Casual and inconsistent covenant keeping leads to spiritual casualty

 The most powerful spiritual influence in the life of a child is the righteous example of loving parents and grandparents who faithfully keep their own sacred covenants. Intentional parents teach their children faith in the Lord Jesus Christ so that they too “may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” Casual and inconsistent covenant keeping leads to spiritual casualty. The spiritual damage is often greatest on our children and grandchildren. Parents and grandparents, are we still willing?

Are You Still Willing?

October 2022

General Conference

Kevin W. Pearson

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/33pearson?lang=eng&verse=#p

Similar to:

It Won't Help Anyone If We Go Over The Edge...Explaining Through the Roar of the Falls...That We Really Did Know the Church Was True

Discipleship is not cheap, because the companionship of the Holy Ghost is priceless.

 The covenant path is not a simple checklist; it is a process of spiritual growth and deepening commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. The central purpose of every commandment, principle, covenant, and ordinance is to build faith and trust in Christ. Our determination to center our lives on Christ, therefore, must be consistent—not conditional, situational, or superficial. We cannot afford to take vacation days or personal time off from our willingness to “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places.” Discipleship is not cheap, because the companionship of the Holy Ghost is priceless.

Are You Still Willing?

October 2022

General Conference

Kevin W. Pearson

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/33pearson?lang=eng&verse=#p

The Book of Mormon is our most powerful resource for growing and restoring our faith.

 Yet faith in Jesus Christ is a choice. “If [we] can no more than desire to believe” in His words, we have a starting point to begin or to reset our journey of faith. His words, if planted in our hearts like a seed and nourished with great care, will take root and our faith will grow into assurance and become a principle of action and power. The Book of Mormon is our most powerful resource for growing and restoring our faith.

Are You Still Willing?

October 2022

General Conference

Kevin W. Pearson

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/33pearson?lang=eng&verse=#p

Powerful Indicators of Our Willingness

 The importance we place on our Sabbath day observance, paying an honest tithe, holding a current temple recommend, attending the temple, and honoring our sacred temple covenants are all powerful indicators of our willingness and evidence of our commitment. Are we willing to put forth more than a superficial effort into strengthening our faith in Christ?

Are You Still Willing?

October 2022

General Conference

Kevin W. Pearson

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/33pearson?lang=eng&verse=#p

I understood clearly in that moment that keeping my covenants must be more than good intentions....willingness is directly proportionate to the amount of time we commit to be in holy places where the influence of the Holy Ghost is present.

 As I pondered the significance of those sacred words, the word willing impressed me as never before. A flood of sweet and sacred experiences filled my mind and heart with love and gratitude for the atoning sacrifice of the Savior and His crucial role in the Father’s plan of redemption for my family and me. Then I heard and felt the penetrating words of the prayer on the water: “That they may witness unto thee … that they do always remember him.” I understood clearly in that moment that keeping my covenants must be more than good intentions....The Church is a gathering place for imperfect individuals who love God and who are willing to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. That willingness is rooted in the reality that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. This divine truth can be known only by the power of the Holy Ghost. Therefore, our willingness is directly proportionate to the amount of time we commit to be in holy places where the influence of the Holy Ghost is present.

Are You Still Willing?

October 2022

General Conference

Kevin W. Pearson

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/33pearson?lang=eng&verse=#p

Prayerfully study the Book of Mormon and live its teachings every day, every day, every day

If you are struggling, confused, or spiritually lost, I urge you to do the one thing I know will get you back on track. Begin again to prayerfully study the Book of Mormon and live its teachings every day, every day, every day! I testify of the profound power in the Book of Mormon that will change your life and strengthen your resolve to follow Christ. The Holy Ghost will change your heart and help you see “things as they really are.”12 He will show you what you need to do next. This is Nephi’s promise to you:

“And I said unto them … whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.

“Wherefore, I … did exhort them … that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things.”13

Kevin, W. Pearson,  Stay by the Tree, April 2015 General Conference

There is a standard of excellence for exaltation. It requires valiant discipleship! There is no room for average or complacent disciples.

Once we enter into covenants with God, there is no going back. Giving in, giving up, and giving out are not options. In the kingdom of God, there is a standard of excellence for exaltation. It requires valiant discipleship! There is no room for average or complacent disciples. Average is the enemy of excellence, and average commitment will prevent you from enduring to the end.

Kevin, W. Pearson,  Stay by the Tree, April 2015 General Conference

A Powerful Story of Commitment to Covenants

Several years ago, Sister Pearson and I were called to preside over the Washington Tacoma Mission. The call was a complete surprise. With some trepidation I met with the chairman and the CEO of the company where I was employed and informed them of my mission call. They were visibly upset with my decision to leave the firm. “When did you make this decision, and why didn’t you discuss it with us earlier?” they demanded.

In a moment of clarity, a profound answer came into my mind. I said, “I made this decision as a 19-year-old boy, when I made sacred covenants with God in the temple to follow the Savior. I’ve built my entire life on those covenants, and I fully intend to keep them now.”

Kevin, W. Pearson,  Stay by the Tree, April 2015 General Conference

You Simply Cannot...Spend Endless Hours Scouring Meaningless Points on Pointless Video Games Without Falling Into a Deep Spiritual Sleep

To all missionaries past and present: Elders and sisters, you simply cannot return from your mission, do a swan dive back into Babylon, and spend endless hours scoring meaningless points on pointless video games without falling into a deep spiritual sleep. Nor can you indulge in online pornography and ignore virtue and chastity without dire spiritual consequences. If you lose the Spirit, you are lost. Don’t be distracted and deceived.

Kevin, W. Pearson,  Stay by the Tree, April 2015 General Conference

A Lack of Confidence in One's Self or Abilities Is Inconssistent With Our Divine Identity

[A] lack of confidence in one’s self or abilities. It is inconsistent with our divine identity as children of God.
Author: Kevin W. Pearson
Title: Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
Where: Ensign, May 2009, 38–40

If We Do Not Give Them Faith in Christ, We Have Given Little

We can give our children education, lessons, athletics, the arts, and material possessions, but if we do not give them faith in Christ, we have given little....When we teach our children by example or precept to be casual or situational in obeying God’s commandments, we prevent them from receiving this vital spiritual gift. Faith requires an attitude of exact obedience, even in the small, simple things.

Author: Kevin W. Pearson
Title: Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
Where: Ensign, May 2009, 38–40