The Lord works in mysterious ways and I am finding out that those messages I need to hear at any particular time in my life just seem to pop out from everywhere when I most need them. I remember when Carl died, which was a huge adversity in my life, I was guided to scriptures and articles having to do with adversity and being able to survive it according to the way the Lord would want me to. D&C 121: 7-8 was a great comfort to me as well as several articles and books concerning death and why our loved ones may be called "home" to soon. I always asked Heavenly Father "What can I learn from this experience?" I still ask that today no matter what my current trial is.
We attended our regional broadcast stake conference yesterday and were privileged to hear from four wonderful speakers with messages that were certainly applicable to my life and things that are of concern in the church right now. I took notes (a bit scattered since I was trying to listen and write at the same time) and would like to put them in this blog. I know that only a few people read this blog (maybe 2? besides myself) so this is really just for my benefit. However, if anyone else gets anything from the thoughts I review from our conference, that would be awesome. We never know if the things we write are just what someone else needs to hear right now.
Sunday February 14, 2016
Speakers: Elder Renland, Sister Bonnie Oscarson (General YW
presidency), Elder C. Scott Crow (Seventy) and Elder James J. Hamula (Seventy).
Elder Crow talked about Patterns of Faith. He quoted the song “True to The Faith…” and
said that he always wanted to stay true to the faith. If you have a pattern in all things and stay
true to it, you will not be deceived by the adversary.
· *Read the Scriptures daily. Press forward with steadfastness in Christ.
Holy Ghost will show you the meaning of and direction to go through the
scriptures. We can gain more of the
doctrine by talking of this with others and discussing. Also, use the index in the scriptures,
looking up the cross references to understand more of topics-not just read the
scriptures straight through.
·
He reminded us of Bruce R. McConkie’s final
conference talk wherein he said that in a short time he would sit at the feet
of the Savior… and 11 days later he passed away. In that talk we were admonished to feast upon
the words of the scriptures. (I need to look that talk up.) Make
scripture study a priority. Scripture
study is a catalyst to prayer.
· *Prayers are significant to your salvation.
· *Attend Church.
This is a demonstration of faith-not just a social commitment. We should
come with a broken heart and a contrite spirit to partake of the sacrament each
week. In the sacrament prayers we are
reminded that we take upon ourselves His name.
Strive to be like Him. Always
remember Him. And always seek to have
His spirit with you.
What
does it mean to be a true disciple of Christ?
Keeping all the commandments. When we make and keep sacred covenants we
are coming out of the world and into the pathway to eternal exaltation.
She
told a story of a group of teens on the night of prom. They were at a restaurant and when finished
eating the waiter brought them their check but it had been paid for. The teens were astonished since it was a
pretty expensive for the group. The
waitress told them that another patron had been watching them and their
behavior and was impressed with their modest dress and their clean conversation
and their overall behavior so decided to pay for their meals.
Remember
the Young Women’s theme: We are daughters of our Heavenly Father and He loves
us. We stand as witnesses at all times,
in all places…not just on Sunday!
“Wickedness never was happiness.”
The Lord never gives up on us.
3
Ne. 27 “What manner of man are you…”
Elder
James J. Hamula:
We
live in challenging and perilous times. We have been warned that the whole
earth will be in commotion. “Fear Not—Be not troubled.
Three
suggestions:
1. 1. Keep your eyes fixed on the Lord
We are in the midst of our journey with
tempestuous seas. When we take our eyes
off the Lord, we will sink as Peter did when he followed the Savior’s words to
Come to Him.
2. 2.Trust the Lord in His power of deliverance.
Trust him and all will be well with you to the end. “In the world you shall have fear but be of
good cheer for I have overcome the world.”
3. 3.Stand behind the church’s leaders. The church will prevail. Build your lives on the gospel of Jesus
Christ and you build on a rock a firm foundation. Hearken to the voice of church leaders. Follow their collective instruction.
4.
Perfection is NOT a prerequisite for a
prophet. “Joseph Smith said “I’m not
perfect but there is No error in the revelations I have taught.” God is the head of the church- not man.
Elder Renlund:
How do we explain our
behaviors without going back to the 1st vision—Joseph seeing God and
Jesus Christ and revelation as basis for our faith. Explain in context of eternal salvation. “My doctrine is not mine but of Him who sent
me”. -John 7:16
Likewise, it is not man's doctrine, but that of our Heavenly Father.
Satan’s objective is to stop the plan of salvation from happening. All through time and in each of our lives he
tries to stop the plan through lack of obedience to God and Jesus Christ.
The Lord knows what kind of families he wants. Marriage that does not comply with Gods plan
is a plan stopper.
Always know that that when others don't see eye to eye with our beliefs, it is alright to disagree
without being disagreeable. (Agree to disagree without being confrontational.)
Well, that was a lot to put in one blog but I felt a special spirit in this conference and again, just as I have reported in other weeks, these talks gave me so much to think about and reflect upon I wanted to make sure I recorded my feeble attempt at taking notes again.
Great messages. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good conference, good thoughts to remember and think about.
ReplyDelete