True Doctrine Understood

1 And it came to pass as I did thin peaches in the orchard of the Church, for in that part of the land that was an orchard which did belong to the Church of Christ, and from this orchard was harvested apricots and peaches and apples and cherries, and these fruits of the ground were given to the poor and the needy through the welfare system of the church in various parts of the world.

2 Yea, and as I did thin peaches my mind was caught up with wondering how it might be brought to pass that more of my brethren would labor in the orchard, for those of us who did labor were few.

3 And as I did ponder, I did remember the words of the prophet who did say, "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior."

4 And I did seek to know from whence this quote did come, and what was its source, and I did also wonder if there were others who did desire to know the source from whence cometh this quote, and thus I did cause a search to be made of the gospel library on the website of the Church, and verily the source of the quote is on this wise: Boyd K. Packer did give a talk in the general conference of the church in the year 1986 which was titled "Little Children" in the which he did first share this quote. And President Packer did also use this quote again in General Conference in the year 2004 in his talk "Do Not Fear."

5 And it has to come to pass also that this quote has been used many times in other general conference talks, Ensign articles, church manuals and other teaching materials, some of which can be found on the results page of the search which I did cause to be made on the website of the Church.

6 And behold also has it been said by that ancient prophet Alma that "the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just ... therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God." Alma 31:5

7 And thus we see that to persuade men to labor in the orchard of the church, or to visit the houses of their hometeaching families, or to clean the church building on Saturday mornings, or to fulfill other assignments in the Church, or to do any other thing which is good, there must be a preaching of the word so that an understanding of true doctrine may come to them, which understanding may also come to those who diligently seek. And that understanding will improve behavior, which improvement bringeth light, and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day. And thus it is, Amen.

Daddies Don't Need Sunscreen

1 And it came to pass in the latter part of the second week of the current month, I did labor in my yard. And whilst I did labor, the fruit of my loins came unto me, having been previously anointed with sunscreen to protect him from the heat of the day, and he saith unto me, "Daddy, you need sunscreen." And being in an hurry and desiring not to cease from my labors I did reply, "Daddies don't need sunscreen." And the fruit of my loins was pacified in this thing. And when the sun had set, I did visit a neighbor, who upon seeing the redness of my arms and my legs declared that I had seen much sun. And verily it was that my epidermis had been burned.

2 And not many days previous, I and all my household had begun to employ a custom of singing "Scripture Power" at the coming of the hour which is appointed for the reading of the sacred texts (and this custom is one that was borrowed from a neighbor and hath been altered by us, which thing seemeth me good after having read "Righteous Traditions" by Sister Lant). And a few of the words of the hymn which we sing are these: "Scripture power keeps me safe from sin. Scripture power is the power to win. Scripture power! Ev'ry day I need The power that I get each time I read."

3 And it came to pass that when the sabbath day was come and whilst traveling unto the place of worship, where it was expected of me to impart unto my brethren of the church a spiritual thought, my eyes were opened that I saw in this thing a lesson to be learned, and the lesson is on this wise:

4 All men everywhere, including daddies, are in need of sunscreen. No person, no not one, is immune from the dangers posed in this increasingly wicked world. Therefore, let us be diligent in putting on our spiritual sunscreen by feasting on the words of Christ. And when thou hearest a voice which telleth thee that thou hast need of sunscreen, do not seek to excuse thyself - put on thy Scripture power!