Choices

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Priesthood session of the April 2004 conference.

President Monson called the priesthood holders to have and exhibit more courage. He gave the memorable one-liner, "Decisions do determine destiny."

President Faust gave a whole talk about how "Tomorrow's blessings and opportunities depend on the choices we make today."

Years ago as a young adult I made a choice that has affected my life ever since. No matter how much or how thoroughly I repent of that sinful choice I am followed by the consequences of it. At times it has been so discouraging. President Faust said, "The choices we make, however, determine to a large extent our happiness or our unhappiness, because we have to live with the consequences of our choices." 

Some of our important choices have a time line. If we delay a decision, the opportunity is gone forever. Sometimes our doubts keep us from making a choice that involves change. Thus an opportunity may be missed.

Other choices I made early in life have also had a detrimental effect on my life. They weren't sinful choices, just uninformed or unevaluated choices. I often wish I'd had better guidance and information on which to base my choices. I've tried hard to not perpetuate that mistake in the lives of my children. I've worked to help them see all angles and outcomes of significant choices they face.

A choice involves making a conscious decision. To make an intelligent decision we need to evaluate all available facts on both sides of an issue. But that isn't enough. Making correct decisions involves prayer and inspiration.

President Faust was such a wise man and apostle. He had a great sense of humor too. But he wasn't kidding around when he said, "As we look to the future, we are going to need to be stronger and more responsible for our choices in a world where people 'call evil good, and good evil.' We do not choose wisely if we use our agency in opposition to God's will or to priesthood counsel." No, he wasn't joking, we was prophetic.

 

Earthly Debts, Heavenly Debts

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Saturday afternoon session of the April 2004 conference.

"The number of marriages that have been shattered over money issues is staggering. The amount of heartache is great. The stress that comes from worry over money has burdened families, caused sickness, depression, and even premature death."

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin understands! So do I.

In 2005 I was asked to present at the BYU Women's Conference on the subject of Facing Economic Challenges through Provident Living.

At the risk of throwing my husband under the bus, almost all of our financial troubles can be traced to his not consistently obeying the financial commandments, and living by the principles outlined by Elder Wirthlin:

1) Pay tithing

2) Spend less than you earn

3) Learn to save

4) Honor your financial obligations

5) Teach your children to follow your example

Thankfully all our children have listened to my gospel teachings and have learned to save, live within their means, etc. Their Dad has been a good example of what not to do.

I especially appreciate what Elder Wirthlin says about what we're to use our financial abundance for:

"There are those among us who have been blessed abundantly with enough and to spare. Our Heavenly Father expects that we do more with our riches than build larger barns to hold them. Will you consider what more you can do to build the kingdom of God? Will you consider what more you can do to bless the lives of others and bring light and hope into their lives?"

I have given more thought to exactly that and am looking at what I can contribute, and what I can sacrifice to do so.

Elder Wirthlin goes on to talk about our heavenly debts. "How can we ever repay the debt we owe to the Savior? He paid a debt He did not owe to free us from a debt we can never pay. Because of Him, we will live forever. Because of His infinite Atonement, our sins can be swept away, allowing us to experience the greatest of all the gifts of God: eternal life. . . . How wise is he who spends his days in pursuit of eternal life."

Having cleared out homes after four deaths I totally understand that the things of this world stay in this world; it's all just stuff. Who we are and what we have in our brain and in our heart is what we take with us to the next life. 

Now, I've got a closet to clear out.

Choosing the Good Part

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the General Relief Society session of the October 2003 conference.

During a week of feeling discouraged it was lovely to read talks that fed my soul and helped to overcome those negative feelings.

The Relief Society General Presidency chose their theme from the story of Mary and Martha found in Luke 10:38-42. 

Sister Bonnie D. Parkin said, "The one thing that is needful is to choose eternal life. We choose daily. As we seek, listen, and follow the Lord, we are encircled in the arms of His love--a love that is pure. . . . Charity is our love for the Lord, shown through our acts of service, patience, compassion, and understanding for one another. . . . I invite you to not only love each other more but love each other better. . . . I've learned that the best way to reclaim charity is to uncumber myself and simply love and serve the Lord. How do we do that? We start each day kneeling in prayer to our Father in Heaven, we hear His words through daily scripture study, and we follow the guidance we receive. We put Christ first, restoring charity's circular love. 'We love him, because he first loved us.' This is the reciprocating cycle of charity. Sisters, 'charity never faileth.'"

Lately, because of seeing the film The Boys in the Boat, and rereading the book from which it was made, I have felt a great desire to be part of something. As I listened to the talks of this session of conference I realized that what I really want is for Relief Society to fulfill those longings. When I was young watching my grandmother, mother and older sister participate in Relief Society I couldn't wait to be part of it myself. But things changed while I was serving a mission, the block schedule of Sunday meetings came into being and I never got the chance to be part of the Relief Society that I had observed in my youth. More disappointingly is that it seems to have devolved into just another Sunday school class twice a month where we have tepid book review style lessons of general conference talks. I used to believe what the general leaders said about Relief Society being a force for good in the world. I suppose it is in some places, but I've not experienced it where I've lived, especially in the past dozen years in tiny branches.

Yes, I'm complaining, because I truly want to be on a team that does something important, and ongoing in the world. I can do things by myself, but that doesn't fulfill my longings for sisterhood, camaraderie, or synergy. I've also learned by hurtful experiences that neither suggestions nor initiative are welcomed by some RS presidents.

Me and my best girlfriend, my daughter

Reinforce Your Testimony - Study General Conference Talks

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday afternoon session of the October 2003 conference.

I don't have Marilyn's, at light-in-leaves, eloquence and style when writing these posts; it's something I'm going to work on this year. I find that reading these general conference talks reinforces my testimony of what I know to be true and encourages me that I'm on the right path. Occasionally, a nugget of new knowledge or understanding comes along and I think, Yes! Why didn't I think of that? This post is going to share a little of each talk in this session.

Elder L. Tom Perry - "Revelation, however is a much broader term. While inspiration can properly be considered as revelation, revelation includes vision, dreams, the spoken word, or other spiritual manifestations." I remember the best part of being a Relief Society president was the almost daily revelation that I received to lead the sisters. I rather miss that!

Elder Henry B. Eyring - He spoke of the three witnesses of the Book of Mormon never losing their testimony of the truthfulness of what they experienced, even though they left the church. "They did some simple things to keep that testimony bright and vibrant. We can teach those we love to do those same things. . . . #1 Teach them to pray to the Father in faith in the name of Jesus Christ. . . . We can teach those we love to pray with the intent to obey. #2 Teach them to ponder the scriptures every day with faith that they will be taught by the Spirit. . . . You and those you love will receive the word of God by obeying it. . . . #3 Teach them to sacrifice to build up the kingdom of God. . . . #4 Teach them to love others by serving them. I'm still working on all these things myself. I pray that Heavenly Father will make up for my failures to properly teach all this to my children.

Elder William W. Parmley - "Our love for the Savior must be accompanied by action: 'If ye love me, keep my commandments' (John 14:15)." It's the 'faith without works is dead' argument.

Elder Quentin L. Cook - "It is not easy to be a Latter-day Saint. It was not meant to be easy. The ultimate goal of living in the presence of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, is a privilege almost beyond comprehension. . . . May I suggest three questions that will allow for a self-assessment. First, is the way we live consistent with what we believe, and would our friends and associates recognize, . . . that we have separated ourselves from worldly evils? Second, are worldly pleasures, profits, and similar pursuits distracting us from following, worshipping, and serving the Savior in our daily lives? Third, in order to serve God and be holy, are we making sacrifices consistent with our covenants?" These questions came at the right time as I ponder what I want to accomplish in the new year.

Bishop Richard C. Edgley - "Humility and gratitude are truly the twin characteristics of happiness. . . . It matters not who we are or how lofty our credentials appear. Humility and submissiveness to the Lord, coupled with a grateful heart, are our strength and our hope."

Elder Neal A. Maxwell - "God has no distracting hobbies off somewhere in the universe. We are at the very center of His concerns and purpose. . . . A further reality of our being with God 'in the beginning' means that you have been you for a long time. . . . An omnicompetent God leaves all mortal free to choose, but how grateful we should be that God chose long, long ago to rescue and to resurrect all His children through the Atonement of His Son. . . . How trascendingly special, therefore, that the the revelations of the Restoration confirm this cosmic fact: 'God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son' (John 3:16)." Elder Maxwell's eloquence and vivid metaphors make his talks so meaningful and memorable.

President Gordon B. Hinckley - "It is truly a wonderful thing to step out of the world, as it were, and set aside two days to reflect on things divine. We are all so busy with our mundane pursuits which pull us this way and that. We all need, the whole world needs, the opportunity to meditate and reflect on the things of God and to listen to words that inspire and help." I plan to share this quote with the sisters to whom I minister before the next conference. It's such a great reminder of why we take time for general conference.