8/11/2019 2012 04 5030 Elder o Vincent Haleck Eng

1/3

101M a y 2 0 1 2

received the assurance, comfort, andpeace that all would be well.

How do we, amidst the challengesof our lives, gain the vision neces-sary to do those things that will bringus closer to the Savior? Speaking of

vision, the book of Proverbs teachesthis truth: Where there is no vision,

the people perish (Proverbs 29:18). Ifwe are to prosper rather than perish,we must gain a vision of ourselves asthe Savior sees us.

The Savior saw more in thosehumble fishermen whom He calledto follow Him than they initially sawin themselves; He saw a vision of

who they could become. He knewof their goodness and potential, andHe acted to call them. They were notexperienced at first, but as they fol-

lowed, they saw His example, felt Histeachings, and became His disciples.There was a time when some of Hisdisciples departed from Him becausethe things that they heard were hardfor them. Aware that others might alsodepart, Jesus inquired of the Twelve,Will ye also go away? (John 6:67).Peters response reflects how he hadchanged and had caught the vision of

who the Savior was. To whom shall

By Elder O. Vincent HaleckOf the Seventy

Like all good parents, my ownparents desired a bright future fortheir children. My father was not

a member, and because of unusualcircumstances that existed at thattime, my parents determined that mybrothers and sisters and I should leaveour island home of American Samoa,

in the South Pacific, and travel to theUnited States in order to go to school.

The decision to be separated fromus was a difficult one for my parents,especially my mother. They knew thatthere would be unknown challengesas we were put into new surround-ings. However, with faith and deter-mination, they pressed forward withtheir plan.

Because of her Latter-day Saintupbringing, my mother was familiar

with the principles of fasting andprayer, and both of my parents feltthat they needed the blessings ofheaven to help their children. In thatspirit they began to set aside a dayevery week to fast and pray for us.

Their vision was to prepare theirchildren for a bright future. They actedon this vision as they exercised theirfaith by seeking the Lords blessings.

Through fasting and prayer, they

Having the Visionto DoIf we are to prosper rather than perish, we must gain

a vision of ourselves as the Savior sees us.

we go? thou hast the words of eternallife (John 6:68), he responded.

With that vision these faithful anddevoted disciples were able to do hardthings as they traveled to preach thegospel and establish the Church afterthe Savior had departed. Eventually,some of them made the ultimate sacri-fice for their testimonies.

There are other examples in thescriptures of those who caught the

vision of the gospel and then went outto act upon that vision. The prophet

Alma gained his vision when he heardAbinadi boldly teaching and testify-ing before King Noah. Alma acted on

Abinadis teachings and went aboutteaching the things he had learned,baptizing many who believed on his

words (see Mosiah 17:14; 18:116).While persecuting the early Saints, theApostle Paul was converted on theroad to Damascus and then acted byteaching and testifying of Christ (see

Acts 9:16, 2022, 29).

In our own day many young men,women, and senior couples haveanswered the call of a prophet of Godto serve missions. With faith and cour-age they leave their homes and every-thing that is familiar to them becauseof their faith in the great good they cando as missionaries. As they act on their

vision to serve, they bless the lives ofmany and, in the process, change theirown lives. In the last general confer-ence, President Thomas S. Monson

thanked us for the service we give toone another and reminded us of ourresponsibility to be Gods hands inblessing His children here on earth (seeUntil We Meet Again,LiahonaandEnsign,Nov. 2011, 108). The fulfillmentof this charge has been heartwarmingas members of the Church have actedupon his vision.

Before the Savior departed, under-standing that we would need help, He

8/11/2019 2012 04 5030 Elder o Vincent Haleck Eng

2/3

102

said, I will not leave you comfortless( John 14:18). He taught His disciples,The Comforter, which is the HolyGhost, whom the Father will send inmy name, he shall teach you all things,and bring all things to your remem-brance, whatsoever I have said unto

you ( John 14:26). This is the sameHoly Ghost who can empower andmotivate us to do the things that theSavior and our modern-day prophetsand apostles teach.

As we put into action the teach-ings of our leaders, we gain a deeperunderstanding of our Saviors visionfor us. Throughout this conference

we have received inspired counselfrom prophets and apostles. Studytheir teachings and ponder them in

your hearts while seeking the Spiritof the Holy Ghost to help you catch a

vision of these teachings in your life.With that vision, exercise your faith inacting upon their counsel.

Search and study the scriptures

with a mind to receiving further lightand knowledge of their message to

you. Ponder them in your heart andallow them to inspire you. Then act on

your inspiration.As we learned as a family, we act

when we fast and pray. Alma spoke offasting and praying as a way of receiv-ing a surety when he said, I havefasted and prayed many days that Imight know these things of myself(Alma 5:46). We too come to know

how to handle the challenges of ourlives through fasting and prayer.We experience hard things in our

lives that can sometimes diminish ourvision and faith to do the things weshould. We become so busy that weoften feel overwhelmed and unableto do any more. While each of us isdifferent, I humbly submit that we mustfocus our vision on the Savior and Histeachings. What did He see in Peter,

James, and John and the other Apostlesthat prompted Him to act to invitethem to follow Him? Like His vision

of them, the Savior has a great visionof who we can become. It will takethe same faith and courage the first

Apostles had in order for us to refocuson the things that matter most in bring-ing lasting happiness and great joy.

When we study the life of ourSavior and His teachings, we see Himamongst the people teaching, praying,lifting, and healing. When we emulateHim and do the things we see Him

do, we begin to see a vision of whowe can become. You will be blessedwith insight through the help of the

Holy Ghost to do more good. Changeswill begin to come, and you will bringa different order to your life that willbless you and your family. DuringHis ministry among the Nephites, theSavior asked, What manner of menought ye to be? He replied, Even asI am (3 Nephi 27:27). We need Hishelp to become like Him, and He hasshown us the way: Therefore, ask,and ye shall receive; knock, and it

8/11/2019 2012 04 5030 Elder o Vincent Haleck Eng

3/3

103M a y 2 0 1 2

report, it was the one and only time Iever made that mistake.

The Doctrine and Covenants

explains that the right to use thepriesthood in the home or elsewhereis directly connected with righteous-ness in our lives: The powers ofheaven cannot be controlled norhandled only upon the principles ofrighteousness.1It goes on to say that

we lose that power when we exercisecontrol or dominion or compulsionupon the souls of [others], in anydegree of unrighteousness.2

This scripture says we must lead

by principles of righteousness. Suchprinciples apply to all leaders in theChurch as well as to all fathers andmothers in their homes.3We loseour right to the Lords Spirit andto

whatever authority we have fromGod when we exercise control overanother person in an unrighteousmanner.4We may think such methodsare for the good of the one beingcontrolled. But anytime we try to

By Elder Larry Y. WilsonOf the Seventy

Amonth or so after we weremarried, my wife and I weretaking a long road trip in the car.

She was driving, and I was trying torelax. I say tryingbecause the highway

we were traveling had a reputation forspeed traps, and my wife might havehad a slight tendency toward a lead footin those days. I said, Youre going toofast. Slow down.

My new bride thought to herself,Well, Ive been driving for nearly 10

years, and other than my drivers edu-cation teacher, no one ever told mehow to drive before. So she replied,

What gives you the right to tell mehow to drive?Frankly, her question caught me off

guard. So, doing my best to step up tomy new responsibilities as a marriedman, I said, I dont knowbecauseIm your husband and I hold thepriesthood.

Brethren, just a quick tip: if you areever in a similar situation, that is notthe right response. And Im happy to

shall be opened unto you; for he thatasketh, receiveth; and unto him thatknocketh, it shall be opened (3 Nephi27:29).

I know that as we gain a vision ofourselves as the Savior sees us and as

we act on that vision, our lives will beblessed in unexpected ways. Becauseof the vision of my parents, not only

was my life blessed by educationalexperiences, but I was placed incircumstances where I found andembraced the gospel. More important,I learned the significance of good andfaithful parents. Simply put, my life

was changed forever.Just as vision led my parents to fast

and pray for their childrens welfareand as the early Apostles vision ledthem to follow the Savior, that same

vision is available to inspire and helpus to act. Brothers and sisters, we area people with a history of vision andthe faith and courage to do. Look at

where we have come and the bless-

ings we have received! Believe that Hecan bless you with vision in your lifeand the courage to act.

I bear you my witness of the Saviorand His desire for us to return to Him.

To do that, we must have the faith todoto follow Him and become likeHim. Throughout various times ofour lives, He holds out His hand andinvites us:

Take my yoke upon you, andlearn of me; for I am meek and lowly

in heart: and ye shall find rest untoyour souls.For my yoke is easy, and my bur-

den is light (Matthew 11:2930).Just as the Savior saw great poten-

tial in His early disciples, He also seesthe same in us. Let us see ourselvesas the Savior sees us. I pray that we

will have that vision with the faith andcourage to do, in the name of JesusChrist, amen.

Only uponthe Principles

of RighteousnessWise parents prepare their children to get along without them.They provide opportunities for growth as children acquire thespiritual maturity to exercise their agency properly.