# Grok's Updated Talk Outline 1. Introduction (2-3 minutes) - Daughter’s Gospel Kids banners, finding Elder Stevenson’s devotional via your mom. - Elder Eyring’s unity quote, discord question, and overview. 2. Point 1: Unity in Christ and His Gospel (4-5 minutes) - Common consent and the City of Enoch example. - Transition to peacemaking. 3. Point 2: Overcoming Discord Through Peacemaking (6-8 minutes) - Nelson and Oaks on choosing peacemaking. - Stevenson’s “building bridges of understanding” example, plus sharing quote and gospel loves list. 4. Point 3: The Power of Unity in Service (5-6 minutes) - Eyring on unity’s power, councils, and your Church work. - Peacemakers vs. pacifists: Title of Liberty as standing firm with love and Spirit, not passivity. - Eyring’s young girl example. 5. Point 4: Becoming One with the Savior (3-4 minutes) - Eyring on unity with Christ, Good Samaritan example. 6. Conclusion (2-3 minutes) - Testimony, invitation to be peacemakers. --- Talk: "The Power of Unity in the Lord’s Service" Introduction (2-3 minutes) Good morning, brothers and sisters. It’s a blessing to be with you today to talk about unity—a principle that’s both timeless and so needed right now. Lately, my little girl has been obsessed with the Gospel Kids videos. She’s been marching around the house, waving homemade banners, and shouting about the Title of Liberty. It’s filled our home with joy. When I told my mom, who teaches at BYU, she said, “You’ve got to hear Elder Stevenson’s recent devotional—he talked about flags too!” So I found his January 2025 BYU address, “Banners for Discipleship,” on YouTube, and it’s shaped much of what I’ll share today. President Henry B. Eyring taught, “Unity is essential in decision-making in the Church.” He said, “Wherever we serve and lead in the Lord’s Church, we can be blessed by following His counsel and example and thereby gain the power that comes by applying the principle of unity.” Unity isn’t just agreeing on everything—it’s a divine principle that binds us in love, purpose, and faith. But I’ve wondered: How can we be one as ward members when conflicting convictions or revelations cause discord? Let’s explore how unity in Christ brings power to our service and how we can overcome differences to become peacemakers. Point 1: Unity in Christ and His Gospel (4-5 minutes) In this Church, all things are done by common consent—we sustain leaders, counsel together, and minister as one. It’s not because we’re the same, but because we’re united in Christ, His gospel, and His purpose. Doctrine and Covenants 38:27 says, “If ye are not one, ye are not mine.” That’s a call to something higher. Take the City of Enoch. In Moses 7:18, we read, “The Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.” Their unity wasn’t just agreement—it was a shared love for God and each other that lifted their whole city to Him. That’s the power of unity in the gospel! It’s what we strive for in our ward—a unity that binds us, even when we’re different. But differences can test us, so how do we stay one when discord creeps in? That’s where the Savior’s teachings guide us. Point 2: Overcoming Discord Through Peacemaking (6-8 minutes) Unity can feel hard. We’re unique—different experiences, convictions, even revelations that don’t always align. How do we stay one amidst discord? President Russell M. Nelson taught, “Contention drives away the Spirit—every time. … Contention is a choice. Peacemaking is a choice. You have your agency to choose contention or reconciliation. I urge you to choose to be a peacemaker, now and always.” It’s up to us. President Dallin H. Oaks echoed this in October 2024, quoting Jesus: “He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who … stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.” Then the Savior said, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you.” That’s replacing self-interest with love. Elder Stevenson, in that devotional my mom pointed me to, shared a practical way to do this. He quoted President Nelson: “If a friend on social media has strong political or social views that violate everything you believe in, an angry, cutting retort by you will not help. Building bridges of understanding requires much more of you, but that is exactly what your friend needs.” Stevenson added that this means fostering “fundamental respect for the human dignity of every soul.” Imagine applying that in our ward—listening instead of arguing, seeking to understand even when we disagree. That’s peacemaking. He also said, “As we share our positive experiences in the gospel with others, we wave the ensign of the Restoration.” He added, “Sharing isn’t about selling the gospel. … God doesn’t need you to be His sheriff—He wants you to be His sharer.” So what do we love about this gospel? We love the peace of Christ’s Atonement that heals us, the hope of eternal families that binds us, the joy of serving together, the strength of living prophets, and the promise that God knows us by name. Sharing these—not to convince, but to connect—helps us overcome discord and build unity. Point 3: The Power of Unity in Service (5-6 minutes) Elder Eyring said, “The power of unity can multiply the results of our efforts in every service we give in the Church.” I’ve seen this firsthand. Working for the Church, I’ve learned a little secret: councils are where inspiration and unity emerge. I’ve watched talented people bring different ideas, pray together, and find solutions no one could’ve reached alone. It’s not about efficiency—it’s about effectiveness in ministering. It’s like a restaurant: a chef can cook a meal, but when the whole staff unites, it becomes a feast. But unity doesn’t mean being pacifists who roll over and abandon our beliefs—President Nelson called for peacemakers, not pacifists. Take Captain Moroni in Alma 46. He raised the Title of Liberty, a banner of faith and freedom, and rallied the people to defend their beliefs. They fought for what mattered, united under that banner, but they did it with love for God and each other, guided by the Spirit. Peacemaking and standing firm aren’t opposites—they harmonize when we serve with the right heart. My daughter’s marches echo that. She’s raising her banner of gospel joy, reminding me what we can do as a ward. President Eyring gave an example: if we’re in a council assigned to help a young girl losing her faith, we pray to know who should join us. Revelation comes as we unite, and even if we don’t see instant success, she’ll never forget the love she felt from our unified effort. When we serve together—cleaning the chapel, teaching, or reaching out—the Lord magnifies us. That’s unity’s power. Point 4: Becoming One with the Savior (3-4 minutes) Elder Eyring taught, “When we are unified with one another in service, we cannot help but become increasingly unified with our Savior.” That’s the real power—it draws us to Him. When we set aside differences to lift others, we feel His love. Elder Stevenson referenced the Good Samaritan. Martin Luther King Jr. said the priest and Levite asked, “If I stop to help, what will happen to me?” The Samaritan asked, “If I don’t stop, what will happen to him?” That shift—from self to others—builds unity. It’s what makes us peacemakers, what makes us, as Jesus said, “children of God.” Conclusion (2-3 minutes) Brothers and sisters, I testify Jesus Christ lives and restored His Church through Joseph Smith. I love Him and this ward family. Unity isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. As Elder Eyring said, “We can choose to become one in the Lord’s service.” Let’s raise the ensign of peacemaker—praying in councils, loving through differences, and sharing what we love about the gospel. I invite you to reach out to someone this week—someone you’ve disagreed with or who needs love. Choose peacemaking. In Jesus Christ’s name, amen. # Grok's Talk Talk: "The Power of Unity in the Lord’s Service" Introduction (2-3 minutes) Good morning, brothers and sisters. It’s a privilege to speak to you today about a principle I’ve come to love: unity. A few weeks ago, my little girl started this adorable obsession with the Gospel Kids videos. She’s been marching around the house, waving homemade banners, and shouting about the Title of Liberty. It’s brought so much joy to our home. I couldn’t help but share this with my mom, who teaches a few classes at BYU. She smiled and said, “You should listen to Elder Stevenson’s recent devotional—he talked about flags too!” So I did. I found his January 2025 BYU address, “Banners for Discipleship,” on YouTube, and it’s shaped a lot of my thoughts for this talk. Elder Henry B. Eyring taught that “unity is essential in decision-making in the Church.” He said, “Wherever we serve and lead in the Lord’s Church, we can be blessed by following His counsel and example and thereby gain the power that comes by applying the principle of unity.” That phrase—“the power of unity”—sticks with me. But I’ve also wondered: How can we be one as ward members when conflicting personal convictions or revelations cause discord? Today, I want to explore how unity in Christ brings power to our service and how we can overcome differences to become peacemakers in His Church. ### Point 1: Unity in Christ and His Gospel (4-5 minutes) In this Church, we’re taught that all things are done by common consent. We sustain leaders, make decisions in councils, and minister together—not because we’re identical, but because we’re one in Christ, one in His gospel, and one in purpose. Doctrine and Covenants 38:27 says, “If ye are not one, ye are not mine.” That’s a high bar! Think of the City of Enoch, a people so unified that the Lord called them Zion. In Moses 7:18, we read, “And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.” Their unity wasn’t just agreement—it was a shared love for God and each other. They were so united that the entire city was lifted up to dwell with Him. That’s the power of unity in the gospel! That story from my daughter led me to Elder Stevenson’s devotional. He said something that really hit me: “As we share our positive experiences in the gospel with others, we wave the ensign of the Restoration.” He added, “Sharing isn’t about selling the gospel. … God doesn’t need you to be His sheriff—He wants you to be His sharer.” I love that simplicity. So what do we share? What do we love about the gospel of Jesus Christ? We love the peace of His Atonement that heals our hearts. We love the hope of eternal families that binds us forever. We love the joy of serving side by side, the strength of living prophets guiding us, and the promise that God knows us each by name. When we share these things—not to convince, but to connect—we build unity within our ward and beyond. Elder Eyring taught that this unity starts with prayer. He said if we’re in a ward council, assigned to help a young girl losing her faith, we should pray to know who can join us. As we seek revelation together, the Spirit guides us, and even if we don’t see instant results, that unified love leaves a mark that lasts a lifetime—and beyond. ### Point 2: The Power of Unity in Service (4-5 minutes) Elder Eyring said, “The power of unity can multiply the results of our efforts in every service we give in the Church.” I’ve seen this up close. Some of you know I’ve worked for the Church in different roles. Here’s a little secret: nothing amazing happens without councils. I’ve watched talented people—each with unique ideas—come together, pray, and turn good intentions into inspired solutions. It’s like a restaurant: a chef can cook a meal alone, but when the servers, host, and kitchen staff unite, it becomes a feast. Captain Moroni knew this too. In Alma 46, he raised the Title of Liberty—a banner of freedom and faith—and rallied the people to a common cause. My daughter’s little marches remind me of that. She’s raising her own banner of joy in the gospel, and it’s a sweet echo of what we can do as a ward. When we’re unified in service—whether it’s cleaning the chapel, teaching a class, or reaching out to a friend—the Lord magnifies our efforts. That’s the power of unity. ### Point 3: Overcoming Discord Through Peacemaking (6-8 minutes) But unity isn’t always easy. We’re different. We have unique experiences, convictions, and sometimes personal revelations that don’t align. How can we be one when those differences cause discord? President Russell M. Nelson gave us an answer in his April 2023 talk, “Peacemakers Needed.” He said, “Contention drives away the Spirit—every time. … Contention is a choice. Peacemaking is a choice. You have your agency to choose contention or reconciliation. I urge you to choose to be a peacemaker, now and always.” It’s up to us to choose. President Dallin H. Oaks built on this in October 2024. He quoted Jesus teaching the Nephites: “He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who … stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.” Then the Savior showed a better way: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you.” That’s not just avoiding arguments—it’s replacing self-interest with love. Elder Stevenson shared a story that stuck with me. He knew a woman whose family spanned five political parties. Imagine those dinners! She co-created the Dignity Index, which scores how we speak—from contempt to dignity. At its lowest, it’s “They’re not even human; we must destroy them.” At its highest, it’s “Each of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity, no matter what.” She chose to be a peacemaker, starting at home. That’s a pattern for us. In our ward, we might disagree on politics, parenting, or ward activities. But we can choose dignity—listening, praying together, and trusting the Lord’s direction through His leaders. President Oaks said, “We need to avoid what is harsh and hateful … [and] seek to be holy, like our Savior.” Unity isn’t sameness—it’s loving the same Savior and serving with the same heart. ### Point 4: Becoming One with the Savior (3-4 minutes) Elder Eyring taught, “When we are unified with one another in service, we cannot help but become increasingly unified with our Savior.” That’s the real power of unity—it draws us to Him. When we set aside differences to minister or lift, we feel His love more deeply. Elder Stevenson referenced the Good Samaritan. Martin Luther King Jr. once said the priest and Levite asked, “If I stop to help, what will happen to me?” But the Samaritan asked, “If I don’t stop, what will happen to him?” That shift—from self to others—is where unity begins. It’s what makes us peacemakers, what makes us children of God, as Jesus taught: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” ### Conclusion (2-3 minutes) Brothers and sisters, I testify that Jesus Christ lives and that His Church was restored through Joseph Smith. I love Him, and I love being part of this ward family. Unity isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it. As Elder Eyring said, “We can choose to become one in the Lord’s service.” So let’s raise that banner—the ensign of peacemaker—together. Let’s pray for guidance in our councils, love each other through differences, and share what we love about the gospel. I invite you to think of one person you can reach out to this week—maybe someone you’ve disagreed with or someone who needs your love. Choose to be a peacemaker. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. # GPT 4.5's Talk Here's a rough draft of your sacrament meeting talk, focusing on the theme of unity, peacemaking, and overcoming discord through Christlike principles: --- ### Unity: Becoming One in Christ Brothers and sisters, I'm grateful for the opportunity to speak today on a topic that is both timely and timeless: unity. President Henry B. Eyring has taught us clearly that unity is essential in decision-making and in all our service within the Church. He said: > "Wherever we serve and lead in the Lord’s Church, we can be blessed by following His counsel and example and thereby gain the power that comes by applying the principle of unity." Unity is more than simply agreeing on everything. It is a divine principle that binds us together in love, purpose, and faith. It is being "one in Christ, one in the Gospel, one in Purpose, one in Ministering." But how can we truly achieve this unity, especially when conflicting personal convictions or revelations cause discord among us? ### The Choice of Peacemaking President Russell M. Nelson has taught us clearly about the dangers of contention and the power of choosing peace: > "Contention drives away the Spirit—every time. Contention reinforces the false notion that confrontation is the way to resolve differences; but it never is. Contention is a choice. Peacemaking is a choice. You have your agency to choose contention or reconciliation. I urge you to choose to be a peacemaker, now and always." Similarly, President Dallin H. Oaks reminded us: > "He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil... Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." These teachings remind us that unity is not passive—it is an active choice. It requires humility, patience, and a commitment to Christlike love. ### The Flag of Peacemaker Recently, my children have become fascinated by the Gospel Kids videos, particularly the story of Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty. They have been marching around our home waving homemade banners, proudly declaring their commitment to Christ. When I shared this with my mother, she pointed me to a recent devotional by Elder Gary E. Stevenson, who spoke about metaphorical flags we can wave as disciples of Christ. One of these is the Flag of Peacemaker. Elder Stevenson shared: > "The Savior’s message is clear—His true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire, no matter how difficult the situation. True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers." He also shared a powerful example from Martin Luther King Jr., who taught through the parable of the Good Samaritan. King observed that the priest and Levite asked, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But the Good Samaritan reversed the question, asking, "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?" This reversal is profound. It teaches us that peacemaking involves looking beyond ourselves, beyond our own comfort and convenience, to the needs and well-being of others. It requires us to extend compassion and understanding, even when it is difficult. ### The Dignity Index: A Practical Tool for Unity Elder Stevenson also introduced a practical tool called the Dignity Index, which measures whether our words treat others with dignity or contempt. The index ranges from divisive language at the low end to language grounded in dignity at the high end. For example: - At the lowest level: "They’re not even human; it’s our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us." - At a moderate level: "The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard; they belong here too." - At the highest level: "Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity, no matter what." Imagine how our ward, our families, and our communities could change if we consistently chose words and actions at the higher end of this scale. How might our relationships deepen and our unity strengthen? ### Unity in Councils and Common Consent In the Church, we operate by common consent. I’ve learned through personal experience that councils, while sometimes slower, allow for inspiration and unity to emerge. They remind us that unity is not about efficiency; it is about effectiveness in ministering to one another. President Eyring taught us that when we pray and counsel together, revelation comes, inspiring us to know how best to help those we serve. He said: > "Even if you are not successful, [those you minister to] will never forget the love they felt from those who were unified in their service to the Lord." Unity in councils teaches us patience, humility, and the importance of seeking common ground. It helps us see beyond our personal convictions and revelations to the greater good and the Lord’s purposes. ### Unity Through Christlike Love The Anti-Nephi-Lehies in the Book of Mormon offer a powerful example of unity through Christlike love. They chose to bury their weapons of war, symbolizing their commitment to peace and unity. They were unified not because they agreed on every detail, but because their hearts were knit together in love for Christ and each other. President Eyring reminds us: > "Unity comes when faith in Jesus Christ and the love of God replace self-interest." When we choose to see each other through the lens of Christ’s love, differences become less divisive. We begin to recognize the inherent worth of every soul, regardless of differing opinions or perspectives. ### Practical Steps Toward Unity So, how can we practically apply these principles in our ward family? 1. **Choose Peacemaking**: Actively decide to avoid contention. When disagreements arise, pause, pray, and seek common ground. 2. **Speak with Dignity**: Use language that uplifts and respects others, even when we disagree. 3. **Build Bridges of Understanding**: As President Nelson counseled, seek to understand others' perspectives, even if they differ from ours. 4. **Serve Together**: Engage in meaningful service. Shared service experiences build bonds of unity that last beyond the moment. ### Conclusion: Becoming One in Christ Brothers and sisters, unity is not merely a nice idea—it is a divine commandment. It is central to our discipleship. It is how we become true followers of Jesus Christ. President Nelson asked us: > "Are you willing to let God prevail in your life? Will you allow His words, His commandments, and His covenants to influence what you do each day?" Let us choose today to be peacemakers, to speak with dignity, to build bridges of understanding, and to serve side by side. As we do, we will find ourselves becoming one—not just with each other, but with our Savior, Jesus Christ. I testify that as we strive for unity, the Spirit will fill our hearts and homes. We will experience greater peace, joy, and spiritual strength. May we each choose unity today and always, is my humble prayer, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen. # Information Gathering In the church, all things are done by common consent: one in Christ, one in the Gospel, one in Purpose, one in Ministering. >![[Peacemakers Needed — Nelson Apr 2023#Quote 1]] [[Following Christ — Oaks Oct 2024#III.]] Ensign of Peacemaker Girls new obsession with the Gospel Kids videos and the quote on the title of liberty. Marching around making banners. Telling this story to my mom who teaches a few classes at BYU she pointed me to a recent devotional by Elder Stevenson where he spoke on flags. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gh5BxQvnrA [[Banners for Discipleship — BYU Devotional January 2025 Elder Stevenson]] Anti-Nephi-Lehi's being one in the church. Perfect People. Consider the service industry. Let you in on a little secret about working for the church. Councils. Organization. How can we be one as ward members when conflicting personal convictions or revelations cause discord? ## Topic ![[q12_leadership_meeting_summaries_president_eyring_oct_2024.pdf]] Here are three distinct outlines you could use for your talk on unity, each offering a unique approach: --- ### Outline 1: Practical Steps for Unity **Introduction** - Briefly introduce the importance of unity as taught by President Eyring. **I. Choosing Peacemaking** - Quote from President Nelson: "Contention is a choice. Peacemaking is a choice." - Discuss the impact of contention versus peacemaking in ward relationships. **II. Respectful Communication** - Introduce Elder Stevenson's Dignity Index. - Provide examples of dignified versus divisive speech. - Emphasize the importance of respectful dialogue in maintaining unity. **III. Collaborative Service** - Share President Eyring’s teaching about unity in councils. - Provide practical examples of how serving together strengthens unity. - Encourage active participation in ward councils and service projects. **Conclusion** - Testify of the blessings that come from choosing unity through practical, everyday actions. --- ### Outline 2: Scriptural Examples of Unity **Introduction** - Introduce unity as a divine principle, essential for spiritual growth. **I. Anti-Nephi-Lehies: Unity in Commitment** - Share the story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies burying their weapons. - Discuss how their unified commitment to peace strengthened their community. **II. Captain Moroni: Unity in Purpose** - Relate the story of Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty. - Highlight the power of shared purpose and vision in creating unity. **III. Christ’s Teachings: Unity in Love** - Reference Christ’s teachings from the Sermon on the Mount and His visit to the Nephites. - Emphasize love and forgiveness as foundational to unity. **Conclusion** - Invite ward members to reflect on these scriptural examples and apply them to foster unity in the ward. --- ### Outline 3: Unity Through Common Consent and Councils **Introduction** - Explain the principle of common consent and its role in Church governance. **I. Common Consent: Unity in Decision-Making** - Discuss the spiritual significance of common consent. - Provide examples of how common consent fosters unity and collective revelation. **II. Councils: Unity Through Collaboration** - Share personal insights or experiences about the effectiveness of councils. - Highlight President Eyring’s teachings on revelation through unified councils. **III. Overcoming Discord Through Humility** - Address the reality of differing personal convictions and revelations. - Teach the importance of humility, patience, and seeking common ground. **Conclusion** - Encourage ward members to actively participate in councils and support decisions made by common consent, testifying of the unity and spiritual strength that result. --- Each outline provides a different perspective and emphasis, allowing you to choose the approach that best fits your personal experiences and the needs of your ward.