"Can Ye Feel So Now" by Elder Cook

Notes from Elder Cooks talk in the October 2012 General Conference (here).

Elder Cook states that "the rising generation are better prepared [for missionary service] than any previous generation." As evidence he states, "Your knowledge of the scriptures is particularly impressive."

On the other hand, he acknowledges the greatness of the challenges we face.

Elder Cooks states:

In one of the most profound verses in all of scripture, Alma proclaims, “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?”

Local leaders across the world report that when viewed as a whole, Church members, especially our youth, have never been stronger. But they almost always raise two concerns: first, the challenge of increased unrighteousness in the world and, second, the apathy and lack of commitment of some members. They seek counsel about how to help members to follow the Savior and achieve a deep and lasting conversion.

There is no doubt that the world is getting worse each year; consequently, we must have a stronger commitment to God and his gospel than ever before. Faith must replace fear, and we must achieve a deep and lasting conversion. 

In this talk our culture is accurately described in several ways:

• "not conducive to righteousness or spiritual commitment"
• "increased unrighteousness in the world "
• "Everyone knows the culture is poisonous, and nobody expects that to change."
• "The spiritual immune system of an entire civilization has been wounded."

These worldly conditions contribute to members sometimes being unable to "feel so now." He describes some of these members:

• "Many who are in a spiritual drought and lack commitment have not necessarily been involved in major sins or transgressions, but they have made unwise choices."
• "Some are casual in their observance of sacred covenants."
• "Others spend most of their time giving first-class devotion to lesser causes."
• "Some allow intense cultural or political views to weaken their allegiance to the gospel of Jesus Christ."
• "Some have immersed themselves in Internet materials that magnify, exaggerate, and, in some cases, invent shortcomings of early Church leaders. Then they draw incorrect conclusions that can affect testimony."

But it is not too late for any of them, because repentance can lead them back to the path. Some advice:

• "Immersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual nourishment."
• "The word of God inspires commitment and acts as a healing balm for hurt feelings, anger, or disillusionment."
• When our commitment is diminished for any reason, part of the solution is repentance. Commitment and repentance are closely intertwined.

Great quote:

The Prophet Joseph pointed out that before your baptism, you could be on neutral ground between good and evil. But “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.” His counsel was that we must never forsake the Master.

Unfortunately when we are not living up to the commitments we made at baptism, it's most often the result of transgression, not just "laziness" or "busyness" the way we tell ourselves it is:

While anything that lessens commitment is of consequence, two relevant challenges are both prevalent and significant. The first is unkindness, violence, and domestic abuse. The second is sexual immorality and impure thoughts. These often precede and are at the root of the choice to be less committed.

The responsibility is on parents to teach their children by example and through words. Our children are exposed to the evils of immorality and pornography at a terribly young age, and we must prepare them to be strong enough to overcome.

Parents, the days are long past when regular, active participation in Church meetings and programs, though essential, can fulfill your sacred responsibility to teach your children to live moral, righteous lives and walk uprightly before the Lord. With President Monson’s announcement this morning, it is essential that this be faithfully accomplished in homes which are places of refuge where kindness, forgiveness, truth, and righteousness prevail. Parents must have the courage to filter or monitor Internet access, television, movies, and music. Parents must have the courage to say no, defend truth, and bear powerful testimony. Your children need to know that you have faith in the Savior, love your Heavenly Father, and sustain the leaders of the Church. Spiritual maturity must flourish in our homes.

When it comes to morality, some adults believe that adherence to a single, overriding humanitarian project or principle nullifies the need to comply with the Savior’s teachings. They say to themselves that sexual misconduct is “a small thing … [if I am] a kind and charitable person.”²¹Such thinking is a gross self-deception. Some young people inform me that in our current culture it is not “cool” to try too hard in many areas, including living strictly in accordance with righteous principles.²² Please do not fall into this trap.

At baptism we promise to take upon us “the name of [Jesus] Christ, having [the] determination to serve him to the end.”²³ 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.

I know that's a long quote but it could not be paraphrased. Let me reiterate Elder Cook's words: "DO NOT FALL INTO THIS TRAP!" We can not rationalize away our sins. Let us have and show the courageous effort, commitment and integrity required to live the gospel and stay truly converted!