This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the General Relief Society Meeting of the October 2012 General Conference.
The addresses from the three members of the General Relief Society presidency touched my heart because they spoke of things that have strengthened me through my "classes" in this mortal boarding school.
Sister Linda K. Burton spoke of having faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ written in our hearts. I can never speak of the Savior without tearing up because I love Him and am so grateful for His mercy, grace and love. What is most amazing to me is that He loves me back, especially when I'm most unloveable. He never turns me away, and more than once I have felt His warm, strong arms around me in times of despair. I'm so grateful to be yoked with Him through covenants to journey through life.
Sister Burton said, "That supreme act of love ought to send each of us to our knees in humble prayer to thank our Heavenly Father for loving us enough that He sent His Only Begotten and perfect Son to suffer for our sins, our heartaches, and all that seems unfair in our own individual lives."
And it does!
Sister Carole M. Stephens talked about being "awake to our duty and continue with faith as we draw upon the comforting, strengthening, enabling, and healing power of the Atonement." For a long time after our son's death I felt like I was asleep, just going through the motions of living. I wanted to wake up but didn't know how to jumpstart my spirit and get going again. It didn't help that I didn't have a busy calling in the branch. I had too much time to be alone and lonely. Sister Stephens asked, "Have our hearts become gradually hardened as we have allowed too much of the noise of the world to distract us from the gentle promptings that have surely come from the Spirit?" I think that challenging circumstances can distract us too. Grief is such a hard thing to navigate for the grieving as well as family and friends. Again, Sister Stephens, "Each of us has had and will continue to have adversity in our lives. This mortal life is a time of testing, and we will continue to have opportunities to use our agency to choose what we will learn from the adversity that will surely come."
One thing I have learned from my adversity is to offer to serve in specific ways. Think hard and listen to promptings, then go and do. It is frustrating to hear over and over again, "Call me if you need anything." I feel as awkward calling you to ask for a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on as you probably do asking if you can come do my dishes or laundry. But if you offer something specific I would feel more comfortable saying, well, that's not what I need, but could you do this?
Sister Linda S. Reeves closed out her talk with this testimony, "That is our charge. We must feel and see for ourselves and then help all of Heavenly Father's children to feel and see and know that our Savior has taken upon Himself not only all our sins but also our pains and our suffering and afflictions so that He can know what we feel and how to comfort us."
Another thing I have learned from my adversity is that I ought to leave my burdens with the Savior to carry, and then do more to serve others. There is always someone who is worse off than me. Serving others truly is a way to forget our troubles. It can be as simple as expressing gratitude for the service of others to me. Expressing gratitude is so important!
I miss the Relief Society sessions. I'm thankful for the technology that allows me to hear and read them over again. They feed my soul.
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