Ballard - Precious Gifts from God - April 2018

Elder Ballard speaks about the process of calling a new President of the Church.  He talks about President Nelson being called and set apart as the President of the Church.

• As we each sustained President Nelson by our uplifted hands, we stood as witnesses before God and acknowledged that he is President Monson’s rightful successor. With our raised hands, we promised to hearken unto his voice as he receives direction from the Lord.
  

He encourages us to sustain the new First Presidency as they listen to the will of the Lord.

• I have known our new prophet-president for over 60 years. I have served with him in the Quorum of the Twelve for 33 years, and I am a witness that the hand of the Lord has been preparing him to become our presiding apostle and prophet to administer all the keys of the holy priesthood on the earth. May each one of us completely sustain him and his counselors and follow their direction.
  

He speaks about people called to serve that are not yet perfect.  We should give these people a chance to learn what the Lord expects of them.  He addresses that overlooking weaknesses takes faith.

• Given the reality of our human weaknesses and shortcomings, how do we move forward in supporting and sustaining each other? It begins with faith—real, sincere faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
  

Our lives will be better as we focus on faith and grow our faith in Christ.

• Life can be filled with faith, joy, happiness, hope, and love when we exercise the smallest amount of real faith in Christ—even a mustard seed of faith.
  

He speaks of several additional joy besides faith.  Specifically, he speaks about the Sabbath Day, Sacrament, Service, and our Savior.

• The power of the Sabbath day is to experience in church and at home the delight, the joy, and the warmth of feeling the Spirit of the Lord without any kind of distraction.
  
• Partaking of the sacrament and renewing our covenants is a sign by us to the Lord that we do always remember Him. His Atonement is a gracious gift from God.
  
• Some service opportunities are formal—in our family, our Church callings, and our participation in community service organizations. Many opportunities to serve are informal—without assignment—and come as we reach out to others we meet in life’s journey.
  
• Let us remember that Christ is supreme. He is the righteous Judge, our faithful Advocate, our blessed Redeemer, the Good Shepherd, the promised Messiah, a true Friend, and much, much more. He is indeed a very precious gift to us from our Father.
  

Elder Ballard teaches us to support the new President of the Church as he listens to the revelation and inspiration from the Savior.  We are blessed to have prophets and apostles to guide this church.  He speaks about the need for faith that imperfect men lead as the Savior would have them lead.  I think we need to be a little more patient with our church leaders as they try to balance their personal lives with their church callings.  I know in my life, I have had struggles at times to balance both and have appreciated people that were loving and kind to still love and support me while I try to improve.  How grateful I am to have a Savior who has given us ways of strengthening ourselves as well as tools to help lift and strengthen others.