Elder Allan F. Packer: The Book

The writer in me can't help but like the title of this talk.

Elder Allan F. Packer: The Book

Read or watch the full talk here

The book that Elder Packer is talking about is the "book containing the records of our dead." The point he is making, brothers and sisters, is that we all need to complete our family history and temple work. 

I have to admit that Elder Packer overwhelmed me for a moment at the beginning of his talk. He said, "we must work on all of the requirements for exhaultation." The word "all" was a difficult one to read. Elder Packer's words are completely true, but it made me think of all the many things that I need to be better at. Thankfully he then reminded us that "qualifying for exhaultation becames a quest of a lifetime." 

Brothers and sister, you do not have to be overwhelmed. We are all imperfect beings. We all have many areas in which we need to improve. The point, in Elder Packer's words, is that "we must be willing to change."

The good news is that we don't have to do it on our own. Heavenly Father is there for us. Christ is there for us. Even our fellow brothers and sisters are there for us. If you think about it, everything about the gospel is designed to bring us home. We can do it. We just have to keep trying. We have to endure to the end.

According to President Spencer W. Kimball, who Elder Packer quoted, "our success individually and as a church, will largely be determined by how faithfully we focus on living the gospel in the home." We can all do this. I promise you that if you keep Christ in the center of your life amazing things can happen. Doing this will not always be easy, but you can do it. 

Ok, there is one final thought that I have to share with you. At the end of his talk, Elder Packer referenced a promise that Elder Bednar made: "I invite the young people of the church to learn about and experience the Spirit of Elijah ... I promise [that] you will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary. As you participate in and love this holy work, you will be safe guarded in your youth and throughout your lives."

I don't know about you, but that is a promise I want to take advantage of.