Sunday Session of Stake Conference Notes 20 March 2011

20 March 2011 Sunday Session of Stake Conference

Today Presidents Poulsen, Avarell, and Ewell released.

New Stake Presidency: Presidents Garvin, Kinser, and Andrews

President Poulsen

Expressions of love and appreciation for us as his brothers and sisters. Testimony of the restored church of Jesus Christ. It is true, brothers and sisters. If we follow the brethren and the Spirit, we will find peace and joy. Expressions of love and appreciation for his counselors and others he has worked with and for the Bishops. How I love my Savior. I know that He lives. I know that He is my Redeemer.

Be more loving to each other and to our children. If we truly love one another and care for each other, the blessings will flow.

Every morning, on bended knee, petitioning our Father to help us and our families. Morning Devotionals. We will know what we are to do, what we will say, who we are to serve.

Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God, and I love him with all my heart. Joseph Smith is a prophet of God.

Expressions of love and appreciation for his mother.

Sister Poulsen

Gratitude for members of the stake, for the stake presidency and wives. She wants us all to know that they love us. She has seen the hand of the Lord in all of our lives in the past nine years. She is grateful for the opportunity and that she was able to support her husband.

President Avarell

As we read the scriptures and find something new, the Holy Ghost testifies that it is true. That’s how He knows that Heavenly Father lives, that Jesus lives and atoned for us, that we have a prophet.

President Ewell

Keep your white shirts. It’s not about your white or your blue shirt. You represent Jesus Christ. You are preparing yourselves now for the very thing that you see today—to become like the two men that are here visiting us. They are men of God. The Spirit of God has worked upon them. Your new stake presidency is called of God. I endorse them to you. Stay on the path. How our family has been blessed by service in the church! How the Spirit of God has moved over our family to provide what is needed for their growth! Grateful to his wife for understanding and knowing that the gospel is true. Loves parents and ancestors who died for this church. “I know that God lives, and I do know that He is directing this work.” If miracles have ceased, it is because of lack of faith. But we have seen miracles in our stake. “Those miracles are to confirm to us His reality, so that we can continue on.” We have a prophet on the earth; there is a prophet today visiting us. Joseph was a prophet. The Book of Mormon is true.

Sister Garvin

We have some tall shoes to fill. Grateful for past presidency. She felt prompted to get ready for the evening meeting right away. Elder Christofferson were so kind and genuine; it was like they had always known them. “Maybe we shouldn’t be driving for the next couple of days…I promise that we will get a grip.” Testimony of God’s love for us. Jesus Christ Is our Savior; He loves us, and I love Him. The scriptures are true; the Book of Mormon is true. President Monson reads and prays daily. Testimony of prophet. Thankful for her wonderful parents. Grateful for family and children and for Kirk’s children. “I love them; they are my own.” I hope that you will accept Kirk and me and that we will do everything that we are supposed to do, and more.

President Garvin

Gratitude to Sister Poulsen. We need look no further than to the members of this stake to see examples of righteousness. Grateful to the outgoing presidency. I don’t know how I can fill their shoes. I know that there are 15 to 20 members of the stake that can serve better than I. (No, there are probably more like 25 to 30). He was called by a prophet of God. He has learned some things before he came here, but he knew the gospel truths before that. Gratitude for his wife. “I would not be here without her.” Gratitude for the sealing ordinances of the temple. The Book of Mormon is the word of God; it is a shield against the power of the destroyer. Joseph Smith was indeed as the prophet of God, holding all of the keys of all those who proceeded him. “I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me.” Until your testimony is strong enough, look to the brethren and trust in their testimony. Jesus lives, and with His stripes we are healed.

Sister Godwin

The change of leadership in the stake is a testimony to observe and see the workings of the Spirit. President Monson is a true prophet of God. It is a testimony to see how smoothly things go in a change of leadership. The first presidency and quorum of the twelve are inspired of God. No success in life can compensate for failure in the home. We have seen the deterioration of the family. Follow the counsel given by the prophets. They see far into the future and into the past. We are extremely blessed to be the recipients of their seership. Scriptures are true.

President Godwin

What a privilege to receive counsel from a prophet. He testified that the outgoing presidency has loved and served us. He’s looking forward to working with new presidency. White shirts and ties are the uniform of the Priesthood. The gate is narrow and the path straight. The Gate is Him. He is the Redeemer of the world and our personal Savior. It is a gift from the Spirit that he knows that Jesus is the Savior. The boy Joseph knelt in the Sacred Grove in humble prayer seeking—the Father and the Son appears to him. The restored gospel is here; we are led by a prophet today. As we follow the prophets, we are shielded and protected. The Book of Mormon is here for us not only as a second witness of Jesus Christ, but to give us direction.

Sister Morgan

What a blessing to be President and Matron of the Redlands Temple. Her heart broke over the devastation in Japan. She lived in Japan with her parents when she was 18 and 19. People sold their land to be able to go to Hawaii to be sealed as a family. It broke her heart to see so many lose their homes and the land. Thank you for going to the temple regularly. I know it is the House of the Lord; I feel His presence. I’ve never seen Him; I’ve never seen anything from the other side, but I know they’re there. Please go to the temple.

President Morgan

He still expects President Poulsen to come and give him a hug when he goes to the temple. Every day is a good day in the temple. The ordinances performed in the temple are ordinances of exaltation. (The ordinances prior to that are ordinances of salvation.) His parents were married and sealed in the Logan Temple; he was born in the covenant. He had the faith that it was true when he was a young missionary. As he testified, he found that he knew. Ordinances are valid as long as we keep our covenants.

Elder Packer

A welcome to investigators. He loves seeing the missionaries sitting with investigators. Much has been spoken of the Holy Ghost. Through the power of the Holy Ghost the stake presidency was changed in the last 36 hours, and the loyalty of the members has changed like a snap of the fingers. Where else do you see that? Through the power of the Holy Ghost we can know the truth of all things.

1. I can see, hear, and know, and watch the mysteries of the gospel unfold through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Why wasn’t the young man bitter? His burden was lifted by the power of the Holy Ghost and the testimony that he already had.

There is a member of the Godhead.

Paul said, “The fruits of the Spirit are…” You don’t have to have the waves of intelligence constantly. Can you feel the fruits of the Spirit in your life? I knew when I had the Holy Ghost with me because of Paul. Equate the fruits of the Spirit with having the Holy Ghost with you. “I know that I have the Holy Ghost when I treat my wife (people) the way that I am supposed to.” (The man that he was speaking to was abusing his wife.)

Elder Christofferson

Expressing thanks to all who have participated in the preparations of the conference. “Please speak slowly; you are being translate…It didn’t work. I guess I didn’t speak slowly enough.” Words in Spanish. “If you don’t know Spanish, take it on faith that that made sense. That’s what I do.”

Expression of gratitude for other speakers. The Lord draws near and grants an extra blessing of His presence to those released and those sustained. Deepest thanks to outgoing presidency and their wives and families. The Lord has magnified you and given you added gifts and capacity to serve.

The Lord is the source for those who are called. He knows that the Lord has manifested His will for the new presidency. Pray for these men frequently in your homes. The Lord has added blessings to bestow on us and the stake as we pray for them. Petition the Lord for their sake and for our own.

He gets to see President Monson up close. He doesn’t give us a long list of to dos. He does a few things. Pay close attention. Take note and respond.

1. We need more missionaries; well prepared and faithful; YM and YW and couples! You can serve as church missionaries from your home. Couples do so much good, even if they don’t speak the language. “The worse they spoke, the more the people loved them.” Moroni at the top of the Tokyo Temple turned 90 degrees.

2. More attention to marriages and family. Some divorces are urgent and necessary and open doors for a better future. Difficult cases for the prophet to cancel sealings. Teach again and again and again the importance of what happens at home and between couples: honorable, faithful, fidelity. Guard against those things that will separate an eternal union. Brethren, lead out in spiritual things at home. You and your wives work together, but husbands lead out. You take the lead. Let that be your legacy.
(13 year old whose father was shot on Sunday called his family together for morning prayer and scripture reading, because of his father’s example.)
D&C 18:34-36 “You can testify that you have heard my voice and know my words.” Scriptures help us learn the language of the Spirit and recognize the voice of the Lord. Even when we can’t be with our children, they can have the voice of the Lord.

3. Look after one another; minister to one another; rescue both temporally and spiritually. Even with President Monson’s heavy responsibilities, he finds time to minister personally. Apostle of Compassion. He acts in faith. He does what he can now—smile, handshake, blessing, prayer. He is a wonderful model for us to follow. Do what we can now and have faith that the Lord will provide.
D&C 123:13 Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power. And then we can stand still with the utmost confidence that we will see the hand of the Lord. (Florence, though homebound, saved the life of someone who was near suicide through visiting teaching by mail.)

We can all have access to the Gift of the Holy Ghost and the witness of the Holy Spirit. Jesus asked the Apostles to wait until they received the Holy Ghost. He is essential to help us remember what we know, what we’ve been taught; essential to help us understand; essential to give expression with a divine witness of the truth of what we receive or speak. More powerful than seeing or feeling or touching. It is possible to doubt your senses. The witness of the Spirit cannot be doubted or forgotten. More powerful than any other form of testimony. Available to everyone who will seek it.

Jesus is His Son, the Only Begotten. The Father and the Son came to boy Joseph when he asked for guidance. They commissioned him as the prophet of the restoration. Joseph was faithful despite all of the challenges and sacrifices, even to death, in maintaining the cause of the Father and Son. He bore witness of the Savior that is incomparable. “Joseph, this is My Beloved Son.” We can all receive this same witness through the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost will be with the new presidency in all they do. It will make your testimony powerful and convincing. As you follow that Spirit, in your home there will be food, enough for you, and a little extra so that you can share. You will know that the Lord knows you and is looking after you. You will feel His love more than ever before. You will have a sense of His approval as well as His love.

Adult Session Stake Conference 19 March 2011

19 March 2011 Adult Session Stake Conference Notes

President Ewell

He went snow camping with YM. He woke up very claustrophobic. Happy to get out of his cave in the morning. Even though his fear was irrational, he could not shake it.

1. The Fear of Man (Lucifer)

2. The Fear of God

Both can motivate us to action.

King Noah feared Abinidi’s words. Then when his high priests taunted him, he delivered Abinidi up to be killed.

Pilate also fear men and decreed the murder of our Lord and Savior.

The third the host of heaven also had fear. They were fearful of failure.

When we fear God, we become motivated to action by our love of God. That’s why shy missionaries goes out and serve, youth stand up for truth, etc. We love God and trust in His power.

Faith in God can help us to be more adventurous. Others may view us as crazy. Having faith in God can be an adrenaline rush. (spiritual) Faith is invigorating.

Our testimony can become so firm that trusting Him becomes second nature.

“I was reading the scriptures and found the following….Don’t you think we need those blessings in our life?”

Our obedience is rewarded with increased faith and trust in God. Our faith can replace our fears.

Is the course that I am pursuing acceptable to the Lord? We can receive confidence and assurance. We will also view some of our weaknesses and know what we need to work on.

More excited about what I can become than feeling “O wretched man that I am.”

Accounting the many spiritual experiences that he has had in the stake presidency.

The Lord is concerned about each of us individually, not just with this big organization.

Every day, take an inventory of our behavior. What motivated my behavior today?

God lives; Jesus Christ is His Son; and we are His.

President Avarell

Help our sons be better husbands and fathers. We can do this by having better marriages ourselves.

How can Bob and I have a better marriage? Listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

1. Love our spouse.
Treat Bob like he is the most important person in the world.
“We loved Him because He first loved us.
Work on your own imperfections instead of seeing other people’s.
Overlook “toothpaste on the mirror.” Let the small things go.
Pray for miracles that our eyes will be closed to the little, inconsequential things.
(Saints recognized Wilford Woodruff; federal officers did not.)

Fay White

Marry the proper who in the proper where. (President Kimball) You will have an infinitely better chance of having happiness throughout eternity.

Why is it so important to have a forever family? A temple sealing is much more than a big happy family reunion at the end of this life.

D&C 132

The ultimate glory of temple sealing is exaltation. All of the covenants that we make in the temple are central to eternal progression.

UN has a policy on keeping families united. Sister White is from Malaysia. She has to prove that her past is good, that she is a good citizen, that she truly is married to her husband, that they have a real relationship, in order for her to stay here with her husband.

We need to uphold our covenants singly and as a unit. The Lord should be a third companion in our marriage.

Set your standards high; prepare yourself for the temple, and look for a temple sealing. It is all about your divine potential to become like your Heavenly Father.

If we live righteously, we can invoke the powers of heaven into our lives every day. We have the potential to become like our Heavenly Father.

President Poulsen

President Poulsen related his experience at 17 when he was kicked out of the popular group because he would not drink or smoke with them.

He was lonely for 3 months. Then he met his wife.

Where does his energy come from.

John 13:44,45: A new commandment…..

1 John—Beloved, if God so loved us, we should love one another.

President Monson—Happiness the object of our existences. 4 hallmarks of a happy home.

#3 A legacy of love

If we love one another and truly understand what love means, miracles will happen.

If you want your children to have courage and fortitude, love them. Look at them through the Savior’s eyes and how He loves His children.

He was born 2 ½ months early. His parents gave him an extra measure of love to help him grow and survive. (Mother and father had to feed him every 30 minutes.)

His stewardship as a stake president, he wants us to know that we are loved.

The genes of our very brains can change. The glass is half full. Fill it.

His love is a result of his parents’ love for him.

How long will our children be with us?

Adults—with we are tender to spouses (and others), if we are affectionate, we can change the very structure of our personalities.

We will have more of the Savior’s love, and we will be able to love more profoundly. Build a legacy of love.

Elder Packer

“I’ve eaten a ton of spinach; I’m feeling good.”

I’m impressed with those of you that are here and that are single. I’m impressed with the single moms that are rearing their children in the church.

A prophetic priority to rescue people (President Monson) He goes with stake presidents to visit young people 19 to 25 years old.

Preach unto them repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach them to be humble, meek, and lowly in the heart…to withstand every temptation of the devil.

1. Repentance—committing people. Commit people to read, pray, and go to church.
Teach my kids how to commit. Repentance really is commitment.

Sister called by 24 year old counselor to be a RS pianist. She did not play the piano. She learned how to play the piano.

2. Preach to them to have Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
24 year old college student aged students what are the rules of this class?
(The boy who had his lunch stolen was willing to take the whipping for the boy who stole it. “I will love you forever for what you did for me.”)

3. Teach them to have meekness and lowliness of heart.
Gratitude of man who was dying of cancer.

4. Teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil

“The that line”—easy to rationalize that it’s not that bad.

5. Teach them to never weary of good works.
92 and 90 year old that took care of the nursery children during RS meetings.

6. Teach them from the Book of Mormon

Elder Christofferson

He had the stake presidency and their wives stand, and then he thanked them for all of us for all that they’ve done to serve. Then he thanked the congregation for responding to them and supporting and sustaining them. Their offering has been accepted by the Lord. The Lord has found their offering worthy.

If we’ve come with open hearts, ready to receive what the Lord will give to us, we will receive.

Faith is what we need the most. Faith in Jesus Christ is a Gift of the Spirit; it comes through the Holy Ghost.

1. FAITH In his epistle to the Romans, Paul—for whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
Calling upon the name of the Lord is more than saying His name. The name of Christ refers to what He is: His essence; His character; His Being.
“Tell them that I Am has sent you.” (Lord to Moses)
His glory and His power are other elements of His name. When we speak in His name, it is by His authority and His power. When we take upon us His name, we commit to keep His commandments.
Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (By the teaching of those who have authority and by His Spirity.)
Continue to feast upon His words by those who have taught and by His Spirit.
The scriptures hold a great quantity of the word of God. We can all have a copy. One of the reasons we have that privilege, is because we need it.

Add to faith, your constant study of the word of God, especially in the Book of Mormon. We have it to help us develop faith and develop commitment. It is the tool of conversion.

2. Teach unto them repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Repent all ye ends of the earth and have faith in me…(Moroni 7: 34)
It does take some faith to repent, and it does take repentance to develop faith. Repentance adds to our faith; it makes our faith stronger; baptism further adds to our faith.
We have a covenant that is just between the Lord and us—very individual. This adds to our faith through his great love for us and his promises to us. The promise of baptism, the covenant of baptism is individual. As we put ourselves into alignment with His will, our faith will grow. Faith is a reward for obedience. The greater the measure of obedience, the greater the faith. (McConky)

3. Sacrifice—something inherit in sacrifices we make to God that adds to our faith. Universal sacrifice that the Lord asks of all of us—bring ye all the tithes… (a broken heart and a contrite spirit). Obeying the law of tithing and offerings brings great faith and confidence, especially in prayer. One knows because he’s been faithful in this commandment, his prayers will be heard.
a. opening the windows of heaven and powering out a blessing; not room enough to receive it.
b. I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes. We need the help of the Lord to help us preserve the fruit of our labors at home, church, work.
Mosiah 15:7 Abinidi prophesying about the coming of Christ. “The will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father.” If we would offer a sacrifice in the similitude of His, it would be to offer up our will, have it swallowed up in the will of the Father. If we consecrate our will to His, we will receive the blessings whether we are called to do great things or not.

Mosiah—Ye who have not, and yet you have sufficient to remain from day to day—“I give not because I have not. But if I did have, I would give.”

The Lord is saying that He’ll judge and I don’t have to. “I the Lord will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.”
Have faith to change what should be changed.

(Not to be shared--Closing message only for our stake)

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. 4^th 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”

Children Deserve Loving Families.

Children Deserve Loving Families.

http://heidisommerfeldstevenson.blogspot.com/2011/02/children-deserve-loving-families.html

UPDATE 19 September 2014:

Thanks to a new Facebook friend who has adopted two sons through Reece's Rainbow, today I found out that Carol Ann was adopted by a family in her own country. I no longer have to wonder. I am so glad. The mission to help place these children in loving homes is still ongoing. If you can help, you should. If you cannot adopt, you can offer some financial help so that others can.The following is a link to Jenny's page and her family's story of adotion: Bringing Home Oliver and Andrew

This is a link to offer a little financial boost to a family who is currently trying to bring home two little girls, Nadia and Nancy: To donate to their adoption fund, please go here:http://reecesrainbow.org/79270/sponsorcollier

Originally published 19 February 2011:

Yesterday I came across information about children who are waiting to be adopted. Most of these children currently live in the Ukraine or Russia. Some of them live in China. All that I know about Carol Ann is that she speaks Russian.

Most of the children are normal cognitively, but they either are HIV positive or have a physical deformity that keeps them from being adopted. Some of these children have Down's Syndrome.
Reece's Rainbow offers a way to help families who want to adopt make it happen. While the adoptive families must meet certain qualifications, we can help them defray the costs of the adoption by making a small donation towards it.

Yesterday, I fell in love with a little girl whose picture I saw. Carol Ann. She looks so much like one of my daughters. My father is from Germany, but his ancestry goes to places which are in modern day Russia and Ukraine. This girl captured my heart. I guess that she became the embodiment of children all over the world that need homes and families. If I could, I would take her in a heartbeat. But I don't know if that is possible. Still I want to see her placed in a loving family before she is transferred to an institution.

Please remember to pray for the children of this world. They are so dear to their Heavenly Father. They are so priceless, and they are the future.

I would also ask you to consider Carol Ann as a poster child for the children of the world. Please forward this link to everyone you know. Share the information through Facebook, your blog, or email. We could all make a difference in one child's live. We can be her miracle. I have never met this little girl, but I can tell you that I love her very much. I hope that she can go to the temple and become part of a forever family. It would even be wonderful if someone who has served a Russian speaking mission or has studied Russian would find it in his or her heart to choose this child for their family. But the most important thing would be for her to have a loving family.

Please follow this link to make a contribution towards Carol Ann's adoption:

http://reecesrainbow.org/carol-ann-31

Carol Ann

Girl, Born February 10, 2007

Carol Ann is a darling little girl and an orphanage favorite. YES, she is wearing the same dress as our sweet IVY with Down syndrome. (Ivy has a committed family now, but there are many other waiting children in this same orphanage who could be adopted with Carol Ann).

Carol Ann is totally normal cognitively. She is medically and physically healthy in every way outside of her HIV. She loves to read, sing, dance, and say poems. She will greatly benefit from a loving family of her own, and access to the medical care she needs to manage her HIV.

For more info and parent support on adopting and raising a child with HIV, please visit http://www.projecthopeful.org/

Please follow this link to make a contribution towards Carol Ann's adoption:

http://reecesrainbow.org/carol-ann-31

For more information about adopting these children or to view more children like Carol Ann that our in need of a family go here.

Book Review: The Last Treasure

I just finished reading The Last Treasure, by Janet S. Anderson. Honestly, if you believe in Malachi's promise of the hearts of the children turning to their parents and the parents turning to their children, if you believe in the importance of family across the generations and in the here and now, you will love this book. It's all about John Matthew's family and his desire for them to find the treasures that he'd had in life: his hidden treasures. It said so much more to me than was actually written on the pages. I look forward to reading more books by Janet S. Anderson.

Beginning Personal Progress (Again)

I began working on personal progress with my daughter on 14 February 2011. She has worked on some of these goals and achievements before, but her book has been misplaced. I was excited to learn from the Ensign that all of this can be tracked on-line now.
For family night we read from the First faith goal. We read the first two scripture selections. Yesterday morning I also read two conference talks about faith. Christine already has a habit of saying her personal prayers morning and night. So do I, but I am going to strive to make them more meaningful. President Poulsen has asked us many times to have a morning devotional. I don't have a habit of doing this currently, but I know that when I do so, I am closer to the Spirit, I am happier, and I deal with the challenges of the day better.
Christine wasn't excited that we chose to do this with her for family night. But the boys were at the singles' ward family home evening, and this gave us an opportunity to concentrate on this. For the next while, I want to help Christine get more excited about setting and keeping goals. She is already doing so many good things--especially volunteering at the library Monday and Wednesday mornings and serving as president in her Mia Maid class. She is making so many right choices, but I know that goal setting and achieving her goals will give her more confidence and increase her abilities. It will do the same for me as well.
I was impressed from the reading in Hebrews. Faith really is everything. It is more powerful that knowledge, I believe. I guess it is what even facilitates knowledge. Faith has to do with obedience and trust in the Lord. By and through faith, all things can be accomplished.
I also really liked what I read in a priesthood talk from Elder Oaks. It had to do with faith and priesthood blessings. These messages are so timely and important, especially as I deal with my feelings over the battle my sister has been having with cancer.
I am thankful for my Savior's love for me. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to work on these goals together with my daughter. I hope that I can help to make this project fun and full of growth and learning for both of us. I know that she will have to take charge of her own progress, but it will be wonderful to have some study time together.

Conference Notes October 2010

These are incomplete. But here are some notes I took.

2 October 2010
Saturday Morning Session
Elder Holland
You are individually loved by God and central to His work.
I am trying to be voice for the very angels in heaven for every good thing that you’ve done, in sharing gospel of Jesus Christ.
The kind acts that we do don’t go unnoticed.
“I’ve never been a leader in the church; I guess I’ve only been a helper.” Some leaders will hope that they will attain what you already have.
We need to thank all those who have sacrificed for us. We need to thank parents who have sacrificed for their children to give them things that they never had.
Pledge determination to be better, more faithful, more kind and true, more devoted.
Sister Wisom
At age seven, Joseph Smith intracted Typhoid fever. He trusted his father to hold him during surgery.
Teach our children the Plan of Salvation. Understanding the plan will help them hold on to what is true.
Alma 24—He loveth our souls and He loveth our children.
By holding tight to the Iron Rod, we teach our children the Plan of Salvation.
“We can do it.” “We can read the scriptures daily with our family.” Focus on consistency rather than speed. Daily reading can become consistent and comfortable. Children can learn the language of the scriptures. It’s never too late to begin.
What we want our children to know five years from now needs to become part of our conversations today.
Teach our children the power of prayer. They can learn to exercise faith in times of trouble.
As we teach our children about prayer and scriptures, they will come to know who they are, where they came from, and where they are going.
Soccer team victory tunnel. They victors and the losers were all happily running through the straight path made by those who love them.
Elder Costa
After I read, pondered, and prayed, the Lord gave me the assurance that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know that all his successors are prophets.
Prophet—a person called by God to speak in His name. It is a great blessing to receive the word the Lord. Amos 3:7. He will reveal his will to us and He will instruct us through His prophets. If we believe in Him, we will follow His prophets and do what He asked us to do. When I accepted baptism into the church, I covenanted to always follow the prophet.
Points made by President Benson
1. The prophet is the only man that speaks for the Lord in everything.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
3. The living prophet is more important to us than the dead prophets.
4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.
5. The prophet doesn’t need to have any special credentials.
The Lord called a young man, Joseph Smith, to lead the Church. He was chosen by the Lord, and He received from the Lord the gifts he needed to do His work.
6. The prophet doesn’t need to say “thus saith the Lord” to be speaking for the Lord.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by man’s reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive a revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
10. The prophet may be involved in civic matters.
11. The two groups who have difficulty following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
13. The prophet and his counselors may up the first presidency, the highest quorum in the church.
14. The prophet and the presidency—follow them and be blessed; reject them and suffer.
Testified of true prophet, counselors, and quorum of the twelve.
Elder McConkie
Sunday school
The how of learning
What set your favorite teachers apart from other teachers?
The attitude and spirit that the teacher teaches with is what makes the difference.
Reach into their hearts and help change their lives. To teach the gospel is to share your love of the gospel.
1. Immerse yourself in the scriptures.
Daily habit. Before we can teach the gospel, we must know the gospel.
Make use of the handbook.
2. Apply in your life the things that you learn.
As teachers, our greatest responsibility is to keep the commandments.
3. Seek heaven’s help.
Appeal unto the Lord with all your heart.
Pray for inspiration to give a good lesson and also to meet the needs of all the individuals in your class.
4. Important to exercise agency and act without delay when we receive promptings of the Spirit.
Elder Christofferson
Old film—Man’s search for happiness: Time, freedom to choose how we spend our time. We will have to give an accounting for our choices and how we spent our time. Our eternal reward will be according to our choosing.
Stewardship—Lord’s law of consecration.
Consecrate—set apart; dedicate something as sacred. Dedicate time and choices to God.
Consecrate Life
1. Purity
Repentance, submission
2. Work
Jesus was about His Father’s business; God is about His work to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man; all honest work is the work of God. By work we sustain and enrich life. Hard earned achievement brings satisfaction and a sense of self-worth.
Honest toil gives rest its sweetness. We need wholesome leisure.
3. Respect for one’s physical body.
Each qualified spirit to receive a body and exercise agency in a tabernacle of flesh. We have a duty to God for the care of our bodies. “No you not that your body is a temple?...” As the instrument of our spirit, we should care for our bodies as best we can. “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice
4. Life of service.
Lord washed disciples’ feet. Example—Ye should do as I have done to you. Model of consecration—those who go about quietly doing good. President Monson has developed a listening ear—knows who to help and responds.
5. Integrity
Husband and wife honor marital vows with complete fidelity; care for their children; are honest.
Integrity is not naiveté. We will not take advantage of our brethren and sisters.
President Uchtdorf
Scientists can look at rings on trees and tell things about climate and such many years ago. During good weather, trees grow well. During seasons of drought, etc, they slow down.
The most common cause of turbulence is the sudden change in air pressure. Pilots minimize negative effects of turbulence by reducing their speed. Same principle applies to speed bumps.
Slow down and focus on essentials when we are experiences turbulent times in our lives.
It is rather easy to be busy. We seem to be speeding up even during times of stress and fatigue, and then feel increased frustration. Any virtue taken to an extreme can become a vice.
There is more to live than increasing speed. Focus on things that matter most. Forego some good things to choose others that are better and best.
Astronauts found that they couldn’t use pens in space. Until the space pen was invented, what did they do? They simply used pencils.
Turning our ways to His ways is the beginning of our wisdom.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. (Leonardo De Vinci)
(I lost my voice; this is one of the foundational things I need to have.)
Re-listen to end of talk.
Be still and know that I am God.
2nd most important relationships are with our family.
Family dinner, FHE, having fun together. Love is spelled T-I-M-E. We talked with, rather than about, each other. Establish divine
3rd key relationship is with our fellow man.
Take a little extra time to get to know yourself better. Learn to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you.
Be wise; return to doctrines of pure waters.
Saturday Afternoon Session
Elder Hales
He sent a letter to a long-time friend concerning gospel principles.
Agency—God given ability to choose and act for ourselves and not be acted upon.
With agency, we can also choose wrong, and so a Savior was provided so that we can repent.
“Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.”
Because those who followed Satan used their agency to follow Satan, they lost their agency. Because we followed Jesus Christ we were allowed to come to earth. If we follow Jesus in this life, we will receive even greater blessings in the next life. We must choose to follow Jesus in order to have eternal life.
When we choose to follow Heavenly Father, our agency is enhanced. When we don’t keep the commandments and follow the Holy Ghost, our progress is thwarted. Actions may limit our freedom.
When he varnished a floor, he chose to begin at the door, and literally painted himself into a corner. We can overcome painted ourselves into a corner through repentance. Obedience to commandments protects our agency.
“Obedience is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”
Come back; come out of the dark corner and into the light, even if you must walk across the wet varnished floor. We can repent. “Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is our Savior.”
Elder Cook
“When the lights go on again all over the world.” (WWII war song) The song represented an optimistic hope that the lights would go on again and freedom would again be on the earth.
Do our bests to preserve light and to protect families. Seek light and truth; black out of our homes the lethal bombs that destroy morality, light, and hope. Be in the world, but not of the world. Do all that we can to make our homes holy places, shelter from evil. Be a source of light in protecting our communities.
Be optimistic. I believe that Light and Truth will be preserved in our times. The majority of people try to be good and honorable. Light of Christ is given to everyone.
Honesty is seen in many good people. People of faith feel accountable to God for being honest.
Treat all of God’s children as brothers and sisters.
Bishop Edgley
Faith is an action word. Choose faith. It is a choice, and it must be sought after and developed.
I don’t know everything. But faith lets me know the things that are the most important for my salvation.
Elder Duncan
Some pioneers didn’t want to stop and settle; they thought they should move on to better land. This valley is the place that God has chosen for his people. We have been kicked out of the kettle and into the fire; we have been kicked out of the fire and unto the floor; and here we will stay.
Salt Lake Valley would be come to be known as a highway to the nations. The valley did blossom and produce. The saints did prosper. The only sure and secure road for protection in this life comes from obeying and trusting the prophet of God. Amos 3:7. (The 14 points that were given in an earlier talk.)
Follow the prophet!
Elder Gong
We love our missionaries. Gospel conversion and temple covenants can help us receive rich blessings in every generation of our forever family.
“Blackberries read in church make green bishops blue.” (Ancient Chinese proverb)
Growing together in love and faithfulness, we can give our children roots and wings.
Understand Bob and me as children to our parents and parents to our children, etc.
The Savior is described as the Father and the Son.
Elder Andersen
Follow Jesus.
Don’t be offended. Offended has a corrosive companion, Ashamed.
Elder Scott
Faith in the Savior is a principle of action and power.
Faith in the future is demonstrated by a couple sealed in the temple.
Faith and character are intimately related.
We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become.
3 October 2010
Sunday Morning Session
President Eyring
Alma 29—O, That I were an angel.
Many of our brothers and sisters in our pre-mortal life rejected our Heavenly Father’s plan. They lacked trust in God. This has persisted since the creation.
Jonah, not only lacked trust, but ran the other way.
Naman lacked trust to bathe in the river.
Peter lost faith as he walked on the water. Beginning to sink, he cried, Lord, save me. Oh, thou of little faith; wherefore didst thou doubt.
Nephi stirs in us a desire to trust in the Lord.
“Be still and know that I am God.”
Joseph Smith’s first vision. “I saw a pillar of light…I saw two Personages…standing above me in the air…This is my Beloved Son. Hear Him.” Heavenly Father loved us enough to send His Son to save us. He called Joseph Smith and many prophets and apostles since to help us on our journey back to him.
President Eyring was able to sell his property to make it possible to pay off his mortgage and to follow the prophet’s counsel.
President Packer
The prophets and apostles have always been shown what to do. When the keys were restored, they provided a way for each worthy man to hold the priesthood. The Family: A Proclamation to the World. “Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God…Children are central to this plan.” Commandment to multiply and replenish the earth. Men are that they might have joy. Lehi taught that man are free to act for themselves and not be acted upon. We can give our agency away, but it cannot be taken from us. “Know ye not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” Satan cannot begat life. He is impotent. Any persuasion to enter any relationship that is not in harmony with the gospel must be wrong. No one is born to have to be gay. God will not suffer any one to be tempted above what he is able to bear. Is it a boy kitty or a girl kitty? “I know how you can tell…You can vote on it.” There are things that we cannot vote on. There are moral and physical laws that cannot be changed. Ballot cannot change what is right or wrong. Regardless of opposition, we will hold to the principles and laws of the gospel. We cannot change, we will not change our moral standards. D&C 82:10.
I God have suffered these things for all that they might not suffer if they repent.
Delete from the mind any unworthy thought. Don’t turn back. If we repent, we can have peace and happiness.
Elder Jensen
He went on a mission trusting in his parents’ testimony, not having one of his own. He prayed and came to know that God and Jesus are real. The unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost.
The Gift of the Holy Ghost is the greatest gift that can be bestowed on man. (President Woodruff)
Holy Ghost is a Comforter, Revelator, Testifier of the Divinity of God the Father and Jesus Christ, Guide, Supernal Teacher.
Similarities in the lives of Lehi and Joseph Smith.
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone.
Sister Cook
Elder Oaks
We pray directly to our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. He answers us through the Holy Ghost and in other ways. Personal line of communication allows each one to receive personal witness of truth.
Partake of Sacrament each Sabbath day.
The Priesthood line has necessary intermediaries of Savior, Priesthood leaders, His Church.
The voice of the Lord’s servants is the Voice of the Lord.
The Priesthood line does not supersede the personal line. We need to know for ourselves.
President Monson
Do we sincerely give thanks for the blessings we receive? This makes us realize our blessings and it unlocks the windows of heaven.
To live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven.
Sunday Afternoon Session
25 years ago he addressed his eldest grandson who had just received the Aaronic Priesthood. Now he can address his great-grandson.
Four Lessons from Daniel:
1. Keep body healthy and clean.
John the Baptist conferred Aaronic Priesthood on Joseph and Oliver.
The Church is in good hands with virtuous young men who bear the Aaronic Priesthood.
Parents have the sacred responsibility of teaching their children the sacred responsibility of the Holy Priesthood.
Special gift from the Lord: use it, magnify it, live worthy of it.
Elder Bednar
Baptism by immersion is the introductory ordinance in the gospel and must be followed by baptism of the Spirit to be complete. “Receive the Holy Ghost,” constitute a priesthood injunction. We receive a sacred and on-going responsibility to seek to have the Spirit with us.
1. Sincerely desire the companionship of the Holy Ghost.
2. Invite the Spirit into our lives.
Elder Lawrence
Elder Malm
Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid.