The Gift of the Holy Ghost

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Saturday morning session of the April 2000 conference.

Joseph Smith was asked, "How does your religion differ from other religions?" He replied, "All other considerations are contained in the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Elder Boyd K. Packer's talk entitled The Cloven Tongues of Fire addresses this subject and contains some wonderful counsel and encouragement that is relevant to our day. (Of course it is, he was a prophet, seer, and revalator!)

He explains that this gift ". . . is awakened with prayer and cultivated 'by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.' It can be smothered through transgression and neglect. And soon we learn that the tempter--the adversary--uses those same channels of the mind and heart to inspire us to evil, to laziness, to contention, even to acts of darkness. He can take over our thoughts and lead us to mischief. But each of us has agency; ever and always light presides over darkness."

This was rather convicting to me as I read it. I am prone to laziness, especially in the depths of the dark, bitter cold winter. And I seem to neglect prayer when I'm alone, which is much of the time. So, being reminded that this comes from Satan, I can repent and renew my efforts to be more active spiritually, if not physically, during this difficult (for me) season.

I love the phrase ". . . ever and always light presides over darkness." I'm a creature of light, I crave it and struggle through the winter when the days are so short and too many are overcast and dreary. My spirit tends to be as dark as the days. What would happen if I nurtured my spirit with more spiritual light and invited the Holy Ghost to be my constant companion? Perhaps I could more gracefully endure the winters. I'm willing to try.

Elder Packer also said, "We live in troubled times--very troubled times. We hope, we pray, for better days. But that is not to be. The prophecies tell us that. We will not as a people, as families, or as individuals be exempt from the trials to come. No one will be spared the trials common to home and family, work, disappointment, grief, health, aging, ultimately death." Well, yes, thanks for that grim reminder, Elder Packer. 

But he goes on to say, "We need not live in fear of the future. We have every reason to rejoice and little reason to fear. If we follow the promptings of the Spirit, we will be safe, whatever the future holds. We will be shown what to do." 

I try, but it is often so hard to not be fearful, or at least discouraged. Perhaps the real reason it is hard is revealed in what he says next, "I fear this supernal gift is being obscured by programs and activities and schedules and so many meetings. There are so many places to go, so many things to do in this noisy world. We can be too busy to pay attention to the Spirit. The voice of the Spirit is a still, small voice--a voice that is felt rather than heard. It is a spiritual voice that comes into the mind as a thought put into your heart."

I stopped to think about the tempo of my life. And the choices I make. Am I crowding out the Spirit? Am I listening and feeling? There are changes I need to make, so I made a list and will work on those things during February to see if I can more finely tune my mind and heart to receiving the comfort and guidance I need and want from the Holy Ghost.

Near the end of his talk, Elder Packer said, "Despite opposition, the Church will flourish; and despite persecution, it will grow." That's encouraging! We have to remember that there will not be another period of general apostasy; the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the priesthood with all its powers and blessings, will never be taken from the world. We can press forward with steadfastness in Christ!

We live in terrible and exciting times. I often wonder if the Savior will return in my lifetime, or will it be in my children's or grandchildren's. As Babylon seems to grow in strength and power it appears that we are fighting a losing battle. But we're not and we can gird up our loins and fresh courage take, because, truly, our God will never forsake us. 

Listening to, and reading the General Conference talks bolsters my courage to face the trials of the last days, and helps me remember my blessings. 

Rozy with son, Paul, and grandson, Conrad

What's Your Identity?

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the General Relief Society session of the October 1999 conference.

In this session a new declaration of identity and purpose for the Relief Society was shared by Sister Mary Ellen Smoot, General President. Many unit Relief Societies began reciting this at the beginning of their meetings, like the Young Women. In fact, when we began attending a branch in 2016 they were still reciting it, even though it had been replaced and units had been asked to stop. (It's important to read the Conference issue of the Ensign/Liahona to get current instructions!)

Sister Virginia U. Jensen, First Counselor, introduced the new name of midweek Relief Society meeting: Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment. Most shortened it to simply Enrichment. There was to be a 15 minute spiritual lesson, followed by 60-90 minutes of learning practical skills based on the spiritual topic. The meetings were supposed to enrich and improve our lives. 

I think it is sad that some women don't ever get the vision of what Relief Society can be and all the good that could be accomplished. Some leaders are stuck in the "crafts to decorate our homes" mode, rather than helping sisters to learn skills that further our purposes of bringing sisters to Christ and serving in our communities. 

In places such as where I live, Relief Society could help raise the profile of the church in the community through service. There are many other local churches filled with good women who are doing things that make a difference. I'd like to join them in their work and let them see that we are very much like them, Christians with hearts for service. (But I'm not in the Presidency so I can't do much.)

Sister Sheri L. Dew spoke of being Women of God. "Coming unto Christ means walking away from the world. It means placing Christ and Christ only at the center of our lives." She invited ". . . each of us to identify at least one thing we can do to come out of the world and come closer to Christ." 

The world needs women who know who they are and who can be lights to guide others. Our eternal identity as children of God, followers of Jesus Christ, and members of His true church can be a firm foundation amidst the stormy confusion of false identities put forth by both Satan and those he has deceived. 

President James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the First Presidency was the concluding speaker. His talk was titled "What It Means to Be a Daughter of God".

"Membership in Relief Society, which is a privilege for every adult woman in the Church, provides a home away from your heavenly home, where you can fellowship with others who share your beliefs and values." 

Most of the sisters in the church today do not know that in the past membership in Relief Society was not automatic. It was something you had to join, and pay dues for. I remember my mother's work as the Secretary during the annual membership drive, contacting sisters and encouraging them to join or to renew their membership. It was in 1971 that this was changed to be every adult women a member with no dues required. Hence, President Faust referring to membership as a privilege available to every sister.

Following on the themes of the other talks, President Faust says, "As daughters of God, you cannot imagine the divine potential within each of you. Surely the secret citadel of women's inner strength is spirituality. . . . This inner spiritual sense seems to give you a certain resilience to cope with sorrow, trouble, and uncertainty. . . . I urge you to enhance the natural, God-given, feminine gifts with which you have been so richly blessed."

The words of prophets are so reassuring, especially as they seem to have been written and spoken for the times we live in in the year 2023 when so many are confused and blinded by Satan's blatant attacks.

Being a daughter of God means that if you seek it, you can find your true identity. You will know who you are. This will make you free--not free from restraints, but free from doubts, anxieties, or peer pressure. . . . A conviction that you are a daughter of God gives you a feeling of comfort in your self-worth. It means you can find strength in the balm of Christ. It will help you meet the heartaches and challenges with faith and serenity.

 

He ends with this sweet hope, "May your rich womanly endowments of spiritual strength, goodness, tenderness, mercy, and kindness find full expression. This will happen as you serve the Lord, your families and your fellow beings."

I hope the women of the Relief Society will step up and show the world the blessings of following the Savior and putting Him first in our lives.

 

  

The Book of Mormon is True!

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday morning session of the October 1999 conference.

It is a tender mercy to have read this session this week as I've pondered resolutions, goals, direction, and such, as part of beginning a new year.

In this session then Elder Russell M. Nelson ended his talk with this, speaking of the Book of Mormon, "In addition, this book can help with personal problems in a very real way. Do you want to get rid of a bad habit? Do you want to improve relationships in your family? Do you want to increase your spiritual capacity? Read the Book of Mormon! It will bring you closer to the Lord and His loving power."

I've never not known that the Book of Mormon is true. My family read it together several times (I don't remember how many, but it was definitely more than just once) while I was growing up. My father and his father both loved and studied the Book of Mormon throughout their lives, and often shared their insights and testimonies. 

I was over fifty before I realized what a phrase from my patriarchal blessing meant. A friend at church and I were chatting while waiting for our husbands and children to complete some business, and she said that she had observed that I have the spiritual gift of knowledge. I had never thought of that. I thought that I knew things because I had studied them. (And let me say here that sometimes I feel like this gift is more of a curse than blessing, but that is a whole other post.) My patriarchal blessing talks about my pre-mortal life and then says, "Therefore, as soon as you heard the gospel, it rang true to you and you accepted it readily." Well, folks, I was born in the covenant, raised by righteous parents and heard the gospel in infancy. I've never questioned or had doubts about the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And I love the Book of Mormon!

Elder Nelson's talk was a good reminder that I once again, need to read the Book of Mormon. I neglected reading it last year while studying the Old Testament. I have bad habits that I want to conquer, relationships that I want to improve, and spiritual capacity that needs increasing in these perilous times.

I was taught, and have long known, that The Book of Mormon is the handbook for our times. It teaches us of the Savior and the enabling power of His Atonement. We learn how to fight, both defensively and offensively, against Satan and his minions. We learn how to minister, how to share the gospel, and how to live in families and communities. It is a fantastic book!

Taking part in the General Conference Odyssey is such a blessing to me, reading past talks that speak to today's challenges with encouragement and hope. I'll add my testimony to Elder Nelson's that I know that the Book of Mormon is indeed a true book; meaning it is not fiction, but a record of real history; there are no lies, falsehoods, or deceptions in it. It is truthful, accurate, and trustworthy.

Priesthood Power

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Priesthood session of the October 1999 conference.

I thought Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin's talk included counsel applicable to any member of the church. He gave five principles to live by.

1. Place God, Our Heavenly Father first in your life.

2. Come unto Christ and follow Him as your Savior and Redeemer.

3. Nurture the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

4. Love and revere Joseph Smith as the great prophet of the Restoration.

5. Love, follow, and be loyal to God's living prophet.

I can't think of any better counsel for today's members. In fact, it is close to what has been said in recent conferences. And if I had time and energy I'd look it up for you. But I'll leave it to those who are interested to do so.

President James E. Faust used the parable of the sower to illustrate various kinds of people in the church. Many have said this parable could more accurately be called the parable of the different kinds of soil. He also said something, almost in passing, that we tend to forget as we go about our busy days.

I hasten to add that scientific knowledge, the marvels of communication, and the wonders of modern medicine have come from the Lord to enhance His work throughout the world.

I've long given thanks in my prayers for the miracles of technology that we enjoy daily. To me they are the equivalent of ancient miracles, mostly because I don't understand the science, and appreciate the wonders of it all. Even something as common as running hot and cold water, and flushing toilets. I've read enough history to know that those are miraculous! And I'd hate to live without them.

President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, talked of priesthood power. He said something that made me stop and think about how casually some young men take their ordinations.

I hope with all my heart and soul that every young man who receives the priesthood will honor that priesthood and be true to the trust which is conveyed when it is conferred.

All of the talks were good, as usual. President Hinckley was open and transparent about some of the financial questions that were, and still are, asked. I miss him! 

We are so blessed to have living prophets and apostles to be the watchmen on the tower guiding us and warning us.