Faith in the Atonement Through Our Mortal Adversities

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the General Relief Society Meeting of the October 2012 General Conference.

The addresses from the three members of the General Relief Society presidency touched my heart because they spoke of things that have strengthened me through my "classes" in this mortal boarding school.

Sister Linda K. Burton spoke of having faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ written in our hearts. I can never speak of the Savior without tearing up because I love Him and am so grateful for His mercy, grace and love. What is most amazing to me is that He loves me back, especially when I'm most unloveable. He never turns me away, and more than once I have felt His warm, strong arms around me in times of despair. I'm so grateful to be yoked with Him through covenants to journey through life.

Sister Burton said, "That supreme act of love ought to send each of us to our knees in humble prayer to thank our Heavenly Father for loving us enough that He sent His Only Begotten and perfect Son to suffer for our sins, our heartaches, and all that seems unfair in our own individual lives."

And it does!

Sister Carole M. Stephens talked about being "awake to our duty and continue with faith as we draw upon the comforting, strengthening, enabling, and healing power of the Atonement." For a long time after our son's death I felt like I was asleep, just going through the motions of living. I wanted to wake up but didn't know how to jumpstart my spirit and get going again. It didn't help that I didn't have a busy calling in the branch. I had too much time to be alone and lonely. Sister Stephens asked, "Have our hearts become gradually hardened as we have allowed too much of the noise of the world to distract us from the gentle promptings that have surely come from the Spirit?" I think that challenging circumstances can distract us too. Grief is such a hard thing to navigate for the grieving as well as family and friends. Again, Sister Stephens, "Each of us has had and will continue to have adversity in our lives. This mortal life is a time of testing, and we will continue to have opportunities to use our agency to choose what we will learn from the adversity that will surely come."

One thing I have learned from my adversity is to offer to serve in specific ways. Think hard and listen to promptings, then go and do. It is frustrating to hear over and over again, "Call me if you need anything." I feel as awkward calling you to ask for a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on as you probably do asking if you can come do my dishes or laundry. But if you offer something specific I would feel more comfortable saying, well, that's not what I need, but could you do this?

Sister Linda S. Reeves closed out her talk with this testimony, "That is our charge. We must feel and see for ourselves and then help all of Heavenly Father's children to feel and see and know that our Savior has taken upon Himself not only all our sins but also our pains and our suffering and afflictions so that He can know what we feel and how to comfort us." 

Another thing I have learned from my adversity is that I ought to leave my burdens with the Savior to carry, and then do more to serve others. There is always someone who is worse off than me. Serving others truly is a way to forget our troubles. It can be as simple as expressing gratitude for the service of others to me. Expressing gratitude is so important!

I miss the Relief Society sessions. I'm thankful for the technology that allows me to hear and read them over again. They feed my soul.

The Greatest Work - The Most Important Service, and other thoughts

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday afternoon session of the April 2012 General Conference.

Throughout the years of raising children, from the time our first was born in 1989 to the time our youngest left home in 2016, and even to this day, I often wondered if I should have chosen a different path, cultivating an outside career and developing my talents in a professional (that means paid) setting. Over my lifetime homemakers have increasingly been looked down on as less educated, homeschoolers continually questioned about their qualifications, while those who don't contribute monetarily to their family economy are seen as parasites. 

Thankfully we have apostles and prophets to teach the truth about the work that takes place in our homes.

Elder M. Russell Ballard quoted President Joseph F. Smith, ". . . and there is no service greater than that which converts the home into a divine institution, and which promotes and preserves family life. . . ."

Elder Ballard said, "Brothers and sisters, the most important cause of our lifetime is our families. If we will devote ourselves to this cause, we will improve every other aspect of our lives and will become, as a people and as a church, an example and a beacon for all peoples of the earth." 

I appreciate that he used the word "cause" rather than thing or entity. I believe our highest priority and relationships should be with God, Our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. They can give us salvation, and exaltation with our families; but our families can give us neither. Putting God first in our lives makes everything else fall into place in the correct order of priority.

Elder Ballard continued, "First, may I suggest that we prioritize. Put everything you do outside the home in subjection to and in support of what happens inside your home. . . . Organize your personal live to provide time for prayer and scriptures and family activity. Give your children responsibilities in the home that will teach them how to work."

I hear sisters in Relief Society say that they are just so busy and have trouble finding time to study the gospel. Then they tell about all the activities that they ferry children to every day of the week! I think they've lost sight of the priority of studying and living the gospel instead of busily chasing worldly activities and acclaim with and for their children.

Elder Ballard said to the young women (and I presume even older women could benefit from this advice) "No career can bring you as much fulfillment as rearing a family. And when you are my age, you will realize this even more." I concur!! Being a wife, mother and homemaker stretches a woman, demands her highest efforts, and utilizes every talent and skill she can muster. "Paydays" are few and far between, but all the sweeter when they come.

Elder David F. Evans also proclaimed that ". . . our most important work is always within our own home and family."  He gave an important insight about communication, saying, "Letters from home are not just quick emails. Real letters provide something tangible that can be held, thought about, and cherished." After children leave home words of encouragement, comfort and wisdom from a parent in the form of a tangible letter is priceless.

Elder Neil L. Andersen quoted President Thomas S. Monson from 2011, ". . . the moral fiber of society continues to disintegrate before our very eyes." And then said something comforting to me, "Being a disciple in these days of destiny will be a badge of honor throughout the eternities." Comforting because of what I said in my first paragraph, I haven't felt much praise and honor for my chosen path in life. Elder Andersen goes on to say, "Our journey of discipleship is not a dash around the track, nor is it fully comparable to a lengthy marathon. In truth, it is a lifelong migration toward a more celestial world." Yes! It is a hero journey through the wilderness to the promised land. What a beautiful way to put it, "a lifelong migration."

I've noticed on social media that there is an outpouring of defense against critics of the church and our doctrines and beliefs. It is wearying to me to keep up with it all so I don't try to. I love Elder Andersen's closing testimony, so fitting for the times we live in, "In a future day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is the Christ. On that day, our concern will not be, 'Do others consider me Christian?' At that time, our eyes will be fixed on Him, and our souls will be riveted on the question, 'What thinks Christ of me?'" His opinion and judgement of me is the only one that matters. Which is why I do my best to learn of Him, yoke myself to Him, and share my testimony of Him with my family.

So Many Thoughts

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Priesthood session of the April 2011 conference.

First things first. What a weekend!! Waking up Sunday morning to the news that President Russell M. Nelson had graduated from this mortal boarding school brought me to tears. Not for him, but for the rest of us left behind to continue slogging through the fight against evil. Which was evident Sunday morning in the attack on the church in Grand Blanc, Michigan. A place of peace and refuge from the storms of life was breached and burned to the ground by a madman. So much sadness in one day. But I suppose that we are getting a taste of the tribulations to come as the fight heats up and all hell breaks loose. We know which side wins, but the battles will be fierce and there will be mortal and spiritual casualties. I've always felt that our son James was a casualty in that fight. Satan succeeded in getting him addicted to alcohol and filling him with thoughts of worthlessness to the point he couldn't take anymore and ended his life seeking peace. I know from sacred experiences that James is now, in fact, at peace, progressing and very happy. 

Well, this priesthood session was full of good counsel for the brethren. But, as President Uchtdorf said, "The words written in the scriptures and spoken in general conference are for us 'to liken them unto [ourselves]', not for reading or hearing only." So I have applied that counsel to the group I am a part of, the Relief Society.

Elder Steven E. Snow gave a wonderful talk about Hope.

Hope is an emotion which brings richness to our everyday lives. . . . Hope can inspire dreams and spur us to realize those dreams. Hope alone, however, does not cause us to succeed. Many honorable hopes have gone unfulfilled, shipwrecked on the reefs of good intentions and laziness. . . . The exercise of hope enriches our lives and helps us look forward to the future. . . . In the gospel, hope is almost always related to faith and charity. . . . The spiritual journey of today requires no less hope nor faith than those of the early pioneers. Our challenges may be different, but the struggles are just as great.

I've often said that technology, fashion, and such change over time but human nature is the same today as it was in the days of Adam and Eve. We all have to overcome the natural man/woman and choose to be disciples of Jesus, obeying His commandments and keeping our covenants.

President Uchtdorf said that ". . . somewhere between the hearing, the writing of a reminder on our smartphone, and the actual doing, our 'do it' switch gets rotated to the 'later' position. [Sisters], let's make sure to set our 'do it' switch to the 'now' position. As you read the scriptures and listen to the words of the prophets with all your heart and mind, the Lord will tell you how to live up to your [Relief Society] privileges. Don't let a day go by without doing something to act on the promptings of the Spirit."

I remember President Kimball was known for having a little plaque on his desk that said "Do it" and he added the word "now!" to the sign. (Nike stole the slogan!)

President Uchtdorf talked about the emphasis on education and vocational training and commended those listening for becoming an expert in their chosen field. Then said, "I invite you to also become  experts in the doctrines of the gospel--especially the doctrine of the [Relief Society]."

I feel sad that few sisters know the history and purpose of the Relief Society anymore. To the younger women it's just another Sunday class, with an occasional get together to socialize.

How can the Relief Society sister strengthen homes and families when they are out chasing fulfillment in the workplace rather than finding it in the making of homes for weary husbands and children? How can we reach out to the needy, and supply their needs if we're too busy juggling a full-time job and the full-time work of raising a family? (No disrespect is meant to women who are single yet want to be married, my daughter being one; nor to any widows; or any other non-ideal situation. I know that many can't currently live the ideal. But that doesn't mean we disregard God's ideal and accept the world's.)

President Uchtdorf said, "Too often we fail to experience the bliss that come from daily, practical [Relief Society] service."

That daily, practical service can most often be in our own homes! What would it mean to a man, weary from the cares of providing for his family, to come home to a calm place of rest and love? That is service! Teaching children manners and reverence so they are well behaved at church. That is service! Sharing something with a neighbor. That is service! And from our homes and families we reach out to those beyond our immediate circle. 

I deeply appreciate what President Uchtdorf says about ministering (then called Home/Visiting Teaching), "[Sisters], if your [ministering] efforts don't seem to be effective to you, I invite you to see with the eye of faith what a visit from a servant of the Lord will do for a family that has many unseen problems." That was sure me, the family with many unseen problems; and I bless the two faithful sisters who visited me every month, talked of the gospel and bore their testimonies to me faithfully. They lifted me up and keep me going when I wanted to give up, all the while not knowing anything about my situation. They were angels to me.

There was more, but I think it best if you read the talks and hear what the Lord says to you through the Spirit. I love the talks to the men of the priesthood as I hear so much counsel that applies to me so perfectly.

Actions Speak Louder than Words

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

My husband and I speak different love languages. His language is Words of Affirmation, and mine is Acts of Service. To me talk is cheap, unless followed by action. He feels neglected if I don't speak my feelings, not seeing all of my actions as expressions of love. We struggle to communicate.

President Uchtdorf said, "True love requires action. We can speak of love all day long--we can write notes or poems that proclaim it, sing songs that praise it, and preach sermons that encourage it--but until we manifest that love in action, our words are nothing but 'sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.' . . . Christ did not just speak about love, He showed it each day of His life."

I think we need to become multi-lingual in love languages but if we are following the example of our Savior, acts of service, which is a form of gift giving (another love language), can express love in practical, measurable, demonstrable ways.

Service is usually not convenient, easy, or quick. It can be, but the most meaningful service often takes thought and preparation, or is terribly inconvenient. I think that is why we are encouraged to visit each other as part of ministering. By spending time with you in your home I can see, hear, and discern needs or wants. Our son James was especially good at that. He paid attention to what I would casually mention in conversation, and the next holiday (Christmas, birthday, Mother's Day) I'd get the very thing I'd mentioned. I miss him! He listened, and at every meal he ate at my house after he'd left home, he would help clear the table and then help with doing the dishes. His love language seemed to be Service and Gifts too. At least he learned those languages and spoke them fluently.

The Primary song, "I'm trying to be like Jesus" is instructive of what we're striving for, to show kindness is all that we do and say. President Nelson's call for peacemakers is another way to show love and be like the Savior. It all fits together. 

Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the General Relief Society session of the October 2008 conference.

We attend church in a small branch in Minnesota. Our branch covers a large area with members living in 25 different towns in two states. The largest of those 25 is where the church building is and has a population of just under 11,000. The smallest town where members live has 167 residents. This area is mostly rural farmland. We live in the second largest town with a population of 4,700. There are four members in our town. Previously there were a few more but an elderly couple moved to Arizona and an elderly brother died.

When we first moved here the sister half of the elderly couple, who moved to Arizona, was not really active in Relief Society. She had found another women's group who better met her needs for sociality and service. I encouraged her to come to Relief Society and she eventually did and we enjoyed attending the few activities that happened together.

After living here for almost eight years I can understand why she sought out sisterhood and service in another organization. I have too. 

For whatever reasons (and there were many given, and many excuses made) the Relief Society here rarely did anything, either social or service.  Finally, last fall, after a suggestion to the RS President two sisters were called to head up the activities, and there have been a few more socials. Attempts have been made to do something in the way of community service but so far it hasn't worked out.

The sisters are generally good for service when there is a funeral or new baby born, but not so much in continuing efforts in the community. I think it is sad that we don't do more to serve which would raise the profile of the church here and help further missionary efforts. But no one asks me, and I'm not in charge.

In 2008 Sister Julie B. Beck, General President of the Relief Society said, "It is time for Relief Society to fulfill its purpose as never before. To move forward and achieve what the Lord desires, we must clearly understand the purpose of Relief Society. . . . The purpose of Relief Society, as established by the Lord, is to organize, teach, and inspire His daughters to prepare them for the blessings of eternal life."

She goes on to talk about 1) Increase in faith and personal righteousness, 2) Strengthen families and homes, 3) Serve the Lord and His children.

"Families worldwide are being assaulted and weakened by corrupt practices and false teachings. Therefore, whether we are married or single, old or young, we have a duty to defend and practice the truths found in 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World.' . . . Children being born now are growing up in an increasingly sinful world. Our homes are to be the refuge from the daily encounters they have with evil." 

Sister Beck tells of being a young married when her mother moved far away. Her mother counseled her, "If I never come back, if you never see me again, if I'm never able to teach you another thing, you tie yourself to Relief Society. Relief Society will be your mother. . . . I began from that time to learn abundantly from women of stature and faith."

I never lived near my mother because my husband's career in the military took us far away from her. I always looked to the sisters in Relief Society as my sisters, mothers, aunts and grandmothers. I asked a lot of older women for advice and counsel and learned so much from them.

I also learned from the many, many activities (lessons, workshops, demonstrations, interest groups, etc.) we had. And in a few of the places we lived the Relief Society was involved in community service.

My testimony of the benefits and work of Relief Society began early when my father was in college and my mother worked. We lived in my grandparent's basement and I spent my days in her care. She was a member of a Relief Society presidency and a doer! We visited lots of sisters, at home, and in the hospital. I got to go to Relief Society with her each week (in the olden days when RS was on a weekday morning) and my favorite time was "work day" when they made quilts and other lovely things, and had a delicious luncheon. To my mind Relief Society was the place where things happened! It was the best place in the church. I remember as a teen being really eager to be an adult so I could attend Relief Society. (Of course, the whole program changed while I was on my mission with the advent of the "block program" with everything on Sunday. That was a huge disappointment to me and Relief Society never seemed the same.) There have been times and places in my adult life when I have felt energized by Relief Society and other times and places where it is the opposite. I totally understand why my friend sought out other opportunities to socialize and serve with another group of women. 

Oh that we could have a Relief Society revival and return to increasing our testimonies of the Savior; learning homemaking and parenting skills; and getting involved in regular community service to lift others from despair and poverty, both spiritual and physical.

Sister Beck continues to inspire me!

General Conference Talks Answer Questions!

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Priesthood session of the October 2008 conference.

For many years I've felt less than. Less than the women featured in Church News articles, or church magazine articles, less than others called to positions of leadership. Because I don't have a college degree, because my chosen career has been wife, mother and homemaker. 

I've often wondered if there will be a different value system in the next life where those who chose to magnify the calling of wife and mother will be more valued than those who gave their life's effort to being a corporate executive or business owner or any other mortal pursuit. I've recently asked myself numerous times if I wasted my life? Should I have pursued a career outside my home? Was I too lazy to do so, and did I just take the easy road?

I'm not uneducated. Over the years I've read voraciously on many subjects: architecture, geography, history, medical science, exercise and nutrition, efficiency and organization, color theory, music, biology, and anything else that interested me. I can hold my own in just about any conversation. I'm curious about the world around me and would have made a great detective or journalist--I love to ask questions!

As a new member of the First Presidency, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave a memorable talk titled, "Lift Where You Stand". Among other things, he talks about the example of the Savior going about serving others and then says, "In spite of this shining example, we too easily and too often get caught up in seeking the honors of men rather than serving the Lord will all our might, mind, and strength. Brethren, [or sisters!] when we stand before the Lord to be judged, will He look upon the positions we have held in the world or even in the Church? Do you suppose that titles we have had other than 'husband,' [wife] 'father' [mother], or 'priesthood holder' [Relief Society sister] will mean much to Him? Do you think He will care how packed our schedule was or how many important meetings we attended? Do you suppose that our success in filling our days with appointments will serve as an excuse for failure to spend time with our wife [husband] and family? The Lord judges so very differently from the way we do. He is pleased with the noble servant, not with the self-serving noble." 

That gives me peace! I haven't wasted my life serving my family and in the church.  My choices to stay home, homeschool our children and serve in the church are pleasing to the Lord. I don't need to listen to my doubts.

Another question that was answered by this talk is about premonitions. Several times over the years I've had the distinct feeling that I was going to be called to a particular calling. And then it didn't happen. That has puzzled me for years! Did I listen to the wrong voice? Did I misinterpret the prompting? What was going on?

Elder Uchtdorf explains, "Sometimes He grants spiritual promptings telling us that we are worthy to receive certain callings. This is a spiritual blessing, a tender mercy from God. But sometimes we do not hear the rest of what the Lord is telling us. 'Although you are worthy to serve in this position,' He may say, 'this is not my calling for you. It is my desire instead that you lift where you stand.' God knows what is best for us."

What a relief! I did hear the right voice. I just didn't hear the full message. 

I'm really grateful for the scriptures we call General Conference talks. They truly are the word of the Lord to us; with answers to questions revealed in the Lord's timing, when we're ready to receive them. I know I'd read or heard this particular talk previously, but I didn't get the specific answers that I heard this time around. It's a nice tender mercy to experience.

Give Heed unto the Prophet's Words

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Priesthood session of the April 2008 conference.

No one talk completely captured my attention so I'll share just a quote or two from several. 

Elder Quentin L. Cook - My purpose this evening is to reemphasize to priesthood holders [and anyone else who reads or listens] the importance of heeding the words of the prophets.

Bishop H. David Burton - The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things that you do for others remains as your legacy.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf - On that day, the prophet Samuel recognized a critical weakness in Saul's character. When pressured by outside influences, Saul did not have the self-discipline to stay on course, trust the Lord and His prophet, and follow the pattern God had established. . . . It is therefore of critical importance that we become self-disciplined enough to make early and decisive corrections to get back on the right track and not wait or hope that errors will somehow correct themselves.

President Thomas S. Monson -We live in a complex world with currents of conflict everywhere to be found. Political machinations ruin the stability of nations, despots grasp for power, and segments of society seem forever downtrodden, deprived of opportunity, and left with a feeling of failure. . . . If we are on the Lord's errand, . . . we are entitled to the Lord's help. . . . The face of sin today often wears the mask of tolerance. Do not be deceived; behind that facade is heartache, unhappiness, and pain. . . . what a glorious feeling it is to know that you stand in your appointed place clean and with the confidence that you are worthy to do so. . . . To the sophistry of Satan, Jesus turned His back. To the duty designated by His Father, He turned His face, pledged His heart, and gave His life. . . . let us all determine to prepare for our time of opportunity and to honor the priesthood we bear through the service we render, the lives we bless, and the souls we are privileged to help save.

I so enjoy hearing the encouraging words of the prophets to the men of the church, the holders of the priesthood. I have a husband and four sons (three living), and two grandsons. Men are important in my life! The Lord loves men and boys. They do the hard work of administrating the Lord's church and serving the entire membership. They need strong spiritual backs and shoulders to carry the burdens of leadership and service. Most are wonderful, many are really special.

Service

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday afternoon session of the October 2007 conference.

Many talk of the trouble they have receiving service, that they are more comfortable giving service. Well, I just might be the first person you've met who has the opposite problem. Giving service to those outside my family has been so difficult for me. I've tried to analyze why. The only explanation I can come up with is that I've been "burned" so many times trying to give service that I'm hesitant to do anything.

I'll give some examples. When I was a young single adult attending a family ward in Utah a young family immigrated from East Germany. The wife was expecting their third or fourth baby. I had been friendly with them, saying hello at church and such. When the baby was going to be blessed in church I thought I'd be kind and sit with the family so they wouldn't be alone. Wrong! They had relations that took up two or three rows in the chapel. I felt like an interloper as I was asked to scoot down the row to allow more family to sit together. It was so awkward! They didn't need my friendship, they had more family supporting them than I did! My "good deed" wasn't even needed.

In a different situation here in the Midwest, I signed up to bring a meal to a woman who had some surgery on her feet. I drove an hour to deliver the meal, knocked on the door, no answer. I waited about 30 minutes, kept knocking on the door and wondering what had happened. There were cars in the driveway, but no one seemed to be home, just the dogs barking inside. So I took the meal (no way to leave it on the stoop) home again and called the RS President to find out what happened. Turned out that the woman had gone shopping and out to dinner! Never again! At least not to that person. 

In the forty years between those two incidents there have been numerous other mishaps of various kinds which I try not to remember and catalog. I have had some successful experiences with service, but those seem to be rare for me. So I've been sort of gun-shy about serving. I am, however, a really gracious receiver of service and generally write thank you notes to those who give of their time or resources to me. Because my "love language" is service (and gifts) I feel loved when someone gives me service. 

Elder Steven E. Snow gave a wonderful talk on this subject setting forth three principles of service.

"First, we are commanded to serve one another. . . . This service is to be given unselfishly, with no thought of personal gain or reward. It is to be given as needed, not when convenient." It's rare that service is needed at a convenient time. Emergencies and deaths aren't preplanned, and those events seem to happen when we are busiest. Schedules have to change, sacrifices made, and resources reallocated. ". . . look for ways to bless the lives of others through seemingly simple acts of service. It is better to do even things of little consequence than to do nothing at all." 

After James died many in our branch wanted to bring in meals, but I asked that they not do that because I needed the simple routine of fixing food and cleaning up to keep from dissolving into a puddle of tears and self-pity. Plus, another son and his wife made all the food after they arrived to help us. (She eats a vegan diet and I felt I couldn't ask others to cater to her.) After the funeral I asked for help with preparing flower beds in the garden (it was Spring), and really appreciated phone calls, cards and visits. I learned the power of the prayers of others in times of grief.

"Second, we have an obligation as members of the Church to accept callings to serve in building the kingdom of God on earth." 

I've turned down a calling only once. I felt bad, but I also felt that I just couldn't do that particular calling at that particular time. We had just moved to a new area far from family; I had three children 5, 3 and 1, and we had just begun homeschooling our oldest. The calling was to be a Primary teacher. As soon as I heard it I spontaneously burst into tears. I couldn't face spending time at church with little children. I needed interaction with adults! I was with littles 24/7 as it was. A few months later I received a stake calling that turned out to be the perfect job for the time and circumstances of my life. But that's the only time. 

Building God's Kingdom isn't just through formal callings though. It can be as simple as greeting a new person at church and inviting them to sit with you, then helping them find the right classroom for second hour. It could be setting up or taking down chairs, picking up bulletins or other detritus after a meeting. Taking a turn at cleaning the building. Chaperoning a youth activity or temple trip. And many other things.

Currently I've been attending missionary lessons to a young mother who lives in our town. It's brought back lots of pleasant memories from my own missionary service as well as shown me how far I've come in my teaching ability! Mostly though, I enjoy her sweet spirit and her generosity! I feel energized by my service. Perhaps that is another key to service--what kind of service is energizing or satisfying to you? We don't all have the same talents or gifts so perhaps some service is "easier" to give than another kind of service. 

Elder Snow's final point is ". . . we have a responsibility to render service in our communities."  

In September I contacted a woman in town about a quilt guild and beyond the information she gave me about that, she invited me to a baby quilt making group that meets once a month. So I attended. It was a pleasant experience to be welcomed into a group of Christian women who meet each month to produce baby quilts for use by community public health nurses making new baby wellness checks. Except for the coffee break, it felt a lot like a Relief Society work day that I remember from attending with my mother and grandmother. I felt like I had found my people! My biggest regret is that I didn't look for this opportunity earlier; but I kept waiting for the Relief Society of our branch to do something. I finally gave up waiting. And now I have another circle of friends and am accomplishing something worthwhile.

"Unselfishness, sharing, and giving are essential to service. . . . If we fail to serve, we fail to receive the fulness of the privileges and blessings of the restored gospel."

I've also begun to serve in the temple each Saturday. I'm now one of those "sweet, little, old ladies". Oh my, do I have some work to do! But I love the spirit of the temple and in just the two weeks I've worked there have felt an increase in my love of the gospel and Our Father's plan. It feels so good to be serving there.

I'm so grateful that we have daily opportunities to repent and improve. I've been giving thought to what I want to accomplish in the new year and know that giving more service is part of it. 

Applicable to Relief Society

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Priesthood session of the October 2006 conference.

Rozy at Blue Mounds State Park - Prairie Flowers

Many of the principles taught by Elder Henry B. Eyring seemed to me to be equally applicable to the Relief Society.

. . . the strength of a quorum comes in large measure from how completely its members are united in righteousness. . . . [quoting Alma in the book of Mosiah] having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.

The Relief Society was initially founded to give service to those working on building the temple. The Prophet Joseph Smith gave the sisters further direction to lead others to the Savior. Serving together, sharing resources and skills, enabled the sisters to serve both more effectively and more widely.

The quorum is a service unit, and the members learn in their service. A quorum can give greater service than the members could give alone. And that power is multiplied by more than their numbers. Every quorum has a leader with authority and responsibility to direct priesthood service. 

 

If you've ever been in a ward where there are cliques and partiality between members you might know the feelings of loneliness and exclusion, which should never exist in the Lord's church.

One of the hallmarks of a strong quorum is the feeling of fellowship among its members. They care for each other. They help each other. . . . so that they will lift and encourage each other to serve in righteousness with the Master in His work to offer eternal life to Heavenly Father's children.

As I listened to this talk I felt so strongly that these principles and instructions could apply equally to the Relief Society. I wondered what action I could take since I'm not in the Relief Society presidency, or any other RS calling. I have no authority, responsibility or influence over what happens in Relief Society. So I decided that all I can do is work within my small sphere of influence among the sisters I'm assigned to minister to. 

. . . He has promised us that with His help good quorums can become great quorums. He wants that for us. And I know that He needs stronger quorums to bless the children of our Heavenly Father, according to the covenants. I have faith that He will.

What a wonderful promise! 

Instruments in the Hands of God

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

Sister Kathleen H. Hughes is married to one of my favorite LDS authors, Dean Hughes. One of his books, Before the Dawn, was inspired, in part, by the unity of sisterhood he felt among the women when his wife served in the General Relief Society presidency. I enjoyed her talk so much in this session because she addressed some of my most glaring faults.

All of us long to possess Christ's pure love, called charity, but our humanness--the "natural woman" in us--gets in the way. We get angry, we become frustrated, we berate ourselves and others--and when we do, we cannot be the conduit of love we need to be if we are to become an instrument in Heavenly Father's hands. Being willing to forgive ourselves and others becomes an integral part of our ability to have the love of the Lord in our lives and to do His work.

I often think of the quote from C.S. Lewis about entering a cellar turning on the light and discovering rats. The light didn't create the rats, it revealed them. I have rats in my cellar! Big, ugly ones that are revealed when I'm frustrated by things I can't control. I often pray to be able to kill the rats and rid myself of them, to clean up my cellar.

Sister Hughes shared something she learned from a woman she had recently met.

Alicia told me something I will never forget. She said, "I only do one thing for myself when I go to church: I take the sacrament for me. The rest of the time I watch for others who need me and I try to help them and nurture them."

That is an insight I needed to be reminded of. And I tried it this past Sunday. At the potluck after the meetings I sat with sisters I don't normally sit with. We had a delightful time. I felt better for having done so. Not that I was better than them, rather that they gave me hope, strength, and sisterhood.

We can only be instruments in the hands of God if and when we are willing to forget our own troubles and inadequacies and reach out to serve others. He will sustain us, and though we may not know the outcome of our service each time, it is surely recorded in heaven. I look forward to seeing the effects of my efforts someday when I return Home.  

 

The Divinity Which is Within You

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

Four years ago Noble was awarded an AS degree.
This week she's just finished her second year of a Masters.

At the time of this session I'd just had our fourth child, and though I was in a Stake Relief Society presidency I didn't feel up to attending the reception and viewing of the session at the stake center.

This week has been a joy to listen to and read the talks given then. As always they are timeless in their application. President James E. Faust of the First Presidency was the concluding speaker. His words were just what I needed to hear Monday evening.

Your God-given appreciation for the spiritual, the lovely, and the beautiful is part of the divinity which is within you. You make life so much more pleasant and worthwhile for all of us.

As my dear Ruth faithfully attended Relief Society over the years, our home and family was blessed with more of spirituality and peace. Things seemed to go smoother because of the spiritual enrichment she received.

For the daughters of God, doing the Savior's work . . . include[s] building faith by testimony and example. It includes teaching the doctrines of salvation. It includes following the Savior's example of love for all mankind. It includes ministering to others. . .

The bearing of testimony benefits both the one testifying as well as the one listening. Regular temple attendance will help us meet all our challenges. Accepting calls from priesthood leaders as well as visiting teaching assignments from the Relief Society president will be a great strengthening experience. In rendering compassionate service individually and as a group, you lose sight of your own problems and do the work the Savior did.

When the pressures of measuring up to worldly standards of excellence and achievement begin to overwhelm it's comforting to hear the words of a prophet reminding me of the worth of eternal things and efforts. 

Marilyn at Light in Leaves has more General Conference Odyssey.

  

 

 

 

Wise Men Still Seek Him

Silent Night

Advent - Day 12

Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.
                                                             3 Nephi 1:13

The Gift of Love

by Thomas S. Monson

When I was a very young bishop, in 1950, there was a tap at my door and a good German brother from Ogden, Utah announced himself as Karl Guertler.

He said, "Are you Bishop Monson?" I answered in the affirmative.

He said, "My brother and his wife and their family are coming from Germany. They are going to live in your ward. Will you come with me to see the apartment we have rented for them?" On the way to that apartment he told me he had not seen his brother for something like thirty years. Yet all through the holocaust of World War II, his brother, Hans Guertler, had been faithful to the Church--an officer in the Hamburg branch.

I looked at that apartment. It was cold; it was dreary; the paint was peeling from the walls; the cupboards were bare. What an uninviting home for the Christmas season of the year! I worried about it and I prayed about it, and then in our ward welfare committee meeting, we did something about it.

The group leader of the high priests said, "I am an electrician. Let's put good appliances in that apartment."

The group leader of the seventies said, "I am in the floor covering business. Let's install new floor coverings."

The elder's quorum president said, "I am a painter. Let's paint that apartment."

The Relief Society representative spoke up, "Did you say the cupboards were bare?" (They were not bare very long with the Relief Society in action.)

Then the young people, represented through the Aaronic Priesthood general secretary said, "Let's put a Christmas tree in the home and let's go among our young people and gather gifts to place under the tree."

You should have seen the Christmas scene when the Guertler family arrived from Germany in clothing which was tattered and with faces which were drawn by the rigors of war and deprivation! As they went into their apartment they saw what had been in actual fact a transformation--a beautiful home. We spontaneously began singing "Silent Night! Holy Night! All is calm; all is bright." We sang in English, they sang in German. At the conclusion of that hymn Hans Guertler threw his arms around my neck, buried his face in my shoulder, and repeated over and over again those words which I shall never forget: "Mein brudder, mein brudder, mein brudder."

As we walked down the stairs that night, all of us who had participated in making Christmas come alive in the lives of this German family, we reflected upon the words of the Master;

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

(Matthew 25:40) 

Stars Were Gleaming

Advent - Day 10

And behold there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you. And behold this is not all, there shall be many signs an wonders in heaven.
                                                                Helaman 14:5,6

The Unexpected Christmas

by Enid O. Ellis

     With wind howling down from the Cascade Mountains, December 1969 was bitterly cold and snowy in  Wenatchee, Washington. As a single mother, I and my children struggled just to stay warm and fed. I worked at minimum-wage jobs and attended nursing school, and often I went two or three days without eating at the end of the month to give the children more food. At times even the children went to bed hungry, and none of us had adequate winter clothing.

     Wendell was in grade school, Brent was in preschool, and my three year old twins, Michael and Michelle, stayed with a state-paid babysitter while I was gone. Just four months before, Wendell and I had joined the church, and as a result my parents, brothers, and sisters wanted nothing to do with us. With the holidays approaching we really had no one to turn to for help; as a new convert, I didn't know I could ask my bishop.

     Ten days before Christmas, after a great deal of whispering among themselves, my children approached me one evening while I was studying. Nine-year-old Wendell tugged my sleeve and asked, "Mama, when are we going to get a Christmas tree and some presents?" Brent piped up and asked, "Or are we going to Grandma and Grandpa's for Christmas this year?"

     These were the questions I'd been dreading. I swallowed a lump in my throat and blinked away my tears and said, "I'm afraid we're not going to have any Christmas presents this year."

     "Why not, Mama?" they asked.

     "Well, Grandma and Grandpa have asked us not to come over since we joined the Church, and we just don't have any money for our own Christmas," I answered.

     "Oh Mama, nothing?" asked Wendell. "Santa won't forget us though, will he?"

     I replied that Santa probably wouldn't be able to stop at our house that year.

     For the next few days the children seemed somber. They often stood by the front window and looked out at passers-by and neighboring festive houses. While their playmates bubbled with excitement about the presents and goodies being prepared in their homes, my children quietly accepted the fact that no packages or decorations or other signs of Christmas were appearing in our house.

     Our ward had a Christmas party planned for Saturday night, 20 December, but we decided not to go because the meetinghouse was a mile and a half away and walking was our only means of transportation. However, a car pulled up at our house on the evening of the party, and our home teacher knocked on our door.

     "Come on," he said. "Let's go to the Christmas party! Get your coats on, kids."

     The party was the first real Christmas flavor to come into my children's lives that year. I don't know what they talked with Santa about, but they appreciated his gifts of candy and oranges, and their spirits seemed much uplifted afterward. Buoyed by my children's renewed enthusiasm, I used their watercolors to paint a Santa face on our front window. Now we had some decorations.

     When Christmas Eve arrived, I had only $1.25 in my purse. We walked to the grocery store, where I bought each child two tangerines and the cashier handed them each a large candy cane. Along with the story of Jesus' birth, that would be the extent of our Christmas. As we rounded the corner on our way home, Wendell shouted, "Hey, Santa came!" The other children echoed his cries upon seeing a beautifully decorated Christmas tree on our porch. Mounting the steps, we saw two large boxes, previously hidden from view, placed next to the tree.

     One box was full of food, and the other was full of presents. I could hardly believe my eyes. Wendell plugged in the Christmas tree lights as soon as we moved the tree inside, and the children pinched and shook each present as they set it under the tree. Their eyes were full of wonder.

     Next we unpacked the food in the kitchen. The children had never seen so much in one place except at the grocery store. Even Wendell couldn't remember having a whole turkey in the house.

     "We won't have to go to bed hungry tonight!" said Brent.

     I fixed the children a special Christmas Eve supper. Afterwards we sat around the Christmas tree and enjoyed the lights while I read the story of the birth of Jesus. "We have a lot to thank Heavenly Father for tonight," I said. We knelt in a circle and said a prayer of gratitude.

     When we opened the presents the next morning, each child received exactly what he or she had wanted. In addition, each child got a warm outfit, gloves and mittens, and money for boots. Someone had made clothes for the doll my daughter received. The food was enough to last us several weeks beyond Christmas.

     I may never know who played Santa that year or how they knew what the children wanted. Everyone in our ward denied involvement, but I'm certain it was some of them. I'll always remember that Christmas as the best of my life, and my grown-up children feel the same way. We felt the Spirit of Christ that day more than we ever had before and realized that our Savior does watch over his children.

Joy to the World

Advent - Day 5

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, ad the rough places plain: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed. . . .                  Micah 5:2

A Brother Like That

Especially for Mormons, Vol. 2

Paul received a new car from his brother as a pre-Christmas present. On Christmas Eve when Paul came out of his office, a street urchin was walking around the shiny new car, admiring it.

"Is this your car, mister?" he asked.

Paul nodded. "My brother gave it to me for Christmas."

The boy looked astounded. "You mean your brother gave it to you, and it didn't cost you anything? Gosh, I wish. . ."

He hesitated, and Paul knew what he was going to wish. He was going to wish he had a brother like that. But what the lad said jarred Paul all the way down to his heels.

I wish," the boy went on, "that I could be a brother like that."

Paul looked at the boy in astonishment; then impulsively added. "Would you like a ride in my new car?"

"Oh yes, I'd love that!"

After a short ride, he turned, with his eyes aglow and said, "Mister, would you mind driving in front of my house?"

Paul smiled a little. He thought he knew what the lad wanted. He wanted to show his neighbors that he could ride home in a big automobile. But Paul was wrong again.

"Will you stop right where those steps are?" the boy asked. He ran up the steps. Then in a little while Paul heard him coming back, but he was not coming fast. He was carrying his little polio-crippled brother. He sat down on the bottom step, then sort of squeezed up right against him and pointed at the car.

"There she is, Buddy, just like I told you upstairs. His brother gave it to him for Christmas, and it didn't cost him a cent, and someday I'm gonna give you one just like it: then you can see for yourself all the pretty things in the Christmas windows that I have been trying to tell you about."

Paul got out and lifted the little lad into the front seat of his car. The shining-eyed older brother climbed in beside him and the three of them began a memorable holiday ride.

That Christmas Eve, Paul learned what Jesus meant when He said "It is more blessed to give. . ."

Ten Questions for Ten Things of Thankful

Kristi, over at Thankful Me, invited others to answer these questions in a post. For once these are questions I can answer: 

1.  What small act of service have you received that has meant a lot to you?  
At a time of marital crisis a friend sent me a gorgeous floral arrangement. She knew I couldn't announce the crisis in church so was having to face it alone. When it arrived I bawled over her thoughtfulness and generosity.

2.  What was your favorite meal when you were a child?
My mother's tacos and enchiladas. She had learned how to cook authentic Mexican from the ladies in the Spanish Branch where she attended because of my dad's assignment early in their marriage.

3.  Do you enjoy camping?  
Yes. I enjoy the quiet, the fresh air, the challenge of "playing pioneer" and the stars overhead at night.

4.  Have you moved (changed houses) more as an adult, or as a child?  
I never moved as a child, except to change bedrooms. As an adult I've moved twenty-three times. I've become a gypsy. Actually, I moved some as a young adult, as a missionary, and then I married a Marine and have moved following him around. I'm so used to it that every three or so years I get an itch to move again. I like the challenge of a new place.

5.  Where would you like to retire, and why?  
Somewhere close to children and grandchildren, hopefully somewhere south of where I am now so the winters would be milder. But maybe we'll stay here and just be snowbirds travelling south for the winter. We're about ten years from retirement.

6.  If you had a free day next week, how would you spend it?
If I had a WHOLE day free I'd use it to re-organize my Family History paperwork. I need to, but just can't quite get to it.

 7.  If you could suddenly develop a new talent or skill, what would it be? 
In 2008 I enjoyed four months of violin lessons. I regret that I couldn't continue because I thoroughly enjoyed it and wish I'd had the opportunity when I was young to develop that talent.

8.  Do you know where your grandparents and/or great-grandparents were born?
Grandpa Joe was born in Dundee, Scotland, his wife Grandma Fern was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. Grandpa Hansen was born in Kvitver, Norway, Nana Hansen was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. Joe's parents were born in Scotland, Fern's parents were born in England and Salt Lake City; Grandpa Hansen's parent were born in Norway, Nana's parents were born in Denmark.

9.  What is one trait that describes you?
Knowledgeable. My children think I'm an encyclopedia; the people at church believe I know everything (they've never met anyone like me); and a dear friend informed me that one of my spiritual gifts is the gift of knowledge, I never knew that, I thought everyone who studied or read knew what I know. I'm not bragging, sometimes it feels like a curse.


10.  What is one of your family traditions?
Using brown paper bags for "wrapping" presents. That got started when our first two children were two and one. We went to a friends home for Christmas Eve dinner and I expected to be home in time to wrap presents. Wrong! We enjoyed ourselves so much that we didn't get home until almost midnight. I stuffed the presents in brown grocery sacks, stapled them shut and wrote names on the bags. Noble and Lt. Lehi enjoyed the bags so much that I never worried about wrapping things again. They played with their presents, putting them in and out of the bags all day. I use wrapping paper for gifts for other's because they don't follow our tradition, but I don't use much wrapping paper for our family gifts. A couple years ago I began making reusable gift bags for our Christmas presents and that has been a fun new tradition, based on the older one.