Wirthlin the way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life. I especially appreciate how elder wirthlin tries to dispel the prominent notion among church members that the only reason a person would feel alienated from the saints is because of. What a spiritual giant,and loving soul he has been to all of us. Wirthlin 19172008 served as a seventy from 1976 to 1986, then as a member of the quorum of twelve apostles from 1986 until his passing in 2008 at age 91. We find that the words spoken are words of inspiration, and its a joy to be present. Elder joseph b wirthlin, the oldest living apostle, died on monday night around 11.
Brothers and sisters, i think opening our minds and hearts is part of the emphasis elder wirthlin has suggested in our theme, every home is a house of learning. There is, im sorry to say, no elder wirthlin talk to go over. Nelson, then elder nelson, stood behind elder wirthlin and gently placed his hand on his. Read more although i knew the day was approaching, it still hit me hard when i found out last night that elder wirthlin had passed away.
Wirthlin gave a talk in october 1997 entitled, the great commandment. Here is a little snippet though, from six months ago in his final address. Wirthlin, who at the time was a member of the quorum of the twelve apostles, asked him to come visit him at his office and how he. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. So i have been thinking a lot about the topic of love. It contains so many important truths and reminders for finding peace, through jesus christ and his gospel. Wirthlin click here to download the powerpoint presentation of this lesson from. Elder oaks talk was a particular hit with me, but i think there were some things in elder bednars talk that id like to take another look at. I would like to talk about our heavenly debts and earthly debts.
But charity is the pure love of christ, and it endureth forever. We continue this week in the book of jacob 57 for our come, follow me study in the book of mormon. It all began years ago when he sent me his book press on, messages on faith, hope, and charity. May i suggest just a few things that we can do to create that kind of home. Nelson, then elder nelson, stood behind elder wirthlin and gently placed his hand on his arm, letting elder wirthlin know he was there for him, willing to support him if need be. I have been reflecting on his talk come what may and love it since conference and had been meaning to. The gospels record that nearly everywhere the savior went, he was surrounded by multitudes of people. The fruit of years of research by two foremost relationship experts who also happen to be husband and wife, this book forges a new path to the heart of loving conversation. Eyring 26 come what may, and love it elder joseph b. This book is a compilation of talks edited together in a wonderful way presenting elder wirthlins consistently cheerful and humble message and testimony.
Youll begin by identifying your security need and determining your personal communication style. Elder wirthlins talk on the great commandment with elder nelson supporting him during the talk. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Adversity, if handled correctly, can be a blessing in our lives. This next moment brought tears to our eyes to see again. Elder wirthlins last talk at conference was so touching as he always was.
Aidukaitis 17 sacrament meeting and the sacrament elder dallin h. Wirthlin, an apostle of the lord, gave a memorable talk entitled come what may and love it. Jacob chapter 5 is a favorite of mine the the allegory of the olive tree. In spite of our weakness, our sin, and our failures, if our hearts are humble and pure and we repent, we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do 2 nephi 25.
In the last general conference before his death, elder joseph b. That which is taken away from those who love the lord will be added unto them in his own way. Wirthlin speak during general conference of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints sometimes known as the mormon faith, i was struck by his determination. Love talk is like no other communication book youve ever read. As we look for humor, seek for the eternal perspective, understand the principle of compensation, and draw near to our heavenly father, we can endure hardship and trial. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and. Andersen was called as the newest member of the quorum of the twelve apostles at the most recent general conference. Love is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the pathway of discipleship. It is sad, but in the same sense he lived a full life and is probably really happy to be reunited with his wife. It is the love that christ has for the children of men and that the children of men should have for one another. At our house we read love books, we read scriptures about love, and we write love notes. Its one of the finest conference talks in recent memory. Elder wirthlins reminder to press on with faith, hope, and charity were a much needed message for me now. Best lds conference talks on love latterday saint women.
I was particularly grateful for the reminder of his talk without guile from 1988 such a classic and key to peace. He refused to let a weakened body stop him from saying what the spirit led him to say last october. This week we will study the first talk he gave as a newlysustained apostle, prophet. I came away from this book with the clearer picture in my mind of the importance of having a pure heart, seeking the lord, and being true, patient, and good.
The purpose of a little book of ministering is to help us become more comfortable with the idea of ministering to, rather than just serving or helping our neighbor. Love is the greatest of all the commandmentsall others hang upon it. It is such a great reminder that no matter where you are on your spiritual journey you will have struggles. Elder wirthlin used the revelation to counter the teachings of cardinal gibbons, a leading ecclesiastical leader of the day. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude. Oaks 21 the infinite power of hope president dieter f. Its been an unprecedented and overwhelming week friends. Wirthlin, member of the quorum of the twelve apostles, spoke at an lds business college devotional on may 5, 2005, with a talk entitled, 5 keys to happiness. Elder wirthlin gives some suggestions in this interesting talk, in which he drew from his own life experiences to show the importance of such principles as setting goals, always doing what is right no matter the consequences, and then reaching out in love to those around us. Golden kimball was traveling with one of the presiding brethren in southern utah.
Those who live in thanksgiving daily, however, are usually among the worlds happiest people. Josephs father supported the family as head of wirthlins inc. Elder wirthlins family later attributed his noticeable shakiness to locked knees. He called the talk come what may and love it and in it he spoke about how we need to find joy in life, no matter what happens. Despite his powerful words, elder wirthlin began to shake during his delivery, and thats when a beautiful example of charity accompanied elder wirthlins talk. There are so many great resources to study and use for your lessons ive shared my favorite finds below. After thenelder russell nelson helped support his friend through the talk, you can hear elder wirthlins. In honor of beginning to read the book of mormon again this year, i have compiled a list of my 10 favorite scriptures from. Wirthlin was the first to mention in general conference president joseph f. It is the highest, noblest, and strongest kind of love and the most joyous to the soul. In one of his last general conference talks, elder wirthlin was speaking of the great commandment with this message. I also love when all the speakers share personal stories. In this talk, he explains that the title of the talk is the advice his mother gave him at a time when he was upset over a football game hed lost.
In the october 2007 general conference, elder joseph b. Uchtdorf saturday afternoon session 25 the sustaining of church officers president henry b. However, on this weeks episode of all in, mcconkie shared with host morgan jones an experience he had in his early 20s when his grandfather, elder joseph b. In a recent message of the mormon tabernacle choirs music and the spoken word, a story was told about an elderly man and woman who had been married for many decades. Although i am honored to be associated with this award, im not sure that i have completely come to terms with the. As elder holland stated at the october 2008 general conference, within the ranks of the general authorities of the church, there is no man more beloved than joseph bitner wirthlin. As i was pondering this idea, i was reminded of elder joseph b. Love by example joseph b wirthlin, russell m nelson. The bible dictionary says that charity is the pure love of christ. Just a few moments into the talk, elder wirthlin began to tremble a bit, and then began trembling more violently as his talk progressed.
People in the conference center were laughing about 1960s era love, sure, but dang it, i have a testimony of the power of such love and thats the kind of message i want to hear over the pulpit. So we got word last night that elder wirthlin died. Oaks taught, our needed conversions are often achieved more readily by suffering and adversity than by comfort and tranquility. I love his words teaching of jesus christ and the importance of continuing forward and doing our best. Wirthlin, who served as presiding bishop, and madeline bitner wirthlin. Wirthlin stood at the pulpit delivering an exquisite talk on charity. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. Elder wirthlins words, stories, and love will be missed. Stone we do not need to adopt the standards, the mores, and the morals of babylon. When we reach out to assist the least of heavenly fathers children, we do it unto him. Charity, the pure love of christ handmade in the heartland. Joseph bitner wirthlin was born in salt lake city, utah, on june 11, 1917, the first of five children born to joseph l. As he spoke, he began to shake in his old age, but then. In those days meetings often didnt have a time limit.
In october of 2007, elder wirthlin took the podium and began delivering a masterpiece of a sermon. Another book of mormon prophet, amulek, explained that often our prayers have no power because we have turned our backs on the needy. I love and miss elder wirthlins talks at conference. After thinking about it all week, i concluded that it was the influence and inspiration of a great man one of gods special witnesses who i love and admire so much elder joseph b. Come what may, and love it elder wirthlin mormon message. Elder wirthlin, come what may and love it my lds journal. The church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, or have perfect thoughts, or have perfect feelings. Wirthlin addresses why we minister, and what we are supposed to get out of it. Wirthlin wrote a book entitled finding peace in our lives and i wanted to share with you thoughts from it, specifically the chapter spiritual bonfires of. Instead, i was thinking of a how great that song is and b the message again of this particular talk from elder wirthlin.
Wirthlin of the quorum of the twelve apostles the way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life. Elder wirthlins last messages of love mormon matters. He introduces the talk by reminding us who president monson is. Thank you, president wilkes, for your kind comments. I love that because happiness isnt just going to hit you on the head one day.