Mormon stands as a tangible witness of the Restoration, Elder Scott said. He encouraged members to answer President Gordon B. Hinckley's invitation to read the Book of Mormon by year's end and have their lives enriched.
