We were blessed with the presence of Elder Russel M.Nelson and Elder Garns at our Stake Conference this weekend. Saturday night session is always more informal which, to me, makes it very interesting.
Sister Brimhall talked about how the temple assists us in keeping contention away ("we don't talk about politics, business, sports or entertainment"). She mentioned that the workers are set apart and that the ordinances themselves have the designated purpose of setting us apart from worldly influences of sin, vicious, low, mean-spirited behavior.
Elder Garns spoke at length about paying attention to small details/needs of others. Specifically referring to the example he has witnessed of how the Brethren treat women. He shared an experience of visiting a Stake President's home and how the visiting authority would stand when the wife walked in to the room. He was impressed by the love and revere they demonstrated for women. He admonished men to love and serve women in their lives (wives, mothers and daughters). Paying attention to the small things they could be doing to make them happy makes Heavenly Father happy because he testified these women are daughters of a Heavenly Father who loves them. He then spoke on his prepared topic of the necessity of our seeking to receive personal revelation.
Elder Nelson repeated the importance of the treatment of women and then talked about enduring to the end. He is such a wordsmith. He took the e-n-d of enduring and the e-n-d of the end and tied it to the e-n-dowment. Using the covenants of the endowment and sealing ordinances to assist us in enduring to the end in righteousness. We are commanded to Be Perfect which he says in the Greek means being complete. (Referenced Luke 13:23) Being perfect or complete will enable us to dwell in the presence of God and enjoy eternal life. What qualities of the Savior CAN we emulate now in our quest for eventual perfection?
* LOVE characterized by service (as He loved and served everyone).Serve more, talk less. Anticipate the needs of others. Contemplate how you can be His hands.
* ORDINANCES He was faithful to comply with the ordinances. We can contemplate how to obey with exactness and honor our ordinances of baptism, sacrament, temple. Be more complete in these.
* PRAYER There are records of the prayers He offered; we can study these and be more diligent in our prayers (today D&C 88:63-64 was taught; the concept that the Holy Ghost should direct our prayers see footnote for diligent)
*TEACH We can strive to be great teachers. Jesus was a master teacher because He maintained eternal perspective of his followers. How do we look at our students/children as we teach...with eyes of love?
He finished up talking about pictures and scriptures. We have family pictures on our walls in an effort to revere the family and ancestors (he has a picture pedigree chart). I thought it was interesting that he said we live in a digital age, all his kids have pictures on their computers but he cautioned us to also have pictures in book form. (I thought of how Misty has printed out the books at year's end of her blog)He said those books are important for your children to have in their hands (me:against a day when we might not be able to access the computer???)
He said he used to wake up the children when he returned from hospital at 11 or 12 or whenever (to the consternation of his wife) but he wanted his children to have a clear memory of their father's voice reading the scriptures to them.
We had an equally wonderful session today. Bishop Olson is our new Stake President which is inspiring. Next Sunday we will get a new Bishop I guess. Another week of anticipation. I'm just thankful for these great leaders in my life. What a blessing to have righteous, faithful saints who are prepared and willing to serve the Lord and assist in this great latter-day work. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ!
2 comments:
Thank you for sharing Lori. I too am so grateful for amazing, righteous, inspired leaders who help remind us of our eternal potential, who help us remember why we are here and what we need to do to make it back to our Heavenly Father. :)
Kathi posted about Elder Nelson's Sunday comments. I was so thankful Cassidy, Paul and Tommy were sitting on the stage at the very back of the congregation, because when they stood up I could really see them well and enjoy watching them singing. It was so sweet and touching. Thank you Elder Nelson for expressing your love for these dear little ones. I hope they will remember how much I LOVE THEM too and miss being with them to share that love.
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