What Are Your Talents, Skills, and Gifts?

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Young Women session of the April 2001 conference.

"Spirituality is learning how to listen to the Spirit and then letting it govern our lives." So said Sister Carol B. Thomas, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency. It brought to my mind President Nelson's Let God Prevail in Your Life talk.

I feel frustrated when I hear sisters in the church say they can't do this or that when talking about spirituality and gospel knowledge as if it is gifted to us fully developed. The fruits of the Spirit, and knowledge of the gospel come to us gradually as we work at developing them just as we would any other talent or skill such as playing an instrument, speaking another language, or being proficient at a sport.

I know this to be true because of what I have experienced in my own life. Most recently, at the first of this year I felt an urgency to get back to more serious prayer and scripture study after slacking off for a time. There was no one to blame except myself and letting other things interfere. It was a struggle to remember prayer in the morning; it was hard to know what to say in the evening. (I often feel like I'm whining and begging, something I abhor.) But I kept at it, even if I just knelt by my bed and tried to form words. It got easier. I kept up the habit of writing in my gratitude journal each night. Some days I could hardly think of anything special to be grateful for (I know, how unobservant of me). But I kept the habit going. I made a greater effort to read the scriptures and follow the Come Follow Me lessons. I found a YouTube channel that resonated with my learning style to learn things new to me and understand deeper meanings and connections in the scriptures. General Conference at the beginning of April was wonderful. I concentrated on spiritual preparation rather than the usual lavish physical preparations. I felt that I was making progress moving off a plateau I'd been on for a long while.

Then the crisis came. Our son took his life and we were devastated. That first night was totally sleepless; but as I tossed and turned for hours I felt wave after wave of gratitude. It was an intensely spiritual experience. The habits paid off and I benefited from the "talent" I'd developed. First I felt so grateful for a Savior and Redeemer. Then I'd feel a wave of thanksgiving for the privilege of being James's mother. It was a horrible, joyful night. I believe those feelings were a gift from God after all the preparation of the preceding months. I had practiced gratitude, and I had studied the life of the Savior in greater detail than I ever had, since my missionary days.

Sister Thomas said, "Now that you have learned how the Spirit works and how you as young women can use it to bless your families, it is our prayer that you will let spirituality become you. Heavenly Father is eager to unleash this great power."

I'm grateful for the unleashing of God's power when I needed it most. My hope is that I can be a light to others in their time of need.

Sweet Refreshment Find

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

When the world gets to be too much, too divisive, too angry, too . . . worldly, listening to a General Conference session is truly sweet refreshment to a weary soul.

From Elder Richard G. Scott's address on The Sanctity of Women, to President Gordon B. Hinckley's address on The Stake President, each talk was wonderful. And important. And timely.

President James E. Faust addressed a subject I'm struggling with and working on. Still. At age 65! The Power of Self-Mastery. I want to overcome the world through the power of the Atonement and this talk gave me some more instruction and insight as to how to do that.

Self-mastery is essential to invoke the power of the priesthood of God. This is because this great, divine agency can only be exercised in righteousness. Self-mastery requires self-determination and strength of character. It enhances our own gifts and talents in a remarkable way. It is the power of noble manhood.

I don't want to be a man, but I believe this can be applied to all of us in a universal way. I don't hold the priesthood, but I have access to its power.

What fun to remember that President Faust was a redhead. Like me! I don't think my hair color was ever the source of my temper. That was always just the "natural man" making an appearance. 

Self-mastery is a challenge for every individual. Only we can control our appetites and passions. Self-mastery cannot be bought by money or fame. It is the ultimate test of our character. I requires climbing out of the deep valleys of our lives and scaling our own Mount Everests.

What I've found is that my self-control issues change over the years. I have mastery over some things, but there is always something more to overcome. 

Speaking of returned missionaries, President Faust says, "When they come home, some are criticized as being self-righteous for maintaining a decent appearance and keeping their hair trimmed neatly. I cannot understand why a returned missionary is considered self-righteous if he tries to live the standards and principles he has taught as a representative of the Lord to the people where he has served." 

I remember being teased while in Young Women's (called Mutual when I was that age) and called Sister Righteous or Goody Goody, because I wanted to be spiritual, modest, and refined. It was so confusing to me to be criticized for doing and being what leaders, from the ward level to General Authorities to the Scriptures, taught me I should do and be. This confusion led me to make some bad decisions over the years. It took me a long time to repent, and then not care what others thought, said or did. I made a conscious decision I would be obedient not matter what.

President Faust quotes President David O. McKay, "Spirituality is the consciousness of victory over self, and of communion with the Infinite. Spirituality impels one to conquer difficulties and acquire more and more strength. To feel one's faculties unfolding and truth expanding the soul is one of life's sublimest experiences."

He ends with his testimony that ". . . through the power of self-mastery we will inherit the blessings our Heavenly Father has for his faithful sons." (And daughters!) What could be more refreshing than that.

As I work on my own self-mastery I have to remember to be patient with and give grace to others who are still working on theirs. My husband, children, fellow saints, etc. Because we are all at different places on the path it is important to give encouragement rather than criticism. This is so hard for me. I tend to ask, "Why isn't everyone else where I am?" Until I look ahead and see those who are so much further ahead than I am. Then I swallow my pride and remember that I'm still just a worm inching my way forward.

Happy Valentines Day!
I wish it were Spring already.

What's Your Identity?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

  

Families

First, a little PSA: Please remember the lessons we learned during the pandemic and do not bring sick children to church! Thank you!

(I've been sick three times since September from the children in my Primary class. NO MORE!!)

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

Each year I choose a "word of the year", something that I want to work on in my life. This year's word was contentment. But I decided that has been the wrong word. In one sense I need to be more content with the things that I can not change, but in another sense I can't be content to remain as I am. So the part of me that wants to be and do better is more active in my brain, and it spills over into everything; hence, the tendency to complain, murmur, criticize, etc. 

What does this have to do with Elder Neil L. Andersen's talk, Prophets and Spiritual Mole Crickets? Glad you asked. I was surprised to find this talk in this week's reading because I remember this talk and didn't realize it was so long ago. My how the years fly swiftly by.

This talk was about listening to and acting upon the counsel from the prophets and apostles. He relates an experience when a neighbor warned him of mole crickets in his lawn, but when he looked around he couldn't see any evidence. What he didn't know was that they were underground, and only active at night. By the time he noticed the results of the infestation it was too late to do anything about it, except through the huge expense of replacing all the sod.

Elder Andersen, then of the Seventy, told of a letter from the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve sent to every member of the church, earlier that year, regarding families. 

We counsel parents and children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities. However worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform.

Perhaps we need another reminder for the current generation of parents of young children. Of the seven families represented in my Primary class, only two families study the scriptures daily with Come Follow Me. A few more have Family Home Evening, and some pray at least once a day. All of the children are sent to public schools, which I think is the scariest part of the whole situation. But that's another topic. 

How can parents send their precious children out the door without the spiritual armor and inoculation that comes from daily feasting on the word of God, without a prayer for protection and guidance, without making family time the highest priority? 

Of course, there are no guarantees to parents, because our children have agency too and when they are old enough they exercise it. But the promised blessings are real. He quotes the First Presidency from 107 years ago (84 at the time of the conference):

"If the Saints obey this counsel, we promise that great blessings will result. Love at home and obedience to parents will increase. Faith will be developed in the hearts of the youth of Israel, and they will gain power to combat the evil influences and temptations which beset them."

I recently asked our oldest, a daughter what she remembers about Family Home Evening. She said she couldn't remember any specifics, just that we had it and we enjoyed it. I asked if she remembered it being, as others have described it "the only family fights that open and close with prayer"? No, she didn't remember it that way at all. Neither do I, but I wanted to check that my memory wasn't selective. I remember having good times and it being rather enjoyable with lots of laughter. 

All of our five children are adults. Two chose not to be active in the church after they left home. They are not antagonistic, they just leave it alone. I hope that someday the teachings of their childhood will be brought to their remembrance and their hearts will be changed. In the meantime, we do have the blessing of increased love. It is a joy to get together. My boys all call me with their good news, engagements, promotions, awards, etc. They call me for help with recipes or household questions, or just to talk. 

It is my firm belief that the more time a family spends together, especially in spiritual pursuits, the closer the family will be no matter what. The fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. We have most of those in spades!

 

Another Nugget

From the notebook:

25 September 2016
It takes more and more to feel the thrill of an adrenaline rush; on the other hand, as we become more spiritual, it takes less and less to feel the joy of the Spirit. 


Which reminds me of something I heard while serving a mission.

"Physical anticipation is almost always greater than physical realization; spiritual realization is almost always greater than spiritual anticipation." (From a cassette tape titled '24 Hour Missionary')