The Greatest Work - The Most Important Service, and other thoughts

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday afternoon session of the April 2012 General Conference.

Throughout the years of raising children, from the time our first was born in 1989 to the time our youngest left home in 2016, and even to this day, I often wondered if I should have chosen a different path, cultivating an outside career and developing my talents in a professional (that means paid) setting. Over my lifetime homemakers have increasingly been looked down on as less educated, homeschoolers continually questioned about their qualifications, while those who don't contribute monetarily to their family economy are seen as parasites. 

Thankfully we have apostles and prophets to teach the truth about the work that takes place in our homes.

Elder M. Russell Ballard quoted President Joseph F. Smith, ". . . and there is no service greater than that which converts the home into a divine institution, and which promotes and preserves family life. . . ."

Elder Ballard said, "Brothers and sisters, the most important cause of our lifetime is our families. If we will devote ourselves to this cause, we will improve every other aspect of our lives and will become, as a people and as a church, an example and a beacon for all peoples of the earth." 

I appreciate that he used the word "cause" rather than thing or entity. I believe our highest priority and relationships should be with God, Our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. They can give us salvation, and exaltation with our families; but our families can give us neither. Putting God first in our lives makes everything else fall into place in the correct order of priority.

Elder Ballard continued, "First, may I suggest that we prioritize. Put everything you do outside the home in subjection to and in support of what happens inside your home. . . . Organize your personal live to provide time for prayer and scriptures and family activity. Give your children responsibilities in the home that will teach them how to work."

I hear sisters in Relief Society say that they are just so busy and have trouble finding time to study the gospel. Then they tell about all the activities that they ferry children to every day of the week! I think they've lost sight of the priority of studying and living the gospel instead of busily chasing worldly activities and acclaim with and for their children.

Elder Ballard said to the young women (and I presume even older women could benefit from this advice) "No career can bring you as much fulfillment as rearing a family. And when you are my age, you will realize this even more." I concur!! Being a wife, mother and homemaker stretches a woman, demands her highest efforts, and utilizes every talent and skill she can muster. "Paydays" are few and far between, but all the sweeter when they come.

Elder David F. Evans also proclaimed that ". . . our most important work is always within our own home and family."  He gave an important insight about communication, saying, "Letters from home are not just quick emails. Real letters provide something tangible that can be held, thought about, and cherished." After children leave home words of encouragement, comfort and wisdom from a parent in the form of a tangible letter is priceless.

Elder Neil L. Andersen quoted President Thomas S. Monson from 2011, ". . . the moral fiber of society continues to disintegrate before our very eyes." And then said something comforting to me, "Being a disciple in these days of destiny will be a badge of honor throughout the eternities." Comforting because of what I said in my first paragraph, I haven't felt much praise and honor for my chosen path in life. Elder Andersen goes on to say, "Our journey of discipleship is not a dash around the track, nor is it fully comparable to a lengthy marathon. In truth, it is a lifelong migration toward a more celestial world." Yes! It is a hero journey through the wilderness to the promised land. What a beautiful way to put it, "a lifelong migration."

I've noticed on social media that there is an outpouring of defense against critics of the church and our doctrines and beliefs. It is wearying to me to keep up with it all so I don't try to. I love Elder Andersen's closing testimony, so fitting for the times we live in, "In a future day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is the Christ. On that day, our concern will not be, 'Do others consider me Christian?' At that time, our eyes will be fixed on Him, and our souls will be riveted on the question, 'What thinks Christ of me?'" His opinion and judgement of me is the only one that matters. Which is why I do my best to learn of Him, yoke myself to Him, and share my testimony of Him with my family.