Periods of history teach us of God's plan
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"Each [gospel] dispensation seems to teach us some of the doctrines and principles we should follow in our lives," said Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve. Elder Perry instructed a group of more than 800 single adults gathered at the Midvale Utah Union Fort Stake meetinghouse on Sunday, Feb. 14, about things that can be learned from the different dispensations of the gospel.
Elder Perry said that as he has studied the history of Heavenly Father's children on earth, he has been amazed at how in the Lord's plan for His children "He's dotted every 'i' and crossed every 't.' "
The Dispensation of Adam
The Lord revealed His plan to Adam and Eve so that they could understand the purpose of life. Adam and Eve then gave thanks to the Lord for the blessing of mortality.
The dispensation of Adam teaches that "we are literal offspring of our Eternal Father," Elder Perry said. "We can become familiar with Him; we can pray to Him; we can study Him; and we can be faithful to the commandments He gives to us."
Elder Perry said that when he feels down about who he is or what he should be doing, he turns to Psalm 8. "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? … For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour."
"Every time you feel discouraged or out of sorts, think of yourself as a junior angel with all of the power of God that He has possessed in you, and the opportunity you have to grow and develop in His kingdom here on earth," he said. "Never put yourself down in what you are doing because you have great opportunities."
Elder Perry also counseled the single adults to learn to value associations with one another and to take opportunities to make friends.
He spoke of a personal experience when he and his family moved to New York from the West Coast. It was a difficult transition at first; however, with his wife's encouragement, he became acquainted with several people who turned into good friends.
"I had to reach outside of myself to make a friend in a climate that was really different from what I had known before."
He challenged the single adults to reach outside themselves and extend themselves to others. "See what you can do about bringing a little joy and happiness into [others'] lives and create great and wonderful friendships to sustain and help you through life."
The Dispensation of Enoch and the Dispensation of Noah
The second dispensation, known as that of Enoch, was so righteous that the Lord took Enoch and his people from the earth and brought them into His presence. In the third dispensation, however, Noah and his family witnessed great wickedness and saw all the people destroyed in a flood.
These contrasting dispensations teach that "righteousness brings joy and wickedness brings suffering and pain — the great lesson of life."
As a businessman, Elder Perry had to attend many luncheons and meetings that often began with a cocktail hour. During one such event he asked the bartender for a glass of milk. "I became the center of attention that night," Elder Perry recalled. "Soon everyone was talking about my glass of milk. People asked why I was doing that and I could explain why. … It wasn't long before two or three or five of us were drinking milk. …
"Be bold enough to be who you are," he said. "Stand out in a crowd and let people know how great it is to be a member of our Father in Heaven's kingdom."
The Dispensation of Abraham
The Lord made covenants — or firm, binding agreements — with Abraham.
Elder Perry said that members of the Church are under covenant to uphold the standards they believe in the land in which they live.
The Dispensation of Moses
Moses was chosen by God to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage and was preserved to march Israel through the wilderness until they realized the duties and responsibilities they had. "I think Moses teaches us the joy of gospel service," Elder Perry said.
Elder Perry said that as members serve there are four things they should balance in their lives and devote their time to. First is family. "We are going to be with them eternally so we ought to be certain we are tying those bonds firmly here on earth."
Second is our responsibility to employers. "Take time to be a good employee. We live in a troubled time when jobs are at a premium. Let's be certain that we are the type that exercise energy and integrity."
Third is Church service. "Let's be certain we block in our calendars time for the Church."
Fourth is taking time for yourself. "Take time to meditate, to think, to plan, to pray, to study by yourself that you can analyze yourself and find out where you're going and what you need to do to improve and better your life."
The Meridian of Time
"We have the great dispensation of the meridian of time when the Lord came to earth," Elder Perry said, "and gave us blessings such as His atoning sacrifice that allows us to enjoy the gift of immortality and, if we live worthily, the gift of eternal life."
Among the many things the Savior taught was that "we are the light of the world and that we should let our light shine before others" (Matthew 5:14–16).
"We have the gospel. What a blessing it is in our lives. You shouldn't put your light under a bushel and hide it from the world. Expose it that they may see the glories of the gospel."
Dispensation of the Fullness of Times
In this dispensation, the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored.
Since the time of Christ (when the population was about 400 million) to the present (when the population is approaching 7 billion) the Lord has "exploded the heavens," Elder Perry said. Why? "We now have all the inventions, tools, communication, all the means to teach the gospel as never before."
Elder Perry closed by encouraging the single adults to remember who they are and to share their talents. "Don't keep [your talents] to yourself. Share them. Reach out and touch the lives of others with this great Spirit that we have in the gospel of Jesus Christ."
