My thought on Bishop McMullin's talk "Lay Up in Store"
As I read the dreadful story of that “young man” I chuckled as I read “I still have nightmares about that chemistry class.”
I had a similar incident when I found out that vets also “opened up” animals and did surgery on them. I thought they just cuddled with them every day and who in their right mind wouldn’t want to be a vet! ~smile~
“If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.”
I was the RS president when 9-11 happened and even though it was horrific and I still weep when I see those pictures, I was not afraid. BTW—fear and sadness are not the same—I still wept and still weep for the families touched by the events of 9-11. Two of my cousins were supposed to be in the tower that day and subsequently lost their jobs and were jobless and even homeless for about 18 months until things started to get better for them and their young families.
9-11 was a Tuesday and that Wednesday I had to conduct a RS meeting. We of course changed our focus of the meeting, but there was an overwhelming since of unfear. New word I just made up, because it wasn’t “peace” we were feeling. We didn’t like what was happening but the Lord told each of us that no matter how this event shook out we and our families were going to be OK. We did not fear tomorrow. Those that are prepared need not fear—PLAIN AND SIMPLE!
This goes spiritually as well as physically, financially and emotionally.
I love the bullet points he give us—yes this was to the men—but it applies to all of us.
1. faith! Nuf said!
2. dejunk! When you have to worry about other things and not the people in your life… Likewise debt.
3. storage. I love how he says “Wives are instrumental in this work!” DUH, but he adds, “but they need husbands who lead out in family preparedness. I love the BSA for this. My kids are working on Emergency Preparedness for one of their Merit Badges. I’m so thankful for the plan the church has asked us to use and follow all these many decades. I also remember that there is no law given that isn’t spiritual in nature. As I have thought about that as I can yet another jar of sauce or fruit or whatever. This will keep my body going, so why am I at the church cannery doing this? WHY if there is no temporal commands? Obedience goes a long way in storing up blessings. Maybe someday I will tell my story.
I just love the quotes he gives! It is so wonderful to know that the Lord and his chosen servants care not only for our eternal salvation but that of sustaining life while here. I have always loved the scripture he quotes at the end, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.”
OK, I just read what I wrote last week and now after coming home from church and looking this over I have so much to add. We just had our 5th Sunday combined 3rd hour meeting with the priesthood. It was on Emergency Preparedness. I am so thankful our stake takes this seriously. As many of you know where I live, we were without power for over 6 days last year when winds whipped through our part of the country and knocked EVERYTHING out. That was in December. Just two months previously our stake had held an emergency drill. On a Monday (FHE) we all had had a terrible earthquake here and had to follow our ward’s (and stake) communication plan and then live the rest of the night as if without power. So many people realized that day that they were not ready for a major problem. They readied themselves and come December’s powerful storms, very few families needed to be “rescued”. It was so awesome. Of course during the real thing we realized how long six days without power is and fixed a few things that were all missing from our preparedness. I’m so thankful we get to do it yet again….BUT…last year’s drill I wasn’t to pleased with. I was struggling with news that my sister had 6 weeks to live, in fact the day before the drill I had just flown home. My mother who has Alzheimer’s was at my house and couldn’t understand what was going on and kept turning on lights. It was very difficult, and I was not happy with it. But in real life, do emergencies happen when it convenient? NO!
I look forward to Sept 17th and our drill and I look forward to our neighborhood emergency meeting at my house after labor day (this is my kids doing!). I know I might not be 100% prepared, but the Lord will bless me for the steps I have made and will chastise me for the ones I should have made and he asked me to make but didn’t and he will still love me and help me be a better person.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Sunday, July 22, 2007
To the Aaronic Priesthood: Prepareing for the Decade of Decision
My thought on Elder Hales' talk "To the Aaronic Priesthood: Prepareing for the Decade of Decision"
This talk was very timely for me.
Last Sunday my third boy received the Aaronic Priesthood. It is so fun to listen to the blessing they are given at the time of their ordination.
My boys are at scout camp this week or this would be the subject of our FHE tomorrow. I’m going to have to get it in sometime. Maybe my hubby would prepare something.
These young me are truly part of the Royal Army! They have been chosen for a mission at this time. They are to hold the banner high. They are to fight for the God of Love. I love this line:
Remember this: you are a son of God who decided to follow the Savior when it mattered most, and that makes you a great man indeed.
I could continue quoting the talk it is so good.
When I was younger I thought it was a shaft to call it the “lesser” priesthood. I love the term “preparatory” priesthood and Elder Hales nailed it with these words:
The Aaronic Priesthood is the preparatory priesthood, given for this preparatory time in your life. How you bear that priesthood now will prepare you to make the most important decisions in the future. These decisions include receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood, going to the temple, serving a mission, getting an education, selecting an occupation, and choosing a companion and being sealed for time and for all eternity in the holy temple. There is a time and season for all of our decisions. Make sure you make decisions in the proper time and season. All of these life-altering decisions will be made in a very busy, relatively short period during your 20s—during what I call the "Decade of Decision."
I like how he called it a “Decade of Decision”. These young men start preparing to get the priesthood when they are 11 (or they should be) and they come home from their mission at 21. If they have walked the chosen path all the while making those decision that have led them to this place in time—ready to make those “BIG” decisions. How wonderful the plan of our Savior.
I like how he called them Aaronic Priesthood BEARERS. What a cool image. I guess I have been thinking about my sister’s pending funeral and the world “bearer” I didn’t look up the definition BUT in both of these applications the word implies carrying something special for someone important. It takes effort and thought to do both.
I love all his “now is the time.”
I know I made up my mind NEVER to question paying tithing. I never was to question the word of wisdom and I was never to question not going to church on Sunday. Those decision had been made when I was younger—much younger and now there is no question that those things will be done. I did decide to go on a mission and it took one handsome devil and a LOT of prayer to make me change that decision (smile). The Lord of course told me that I didn’t change the decision, just that my time table and his weren’t in sync (well, that wasn’t the first nor last time our time tables didn’t match up).
In a talk Pres. Hinckley gave a few years back he talked about how 3 inches makes a difference. When a train leaves a yard in utah and the 3 inch gap in the track was bridged the train, which was headed for NYC is now in Miami. 3 inches seems so very small but 1000’s of miles is totally different. Elder Hales gives a similar description with fighter planes. WOW who knew! I didn’t.
I love his last thoughts. “BE THERE!”
WHAT a talk. Full of doctrine and guidance for all, not just for our young men, but our young women, families, and especially for ourselves.
Can’t wait to share this with my boys!
(from another post)
Something else to think about is how we as parents and those being served by these young men respect them even though they may be younger than we. I remember my mother holding FHE without my father (he was a long haul truck driver) and starting the meeting by turning over the time to a young boy, who had just turned 12. I still remember her voice as she said, “Today we are going to be taught by God through one of his newest holders of His power.” That really got my brother’s attention. I don’t recall the lesson, but I just remember my brother’s shoulder being a bit more square.
I also remember how my mom made sure that I didn’t flirt with the AP as they performed their duties. She was a great teacher—and I know why I had five boys.
The “village’s” comments and action or reactions to my sons means the world to me—at least if they are positive. I try NEVER to talk down about how the YM treat my kids and try very hard to discourage them. This ward has proven very hard as there are two boys (brothers) who from the moment my boys walked into church rode them and boy do the ride them hard. I see the way they treat my boys—who don’t take it lying down—and it kills me. The other day was a water balloon fight with the deacons and teachers. My two boys (one a teacher and one a deacon) did NOTHING but fill up balloons the whole night. When the older one, Kray, stopped one of the brothers pelted him and told him to get back at his job. Instead of making a scene my son dutifully filled them up. Jason, my younger son, saw Kray almost in tears (you always know what will bring tears to your sibling’s eyes) and came to help him.
I see the way his older brother treats Kray as well. Kray is small in stature—both sides of the family are late bloomers—and therefore he will rub it in Kray’s face. “Short stuff” (that is the tamest comment) and other not nice stuff. Thankfully Kray lets it go and comes home and spills. It is so hard to separate the boy and is foibles and the man and the priesthood when he can be so mean one minute and the next begging for your help on his Eagle project or blessing the bread. It truly is a difficult situation—BUT, that is why we are here to learn. That is why I think homeschooling gives me the edge in helping Kray overcome this difficult situation. (the younger of the two brother and Kray will be the only Priests when Kray turns 16 in December and it will stay that way for about 11 months!) Kray can’t just let this slide, he has to learn to deal with it and deal with it properly.
Who knows what tomorrow will bring.
I was voicing my displeasure to the YW president about this young man—but not in so many words—she had no idea what I was talking about and she made a few comments about how wonderful my kids were and how cool it was on Sunday to see 6 young men dressed in white shirts passing the sacrament and three of them were clean cut and had pressed white shirts (those were my three). Her son has been watching them since he just turned 12 yesterday and will be passing along with them next week. I didn’t think anyone noticed my boys. I told her to tell my boys because they need to know that even though they aren’t in the “in” crowd they are in with the “right’ crowd!
Well, I’ve been up since 4 this morning and I’m wiped!
This talk was very timely for me.
Last Sunday my third boy received the Aaronic Priesthood. It is so fun to listen to the blessing they are given at the time of their ordination.
My boys are at scout camp this week or this would be the subject of our FHE tomorrow. I’m going to have to get it in sometime. Maybe my hubby would prepare something.
These young me are truly part of the Royal Army! They have been chosen for a mission at this time. They are to hold the banner high. They are to fight for the God of Love. I love this line:
Remember this: you are a son of God who decided to follow the Savior when it mattered most, and that makes you a great man indeed.
I could continue quoting the talk it is so good.
When I was younger I thought it was a shaft to call it the “lesser” priesthood. I love the term “preparatory” priesthood and Elder Hales nailed it with these words:
The Aaronic Priesthood is the preparatory priesthood, given for this preparatory time in your life. How you bear that priesthood now will prepare you to make the most important decisions in the future. These decisions include receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood, going to the temple, serving a mission, getting an education, selecting an occupation, and choosing a companion and being sealed for time and for all eternity in the holy temple. There is a time and season for all of our decisions. Make sure you make decisions in the proper time and season. All of these life-altering decisions will be made in a very busy, relatively short period during your 20s—during what I call the "Decade of Decision."
I like how he called it a “Decade of Decision”. These young men start preparing to get the priesthood when they are 11 (or they should be) and they come home from their mission at 21. If they have walked the chosen path all the while making those decision that have led them to this place in time—ready to make those “BIG” decisions. How wonderful the plan of our Savior.
I like how he called them Aaronic Priesthood BEARERS. What a cool image. I guess I have been thinking about my sister’s pending funeral and the world “bearer” I didn’t look up the definition BUT in both of these applications the word implies carrying something special for someone important. It takes effort and thought to do both.
I love all his “now is the time.”
I know I made up my mind NEVER to question paying tithing. I never was to question the word of wisdom and I was never to question not going to church on Sunday. Those decision had been made when I was younger—much younger and now there is no question that those things will be done. I did decide to go on a mission and it took one handsome devil and a LOT of prayer to make me change that decision (smile). The Lord of course told me that I didn’t change the decision, just that my time table and his weren’t in sync (well, that wasn’t the first nor last time our time tables didn’t match up).
In a talk Pres. Hinckley gave a few years back he talked about how 3 inches makes a difference. When a train leaves a yard in utah and the 3 inch gap in the track was bridged the train, which was headed for NYC is now in Miami. 3 inches seems so very small but 1000’s of miles is totally different. Elder Hales gives a similar description with fighter planes. WOW who knew! I didn’t.
I love his last thoughts. “BE THERE!”
WHAT a talk. Full of doctrine and guidance for all, not just for our young men, but our young women, families, and especially for ourselves.
Can’t wait to share this with my boys!
(from another post)
Something else to think about is how we as parents and those being served by these young men respect them even though they may be younger than we. I remember my mother holding FHE without my father (he was a long haul truck driver) and starting the meeting by turning over the time to a young boy, who had just turned 12. I still remember her voice as she said, “Today we are going to be taught by God through one of his newest holders of His power.” That really got my brother’s attention. I don’t recall the lesson, but I just remember my brother’s shoulder being a bit more square.
I also remember how my mom made sure that I didn’t flirt with the AP as they performed their duties. She was a great teacher—and I know why I had five boys.
The “village’s” comments and action or reactions to my sons means the world to me—at least if they are positive. I try NEVER to talk down about how the YM treat my kids and try very hard to discourage them. This ward has proven very hard as there are two boys (brothers) who from the moment my boys walked into church rode them and boy do the ride them hard. I see the way they treat my boys—who don’t take it lying down—and it kills me. The other day was a water balloon fight with the deacons and teachers. My two boys (one a teacher and one a deacon) did NOTHING but fill up balloons the whole night. When the older one, Kray, stopped one of the brothers pelted him and told him to get back at his job. Instead of making a scene my son dutifully filled them up. Jason, my younger son, saw Kray almost in tears (you always know what will bring tears to your sibling’s eyes) and came to help him.
I see the way his older brother treats Kray as well. Kray is small in stature—both sides of the family are late bloomers—and therefore he will rub it in Kray’s face. “Short stuff” (that is the tamest comment) and other not nice stuff. Thankfully Kray lets it go and comes home and spills. It is so hard to separate the boy and is foibles and the man and the priesthood when he can be so mean one minute and the next begging for your help on his Eagle project or blessing the bread. It truly is a difficult situation—BUT, that is why we are here to learn. That is why I think homeschooling gives me the edge in helping Kray overcome this difficult situation. (the younger of the two brother and Kray will be the only Priests when Kray turns 16 in December and it will stay that way for about 11 months!) Kray can’t just let this slide, he has to learn to deal with it and deal with it properly.
Who knows what tomorrow will bring.
I was voicing my displeasure to the YW president about this young man—but not in so many words—she had no idea what I was talking about and she made a few comments about how wonderful my kids were and how cool it was on Sunday to see 6 young men dressed in white shirts passing the sacrament and three of them were clean cut and had pressed white shirts (those were my three). Her son has been watching them since he just turned 12 yesterday and will be passing along with them next week. I didn’t think anyone noticed my boys. I told her to tell my boys because they need to know that even though they aren’t in the “in” crowd they are in with the “right’ crowd!
Well, I’ve been up since 4 this morning and I’m wiped!
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