Elder Robbins remembers the words President Packer said to him on his first assignment as a new Seventy. "Which way do you face?" He went on to explain that his responsibility was to represent the prophet to the people, not the people to the prophet.
He talked about the first and greatest commandment is to please God first. (Matthew 22:37-38) Forgetting that is like forgetting what way we are facing, or trying to face. We cannot serve two masters. (Matthew 6:24)
He spoke of many examples of people in the scriptures and people in history who have forgotten which way they faced.
- In Lehi's Dream, people left the tree (lord) because the were ashamed by fingers of scorn pointed their way (world).
- Pilate was merciful till it became risky
- King Herod was sorrowful at the request to behead John the Baptist, but wanted to please them that sat with him at meat
- King Saul disobeyed the words of the Lord by keeping the soils of war
- Aaron crafted a golden calf to to appease the rebellious Israel
- Many New Testament chief rulers believed on the Lord, but because of the Pharisees, did not want to confess him or they would be thrown from the synagogues.
- Joseph Smith relented to Martin Harris the transcripts after the Lord said no twice before
He also gave great examples of people who stood their ground, and knew what way they were facing.
- Nephi said he would only write the things pleasing to God on the plates, and not what was pleasing to men (1 Nephi 6:5)
- Mormon said he would speak with boldness not fearing what man can do, because Gods perfect love casts out all fear (Moroni 8:16)
- Captain Moroni said he didn't seek for power, but to pull it down. He didn't seek for honor of the world, but glory of Gold, and freedom and welfare of his country. (Alma 60:36)
He talked of Christ and how often after healing or helping the sick would ask for them to tell no man. Not seeking for glory from men, but from his father.
In John chapters 14-17 Christ refers to his father at least 50 times, He was representing the father, he knew which way he faced.
Elder Robbins ends with, "When others demand approval in defiance to Gods commandments, may we always remember whose disciples we are and which way we face."
Article Used
Which way do you Face - Robbins
What I Learned
This talk has allowed me to reflect on my own life. What way am I facing? I don't feel very pressured in my life in the wrong direction to need to stand up for the Lord at this time. (I live in a very high population of LDS members, and am long out of high school.)
So, I took this talk in a different direction. As in. What way am I facing? What am I doing to face the Lord? Are my goals and priorities in line?
Do I get my time caught up in all the busy worldly things? On the computer, am I facing the world (facebook) or working on spiritual uplifting activities or family history? What other priorities do I need to change?
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