W05 Assignment President Oaks Readings

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Brigham Young University, Idaho *

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333

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Religion

Date

Apr 3, 2024

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docx

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5

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Speaker: President Dallin H. Oaks Title of Talk: Kingdoms of Glory Date: September 30, 2023 President Oaks' talk on the Kingdoms of Glory was not one that I remember watching or listening to. So having the opportunity to go back and reread this was great. After reading this it caused me to reflect on how President Oaks displays his love for the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints and how they can shape my eternal perspective. His emphasis on the boundless love our Heavenly Father has for us is one of the main principles that he gives to us. Our Heavenly Father has a desire for the eternal happiness of all His children and helps me gain more of a testimony of God's mercy and compassion. One of the principles by President Oaks is the doctrine of our eternal progression, wherein we all can inherit one of the kingdoms of glory based on our choices here on earth. This principle reinforces the significance of free agency in our mortal journey towards exaltation. This has caused me to reflect on my choices and how they can affect my spiritual growth. President Oaks' reference to the celestial kingdom as the highest destination, attainable through faithful adherence to divine laws and ordinances. That we all need to keep this as the importance of living a life centered on gospel principles. That eternal marriage is also a crucial aspect of celestial glory brings to focus the sacredness of family relationships. The eternal marriage bonds that my wife and I need to be present in our lives every day along with showing our children what an eternal marriage looks like When President Oaks quotes President Russell M. Nelson, it makes me think more about my own life, "Mortal lifetime is barely a nanosecond compared with eternity, (Oaks, 2023, pp. 26-29)" this just goes to show us that this life is just fleeting moment in time compared to the nature of mortal existence. It reminds me that I need to live each day to live the principles of our Heavenly Father. The most impactful quote from President Oaks to me was, "Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. (Oaks, 2023, pp. 26-29)" This quote hit me hard for some reason and reminds me that all my decisions play a pivotal role in my own spiritual progression and ultimate destination in eternities. So why does it matter to me? I need to understand better the doctrine of the Kingdoms of Glory. President Oaks's talk has brought more simplicity and purpose to my spiritual progression. Knowing that God's plan includes me in it. He has prepared multiple kingdoms of glory based on my choices here on earth and If I live my life following the teachings, I will be able to receive exaltation. It motivates me to prioritize spiritual growth, cherish my family relationships, and strive for exaltation in the celestial kingdom. Word Count: 479
Speaker: President Dallin H. Oaks Title of Talk: The Teachings of Jesus Christ Date: April 2, 2023 This President Dallin H. Oaks, talk has some significance for me on a personal level. His teachings have made me think about how God is guiding me in navigating my own life's complexities and challenges. The gospel principle that hit home to me was the importance of love, forgiveness, and empathy. Jesus gives us all some great guidance in loving our adversaries, pardoning others, and treating everyone with kindness. When President Oaks talks about his I have never thought a lot about it, but it has made me sit back more and think. Especially on pardoning others who have wronged me. The principle is that we all need to seek continual spiritual growth and transformation. The counsel that was given on repentance, humility, and the pursuit of personal refinement has brought to light some things in my own life that I need to work on. The promise of comfort and peace for those burdened by life's trials and difficulties makes me think about what I am doing. When I received that comfort and peace it should be a fortitude for me during my trials. One of my favorite quotes from President Oaks's talk is, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest (Oaks, 2023, pp. 102-104)" (Matthew 11:28). This quote acts as a gentle reminder that I need not carry life's trials alone that I can and should find strength in Jesus Christ. Another quote that he spoke about also hit home for me, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God (Oaks, 2023, pp. 102-104)" (Matthew 5:9). I have had some family relationships that have been strained due to conflict and that I need to become the peacemaker and start the forgiveness processes and not hold onto things from the past. So why does this matter to me? They remind me of my self-worth and divine potential. That as I follow the teachings of Christ, I can have a more peaceful life. That when I show love, compassion, and service I will be able to go through life's trials better. Through embracing Christ's teachings, I find fulfillment and purpose, drawing closer to Him and feeling His grace and the care he has for my life. Word Count: 380
Speaker: President Dallin H. Oaks Title of Talk: Helping the Poor and the Distressed Date: October 2, 2022 This talk from President Oaks about aiding the poor and distressed is one that I feel that all of us need to learn more about. The commitment from both The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members to serve those in need is something that I feel all of us can do better at. His talk points out the universal principle of giving and helping everyone. It should not matter about what our religious beliefs are or what the people who are in need believe. That it is our job not to judge but to love and help those President Oaks's talk reminded me of the responsibility we all share in helping the less fortunate, irrespective of our religious affiliations. One of the key gospel principles that President Oaks reaffirms to us that the one of selfless service. One quote from President Oaks's talk that particularly stuck with me is, "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God (Oaks, 2022, pp. 6-8)” (Mosiah 2:17). This quote from the scriptures is the base of helping everyone that is in need.. Another quote that I felt was important is, "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may (Oaks, 2022, pp. 6-8)" (Articles of Faith 1:11). This give us the importance of religious freedom and tolerance. These principles are being challenged by others every day and we need to hold them up and keep them at the forefront of our minds. So why does this matter to me? It brings me back to when my wife and I were in need. We did not let anyone know we had financial troubles, but we were struggling. Then one Sunday our bishop just walks up to me and her and gives me an envelope. I asked him what it was for, and he said that he was told to give it to me. It was enough money to pay our bills that month and we could buy food for the kids. That act of kindness and love falls in line with the talk and confirms my belief in the inherent goodness of people and the power of acts of kindness and compassion. As we are in tune with the spirit, we will be able to help others who are in need. That we will know where to live and that we know that it doesn’t matter their situation that we were just told to love and serve. Through embracing the principle of selfless service and extending a helping hand to those in need. We can all start to draw closer to God and experience the boundless love and compassion he has for us. We also can start to feel the love that our Savior, Jesus Christ has given to all of us. Word Count: 495
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