I'm going to teach my family a family home evening lessons about stewardships. We'll play pictionary drawing the words bodies, minds, families, things (properties), time, talents, poor & needy. We'll discuss what it means to be accountable to Heavenly Father.
I liked Elder Cooks's reminder that when we report to the Savior He'll ask for an accounting of our relationship with our spouse and each of our children.
I also appreciated his reference to King Benjamin's statement, "See that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength." (Mosiah 4:27). It's sometimes too easy however to use that verse as justification to do less than we are able. I guess that's why it's important to pray to know the Lord's will for us and where and how he would have us serve each day.
Up next: Moral Discipline by D. Todd Christofferson.
I'm running out of time to study all these conference talks before there are new ones.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
More Diligent and Concerned at Home
This was one of my favorite talks. I really loved how in the first two sections he pretty much repeated himself-it really brought it home for me.
My favorite part, though was the section on being consistant.
I loved the story of the wheat field, followed by this quote: "Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint comlement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results."
I know I have a long way to go in this whole parenting thing, but this talk really made me feel like I am headed in the right direction.
Other related thoughts:
James E. Faust: "While few human challenges are greater than that of being good parents, few opportunities offer greater potential for joy." ("The Greatest Challenge in the World-Good Parenting" Ensign, Nov. 1990)
Also in that talk he shared a quote from Barbara Bush: "But whatever era, whatever the times, one thing will never change: Fathers and mothers, if you have children, they must come first. You must read to your children and you must hug your children and you must love yoru children. Your success as a family, our success as a societly, depends not on what happens in the White House but on what happens inside your house."
My favorite part, though was the section on being consistant.
I loved the story of the wheat field, followed by this quote: "Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint comlement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results."
I know I have a long way to go in this whole parenting thing, but this talk really made me feel like I am headed in the right direction.
Other related thoughts:
James E. Faust: "While few human challenges are greater than that of being good parents, few opportunities offer greater potential for joy." ("The Greatest Challenge in the World-Good Parenting" Ensign, Nov. 1990)
Also in that talk he shared a quote from Barbara Bush: "But whatever era, whatever the times, one thing will never change: Fathers and mothers, if you have children, they must come first. You must read to your children and you must hug your children and you must love yoru children. Your success as a family, our success as a societly, depends not on what happens in the White House but on what happens inside your house."
Friday, March 19, 2010
More Diligent and Concerned at Home
I love listening to Elder Bednar. He speaks so that he cannot be misunderstood. I love this quote from his talk: "As disciples of the Savior, we are not merely striving to know more; rather, we need to consistently do more of what we know is right and become better." Did you notice that he repeated himself?
To me, quotes like this sum up the purpose of life so well. It reminds me of one of my all time favorite conference talks, Elder Oaks' talk, The Challenge to Become. In it, Elder Oaks teaches, "In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something.", Then after referencing some scriptures about the final judgement he says, "From such teachings we conclude that the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become."
I like the concept that it's not what we do, how efficiently we do it, or how grand our acts are that really matter, it's what happens to our hearts in the process. I'm not expected to be more or do more than the Lord knows I am capable of; to run faster than I have strength. I am expected to let the things I do every day gradually and consistently change my nature until the Lord helps me achieve a celestial condition.
My thoughts on Elder Bednar's 3 points:
1. Expressing and Showing Love- One of my family members pointed out recently that I wasn't expressing love often enough. I was genuinely surprised; I hadn't even realized. In contrast, I felt like that family member expressed love sometimes without showing it. Both require an constant and consistent effort.
2. Bearing Testimony & Living It- I feel like I live true to my testimony, but I don't adequately verbalize my testimony to my family. To be honest, I'm not sure how to tie brief and frequent testimony moments into family life. I'm going to ponder this more.
3. Be Consistent- This section made me feel like I'm doing something right. Although our Family Home Evening, Family Scripture Study, & Family Prayer are often lacking in quality, we are consistent at doing them. Elder Bednar's talk made me feel like that consistency may do more good than I know. He said, "The consistency of our intent and work was perhaps the greatest lesson-- a lesson we did not fully appreciate at the time." and ". . .our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results. 'Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.' (D&C 64:33) A consistent childhood is the foundation of a great life, isn't it?
And for final encouragement, "[Our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son] love us and know our circumstances, and They will help us to become more diligent and concerned at home."
Up next: Stewardship a Sacred Trust by Elder Quentin L Cook
To me, quotes like this sum up the purpose of life so well. It reminds me of one of my all time favorite conference talks, Elder Oaks' talk, The Challenge to Become. In it, Elder Oaks teaches, "In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something.", Then after referencing some scriptures about the final judgement he says, "From such teachings we conclude that the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become."
I like the concept that it's not what we do, how efficiently we do it, or how grand our acts are that really matter, it's what happens to our hearts in the process. I'm not expected to be more or do more than the Lord knows I am capable of; to run faster than I have strength. I am expected to let the things I do every day gradually and consistently change my nature until the Lord helps me achieve a celestial condition.
My thoughts on Elder Bednar's 3 points:
1. Expressing and Showing Love- One of my family members pointed out recently that I wasn't expressing love often enough. I was genuinely surprised; I hadn't even realized. In contrast, I felt like that family member expressed love sometimes without showing it. Both require an constant and consistent effort.
2. Bearing Testimony & Living It- I feel like I live true to my testimony, but I don't adequately verbalize my testimony to my family. To be honest, I'm not sure how to tie brief and frequent testimony moments into family life. I'm going to ponder this more.
3. Be Consistent- This section made me feel like I'm doing something right. Although our Family Home Evening, Family Scripture Study, & Family Prayer are often lacking in quality, we are consistent at doing them. Elder Bednar's talk made me feel like that consistency may do more good than I know. He said, "The consistency of our intent and work was perhaps the greatest lesson-- a lesson we did not fully appreciate at the time." and ". . .our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results. 'Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.' (D&C 64:33) A consistent childhood is the foundation of a great life, isn't it?
And for final encouragement, "[Our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son] love us and know our circumstances, and They will help us to become more diligent and concerned at home."
Up next: Stewardship a Sacred Trust by Elder Quentin L Cook
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