This devotional is lengthy AND quotes 3 other apostles. Although I could summarize it by saying that Elder
Bednar quotes them to teach that the gift of discernment is vital in our lives,
I choose to include their quotes and a summary of the point he summarized from
their teachings.
Key Doctrines and Principles:
Elder Bednar
teaches, “[A] seemingly simple and perhaps underappreciated spiritual gift—the
capacity of being 'quick
to observe' (Mormon 1:2)—is
vitally important for you and for me in the world in which we do now and will
yet live.” He explains the dual meaning of the word observe is both to 'look,
see, watch, or notice' (Isaiah 42:20);
as well as to 'obey, attend to, or keep'((D&C
54:6)—as in observing the law, or following a practice or habit—and “both of these fundamental elements—looking
and obeying—are essential to being quick to observe.”
He notes
with the emphasis of repetition, "Being quick to observe is a prerequisite
to and a preparation for the gift of discernment. We can hope to obtain
that supernal gift of discernment and its light of protection and direction
only if we are quick to observe - if we both look and obey." (Emphasis mine.)
Favorite Quotes:
“George QCannon, [a counselor to four LDS church presidents] taught powerfully about the
gift of discernment: ‘One of the gifts of the Gospel which the Lord has promised
to those who enter into covenant with Him is the gift of discerning of
spirits—a gift which is not much thought of by many and probably seldom prayed
for; yet it is a gift that is of exceeding value and one that should be enjoyed
by every Latter-day Saint. …
‘Now, the gift of discerning of spirits not only gives men and women who have it the power to discern the spirit with which others may be possessed or influenced, but it gives them the power to discern the spirit which influences themselves. They are able to detect a false spirit and also to know when the Spirit of God reigns within them. In private life this gift is of great importance to the Latter-day Saints. 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. They will repel it; and if perchance such a spirit should get possession of them, as soon as they witness its effects they will expel it or, in other words, refuse to be led or prompted by it.’ (Gospel Truth: Discourses and Writings of George Q. Cannon, comp. Jerreld L. Newquist (1987), 156–57).”
“President Stephen L Richards (1879–1959), . . . [a
counselor to David O. McKay provided] additional instruction about the nature
and blessings of discernment:
-
‘First, I mention the gift of discernment, embodying the
power to discriminate … between right and wrong. 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 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. He could not be deceived with the
sophistries of the world. He could not be led astray by pseudo-prophets and
subversive cults. Even the inexperienced would recognize false teachings, in a
measure at least. … We ought to be grateful every day of our lives for this
sense which keeps alive a conscience which constantly alerts us to the dangers inherent
in wrongdoers and sin.’ (In Conference Report, Apr. 1950, 162–63.)”
“The teachings of Presidents Cannon and Richards concerning
the power of discernment to detect hidden evil and to identify good that may be
concealed become even more important [as we] liken this scripture (1 Nephi 8:23; 1 Nephi 12:17) to our day
and the challenges we face.”
“President Boyd K. Packer
. . . counsels . . . ‘If all you know is what you see with your natural eyes
and hear with your natural ears, then you will not know very much.’ His
observation should help all of us to appropriately desire and seek these
spiritual gifts.”
“Observing and discerning also enable us to assist others
who are seeking to obtain the path . . . Blessed with these spiritual gifts, we
will not lose our way; we will not wander off; we will not be lost. 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.”
So What?
Elder Bednar suggests, “You may want to study [1 Nephi
11-14] in greater depth and learn from and about Nephi’s learning. As you study
and ponder, please keep in mind that Nephi would not have seen what he desired
to see, would not have known what he needed to know, and could not have done
what he ultimately needed to do if he had not been quick to observe. That same
truth applies to you and to me!”
“Quick to observe. Prompt to watch and to obey. A simple
gift that blesses us individually and in our families and extends blessings to
so many other people. Each of us can and should strive to be worthy of this
significant spiritual gift—even the capacity of being quick to observe.”
“Discernment is a light of
protection and direction in a world that grows increasingly dark. You and I can
press forward safely and successfully through the mist of darkness and have a
clear sense of spiritual direction. Discernment is so much more than
recognizing right from wrong. It helps us distinguish the relevant from the
irrelevant, the important from the unimportant, and the necessary from that
which is merely nice.”
“The gift of discernment opens to us vistas that stretch far
beyond what can be seen with natural eyes or heard with natural ears.
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. 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.”
“Observing and discerning
also enable us to assist others who are seeking to obtain the path . . .
Blessed with these spiritual gifts, we will not lose our way; we will not
wander off; we will not be lost. 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.”
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