Knowing, Loving, and Growing
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- How does Elder Boom use the analogy of a choir performance to illustrate a gospel principle?
- What does Elder Boom mean when he says "ministering is exercising divine love"?
- How does Elder Boom suggest we can find out our unique role in the gospel?
- What does Elder Boom say about repentance and how it relates to love and ministering?
- How does Elder Boom connect his message to the experiences of Joseph Smith?
Topics
Understanding Our Unique Role in God's Plan
Elder Boom uses the analogy of a choir performance to illustrate the importance of each individual's unique role in God's plan. He emphasizes that everyone has something to contribute, regardless of their talents, skills, or circumstances.
Sometimes we might feel that we are, like that gong, good enough only to play a minor part in the performance. But let me tell you that your sound is making all the difference.
We need all instruments. Some of us learn easily and do very well in school, while others have artistic talents. Some design and build things or nurse, protect, or teach others. We are all needed to bring color and meaning to this world.
- What does Elder Boom mean when he says that everyone has a unique sound to contribute?
- Why is it important to understand our unique role in God's plan?
- How can you discover your unique role in God's plan?
- What are some ways you can contribute your unique talents and skills to God's work?
Exercising Divine Love through Ministering
Elder Boom defines ministering as exercising divine love. He suggests that through love and ministering, both the giver and receiver are encouraged to repent and become more like Jesus Christ.
To me, ministering is exercising divine love. In that way we create an environment where both the giver and receiver obtain a desire to repent.
There is no need to repeatedly remind each other, but there is a need to love and minister to each other and, in doing so, provide a climate of willingness to change.
- How does Elder Boom define ministering?
- Why does Elder Boom say that ministering can lead to a desire to repent?
- How can you exercise divine love through your ministering efforts?
- What changes might you make in your approach to ministering based on Elder Boom's teachings?
The Role of Love in Our Homes and Relationships
Elder Boom emphasizes the importance of love in our homes and in our dealings with each other. He suggests that through love, hearts are changed and desires are born to do God's will.
So it is that love, that perfect love that we also call charity or "the pure love of Christ," which is needed in our homes where parents minister to their children and children to their parents.
It is that love that is needed in our dealings with each other as children of our Heavenly Father and as members of His Church.
- Why does Elder Boom emphasize the importance of love in our homes and relationships?
- How does Elder Boom suggest that love can change hearts and create a desire to do God's will?
- How can you better implement the principle of love in your home and relationships?
- What changes have you noticed when love is present in your interactions with others?
The Power of Repentance and Improvement
Elder Boom teaches that repentance is a daily process of refining and improvement. He shares personal experiences of feeling heavenly counsel to repent and improve, and emphasizes the role of love in creating a willingness to change.
In this way repentance becomes a daily process of refining that might include apologizing for poor behavior.
The loving environment first created by my parents, brother, and sisters and later by my wife, children, and friends has helped me to become a better person.
- How does Elder Boom describe the process of repentance?
- Why does Elder Boom emphasize the role of a loving environment in fostering a willingness to change?
- How can you make repentance a daily process of refining in your life?
- What steps can you take to create a more loving environment that fosters a willingness to change?
Seeking Wisdom through Prayer
Elder Boom shares the story of Joseph Smith's First Vision to illustrate the principle of seeking wisdom through prayer. He encourages us to address our Maker in a way we never have before, and assures us of God's love and desire for us to return to Him.
If you are wondering about your part, I would like to invite you to find a place where you can be alone and ask Heavenly Father to make known to you which part to play.
Because of Joseph’s attempt, Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to him, calling him by name, and as a result we have a much clearer understanding of who we are and that we really do matter.
- What does Elder Boom suggest we can learn from Joseph Smith's experience of seeking wisdom through prayer?
- Why does Elder Boom encourage us to address our Maker in a way we never have before?
- How can you follow Elder Boom's invitation to seek wisdom through prayer about your part in God's plan?
- What experiences have you had with receiving wisdom and understanding through prayer?
