8. . Nephi repeatedly was counseled to look, and because he was quick to observe, he beheld the tree of life (see 1 Nephi 11:8), the mother of the Savior (see 1 Nephi 11:20), the rod of iron (see 1 Nephi 11:25), and the Lamb of God, the Son of the Eternal Father (see 1 Nephi 11:21). Let me now address the question of why the spiritual gift of being quick to observe is so vital for us in the world in which we do now and will yet live. And now I, Mormon, make a record of the things which I have both seen and heard, and call it the Book of Mormon. I presume that some of you might have difficulty with my last example. The spiritual ability to see, hear, remember, and act upon that lesson was a great blessing in his life—and in the lives of many others. And the prophet Mormon is an impressive example of this gift in action. You may want to study these chapters in greater depth and learn from and about Nephi’s learning. As Alma taught his son Helaman, “See that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live” (Alma 37:47). The patriarch in the stake over which he presided had experienced some health challenges and was unable to perform in his calling. between right and wrong. An educator by profession, Bednar was also president of Brigham Young University–Idaho from 1997 to 2004.. Bednar was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve on October 2, 2004, the youngest man named to that body since … This Bednar character is one of the biggest kiss ass losers in the 12. Sister Bednar and I are delighted to be with you. You may believe the young man was too judgmental or that basing an eternally important decision, even in part, upon such a supposedly minor issue is silly or fanatical. Interestingly, 13 times in these chapters the Spirit of the Lord directed Nephi to “look” as a fundamental feature of the learning process. President David A. Bednar. When he turns 24, he is to go to the land Antum, into a place called Shim, and there he will find all the records Ammaron has hid up unto the Lord. Can we recognize how crucial this spiritual gift is in our lives today and how being quick to observe is a powerful invitation for the blessings of discernment? Discerning is seeing with spiritual eyes and feeling with the heart—seeing and feeling the falsehood of an idea or the goodness in another person. Sister Bednar and I are acquainted with a returned missionary who had dated a special young woman for a period of time. [1 Nephi 8:23]. And we can only hope to obtain the supernal gift of discernment and its light of protection and direction if we are quick to observe. And when Sister Bednar receives such an impression, she promptly responds and obeys. The highest type of discernment is that which perceives in others and uncovers for them their better natures, the good inherent within them. …, “… Every member in the restored Church of Christ could have this gift if he willed to do so. And we can hope to obtain the supernal gift of discernment and its light of protection and direction only if we are quick to observe. . Discerning is hearing with spiritual ears and feeling with the heart—hearing and feeling the unspoken concern in a statement or the truthfulness of a testimony or doctrine. Let me begin by indicating that I wear lots of different hats. . The specific depiction of this noble prophet to which I would direct our attention is contained in the first five verses of the first chapter of Mormon: “And now I, Mormon, make a record of the things which I have both seen and heard, and call it the Book of Mormon. And about the time that Ammaron hid up the records unto the Lord, he came unto me, (I being about ten years of age . In 2005, Elder David A. Bednar gave an influential talk called “Quick to Observe.” I invoke His blessing upon each of you—that indeed you may desire to be and become quick to observe and truly discerning. I believe that this gift when highly developed arises largely out of an acute sensitivity to impressions—spiritual impressions, if you will—to read under the surface as it were, to detect hidden evil, and more importantly to find the good that may be concealed. . ) The counselors in the First Presidency, several members of the Quorum of the Twelve, and other General Authorities and general auxiliary leaders also sit on that board. As we integrate the teachings of Presidents Cannon and Richards, we learn that the gift of discernment operates basically in four major ways. The spiritual gift of being quick to observe has enabled her to see and to act promptly and has been a great blessing in the lives of many people. " Elder Bednar said he knew the illustration might lead to letters in BYU's campus newspaper, the Daily Universe, about the young man being too judgmental or about Elder Bednar focusing on a young woman's mistake instead of a young man's.----- I simply invite you to consider and ponder the power of being quick to observe and what was actually observed in the case I just described. View Notes - Bednar_David_05_2005 Quick to Observe from STDEV 358 at Brigham Young University. Let me now address the question of why the spiritual gift of being quick to observe is so vital for us in the world in which we do now and will yet live. Possessing and exercising this gift they will not allow any evil influence to enter into their hearts or to prompt them in their thoughts, their words or their acts. and Ammaron said unto me: I perceive that thou art a sober child, and art quick to observe; Therefore, when ye are about twenty and four years old I would that ye should remember the things that ye have observed concerning this people. I declare my special witness that Jesus is the Christ, our Redeemer and our Savior. Reverence for the Sabbath day and the importance of respect and appropriate demeanor and dress took on added importance in the ministry of the stake president. Reverence for the Sabbath day and the importance of respect and appropriate demeanor and dress took on added importance in the ministry of the stake president. Both of these fundamental elements—looking and obeying—are essential to being quick to observe. “Quick to Observe” [To Watch A Video Of This Talk Click Header] DAVID A. BEDNAR David A. 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