Counsel from the First Presidency

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

Even though I study the gospel every day I have felt my spirituality draining away for reasons that I don't fully understand. Have I had such powerful experiences in the past that I don't feel anything less than that? Are there sins I need to repent of? (Yes, always.) Am I being tested further? (Probably, of course.) Am I studying or doing the wrong things, or for the wrong reasons? (I don't know.)

I'm glad that I am studying the past General Conferences as their messages seem tailor made for my situation today. How does that work?

The talks by the First Presidency were especially meaningful to me. Even though they were speaking to the men of the church I could feel that their counsel applied almost equally to the women. At least to this woman.

President Uchtdorf talked about continuing in patience. We are in the midst of a move at the moment and life feels rather unsettled, because it actually is. I can't see the end of this situation and have to go forward with faith in every footstep.  

He says, "From that experience, I learned that patience is far more than simply waiting for something to happen--patience required actively working toward worthwhile goals and not getting discouraged when results didn't appear instantly or without effort. . . . Patience means actively waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can--working, hoping, exercising faith, bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well."

I'm revisiting the lesson that I often have to take a step forward without knowing the next step. 

I know for sure that the promises of the Lord, if perhaps not always swift, are always certain. . . . Often we can't see the Lord's hand in our lives until long after trials have passed. 

I think that will prove to be true of the trials I am going through right now. There is a purpose, which I can't see, for the things that are happening. My job is to be faithful no matter what.

 

 Patience is truly a fruit of the Spirit. Patience means staying with something until the end. [I always think of pregnancy] It means delaying immediate gratification for future blessings. It means reining in anger and holding back the unkind word. It means resisting evil, even it appears to be making others rich.

I am learning that patience is an important Godly virtue. Heavenly Father is eternally patient with me in my weakness and stumbling. I must learn to be patient with others, and with circumstances outside of my control, enduring faithfully and actively until I receive the promised blessings.

President Eyring continued the theme with a talk about acting in all diligence. He said, "When I find myself drawn away from my [Relief Society] duties by other interests and when my body begs for rest, I give to myself this rallying cry: Remember Him. . . . He taught us a lesson by what He did in three days in the spirit world before His Resurrection, which I remember whenever I am tempted to feel that I have finished some hard task in His service and deserve a rest." 

I'll be sixty-eight this year, part of my brain says it is time to retire, but hearing the Apostles speak reminds me that they don't get to retire and they are a decade or two or three older than me! 

I close now with this counsel to the Lord's [Relief Society] servants. Ponder deeply and diligently in the scriptures and in the words of living prophets. Persist in prayer for the Holy Ghost to reveal to you the nature of God the Father and His Beloved Son. Plead that the Spirit will show you what the Lord wants you to do. Plan to do it. Promise Him to obey. Act with determination until you have done what He asked. And then pray to give thanks for the opportunity to serve and to know what you might do next.

I now have my instructions!

President Monson added to the theme with Preparation Brings Blessings. He said, "Let us consider our callings, let us reflect on our responsibilities, and let us follow Jesus Christ, our Lord."

Right now I don't have any formal callings because we've had our records transferred to our new branch. No matter, I'm still under covenant to share the gospel, serve my fellowman, and be an example of the believer. We have new neighbors just behind us. They are a lovely family and I've already had opportunities to serve them, and they me. I'm sad we can't stay and enjoy their friendship longer. I hope for a way and opportunity to share the gospel with them.

President Monson addresses an issue in 2010 that I've seen recently on social media regarding member's dress and grooming. He said, "The way you dress sends messages about yourself to others and often influences the way you and others act. Dress in such a way to bring out the best in yourself and those around you. Avoid extremes in clothing and appearance, including tattoos and piercings."

I've never heard any of the apostles rescind what President Hinckley taught about tattoos and piercings in 2000, but there seems to be a whole lot of people who think it is okay. I know we're expected to be accepting and give grace to converts who didn't know any better. But perhaps we could rewatch his address from 2000 (isn't it wonderful to have access to past talks) to educate those who are like the little children of King Benjamin's time and didn't hear or understand the prophet's counsel.

One line in particular stood out to me from President Monson's talk. He said, "Remember that prayer is the passport to spiritual power." That hit me hard because I realized prayer is what I'm struggling with the most. 

When I was raising our five children I had rules we followed when going shopping. Because we homeschooled I took our five everywhere with me. Two of the rules were: 1) Stay by Mom, close enough to touch her; 2) No whining or begging. Number 2 was in case they asked for something and I said no, or not today. I didn't want to negotiate or listen to them whining and begging. Because of that rule I've wondered and pondered, does Heavenly Father feel the same way when I ask for something over and over again? Am I whining and begging? I often think, well, I've asked once and He knows what I asked for, if He's ready to give it to me it will happen, if not, okay, He knows best. This is a struggle for me, and I want to understand and do and be better.

I know that my Heavenly Father loves me because He sends me little messages through His Apostles that answer questions and concerns I have. We are richly blessed when we study their words.

 

 

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.)

Prepared and Strong

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Saturday Morning session of the October 2005 conference.

From my perspective of almost 67 years on earth I can see the truth that mortal life has always been perilous, and evil has been on a continual march to capture the souls of mankind. Fashions and technology have changed but not much else. Followers of Christ strive to put off the natural man, scoffers eat, drink, and make merry, while the truly evil plot to accumulate wealth and power over others. We can't for a moment think that "the pride cycle" is something that happened only in ancient times. It is alive and well currently! Both in personal lives and societally.

Bishop Keith B. McMullin, Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric gave a great talk answering a question he'd tried to answer many years previously. While a mission president (in Germany) he'd met with a mayor and was asked why the church was doing missionary work in that city. He answered, "The gospel of Jesus Christ provides answers and solutions to all of the world's problems, including those confronting the good people of your city. This is why we are here." Mission President McMullin was not allowed to elaborate, and the meeting with the mayor was abruptly ended.

Since this talk was given the world around us has continued to experience natural calamities, wars, crime, depravities of every kind and government induced fear and chaos. Evil is not subtle anymore, it is blatant, biased and broadcast widely.

Bishop McMullin said, "The more we cleave unto righteousness, the more we enjoy the protecting care of our Savior. He is the Creator and Lord of the universe. He will calm the winds and the waves. His teachings and Atonement will heal the repentant soul. He is the Messiah or Deliverer, and because of Him, each of us can be in charge of his or her personal world, even as tragedies beset us."

This was true for me as He gave me strength to carry on after our son took his life last year. He gave us peace and comfort as we relied on the knowledge of temple covenants to sustain the hope of seeing our son again. He replaced guilt at things undone with comforting knowledge that His Atonement will make up for our shortcomings.

Of course, we cannot remain where we are, but must repent and improve. "Every time calamity strikes, there is a corresponding sacred obligation that falls upon each of us to become better. We should ask ourselves, 'What part of my life needs to change so that the weight of chastisement need not be felt?'"

A long time friend and I were texting and the conversation turned to obedience and consequences, and how they are manifest in our lives. Bishop McMullin puts it this way, "Faith, spirituality, and obedience produce a prepared and self-reliant people. As we obey the covenant of tithing, we are shielded from want and the power of the destroyer. As we obey the fast and give generously to care for others, our prayers are heard and family fidelity increases. Similar blessings come as we obey the counsel of prophets and live within our means, avoid unnecessary debt, and set aside sufficient of life's necessities to sustain ourselves and our families for at least one year. This may not always be easy, but let us do our very best and our stores shall not fail--there shall be 'enough and to spare.'"

The answers to life's and society's problems truly are found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ because obedience to the commandments, and keeping sacred covenants, spares us the consequences of wrong choices, gives us strength to endure the wrong choices of others, and helps us keep an eternal perspective as we go through the vicissitudes of mortal life.

"Our duty as Latter-day Saints is to prepare ourselves, this earth, and its inhabitants for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Being prepared and being strong as the gospel teaches ensure happiness here and hereafter and make this 'grand millennial mission' possible."