This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday afternoon session of the October 2006 conference.
The talks by Elder Larry W. Gibbons followed by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland dovetailed as if planned. Elder Gibbons talked about the blessings of having commandments, that they are meant to draw us closer to God.
My fear is that too many of us are not fully committed to living all the commandments. These Saints are not willing to leave the world completely behind. They are holding back.
When teaching our children I would explain that just as we have rules in our family and home to keep you children safe and happy, God has commandments to keep us safe and happy. His rules are not restrictive, any more than my rule to not touch the hot stove is restrictive. You are free to touch, but you are not free from the consequences of doing so. You will be safer and happier if you obey my rules!
The closer we get to the Savior's Second Coming the more clear the choice is between the two warring sides. We are either on the Lord's side or we are choosing (or defaulting to) Satan's side.
We cannot keep one foot in the Church and one foot in the world. One reason is the world and the Church are rapidly diverging. We will lose our balance. . . . How do we lose our savor? One way is when we stop being different from the world. Many in the Church are drifting in the direction of the world and looking and becoming more and more like the world. We must stop drifting.
I think about that as I try to navigate the current culture. I want to look and act and be seen as a disciple of Jesus Christ. I don't want to look, sound or act like the world. But we don't have a distinctive dress like the Amish or Mennonites do. (Although there are times when I'd like to have a simplified wardrobe and not have to make so many choices!) I do chose to be modest, in the old-fashioned sense of being covered up and not trendy. When I was in a homeschooling group years ago we joked about being "Denimites" because we all wore denim skirts or jumpers.
I like what Elder Gibbons says, "There are precious blessings that come only from the complete yielding of one's heart to God." Perhaps one of those blessings is that we will receive inspiration about, and confirmation of, questions we have, such as what we should wear, and any other choices we face.
Then Elder Gibbons finishes with the admonition, "Brothers and sisters, stay on the straight and narrow path. No, stay in the middle of the straight and narrow path. Don't drift; don't wander; don't dabble; be careful." Wise counsel for our day.
Elder Holland was the next speaker and he said, "It is no trivial matter for this Church to declare to the world prophecy, seership, and revelation, but we do declare it."
In today's culture where youth is worshipped and the aged are largely disregarded, Elder Holland's testimony about the leadership of the Church is thrilling:
. . . I say with all the fervor of my soul that never in my personal or professional life have I ever associated with any group who are so in touch, who know so profoundly the issues facing us, who look so deeply into the old, stay so open to the new, and weigh so carefully, thoughtfully, and prayerfully everything in between. I testify that the grasp this body of men and women have of moral and societal issues exceeds that of any think tank or brain trust of comparable endeavor of which I know anywhere on the earth.
Wow!! What a declaration. And what a blessing to have, and know that we have, prophets, seers, and revelators among us to lead and guide us on the covenant path of discipleship. I'm eager for the upcoming General Conference!
