General Conference from the Past: Models to Follow

by Tristi Pinkston | More from this Blogger

14 Aug 2008 10:05 AM

In his October 2002 General Conference address, President Thomas S. Monson, then a counselor in the First Presidency, spoke of the importance of having reference points in our spiritual journey, having models to follow. He opened his talk with the story of a painting he once saw of Mary, the mother of Christ, being greeted by her cousin, Elisabeth, mother of John the Baptist. John spent his life testifying of Jesus Christ, and Christ, in turn, made the comment about John, "Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist." The examples set for us by John and by the Savior are models we can use as we chart out our own religious footsteps. The Savior, of course, was perfect in all the traits we should seek to have, while John was an exemplar of humility, in the way he always deflected attention off himself and onto Christ.

We see an example of unquestioning obedience as we contemplate the story of Abraham and Isaac. Job teaches us the importance of patience during trial. Noah was a preacher of righteousness, a just man and "perfect in his generations." Ruth was a wonderful example of womanhood, using the kindness of her heart to see the need of her mother-in-law and comfort her in times of devastation, and then went on to be the mother of the lineage that would bring us Christ. Nephi also shows us the way to perfect obedience and faith as he sought to do the Lord's will in all things, regardless of personal danger.

Of course, no list of exemplars would be complete without mention of Joseph Smith, who followed the conscience of his heart and always sought the will of the Lord, putting himself in the most dangerous and brutal of circumstances and yet never wavering in his faith, although surely at times it was tempting, and then ultimately giving his life for his cause, that of truth and right.

President Monson held up an additional example for us-that of President Hinckley. With his foresight and his desire to reach out and bless us all, he brought us temples, the Perpetual Education fund, and was a beacon of unfailing optimism.

As we look to these examples of diligence, humility, and righteousness, we can pattern our lives so that we too might emulate God's purposes in all our doings. And we can answer the Lord's beckoning call, "Follow me," just as so many others have before us.

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Learn more about Tristi Pinkston

I've been a blogger for Families.com since August of 2006.

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