Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence | Jeffrey R. Holland
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- Опубликовано: 2 июл 2012
- Trust in a perfect God gives us the confidence to act in faith, even when faced with difficult decisions or paralyzing fear.
Read and download his devotional on the BYU Speeches website: speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffre...
Jeffrey R. Holland 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 delivered at BYU on 2 March 1999.
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"To help us make our way through these experiences, these important junctures in our lives, let me draw from another scriptural reference to Moses. It was given in the early days of this dispensation when revelation was needed, when a true course was being set and had to be continued.
Virtually everyone in the room knows the formula for revelation given in section 9 of the Doctrine and Covenants-you know, the verses about studying it out in your mind and the Lord promising to confirm or deny. What most of us don’t read in conjunction with this is the section that precedes it-section 8. In that revelation the Lord defined revelation:
I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart. [I love the combination there of both mind and heart. God will teach us in a reasonable way and in a revelatory way-mind and heart combined, by the Holy Ghost.]
Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground. [D&C 8:2-3; emphasis added]
Question: Why would the Lord use the example of crossing the Red Sea as the classic example of “the spirit of revelation”? Why didn’t he use the First Vision? Or the example from the book of Moses we just used? Or the vision of the brother of Jared? Well, he could have used any of these, but he didn’t. Here he had another purpose in mind.
Usually we think of revelation as information. Just open the books to us, Lord, like: What was the political significance of the Louisiana Purchase or the essence of the second law of thermodynamics? It is obvious that when you see those kinds of questions on a test paper, you need revelation. Someone said prayer will never be eliminated from the schools so long as there are final examinations. But aside from the fact that you probably aren’t going to get that kind of revelation-because in this Church we do not believe in ex nihilo creation, especially in exams-this is too narrow a concept of revelation. May I suggest how section 8 broadens our understanding of section 9, particularly in light of these “fights of affliction” that Paul spoke of and that I have been discussing.
First of all, revelation almost always comes in response to a question, usually an urgent question-not always, but usually. In that sense it does provide information, but it is urgently needed information, special information. Moses’ challenge was how to get himself and the children of Israel out of this horrible predicament they were in. There were chariots behind them, sand dunes on every side, and just a lot of water immediately ahead. He needed information all right-what to do-but it wasn’t a casual thing he was asking. In this case it was literally a matter of life and death.
You will need information, too, but in matters of great consequence it is not likely to come unless you want it urgently, faithfully, humbly. Moroni calls it seeking “with real intent” (Moroni 10:4). If you can seek that way, and stay in that mode, not much that the adversary can counter with will dissuade you from a righteous path. You can hang on, whatever the assault and affliction, because you have paid the price to-figuratively, at least-see the face of God and live.
Like Moses in his vision, there may come after the fact some competing doubts and some confusion, but they will pale when you measure them against the real thing. Remember the real thing. Remember how urgently you have needed help in earlier times and that you got it. The Red Sea will open to the honest seeker of revelation. The adversary does have power to hedge up the way, to marshal Pharaoh’s forces and dog our escape right to the water’s edge, but he can’t produce the real thing. He cannot conquer if we will it otherwise. “Exerting all [our] powers to call upon God,” the light will again come, the darkness will again retreat, the safety will again be sure. That is lesson number one about crossing the Red Sea, your Red Seas, by the spirit of revelation."- Jeffrey R. Holland
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I was at this devotional. I was reminded of it recently during scripture study. No talk has ever affected me more than this one.
We were so inspired by Elder Holland's words at this devotional that and I got engaged right then and there, before leaving the Marriott Center! March 2, 1999. We've now been married almost 23 years. Thank you, elder Holland!!
Anyone else in 2023 stumble across this on a down day?
This talk provided me with great light after the passing of my 5 month old daughter. I listen again and again to be reminded of the tremendous load our loving Savior bore for me and my family in our greatest time of need! Life is full of its pitfalls, temptations and terrible trials but knowing the Almighty has brought us through and will again and again!
Going through the toughest part of my life. Watched this several times so far. It’s getting me through.
Just one more day. Push on one day at a time. After coming to byui this semester, I feel abandoned and alone. My classes are stressing me out, I have to friends to talk with, I'm unsure of whether or not I'm in the right degree, and to top it all off I felt that God wasn't answering my prayers or even listening. I was talking to my mother about this the night before and woke up to her recommending this talk. It is a great talk that had everything that I needed to hear. I am still afraid of the days to come, but I will do my best to cast that fear aside and focus on the fact that the lord wants me here for a reason. That I will cling to. Just one more day. Push on one day at a time.
I had the privilege of singing in the choir that day. One of the most memorable days of my time at BYU. A message I return to over and over in hard times.
Thanks everyone for the comments of gratitude :) The internet CAN be a holy place if we make it so ;)
"Face your doubts, master your fears, cast not away therefore your confidence, stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you"
I was there that day. This talk changed my life as well as the lives of my two roommates concerning just what he said, education, marriage, and mission. We were all the recoiling after having made these important prayer guided decisions. He helped all three of us get back on track. Miraculous.
This talk literally changed my whole life for the better. I didn't feel like i was enough and i was doubting my abilities and possibilities in life. This gave me the perspective i needed.
Still love this man, he is my go to for when I am down or need a pick up for my soul. May God bless Jeffrey R Holland, my favorite LDS speaker.
I feel like I need to play this on repeat until it sinks deep into my soul and becomes a part of who I am!
Jeffrey Holland is one of the things that gets me through the day
Best speaker in the world this man speaks form the heart and the spirit............if your feeling low call on these videos............love you bro holland
This speech helps me so much!! Thank you God for sending thy prophets and apostles to teach and strengthen us!
How true this is. I have felt the Holy Ghost descend upon my head and cover me from head to toe. Shortly after, a heavy temptation came. I have tasted of the white fruit, or the fullness of the love of God fill my entire being. Shortly after massive leg spasms so terrible in pain, I cried to my heavenly father. Had the sacred experience of seeing my savior and redeemer, and have been in chronic pain, severe multiple spinal surgeries with the only relief in knowing the lord loves me unconditionally whether I have yelled in anger or wept for mercy.
"Your own little promised land." I liked that.
"Fear ye not. The lord shall fight for you. Cast not away therefore your confidence." I love these words. They give me a reassurance and hope. Thank you Elder Holland.
Just saw on BYU TV this morning. "Don't retreat from a good thing" is such good advice, especially for us hobbits in our hobbit holes who are confronted with stepping out of comfort zone on to greater things.