The Will of God — Transcript

A message on accepting God's loving correction, illustrated by Elder Hugh B. Brown's story of faith and growth.

Key Takeaways

Accepting correction is essential for spiritual growth and meeting God's expectations.
God’s discipline is an expression of love and has a purposeful outcome.
Trials and setbacks can lead to greater blessings and personal development.
Faith requires trust in God's plan even when immediate circumstances seem painful.
Gratitude and forgiveness transform bitterness into spiritual strength.

Summary

The video emphasizes the importance of willingly accepting and seeking correction to meet Heavenly Father's expectations.
Elder Hugh B. Brown shares a personal story about pruning a current bush to illustrate God's loving discipline.
The current bush initially seemed harmed but was being prepared to bear fruit, symbolizing spiritual growth through trials.
Elder Brown recounts a moment of personal disappointment when denied a promotion due to his faith.
He expresses his initial bitterness and confusion, questioning God’s intentions.
A voice, representing God as the gardener, reassures him of a divine purpose behind the hardship.
This realization leads Elder Brown to forgiveness and gratitude for God's loving correction.
The video encourages viewers to pray for love-inspired correction to fulfill their potential.
It teaches that all individuals, regardless of talent or capacity, can meet God's high expectations.
The message concludes with a prayer in the name of Jesus Christ.

Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown

Speaker A

I would like to speak of one particular attitude and practice we need to adopt if we're to meet our Heavenly Father's high expectations.

Speaker A

It is this: willingly to accept and even seek correction.

Speaker A

Elder Hugh B. Brown told of purchasing a rundown farm in Canada many years ago.

Speaker A

As he went about cleaning up and repairing his property, he came across a current bush that had grown over six feet high and was yielding no berries.

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So he pruned it back drastically, leaving only small stumps.

Speaker A

Then he saw a drop like a tear on the top of each of these little stumps, as if the current bush were crying.

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And thought he heard it say, "How could you do this to me?

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I was making such wonderful growth and now you've cut me down.

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Every plant of the garden will look down on me.

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How could you do this to me?

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I thought you were the gardener here.

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Look, little current bush, I am the gardener here.

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And I know what I want you to be.

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I don't intend you to be a fruit tree or a shade tree.

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I want you to be a current bush.

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And someday, little current bush, when you're laden with fruit, you're going to say, "Thank you, Mr. Gardener.

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For loving me enough to cut me down.

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Years later, Elder Brown was in line to be promoted to general.

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But even though he was fully qualified for the promotion, it was denied him because he was a Mormon.

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Continuing his story, Elder Brown remembered,

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I got on the train and started back with a broken heart, with bitterness in my soul.

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When I got to my tent, I threw my cap on the cot.

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I clenched my fists and I shook them at heaven.

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I said, "How could you do this to me, God?

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I've done everything I could to measure up.

Speaker A

How could you do this to me?

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And then I heard a voice.

Speaker A

It was my own voice.

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And the voice said,

Speaker A

I am the gardener here.

Speaker A

I know what I want you to do.

Speaker A

The bitterness went out of my soul and I fell on my knees by the cot to ask forgiveness for my ungratefulness.

Speaker A

And now, almost 50 years later, I look up to God and say, "Thank you, Mr. Gardener.

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For cutting me down.

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For loving me enough to hurt me.

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All of us can meet God's high expectations.

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However great or small our capacity and talent may be.

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Let us pray for his love-inspired correction.

Speaker A

In the name of Jesus Christ.

Speaker A

Amen.

Topics:God's willcorrectionspiritual growthfaithElder Hugh B. BrownLatter-day SaintsJesus Christpruning metaphortrust in Godforgiveness

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main message of the video 'The Will of God'?

The main message is about willingly accepting and seeking God's loving correction as a necessary part of spiritual growth and fulfilling His expectations.

How does Elder Hugh B. Brown illustrate God's correction?

He uses the metaphor of pruning a current bush that initially seemed harmed but was being prepared to bear fruit, symbolizing how God's discipline leads to growth.

What was Elder Brown's reaction to being denied a promotion, and how did he find peace?

Elder Brown initially felt bitterness and questioned God, but after hearing the reassuring voice of God as the gardener, he forgave and expressed gratitude for the loving correction.

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