This week has been an exciting one. One
filled with birthdays, super-bowls and a calling from the ward
leaders mainly doing a talk in church on a talk by Utdorf that he
have to the sisters in the Relief Society conference the week before
General Conference. The Ward leadership have taken this time to do a
bit of role reversal in that we were asked to read talks from
conferences that we were not in attendance.
When General Conference has come around
in the past I have tweeted about it. The excitement of a communal
view of the conference has been exciting. I was not aware that the
woman's conference might of not got the same attention as the general
conference got. Perhaps I assumed too much when I thought that the
women and the leadership would be talking about women in or and the
priesthood. Who would of thought (without reading the conference)
that there would be a talk that could really help us all... guilty as
charged.
Now getting to the subject at hand.
President Utdorf's talk first starts about how he appreciative about
the women in his life. The role of mother, daughter, sister etc. mean
a lot to this fellow that has given a lot of credit to women in his
life. To that credit, I add my own kudos to the wife, sisters, aunts,
my only birthday girl, and mother and grand-mothers that have blessed
my life with a ray of hope and sunshine when I needed it. Truly I
have been blessed by the better half of the world.
Among some of the things that the
apostle points out to the sisters (that we could take a note
brethren) is that we should be diligent about keeping the
commandments because as he said “The promised blessings of God to
the faithful are glorious and inspiring. Among them are “thrones,
kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and
depths”. And it takes more then a spiritual birth certificate or a
“Child of God Membership Card” to quality for the
incomprehensible blessings.” the strong point that the apostle made
at this pint was that we must gain a willingness to obey the
commandments that the Lord gives us and that we must walk the path of
discipleship if we are even to start on the path of righteousness. He
even points that strait is the way and narrow is the gate that leads
to salvation.
One other thing that the apostle
pointed out is that he was sure that “God knows what we don't”,
meaning that the one that knows the whole plan and our part of the
plan should know how we can improve the outcome and being obedient to
His commandments. “In other words” continues the apostle, “He
not only knows what is best for you; he also anxiously wants you to
choose what is best for you.” Than said the man, “Should not we
cherish the light posts he gives that guide us through the darkness
and the trials of mortality? They mark the way back to our heavenly
home!”
His greatest paragraph in his talk
comes down to talking about the invisible vault of blessings and
makes some kind of a 'Precious' that God would hold from his children
but then turns it around and says that its like a rainfall that those
that have sin in their life are using an umbrella and keeping
themselves from the very thing that our Father really really wants us
to have.
So then he brings it back around. Its
not just doing our callings to complete them but seek a means to
bless our brothers and sisters every day. This probation and we only
have this one time to show Him that our Saviors sacrifice and example
are truly part of our daily lives. We must realize that there is all
types of testimonies and Saints in our lives and being actively
involved in their lives will greatly enrich our own. Remember that
“there is no sign on the door that says that your testimony must be
this tall to enter”. Were that the case a lot of us (including me
at times) would not be allowed in. Our lives are not a ride but it
sure feels like one at times. Let us not condemn others for their
ride when our own becomes slow because of our blessings. Let us bless
others so that their ride can become bearable at times. We must do
our best to bless others so that your own light will shine with
our brother and sisters instead of in spite
of our own.
So
with now said let me finish my talk with the very words of an apostle
of Jesus Christ has said by saying this....
“Your
testimony of the living Son of God and His restored church, the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints may not come as quickly
as you desire, but I promise you this; if you do your part, it will
come.
He loves you not only for who you
are this very day but also for the person of glory and light you have
the potential and the desire to become.
More than you could ever imagine, He wants you to achieve your
destiny—to return to your heavenly home in honor.
I testify that the way to accomplish this is to place selfish desires
and unworthy ambitions on the altar of sacrifice and service.
[Brothers and ] Sisters, trust in the saving power of Jesus Christ;
keep His laws and commandments. In other words—live the gospel
joyful.
It is my prayer that you will experience a renewed and an expanded
measure of the beautiful love of God in your lives; that you will
find the faith, determination, and commitment to learn God’s
commandments, treasure them in your hearts, and live the gospel
joyful.
I promise that as you do so, you will discover your best self—your
real self. You will discover what it truly means to be a daughter of
the everlasting God, the Lord of all righteousness. Of this I testify
and leave you my blessing as an Apostle of the Lord, in the name of
Jesus Christ, amen.”
Image is found
here.
