Walking With God and His People 6 Unit 2 Review

"Chapter nineteen: Our Commitment to God," Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Howard Westward. Hunter (2015), 242–53

"Chapter 19," Teachings: Howard W. Hunter, 242–53

From the Life of Howard W. Hunter

When Howard W. Hunter was called to be a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, he alleged, "I have, without reservation, the phone call … fabricated of me, and I am willing to devote my life and all that I take to this service."¹

Elder Hunter lived true to his commitment. Afterward he was ordained an Apostle, he returned to California to complete Church and business obligations and to begin preparing to relocate to Salt Lake City. It was difficult for Elder and Sister Hunter to leave their family and friends in California—and for Elder Hunter to leave his police practice. As he ended his career every bit an chaser, he wrote:

"Today I finished most of my work at the part. Nearly all of the pending matters are completed. I was lonely in the function today with the realization that my do of law was at present at an end. I fabricated notes on a number of files and left them on the desk. … I had a ill feeling every bit I left the role. I have enjoyed the practice of law and information technology has been my life for the last number of years, but in spite of this I am pleased and happy to answer to the great phone call which has come up to me in the Church."^two

Elder Hunter knew from personal experience that "submitting to our Begetter'southward will is not ever easy."³ Nevertheless, he knew the importance of being fully committed to God. Concerning that commitment, he wrote: "Near people practice not understand why persons of our religious religion respond to calls made to serve or the commitment we brand to give our all. I take thoroughly enjoyed the practice of law, but this call that has come to me volition far overshadow the pursuit of the profession or budgetary proceeds."^iv

1 way we can prove our "total commitment" and "complete devotion" is to serve those in need.

Teachings of Howard W. Hunter

1

Our Father in Heaven requires our total delivery, not just a contribution.

As I call up of the blessings God has given us and the many beauties of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I am aware that along the style we are asked to make certain contributions in return, contributions of time or of money or of other resource. These are all valued and all necessary, but they practise not constitute our total offering to God. Ultimately, what our Male parent in Sky will crave of us is more a contribution; it is a total commitment, a consummate devotion, all that we are and all that nosotros can be.

Please understand that I do non speak just of a commitment to the Church and its activities, although that always needs to exist strengthened. No, I speak more specifically of a commitment that is shown in our private behavior, in our personal integrity, in our loyalty to dwelling house and family unit and customs, too every bit to the Church building. …

Let me think briefly just one of those magnificent examples from scripture where three relatively young people stood by their principles and held to their integrity even though information technology seemed apparent that to do so would cost them their lives.

Approximately 586 years before Christ, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, marched against the urban center of Jerusalem and conquered it. Then impressed was he with the qualities and learning of the children of Israel that he had several of them brought to the king's courtroom [in Babylon].

Trouble came to the Israelites the day Nebuchadnezzar fabricated a golden idol and commanded all in the province of Babylon to worship it, a command that the three young Israelites—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego—quietly refused. The rex was total of "rage and fury" and demanded that they be brought before him. (Dan. 3:xiii.) He informed them that if they did non fall downwards before the golden image at the appointed moment, "ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning peppery furnace." And so with some self-satisfaction he asked, "And who is that God that shall evangelize you out of my hands?" [Dan. 3:15.]

The three young men responded courteously but without hesitation:

"If it be so," they said, "[that yous threaten us with death,] our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O male monarch.

"Just if non [if for whatever reason he chooses not to relieve united states from the burn], be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the gilt image which thou hast fix." [Dan. three:17–18.]

Of form Nebuchadnezzar was more furious than ever and ordered that ane of the furnaces exist heated to seven times its normal temperature. And then he commanded that these three valiant young men be thrown fully clothed into the midst of the fire. Indeed, the king was so insistent and the flame so hot that the soldiers who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego fell expressionless from the rut of the furnace equally they bandage their captives forward.

And then transpired ane of those corking miracles to which the faithful are entitled according to the will of God. These 3 immature men stood and walked most calmly in the midst of the furnace and were non burned. Indeed, when they were after called out of the furnace by the astonished rex himself, their habiliment was untarnished, their skin was free from whatsoever burn, not a hair of their head was singed. Not even the aroma of fume had come upon these courageous, committed young men.

"Blessed exist the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego," said the king, "who hath … delivered his servants that trusted in him, … [who] yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

"… And so the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, in the province of Babylon." (Dan. 3:28, xxx.)

The ability to stand by i's principles, to live with integrity and faith co-ordinate to one'due south belief—that is what matters, that is the difference between a contribution and a delivery. That devotion to true principle—in our individual lives, in our homes and families, and in all places that nosotros come across and influence other people—that devotion is what God is ultimately requesting of u.s.a.. …

A successful life, the expert life, the righteous Christian life requires something more a contribution, though every contribution is valuable. Ultimately it requires commitment—whole-souled, deeply held, eternally cherished commitment to the principles we know to be true in the commandments God has given. …

If we will be true and faithful to our principles, committed to a life of honesty and integrity, so no king or competition or fiery furnace will exist able to compromise us. For the success of the kingdom of God on earth, may we stand up as witnesses for him "at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death." (Mosiah 18:9.)⁵

2

Be committed to obeying the Lord regardless of what others decide to practise.

When Joshua was directed to destroy the city of Jericho that lay before [the tribes of Israel], the great walls of the city stood as an imposing and physically impossible bulwark to Israel's success—or at least so it seemed. Not knowing the means, simply bodacious as to the end, Joshua carried out the instructions he had been given by a messenger of the Lord. His commitment was to complete obedience. His business was to do precisely as he was instructed, that the hope of the Lord would be fulfilled. The instructions no doubtfulness seemed strange, simply his organized religion in the outcome urged him on. The outcome, of course, was another in a long serial of miracles experienced by the Israelites as they were led over many years by Moses, by Joshua, and by many other prophets who were committed to follow the commandments and the directives of the Lord.

As Joshua and his people approached Jericho, the instructions of the Lord were followed precisely, and according to the scriptural account, "the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight earlier him, and they took the city." (Josh. 6:20.)

The record states that after State of israel had rested from the wars with their enemies, Joshua, who was now very old, called all State of israel together. In his farewell address he reminded them they had been victorious because God had fought for them, but if they now ceased to serve the Lord and keep his law they would exist destroyed. …

This great military and spiritual leader then urged a commitment, and made 1 himself and for his family unit: "Choose you this mean solar day whom ye volition serve; … but every bit for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Josh. 24:fifteen.)

Here was a great argument of full commitment of a man to God; of a prophet to the desires of the Lord; of Joshua the man to his God, who had many times previously blessed his obedience. He was telling the Israelites that regardless of how they decided, he would do what he knew was right. He was maxim that his decision to serve the Lord was contained of whatsoever they decided; that their actions would not touch his; that his commitment to do the Lord'due south volition would not exist altered by anything they or anyone else would do. Joshua was firmly in control of his actions and had his optics fixed on the commandments of the Lord. He was committed to obedience.⁶

"How pleased the Lord must accept been when Abraham … did as he was instructed, without question and without wavering."

3

Decide now to choose the path of strict obedience.

After having come up to an understanding of the law of the gospel and the will of the Lord by reading and studying the scriptures and the words of the prophets, so comes the further understanding of the reason why obedience is oftentimes referred to as the get-go police force of heaven and why obedience is necessary to be saved. This brings us to the supreme exam. Are we willing to become totally obedient to God'south police force? There comes a time in our lives when a definite conclusion must be fabricated.^seven

Surely the Lord loves, more than annihilation else, an unwavering determination to obey his counsel. Surely the experiences of the great prophets of the Sometime Attestation take been recorded to help us understand the importance of choosing the path of strict obedience. How pleased the Lord must take been when Abraham, subsequently receiving direction to cede his only son, Isaac, did as he was instructed, without question and without wavering. The tape states that God said unto Abraham:

"Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom grand lovest, and go thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him in that location for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of." (Gen. 22:two.)

The next poesy simply states:

"And Abraham rose up early on in the morning … and took … Isaac his son … and went unto the place of which God had told him." (Gen. 22:3.)

Years later, when Rebekah was asked if she would go with the servant of Abraham to become Isaac'due south married woman, and no doubt knowing that the servant'due south mission had the approval of the Lord, she simply said, "I volition get." (Gen. 24:58.)

A generation afterward that, when Jacob was instructed to return to the land of Canaan, which meant leaving all for which he had worked many years, he called Rachel and Leah into the field where his flock was and explained what the Lord had said. The reply of Rachel [and Leah] was simple and straightforward and indicative of [their] commitment: "Whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do." (Gen. 31:16.)

We have, then, examples from the scriptures of how we should consider and evaluate the commandments of the Lord. If we choose to react like Joshua, and Abraham, and Rebekah, and Rachel [and Leah], our response will be, simply, to go and practice the thing that the Lord has commanded.

There is good reason to make our decision now to serve the Lord. On this Sunday morning [of full general conference], when the complications and temptations of life are somewhat removed, and when we have the time and more of an inclination to accept an eternal perspective, we can more clearly evaluate what volition bring u.s. the greatest happiness in life. We should decide now, in the light of the morning, how nosotros will act when the darkness of night and when the storms of temptation arrive.

I pray that nosotros volition have the strength to determine now to do what we ought to do. I pray that we will make up one's mind now to serve the Lord.⁸

4

Conventionalities alone is not sufficient; we also need to do Heavenly Father's will.

When speaking to the multitudes, the Master said: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Male parent which is in sky." (Matt. 7:21.)

Equally I listen to these words, it seems to me that the Lord is maxim, "Just because a person may acknowledge my authority or have a belief in my divine nature, or merely express organized religion in my teachings or the apologetic cede I made, does not hateful he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven or achieve a higher degree of exaltation." Past implication he is maxim, "Belief alone is not sufficient." Then he expressly adds, "… merely he that doeth the will of my Father," that is, he that works and prunes the vineyard that it may bring forth good fruit. …

All nature, which is God'southward domain, seems to portray this same principle. The bee that volition not "doeth" volition before long exist driven from the hive. As I watch the busy ants on the trail and around the emmet pile, I am impressed by the fact that they are doers and not just believers. Clucking doesn't produce any seeds for the hen; she must scratch. A brackish pool, green with algae and the scum of inactivity, is the convenance place of the diseases of the swamp, only the clear mount stream dashing over the rocks as it winds its way down the canyon is an invitation to potable.

The words of the Principal regarding the house without a foundation say to me that a man cannot have a shallow and reckless notion that he is sufficient to himself and tin can build his own life on whatever basis that happens to be easy and amusing [see Matthew 7:26–27]. Every bit long as the atmospheric condition is fair, his foolishness may not be evident; simply one day there will come the floods, the muddy waters of some sudden passion, the rushing electric current of unforeseen temptation. If his graphic symbol has no certain foundation in more than just lip service, his whole moral construction may collapse.⁹

James said, "Pure organized religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their disease, and to keep himself unspotted from the earth" (James 1:27).

In other words, faith is more than a cognition of God or a confession of faith, and it is more than than theology. Religion is the doing of the discussion of God. It is being our brother's keeper, amongst other things. …

We can be religious in worship on the Sabbath mean solar day, and we can be religious in our duties on the other six days of the week. … [How] of import information technology must be that all of our thoughts, the words we speak, our acts, conduct, dealings with neighbors, business transactions, and all of our everyday affairs exist in harmony with our religious beliefs. In the words of Paul, "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). Can we therefore eliminate religion from our weekday affairs and relegate information technology to the Sabbath 24-hour interval only? Surely non, if we follow Paul'south admonition.¹⁰

5

"Living members" strive to have a full commitment.

The Lord revealed in the preface to the Doctrine and Covenants that this is the "merely true and living church upon the face of the whole earth." And then he added, "with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually" (D&C i:thirty). This should raise a question in our minds of eternal significance: We know that this is the true and living church institutionally, but am I a true and living member individually?

… When I ask, "Am I a true and living member?" my question is, am I securely and fully dedicated to keeping the covenants I have made with the Lord? Am I totally committed to alive the gospel and be a doer of the word and non a hearer only? Do I live my religion? Will I remain true? Do I stand firm against Satan's temptations? …

To answer affirmatively the question, "Am I a living member?" confirms our commitment. Information technology ways that we at present and always will honey God and our neighbors equally ourselves. Information technology ways our actions will reverberate who nosotros are and what nosotros believe. It means that we are every day Christians, walking as Christ would take us walk.

Living members are those who strive to accept a full delivery. …

Living members recognize their duty to press forward. They are baptized every bit a first stride of their living journey. Information technology is a sign to God, to angels, and to heaven that they volition follow God'south will. …

Living members give heed to the Spirit, which quickens the inner life. They constantly seek its direction. They pray for strength and overcome difficulties. Their hearts are not set upon the things of this world merely upon the infinite. Spiritual renewal is not sacrificed for physical gratification.

Living members put Christ kickoff in their lives, knowing from what source their lives and progress come up. There is a tendency for human to put himself in the eye of the universe and expect others to accommodate to his wants and needs and desires. Yet nature does not honor that erroneous assumption. The central role in life belongs to God. Instead of request him to do our bidding, we should seek to bring ourselves into harmony with his will, and thus keep our progress every bit a living member. …

Living members, in one case they are converted, fulfill the commandment to strengthen their brothers and sisters [meet Luke 22:32]. They are broken-hearted to share their joy with others, and they never lose this desire. …

Living members recognize the demand to put into action their behavior. These Saints are anxiously engaged in bringing to pass many good and noble works of their own complimentary volition and accord [see D&C 58:27]. …

Living members love i some other. They visit the fatherless and the widows in their afflictions. They continue themselves unspotted from the earth [run into James i:27]. …

We accept a firm belief in the statement that this is the true and living church of the true and living God. The question nosotros have still to reply is: Am I dedicated and committed, a true and living member?

May we stand firm and be true and living members of the Church building and receive the promised reward to be amid those spoken of in the Doctrine and Covenants "who are come unto Mountain Zion, and unto the metropolis of the living God, the heavenly place, the holiest of all" (D&C 76:66).¹¹

Suggestions for Study and Teaching

Questions

• Review President Hunter's teachings most the difference between a "contribution" and "total commitment" (section one). What departure does it make in our lives when nosotros are totally committed to God? What applications might the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego have for u.s.a.?

• Review President Hunter's account of Joshua in department 2. What can yous acquire from this business relationship about being fully committed to God? How tin we develop a commitment to obey God regardless of what others do? How tin can we help children and youth develop this commitment?

• What are your impressions as you review the scripture stories in section iii? What other scriptural examples of obedience have influenced you lot? Why practice y'all call up "the Lord loves … an unwavering determination to obey his counsel"?

• Ponder President Hunter'south teachings in section 4. Why is belief lone "not sufficient"? How does doing Heavenly Father'southward volition assistance us ready for times of trouble? How tin we apply President Hunter'southward teachings nigh living our religion?

• Review each of President Hunter'due south descriptions of a "living member" in section 5. How practice nosotros develop these qualities of "living members"? Consider how you could exist a ameliorate "truthful and living member" of the Church.

Related Scriptures

i Samuel xv:22–23; Psalm 1:ane–3; James ii:14–26; 2 Nephi 32:9; Omni 1:26; Mosiah 2:41; Alma 37:35–37; iii Nephi 18:fifteen, 18–20; D&C 58:26–29; 97:eight; Abraham 3:24–26

Teaching Aid

Read together several quotations from the chapter. After reading each quotation, ask class members to share examples from the scriptures and from their ain experiences that chronicle to the teachings in the quotation.

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Source: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-howard-w-hunter/chapter-19-our-commitment-to-god?lang=eng

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