Nephi desired to see and hear and know the things his father, Lehi, had seen in the vision of the tree of life (see 1 Nephi 8). It helps us to distinguish the relevant from the irrelevant, the important from the unimportant, and the necessary from that which is merely nice. I frequently have heard President Boyd K. Packer counsel members and priesthood leaders: “If all you know is what you see with your natural eyes and hear with your natural ears, then you will not know very much.” His observation should help all of us to appropriately desire and seek these spiritual gifts. And the prophet Mormon is an impressive example of this gift in action. Let me begin by indicating that I wear lots of different hats. Please consider the significance of this important spiritual gift. They will repel it; and if perchance such a spirit should get possession of them, as soon as they witness its effects they will expel it or, in other words, refuse to be led or prompted by it.”1. And I, Mormon, . He could not be led astray by pseudo-prophets and subversive cults. Bednar and Dieter F. Uchtdorf were called to fill the vacancies created by the July 2004 deaths of quorum members David B. Haight and Neal A. Maxwell; As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Bednar is accepted by the church as a prophet, seer, and revelator; He … All of us have learned important lessons from the central characters in the Book of Mormon. And behold, ye shall . The patriarch in the stake over which he presided had experienced some health challenges and was unable to perform in his calling. Observing and discerning also enable us to assist others who are seeking to obtain the path and who desire to press forward with steadfastness in Christ. between right and wrong. “Quick to Observe” Elder David A. Bednar Quorum of the Twelve Apostles This was a devotional address given at Brigham Young University on 10 May 2005. She and I have been anxiously engaged in university life for more than 30 years, and we love the young people of the Church. We can only hope to obtain that supernal gift of discernment and its light of protection and direction if we are quick to observe—if we both look and obey. Please note that the root word observe is used three times in these verses. In Conference Report, Apr. This young man cared for the young woman very much, and he was desirous of making his relationship with her more serious. As Alma taught his son Helaman, “See that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live” (Alma 37:47). This was a good example. Both of these fundamental elements—looking and obeying—are essential to being quick to observe. Blessed with these spiritual gifts, we will not lose our way; we will not wander off; we will not be lost. David A. Bednar, Quick to Observe, Ensign, Dec 2006, 30-36 Ammaron, tells Mormon that for the next 14 years, he is to observe the people and remember all that he observes. As used in the scriptures, the word observe has two primary uses. And about the time that Ammaron hid up the records unto the Lord, he came unto me, (I being about ten years of age . engrave on the plates of Nephi all the things that ye have observed concerning this people. Now please pay particular attention to verse 23 in 1 Nephi 8, and let us liken this scripture to our day and the challenges we face in an increasingly wicked world: “And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost.”. This was a valuable piece of information for this young man, and he felt unsettled about her nonresponsiveness to a prophet’s pleading. . The gift of discernment opens to us vistas that stretch far beyond what can be seen with natural eyes or heard with natural ears. . “And behold, … ye shall engrave on the plates of Nephi all the things that ye have observed concerning this people. This was a valuable piece of information for this young man, and he felt unsettled about her nonresponsiveness to a prophet’s pleading. I now want to present several examples of the lessons that can be learned when you and I are blessed to be quick to observe. Speaking during the weekly BYU devotional in Provo, Utah, Elder Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve asked students to think about an "underappreciated spiritual gift — the capacity of being quick to observe." David Allan Bednar (born June 15, 1952) is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). I believe that this gift when highly developed arises largely out of an acute sensitivity to impressions—spiritual impressions, if you will—to read under the surface as it were, to detect hidden evil, and more importantly to find the good that may be concealed. During my years of service at Brigham Young University—Idaho, I also was blessed to participate in monthly board meetings. Much like faith precedes the miracle, much like baptism by water comes before the baptism by fire...so being quick to observe is a prerequisite to and a preparation for the gift of discernment. You and I can press forward safely and successfully through the mist of darkness and have a clear sense of spiritual direction. Despite this, David’s father attended LDS church on Sundays, went to Church functions, and supported David while he was on his mission. Before attending her sacrament meetings, Sister Bednar frequently prays for the spiritual eyes to see those who have a need. Even the inexperienced would recognize false teachings, in a measure at least. The issue was not earrings! In chapters 11 through 14 the Holy Ghost assisted Nephi in learning about the nature and meaning of his father’s vision. The stake president was quick to observe. En octubre de 1987, el élder Marvin J. Ashton, en aquel entonces miembro del Quórum de los Doce Apóstoles, habló en la conferencia general acerca de los dones espirituales. 393,499 likes. . . The mists of darkness described in the vision represent the temptations of the devil which blind the eyes of the children of men and lead them into broad roads so that they are lost (see 1 Nephi 12:17). We learn from Elder David A. Bednar that, “Mormon, even in his youth, is described as being ‘quick to observe.’ And we can only hope to obtain the supernal gift of discernment and its light of protection and direction if we are quick to observe. President Stephen L Richards (1879–1959), who served as a counselor to President David O. McKay, has provided additional instruction about the nature and blessings of discernment: “First, I mention the gift of discernment, embodying the power to discriminate … between right and wrong. “And about the time that Ammaron hid up the records unto the Lord, he came unto me, (I being about ten years of age … ) and Ammaron said unto me: I perceive that thou art a sober child, and art quick to observe; “Therefore, when ye are about twenty and four years old I would that ye should remember the things that ye have observed concerning this people; …. Let’s back up for a moment and understand a bit more about two of Mormon’s attributes, being sober and being quick to observe. . In private life this gift is of great importance to the Latter-day Saints. August 20, 2004. And Mormon, even in his youth, is described as being “quick to observe.” As you study and learn and grow, I hope you also are learning about and becoming quick to observe. In my study of the Book of Mormon I have been especially impressed with a particular description of Mormon, the principal compiler of the Nephite record. August 20, 2004 President David A. Bednar. Your future success and happiness will in large measure be determined by this spiritual capacity. Even the inexperienced would recognize false teachings, in a measure at least. Elder Haight responded in a voice that was both firm and appropriate and said, “President, I must stand!”. Jerreld L. Newquist (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1974), 1:198–99]. And fourth, it helps us find and bring forth the good that may be concealed in us. They will repel it; and if perchance such a spirit should get possession of them, as soon as they witness its effects they will expel it or, in other words, refuse to be led or prompted by it. I know that He lives. Can we recognize how crucial this spiritual gift is in our lives today and how being quick to observe is a powerful invitation for the blessings of discernment? Quick to observe. . One use denotes “to look” or “to see” or “to notice”—as we learn in Isaiah 42:20: “Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not” (emphasis added). Now one final example. Prompt to watch and to obey. I repeat again for emphasis the truth that discernment is a light of protection and direction in a world that grows increasingly dark. . I frequently have heard President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, counsel members and priesthood leaders, “If all you know is what you see with your natural eyes and hear with your natural ears, then you will not know very much.” His observation should help all of us to appropriately desire and seek these spiritual gifts. Quick to Observe. Are you kidding me? For this and other reasons, he ultimately stopped dating the young woman, because he was looking for an eternal companion who had the courage to promptly and quietly obey the counsel of the prophet in all things and at all times. “Quick to Observe” DAVID A. BEDNAR David A. Bednar was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this devotional address was given at Brigham Young University on 10 May 2005. Perhaps you are bothered because the example focuses upon a young woman who failed to respond to prophetic counsel instead of upon a young man. Now before I continue, I presume that some of you might have difficulty with my last example. I declare my special witness that Jesus is the Christ, our Redeemer and our Savior. Quick to observe. David Allan Bednar (born June 15, 1952) is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). This relationship was developing during the time that President Hinckley counseled the Relief Society sisters and young women of the Church to wear only one earring in each ear. You may want to study these chapters in greater depth and learn from and about Nephi’s learning. The stake president greeted the dear patriarch and, knowing how hard it must have been to dress himself, graciously suggested to the patriarch that it was not necessary for him to get dressed up on the Sabbath or to meet visitors. And when Sister Bednar receives such an impression, she promptly responds and obeys. She and I have been anxiously engaged in university life for more than 30 This morning I want to talk with you about another seemingly simple and perhaps underappreciated spiritual giftthe capacity years, and we love the young people of the of being quick to observe. I believe that this gift when highly developed arises largely out of an acute sensitivity to impressions—spiritual impressions, if you will—to read under the surface as it were, to detect hidden evil, and more importantly to find the good that may be concealed. One Sabbath afternoon this good stake president visited the home of the patriarch to encourage him and check on his well-being. Nephi repeatedly was counseled to look, and because he was quick to observe, he beheld the tree of life (1 Nephi 11:8); the mother of the Savior (1 Nephi 11:20); the rod of iron (1 Nephi 11:25); and the Lamb of God, the Son of the Eternal Father (1 Nephi 11:21). “Quick to Observe” [To Watch A Video Of This Talk Click Header] DAVID A. BEDNAR David A. Bednar was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this devotional address was given at Brigham Young University on 10 May 2005. 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