Sacrifice Brings Forth the Blessings of Heaven

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday afternoon session of the April 2000 conference.

In our most recent Relief Society meeting an announcement was made about an upcoming Family Search Open House. On the invitation there were three dates at three different buildings in the stake. Everyone wanted to know which was closest and there was some talk about not wanting to drive very far to get there. Which is fairly common in our branch. Few are willing to drive to stake functions because the stake center is about two hours away. Not to toot my own horn, but I have found that there are many blessings awaiting those who go the distance and physically attend stake meetings, rather than just watching the broadcast in the branch building.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke of not forgetting the Lord in our abundance. He recounted many of the early saints and their sacrifices toward building the Kingdom of God. As I listened to the stories I thought of the sisters in Relief Society and wondered if they realized the great blessings they are depriving themselves and their families of by complaining about distances and then not attending meetings or even the temple which is two to three hours away (depending on where you live in the branch boundaries). I know I have had many tender mercies and grand blessings from sacrificing the time and money to travel to meetings held in far off stake centers. 

Elder Holland told the touching story of Brother John R. Moyle walking 22 miles from Alpine to Salt Lake City to work on the temple, including chiseling the declaration "Holiness to the Lord".  A film was made of his story called Only A Stonecutter. 

He concluded, May we do as much with the blessings we have been given as they did out of the deprivations so many of them faced. In such abundance many we never "forget the Lord" nor "go after other gods," but always be "an holy people unto the Lord." If we do so, those that hunger and thirst for the word of the Lord will continue to come "as doves to [our] windows." They will come seeking peace and growth and salvation. I we live our religion they will find all of that and more.

Finding A Safe Harbor

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday morning session of the April 2000 conference.

The past five years we've seen an acceleration of changes in the church which is great; and an acceleration of the proliferation of evil in the world, which is dreadful. If we focus too much on what's happening in the world we can be overcome by the evil and feel helpless to move forward with anything positive.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin spoke of turning to the Savior, as the ancient disciples did when caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee. The Savior is the one who can say, "Peace, be still" and can calm either the storms in our lives, or calm us in the midst of the storms.

Draw close to the Lord Jesus Christ. He bears a special love for those who suffer. He is the Son of God, an eternal king. In His mortal ministry He loved them and blessed them.

 To the meek and discouraged, His every word was one of compassion and encouragement. To the sick, He brought a healing balm. Those who yearned for hope, who yearned for a caring touch, received it from the hand of this King of Kings, this Creator of ocean, earth, and sky.

Today Jesus the Christ stands at the right hand of our Heavenly Father. Do you suppose that today He is any less inclined to aid those who suffer, who are sick, or who appeal to the Father in prayer for succor?

 

At one time in my life, when betrayed by a loved one, I called out to the Father to be comforted. I felt loving arms wrapped around me impressing upon my mind and heart the fact that I was loved and worthwhile. I didn't see anyone but felt more comfort than at any other time in my life. I know the Savior and His love for us is real!

 

Be of good cheer. The Man of Galilee, the Creator, the Son of the Living God will not forget nor forsake those whose hearts are drawn to Him. I testify that the Man who suffered for mankind, who committed His life to healing the sick and comforting the disconsolate, is mindful of your sufferings, doubts, and heartaches.

Elder Wirthlin uses the same analogy of learning to walk that I have used when trying to teach our children that they can do hard things.

What parent would say to a child, "Learning to walk is such a painful and difficult experience, you will likely stumble, you will most likely hurt yourself, you will cry many times when you fall. I will protect you from the struggle"? I have watched our youngest grandson, Seth, as he was learning to walk. Through this process of gaining experience, he now walks with confidence. Could I have said to him, "Out of my love for you, I will save you from this"? If so, because I could not bear to see him take a tumble at times, he may have never learned to walk. That is unthinkable for a loving parent or grandparent.

We have come to earth to learn from our experiences. The Savior is available to assist our learning process. Sometimes He will calm the storm, most times He will calm us, and give us the strength we need to make it through the storm. 

The gospel gives us that harbor of enduring safety and security. The living prophet and apostles today are as lighthouses in the storm. Steer towards the light of the restored gospel and the inspired teachings of those who represent the Lord on earth.

I've long said and taught that living the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer to all the ills of the world. It is also the answer to living in a sick world. Focusing on the Savior and building His Kingdom will help us weather the storms of life. From my vantage point of 65 years I see this more clearly than ever.

 

 

Sweet Refreshment Find

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Priesthood session of the April 2000 conference.

When the world gets to be too much, too divisive, too angry, too . . . worldly, listening to a General Conference session is truly sweet refreshment to a weary soul.

From Elder Richard G. Scott's address on The Sanctity of Women, to President Gordon B. Hinckley's address on The Stake President, each talk was wonderful. And important. And timely.

President James E. Faust addressed a subject I'm struggling with and working on. Still. At age 65! The Power of Self-Mastery. I want to overcome the world through the power of the Atonement and this talk gave me some more instruction and insight as to how to do that.

Self-mastery is essential to invoke the power of the priesthood of God. This is because this great, divine agency can only be exercised in righteousness. Self-mastery requires self-determination and strength of character. It enhances our own gifts and talents in a remarkable way. It is the power of noble manhood.

I don't want to be a man, but I believe this can be applied to all of us in a universal way. I don't hold the priesthood, but I have access to its power.

What fun to remember that President Faust was a redhead. Like me! I don't think my hair color was ever the source of my temper. That was always just the "natural man" making an appearance. 

Self-mastery is a challenge for every individual. Only we can control our appetites and passions. Self-mastery cannot be bought by money or fame. It is the ultimate test of our character. I requires climbing out of the deep valleys of our lives and scaling our own Mount Everests.

What I've found is that my self-control issues change over the years. I have mastery over some things, but there is always something more to overcome. 

Speaking of returned missionaries, President Faust says, "When they come home, some are criticized as being self-righteous for maintaining a decent appearance and keeping their hair trimmed neatly. I cannot understand why a returned missionary is considered self-righteous if he tries to live the standards and principles he has taught as a representative of the Lord to the people where he has served." 

I remember being teased while in Young Women's (called Mutual when I was that age) and called Sister Righteous or Goody Goody, because I wanted to be spiritual, modest, and refined. It was so confusing to me to be criticized for doing and being what leaders, from the ward level to General Authorities to the Scriptures, taught me I should do and be. This confusion led me to make some bad decisions over the years. It took me a long time to repent, and then not care what others thought, said or did. I made a conscious decision I would be obedient not matter what.

President Faust quotes President David O. McKay, "Spirituality is the consciousness of victory over self, and of communion with the Infinite. Spirituality impels one to conquer difficulties and acquire more and more strength. To feel one's faculties unfolding and truth expanding the soul is one of life's sublimest experiences."

He ends with his testimony that ". . . through the power of self-mastery we will inherit the blessings our Heavenly Father has for his faithful sons." (And daughters!) What could be more refreshing than that.

As I work on my own self-mastery I have to remember to be patient with and give grace to others who are still working on theirs. My husband, children, fellow saints, etc. Because we are all at different places on the path it is important to give encouragement rather than criticism. This is so hard for me. I tend to ask, "Why isn't everyone else where I am?" Until I look ahead and see those who are so much further ahead than I am. Then I swallow my pride and remember that I'm still just a worm inching my way forward.

Happy Valentines Day!
I wish it were Spring already.

Power in the Word

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Saturday afternoon session of the April 2000 conference.

I'll be brief because I'm packing to go help our son and daughter-in-law in Iowa. 

I loved every talk! So many good things in each. I especially liked Elder L. Tom Perry's talk about the power of the word no matter what technology is used to give it to us.

One challenge remains the same from the time of King Benjamin to the time of President Grant to today--that is, the challenge of each individual and family, through personal and collective study, to internalize the messages of the gospel of our Lord and Savior. Salvation is not in the facilities or technology, but in the word. Only in the power of the word will it impact our lives and help us to live closer to our Father in Heaven.

It is wonderful to be in this beautiful new facility and to have new technology which carries conference sessions throughout the world. But it is the message we receive which, if we study and practice, will bring us the light of the gospel as further preparation in our great quest for eternal life.

That is the benefit I've found in participating in this review of General conference talks. I study and am encouraged in living the gospel and following the Savior more closely. It's not enough to just listen to conference and think, "Oh that was nice." And then go on our merry way until the next time. We must seek and learn, repent and improve, inch by inch along the path of mortal life until we graduate from this boarding school and return to our heavenly home.