Summary: First off, I want to apologize for the audio quality, as it's pretty bad on this one, but it's the best there is, that I could find. I just really felt the need to share this talk, because it re-visits the incredibly important earring issue one more time. This talk was in 2002 and he references the story his wife told in 2001 and that he re-told in 2005, at BYU-Provo. He shares a letter from a young woman who was so inspired by that talk, given by his wife Susan K. Bednar, that she went home and took out her 3 earrings, that she had in each ear, so that she wasn't like the girl in the story. She said that she was also "more cautious about the skirts she wore, making sure she would not show any skin." Thank You on behalf of all men! David A. Bednar then quotes the girl as saying: "But something more important happened as a result of listening to Sister Bednar's talk and following her counsel. I became more susceptible to the Spirit." The spirit was just waiting to contact her and help her and God wanted to bless her abundantly, but just couldn't do it, as long as she kept those darn earrings in her ears. Once removed, the spirit moved in and filled those extra holes, so to speak. He then tells everyone that "this young woman presently is serving as a full-time missionary." He says to "note how her initially conforming and complying obedience developed into heartfelt and willing obedience and led her into a remarkable opportunity to serve and to assist in building the Kingdom." It's just so amazing isn't it? I mean, if she hadn't heard that speech by Susan K. Bednar and been inspired to "heed a Prophet's pleading" and remove her 3 earrings in each ear; she most certainly wouldn't have been worthy to serve a full-time mission and would have lost the "remarkable opportunity to serve and to assist in building the Kingdom." What a blessing! David A. Bednar, then says, "Brigham Young University-Idaho is a set apart and sacred place where young men and women, with a remarkable capacity to obey." To me, the most powerful part of the speech, is when he says, "The true Spirit of Ricks is about progressing to and through "letter of the law" obedience to public and institutional commandments and toward the spirit of devoted discipleship and a private, personal, and individual change of heart. The letter from this young woman provides a powerful example of the impact of the Spirit of Ricks." It not about the spirit of the law folks, and never has been, at any point, rather "the letter of the law." I mean think about it. Even though he said last year at BYU-Provo, that it wasn't about the earrings; I think he was just making a different point, because it was all about the earrings and removing those 3 earrings in each ear, has helped this young woman for all eternity, to be "obedient to the letter of the law." That's what it's all about! If she hadn't simply and obediently removed those earrings; no mission and no eternal blessings would have been received. She may have even left the church, become rebellious and "kicked against the pricks", and lost her eternal family, who knows? From simple things(obedience), great things come to pass and miracles happen. I hope that all women out there will weigh whether it is worth throwing away your eternity, for some stupid earrings and a rebellious, reckless, irresponsible attitude? Please heed the Prophet's pleading and get those earrings out of your ears! Also, you men out there, should heed Susan K. and David A. Bednar's council and end any relationships you currently have with women that have more than one earring in each ear. It doesn't matter how much you love them or what wedding plans you may have. If they won't heed a "prophet's pleading", they are not the one for you, plain and simple, end of story. This talk was given at a devotional at BYU-Idaho, on June 27, 2002.
