Last night, President Brinton spoke on how we can be better receivers of God's word. The wife of a counselor in the mission presidency spoke about an experience they had in Japan when her husband was a mission president. There was a significant earthquake and the sisters called to report the damage they had. There was a crack in their apartment wall and all their dishes had fallen out of the cupboards and broken. The mission president's wife talked them trough what to do, then called to check on the elders. They, too, had felt the earthquake. It was strong. Their dishes were all ok because they were in the sink. LOVE IT. Elders vs. Sisters. Hahahaha.
President Livingston talked about a recent training he had where he was told that President Monson's counsel to the leadership training at general conference in April was brief and it was this: to reduce and to simplify. We were sitting next to RaDawn and Dave Mehr and I said to RaDawn "he's the man!" President Livingston warned us of distractions and busyness. He mentioned the disease (dis-ease) of being busy.
This morning, A recently returned missionary spoke on how his mission brought him closer to Christ. He shared that there were hard days. He hadn't expected it to be as difficult as it was. He thought it would be all rainbows and sunshine. He served in England. He said there was little of either of those. He said he was really encouraged by Elder Nelson's conference talk where he said that our joy has little to do with our circumstances but everything to do with our focus. Having served a mission, I do think if you're focusing on loving the people and obeying your mission president, that there can be joy. Don't make joy dependent on baptisms. The Lord is in charge of that. TRUST the Holy Ghost. Be worthy and do your best.
Another great point he made was a twist on Mosiah 5:13. It says:
"For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?"
He asked how can you NOT know the master when you've been serving him day after day. God knows you and appreciates a missionary's sacrifice. He knows them.
I wasn't feeling well and needed to go to the bathroom, but really wanted to hear the entire talk by the patriarch's wife. She told of her experience seeing what God sees in our youth. It was very powerful. She talked of an experience she had in Eldred G. Smith's home years ago. He was about 80 years old and was the patriarch to the entire church. Some women were gathered there and talking about raising families. One woman asked why her son is behaving the way he is if he knows the gospel. What was going on? Brother Smith said forcefully, "it's because he's forgotten who he is!"
A YW president from another ward spoke of bringing youth to Christ. She suggest three things: see the hand of the Lord, study the scriptures, and strive to do things. She told of her desire to run the Boston Marathon. In order to qualify, she would had to improve her time by an hour and 20 minutes. WHAT?! She worked and worked. Then she pulled out a medal. She said it wasn't a visual aid because that wouldn't be allowed. It was a statement necklace. She qualified and competed in the Boston Marathon just a few weeks ago. She said the best way to help others see, study and strive is to testify, and to do it today.
1. Those I teach are "my converts." They include: my children, my primary class, and my BYU students. Help them remember who they are and that Heavenly Father loves them.
2. Rededicate myself to my word of the year: PAUSE. In light of President Monson's counsel to reduce and simplify, make sure I'm pausing to evaluate what I'm up to and where I'm putting my energy.
3. Let the scriptures be the first swipe on my phone in the morning.
4. Study Elder Holland's talk where he talks about having help from both sides of the veil. Horses and chariots of fire.
5. Don't forget who I am.
6. When I sing songs with my primary kids, take time to teach them doctrine. Sometimes.
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