Choices

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday afternoon session of the April 2009 conference.

One quote stood out to me as an answer to a question that I didn't even know I had.

Elder José A. Teixeira said, "Our Father in Heaven respects our freedom to choose and will never force us to do what is right, nor will He impede us from making mediocre choices."

I guess that is the mark of a mature and perfect parent: letting their (adult) children choose and then allowing them to face the consequences of their choices. Fortunately for us He is also merciful and doesn't punish us instantly. Rather, He gives us time and opportunity to repent and be restored. He also has the magnificent ability to make something good out of our foolishness. And for that I'm so grateful.

I Am Not Alone

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday Morning session of the April 2009 conference.

Many years ago with five young children I felt overwhelming loneliness because my marriage was falling apart, I lived across the country from other family members and I didn't have close friends around me. One day I couldn't cope any longer. While the children were busy playing I went into my small walk-in closet, knelt down and poured out my heart to God. I asked to feel loved and understood. Immediately I felt strong, warm arms around me, enveloping me in a loving embrace that comforted me and was so real I began to weep.

Almost thirty years later I can still call to mind that glorious feeling of being loved, understood, and not alone.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, "Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said, “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].”

What else do we need?

Doing A Great Work

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Priesthood session of the April 2009 conference.

"We live in an era of anticipation and preparation, entrusted by God to prepare ourselves, our families, our world for the approaching dawn--the day when the Son of God will 'descend from heaven with a should, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God' (I Thess. 4:16) and usher in His millennial reign."

So said then President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. This era stretches from Joseph Smith to Russell M. Nelson. As this is the last dispensation we (all who have lived or are living through it) are the ones to prepare for the Second Coming. 

"Our Heavenly Father seeks those who refuse to allow the trivial to hinder them in their pursuit of the eternal. He seeks those who will not allow the attraction of ease or the traps of the adversary to distract them from the work He has given them to perform. He seeks those whose actions conform to their words--those who say with conviction, 'I am doing a great work and cannot come down.' " 

In Relief Society there a long discussion about having time to study the gospel when "we are so busy from the time our feet hit the floor in the morning until our head hits the pillow at night." How are we to find the time? I didn't say much out loud, but in my head I was saying, "If you weren't so devoted to your careers/business/children's activities, etc., you'd have more time for the things of eternity. If you'd choose to stay home and actually be a wife, mother and homemaker, you'd have more time for the things of eternity." 

I loved what Elder D. Todd Christofferson said in the most recent conference, "One wise sister observed, 'I cannot think of a more profound way to worship God than to welcome His little ones into our lives and care for them and teach them His plan for them.' " What a profound observation! The things that the world tells us matter the most will matter the least in eternity, and conversely the things the world tells us matter the least will matter the most! But Satan has done a brilliant job distracting women from what matters most. The great work we are supposed to be doing is building the kingdom by welcoming children into our families, and rearing them in truth and righteousness. 

I wish I could have married at age 19 or 20 so I could have had five more children than I was able to. And I wish I could convince mothers to educate their children at home, avoiding satan's indoctrination centers. As hard as it was at the time I'm so grateful I was able to stay home to nurture and teach our children. I believe that the close relationships we enjoy now are the result of all the time we spent together when they were young.

My fondest hope is that in the economy of heaven motherhood will be the most important and honored "profession." It is certainly the greatest work I've ever done here, as well as the finest character builder ever devised.

General Conference - April 2025

The feast of General Conference this weekend was overwhelming to me and I wondered how to take it all in. I approached this conference differently than in the past by deciding to not take any notes of what the speakers were saying; rather I took notes of what the Spirit was saying to me. After all, Elder Bednar reminded us that it will all be online very shortly and we can read it and listen to it again.

Prior to the conference I wrote down five questions that had been on my mind, and during the conference I wrote down one more. As I listened to the music, prayers and talks I noted any impressions from the Spirit or subjects in the talks that pertained to those questions. Only one question wasn't addressed or answered in any way. The rest were answered, some multiple times and in many ways.

In the week leading up to conference I noticed a lot of "speculation" about changes that could be announced, most of which I thought were just silly, and some of it showing a distinct lack of understanding of the doctrines of the Savior. My own feeling was that there weren't going to be any changes made at this time. And I was right! Which is a nice feeling to have validated. 

Thematically, I think every speaker referred to the mission and Atonement of Jesus Christ. It was as if they all wanted to show and tell the world that we really do ". . . talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, . . . that [all the world] may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." (2 Nephi 25:26) I loved it!! The other theme I heard running through many of the talks was spiritual preparation for the Second Coming of the Savior. 

Some highlights for me include: President Camille Johnson teaching us that we can be whole in Jesus, which is different from being perfect. Elder Steven Shumway saying, those we serve should remember Him more than us. The Spirit impressed on my heart that Jesus wouldn't seek to sit with the church leaders, He would seek to sit with the lowly. Elder Neil L. Anderson gave a profound and much needed talk about the sanctity of life. Brother Lund spoke of the power of the Aaronic Priesthood and I wondered if I had done enough to teach my sons the importance of their power. Elder Uchtdorf gave a wonderful talk on unity and not giving up on the ideal. Elder Christofferson spoke of worship, and included a plea to welcome little ones to our families and teach them to love and worship the Savior. Elder McCune taught that joy comes from our covenants with Christ no matter what mortal trials we are going through. 

As always the music was fantastic and I enjoyed hearing so many of the new hymns. I have listened to them on the Library app over and over! I love them all. I wish our branch would sing more of them.

For the first time in decades I was completely alone for all the sessions of conference. Solitude has advantages, but by the end I was really lonely with no one to rejoice with. I'm hoping that circumstances will be better for the next conference in six months.

(P.S. I'd really like to add photos again, but my laptop is so old that it won't update anymore and I can't add pictures to my blog. I'm saving up for a new computer. Sorry I can't make this more interesting.)

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Saturday afternoon session of the April 2009 conference.

"In uncertain and difficult times". . . has there ever been any other kind of times on earth? Mortal life IS uncertain, and is certainly difficult. You can think of a couple of dozen circumstances and events that make for difficulty and uncertainty.

Elder Kevin W. Pearson says, "In uncertain and difficult times, faith is truly a spiritual gift worthy of our utmost efforts. We can give our children education, lessons, athletics, the arts, and material possessions, but if we do not give them faith in Christ, we have given little." I think about this often and wonder what more I could have done for our children. I tried so hard to teach them the gospel and encourage them to live the commandments but three chose to wander down the wide path of worldliness as soon as they left home. One struggled to return but gave up and ended his life too soon. The other two, while successful in life by worldly standards, have no evident desire to return to the fold of God. 

Elder Pearson explains that, "Strong faith is developed by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ. . . . If we desire more faith, we must be more obedient. . . . As patterns of obedience develop, the specific blessings associated with obedience are realized and belief emerges. Desire, hope, and belief are forms of faith, but faith as a principle of power comes from a consistent pattern of obedient behavior and attitudes."

As our children got to be teenagers they wanted more freedom so we would explain to them that obedience to the family and household rules proved trustworthiness and thus they could gain more freedom. When they cooperated and things worked smoothly they realized we were telling the truth (belief emerged) and their obedience was strengthened and reinforced. It's not a perfect analogy, but it works. Elder Pearson said, "We get what we focus on consistently." 

He goes on to explain about opposition and the influence of Satan. He calls these influences the "Six Destructive Ds--doubt, discouragement, distraction, lack of diligence, disobedience and disbelief--[which] all erode and destroy our faith. We can choose to avoid and overcome them." 

Going back to my simple analogy, teens can be really challenging to parents, and life can feel really challenging to the teens. Elder Pearson says, "Challenging times require greater spiritual power. Consider carefully the Savior's promise: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever is expedient in me." Teens need to have faith in their parents, believing that Mom and Dad want the best outcome for their child, and that Mom and Dad have the experience and wisdom to give good counsel. As a teen is obedient he/she can see that the parents were correct, and that more freedom and responsibility results from that obedience. In a similar way, we have to trust the Savior's teachings and example. As we are obedient to the commandments we gain greater spiritual freedom, responsibilities, and power to overcome challenges. "In a household of faith, there is no need to fear or doubt."

 

I trust that the Savior is working behind the scenes to lead back to the fold our two wayward sons. My patience is sorely tried, but I have faith that Jesus loves my sons even more that I do so I can trust them to Him. I'm so thankful for His tender mercies, His empowering grace and His eternal love.