Along with his wife’s emphasis on centering to God’s plan, Elder Steven R. Bangerter, General Authority Seventy, shared when we follow the prophet we receive “gems of knowledge” that enable us to return to the Father, “passing the angels who stand as sentinels, to gain our exaltation.” Bangerter spoke at BYU–Hawaii’s Tuesday Devotional on March 19.
“Throughout the media we see images of a confused and frightened world,” stated Bangerter. “Many are bitter, angry and some are fearful of what lies ahead. Never during this dispensation has the importance of being guided by a living prophet been so apparent.”
Bangerter began his address by saying he was an attorney for churches and other faith-based organizations before being called as a Seventy. After serving in that capacity for 25 years, he said he came to love the people of other faiths and he realized the blessings of prophets.
“The wish of my heart is for you to see God’s plan. That you would have eyes to see the consistency which he has always worked through His prophets to teach us His words and the glorious plan of happiness,” Bangerter said.
During the devotional, Bangerter asked students if they knew what the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Russell M. Nelson, recently taught. He then said Pres. Nelson emphasized the “Gathering of Israel” and staying on the covenant path.
Bangerter noted, “Ordinances enable us to feel and think the way God does. As we consistently engage in gathering scattered Israel with them enjoy the blessings of the saving ordinances of the gospel, the veil thins, and we come closer to God.”
Personal message
“The main message I took from the devotional was what can I do to help the Lord. We have to realize we are not on our time, we are on God’s time. We are here to be tested, to do His work,” said Charlotte Kennington, a freshman from Belgium majoring in elementary education,
Kennington shared Bangerter’s message was something she has pondered recently. “I’ve tried to focus more on how I can help the Lord. It is very interesting because my mom told me recently to pray about how I can help the Lord. After hearing Bangerter's words connect to my impressions, it showed me the truthfulness of following your parents.”
“I think it is special to be on a campus where you can learn from a general authority,” added Kennington. “We have been taught to follow the prophet, and as we learned today in [Bangerter’s] talk, the general authority are called by God and what they say is like God speaking to us.”
Sister Bangerter’s testimony
At the devotional, Susan A. Bangerter, Elder Bangerter’s wife, said the two were engaged after their second date, and it led “36 years of bliss.” In regards to prophets, she said whatever a prophet says needs to take priority in your life.
“You may be in a YSA ward or young married ward, busy with church callings and homework, trying to get through one day at a time. President Nelson declares this gathering [of Israel] should mean everything to you. This is the mission at which you were sent to earth.”
She added, “Plan your course study, family, and career with the end in mind. It is you President Nelson is speaking to when he said, ‘Attacks against the Church, its doctrine, and our way of life are going to increase. Because of this, we need to have a bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Christ and who will use that understanding to teach and help raise a sin-resistant generation. We need men and women who can detect deception in all of its forms. We need to know how to access the power that God makes available to covenant keepers.’”
She urged the students to be willing to drop their nets, just as the fisherman Peter, James and John did when Jesus approached them. “Plan each week, each semester, your career, your marriage and your life with God and His plan in mind. Be invested in moving God’s plan of happiness forward.”
Writer: Noah Shoaf