This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Saturday morning session of the October 2011 conference.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's address touched my heart deeply. The past several years have been so hard for me. All of our children are gone and settled into their own lives. My identity as a mother is no longer my primary role. Being a Nana is a part-time gig, and I have no church calling presently. Who am I? Do I matter anymore? Even my husband has come out of retirement and begun teaching again, giving him instant identity and status, leaving me feeling even more alone.
What mattered to Him was that I was doing the best I could, that my heart was inclined toward Him, and that I was willing to help those around me. I knew if I did the best I could, all would be well! And all was well.
That soothed my heart and calmed my soul. It's so reassuring to be reminded of my eternal worth and value.
Disciples of Jesus Christ understand that compared to eternity, our existence in this mortal sphere is only a "small moment" in space and time. They know that a person's true value has little to do with what the world holds in high esteem. They know you could pile up the accumulated currency of the entire world and it would not buy a loaf of bread in the economy of heaven.
The world doesn't hold wives, mothers and homemakers in high esteem. But that is precisely what is most important in the eternal scheme of things, so this was also comforting. I never cease to be amazed at how General Conference talks speak to my soul no matter when I read them: at the time they're given, for the next six months, or years later. It just proves to me that gospel principles are truly eternal, the Spirit knows what we need to hear, and studying the conference talks is never in vain or time wasted.
President Uchtdorf reminds us that "Another way Satan deceives is through discouragement. He attempts to focus our sight on our own insignificance until we begin to doubt that we have much worth. He tells us that we are too small for anyone to take notice, that we are forgotten--especially by God." That is precisely what had happened to me. I have felt so forgotten and useless. But I've been reminded that God does indeed have a plan for me, and that I can assist in His work.
During this month of Thanksgiving I acknowledge that I'm so grateful for prophets and apostles who deliver God's personal messages to us.
