Favorite Conference Talk?

I think I found my favorite Conference talk (but I reserve my right to change my mind). :o)

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/bind-up-their-wounds?lang=eng

In likening the parable of the Good Samaritan to busy Church leaders, he says:

You and the priesthood bearers you are called to lead can have at least three assurances. First, the Lord will give you, if you ask, the feelings of compassion He feels for those in need. Second, He will provide others, like the innkeeper, to join with you in your service. And third, the Lord, like the good Samaritan, will more than recompense all who join in giving help to those in need.

I've been studying a lot about Church welfare over the past 11 months--because of my calling--and I really appreciated the insights that this article gives about having compassion.

I also feel like the discussion of the "overtaxed priesthood servant" is really relevant to our family because of Scott's leadership calling:

You were not afraid to ask those who have responded most often in the past because you knew that they feel compassion easily. You asked them, knowing that in the past they have felt the Lord’s generosity when they chose to help. You asked some already heavily burdened, knowing that the greater the sacrifice, the greater the compensation they will receive from the Lord. Those who have helped in the past have felt the overflowing gratitude of the Savior.

I will be praying for more compassion. And I can attest that we really are richly recompensed when we sacrifice to serve others.

What are you all's favorite Conference talks?

The 20-Mark Note

When I worked at the MTC, I had the opportunity to watch past MTC devotionals.  One of my favorites was given by Elder Bednar who told this story of the 20-Mark Note.  I wish I could find that devotional but this talk by Elder Packer is closest that I could find.  I really like the lesson to be learned about following the Spirit.  I just wanted to recommend it and see if anyone had some cool insights on it.  I'll probably post some of my MTC notes on it when I can find my mission journal.

http://www.lds.org/liahona/2009/06/the-20-mark-note

Sister Nephi

This morning I came across an article called "Sister Nephi." I really like the way the author extracted principles about choosing a spouse, likening the story to his children and grandchildren. I learned some things that I hadn't considered before: http://www.ldsmag.com/article/1/13347.

General Conference Traditions

Does anyone have--or know of anyone with--some cool Conference traditions?

I was talking to another Mom at playgroup today, and she asked me if I had any. Nope. Apart from printing off some General Conference packets from the girls, we don't really do anything special. (Oh, and I try to make it a point to wear a dress or skirt to show reverence and invite revelation.)

I remember hearing that Uncle Lowell and Aunt Susie's family have a review game after. They all submit questions (even things like "What color was President Monson's tie on Saturday?") and have a prize to whoever wins. That's kind of a cool idea for when the kids get older, but probably wouldn't be successful right now.

One of the traditions my friend mentioned today is that they eat lots of yummy food. (She mentioned Muddy Buddies, for example. She only makes them twice a year at Conference time.) For them it's their Super Bowl Sunday. I like the idea of hyping Conference up and making it something fun and exciting for the kids (and adults) to look forward to. I think I'm going to try it--with things like Li'l Smokies, chips and seven-layer dip, fresh fruit and dip, crackers and cheeses, cookies, etc. :o)

Here's a neat Web site with a lot of fun ideas: https://www.theredheadedhostess.com/teach/general-conference-teach/monday-question-what-do-you-do-for-general-conference/.

Provident Living

We have been thinking a lot recently about budgeting!  This week, I read a Dave Ramsey book called, "Total Money Makeover,"  listened to our combined RS/Priesthood Meeting with the Bishop yesterday on "Managing Finances in the Family,"  and Travis is taking Personal Finance and I've been watching some of the classes online.  Anyway, it has gotten us to thinking a lot about personal finance and budgeting.  In all of these classes/books (including the Dave Ramsey book), they talk about how managing finances is essential for spiritual growth.  Travis's professor said that we are "stewards," and if you can't be a good steward over your own finances or other resources, then it is hard to be a good steward over other things.  The prophets have talked a lot about debt and finances and how they can either be used to do a lot of good, or they can totally destroy a family.

Here is a quote from Elder Hales, "These two lessons are the essence of provident living. When faced with the choice to buy, consume, or engage in worldly things and activities, we all need to learn to say to one another, “We can’t afford it, even though we want it!” or “We can afford it, but we don’t need it—and we really don’t even want it!”

Travis and I have tried to make budgeting fun.  For example, we established a "Smoke Fund."  Basically we figured out how much we would have to spend to smoke a pack of cigarettes each week, and then we use that money instead to do something fun each week!  What are some tactics that you guys use to make budgeting/finances more effective and fun?

Good resources
Elder Hales talk, "Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually" -  http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/becoming-provident-providers-temporally-and-spiritually?lang=eng
One for the Money - http://www.lds.org/ensign/2007/09/one-for-the-money?lang=eng
Dave Ramsey -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng2f_ZlZjdQ

Rivalries

Ok, so this kind of hearkens back to my "Contention" post a few weeks ago, but...

I hate rivalries. I remember a couple years ago when a friend and University of Utah alum made several adversarial posts on Facebook about BYU just prior to the annual BYU-U of U game. It felt personal, and I struggled not to become angry with her. Anyway, it really bothered me.

Today I read an article in this week's Sports Illustrated magazine and came across this:

"Heated rivalries are part of what makes college football so special, and the annual BYU-Utah clash has become one of the the nastiest, most personal rivalries in the nation. Last year while working on the book, The System: The Glory and Scandal of Big-Time College Football, I attended my first BYU-Utah game. At the time I had no intention of mentioning the game in the book, but the extreme profanity and vile abuse I witnessed that night caught me off guard. Utah fans spit on BYU players and taunted BYU fans by mocking the school's honor code. In one sense it reminded of the 1980s when the Notre Dame-Miami rivalry was cast as The Catholics versus The Convicts. But the BYU-Utah rivalry has a certain us-versus-them tone. Only it is Mormons versus Mormons."

From http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20130925/spencer-hadley-byu/#ixzz2g625Sqpr

Anyway, this probably doesn't qualify as something "lovely or of good report," but the subject of contention is something I keep returning to in my thoughts lately. So I think I will be talking about contention in my next RS Presidency lesson. Anybody have any favorite talks on the subject that they can refer me to? Especially talks about overcoming contention or teaching children not to be contentious? I've already got Elder Holland's "The Tongue of Angels," but that's it so far.

Sexual Purity Mormonad

So... The YM / YW in our ward (all 6 of them, age 14 and under, none of whom are particularly active) have to create a Mormonad for stake standards night this Saturday, and the topic they were given by the stake is sexual purity--from For the Strength of Youth. They're getting together tomorrow night to make their poster, and Scott (YM president) asked me to help brainstorm ideas. Anybody got anything?

https://www.lds.org/youth/for-the-strength-of-youth/sexual-purity?lang=eng

Worldwide Leadership Training

Yesterday I read Elder Ballard's talk, "This Is My Work and My Glory." He encourages us all to watch the 2013 Worldwide Leadership Training: "Brothers and sisters, this leadership training is for every member of the Church." I have seen several segments, but I haven't watched the whole thing from start to finish. It's just 76 minutes long; I plan to watch the entire thing this week.

Have you all watched it? Anything stand out? If you haven't seen it yet, you can watch here: http://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/how-to-use-this-training?lang=eng.

Contention

One of the sisters in my ward often posts links to articles on Facebook. Several controversial topics that have been brought up in the last several months. (I won't go into any details because it's really not relevant to the point I'm trying to make here.)

I find myself deeply saddened--although not as much by the opinions expressed as by the divisive reactions they cause. I don't know if the opinions are intended to stir up contention, but they certainly do. Yesterday I read a blog post about modesty, another blog post responding to the original post, comments, a parody of the original post, more comments... These women (many of whom are members of the Church) rip each other apart with their words. I woke up this morning with the topic still on my mind, and it made my heart feel heavy. I keep asking myself: Why are these women, many of whom share the same Christian faith, so mean to each other? And why do they express their disagreements in such a disagreeable way?

This morning for scripture study I turned to the scriptures and researched the topic of contention. Did you know that there are more than 80 scriptures about contention in the Book of Mormon alone? Here are a few of my faves:

• 3 Ne. 11:29 --> Contention is of the devil, the father of contention.
• Alma 19:28 --> Sometimes our well-intentioned actions or words can unintentionally stir up contention.
• Alma 51:16 --> Contentions and dissensions had been a cause of the Nephites' destruction.
• Mosiah 4:14-15 --> We are commanded not to allow our children to fight and quarrel with one another.
• Elder Holland's Conference talk "The Tongue of Angels" also comes to mind.

Any other good reads you can recommend? Any thoughts or suggestions for dealing with contention? (One obvious one would be to distance yourself from individuals who have a track record for stirring up contention. But when that's not possible, then what?) How can we effectively teach children not to contend with one another?

Another favorite

I've been thinking about some of my favorite talks and articles, and I thought of this one: Wrong Roads and Revelation.  I was only introduced to it within the last few months, but I love how it responds to question, "Why, at times, does it seem that we receive revelation that sends us in the wrong direction?"  It's a short read and a good one.  I highly recommend it.

An Idea

My third area in the mission field was an especially challenging one. At one point, my companion and I went to the bishop of the ward and asked him for suggestions to get the members to help with the work more. He made a suggestion, and we pretty much ignored it. I'm not sure why... Maybe because we didn't think it would work, or maybe we just forgot. At any rate, several weeks later we were still struggling to get the members involved. We went to the bishop again, and he asked if we'd implemented his original advice. No, we hadn't. He didn't chide us for it, but I had the thought: "You already asked him for advice, and you haven't implemented it. Why are you asking again?"

That was a teaching moment for me. I think that sometimes we (or at least I) go to Heavenly Father asking for answers or help. We receive revelation but we don't give it the heed we should. Then down the road a little way we turn to Him again hoping for help. But how can we expect more assistance when we haven't heeded that which we have already received?

Here's my point: General Conference is a month away. A lot of times we approach Conference as an opportunity to receive personal revelation and answers to questions or concerns. But how can we expect Heavenly Father to give us answers or assistance if we haven't already paid heed to that which we've been given in the past? In order to prepare for this upcoming Conference, I'm setting the goal to study one General Conference talk a day between now and October 5. That is 33 talks in 33 days--quite manageable. If you want to join me, you are quite welcome to do so. :o)

(Of course, you are all so awesome that you have probably been studying the talks all along over the past five months. In that case, at least this post will make me accountable for my goal.) :o)

Women's Roles in The Church of Jesus Christ

This talk was given by Elder Ballard last month at BYU's Education Week. Elder Ballard does a good job talking about women and the priesthood--a topic that is sometimes misunderstood by individuals both within the Church and outside it. I think it's important to understand the principles here, because we'll all probably have the opportunity to explain them to others at some point: http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=2133.

Family History

I need to catch-up on my reading here, you all recommend such good talks and with school starting this week I'm getting behind on the blog reading. But I did want to share these gems with you :) Love me some family history!

Change

We have stake conference this weekend, so I looked up some notes that I wrote down from stake conference a year ago. One of the talks was a talk by Elder Hallstrom about change. He told about an experience that he had as a bishop. He met with a man who had a bad temper. The man said, "I have a bad temper. I can't do anything about it. That's never going to change." This made Elder Hallstrom sad to hear him say that. The essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that the Atonement can change us.

Elder Hallstrom also told a story of a man in India who was born with serious physical disabilities. As a young man he met the missionaries, was baptized, and served a mission himself. Years later, he and his wife and children traveled to Hong Kong to be sealed in the temple there. In his community, his potential was to grow up to be a beggar, but his membership in the Church of Jesus Christ taught him of his eternal potential.

Elder Hallstrom's invitation was to make one change to improve.

I wanted to do a little more study on the subject of change, so I searched lds.org and came across something pretty neat--an article that President Faust was preparing before he passed away in 2007: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/10/the-power-to-change?lang=eng&query=change. It's a good read.

Must See!

I recommended this BYU Devotional in my response to Allison's last post. I take back my recommendation and upgrade it to a "must see." I just re-read it, and it is awesome. It impacted me when President Packer gave it just a month after I got home from my mission, and it is just as powerful now:

Exactness vs. Perfection

A sister missionary I correspond with posed the following question in a recent email:  "What are your thoughts about perfection vs. being exact?"  I thought it was a great question and have started pondering and studying it out.  So far I've read the talk Perfection Pending and have been pondering Moroni 10:32.  

It got me thinking about a few things:

1. What does it mean to become perfected in Christ?
2. Is it possible for a pursuit of exactness in obedience to distract us from coming unto Christ?
3. How should I have responded when I had companions whose lack of obedience limited my own ability to be exact in obedience?
4. What is the relationship between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law?
5. Why does it seem that some who pursue obedience with exactness end up stressed out and overanxious?  

I'll try to record some of my insights as my studies progress, but was curious about what y'all thought or things you've learned as well.  So, if you have questions or answers to consider, please share!

Day In Day Out

Here are two graduation speeches I have enjoyed recently. Let me know what you think!

http://6thfloor.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/31/george-saunderss-advice-to-graduates/?src=me&ref=general&_r=2

My favorite part here is this paragraph,
"Most people, as they age, become less selfish and more loving.  I think this is true.  The great Syracuse poet, Hayden Carruth, said, in a poem written near the end of his life, that he was “mostly Love, now.” And so, a prediction, and my heartfelt wish for you: as you get older, your self will diminish and you will grow in love.  YOU will gradually be replaced by LOVE."


In the following speech I love that he teaches us that we choose what we think, and we choose how we see things. Do you know of any talks/literature on this subject?

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2008/sep/20/fiction

The video link wasn't working, so this is the written talk. I haven't read it (I watched a video version) but I believe there are two swearwords, fyi.

First Things First

A few weeks ago in sacrament meeting, a member of our ward shared this story:

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.

As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown.

The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?"

The young boy was apologetic. "Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do," He pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop..." With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. "It's my brother, "he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up."

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay. "Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: "Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!"

The story keeps coming back to me--specifically as it relates to having kids. I don't want my kids to have to "throw a brick" at me to get my attention. It's easy to get sidetracked with other things.

There's a quote in the intro of Daughters in My Kingdom: "The average woman today, I believe, would do well to appraise her interests, evaluate the activities in which she is engaged, and then take steps to simplify her life, putting things of first importance first, placing emphasis where the rewards will be greatest and most enduring, and ridding herself of the less rewarding activities" (xiii).

So my questions for personal reflection are:

1. What things are of first importance?
2. What are the less rewarding activities that monopolize my time and attention?

Other good reading on this subject: http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/10/good-better-best?lang=eng.

[I'm teaching Relief Society on Sunday, and I'm debating between this and one other topic.]

Pep Talks and "Go-to" Songs

Allison recently mentioned in a Music Moment comment that a certain song "is a go-to for me if I need to feel the peace of the Spirit."  I really liked the idea of having go-to songs and talks that help you feel the Spirit at a moment's notice.  I remember Emily similarly mentioning that she had a list of pep talks and quotes that helped her.  I love that idea and decided to start my own list, thus, starting my own "go-to" list of songs and talks that help me feel the peace of the Spirit.  

SONGS
I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus
Love at Home
Have I Done Any Good?
If the Savior Stood Beside Me (Same with Jess and Al)

The Light (as in Shine the light, Don't hide the light, We'll find the light, See the light, Be the light) 

Drop by Drop (Pretty much I love the Seminary video of the Ten Virgins that go with it)

TALKS

Come What May and Love It -Elder Wirthlin

Finding Joy in the Journey -Pte. Monson

The Best is Yet to Be -Elder Holland (Thanks to Em's recommendation)

Notwithstanding my Weakness -Elder Maxwell (Thanks to Al's recommendation)

DEVOTIONALS

Remember Lot's Wife -Elder Holland

His Grace is Sufficient -Brad Wilcox (Thanks to Kris's recommendation)

The Character of Christ -Elder Bednar (Thanks to Shan's recommendation)

Faith: An Essential Principle of the Gospel - Larry Howell

I'm sure my list is longer but those are the favorites of the favorites.  I'd be interested in hearing some of yours!   I just realized that a lot of my favorite talks were recommended by ya'll and I just want to thank you!  You are all amazing!  Any other "go-to" talks and songs?

Burying swords

At youth conference we had an activity where we buried swords to represent a commitment to give something up (or to do something good...one girl mentioned committing to marry in the temple; one leader committed to serve a couple mission with her husband where ever they would be called to serve).  We buried those swords and commitments deep in the earth on the stake center property.  

These swords had been made in advance and had been decorated in a class and many of them were pretty amazing.  I think it was difficult for some of the youth to part with theirs after constructing them and carrying them around for three days at youth conference.  And it really got me thinking about how incredible the physical sacrifice of their weapons was for the Anti-Nephi-Lehis.  These swords had possibly been in their families for generations.  They were likely very valuable in a monetary sense.  And they had probably saved their lives and the lives of their families and friends many times.  

It was really interesting to ponder the question: What did their swords mean to them? before pondering the question "What did their swords and the bury of them represent for them?"  It added greater appreciation to the sacrifice inherent in the covenant they made never to fight again.  

Faith and Hope

I am giving a talk in one of the families wards on Sunday, and my topic is the relationship between faith and hope.  I was wondering if y'all had any talks, scripture studies or other ideas or sources that you could share on the topic.  Thanks!

Humility

I need to set some humility goals. I know we have all read this talk but I didn't know it was delivered by Pres. Hinckley.

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1989/04/beware-of-pride?lang=eng


I also like Pres. Uchtdorf's talk Pride and the Priesthood.

What talks/thoughts about humility are your favorites? Any specific suggestions to reduce pride?

Music Moment

So I was asked to give the Music Moment on Sunday.  I didn't really know what that was until they explained it to me but I'm excited.  So I've been thinking about some of my favorite hymns and realized that it was a pretty long list.  But I have narrowed it down to one favorite which is "Have I Done Any Good."  This is my favorite hymn because of the beautiful melody, inspiring lyrics, and mostly a personal experience.  I remember growing up in my teen years and often finding refuge from my parents at Grandpa's house.  I would go over there and complain that my parents were too strict and wanted to ruin my life.  I remember one specific day where I was complaining to Grandpa and he suddenly cut me off and started singing "Have I Done Any Good."  I was a little frustrated at first but then it made me laugh.  Ever since then, "Have I Done Any Good" has been my favorite!  It was a good lesson so that I should focus on serving others than complaining.

Does anyone else have a favorite hymn?

Goals

Elder Ballard gave one of my favorite talks, Go For It! He discusses many valuable topics for me and my demographic. One subject he speaks on is self-discipline and goals. He says:


Benjamin N. Woodson had some good things to say about self-discipline:

“For my part, I have concluded that the quality which sets one man apartfrom another—the factor which lifts one man to every achievement towhich he reasonably aspires while the other is caught in the slough ofmediocrity for all the years of his life—is not talent, nor formal education,nor luck, nor intellectual brilliance, but is rather the successful man’sgreater capacity for self-discipline.”

Mr. Woodson offers a great suggestion:

“All you need to do is this: Beginning this very day, stop doing some onething you know you should not do.” After you have written this one thingdown, stop doing it!"

Now the second part of Mr. Woodson’s suggestion is this, “Start doing each day some one thing you know you should do!” Write down one thingthat you are going to start doing that you have been meaning to do for along time but that you just haven’t gotten around to. I don’t know what itmight be, but place into your life, beginning tonight, one thing that youare going to do that is going to make you a better person.

What do you think? What helps you stay committed to your goals?

https://www.lds.org/new-era/2004/03/go-for-it

"Present but Absent"

Today in sacrament meeting I caught very little of the last talk. (I blame it on my three kids.) But I did catch something that really made me think. The speaker was talking about fathers, and he mentioned a study--something about how children with absent fathers aren't any better off than kids with "present but absent" fathers. I did some research, trying to track down the study, but I couldn't. I did find this blog post, though, that did a pretty good job of summarizing what it means to be "present but absent" -- http://franmahoganymom.blogspot.ca/2011/08/present-but-absent-father.html.

Anyway, this idea of "present but absent" intrigues me, and not just as it relates to parents. It can also apply to dating or any relationship:

One thing that I really admire--perhaps most admire--about Grandma Ellsworth is the way she always puts down whatever it is she's doing, no matter how important it is, and devotes her full attention to you. I could give examples, but I'm sure you've all experienced what I'm talking about. I want to be more like that. But I have the hardest time pulling myself away from what I'm doing mid-project! (Maybe it's the perfectionist in me?)

The other big obstacle that lends to being "present but absent" is technology. I love the way Allison made the goal to limit her computer time and blogged about it to make herself accountable (kind of ironic, but a good idea). Now she doesn't even have internet at home to minimize the temptation. (I tried that for a two or three years and loved it! I can't get away with it now because I need regular internet access for my online teaching.)

Anyway, two good talks on the subject:

• Elder Bednar's "Things As They Really Are" -- http://www.lds.org/broadcast/ces/0,7341,538-1-61-1681,00.html
• Elder Scott's "For Peace At Home" -- http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/for-peace-at-home?lang=eng

"You live in a world where technological advances occur at an astounding pace. It is difficult for many of my generation to keep up with the possibilities. Depending on how technology is used, these advances can be a blessing or a deterrent. Technology, when understood and used for righteous purposes, need not be a threat but rather an enhancement to spiritual communication.

 

"For example, many of us have a personal electronic device that fits into our pocket. We are seldom without its company; we may refer to it many times a day. Unfortunately, these devices can be a source of filth and wasted time. But, used with discipline, this technology can be a tool of protection from the worst of society.

 

"Who could have imagined not very many years ago that the full standard works and years of general conference messages would fit into your pocket? Just having them in your pocket will not protect you, but studying, pondering, and listening to them during quiet moments of each day will enhance communication through the Spirit.

 

"Be wise in how you embrace technology. Mark important scriptures on your device and refer back to them frequently. If you young people would review a verse of scripture as often as some of you send text messages, you could soon have hundreds of passages of scripture memorized. Those passages would prove to be a powerful source of inspiration and guidance by the Holy Ghost in times of need."

Perfection Pending

I get to give a talk on Sunday about the commandment to become perfect and how it applies to young single adults, referencing the talk "Perfection Pending".

I recently became discouraged with this commandment. I know that the Lord doesn't expect perfection until the next life, and its only because of Him and through Him I can reach that goal after this mortal experience. Even still I become disappointed with myself for not living to the standard of mortal perfection I have come to expect from myself. So now I try to measure myself less on a scale of perfection, but on a scale of "bests".  Not am I being perfect, but am I doing my best.

Elder Nelson said, "In Matt. 5:48, the term perfect was translated from the Greek teleios, which means “complete.” Teleios is an adjective derived from the noun telos, which means “end.” The infinitive form of the verb is teleiono, which means “to reach a distant end, to be fully developed, to consummate, or to finish.” Please note that the word does not imply “freedom from error”; it implies “achieving a distant objective.” In fact, when writers of the Greek New Testament wished to describe perfection of behavior—precision or excellence of human effort—they did not employ a form of teleios; instead, they chose different words.

Because of this talk I can tell that my understanding/view of perfection is incorrect (like when I was a teenager and thought repentance was for people who made serious mistakes only). How can I change my view of myself and perfection? Thoughts?

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1995/10/perfection-pending?lang=eng#39-

The Lord's Way

So I recently found out that I'm giving a talk in my new ward on Elder Ellis's General Conference talk, "The Lord's Way."  I was wondering if you guys had any thoughts on the talk while I start planning my talk.

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/the-lords-way?lang=eng

This was actually one of my favorite talks from General Conference.  My favorite parts are the beginning about being an Idaho farm boy (I feel like I can sorta' relate) and governing ourselves.  I acutally want to find a way to use Elder Bednar's "The Character of Christ" in my talk because I just really liked it and the idea of acting and not being acted upon.  Thoughts, insights, ideas?

Family Proclamation

I've been thinking about a line from the The Family: A Proclamation the the World.  It is one of my favorites: "Successful marriage and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work and wholesome recreational activities."

I remember having a conversation with a friend about the Proclamation.  She was memorizing it at the time, and I was re-memorizing it.  She asked which of those principles I felt my family was good at, and which ones there were most room for improvement.  And we discussed ways to establish families on individual principles.  So I thought I'd ask those questions.  What have y'all found yourself to be good at establishing, and how do you establish a family on those principles?  And what ideas do you have for establishing families and marriages on these principles.

And...discuss.

Church Service

Okay everyone, sorry about the long essay. I've just been thinking about this over the last couple of days...

A year ago this month I was released from serving in the Relief Society presidency in our Mesa ward. Each member of the presidency shared a favorite quote in the newsletter. This is what I wrote:

I've pondered a lot about service over the last several weeks, and I've learned two important lessons:

1. When we love and serve one another, we "offer a similar imitation of [the Savior's] own sacrifice by making sacrifices of our own time and selfish priorities." --Elder Oaks
2. "It is serving God and others persistently with full heart and soul that turns testimony of truth into unbreakable spiritual strength." --President Eyring

I know that as we continue to serve each other and our families, we will be following the Savior's example and building a solid foundation of faith that will support us through all the trials of life.

Last week I was thinking about the President Eyring quote again. Here in our Ohio ward, Scott is serving as Young Men president. Over the next two months he will be spending 13 days away from home, between youth conference and Scout camps. It's kind of a sacrifice--at least for me, because I end up home alone with three kids under the age of four during those two weeks.

Church service can be pretty demanding at times; it is seldom without sacrifice. So why do we do it? For one thing, as President Eyring points out, over time it transforms testimony into "unbreakable spiritual strength." Here are a few other real-life examples of the blessings of Church service:

President Garn

Many years ago, while sitting in stake conference in Cleveland, Ohio, Daryl H. Garn had the impression that he would be called to serve in his ward bishopric.  

Such a calling wasn't good timing, and it certainly wasn't his ambition. Still, as he and his wife walked out of the morning session that Sunday, he was greeted by the man who had just been sustained as the new bishop. He asked if the Garns would meet with then-Elder Spencer W. Kimball of the Quorum of the Twelve, the visiting authority.  

"We didn't even sit down," Elder Garn recalled. "We spoke casually for several minutes," before Elder Kimball asked if he would serve as second counselor. 

"There is something you need to know," Elder Garn said in response. "We may be here only a short time." Elder Garn then detailed a long list of reasons explaining why he shouldn't serve, including his apprehension that as a first-year dental student he would likely flunk out in the first quarter.  

"I believed in my heart that I would be sent home in disgrace after the first quarter of school," Elder Garn said in retrospect. "I knew I had been accepted into Western Reserve University because of the recommendations of a former student and not on my own merits and accomplishments.

"Elder Kimball listened patiently, then looked me in the eye and said, 'Brother Garn, put the Lord first in your life, and things will work out.' So I mustered all the faith I could and accepted the call," he said. 

Serving was not convenient. Studies were demanding and two of their eventual six children were born during these years. During this time, with only half his graduate work completed, the bishop moved from the ward and Elder Garn was called as bishop.  

He remained steady in his service and, by the time he graduated, he was among the top several students in his class, which made him eligible to enter a master's program in orthodontics.  

"I thought back to President Kimball's promise. I realized I probably would have flunked out of school if I hadn't accepted that calling," he said.  

President Eyring 

Years ago I was admitted to a graduate program for which I was poorly prepared. The course was arduous. The competition was fierce. On the first day the professor said, “Look at the person on your left and on your right. One of the three of you will not be here at the end. One of the three of you will likely fail.” The schedule of classes filled the five weekdays from early until late. Preparations for the next day’s classes lasted until nearly midnight, often beyond. And then late on Friday a major paper was assigned, with no way to prepare until the assignment was given and with the paper due at nine o’clock on Saturday night. 

I can still remember the hours of frantic study and writing on those Saturdays. And as the nine o’clock deadline approached, crowds of students would stand around the slot in the wall of the library to cheer as the last desperate student would dash up to throw in his completed paper, just before the box inside the building was pulled away from beneath the slot to let the late papers fall into the oblivion of failure. Then the students would go back to their homes and to their rooms for a few hours of celebration before starting preparations for Monday classes. And most of them would study all day on Sunday and late into the night. 

For me, there was no party on Saturday and no studying on Sundays . . . Early in that year He called me, through a humble district president, to a Church service that took me across the hills of New England from the early hours of Sunday to late in the evening. I visited the tiny branches and the scattered Latter-day Saints from Newport and Cape Cod on the south to Worcester and Fort Devens on the west and Lynn and Georgetown on the north. I realize that those names mean more to me than they do to you. For me the words bring back the joy of going to those places, loving the Lord, and trusting that somehow He would keep His promise. He always did. In the few minutes I could give to preparation on Monday morning before classes, ideas and understanding came to more than match what others gained from a Sunday of study. 

I’ve seen that same miracle when there seemed not to be enough time for my family when they needed me. I had four young sons and a challenging new job, and then came a call from our bishop to be the assistant Scoutmaster and the deacons quorum instructor. The Scouts camped out often, taking me from my boys, who were either older or younger than Scout ages. But I gave my heart to teaching and serving, trusting the Lord’s promise. I began to take one of my sons and then another with me on our outings. What seemed a call away from my obligations to my sons, with the Lord’s help, formed a bond with them that will last for eternity. I gave my heart to the Lord’s service in that deacons quorum; He gave me the hearts of my sons. 

I cannot promise academic success or perfect families. Nor can I tell you the way in which He will honor His promise of adding blessings upon you. But I can promise you that if you will go to Him in prayer and ask what He would have you do next, promising that you will put His kingdom first, He will answer your prayer and He will keep His promise to add upon your head blessings, enough and to spare.

The other day Scott and I were talking about this topic, and I commented that our Church service is a blessing to our children. The example we set for them imparts testimony in a way that our words alone can't. I even speculated that perhaps part of the reason my siblings and I turned out so well is because of our parents dedicated service over three decades. (That's not to say that every dedicated parent will be so fortunate; just because parents give dedicated service doesn't mean they will have "perfect families," as indicated by President Eyring.)

At any rate, I am grateful for the blessings that come from serving in the Church, even if it's a sacrifice at times. Blessings of spiritual strength, family unity, and even worldly success can come to us as we "seek first the Kingdom of God."

 

Additional Reading

Elder Oaks, "Why Do We Serve?," http://www.lds.org/ensign/1984/11/why-do-we-serve?lang=eng

Meaning of Modesty

http://www.qideas.org/video/the-evolution-of-the-swimsuit.aspx

This is a super interesting speech. What do you think?

The Character of Christ

http://www2.byui.edu/Presentations/transcripts/religionsymposium/2003_01_25_bednar.htm
I could talk all day about this talk! Elder Bednar was in Mesa last October and gave a Q&A fireside directing most of the questions to this point: we are agents to act, not objects to be acted upon. That is when I found out how amazing Elder Bednar is! LOVE him! 

This may be my favorite line, "Indeed we must honor our covenants and live worthily and do all that we can do to qualify for the gift; but ultimately the gift of charity possesses us--we do not posses it."

What do you think?

Expanding Perceptions

If you are not into TED talks you should be! Here's a good one...

http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html

Got an idea, question, or debate inspired by this talk?

Thoughts?

I think Allison had the idea first to start a blog to communicate our ideas and impressions on different church talks we have read. This may expand beyond doctrinal literature, including blog posts, TED talks, or anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.

So comment all you want, be genuine, and post anything that really impresses you. 

Un abrazo grande!
Shan