I have always loved listening to Brother Brad Wilcox. He seems to always have this glow of positivity and optimism. I listened to an interview of his recently and there were some real gems in there. His perspective on topics that really matter most tells me he gets it. He really understands being worth of Zion. In fact, it isn’t being even that, it is being worthy of returning to our father in heaven. We often times look at ourselves and feel there is no possible way we could be worthy, but the grace of Jesus Christ is sufficient for us to be able to return.
Anyhow here is the interview I listened to:
Here were some of the highlights.
He grew up in Africa. I thought the whole story there was fascinating.
How he became an educator.
His interactions with President Kimball. He had just performed in My Turn on Earth and they were taken down to meet President Kimball before he left. Brad told President Kimball that his Sunday School Kids wanted to tell him that they loved him. Then he described the embrace that President Kimball gave him. He described it as being held, not hugged and how meaningful it was.
NOTE: I am not eloquent with words. So, I recommend going and listening to hit in Brads own words. [23:00]
He then goes into juggling responsibilities. I really like how it wasn’t necessarily about balance, rather it was about doing what the Lord wanted you to prioritize. There really isn’t such a thing as balance. There is too much family, work, and church responsibilities to ever have balance. It is what God wants you to prioritize at any give time. I thought that was insightful. This is consecrating your time. It takes the form of doing what God asks you to do.
A covenant is not a cold contract it is a warm relationship. This is how we learn to work with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. When we covenant, we agree to work with them. And often times when we make those covenants Gods hand is extended. This is represented in many of the covenants we make. Often times a hand is extended towards us, representative of God hand reaching out towards us and guiding us. Representative of that warm relationship.
Surely, I can become worthy of Zion, or worthy of returning to God by working with God through a covenant relationship. And when you think about it that way, the admonition of President Nelson to stay on the “covenanting path” takes on a whole new meaning. [54:50]
I was walking with my 14-year-old some through the Walmart parking lot the other day. He is almost as big and tall as me at this point in his life. But for a brief moment I had a recollection of his youth, when we would walk through the store parking lot hand in hand. He was always so excited to be out and about with dad and our relationship was warm and loving. I mentioned it to him, that I remembered walking through the parking lot holding his hand guiding him safely to the car. He grunted as most 14-year-olds would. At my age, being 50 years old, I would gladly take father in heavens hand and walk with him. I would gladly take his guidance.
The last thing I’m going to share is at about [1:03:00] where he talks about “learning” our way to heaven rather than “earning” our way to heaven.
One more… Proffered? I never knew and realized this. It is handed to you. You just need to accept it.
I do think Brother Brad Wilcox was blessed with the gift to teach and not just teach but powerfully teach through the Holy Ghost. I really believe that. And where there is a “Wilcox” there is a way.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.