We Need an Endowment | Anthony Sweat | 2022

The endowment we receive from the Lord is not just for the temple but to help and bless us throughout our lives in a troubled world.
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"I am extremely grateful and humbled to be with you and to have the chance to speak at this last devotional of the semester. This invitation is especially meaningful to me because I have three members of my immediate family who are current students at BYU: a daughter who is a freshman and a daughter who is a sophomore; the third student is my wife, Cindy, who is graduating in a few weeks with her master’s degree from the BYU Marriott School of Business. I am so proud of her, and I love her with my whole heart and soul, and that’s why I affectionately call her my Sweat-heart.
I want to speak with each of you today as if you are my own family members about a subject of great importance, and I pray the Spirit can be with us as I do so.
I am fortunate enough that a major part of my work on campus is teaching the cornerstone religion course called Foundations of the Restoration. I love teaching that class, and I love exploring the marvelous restored gospel with many of you. At the end of every class, I have a little call-and-answer tradition that I like to do with my students.
As they get ready to leave, I call out to them, “The Restoration continues!”
And as I point to them, they answer back in unison, “Let us continue in it!”
But we all know it is easier said than done to continue in the ongoing Restoration-especially in our day. We are living in a wonderful yet difficult time, one that I think future historians will discuss as among the most spiritually challenging eras in the history of the restored Church. And not just for our church. There is abundant evidence that faith in organized religion in general is noticeably slipping, particularly in America. A recent study by the Pew Research Center found that while in 2007 only 16 percent of Americans did not have a religious affiliation, today it is 29 percent. In fact, the fastest growing religious affiliation in America is no religious affiliation at all.1 And much of the growth of the non­religious has come from the rising generations. The Pew Research Center reported that younger adults are less likely to identify with any religion than older adults, particularly in North America and Europe.2
People have been leaving faith and returning to faith in all generations and dispensations, but what is notable is the rate at which it seems to be happening right now and the amount we hear about it because of amplified social channels. Today, losing faith feels fast and loud.
An Endowment from God
So how do we meet the spiritual challenges of our day and continue in the ongoing Restoration? While I don’t believe there’s any one easy answer to solve every important and complex issue related to modern faith challenges, I do believe there is something that can empower us to successfully navigate and overcome the current tests we face if we will better understand it, seek it, and receive it.
Do you want to know what it is? Good!
In order to do that, we need to go back to the year 1835 in Kirtland, Ohio. Close your eyes and mentally travel down some dirt roads. Put on your bonnet or grow your beard (you have permission to do so momentarily!), and picture yourself in a meeting in which the Prophet Joseph Smith is teaching the recently formed Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Unlike today’s quorum, this first group was relatively young and inexperienced in the Church. The oldest apostle was only thirty-five, and four of the apostles were in their early twenties, similar in age to many of you students here today. Now you might think that everything was spiritually great at this time in American history and in the Church. The Kirtland Temple was almost completed, and converts were flocking to Ohio. Sounds pretty good, right? Well, think again. In the recorded remarks of his sermon to the Twelve, Joseph noted that “darkness prevails at this time [the same] as it was at the time Jesus Christ was about to be crucified.”3
Does that sound familiar?
Joseph then proceeded to instruct them on something that he said was “calculated to unite our hearts, . . . that our faith may be strong, so that Satan cannot overthrow us nor have any power over us.”4
What was this?"

[@azhotmom]

Favorite quote from this: "We live in a time that almost worships individuality. The common refrain today, especially in social media, is "follow your own path; " be independent; "don't let anyone tell you what to do," highlighted by the modern philosophical phrase "Hey! You do you." But Christ's covenant call to us is..."BE LIKE ME." -Anthony Sweat

[@mikenewberry4064]

Anthony Sweat is such a great orator. He has a deep understanding of the gospel and a pleasing way of explaining it.

[@CousinChaos456]

This devotional is definitely one of the greats in BYU history.

[@azhyrbooth5982]

"There is SO much that an all-powerful God wants to share with His covenant children!"

[@establishingzion688]

Power without boundaries is corruption and chaos. And there is no greater power than the power of procreation. Well said! What a great talk, right after a great conference! I'd say Brother Sweat nailed it!

[@establishingzion688]

"Major in consecration"! Another great principle!

[@WhatsupwithIsaiah]

That was an amazing quote

[@kevinwaters-marsh217]

This will go down as one of those iconic talks within our hallowed walls of knowledge. Bro. Sweat did absolutely nail it. So powerful.

[@SammyCollierYoutubeStar]

This was one of the best devotionals I have ever heard

[@bryanphillips56]

what an amazing wonderful talk, should be given at General Conference!!

[@marianagomez5189]

I feel so grateful for the technology that allows me to watch this wonderful devotional at my home in Mexico. This talk has lifted my mind, heart and soul with light and understanding of the importance of the covenants i have made with the Lord.

[@joyvista2489]

How absolutely lovely..very very empowering.. thanks brother Sweat!...let us continue in it..

[@samuelthygerson6009]

Mexico must be beautiful, I am serving my mission in Oaxaca in December!

[@raiateasaveur498]

I am watching from french polynesia (Tahiti), I marvel at this great talk. I realize I've got so much more to do. I've got to share it with my family. Mahalo Brother Sweat.

[@lynettemills7216]

It was a treat to listen to Bro Sweat in the Marriot center and then attend the Provo temple afterward and think about his message. Thank you for the precious insights today.

[@jonathanhill2948]

Dear Sister Mills, …then you will enjoy the Devotional with the prophet and his wife - both of their talks are akin with this great talk. May 15 - YSA address!

[@wendyfoster5579]

Everyone like this so it will be recommended to more people. This is an important message.

[@tylersaunders3889]

Wow. Brother Sweat was my favorite religion professor at BYU, and this was a pleasantly powerful devotional. This would be great for anyone preparing to go to the temple, or for people like me, who need a reminder of how to “receive an endowment” every day.

[@warner631]

Always get excited to see a new Brother Sweat talk! Never fails to knock it out of the park with equal parts love and scripture. I'm going to start a club called "The Sweat Lodge", members are going to be called "Sweaters" or something.

[@rosalielines1801]

Yes please! My heart is already knitted in unity as a ‘Sweater!’

[@azhotmom]

😂😂

[@kevinwaters-marsh217]

Do it, I'll become a "Sweater" in the Sweat Lodge. Such an amazing gift.

[@donnagarrison760]

I listened to this devotional from Ghana, Africa. One of the most powerful devotionals that I have ever heard. Don't give up!!

[@chrisblanc663]

Thank you for your wonderful true message. Bless you and your family!

[@jonathanadams4169]

Such a good talk!!! This filled so many holes of my understanding!

[@AlpheaPagalaran-js4yc]

It was not an accident that this popped up while I was browsing through my treasure trove of BYU Speeches. Thank you for being an example of the "endowed with power from on high".

[@lindsayrager37]

Thank you, Brother Sweat, for your wise words of wisdom. I am so grateful for the power available to me from the endowment, and I look forward to continue to increase that power over the course of eternity!

[@larabuckwalter4600]

Thank you for identifying so many spiritual needs, teaching so many beautiful gospel truths and then cementing them together with meaningful analogies, examples and stories!! So inspiring! 💕

[@comefollowme-familystrongt4386]

🤍🤍wish everyone in the world could hear this and feel the Spirit testify of the power of the endowment and the love God has and is so willing and wanting to share with us all. Thanks for sharing, Brother Sweat.

[@sunshineandhappiness6014]

I’m so glad I clicked on this KZbin video. It was profound and prayer answering. Thank you!

[@trishgage9288]

This has enlightened me. I have gone through an "endowment ceremony", but have not known what it truly meant to have received "my endowments." After listening to this devotional, I can now recognize what "powers" have been bestowed unto me. I fearlessly share The Gospel when prompted, and the words needed to be heard by the recipient are there, with no lapse of thought on my part. This is only one "power" that has been bestowed upon me by Our Heavenly Father, but certainly a very important one. Thank you Brother Sweat for sharing this message. You truly exalt your power bestowed unto you!💖

[@ibmgrunt]

Discovered this wonderful talk while preparing to teach temple prep classes.. A wonderful talk with great insights into purpose and direction for our lives.

[@Jen_Fab]

I'm grateful for my cell phone & the source of light it brings to my life. I'd truly be lost without it. The lord surely has blessed us in these latter days. Without it I wouldn't have heard this much needed message. With just the flick of a fingertip! There is so much Joy in my soul knowing miracles are happening all around us.

[@glensbiz]

Same thing happened to me today! Consecration is so important and exciting.

[@karljohnson3044]

I enjoyed this again! Thank you for remembering being me. Keep up the good work❣️💝🥰

[@JenniferAnnMcCaffrey]

That was Amazing!!! Brother Sweat’s work in helping us better understand our spiritual capacity is of monumental importance! Thank you Tony!! Your books on the subject are equally amazing 🤗

[@jacnjoe]

The Lord is truly answering my prayer for all of us to better understand our Temple covenants and make our foundations firm on the rock of Jesus Christ. You, Anthony, are playing a big part in answering that prayer, and I thank you and Him for that! ❤️🙌🏻🙏🏻👍🏻🥰

[@amandadangerfieldpiano]

❤️

[@R3dR1der70]

This is inspired and inspiring. A game changer as a call to be empowered by the Lord. WOW! I have watched more than once and will continue to over and over. Bro. Sweat - AMEN!

[@chadgiggey2178]

Great Talk Tony my old Basketball Teammate and Friend. I went to Elementary School, Jr. High, & High School with Cindy and Jr. High & High School with Tony. Had some Fun Basketball memories. 😊 Amazing Talk Tony. Hope you and Cindy and ALL your families are doing great! Glad I found this talk just browsing KZbin. Tony you remind me of a young ELDER HOLLAND. Great Talk!

[@janicetasker1854]

THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL TALK. I am also an artist. I had no idea I had this talent until my late 40s. At age 77 I am still working to perfect this wonderful talent. How blessed. I CONTINUE to work on this and all other challenges in life.

[@denisemay6807]

What an excellent talk!

[@elizakingi9249]

Kiaorana koutou thanx so much my brother Sweat, what a great sermon on the power and love God desires for each one of his children. Joseph Smith truly is the prophet of the restoration, nga mihi nui❤ from Aotearoa✨️

[@janbowcut7980]

Excellent Devotional. I love to listen to Brother Sweat. He speaks with the spiritual power that he challenges us to find. What a great example of one on the covenant path. Thanks ❤

[@byuspeeches]

He is awesome!

[@roseannadiaz6713]

Awesome talk! Thank you so much❣We are recieving our Temple this year. This talk surely prepares me for it!

[@gordonmacdonald4828]

Wow! Wow! Wow! This one is so good.

[@shelbistanfill]

Such a good talk! Sent to my entire family.

[@RenieAmstadt]

Thanks so much Brother Sweat. That was wonderful. Loved the child painting of Christ. ❤

[@helaman1439]

Most powerfull. Let us live our endowment 🙏

[@TempleScoop]

Such a fantastic speaker. -ChadJames

[@user-jw8ns4pj1g]

Thank you, Brother Sweat. You are an instrument in God's hands to help us deeply understand the temple ordinances.

[@byuspeeches]

Thanks for your comment, Alexia!

[@dianebilyeu831]

yes i would never give up to envite some members to recieve endowment...love you brother your message so awesome,,,

[@mrydjeski]

This is so good! Thanks to Brother Sweat for his study and preparation for this talk.

[@yourlocalmathgeek4815]

Love is putting someone else's needs before yours.

[@ronaldocangas6016]

This is a profound truth that was hidden for a long time to those who have not been in the temple. He called it deservice if not shared.

[@melaniearvelin-king7595]

Thank you for the reminder. This talk was very needed for our generation.

[@rudiweinmuller179]

Thank you!!

[@lexie680]

i’m preparing to receive my own endowment in a little over a week and this has been so eye opening. thank you so much brother sweat. much love🙏🏻

[@AustinOwensaustiebost]

This is so so good.

[@stevendorsey4882]

A wonderful and timely message by Brother Sweat.

[@arjunheart5859]

Don't ever give up. Not even when you're hanging on the hope of the truth of a single doctrine. Keep holding on. If you have a hope to believe, let that hope work in you.

[@purificacionmacasaet5471]

Thanks for this Brethren's message. It is true & he was guided by the Holly Spirit. I believed in his testimony. Amenn

[@johnminer8672]

Fantastic talk!

[@mishellhiggins4017]

Wow, such a good talk! Just what we all need to hear. Thank you!!

[@evalinavallo5009]

Let us continue in it!!

[@jeffhagen9175]

Excellent. Bound to be a classic.

[@enriquemora1027]

We need an Endowment

[@deborahpoulos5738]

My first Temple experience was wonderful! But I didn't understand what I was receiving and learning. Even after multiple times do in my family history I Loved how I felt when getting my family members B,C,I,E,S and so on I never understood my own Endowment. I went through 2 Temple prep classes but then the instructor found out he had a seriously terminal disease; so therefore classes were discontinued. And I was told to study on my own. This was near the end of the pandemic and being a convert to the church I new so little about what the temple met other than family ordinance work for my kindred dead. Now because of your Endowment information on tis subject I finally understand!! Thank You so much! You and your message have been an amazing answer to my prayers!! I am so grateful for your clarity on this subject. I Look Forward for more of your Talks!!!

[@byuspeeches]

His speech was super informative! We are glad you found answers. Thanks for commenting, Deborah!

[@cathyterry4665]

Wonderful! We will never give up,! Thanks Bro Sweat!

[@naturefleur2062]

I feel the truth, love and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ in this message. Thank you for preparing and sharing this! I’m grateful for further light and understanding from the Lord, and the testimony of Bro. Sweat that affirms what the spirit teaches. May we each seek to become more humble, to desire to act with obedience that the Lord requires, to connect and commune with the Lord to receive His spiritual gifts to sustain, bless, protect and increase our capacity to be fruitful in His kingdom, and with our loved ones.

[@drbcherry]

What a great sermon Dr Sweat! Your insights are wonderful and I wish I had had your insights as a bishop counseling first time temple goers many years ago. I did ask them to pay attention to the 5 promises we make in the endowment and put them in their hearts. I always wondered if I had gone too far there my Bishop’s office, but your thoughts make feel better about what I was trying to do to help prepare them. Thank you. And thank you for answering my emails. I appreciate your efforts to teach all God’s children!

[@samuelthygerson6009]

I soon will be endowed, a couple hours away. It is wonderful to see talks like this.

[@JesseClaus]

“The tuition of education is paid by PERSISTENCE.”

[@kalani02478]

Excellent talk!! Thank you Brother Sweat! I loved the learning to paint analogy.

[@CrazyArtist07]

Wow. Amazing

[@trower64]

Thank you. Beautiful talk.

[@wendyfreeman2340]

Thank you for a wonderful and inspiring devotional...especially reminding everyone how we can meet the spiritual challenges of our day., and the significance of the "Endowment." Thank you for teaching about this topic. Truly a delight. Wendy

[@dianetincher5596]

What an amazing talk ❤ 👏👏👏

[@johnhiltoniii]

So good!!! Thank you Anthony Sweat!!!!!

[@revadouros6004]

k you for a wonderful devotional I have watched it twice

[@DanPeay]

Delivered with tremendous spirit that leads me to Jesus Christ.

[@nancyhiatt2835]

wonderful message!

[@reginaldthe2nd]

Let us continue in it!

[@asfaltics]

Thanks for thèse inspirational words from Barcelona, Catalonia.

[@HallPhoebe]

Thank you for this talk. Learned some great insight.

[@carlajoguthrie6498]

What a sweat ❤️

[@lanajohnson2424]

So awesome and amazing!😊

[@aleeciamontgomery]

I love this so much as I prepare for my endowment

[@lilacbunches]

What a beautiful speech. I felt so much love in his words.

[@4realoneil]

Awesome! Thank you

[@dianecall6171]

Oh how I love this talk!!!

[@lydialambert5960]

So wonderful and inspiring!

[@lenaevans731]

Thank you Brother Sweat.. love all your talks! They are so motivational!

[@mulheresdefe4567]

So..so... Powerful!

[@greciamarathoniticurtis7663]

Thank you for your amazing and uplifting of your talk Brother Sweat! I am so grateful for your powerful message that make me feel so bless wearing the powerful Endowment of God. Thanks God, for sending us truly angels to help us to continue in this path with faith.

[@bw5475]

Fantastic talk. Thanks

[@mitchellthayne]

I loved this so much.

[@StuMagoo]

My mind is Blown. Drop the Mic. Here in NH. I'm blessed and touched by the spirit that was here at this devotional. With a very heartfelt talk and teachings, my day has been blessed by your strong words of encouragement and guidance well done.

[@samuelgrajeda3443]

Incredible

[@nanetteiglupas7838]

Thank you for the message

[@abigailweston4297]

Good talk!! interesting insights about the temple!!

[@dianebilyeu831]

brother you're awesome,,

[@musiimefrank7394]

Motivating,I,look,forward,for,my,endowment

[@patstreeper303]

Thank you!

[@SummerAdamsdotcom]

Awesome!!

[@michaeldame]

What a timely message. Im so grateful for this!

[@ClintK.]

Wonderful summation. Keep up the great work

[@carolynkeiser5545]

Thank you

[@chineduagu5778]

I am grateful for this powerful illuminating insight, this is quite apt.

[@kristinanoall]

26:14 um, I want to come to this Primary activity! That’s so cool!

[@dianebilyeu831]

wow