President Oaks speaks about the apostasy and restoration and simple truths that have been lost from other Christian teachings. He begins by talking about some of the things we have in common and then outlines that one of the major differences in our faith is our understanding of the Godhead.

• In common with the rest of Christianity, we believe in a Godhead of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. However, we testify that these three members of the Godhead are three separate and distinct beings. We also testify that God the Father is not just a spirit but is a glorified person with a tangible body, as is his resurrected Son, Jesus Christ.

He speaks about how modern Christianity came to their teachings of the Godhead after the apostles died after the New Testament. He speaks about the goodness that is in modern Christians that have been mislead over time to comprehend a God that is not a physical, approachable, and compassionate. But these people are good people following God to the best of their understanding.

• We believe that most religious leaders and followers are sincere believers who love God and understand and serve him to the best of their abilities. We are indebted to the men and women who kept the light of faith and learning alive through the centuries to the present day. We have only to contrast the lesser light that exists among peoples unfamiliar with the names of God and Jesus Christ to realize the great contribution made by Christian teachers through the ages. We honor them as servants of God.

President Oaks declares that the First Vision cleared up the concept of God as separate from the Son Jesus Christ. It clarifies the misconception of the ages that God exists and loves His children throughout all time. This restoration of truth is key to the magnificent things which would be revealed in later visions and communications to the Prophet Joseph Smith.

• Joseph Smith’s first vision showed that the prevailing concepts of the nature of God and the Godhead were untrue and could not lead their adherents to the destiny God desired for them.

Clarification of what this truth means to us is outlined by President Oaks.

• After a subsequent outpouring of modern scripture and revelation, this modern prophet declared, “The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit.”
• This belief does not mean that we claim sufficient spiritual maturity to comprehend God. Nor do we equate our imperfect mortal bodies to his immortal, glorified being. But we can comprehend the fundamentals he has revealed about himself and the other members of the Godhead. And that knowledge is essential to our understanding of the purpose of mortal life and of our eternal destiny as resurrected beings after mortal life.

President Oaks goes on to talk about the three kingdoms of glory that await us after the final judgement of God. He explains details about each kingdom and who qualifies for each of these places. He declares the simple plan of salvation that our loving Father and Heaven created for each of us, of which, this mortal life is part of His plan.

• We believe that the purpose of mortal life is to acquire a physical body and, through the atonement of Jesus Christ and by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel, to qualify for the glorified, resurrected celestial state that is called exaltation or eternal life.

He defines eternal life as being family life and shares that eternal life is for our family and loved ones.

• Eternal life is not a mystical union with an incomprehensible spirit-god. Eternal life is family life with a loving Father in Heaven and with our progenitors and our posterity.
  

Finally, President Oaks summarizes the simple truths he has declared in this talk.

• The purpose of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to help all of the children of God understand their potential and achieve their highest destiny. This church exists to provide the sons and daughters of God with the means of entrance into and exaltation in the celestial kingdom. This is a family-centered church in doctrine and practices. Our understanding of the nature and purpose of God the Eternal Father explains our destiny and our relationship in his eternal family. Our theology begins with heavenly parents. Our highest aspiration is to be like them. Under the merciful plan of the Father, all of this is possible through the atonement of the Only Begotten of the Father, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As earthly parents we participate in the gospel plan by providing mortal bodies for the spirit children of God. The fulness of eternal salvation is a family matter.

I love it when prophets and apostles share the simple truths of the restoration. The gospel doesn't have to be this mystery that we can't understand. The me, the gospel message is simple, God has a plan for us that He has created to give us the best chance to return to live with Him. He wants what is best for us and have created that plan to give us experience, understanding, and learning that will turn us into more loving, caring, and compassionate people. I believe that God is a compassionate God, full of love and understanding who's only purpose is to help His children return to live with Him in full honor and glory. The simple truths of the nature of God have been lost through the ages but on that simple spring morning in 1830, the truth started to be revealed again to the world and can be found in the gospel of Jesus Christ today.

Elder Ballard speaks about the plan of salvation the purpose being to bring us the most happiness in this life and eternal life in the future.  He shares that the plan includes our agency, the Fall of mankind, the Atonement, and Eternal Life.

• Through prophets past and present, God has revealed the doctrines of his “great plan of happiness.” It consists of infinite, eternal, absolute, unchanging principles. From Alma we learn that “God gave unto them commandments, after having made known … the plan of redemption.” The plan teaches that all who have or will live on earth are the spirit children of heavenly parents. We lived with them before coming to this earth to receive our bodies of flesh and bone.
• Our Father’s plan provides for redemption from the Fall through the atonement of Jesus Christ. As the Only Begotten Son of God and the only sinless person to live on this earth, he made a perfect atonement for all mankind. It applies to everyone unconditionally as it pertains to the resurrection from temporal, or physical, death, for all shall rise from the dead with immortal bodies as a result of the Atonement. However, the Atonement is conditional as it pertains to each person’s individual sins. It touches everyone to the degree that he or she has faith in Jesus Christ, repents, and obeys the gospel. Exaltation and eternal life with God are reserved for those who keep the commandments.
  
• Mortality, then, is the time to test our ability to understand our Heavenly Father’s plan and, of course, our willingness to be obedient. Obedience is essential to obtain exaltation and eternal life.
  

God has this great plan but has removed our recollection of our premortal life.  But without this memory, He has not left us without guidance and direction on how to find happiness and joy.

• Even though our present long-range view of eternity is limited, the Lord has not left us without direction. He has provided scriptures and Apostles and prophets through whom he has revealed his plan for our exaltation and eternal life. And we have the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, to guide us.
  

One thing that is hard to understand is the suffering in the world and why God allows those things to happen.  Elder Ballard says that without an eternal perspective, it is easy to look to blame God for this misery and pain.  But the answer is found in having an eternal perspective and knowing that God allows things to happen because of the agency we all have to ease the burdens of the world.

• One cannot look at suffering, regardless of its causes or origins, without feeling pain and compassion. I can understand why someone who lacks an eternal perspective might see the horrifying news footage of starving children and man’s inhumanity to man and shake a fist at the heavens and cry, “If there is a God, how could he allow such things to happen?”
  
• The answer is not easy, but it isn’t that complicated, either. God has put his plan in motion. It proceeds through natural laws that are, in fact, God’s laws. Since they are his, he is bound by them, as are we. I recognize for purposes we mortals may not understand, the Lord can control the elements. For the most part, however, he does not cause but he allows nature to run its course. In this imperfect world, bad things sometimes happen. The earth’s rocky underpinnings occasionally shift and move, resulting in earthquakes. Certain weather patterns cause hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and drought.
• Much adversity is man-made. Men’s hearts turn cold, and the spirit of Satan controls their actions. In foreseeing the day of suffering in our time, the Savior said, “The love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound.” Violence, immorality, and other evils run rampant on the earth. Much adversity has its origin in the principle of agency.

Elder Ballard says that the plan of happiness is for all of us.  If the world lived by the principles of the plan, much of the pain and suffering would be removed from the world.

• The plan of happiness is available to all of his children. If the world would embrace and live it, peace, joy, and plenty would abound on the earth. Much of the suffering we know today would be eliminated if people throughout the world would understand and live the gospel.

We can find lasting peace and comfort in the great plan our Father has given us.

• Dealing with adversity is one of the chief ways we are tested. Our faith in our Heavenly Father and his beloved Son, Jesus Christ, is the source of inner strength. Through faith we can find peace, comfort, and the courage to endure.

Hope is given to us as we find faith in our Heavenly Father's plan.

• Hope grows out of faith and gives meaning and purpose to all we do. It can give us comfort in the face of adversity, strength in times of trial, and peace when we have reason for doubt or anguish.

The ultimate ability to find peace and happiness is only found in living the principles of the gospel.  Jesus Christ is the source of all happiness and by turning to Him, our lives will be blessed and happiness achievable.

• When the plan of our Heavenly Father is understood, the answers to life’s questions are found in the gospel of Christ. May we learn to accept with faith the doctrines and teachings of the gospel and accept the plan of salvation with believing hearts and minds. Always know, brothers and sisters, that the leaders of the Church understand and accept the gospel plan and will defend it at all times and in all places.

He concludes with this final comment about the peace the Savior gives us.

• The Lord’s promise of peace comes from knowing and living the principles of our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness.
  

The only way to find true peace in this life is by living the principles of the gospel.  There is no other source of eternal happiness except the Savior.  If we place our trust in our Heavenly Father's plan, we will find lasting peace and happiness.  That does not mean we will not have trials and difficulties, but the trials will be reduced, the pain will be lessened, and the time for happiness will come sooner.  Find peace in your life by turning to the Savior.  He is the only source of lasting peace and happiness.

Elder Hales speaks about his testimony of the need of living prophets in our time and the importance of listening to their counsel and direction.

• There has always been a desperate need for the steady and reassuring voice of a living prophet of God: one who will speak the mind and will of God in showing the way to spiritual safety and personal peace and happiness.

He speaks of their obligation to speak with plainness and boldness despite what the world says is correct.

• A characteristic of prophets throughout the ages is that, regardless of the consequences, they have had the strength to speak the words of God with plainness and boldness.

He bears his testimony that we have prophets today and lead and guide Christ's church.  We will have safety and peace if we listen to their words and directions.

• With the restoration of the priesthood in 1829, there was a restoration of prophets in this dispensation. Living prophets are leading this church today. The greatest security of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints comes from learning to listen to and obey the words and commandments that the Lord has given through living prophets. I would hope that the world would understand the importance of having a living prophet on earth today.
  

He speaks about the many prophets he has known in his lifetime and the common characteristics each of them had.  They have all loved the people they have severed, the Lord Jesus Christ, and have had no desire but to help bring God's children back to Him.

• In my own lifetime, through association with prophets, I have observed how they are prepared by the Lord. By the time they become the prophet, their greatest concern is for the goodness and obedience of the members of the Church. They express the love and gratitude they have for faithful Saints and for all who give of their goodness and service in the world in lifting and strengthening others. Their purpose is to bring us the will of the Lord for our times. I give my testimony that the prophets of this day have the qualities of the prophets of old and the other prophets of this dispensation.

Elder Hales tells us of some of the consequences that come from listening to a prophet of God.  These things happened in ancient times and continue today as we listen and follow their counsel.

• If we listen to the prophets of this day, poverty would be replaced with loving care for the poor and needy. Many serious and deadly health problems would be avoided through compliance with the Word of Wisdom and the laws of sexual purity. Payment of tithing would bless us, and we would have sufficient for our needs. If we follow the counsel given by the prophets, we can have a life in mortality where we do not bring upon ourselves unnecessary pain and self-destruction. This does not mean we will not have challenges. We will. This does not mean we will not be tested. We will, for this is part of our purpose on earth. But if we will listen to the counsel of our prophet, we will become stronger and be able to withstand the tests of mortality. We will have hope and joy. All the words of counsel from the prophets of all generations have been given so that we may be strengthened and then be able to lift and strengthen others.
  

He shares his belief that that President of the Church is God's representative on the earth and leads Christ's church on the earth under the spiritual direction of the Savior.  This is true today and it was in times past.

• The President of the Church, as a prophet, is God’s representative on earth and is appointed to lead his church. This has been true in the past as recorded in the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Book of Mormon, and in this, the last dispensation of the fulness of times with the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He concludes by letting us know that we will have spiritual safety if we listen and obey the directions we are given by the prophets.  They will lead us to eternal life with our Father in Heaven.

• Our spiritual safety lies in turning to the clear voice of our living prophet. If we listen to his voice and obey his counsel, we will be able to live as Christ would have us live and endure to the end so that one day we, along with our families, will return back into the presence of our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ.

We would all be wise to listen to the advice and direction of our living prophets.  This blog has been an effort to remind me in my life, how I am suppose to live my life.  Learning of their counsel and direction has helped me put some good habits in place and has given me to time to focus more of the things that God wants me to accomplish.  I sustain our prophets and seek to learn of their directions for our lives and to put those good things in my life that will lead me back to my Father in Heaven.  I know as I implement their counsel into my life, I will be happier, have the spirit more in my life, and will be on the path that leads to peace and more happiness in the future.  I encourage us all to learn more about the counsel of our prophets today and put their advice into practice in our everyday lives.