Oh how I love me a General Conference weekend!
Especially cause during both afternoon sessions my kids were sleeping so I really got to watch those ones. Complete with our avocado egg rolls and bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers.
For about a month we had heard rumors about 2 hour church coming and first thing Saturday morning we heard the historical announcement that church on Sunday will now only be 2 hours instead of 3. I like the idea of home-centered, church supported study, but at the same time I will miss spending more time at church because I enjoy learning there.
I feel like the speakers this time kept exhorting us to "prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ" more than usual too!
I loved what Elder Rasband said about not letting fear limit your perspective. Stand in holy places because there you will feel God's love and perfect love casteth out all fear. Faithfulness in Jesus Christ brings peace. Trust the Lord and His promises. We must learn to receive personal revelation by placing priority on living the gospel. If we do these things we don't need to fear bringing children into this wicked world we live in. Christ lives and is watching over and standing by us.
"The gospel of Jesus Christ provides the greatest perspective of truth and offers the richest blessings." -Elder Bednar
You don't have to wonder about what is true. Through personal revelation you can receive you own witness. A witness that no one can ever take away. So, either it is or it is not, BUT
If God exists, worship Him.
If Jesus Christ is the Son of God, follow Him.
If the Book of Mormon is the word of God, get nearer to God by studying and abiding by its precepts.
If the First Vision happened, follow that prophetic mantle bestowed upon Joseph Smith.
We cannot be selective about when or how we will follow, but keep our covenants with exactness.
"To persevere firm and steadfast in the faith of Christ requires that the gospel of Jesus Christ penetrate one’s heart and soul, meaning that the gospel becomes not just one of many influences in a person’s life but the defining focus of his or her life and character."- Elder Christofferson
"We must do more than merely have an intellectual understanding of the gospel for it to have this healing influence in our lives. We must incorporate it into our lives—make it a part of who we are and what we do. Believe, love and do."- Elder Uchtdorf
"Understand men and women as they are, and not understand them as you are.
There is simply no enduring joy outside the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Why would you ever turn away from the only Savior who has all power to heal an deliver you? Whatever the price you must pay to trust Him is worth it."-Elder Gay
"Our Heavenly Father's goal in parenting is not to have His children do what is right; it is to have His children choose to do what is right and ultimately become like Him."
Just as we cannot be forced to obey, we cannot be forced to disobey either.
No matter how long we have been off the path or how far away we have wandered, the MOMENT we decide to change, God helps us return. On our own will never mean alone"- Elder Renlund
"Step back from the world and assess your life.
How are we doing as a family and individually? Are we living our lives consistent with the covenants we made and the Lord’s expectations, or have we perhaps unintentionally allowed the cares of the world to distract us from those things which matter most?
The best things in this life are centered on Jesus Christ."
President Joseph F. Smith proclaimed, “The greatest achievement mankind can make in this world is to familiarize themselves with divine truth, so thoroughly, so perfectly, that the example or conduct of no creature living in the world can ever turn them away from the knowledge that they have obtained.”- Elder Gerard
During Women's Session President Nelson invited us to participate in a 10-day fast from social media and from any other media that bring negative and impure thoughts to your mind.
"What do you notice after taking a break from perspectives of the world that have been wounding your spirit? Is there a change in where you now want to spend your time and energy? Have any of your priorities shifted—even just a little?"
So tomorrow will be the 10th day I haven't been on Facebook or Instagram at all. It's something I'd already started doing each Sunday to set that day apart.
He also invited us to read the Book of Mormon, encouraging us to mark each verse that speaks of or refers to the Savior and then teach those you love what you are leaning the the scriptures, establish a pattern of regular temple attendance and study the Relief Society purpose statement and Relief Society declaration. I actually just marked my Book of Mormon every time the Savior was mentioned when I read it last year. Loved it! This time I am marking all the things the Savior does for us and the ways he blesses us.
When it comes to the social media fast, I am grateful that it was so easy for me. I think it's important to step back sometimes and assess whether or not certain things have become unhealthy addictions in our lives or taking up too much time, especially if we aren't making time for what is most important. However, I don't feel like social media has a negative impact on my life. If it did then of course I wouldn't even have it. I use it to connect with people I care about, have some adult interaction and it brings opportunities to serve others through our neighborhood pages. I have a couple friends that don't have Facebook cause they recognize the negativity they feel when they get caught up in comparing themselves to others and I admire that they were able to see that and cut it out of their lives for their own well being. You have to be honest with yourself. I feel like I have a fairly healthy balance in not letting social media come before doing the most important things during the day or letting it affect how I feel about myself.
President Nelson asked us to take a prayerful look at how we spend our time and to invest time in your future and in that of your family. Maybe social media isn't usually my biggest problem, but that doesn't mean that it wouldn't hurt to spend even less time on it or that I don't have other areas in my life that I need to improve!
The most important thing I learned though is to follow the Prophet. When he challenges us to do something, whether we think it's beneficial or maybe too hard, there are blessings from simply being obedient.
"By obedience ALL mankind may be saved." -Elder Oaks
Also, another temple coming to Washington County, UT woo hoo!!
Recently I feel like I have had more questions than usual.
Especially cause during both afternoon sessions my kids were sleeping so I really got to watch those ones. Complete with our avocado egg rolls and bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers.
For about a month we had heard rumors about 2 hour church coming and first thing Saturday morning we heard the historical announcement that church on Sunday will now only be 2 hours instead of 3. I like the idea of home-centered, church supported study, but at the same time I will miss spending more time at church because I enjoy learning there.
I feel like the speakers this time kept exhorting us to "prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ" more than usual too!
I loved what Elder Rasband said about not letting fear limit your perspective. Stand in holy places because there you will feel God's love and perfect love casteth out all fear. Faithfulness in Jesus Christ brings peace. Trust the Lord and His promises. We must learn to receive personal revelation by placing priority on living the gospel. If we do these things we don't need to fear bringing children into this wicked world we live in. Christ lives and is watching over and standing by us.
"The gospel of Jesus Christ provides the greatest perspective of truth and offers the richest blessings." -Elder Bednar
You don't have to wonder about what is true. Through personal revelation you can receive you own witness. A witness that no one can ever take away. So, either it is or it is not, BUT
If God exists, worship Him.
If Jesus Christ is the Son of God, follow Him.
If the Book of Mormon is the word of God, get nearer to God by studying and abiding by its precepts.
If the First Vision happened, follow that prophetic mantle bestowed upon Joseph Smith.
We cannot be selective about when or how we will follow, but keep our covenants with exactness.
"To persevere firm and steadfast in the faith of Christ requires that the gospel of Jesus Christ penetrate one’s heart and soul, meaning that the gospel becomes not just one of many influences in a person’s life but the defining focus of his or her life and character."- Elder Christofferson
"We must do more than merely have an intellectual understanding of the gospel for it to have this healing influence in our lives. We must incorporate it into our lives—make it a part of who we are and what we do. Believe, love and do."- Elder Uchtdorf
"Understand men and women as they are, and not understand them as you are.
There is simply no enduring joy outside the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Why would you ever turn away from the only Savior who has all power to heal an deliver you? Whatever the price you must pay to trust Him is worth it."-Elder Gay
"Our Heavenly Father's goal in parenting is not to have His children do what is right; it is to have His children choose to do what is right and ultimately become like Him."
Just as we cannot be forced to obey, we cannot be forced to disobey either.
No matter how long we have been off the path or how far away we have wandered, the MOMENT we decide to change, God helps us return. On our own will never mean alone"- Elder Renlund
"Step back from the world and assess your life.
How are we doing as a family and individually? Are we living our lives consistent with the covenants we made and the Lord’s expectations, or have we perhaps unintentionally allowed the cares of the world to distract us from those things which matter most?
The best things in this life are centered on Jesus Christ."
President Joseph F. Smith proclaimed, “The greatest achievement mankind can make in this world is to familiarize themselves with divine truth, so thoroughly, so perfectly, that the example or conduct of no creature living in the world can ever turn them away from the knowledge that they have obtained.”- Elder Gerard
During Women's Session President Nelson invited us to participate in a 10-day fast from social media and from any other media that bring negative and impure thoughts to your mind.
"What do you notice after taking a break from perspectives of the world that have been wounding your spirit? Is there a change in where you now want to spend your time and energy? Have any of your priorities shifted—even just a little?"
So tomorrow will be the 10th day I haven't been on Facebook or Instagram at all. It's something I'd already started doing each Sunday to set that day apart.
He also invited us to read the Book of Mormon, encouraging us to mark each verse that speaks of or refers to the Savior and then teach those you love what you are leaning the the scriptures, establish a pattern of regular temple attendance and study the Relief Society purpose statement and Relief Society declaration. I actually just marked my Book of Mormon every time the Savior was mentioned when I read it last year. Loved it! This time I am marking all the things the Savior does for us and the ways he blesses us.
When it comes to the social media fast, I am grateful that it was so easy for me. I think it's important to step back sometimes and assess whether or not certain things have become unhealthy addictions in our lives or taking up too much time, especially if we aren't making time for what is most important. However, I don't feel like social media has a negative impact on my life. If it did then of course I wouldn't even have it. I use it to connect with people I care about, have some adult interaction and it brings opportunities to serve others through our neighborhood pages. I have a couple friends that don't have Facebook cause they recognize the negativity they feel when they get caught up in comparing themselves to others and I admire that they were able to see that and cut it out of their lives for their own well being. You have to be honest with yourself. I feel like I have a fairly healthy balance in not letting social media come before doing the most important things during the day or letting it affect how I feel about myself.
President Nelson asked us to take a prayerful look at how we spend our time and to invest time in your future and in that of your family. Maybe social media isn't usually my biggest problem, but that doesn't mean that it wouldn't hurt to spend even less time on it or that I don't have other areas in my life that I need to improve!
The most important thing I learned though is to follow the Prophet. When he challenges us to do something, whether we think it's beneficial or maybe too hard, there are blessings from simply being obedient.
"By obedience ALL mankind may be saved." -Elder Oaks
Also, another temple coming to Washington County, UT woo hoo!!
Recently I feel like I have had more questions than usual.
Not the type of questions that throw my faith into question, but the kind of questions and lead to seeking answers and confirmation that I am going in the right direction.
With Kyle's job I feel like he is always having missionary experiences and being asked about why he lives the way that we do. Like ALL THE TIME.
Twice lately he's been asked if we are Christian. He responded by asking what makes someone Christian? Well, someone that follows Christ and not man.
Yes, yes we are Christian.
Something interesting happened farther along in one of the conversations though.
Kyle asked his fellow Christian officer if he believes it is alright to drink alcohol.
The answer was, "I don't know, my pastor has never said. He probably doesn't want to offend anyone in the congregation that drinks."
RED FLAG
Shouldn't we all be asking what God thinks instead of what man (the pastor) thinks?
Shopping around for a pastor that preaches what you want to hear is the definition of following man and not God.
As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we are GUIDED by a prophet that is God's mouthpiece on the earth. Someone called by God, to speak what God speaks. Whether it causes us to be offended or need to change or not.
I LOVE that the church of Jesus Christ is the SAME anywhere in the world that you go!
The word of God and His commandments have been revealed and they don't change based on what is comfortable for us to hear. We know what HE expects from us and we also know that with living HIS standards come blessings and happiness.
So I don't need to worry about how "correct" the Bible is, whether the stories are literal or metaphorical, or how exactly the Book of Mormon came to be. What matters is that when I read the Book of Mormon it brings me closer to Christ. It leads me to do good. Living the gospel helps me become the person I want to be and that is gold.
I know that President Nelson is God's prophet on the earth and that he speaks God's word. Sometimes that may offend, but if so, then I know I need to change.
I know that Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God. He lives. He is our Savior. He didn't metaphorically die for each one of us, that really happened. He loves us that much.
Yes, truth can be complicated, but "If I am honest with myself, I must admit that the Spirit has touched me more than once and the testimony of the Spirit is real."
I am so grateful for the truth that I do know. Whatever questions I still have can be asked and that does not signify a lack of faith, they are simply a precursor to growth.
So I don't need to worry about how "correct" the Bible is, whether the stories are literal or metaphorical, or how exactly the Book of Mormon came to be. What matters is that when I read the Book of Mormon it brings me closer to Christ. It leads me to do good. Living the gospel helps me become the person I want to be and that is gold.
I know that President Nelson is God's prophet on the earth and that he speaks God's word. Sometimes that may offend, but if so, then I know I need to change.
I know that Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God. He lives. He is our Savior. He didn't metaphorically die for each one of us, that really happened. He loves us that much.
Yes, truth can be complicated, but "If I am honest with myself, I must admit that the Spirit has touched me more than once and the testimony of the Spirit is real."
I am so grateful for the truth that I do know. Whatever questions I still have can be asked and that does not signify a lack of faith, they are simply a precursor to growth.
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