Relief Society Lesson -- Can Ye Feel So Now?

Can Ye Feel So Now?
Elder Quentin L. Cook
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
October 2012 General Conference

“And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?” Alma 5:26

 

Two concerns:

1. The challenge of increased unrighteousness in the world.

2. The apathy and lack of commitment of some members.

“…repentance will be the only panacea for the ills of this world.” —George Albert Smith, 1943

 

Today moral deterioration has escalated.

 

“Everyone knows the culture is poisonous, and nobody expects that to change.” —Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journal, July 2012

 

“The spiritual immune system of an entire civilization has been wounded.” -- Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr., September 2012

 

Spiritual Drought=Unwise Choices

 

1. casual in their observance of sacred covenants.

2. spend most of their time giving first-class devotion to lesser causes.

3. allow intense cultural or political views to weaken their allegiance to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

4. immersed themselves in Internet materials …draw incorrect conclusions that can affect testimony.

 

Any who have made these choices can repent and be spiritually renewed.

Immersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual nourishment.

 

Commitment and repentance are closely intertwined

 

“when you joined this Church you enlisted to serve God. When you did that you left the neutral ground, and you never can [go] back.” – Joseph Smith

 

Two challenges:

1. unkindness, violence, and domestic abuse.

2. sexual immorality and impure thoughts.

 

The need for civility in society has never been more important.
 

We were warned…that sexual immorality would be perhaps the greatest challenge.

 

There is virtually no place on earth that cannot be impacted by salacious, immoral, and titillating images.
 

Parents must have the courage to say no, defend truth, and bear powerful testimony.

 

Spiritual maturity must flourish in our homes.

 

At baptism we promise to take upon us “the name of [Jesus] Christ, having [the] determination to serve him to the end.” Such a covenant requires courageous effort, commitment, and integrity if we are to continue to sing the song of redeeming love and stay truly converted.