Showing posts with label commitment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label commitment. Show all posts

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Saturday Evening Session Stake Conference, 3-23-13

3-23-13 Evening Session Stake Conference

(These are my notes; they have not yet been revised.)

President Kinser

Fear of D&C 68:25—Teach your children , or else. If we do not teach them, the sin be upon us.

King Mosiah was given keys of kingdom by father Benjamin. His sons went about trying to destroy the church. His and Alma’s prayers were answered. An angel of the Lord came and gave them a wake up call, changed their lives, and changed the course of many people.

His sons went to teach the Lamanites. He was assured that they’d be delivered out of the hands of the Lamanites, many would believe in their words, and they would have eternal life.

Don't know much about you
Don't know who you are
We've been doing fine without you
But, we could only go so far
Don't know why you chose us
Were you watching from above
Is there someone there that knows us
Said we'd give you all our love

Will you laugh just like your mother
Will you sigh like your old man
Will some things skip a generation
Like I've heard they often can
Are you a poet or a dancer
A devil or a clown
Or a strange new combination of
The things we've handed down

I wonder who you'll look like
Will your hair fall down and curl
Will you be a mama's boy
Or daddy's little girl
Will you be a sad reminder
Of what's been lost along the way
Maybe you can help me find her
In the things you do and say

And these things that we have given you
They are not so easily found
But you can thank us later
For the things we've handed down

You may not always be so grateful
For the way that you were made
Some feature of your father's
That you'd gladly sell or trade
And one day you may look at us
And say that you were cursed
But over time that line has been
Extremely well rehearsed
By our fathers, and their fathers
In some old and distant town
From places no one here remembers
Come the things we've handed down

Marc Cohn
But you can thank us later
For the things we've handed down . (Mr Cohn)

It was his belief that in every generation, the parents become better parents.

Reflect on your role as a parent. What are you handing down? What kind of parent are you going to be?

One cannot conceived of a parent not being interested in everything that pertains to his children…(Richard L. Evans)

How do we strengthen our families in the gospel and hand down the truths that we know?

We can’t force them to hold to the

Must have the faith to teach our children and bid them to keep the commandments. Our worthiness is not determined by their choice of whether or not to keep the commandments.

Our faith, prayers, and …will be consecrated for the good of their children.

Proclamation in regards to the raising of these children. (The discharge, not the acceptance.)

Help them understand that we will love them always.

Just as Adam sought the counsel of the Lord, so our children seek our counsel, even when it seems that they do not want it. When the prodigal returned, he knew that his father wouldn’t reject him, because he knew his father. Have open hearts and arms for all your family members. They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

He told his children about the crucifixion and the nails driven through the hands and feet of the Savior. He had the opportunity to let his children know that he knew it was true. As family likens scriptures to themselves, they will learn to trust the Lord. They will know that they are children of God, have the sword of faith and the shield of …

That Brandon is just heart-headed about the way he lives his life. He told the coaches that there behavior was not appropriate; the team expected more with them. He learned how to communicate with respect as a result of serving a mission.

As faith in the Lord grows in our families, our homes will become a haven from the world. We need to ensure that our homes maintain a contrast between what we see in the world.

Sacred nature of family; greatest joy in families; not greater work.

Sister Suzanne Ewell

Just sent her first missionary on a mission. Song—A young man prepared.

Mothers who raised young men prepared—Army of Helaman. They paid tribute to their mothers. They had buried their weapons and past mistakes deep in the earth. They made covenants.

We must honor our covenants so that our children and youth understand covenant keeping. We do not doubt our mothers knew it.

The responsibility of parents has never required more diligence.

One of my greatest blessings has to be a mother. We need righteous women to bring children into their homes.

Nothing will be so important as the question of how your children turned out. (Hinckley)

Obey every word of commandment with exactness and honor. Helaman would not allow their parents to break their covenant. They sent their sons to war with faith in Christ.

Attending church week after week helps to develop stripling warriors.

As we do things consistently in our lives, we are adding a drop to the oil of our lives and our children’s lives. (Joy in first son passing sacrament. That’s the point.)

Mary Fielding Smith’s 9-year-old had to lead the oxen team. He was successful. In their home in SL Valley, they ate together and studied scriptures. Out of this home, came two prophets. It takes courage to meet our expectations of being good parents. We need to practice righteous patterns consistently in our homes.

Mothers should teach children about prayer. Let your children see you praying. She loved her mother for her faith and for seeing her pray. Miracles were performed in their family’s life because her mother had faith.

We need to expect our children to do hard things. Have the courage to expect something of our kids and not let them off easy.

We need women who are tender and kind and refined and faith and goodness and virtue and purity.

If we don’t teach our children, the world will. It’s worth it; don’t give up. These little children are learning a lot, and Satan is not able to tempt them, so don’t miss the opportunity.

As mothers, we have a great work to do; by small and simple things, great things are brought to pass.

Sister Sandy Kerr

Attentive, reverent, sweet Spirit here.

It takes many hands to make the temple run smoothly.

Saints that received their own endowment today. Each of us has a story; we have entered the path to lead us back to our home.

Temple work is all about families. As work is done vicariously for our brothers and sisters, one by one, the Lord is pleased. It is a privilege to do the Lord’s work in any capacity. Covenants empower us to do things beyond our own abilities.

Her feelings of inadequacy. Satan, the destroyer, cannot create, so he spends his time trying to destroy: depression, despair… The Savior always has more power. We can rise above these things as we put our trust in the Savior. The temple helps. His Spirit is there; personal revelation is received there; answers to problems. Please come to the temple. The gifts of the Spirit are abundant in that holy place.

Lives are changed as people make commitments to come to the temple. Your lives will be better as you invest time in the temple. Reality of Savior and His work; we all have the opportunity to be engaged in this work, and to feel of his power. May we take advantage.

President Nolan Kerr

Participated in ROTC in college. 6-week summer camp, army camp in Washington. Rifle training. (Hit first, second target. Young man behind him called out miss. Third same thing. The young man in next fox hole is getting credit. He has been shooting down the other young man’s range than down his own range.) If we are lined up on the wrong targets in our lives, it doesn’t matter how successful we’ve been, when the time comes to tally up the score, we will not have scored very well.

One of the most important targets for us is the temple. Prepare to receive own endowment. Line up better, and attend more often.

Elder Scott—Don’t let things of world crowd in and take higher priority than the important things. Satan would have us fill our lives with “good” things, so that there is not time of essential things. Ordinances of the temple are essential; we cannot return to God’s glory without them.

Water your grass so that the roots go deep.

If we are not going to the temple and remembering the covenants that we’ve made, we are just living on the mists and not developing roots; and when trials come, it will be stripped away.

April 1929—Orson F. Whitney Eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for the valiant causes in the cause of truth, will save them and their posterity. Pray for careless and disobedient children…hold on, trust on, until you see the salvation of God.

Sean Goodrich

He just lost his hear and doesn’t know where it is. Challenges. He knows temple blessings are important. You will receive answers there; even if they are not expected. You will feel the Spirit in the ways you can’t anywhere else. Savior died for us so that we can all be saved. He will help you if you pray and come to Him honestly. You don’t have to be perfect to receive blessings and to have His love in your life. The scriptures will guide us and help us. It will give you want you need at that time. It will give you the instructions that you need, that you cannot receive anywhere else.

Sister Rogerson

I lost my heart, too.

She was inactive for a time. She has two children. Four years ago, she met her husband. Her daughter wanted to know why they couldn’t go into the temple. She explained, and her daughter said, “Let’s do this.” They began the missionary lessons. They started going to church. Her husband started going to church with them. Two years ago, he began missionary lessons. They got married one day; he was baptized the next. Last month they were sealed. Temple prep classes were amazing. They are trying to be there every week. So grateful that her daughter wanted the lessons, and that they had great sister missionaries to give them the lessons.

Sister Garnes

Heart pounding for two that preceded her. So grateful for good spirits, and their desire to bear testimony on such short notice.

The counsel we’ve received tonight is what we need to know to strengthen our families and put our families on the path to eternal life. Take it home and implement it.

As I have been obedient, attended the temple, listened to the Spirit. Every opportunity for our success.

Her mother just passed away. During a mission (president), two of their sons between inactive. Given set of scriptures, continue on mission, continue declare what is true. The laborer is worthy of his hire; her family would return. Because of temple covenants, her parents will retrieve their children.

Intruders in home; husband slept; she prayed. Cautioned not to wake husband again. Spirit said not to. Crawl over him and get to phone. Call operator and whisper help.; Cautioned not to do it. Third, crawl out window and run to neighbors; Cautioned not to do it. Crawled back into bed; put covers over head. Nothing happened. Lucky that there was no confrontation. Good thing that they did what they did. Her first reaction was to do something.

We will have intruders every day of our lives; people will want to come into our homes and destroy our peace; we are bombarded. Vital to lives, physically and spiritually. Pay attention to the Spirit and do what is directed. Keep the invaders from coming in and penetrating our safety.

What can I do to protect my children so that I can bring them back to thee? Dream—beams created a Z on front door: family prayers; scriptures; family home evening. Those are the things that will keep the world out of our homes; latch the door to keep our homes holy, peaceful, and a place of refuge.

The Lord loves us and He is grateful for the saints who are trying so hard.

Her son sent out letter about genealogy. A lady with name Garnes in line gave them 76,000 names of work to do in the temple. The Lord loves his people; He is trying in every way to recover us; we have a responsibility to make it happen. Hold on, be obedient, be committed.

Elder Garnes

Married 37 years. Thankful for how she raised children and continues to raise him. Bright light; vision for what they should be and where they should go.

President Garvin is a humble and strong man at the same time. Blessed to hear him counsel and bear testimony to members of the stake. He is a man of God, called of God; he is leading the stake in a righteous way; the way the Lord would lead if He were here Himself.

Everything that’s been said here tonight is true and wonderful.

Bear testimony of personal things; principles and doctrines that they are living. It is who they are, disciples of Jesus Christ. They wouldn’t be able to bear their testimonies without living it.

Grateful for the Ewels and their righteous example. Getting to the Celestial Kingdom is all about doing the hard thing. Prove to Heavenly Father that we can follow Him when it is easy and when it’s hard.

It take trust, trust in the Lord. 1 Nephi 4—Ready to go back and get plates. Two times, driven out, lost their possessions. Nephi went back. I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things that I should do.

We’ve all been in that place. We may have thought impossible. Nevertheless, went forth. First step, when we don’t know what to do—Trust in Lord.; Things will work out.

Packer—Need to walk to edge of light; take step into darkness; with that faith, the Lord will light the way just a bit so we can find our way. He will not light the way until we show our trust.

Those things that are impossible with men, are possible with God.

Parents, from Park City, moved to Los Angeles. Didn’t fit in, inactive 12 years. They became active. He didn’t know anything but active parents. They served in the church. Wonderful parents. Journeyman. The private in the army. Did the work; not a lot of recognition. His dad called to be Bishop at 65-years-old. Served 5 years. Just before age not to go on mission; Stake President called them in to release as Bishop and call them on a mission. “We’ll think about it.”

Dad said they should go to temple and pray about it. Mother, “I don’t want to go to the temple and pray about it.” They reconciled new path and served a mission. They enjoyed it. South Carolina. Set example for family: this is who we are. Family culture. We are teacher our children and then grandchildren that this is who we are: we serve missions.

Daughter said she didn’t want to go on mission. But I feel like the Lord wants her to go and that she should go. The Lord blessed her for doing the hard thing.

Faust—I am grateful for those experiences that I had wished I didn’t have.

Be grateful for trials in our lives. We are better people because of the hard stuff.

Seldom has found success in the first mile; but has often found great success in the second mile. First effort is an expression of our desire to do a duty; if we pursue it to produce fruit, the second mile is usually done out of love. Put forth effort; more difficult. Endure to the end. Don’t give up on each other. 3 Nephi 18:32—Don’t cast them out; unto such shall you continue to minister. They may return and repent, and I shall heal them. Not giving up on each other. Wonderful to be a part of relations when others are converted. Grateful for the encouragement we find in sharing the gospel.

Elder Cook, October conference: Talking to leaders around world. Church is doing well in general sense.

One challenge—living in world that is increasingly wicked.
Concerned about apathy and lack of commitment with some members. Lack of commitment.

Deepen our conversion and commitment to the Lord.

No outside worldly support for problems with chastity: immorality and pornography. We need to be teaching in our homes.

The Lord and Savior loves us all; He will bless us as we serve in the Church and teach in our homes. He will fill in the gaps and teach us the way. Treasure up words of life; given to us in very hour we need. We will know what to say and do. Thankful for prophet and his vision to guide us. They lead this Church today according to the will of the Lord.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Live as Daughters of God

San Bernardino Stake Women’s Conference 5 March 2011

p. 263 Go Forth With Faith

Sister Flora Morgan Redlands Temple Matron (2009—2012)

One of the joys of a small temple, you become a smaller family group, and you get to see and recognize people that serve there.

“The thing about growing old, is that when you wake up with a new pain, you can just about expect it to become a new part of your life.” (Sister Hinckley, not exact)

“I want the Lord to know that I was really here and that I really lived.

“I knew that if I started to go down, he would catch me. He believed that I could do it, so he gave me space to try. She tried everything she could to reach her big brother. That’s how she learned to swim.

Jesus is there to catch me if I fail. Too many times I’m like Peter.

If the winds came from the NE, the sea could become violent. 4th watch, 6 a.m. The disciples saw Jesus walking on the sea. (Galilee) Jesus, “Be of good cheer for it is I; be not afraid.” “Lord, if it be thou, bid me to come to the on the water.” “Come.” Peter started to walk on the water to go see Jesus. The boisterous wind made him doubt and he began to sink. “Lord, save me.” “Oh thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt.” Disciples recognized that Jesus was the Son of God. The distractions can make us afraid. It is not easy to step out into the darkness, to step into the water.

Boyd K. Packer—needed to find home in SLC. Harold B. Lee said he should proceed. Boyd K. Packer said there was no way for him to proceed. All of their funds had been spent on education. President Lee, “I know that it is right.” President McKay, “You do this; it is right.” Lee, “Do you know what is wrong with you? You always want to see the end from the beginning.” “Dispute not because you see not; you receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.” Walk to the edge of the light and even a few steps into the darkness.

If you walk into the light, there is more light further on. Engineer to Brother Talmage: Look at the engine headlight. Doesn’t that light up the track for a hundred yards or more? The light is always ahead of me. For a few yards or even a few feet, the track ahead of us is clear. Keep moving forward. We can go on just that little bit farther and try a little harder.

“The Lord in his great infinite goodness does bless and prosper those who put their trust in Him.” (Helaman) Because of ease and prosperity, the people forget the Lord. Unless the Lord visits His people with death, terror, famine, and pestilence, they will not remember Him. Avoid places of physical and spiritual contagion. Sometimes we put ourselves in harm’s way; we don’t want to do that. Do mistake smallpox for chickenpox.

We are SO blessed to have Redlands Temple so close. We need to do all that we can to get to the temple. The temple will not make our problems disappear. But it will arm us to face our challenges. We are blessed through temple service; plus, we bless those who cannot receive these blessings for themselves. We go to the temple often because we learn by repetition. We need to do more than get our feet wet. (Waters to the ankles, to the knees, to the loins, a river that I could not pass over, waters to swim in.) Make the temple a great part of our lives. The temple gives us the strength we need to face our challenges. It is a place where we can worship the Lord with all our hearts.

Sister Morgan lived with her family in Japan where she learned ancient style of flower arranging. She had to arrange her flowers within the “V” inside the vase. Sometimes we need to saw off boughs to make them fit into the “V.” Sometimes we need to trim away things that we see as beautiful in order to make the arrangement fit perfectly into the “V” making it look like one plant growing together.

Sometimes we must trim away some of our bad habits in order for us to get our temple recommends. We need to trim away some of our lives to meet the requirements. We won’t miss them. A temple recommend is a wonderful thing to have.

“Remember that it is upon the Rock of our Redeemer that you must build your foundation.” A sure foundation; if we build upon it, we cannot fall. The devil will send forth his shafts in the whirlwind. We need a firm foundation.

Her husband saw a huge dark cloud approaching. We knew that hail would accompany any rain that fell. This would ruin the wheat crop. His father and he knelt and prayed, reminding the Lord that this crop would bring in the money to send him on a mission. He asked Father to bless the crop against the elements and to preserve the crop. The clouds kept approaching, but her husband trusted in his father’s faith. When the storm reached their land, it parted and went around their crop. When it past their placed, it gathered together and went on. Only the edges were damaged, to show them what could have happened. He was able to go on his mission.

Hoover Dam, tall and in a narrow gorge, curvature towards water. A firm foundation built into the rock. (Look up full scripture.)

Commit your life to your Father in Heaven, to His Son, to the Church, and to the Temple. If you cannot go to the temple at this time, do the research. Prepare names for temple ordinances. We can do this from our homes. Prepare yourself; live your lives so that you can be worthy to go to the temple. It can be a rock and a sure foundation in your life.

Narration from RS presidents:

“Be strong and of a good courage.” We need stronger families and stronger homes. Righteous sisters seek out and help those in need. Be steadfast and strong. Have Savior as God. God is awake, and He is in charge. He is at the helm.

“Courageously” I Know He Lives—This is my one chance…I’ll stand with Him courageously.

“Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God.” We need to be mothers that teach and train our children in modesty and righteous. As women of virtue, seek to bring the light of the gospel into our homes.

“Virtue” No matter what the world may do, I am a daughter of God and I am holding on to virtue. I am confident in my divinity. God has placed beauty in each one of us, and that beauty shines when we live lives of virtue.

“I am the Light that shineth in darkness. Put your trust in that spirit that leads to do good.”

We have the gospel perspective. We reach out to our sisters through visiting teaching to provide temporal and spiritual nourishment to those in need.

“Be Not Afraid”

Live like you believe; live like you know; it’s one sure way that your faith will grow. Listen to your heart; search in your soul and you’ll find the strength that you need—His Light, the gift of His peace. When you live like you believe. When you find yourself alone and afraid questioning the choices you’ve made, hold on.

Be not afraid, only belief. Ships are safe in harbor, but that is not what ships are for. We need to do more; we need to reach out and serve. As daughters of God, we were born to lead.

“Strong and Courageous” Don’t be afraid; let your heart believe there are a million shining stars up there that you can’t even see, and you are worth more than all of them combined. Sometimes it’s hard to see the Father’s grand design. Don’t be dismayed, He knows your name. There is a way, be not afraid. You have the hope of Christ.

A woman of faith: The things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal. A woman of faith trusts God. She knows of His interest in her. She knows that the Savior will call her by name. She is grateful for the prophet and his counsel. She shows her love for the Lord by the way she lives. She is courageous and fearless. She stays away from evil and unclean thing. Her goal is that she and her posterity will return with honor.

“Valiant Faith” I was born to be a warrior of light, with the faith to move mountains. I want to live my life with honor and faith. I want to return to His arms unashamed. It’s not enough for me to live it half way. I’ll follow Him fearlessly all of my days. I will live with valiant faith. I’ve lived for ages and prepared for this life; I won’t be confused and cross to the enemy’s side.

“God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and a sound mind.” “Thou are an elect lady whom I have called.” We cannot let the world define what womanhood means. We must live as daughters of God. Lead the world in everything that is virtuous, praiseworthy, and of good report. Be an influence for good in this world.

“Strong and Courageous” We are daughters of God. We will take the shield of faith and withstand the evils of these final days. At all times, in all things, in all places we will be strong and courageous.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” “It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out; don’t worry.” (President Hinckley) The Lord will not forsake us if we put our trust in Him. We can trust in the Lord. Things will always work out. Heavenly Father is in church.

Sister Karen Rohm

“Be of strong and of good courage…” (Joshua)

The ship is safe in a harbor, but that is not what ships are for.

Our God is a refining God. “Sometimes live will come at us with great intensities…Metal is best refined in the furnace of perfection.” (Hinckley) “And being in an agony, He prayed more earnestly.” This type of prayer is part of the refining process.

Video Presentation: “Come Thou Font of Every Blessing”

President Poulsen

“He truly lives, and He is there for you and He is there for me.” If we put our total trust in Him, we shall make it through. We must trust Him and we must love Him. President Poulsen will be released as stake president in two weeks. Adult session of conference, he will issue to us a final challenge. I have the answer; I know; I have the answer to the question I’ve had for many years. “I cannot do what you’ve started to do. I will not, I cannot.” I know why I had the courage to do that. I know why I could climb Mt. Everest. I had the courage to ask the brethren to shave facial hair. I know why I had the courage for my profession. In two weeks, I’m going to teach you what that is about. Of course, it comes from the Savior and the prophet.

D. Todd Christopherson of the Quorum of the Twelve is also coming. Remember the reason for stake conference. We have conference in the church so that we can go and be prompted so that we know what we should do. We can receive personal revelations about what the Lord will have us do. It is important for us to attend this stake conference. God loves us; he loves you; many of you are struggling; many are not, but you will struggle. Put your faith in Christ. He will guide you; He will bless you; He will heal you. May the choicest blessings of heaven be yours. May you understand that He loves you and that He is with you. President Poulsen left us with his love and his blessing.

“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

Saturday, January 30, 2010

End of January 2010

It's the end of the beginning. I can hardly believe that this year is one twelth over. But that's how it goes. The Lord has hastened His work, and He has hastened the clock. I'm certain of this. Every year passes a bit more quickly than the one before. We may not notice it day by day, but I am certain that the time value of a second is quicker than it used to be.

Even though time passes more quickly, we seem to be able to fit ever so much more into it. You may think you haven't done much this year, but if you think so, I can almost guarantee that you are not keeping a journal. Look over your calendar. What did you do each day? Amazing, isn't it? Some seemingly large tasks that you've wanted to get done are finished, or you've put a mighty dent in them. The seemingly small things that you have done each day have amounted to a great deal, too. Bit by bit, chunk by chunk, you've started the year!

What an age. I'm glad to be alive. I do not have to wash clothes on a scrub board. I no longer have to pin clothes on a line to dry. In fact, I haven't done that in years. Even though I think time is going faster, technology has given us all a present: we have way more time to do the things that we want to do. One of those things that I want to do is write. So I'm thankful for my computer and for this blog and for the few of you who read it and make me feel published.

It's funny though that we have to make up programs to help us exercise. Life has become so sendentary that we forget how good it is to be outside, walking with a gentle breeze at our necks. We forget how good it feels to dig with a shovel and work the land. We forget how fun it is to play real outdoor games that help us stay fit. We forget how noticing the changes in the world around us helps us feel creative and thankful.

So I dedicate myself to more time outdoors. Even though I have a car, I can walk. And while I can walk, I will choose to walk more and choose to notice the colors of the mountains and the sky more, not just the pavement under my feet.

I love home schooling Christine. I enjoy reading and learning. But I want Christine to have a love for nature. I, therefore, promise myself and her that we will set school aside periodically to enjoy the great outdoors. Time is passing much too quickly. In a few more winks, our children will all be gone with children of there own. What is it that I want them to remember? What is it that I can help Christine remember? I would like to help her develop a love for life and this beautiful world God created for us. She already has a three R's education that surpasses the majority of the world. But I'd like to help her learn to love God's creations and God's children. So these next few months will find us out and about much more than we have been.

Hello world. We are home.