" . . . This is my voice unto all."

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the General Young Women Meeting session of the April 2010 conference.

I remembered these talks, although at the time I wasn't in Young Women, but I loved listening to the counsel and encouragement of these sessions and miss the special sessions just for women, young and old.

As I listened and studied this time around I felt that this counsel was for all of us. (See D & C 25:16) No matter how old we get, we are still young, inexperienced and learning compared to our Heavenly Father and our Savior. No mortal is too old for good advice.

Recently, I heard a reaction video to a podcast of a woman, formerly a member of the Church. As a teen she was given a For the Strength of Youth booklet and was initially excited to receive it. But upon reading it she questioned whether this list of "do's and don'ts" was all that Heavenly Father had to offer. She had deeper questions. She wondered if He really cared about "swearing, coffee, and tattoos?" In the comments I wrote that "Heavenly Father cares about obedience!" The ancient Israelites had some rather peculiar commandments too. He teaches us obedience by asking us to do, or not do, small things first, and when we prove ourselves we are then ready to take on more important covenants and commandments. 

Sister Anne M. Dibb said, ". . . avoid the temptations that surround you by strictly following the commandments." I wonder if that woman would have had a different outcome if she'd chosen to be obedient and learn line upon line, precept upon precept as she was ready to harken and understand. 

Sister Mary N. Cook advised us to "live to be worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost. . . . You will need that peace and assurance when Satan tries to confuse you with winds of doubt, when you are tempted to take another path, or when others are unkind or mock you for your beliefs." We stay worthy of the the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost by exercising faith in Jesus Christ to obey commandments we don't fully understand, repenting when we fall short (that's every day), and continuing to press forward. 

Women like to feel attractive. We are often hyper-focused on beauty. The internet has not helped our cause. We unfairly compare ourselves to photoshopped perfection and feel that we fall far short of an unrealistic ideal. I love what Sister Elaine Dalton has to say about a fortuitous meeting with a prophet's wife. "On that fall day in Huntsville, Utah, I was reminded of my divine identity, and I learned about what I now call 'deep beauty'--the kind of beauty that shines from the inside out. It is the kind of beauty that cannot be painted on, surgically created, or purchased. It is the kind of beauty that doesn't wash off. It is spiritual attractiveness. Deep beauty springs from virtue. It is the beauty of being chaste and morally clean. . . . It is a beauty that is earned through faith, repentance, and honoring covenants."

I don't think they coordinate their talks exactly, but I sure love how the spirit prompts them in what they say and how it all dovetails together so superbly.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf then gave us this encouragement: "How beloved you are of your Heavenly Father. Though it may seem that you are alone, angels attend you. Though you may feel that no one can understand the depth of your despair, our Savior, Jesus Christ, understands. He suffered more than we can possibly imagine, and He did it for us. He did it for you. You are not alone."

I never cease to be amazed at how what I study is exactly what I need to hear in that moment!

Be Still

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

This year my children will be ages 36 to 27. Hardly seems possible! They were raised in a home where we didn't watch broadcast television. We had a TV but used it to watch VHS, then DVD movies. They were homeschooled and didn't get cell phones until they were on their own, earning their own way. (Once a 16 year old son having been told no, he couldn't have his own computer, asked accusingly, "Well, how old were you when you got your own computer?" My answer stunned him into silence, "Forty.") I read to them at bedtime until they were at least twelve. I tried to give them a good foundation of understanding that we all need quiet time to relax and listen. I not sure I did a very good job. All of them seem to be constantly on their phones, or computers, or gaming, or listening to raucous music while doing something else. To my eyes it seem that they never allow for stillness and quiet. 

Sister Vicki F. Matsumori, Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency had this to say about it:

If we provide a still and quiet time each day when we are not bombarded by television, computer video games, or personal electronic devices, we allow that still, small voice an opportunity to provide personal revelation and to whisper sweet guidance, reassurance, and comfort to us.

As I listened to that this week I reflected on President Nelson's admonition "But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost." (See Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives)

As missionaries we taught people how to recognize the workings of the Spirit through the many references in the scriptures. I thought I knew everything then; but I'm still learning, even now.

Sister Matsumori said, When we understand the whisperings of the Spirit, we will be able to hear Him teach us "the peaceable things of the kingdom" and "all things what [we] should do." We will recognize answers to our prayers and know how to live the gospel more fully each day. We will be guided and protected. And we can cultivate this gift in our lives as we follow those spiritual promptings. Most importantly, we will feel Him witness to us of the Father and of the Son.

I've tried hard to practice what I preach. Being quiet and still has sure helped me better hear instructional promptings, and to feel the comforting influence of the Savior through my grief and pain.

The Spirit is real and near if we'll just give Him the quiet and stillness He needs to get through to us.

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

We Are Not Alone

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the General Relief Society session of the October 1998 conference.

Sheri L. Dew is not talking about aliens visiting us. Rather she is referring to the presence of the Comforter, the Holy Ghost.

It is vital that we, the sisters of Relief Society, learn to hear the voice of the Lord. Yet I worry that too often we fail to seek the guidance of the Spirit. Perhaps we don't know how and haven't made it a priority to learn. Or we're so aware of our personal failings that we don't feel worthy, don't really believe the Lord will talk to us, and therefore don't seek revelation. Or we've allowed the distractions and pace or our lives to crowd out the Spirit. What a tragedy! For the Holy Ghost blesses us with optimism and wisdom at times of challenge that we simply cannot muster on our own. No wonder the adversary's favorite tactics among righteous LDS women is busyness--getting us so preoccupied with the flurry of daily life that we fail to immerse ourselves in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Sisters, we can't afford not to seek the things of the Spirit! There is too much at stake. Too many people are depending on us as mothers, as sisters, leaders and friends. A woman led by the Lord knows where to turn for answers and for peace. She can make difficult decisions and face problems with confidence because she take her counsel from the Spirit, and from her leaders who are also guided by the Spirit.

 

I need to work on this and felt called to repentance when I listened to this talk. Sister Dew has always been a favorite of mine!

". . . life was very different . . ."

This post is part of the General Conference Odessey This week covers the Sunday afternoon session of the April 1997 conference.

Elder L. Tom Perry began his talk, "After arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, the Mormon pioneers found establishing settlements in the desert to be a real challenge." Ya think?

I'd find it a real challenge today! I can't imagine their mindset and determination. He goes on to say, "Daily they encountered trials and hardships that kept reminding them that their new life was very different from the one to which they had been accustomed." I can relate to that!

The political landscape of the United States of American has changed so rapidly that life is very different from the one we used to know. 

Elder Perry gives us the key to navigating our new landscape. The Gift of the Holy Ghost. He quotes Elder LeGrand Richards from a 1979 conference address, ". . . the gift of the Holy Ghost is as important to man as sunshine and water are to plants." That's pretty darn important, as in life sustaining. Elder Perry continues, "Gifts have only limited value unless they are used. The Holy Ghost will be our constant companion if we submit ourselves to the will of our Father in Heaven, always remembering Him and keeping His commandments."

This talk brought to mind President Eyring's address in the Saturday morning session of the most recent conference. Speaking of the Atonement he said, "Our natures change to become as a little child, obedient to God, and more loving. That change will qualify us to enjoy the gifts that come through the Holy Ghost. Having the Spirit's companionship will comfort, guide, and strengthen us."

As we live through days of increasing spiritual darkness we will, as President Nelson said, need the constant companionship fo the Holy Ghost. We can be grateful for prophets and apostles to instruct us on getting and keeping that precious gift.

Timeless Counsel and Encouragement

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday morning session of the October 1996 conference.

Elder Faust's talk, "Woman, Why Weepest Thou?" was perfect for the Easter season. His faith and kindness comes through when he says, "I believe the kind and merciful God, whose children we are, will judge us as lightly as He can for the wrongs that we have done and give us the maximum blessing for the good that we do."  Then Elder Faust goes on to say, "To remain true and faithful through this mortal vale of tears, we must love God with all our heart, might, mind, and strength and love our neighbors as ourselves." And adds, "As we go though travail and difficulty, we may feel sorry for ourselves and despair, but with the love of Hod and the Saints, unitedly bearing each other's burdens, we can be happy and overcome evil." What more could we ask for as encouragement to keep pressing forward along the covenant path!

Elder Dallin H. Oaks spoke on the Holy Ghost, explaining the differences between "(1) the Light of Christ, (2) a manifestation of the Holy Ghost, and (3) the gift of the Holy Ghost."  When he explained what a manifestation of the Holy Ghost is he said they are given "to lead sincere seekers to gospel truths that will persuade them to repentance and baptism." 

This was echoed in the next address by Bishop Richard C. Edgley (2nd C) when speaking of missionaries he said, "They testify of a restoration that is so marvelous that only the hand of God could be its author--so miraculous that is can only be believed if one understands the powers of God and His love for all mankind--a story so divine that the truth of it can only be truly accepted through the personal manifestation of the Holy Ghost, which the Savior promised as His way of testifying of the truth to those who prayerfully seek it."

I love seeing patterns and second witnesses in both the scriptures and conference talks. That these occurred in successive talks in one session is a testimony that they are inspired!

Elder Hales spoke of the eternal family. His address could have been given at the last conference. He said, "The fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ brings great comfort in stressful times in mortality. It brings light where there is darkness and a calming influence where there is turmoil. It gives eternal hope where there is mortal despair. It is more than just beautiful doctrine. It is a reality in our lives that if we can be obedient and obtain the eternal rewards that God grants us, if we will draw nigh unto Him and embrace the eternal doctrine, we will be blessed." Oh how we need these reassurances today!

President Hinckley spoke to the women of the church reminding us that "The greatest job that an mother will ever do will be nurturing, teaching, lifting, encouraging, and rearing her children in righteousness and truth." I needed to hear that at the time as I had just had our fourth child and was in the throes of family life, with a fifth to come not quite two years later. I remember a particularly harrowing day when I said to my children, "You're interrupting my work!" The Spirit spoke immediately to my mind saying, "These children are your work!" Oh, right, I forgot. 

It never ceases to amaze and delight me to read past conferences and remember anew how timeless the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are, and how prophetic and pertinent the counsel is from the past.

Marilyn over at Light in Leaves has more General Conference Odyssey.

Away in a Manger

Advent - Day 21

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.                                               Luke 2:15,16

She Brought Light

by Muriel Robinson

     It has been many years since my husband, Ken, was released from the Air Force and we moved to Provo, Utah, so he could attend Brigham Young University. Prior to our move, Ken had traveled to Provo, purchased a mobile home, arranged to have it set up on a lot, and the utilities turned on when we moved in.

     We arrived in Provo on a cold December night. All our belongings were packed in the back of a rental truck. Our nerves were on edge from the tiring trip. Six months pregnant, I was feeling the effects of cleaning, packing, and traveling; our 15-month-old daughter, Shawna, was tired and crying.

    A blast of cold air greeted us as we opened the door to our home. The electricity and water had been turned on, but for some reason the natural gas had not. Too exhausted to do anything else, we put a mattress on the floor with an electric blanket to keep us warm and tried to sleep with our daughter between us. She ended up crying most of the night, so when morning came we were almost as tired as when we had gone to bed.

     After we unloaded the truck, Ken left to return it, check with the gas company, and arrange for a phone to be installed. I dressed Shawna in her snowsuit and placed her in her high chair with a few toys while I started to unpack the boxes.

     When I unpacked our electric frying pan, I decided to heat water in it to wash out the cupboards. As I turned on the faucet of the kitchen sink, the faucet came off and water shot up into the air. I tried to turn off the water valve under the sink but could not get it to turn. Frantically, I searched for the water shutoff valve for the house. By the time I found it, the kitchen and living room were flooded.

     As I desperately started moving boxes out of the water, Shawna sensed my panic and began to scream. Carrying her with one arm, I continued to try to lift boxes with the other. It was then that I started into premature labor. Now I was truly panicked. I didn't know anyone in the neighborhood, and I didn't even have a phone to call for help. Desperately I prayed, "Heavenly Father, please help me!"

     I'll never forget answering a knock that soon came at the door. The woman standing there was shivering, with soap suds up to her elbows. She introduced herself as Amalia Van Tassel, the branch Relief Society president; and told me the Spirit had sent her.

     I would later learn that Amalia had been standing at her sink washing dishes when she felt prompted to check on the new family who had just moved in. Sensing an urgency, she called to her oldest daughter to watch her other children, and without even stopping to dry her hands or grab her coat, ran to my door.

     Amalia made me lie down, comforted Shawna, cleaned up all she could, and invited our family to dinner. She brought light, safety, and comfort into that dark December day. Rest stopped my premature labor, Ken returned with the gas man, and fixed the sink, and portable electric heaters dried the soaked carpet.

     I have always been grateful to Heavenly Father for answering my prayer that day and for the loving sister who quickly followed the promptings of the Holy Spirit.