FAIR

Faithful Study Resources for Come, Follow Me

Consider Conference: Words Matter

by

2024 April General Conference, Sunday Afternoon Session

Words Matter

Elder Ronald A. Rasband
of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Main Points

  • Words set a tone. They voice our thoughts, feelings, and experiences, for good or bad.
  • God’s words matter. The prophets’ words matter. And our words matter.

Gospel Principles taught

 Jesus Christ, Prayer, Scriptures, Personal Responsibility

Gospel Doctrine taught

Marriage and Family, Commandments, Agency, Prophets

Scriptures

Alma 31:5, Genesis 1:3, Matthew 24:35, John 14:23, Luke 1:38, Joseph Smith—History 1:17, 2 Nephi 1:15, Jacob 4:13, Jacob 7:5, Ephesians 2:21, 2 Nephi 32:3, 2 Nephi 32:3, 2 Nephi 32:2, 2 Nephi 33, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1

Other Sources

“More Holiness Give Me,” Hymns, no. 131
“President Nelson Invites Us to #GiveThanks”
Chapter 6: Sustaining Those Whom the Lord Sustains
News for Temples in Five Nations
Dedicatory Prayer – Bangkok Thailand Temple, 22 October 2023

Related talks: 

Look for Jesus Christ:

  • Testimony of Christ.
    • I love the Lord Jesus Christ. He is, in the words of the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” And as the Apostle John made clear, Jesus Christ Himself is “the Word.”Of this I testify as an Apostle called to the Lord’s divine service—to declare His word—and called to stand as a special witness of Him. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen. 
  • Description of His Teachings.
    • First and foremost, the Lord’s words matter.
  • Christ’s words:
    • “Let there be light:
    • “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
    • “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

Inspiring Words & Phrases

  • Words matter a lot. Let me say that again. Words matter! They are the bedrock of how we connect; they represent our beliefs, morals, and perspectives. Sometimes we speak words; other times we listen. Words set a tone. They voice our thoughts, feelings, and experiences, for good or bad.
  • First and foremost, the Lord’s words matter.
  • The “word of God” surpasses all other expressions.
  • When we think celestial, we see “things as they really are, and … really will be.” In this world burdened with confusion and contention, we all need that perspective.
  • Our words can be supportive or angry, joyful or mean, compassionate or tossed aside. In the heat of the moment, words can sting and sink painfully deep into the soul—and stay there. Our words on the internet, texting, social media, or tweets take on a life of their own. So be careful what you say and how you say it. In our families, especially with husbands, wives, and children, our words can bring us together or drive a wedge between us.
  • Let me suggest three simple phrases that we can use to take the sting out of difficulties and differences, lift, and reassure each other: “Thank you.” “I am sorry.” And “I love you.” Do not save these humble phrases for a special event or catastrophe. Use them often and sincerely, for they show regard for others.

Lists

Words can be used negatively. Words:

  • Can be thoughtless
  • Can be hasty
  • Can be hurtful
  • Cannot be taken back once they’re spoken
  • Can wound
  • Words can punish
  • Words can cut down
  • Words can lead to destructive action
  • Words can weigh heavily on us

Words can be used positively. Words:

  • Can celebrate victory
  • Can be hopeful
  • Can be encouraging
  • Can prompt us to rethink
  • Can prompt us to reboot
  • Can prompt us to redirect our course
  • Can open our minds to truth

Ways we “Hear Him” – ways we listen to the word of the Lord:

  • We “hear Him” in the words of scripture
  • We “hear Him” in personal revelation 
  • We “hear Him” in promptings from the Holy Ghost
  • We “hear Him” in answers to prayer
  • We “hear Him” in those moments when only Jesus Christ, through the power of His Atonement, can lift our burdens, grant us forgiveness and peace, and embrace us “in the arms of his love.”

What words matter?

  • The word of God
  • The words of prophets

Memorable words of President Nelson:

  • Keep on the covenant path
  • Gather Israel
  • Let God prevail
  • Build bridges of understanding
  • Give thanks
  • Increase your faith in Jesus Christ
  • Take charge of your testimony
  • Become a peacemaker
  • Think Celestial

Invitations/Challenges

  • We can say “thank you” on the elevator, in the parking lot, at the market, in the office, in a queue, or with our neighbors or friends. We can say “I am sorry” when we make a mistake, miss a meeting, forget a birthday, or see someone in pain. We can say “I love you,” and those words carry the message “I am thinking about you,” “I care about you,” “I am here for you,” or “You are everything to me.” 

Either/Or

Our words can:

  • Be supportive OR be angry
  • Be joyful OR mean
  • Be compassionate OR tossed aside

Warnings

  • We “hear Him” in the words of scripture, but do we let them just sit on the page, or do we recognize He is speaking to us? Do we change? 
  • Words of the prophet matter to the Lord and to us.
  • In the heat of the moment, words can sting and sink painfully deep into the soul—and stay there. Our words on the internet, texting, social media, or tweets take on a life of their own. So be careful what you say and how you say it. In our families, especially with husbands, wives, and children, our words can bring us together or drive a wedge between us.
  • Do not save these humble phrases for a special event or catastrophe. Use them often and sincerely, for they show regard for others. Talk is growing cheap; do not follow that pattern.
  • “The words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.” We are Heavenly Father’s children and He is our God, and He expects us to speak with “the tongue of angels” by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Blessings/Promises

  • Believing and heeding the word of God will draw us closer to Him. President Russell M. Nelson has promised, “If you will study His words, your ability to be more like Him will increase.” 
  • (quoting President Nelson) As you think celestial, your heart will gradually change, … you will view trials and opposition in a new light, … [and] your faith will increase.
  • President Thomas S. Monson used to say, “There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save.”30 Saying “thank you,” “I am sorry,” “I love you” will do just that.
  • I promise that if we 
    1. “feast upon the words of Christ” that lead to salvation, 
    2. (feast upon) our prophet’s words that guide and encourage us, 
    3. and our own words that speak of who we are and what we hold dear, 

Then the powers of heaven will pour down upon us.

Stories:

  • The story of how Alma counseled that they use the word of God because it had a greater effect on the people than anything else. 
  • Reminded us that the “words of God” that Joseph heard in the Sacred Grove were “Hear Him!”
  • Elder George Albert Smith, long before becoming President of the Church, spoke of sustaining the prophet and heeding his words. He said: “The obligation that we make when we raise our hands … is a most sacred one. … It means … that we will stand behind him; we will pray for him; … and we will strive to carry out his instructions as the Lord shall direct.” In other words, we will diligently act upon our prophet’s words.
  • Told of his experience in dedicating the Bangkok, Thailand, temple. He had written out the words of the prayer and it had been translated into 12 languages, but the night before the dedication, he felt inspired to add these words to the closing part of the prayer: “May we think celestial, letting Thy Spirit prevail in our lives, and strive to be peacemakers always.” 
  • Story of when he traveled for business, he would call home at the end of every day and he and his wife Melanie would “report in.” These conversations always led to expressing love to each other. “Every day, those words served as an anchor to my soul and my conduct; they were a protection to me from evil designs. ‘Melanie, I love you’ spoke of the precious trust between us.”

Application Ideas

  1. This week, pray for the desire to have the “powers of Heaven pour down” upon you. Ponder what that would mean in your life.
  2. Each day this week, take the opportunity to “feast upon the words of Christ.”
  3. Each day this week, find a way to “feast” upon the words of the prophets. As you are ‘feasting,’ identify the prophet’s words that seem to offer you guidance, and identify the prophet’s words that offer you encouragement. Write those words in your journal.
  4. Pay attention to the way you speak, especially to and about those you love. How can you use your words to illustrate what things, people and relationships you hold dear?
  5. Find one example of how your words have driven a wedge between you and someone else. How can you use your words to mend that relationship? Pray about your situation and follow any promptings you receive.