Is There Ever a Time of Peace and Tranquility?

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Saturday morning session of the October 2002 conference.

A year after the terrorist attacks on September 11, many talks referred to the turmoil and uncertainty of the time. Of course, when you live long enough you can see that there is never a time of peace and unity. Troubles and problems abound, whether personal or global. Evil is constant and grows more pervasive with each generation. Having apostles and prophets to lead us is calming and encouraging.

Elder L. Tom Perry said, "We live in a world that is crying out for righteous leadership based on trustworthy principles." I think it still is! He went on, "When we arrive in the celestial kingdom of God, we shall find the most perfect order and harmony existing, because there is the perfect pattern, the most perfect order of government carried out, . . . and when the government of God shall be more extensively adopted [here], and when Jesus' prayer, that He taught His disciples is answered, and God's kingdom comes on earth, and His will is done here as in heaven, then, and not till then, will universal love, peace, harmony, and union prevail." He spoke further of priesthood leadership in the home and the church. What a wonderful day it will be when only the righteous remain and Zion prevails. In the meantime, we can have mini Zions in our homes and church units for practice.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, at that time of the Presidency of the Seventy, asked, ". . . how many of us permit our fears to take control in this time of international tension, economical and political uncertainties, and personal challenges." Probably many of us. He spoke of listening to and following the living prophet, who speaks in the name of the Lord. "It is our responsibility not only to listen but also to act upon His word, that we may claim the blessings of the ordinances and covenants of the restored gospel." He asks some Alma chapter five type questions: "Are we diligent in living the commandments of God, without running beyond our strength? Or are we just leisurely strolling along? Are we using our time, talents, and means wisely? Are we focused on the things which matter most? Are we following the inspired counsel of the prophets?" It made me stop and consider how I'm doing. As I examine myself I find I'm doing well in some areas and not so well in others. Sometimes I think living the gospel is like holding jello in a mesh bag. I'm always juggling to keep stuff from oozing out. Elder Uchtdorf ended with this tender admonition, "Let us in humility and faith refresh our dedication and our commitment to follow the prophets, seers, and revelators in all diligence. Let us listen and be instructed and edified by those who hold all the keys of the kingdom. And as we attend this conference, may our hearts be changed, that there will be a great desire to do good, and that we will be pioneers in building a spiritual foundation that will establish the Church in our part of the world." This was significant to me because I've been pondering how I can be a better missionary and minister to build up our little branch. I still don't have complete answers but I feel that they will come as I continue to seek.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell gave an eloquent address. He began, "In the churn of crises and the sinister swirl of global events, true disciples will maintain faith in a revealing, loving God and in His plan for redeeming His children, which is the why of all that God does!" Other highlights, "The Atonement was accomplished, bringing a universal resurrection to billions and billions, lifting all from the grave--regardless of how and when we got there!" Such a  comforting reminder in those moments when I'm missing our gone too soon son. ". . . matching our behavior more closely with our beliefs will bring relentless reminders about the ongoing duties of discipleship." Another reminder to examine ourselves to improve. "The doctrines and revelations can likewise lift us--even amid 'wars and rumors of wars.'" And, "Regarding trials, including of our faith and patience, there are no exemptions--only variations." Exactly! No one, absolutely no one, gets through life without trials of some kind. And to outsiders, what might appear to be a gift or blessing, might be a sore trial, and vice versa. Finally, "Part of God's 'ample provision' consists of imperfect people like you and me, committed to shining and serving in our appointed orbits, knowing all the while that we are encircled 'in the arms of [His] love.'" (Which reminded me of Elder Holland's talk in April 2013 where he talked of God having only imperfect people to work with.)

President James E. Faust closed out the session with a wonderful talk about overcoming selfishness. He told of helping to settle the estate of a couple and the disputes that occurred among the heirs. "I learned from this that selfishness and greed bring bitterness and contention; on the other hand sacrifice and giving bring peace and contentment." I know a little of that. After my mother died there were problems and unkind feelings about the disposal of her possessions. My father put a clause into his will that anyone disputing anything would be cut out and not receive a thing. Fortunately, we learned from our mistakes and were much kinder to each other when Dad died. President Faust said, "I have learned that selfishness has more to do with how we feel about our possessions than how much we have." I've struggled with overcoming a scarcity mentality which can be detrimental and cause selfishness due to insecurity. President Faust instructed, "Taking up one's cross and following the Savior means overcoming selfishness; it is a commitment to serve others. . . . nothing is really [ours]--it all come from the Lord--we are only the custodians of what He has given us." Thinking of my possessions in that way helps me let go more easily to share with others. And lastly, "Almost every day brings opportunities to perform unselfish acts for others. Such acts are unlimited and can be as simple as a kind word, a helping hand, or a gracious smile." 

The answers to all the ills of the world, from the very personal and familial, to the global jockeying for power, can be found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teachings of living apostles and prophets every six months in General Conference. What a blessing to have the miracles of technology to hear, see and read their words. We don't have to be afraid of current or future events when we are founded on the Rock of Our Redeemer. We can have the Savior's peace in our hearts and extend that peace unselfishly to others through our words and actions.

Timely Reminder from the Past

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the General Young Women meeting of the April 2002 conference.

With Satan and his minions promoting sin so blatantly today Sister Sharon G. Larsen's counsel is appropriate: There are places where the Spirit would never be. You know where those places are. Stay away from them. Do not encourage a curiosity that ought to be stopped. Pay attention to what you are feeling so you will know when you are feeling unsure or uneasy. . . . Standing in holy places helps us to become holy, but that is an acquired virtue that takes practice. Practice listening to the Spirit and being obedient. Practice being morally pure. Practice being reverent about sacred things. . . . It is difficult to train your desires to want goodness and beauty when the opposite confronts you constantly and appears to be so much more enticing and fun and popular. . . . Identifying what is holy and educating our desires for that is vital to our happiness.

Too often we think of "talents" as simply the performing or athletic variety. Sister Larsen reminds us that being holy is a "talent" or skill that takes practice. 

This past Sunday there were some visiting families whose children were not quiet during the entire meeting. (Unfortunately the parents never took them out either.) I presumed that those children had never been taught at home to be still and quiet. It is a skill that is best taught and practiced at home, before the occasion arises to need that skill. And it takes years of practice to perfect that skill. The sad thing is, is that the parents of these young families were raised in the church by good parents and should have known better. But apparently not.

How will children, teenagers, and even adults know what spiritual feelings are unless they have experienced them regularly? How can parents help their children experience spiritual feelings without time to be still, reverent and listening? How will any of us be able to stand in holy places unless we have holiness within ourselves? 

It reminds me of what Viktor Frankl said: Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your freedom to choose how you will respond to the situation. He knew about standing in holy places.

Sister Larsen ended with this counsel: Once you understand what holy places are, then you know where to be. It may take sacrifice of our worldly tastes or popularity. It may require humility and forgiveness or complete repentance. It does require "clean hands and a pure heart" (Ps. 24:4). Do whatever you have to do to be able to stand in holy places and be not moved, to stand for truth and righteousness, regardless of shallow enticements and evils and designs of conspiring people (see D&C 89:4) and media.

As evil's darkness deepens across the world we will need the strength of the Spirit and a rich reservoir of holiness to stand firm and immoveable in righteousness.

 

Threads Woven Together

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday afternoon session of the April 2002 conference.

Then Elder Russell M. Nelson: A firm foundation is necessary for any building, institution, or individual to endure. . . .Even firm foundations cannot prevent life's problems. Wayward children cause parents to grieve. Some broken families don't get fixed. Gender disorientation is poorly understood. Married couples, for whatever reason, may not be blessed with children. Even in our day, 'the guilty and the wicked go unpunished because of their money.' Some things just don't seem fair.

Elder John H. Madsen: Simply stated, eternal life is to live forever as families in the presence of God.

Elder Gene R. Cook: Repent. Remove any worldliness from your life, including anger. Receive a continual remission of your sins, and you will bridle all your passions, and be filled with love.

Elder Gerald N. Lund: As Elder Maxwell said yesterday, only when we truly yield our hearts to God can He begin to accelerate the purification and the sanctification and the perfecting process.

Elder M. Russell Ballard: We sometimes fail to understand that the everlasting peace Jesus promises is an inner peace, born in faith, anchored by testimony, nurtured with love, and expressed through continual obedience and repentance. . . . One cannot be at peace if one is living a life out of harmony with revealed truth. 

President Gordon B. Hinckley: I know that it is the work of the Almighty 'to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man'. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, the great Prophet of this dispensation through whom these truths have come.

It is my testimony that the ills of the world could be cured by living according to the Gospel and teachings of Jesus Christ, and His latter-day prophets.

Just a little reminder that the heat of the summer isn't permanent; and neither is the cold of the winter.

 

Talk on Ministering

Brothers and sisters, I have a confession to make. Nothing malignant or testimony shaking. Simply that for the past couple of years I've been a lazy and neglectful ministering sister. I apologize to my sisters whom I've neglected and ask your forgiveness. I am repenting and will do better in the coming days. This talk is a pep talk to myself, an encouragement for me to do better. If you get something out of it too, then we'll both have benefitted.

At the branch picnic Nicole asked me about the salad I brought. She wanted the recipe. I didn't follow one. I just made it up with what I had on hand. She said, "Oh, you're a cook like my mother-in-law. She puts in a little of this and a little of that and it turns out great." Well, after 45 years of reading recipes, trying new things, and practicing cooking, I enjoy making up my own recipes once in a while.

After many decades of having a recipe for ministering, formerly called Visiting Teaching and Home Teaching, we now (for the past five years) have to pretty much make up our own recipes. There are no measured requirements to complete, no standardized message each month, no one size fits all method of ministering to each other.

That can be intimidating at times. But we are not left without guidance or master cooks to follow.

When this "higher, holier" way of ministering was announced in 2018 an impression came to my mind that this was going to lead us to Zion.

What is Zion? And why is that important? Zion is several things, but what I thought about was not a place, but a people. A Zion people is of one heart and one mind. It took me a long time to figure out that the heart and mind we're supposed to be one with is Jesus's heart and mind. He said, "If ye are not one, ye are not mine." When He returns He needs a people to come to, with whom He can dwell, where there is unity, love, and righteousness.

So how does ministering accomplish that? Let's look at some examples from the past.

Think of the Israelites leaving Egypt to go to the Promised Land. They began with urgency, leaving slavery behind, and desiring to live a life of liberty in a Promised Land. But they murmured every step of the way. They complained about the lack of food, lack of water, the labor of travel, etc. They wanted to go back to Egypt where things weren't so bad after all. They were disobedient and contentious. Because of their stubbornness the Lord cursed them to wander in the wilderness for 40 years so that all the faithless complainers would die off before ever getting to the promised land.

Now think of the early saints in this dispensation traveling to their Promised Land. Faith and obedience brought about miracles. They too faced hunger, thirst, fatigue, boredom, bad weather, balky animals, accidents, sickness, death, and every other kind of trial known to humans, yet they reached the Salt Lake valley in a timely manner and built up their Promised Land.

What does this have to do with ministering? Like the pioneers crossing the American plains we are on a mortal journey to the Promised Land of Heaven. Sometimes we're out in front, leading the way, sometimes we're in the middle of the pack, in the thick of things, sometimes we're the stragglers at the back of the group. No one, absolutely no one, goes through mortal life without trials, or joys. To get there we must have faith, lend a hand to each other, encourage each other, bear each other's burdens, comfort each other, rejoice with each other, and journey side by side until we pass over to the other side.

I hope this help us understand the why of ministering.

Let's learn about the how. 

During the summer of 2018, after the announcement in General Conference about Ministering, Steve and I were in Boulder, Colorado over a Sunday and attended church at a local ward. Apparently, the week before had been their stake conference because all of the talks were about the challenge the stake president had given to read the Book of Mormon and mark all the passages that had anything to do with ministering. I thought to myself, I can do that. I found surprising things throughout. 

Almost 100 places where impressions of the Spirit said this is about ministering. I organized them into 13 different categories. First is Do it, Exercise Faith, like Nephi saying he would "go and do the things which the Lord commanded," knowing "that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." And when Nephi returned to Jerusalem to retrieve the Brass Plates, "not knowing beforehand the things which [he] should do." 

There are examples of Praying for them, and Praying about them; the largest category on my list is Speak, Teach, and Testify. Sometimes an encouraging word, or a testimony is what is needed to help someone along. We are to Be an Example, Be Forgiving, Serve them, Study, Attend the temple, Care about them, Listen for Promptings, Meet them where they are, and maybe most important at all times, Be Persistent.

I highly recommend studying the scriptures as a way to get personal revelation for our efforts in ministering.

In the church magazine for Adults, The Liahona, formerly The Ensign, every month since June 2018 there has been a section called Ministering Principles. These principles are scripture based and the articles give suggestions for putting them into practice. July's topic is Ministering with Charity, and August's topic is Ministering through Service. Past topics include things like Facing Our Goliaths, Ministering with Mental Health in Mind, Ministering through General Conference, Ministering through Church Activities, How the Spirit Can and Will Help you Minister, and Getting Help to Help Others.

Lest we get discouraged and feel like we're always at the back of the wagon train, think of the Parable of the Laborers. Jesus taught that the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is a householder, who goes out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. They agree on a wage, and he sends them off to work. He goes out again three hours later and sees others standing idle in the marketplace, and says to them "Why are you standing here idle?" They answer, "Because no one has hired us". So, he says, "Go to the vineyard and whatever is right, I'll pay you." And the householder goes out again every three hours and does the same thing. And then at the last hour of the day he goes out and finds others standing around idle and negotiates the same deal with them.

When the day is finished he has the steward call all the laborers to give them their wages. Everyone received the same wage no matter when they started! Wouldn't you like to work for that employer?

I have good news, we do!

It doesn't matter if you are a 7th generation saint, or the newest convert, our employer, The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, offers us all the same reward for helping in His work.

So, begin where we are! It is possible to repent and change. We can obey the commandments, keep our covenants, spiritually put one foot in front of the other and keep progressing. This journey is not a race where only the fastest and first is rewarded; we ALL will be rewarded for faithfully finishing the journey. Ministering is helping each other toward the finish line.

But, we might think, I just don't have the knowledge or skill or talent that Sister so and so has, or Brother what's his name has. They just seem to be a natural at serving others.

Jesus addressed this fear or excuse too, in the Parable of the Talents. He said that the Kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, and before he leaves calling his servants together and giving them his goods. To one he gave five, to another two, and to another, one talent, each according to their ability. Then the man left. While he was gone the servant who had received five talents traded and made five more talents; the one who was given two, did the same and doubled his. 

But the servant who had received one was afraid of losing it and buried it for safekeeping.

When the master returned he called for an accounting of what he had given the servants. 

The ones who had been given five and two showed their increased talents and were rewarded when the master said to them, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

Then came the third servant. He explained himself saying, "Lord, I know that you are a strict man, reaping where you haven't sown, and gathering where you haven't spread. And I was afraid and hid your talent in the earth, here it is." The master answered him saying, "You wicked and slothful servant, you knew what I'm capable of, reaping where I haven't sown, etc., you should have at least put my money with the investors and I could have had my money along with the interest earned." Then the master commanded that the talent be taken from this servant and given to the one who began with five, saying, "For unto everyone that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath."

The moral of the story is that when we do our part, the Lord will multiply our efforts, he will give us more capability. If we don't, what little we do have will be taken from us. Ministering enlarges our abilities to strengthen our eternal church family and build Zion. 

Sister Jean B. Bingham, then Relief Society General President, said, "Sometimes we think we have to do something grand and heroic to 'count' as serving our neighbors. . . . But what did the Savior do? . . . " Besides completing the Atonement, surely the most profound act of service ever performed, ". . . He also smiled at, talked with, walked with, listened to, made time for, encouraged, taught, fed, and forgave."

If you're like me you get overwhelmed thinking about what the Savior, with His superior Godly powers, did and does. I just can't compete in that league. 

Sister Bingham shares some more ideas about what us mere mortals can do:

[Ministering] looks like going for a walk, getting together for a game night, offering service, or even serving together. It looks like visiting in person or talking on the phone, or chatting online, or texting. It looks like delivering a birthday card and cheering at a soccer game. It looks like sharing a scripture or quote from a conference talk that would be meaningful to that individual. It looks like discussing a gospel question and sharing a testimony to bring clarity and peace. It looks like becoming part of someone's life and caring about him or her.

As we study the scriptures and with the Spirit's help we can make up our ministering recipes as we go. There is no one thing that is right for everyone either to give or to receive. We can ask the person what he or she needs, as well as be led by the Spirit.

One of my all-time favorite authors is Jan Karon who wrote a series of books about an Episcopal priest named Timothy Kavanaugh. He is such an encouraging example of how to minister. He is so human and flawed. He has weaknesses and human foibles just like the rest of us. Some things are particularly distasteful or hard for him. But he trusts in God and prays for strength and help to know what to do and how to do it. During the months that I studied ministering in The Book of Mormon, I also reread the first of these books and made a list of all the ways Timothy served and ministered to those around him. Here are just some of them:

He slowed down (to notice things more)

He prayed

He studied the scriptures

He invited people into his home and fed them

He visited the sick in the hospital (I remember my grandma doing that a lot!)

He prayed, right then, with the person in need

He fed people spiritually with encouraging words

He arranged for a worker, which benefited an elderly woman and a young man

He took an 11 year old boy on an outing to a farm

He took food to a homeless man

He prayed for people by name

He gave cash to someone in need

He gave thoughtful little gifts

He prayed with his friend about a serious matter

He invited his neighbors to church

He called to check on his friend recovering from pneumonia

He visited a man in prison

He rescued a neighbor's cat off the roof

When it comes to ministering, there are few limits and enough variety for everyone to find something to do.

 

During their last evening together, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, in an act of humble service and demonstration of love. Then He said, "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. . . . If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." He went on to speak to them about love:

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have love you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. . . .If ye love me, keep my commandments. . . . He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. . . . If a man love me, he will keep my words and my Father will love him, and we will come and make our abode with him. . . . But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. . . . As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you, continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. . . . This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. . . . These things I command you, that ye love one another.

A few final thoughts. Every giver of service needs a receiver of that service. Being a gracious receiver blesses the giver. Not all service rendered will be to our liking. If we are asked, we can express our preferences, if we aren't asked we can be gracious and grateful for the efforts of another. I apologize if anyone was hurt because we didn't want any meals brought in when we lost James. I really needed the daily routine of making food and cleaning up so I wouldn't dissolve into a puddle of grief and self-pity. I'm so grateful for all the prayers that sustained us, and the kind, loving expressions of comfort through our sorrow. Those and hugs were the most helpful. I'm grateful for Stephanie being willing to come over and help me weed part of my garden as therapy for my grieving heart. 

Steve and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary in June, and in all those years we have rarely lived near family, relying on church members to be our family--to celebrate with, to mourn with, to work with, to play with. We call each other brother and sister. Perhaps it would help us to do better at ministering if we actually thought of each other as true family. Wouldn't we make time to visit family? Serve them? Rejoice with them, and recreate with them? I truly believe this is preparing us for life after the Savior returns when we live in peace and love. 

Let us all gird up our loins, fresh courage take to press forward in preparation for the Savior's Second Coming.

I testify that God the Father lives and loves us; He sent His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ to be our Savior and Example. I testify that They both appeared to Joseph Smith to begin the restoration of all things as promised in the scriptures. The Book of Mormon is truly another testament of Jesus Christ. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's authorized church on earth. We continue to be led by a living prophet, Russell M. Nelson, who has invited us to minister and love each in a higher, holier way. I pray that we all can do so.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The Lifeline of Prayer

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday morning session of the April 2002 conference.

Each of us has problems that we cannot solve and weaknesses that we cannot conquer without reaching out through prayer to a higher source of strength. That source is the God of heaven to whom we pray in the name of Jesus Christ. As we pray we should think of our Father in Heaven as possessing all knowledge, understanding, love and compassion.

President James E. Faust began this session with just the right message for me this week.

I don't know why I struggle with prayer so much, but I do. One of the rules I had for our children was "No whining, or begging." When I pray for the same things over and over I feel like I'm whining and begging to my Heavenly Father, and that makes me feel uncomfortable. I've already asked Him; He knows what I need; He'll answer when He deems it right, or not. I don't need to keep asking. Do I? 

President Faust says, "God knows our needs better than we can state them, but He wants us to approach Him in faith to ask for blessings, safety, and comfort."

I love listening to the prayers given in General Conference and in the temple. I have learned a lot from listening carefully. Once, in the temple I heard a most profound way of asking for blessings. After stating the desired blessings the brother said, "Bless us according to our needs, according to our faith, and according to thy will." I have used that phrasing ever since, which helps me feel that no matter what happens it will be according to God's will and for the best.

President Faust said, "An important element of all our prayers might well be to follow the pattern of that prayer in Gethsemane: 'not my will, but thine, be done.' By this, then, we acknowledge our devotion and submission to the overriding purposes of the Lord in our lives."

I know prayer works. The most recent and profound example is just after our son took his life. The first night was horrible: sleepless and tearful. Then word spread, and family and friends, as well as strangers, began praying for us. The second night we enjoyed deep and restful sleep. It was as if we were shielded for a time from all the pain by the prayers for comfort offered.

What a glorious day it will be for each of us when we pray with confidence that 'if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us.'

My mother had a special gift, a virtual direct line to heaven. When she prayed for something, it happened! I wish I had that "super power". (Or do I sin in my wish?)

I'll keep trying. If I don't give up, eventually I'll get it right.