Giving Our Spirits Control over Our Bodies
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- How does President Ballard describe the struggle between our spiritual and carnal natures?
- What role does repentance play in our spiritual growth according to President Ballard?
- How does President Ballard use his personal experiences to illustrate the importance of family relationships?
- What does President Ballard suggest as ways to strengthen our spiritual nature?
- How does President Ballard describe the promise of eternal reunion in Heavenly Father's plan?
Topics
Appreciating Loved Ones and Expressing Love
President Ballard shares his personal experiences of losing his wife, Barbara, and how it made him appreciate her contributions more deeply. He emphasizes the importance of expressing love and appreciation to family members before it's too late.
Brothers and sisters, please do not miss an opportunity to look into the eyes of your family members with love.
Like me, some of you may wake up one day to discover that the time for such important communication has passed.
- What does President Ballard suggest about expressing love and appreciation to our loved ones?
- How did President Ballard's experiences with his wife, Barbara, influence his understanding of this principle?
- How can you better express love and appreciation to your family members?
- Can you recall a time when expressing love made a difference in your relationships?
Understanding Heavenly Father's Plan of Happiness
President Ballard reflects on Heavenly Father's plan, which he sees as a plan of reunion. He emphasizes the assurance this plan gives us of being reunited with our loved ones in the eternities.
It is a plan, designed by our loving Father in Heaven, that has at its center the grand and glorious possibilities of family reunion—of eternally reuniting husbands and wives, parents and children, generation upon generation in the household of God.
- How does President Ballard describe Heavenly Father's plan?
- What comfort and assurance does this plan provide according to President Ballard?
- How does the concept of eternal reunion impact your perspective on family relationships?
- In what ways can you align your life more closely with Heavenly Father's plan?
Battling Between Our Spiritual and Carnal Natures
President Ballard discusses the ongoing struggle between our spiritual and carnal natures. He urges us to emphasize our eternal spiritual nature and control our carnal desires.
This battle between our carnal and our spiritual natures isn’t a new thing.
It seems clear to me that one of the most important things we can learn in this life is how to emphasize our eternal spiritual nature and control our evil desires.
- How does President Ballard describe the struggle between our spiritual and carnal natures?
- What advice does he give on managing this struggle?
- How can you better emphasize your spiritual nature in your daily life?
- Can you identify a time when you successfully controlled a carnal desire by focusing on your spiritual nature?
The Role of Repentance in Spiritual Growth
President Ballard highlights the indispensable role of repentance in our spiritual growth. He encourages us to repent daily and utilize the sacrament as a weekly opportunity to refresh ourselves spiritually.
Repentance, therefore, becomes an indispensable weapon in our battle over self.
Every night as I review my day in prayer with my Father in Heaven, I ask to be forgiven if I did anything wrong and promise to try to be better tomorrow.
- What role does repentance play in our spiritual growth according to President Ballard?
- How does President Ballard incorporate repentance into his daily routine?
- How can you make repentance a more regular part of your daily routine?
- What changes have you noticed in your life when you've focused on regular repentance?
Recognizing Our True Spiritual Identity
President Ballard reminds us of our eternal identity as sons and daughters of God. He stresses that when we choose our carnal nature over our spiritual nature, we are acting contrary to our true selves.
This is who you and I really are and who you have always been: a son or daughter of God, with spiritual roots in eternity and a future overflowing with infinite possibilities.
- How does President Ballard describe our true spiritual identity?
- What happens when we choose our carnal nature over our spiritual nature according to President Ballard?
- How does recognizing your true spiritual identity influence your decisions and actions?
- Can you share an experience where recognizing your spiritual identity helped you make a better choice?
