By Lacey Holmes
BYU students may not realize they possess a gift of being quick to observe, said Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, during Tuesday?s Devotional address.
?As you study and learn and grow during your time as a university student, I hope you are also learning about and becoming quick to observe,? Elder Bednar said.
Two definitions are given in the scriptures for ?observe.? They include seeing and obeying.
?Both of these fundamental elements ? looking and obeying ? are essential to being quick to observe,? he said.
Learning from others is a blessing that comes from being quick to observe, Elder Bednar said.
He discussed an example of a stake president who learned from a patriarch. The patriarch was old and it was hard for him to move. The stake president told him that it was not necessary to go to the effort of getting dressed up for the Sabbath.
?In a kind but firm voice, the patriarch reproved the stake president and said, ?Don?t you know that this is the only way left I have to show the Lord how much I love him??? Elder Bednar quoted.
The stake president observed this and applied it to his life with a greater respect for the Sabbath day.
The gift of observing can also help others by observing their needs. Elder Bednar referenced his own wife as a good example.
?The spiritual gift of being quick to observe has enabled her (Susan Bednar) to see and to act promptly and has been a great blessing in the lives of many people,? he said.
Elder Bednar also related an experience he had with Elder David B. Haight. Elder Haight, who at the time was in his late 90s, tried to stand to pray and did not give up trying until he finally stood.
?I shall never forget the spirit I felt as I listened to Elder Haight pray,? Elder Bednar said. ?I hope on that occasion I was quick to observe a powerful lesson about the dignity and the humility that should always attend our prayers.?
Elder Bednar related another story that he thought would cause a little controversy. A young man ended a serious relationship because the girl did not observe the counsel of the prophet to have only one earring in each ear.
To combat the possible controversy, Elder Bednar said the true issue was observing the commandments.
?The issue was not earrings,? Elder Bednar said.
Elder Bednar said the development of this spiritual gift leads to another spiritual gift.
?Simply stated, being quick to observe is an antecedent to and is linked with the spiritual gift of discernment,? he said.
The gift of discernment can help us discern things about other people and ourselves, Elder Bednar said. It is essential to our spiritual lives.
These two gifts of the spirit ? being quick to observe and discernment ? help those who are seeking Christ.
?Blessed with these spiritual gifts, we will not lose our way; we will not wander off; we will not be lost,? Elder Bednar said. ?We can only hope to obtain the supernal gift of discernment and its light of protection if we are quick to observe.?
