My thoughts on Elder Christofferson's talk "The Power of Covenants"
I'm sort of glad I'm not putting my thoughts down on this one until today--my anniversary to my wonderful husband. My thoughts are drawn back to the Seattle Temple some 20 years ago when I was befuddled and twitter pated. I also think of how much my knowledge of the power of those covenants has grown since that day. I'm amazed.
I'm still in awe that our Heavenly Father said 8 was the age to make the first covenant with him. I'm in awe that he grants the rights of the priesthood to 12 year old boys. I have my fourth boy turn 12 in a month and two days (just ask him, he'll tell you how long) and I think of the awesome responsibilities these rights and covenants carry with them and stand in awe that our God would allow us humans, full of well humanness! And then to think me at 19 was granted the right to enter the temple to make eternal covenants with another human and the Lord--SHOCKING! My oldest son is 17 and there is no way he is ready. I can't believe I was ready. Probably wasn't but as the Lord has said over and over, "Line upon line." That is exactly what happens in our knowledge of these great covenants and responsibilities.
Elder Christofferson's thought bring me back to what really matters with the covenants I have made through my life.
"We need strong Christians who can persevere against hardship, who can sustain hope through tragedy, who can life others by their example and their compassion, and who can consistently overcome temptations. We need strong Christians who can make important things happen by their faith and who can defend the truth of Jesus Christ against moral relativism and militant atheism."
Am I that person? Are my children those Christians? Is my family an example? What have I done to show that I am a Christian lately to those I know and love? Are my words and actions speaking my heart? And if not how can I change? Oh, wait Elder Christofferson give the answer.
"The source is God. Our access to that power is through our covenants with Him. A covenant is an agreement between God and man, an accord whose terms are set by God. In these divine agreements, God binds Himself to sustain, sanctify, and exalt us in return for our commitment to serve Him and keep His commandments."
It amazes me still that it is truly that easy. We obey and he blesses us. We love him, serve him and he blesses us. Making it easier for us to stay on the straight and narrow and continue to do those things worth of his sustaining vote of us and our actions. A cycle that spirals upward! (better that than the one that goes downwards ~smile~). **He comes back to this thought later in his talk**
"It is done individually, by name."
I highlighted this one and it has caused me to pause and think of all the covenants I've entered into and the billions that have been entered in by those who have walked this earth since the beginning of time. We all do it by our own names. The covenants we enter into are done by our OWN NAME. It isn't a blanket, "everyone here" type of thing. We do it in our own name. And he knows us by our name. How wonderful! What a great comfort and thought. I should hold to that thought more often.
Now back to the blessings of covenants.
By gifts and blessings.
Sometimes we don't recognize the blessings of obedience. We take our lives for granted. But there are many blessings to obedience to this words. We are free from addiction. We are free from the bounds of sin. We are blessed with safety and health. We are blessed in "our capacity to deal with these challenges." I can't begin to count how many times I've heard people say, "I don't know how you do it." I do it because I know who to turn to and he blesses me because of my obedience to his laws. He blesses me with insights to problems, concerns and trials. He doesn't bless me that they won't happen (I know that way too well) but I have the ability, the strength and the courage to face them and know where to turn to when I feel alone, confused or in need of advice.
By increased faith.
"...they produce the faith necessary to persevere and to do all things that are expedient in the Lord."
..."but as we honor our covenants, that faith expands. In the first place, the promised fruits of obedience become evident, which confirms our faith. Secondly, the Spirit communicates God's pleasure, and we feel secure in His continued blessing and help. Thirdly, come what may, we can face life with hope and equanimity, knowing that we will succeed in the end because we have God's promise to us individually, by name, and we know He cannot lie. "
This follows closely to what I said in the above paragraph. Obeying and seeing the blessings increases my faith.
"...our faith becomes unbounded, having the assurance that God will in due time turn every affliction to our gain."
The hard part is the "in due time" part. But if we are faithful we can see the blessings of our faith. I think of Job, Abraham, Israel, Joseph Smith Jr., my own mother and many others. Their blessings are there and the faithful can even call on their blessings. Our blessings are there and as we exercise faith we can call upon the blessings too.
"The Apostle Paul understood that one who has entered into a covenant with God is both given the faith to face trials and gains even greater faith through those trials."
That is a promise I hold on to!!
Through the power of Godliness.
The bestowal of divine power.
"Our covenant commitment to Him permits our Heavenly Father to let His divine influence, "the power of godliness", flow into our lives."
WOW!!
"Our participation in those ordinances also demonstrates that we are prepared to accept the additional responsibility that comes with added light and spiritual power."
Double WOW!
I'm thrilled to have this much responsibility and stewardship. I can't believe a Father would do that for his wicked children. But wow!
"When we have entered into divine covenants, the Holy Ghost is our comforter, our guide, and our companion."
I guess that is how we do it. Through the power of the Holy Ghost. A member of the Godhead--our Divine power of Godliness! I can't imagine us doing it any other way. How cool is that?
And in parting he says, "In times of distress, let your covenants be paramount and let your obedience be exact."
If only I can live up to that last statement and teach my children to do so likewise.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Finding Strength in Challenging Times!
My thoughts on Elder Allan Packer's talk "Finding Strength in Challenging Times!"
"We need to be acquainted with the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and we need to practice and apply gospel teachings until they become natural and automatic. These promptings become the foundation of our testimonies. Then our testimonies will keep us happy and safe in troubled times."
What can I add to that statement? Nothing except to say it is true and I hope my children are acquainted with the Holy Ghost. I hope they hear and feel him often. I hope that when in times of trouble they remember what that felt like and can pull those feelings back out of their heart.
"Elder Dallin H. Oaks defined a testimony this way: “A testimony of the gospel is a personal witness borne to our souls by the Holy Ghost that certain facts of eternal significance are true and that we know them to be true.” At another time Elder Oaks said, “Testimony is to know and to feel, conversion is to do and to become."
You can NOT give a testimony to someone else, they have to find it themselves. That is so frustrating as a mother. But it is also a comfort. Their salvation is theirs to gain because I'm sure they will do a better job of it than I will.
"Joseph Smith told us to watch for answers by paying attention to the thoughts and feelings that come into our minds. Over time we will learn to recognize these as promptings."
"...study it out in your mind..."
"...bosom shall burn..."
"...stupor of thought..."
These are necessary for us and our children to know. There is no way to give this to them but for them to find on their own. We can guide them, show them, tell them, but they have to grasp it themselves and then take it to their hearts. That is my greatest with in life.
"Having the capacity to receive personal inspiration will be necessary in the coming days."
A prophetic warning?
Revealed Quorum Principles
My thoughts on Brother Neider's talk "Revealed Quorum Principles"
Of course this talk is geared to priesthood brethren, but do we not all have some sort of quorum in our own home? Our family, our marriage, and even ourselves?
"I emphasize the principles of study, of obtaining God's word." He then talks about how we all need to be students of the gospel. I want to say DUH, but then remember that we need to have these things repeated over and over until we get them. How good of a student am I? How about my family? Am I doing what is necessary? Am I doing just a bit more? What can I do better? (Lots is the answer!)
"President Stephen L Richards taught that a quorum is a class, a brotherhood, and a service unit: a class where a young man may be taught the gospel of Jesus Christ; a brotherhood where we can strengthen, build, lift, and friendship each other; and a service unit to give service to quorum members and others."
Is that not also important for our own families?
Since I have five boys, I'm so thankful that the words came out again that scouting is the program we use in the USA for our young men. There is great leadership, wisdom and skills that are taught through properly run scout/YM programs. I'm so thankful for such a program.
"As these quorum principles and tools are used with planning and wisdom and in the exercise of faith, miracles will be obtained."
Miracles can happen in our own families.
Of course this talk is geared to priesthood brethren, but do we not all have some sort of quorum in our own home? Our family, our marriage, and even ourselves?
"I emphasize the principles of study, of obtaining God's word." He then talks about how we all need to be students of the gospel. I want to say DUH, but then remember that we need to have these things repeated over and over until we get them. How good of a student am I? How about my family? Am I doing what is necessary? Am I doing just a bit more? What can I do better? (Lots is the answer!)
"President Stephen L Richards taught that a quorum is a class, a brotherhood, and a service unit: a class where a young man may be taught the gospel of Jesus Christ; a brotherhood where we can strengthen, build, lift, and friendship each other; and a service unit to give service to quorum members and others."
Is that not also important for our own families?
Since I have five boys, I'm so thankful that the words came out again that scouting is the program we use in the USA for our young men. There is great leadership, wisdom and skills that are taught through properly run scout/YM programs. I'm so thankful for such a program.
"As these quorum principles and tools are used with planning and wisdom and in the exercise of faith, miracles will be obtained."
Miracles can happen in our own families.
Respect and Reverence
My thoughts on Sister Lifferth's talk "Respect and Reverence".
We have a problem in our primary, just like primaries across the globe and that is REVERENCE!
I was asked to give a sharing time to the older children about this topic. I know it wasn't me that was giving the lesson because it turned out wonderful. I used this talk as the base of my thoughts. I also looked up President Packer's talk. WONDERFUL--give it a read.
We are parents and leaders do need to set the example of what a reverent person should be not just in church but everywhere. If reverence is "profound respect mingled with love" shouldn't we be showing reverence everywhere? Reverence at sporting events. Reverence while driving. Reverence while shopping. Reverence when dealing with our children.
"Elder L. Tom Perry taught that 'reverence flows from our admiration and respect for Deity.'"
"Love one another," the Lord taught.
"Only in an attitude of reverence can the Spirit confirm the truths of the gospel through the word of God, music, testimony and prayer."
We all know this. We know when we personally are reverent (not just quietly sitting) that the Spirit touches our hearts. I hate it when you are ready to be fed and the person next to you is irreverent. It is so hard to have the spiritual experience your heart so needs.
She then tells us how to get reverence in our classrooms. We have discussed this often. The recipe is the same.
Love those you teach.
Be prepared.
Very simple!
But I can't leave this without talking about Elder Packer's talk "Reverence Invites Revelation"
This is an EXCELLENT talk.
Back in 1991 he said, "The world grows increasingly noisy." Fast forward almost 20 years and it is a screaming world!
"The first order issued by a commander mounting a military invasion is the jamming of the channels of communication of those he intends to conquer."
Who is the invading army? Are we on his side? Are we the cause of some one's jammed communications? Or are we on the Lord's side and doing what is necessary so that all in the army hear the words of the commander?
Music! One of my favorite subjects.
"Music is of enormous importance in our worship service."
"Music can set an atmosphere..."
The Strength of Youth book talks about the effects it can have on us. It is a blessing that my children are recognizing the good and bad of music. My 17 year old admitted that a few months ago (when he was impossible to live with) he was listening to some very dark music. I was so glad HE found that out.
Lastly Pres. Packer says this, "The Lord will pour out his Spirit upon us more abundantly. We will be less troubled, less confused. We will find revealed answers to personal and family problems without all the counseling with we seem now to need."
We have a problem in our primary, just like primaries across the globe and that is REVERENCE!
I was asked to give a sharing time to the older children about this topic. I know it wasn't me that was giving the lesson because it turned out wonderful. I used this talk as the base of my thoughts. I also looked up President Packer's talk. WONDERFUL--give it a read.
We are parents and leaders do need to set the example of what a reverent person should be not just in church but everywhere. If reverence is "profound respect mingled with love" shouldn't we be showing reverence everywhere? Reverence at sporting events. Reverence while driving. Reverence while shopping. Reverence when dealing with our children.
"Elder L. Tom Perry taught that 'reverence flows from our admiration and respect for Deity.'"
"Love one another," the Lord taught.
"Only in an attitude of reverence can the Spirit confirm the truths of the gospel through the word of God, music, testimony and prayer."
We all know this. We know when we personally are reverent (not just quietly sitting) that the Spirit touches our hearts. I hate it when you are ready to be fed and the person next to you is irreverent. It is so hard to have the spiritual experience your heart so needs.
She then tells us how to get reverence in our classrooms. We have discussed this often. The recipe is the same.
Love those you teach.
Be prepared.
Very simple!
But I can't leave this without talking about Elder Packer's talk "Reverence Invites Revelation"
This is an EXCELLENT talk.
Back in 1991 he said, "The world grows increasingly noisy." Fast forward almost 20 years and it is a screaming world!
"The first order issued by a commander mounting a military invasion is the jamming of the channels of communication of those he intends to conquer."
Who is the invading army? Are we on his side? Are we the cause of some one's jammed communications? Or are we on the Lord's side and doing what is necessary so that all in the army hear the words of the commander?
Music! One of my favorite subjects.
"Music is of enormous importance in our worship service."
"Music can set an atmosphere..."
The Strength of Youth book talks about the effects it can have on us. It is a blessing that my children are recognizing the good and bad of music. My 17 year old admitted that a few months ago (when he was impossible to live with) he was listening to some very dark music. I was so glad HE found that out.
Lastly Pres. Packer says this, "The Lord will pour out his Spirit upon us more abundantly. We will be less troubled, less confused. We will find revealed answers to personal and family problems without all the counseling with we seem now to need."
Becoming Provident Provides Temporally and Spiritually
My thoughts on Elder Hales' talk "Becoming Provident Provides Temporally and Spiritually"
I think this is going to be a very long post. There is so much in this talk that really spoke to me. Elder Hales departs some great wisdom for all of us. I won't even do justice to his talk, but here are the points I thought needed my attention or the attention of my children (if they ever listen to me or read my blog).
"Of course some debt incurred for education, a modest home, or a basic automobile may be necessary to provide for a family."
Only three things we need to go in dept for and two of those with adjectives. I wonder how different our economy would be right now if we had all lived that way? I wonder what our/my personal economy would be if I lived that way. I can not tell you the blessing it was to get out of college without a dime of dept. WOW! I know that is unheard of and we have parents to thank for that, but neither Steve or I would be where we are if we would have started with a major load of dept. Modest--we have a very modest home. Basic--our cars meet our needs and thankfully are all paid for. Just wish we wouldn't have bought the red one--it is a money hole, but we learned a lesson.
"Additional dept is incurred when we cannot control our wants and addictive impulses."
AMEN! I know that is so very hard---control, but it is necessary.
"We must want more than anything else to change our lives so that we can break the cycle of dept and our uncontrolled wants."
I use to have a saying on my fridge that said, "One wants what one wants." I put it there to help me control my appetite. I either want to be skinny or I want the food I'm going to stuff down my throat. If you want out of debt then you will get yourself out of debt and you will do what is necessary to get yourself there.
"Our challenges, including those we create by our own decisions,"
OUCH! I wonder how many of my challenges are of my own making. I wonder how much more of a person I would be if I let the Lord give me the challenges instead of coming up with my own. I wonder how much more I would learn if I just let the Master give me the tests.
"Each temptation we overcome is to strengthen us, not destroy us. The Lord will never allow us to suffer beyond what we can endure."
"Our success is never measured by how strongly we are tempted but by how faithfully we respond."
I love that promise. I live by that promise.
"To provide providently, we must practice the principles of provident living: joyfully living within our means, being content with what we have, avoiding excessive debt, and diligently saving and preparing for rainy day emergencies."
I love the word he slips in here: JOYFULLY! I can live within my means, but I'm not always joyful about it. Therein lies the challenge I've given myself. Guess I better change my ways.
I won't quote the next paragraph (it is kind of long) but he speaks about how when we want things (covet) we find ourselves in debt for those things and then we are working hard to pay them and become depressed. Our relationships suffer (how many marriages are broken because of money issues) and most importantly our relationship with the Lord suffers. "We do not have the time, energy or interest to seek spiritual things."
"We can't afford it, even though we want it!"
"We can afford it, but we don't need it."
Harsh words in today's world, but so necessary.
TITHING: I could write articles on the blessing of tithing, because the promise of Malachi is true. I testify of it. I lived it! I hope my children see it. I hope we have explained it to them even though it is hard to see in our life now.
BUDGETS: I have a love-hate relationship with them. I love them when they work for my wants and I hate them went they don't. It is so hard sometimes, ok, lots of times, but I know it is for the best. I think my husband and I do a pretty good job at keeping within our budget. Of course there is always room for improvement.
"This will teach our children to recognize the difference between wants and needs and to plan ahead for meaningful use of family resources."
We try to teach this very carefully and it seems as if two of our three teens has this down, but there is another that I just pray his wife will be great with money because as soon has he has it it is gone!
Elder Hales' last two promises:
"...ask ourselves, 'Is the benefit temporary or will it have eternal value and significance?'" Truthfully answering these questions may help us avoid excessive debt and other addictive behavior."
"I testify that the appetite to possess worldly things can only be overcome by turning to the Lord. The hunger of addiction can only be replaced by our love for Him. He stands ready to help each one of us."
I think this is going to be a very long post. There is so much in this talk that really spoke to me. Elder Hales departs some great wisdom for all of us. I won't even do justice to his talk, but here are the points I thought needed my attention or the attention of my children (if they ever listen to me or read my blog).
"Of course some debt incurred for education, a modest home, or a basic automobile may be necessary to provide for a family."
Only three things we need to go in dept for and two of those with adjectives. I wonder how different our economy would be right now if we had all lived that way? I wonder what our/my personal economy would be if I lived that way. I can not tell you the blessing it was to get out of college without a dime of dept. WOW! I know that is unheard of and we have parents to thank for that, but neither Steve or I would be where we are if we would have started with a major load of dept. Modest--we have a very modest home. Basic--our cars meet our needs and thankfully are all paid for. Just wish we wouldn't have bought the red one--it is a money hole, but we learned a lesson.
"Additional dept is incurred when we cannot control our wants and addictive impulses."
AMEN! I know that is so very hard---control, but it is necessary.
"We must want more than anything else to change our lives so that we can break the cycle of dept and our uncontrolled wants."
I use to have a saying on my fridge that said, "One wants what one wants." I put it there to help me control my appetite. I either want to be skinny or I want the food I'm going to stuff down my throat. If you want out of debt then you will get yourself out of debt and you will do what is necessary to get yourself there.
"Our challenges, including those we create by our own decisions,"
OUCH! I wonder how many of my challenges are of my own making. I wonder how much more of a person I would be if I let the Lord give me the challenges instead of coming up with my own. I wonder how much more I would learn if I just let the Master give me the tests.
"Each temptation we overcome is to strengthen us, not destroy us. The Lord will never allow us to suffer beyond what we can endure."
"Our success is never measured by how strongly we are tempted but by how faithfully we respond."
I love that promise. I live by that promise.
"To provide providently, we must practice the principles of provident living: joyfully living within our means, being content with what we have, avoiding excessive debt, and diligently saving and preparing for rainy day emergencies."
I love the word he slips in here: JOYFULLY! I can live within my means, but I'm not always joyful about it. Therein lies the challenge I've given myself. Guess I better change my ways.
I won't quote the next paragraph (it is kind of long) but he speaks about how when we want things (covet) we find ourselves in debt for those things and then we are working hard to pay them and become depressed. Our relationships suffer (how many marriages are broken because of money issues) and most importantly our relationship with the Lord suffers. "We do not have the time, energy or interest to seek spiritual things."
"We can't afford it, even though we want it!"
"We can afford it, but we don't need it."
Harsh words in today's world, but so necessary.
TITHING: I could write articles on the blessing of tithing, because the promise of Malachi is true. I testify of it. I lived it! I hope my children see it. I hope we have explained it to them even though it is hard to see in our life now.
BUDGETS: I have a love-hate relationship with them. I love them when they work for my wants and I hate them went they don't. It is so hard sometimes, ok, lots of times, but I know it is for the best. I think my husband and I do a pretty good job at keeping within our budget. Of course there is always room for improvement.
"This will teach our children to recognize the difference between wants and needs and to plan ahead for meaningful use of family resources."
We try to teach this very carefully and it seems as if two of our three teens has this down, but there is another that I just pray his wife will be great with money because as soon has he has it it is gone!
Elder Hales' last two promises:
"...ask ourselves, 'Is the benefit temporary or will it have eternal value and significance?'" Truthfully answering these questions may help us avoid excessive debt and other addictive behavior."
"I testify that the appetite to possess worldly things can only be overcome by turning to the Lord. The hunger of addiction can only be replaced by our love for Him. He stands ready to help each one of us."
Welcome to the Conference
My thoughts on President Monson's opening remarks "Welcome to the Conference"
I usually don't comment on the opening and closing remarks because they usually are just a "thank you for coming" and a "go and do" type of speech, but since a new apostle was called....
Good choice, Elder Andersen will be a great addition to the other Apostles. I loved his last talk in conference and I'm sure he will impart great words of wisdom to us over the years. I'm just amazed at the change in the 12 over the past few years. It seems like a changing of the guard has taken place after a long time of status quo. Not that I'm complaining---no not at all--just a interesting thing that has happened over the past few years.
The status of the Church is good--WOW! Great to see the report. I just hope that my little contribution to the work is for good too.
I usually don't comment on the opening and closing remarks because they usually are just a "thank you for coming" and a "go and do" type of speech, but since a new apostle was called....
Good choice, Elder Andersen will be a great addition to the other Apostles. I loved his last talk in conference and I'm sure he will impart great words of wisdom to us over the years. I'm just amazed at the change in the 12 over the past few years. It seems like a changing of the guard has taken place after a long time of status quo. Not that I'm complaining---no not at all--just a interesting thing that has happened over the past few years.
The status of the Church is good--WOW! Great to see the report. I just hope that my little contribution to the work is for good too.
May You Have Courage
My thoughts on President Monson's talk "May You Have Courage"
I wonder what advances in technology are in store for us. I remember thinking as a young woman at the huge computer that sat on my desk--took most of the room on my desk--now I have a computer that is just a bit smaller than my 3-ring binder and it is more powerful than that huge one that sat on my desk. My son's I-Touch (or whatever you call it) is just as powerful and about the size of a card deck. WOW!
My heart was warmed while reading this talk, but I was called to repentance. Since I'm pretty good at being chaste and virtuous and I'm standing firm for truth and righteousness, it was his first point of courage that brought me back home to reality--refrain from judging others.
There is a difference between being judgmental and discerning good from evil when it comes to "judging" others. I think we all need to use judgement when picking friends but we don't need to be critical or belittle others. I think I do belittle others and I need to stop!
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." said Mother Teresa, one of my heroes. That needs to be my new internal motto. I need to stop judging the sisters in my ward. Even though I'm lonely and feel friendless, I have not walked the mile in their shoes that knowledge requires and therefore I need to stop judging them or belittling them. Of course I need to pick my friends wisely, by judging them properly--as the Savior would see them--but I'm not doing that. I need to repent.
I will only briefly comment on the other two points Pres. Monson makes because it was a shock to me.
The quote from Ted Koppel was just shocking to me. "What Moses brought down from Mt. Sinai were not Ten Suggestions, they are Commandments. Are, now were." I will have to use that one.
"....but no, because it's wrong." You don't here that over our airwaves very often. I thought the prevailing theory was all about protection and here someone who isn't a religious leaders (although that doesn't stop them nowadays) says it is wrong to engage in "dangerous" behavior. Very interesting.
I wonder what advances in technology are in store for us. I remember thinking as a young woman at the huge computer that sat on my desk--took most of the room on my desk--now I have a computer that is just a bit smaller than my 3-ring binder and it is more powerful than that huge one that sat on my desk. My son's I-Touch (or whatever you call it) is just as powerful and about the size of a card deck. WOW!
My heart was warmed while reading this talk, but I was called to repentance. Since I'm pretty good at being chaste and virtuous and I'm standing firm for truth and righteousness, it was his first point of courage that brought me back home to reality--refrain from judging others.
There is a difference between being judgmental and discerning good from evil when it comes to "judging" others. I think we all need to use judgement when picking friends but we don't need to be critical or belittle others. I think I do belittle others and I need to stop!
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." said Mother Teresa, one of my heroes. That needs to be my new internal motto. I need to stop judging the sisters in my ward. Even though I'm lonely and feel friendless, I have not walked the mile in their shoes that knowledge requires and therefore I need to stop judging them or belittling them. Of course I need to pick my friends wisely, by judging them properly--as the Savior would see them--but I'm not doing that. I need to repent.
I will only briefly comment on the other two points Pres. Monson makes because it was a shock to me.
The quote from Ted Koppel was just shocking to me. "What Moses brought down from Mt. Sinai were not Ten Suggestions, they are Commandments. Are, now were." I will have to use that one.
"....but no, because it's wrong." You don't here that over our airwaves very often. I thought the prevailing theory was all about protection and here someone who isn't a religious leaders (although that doesn't stop them nowadays) says it is wrong to engage in "dangerous" behavior. Very interesting.
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