Blogging, Birthdays and Trunk or Treat

I totally missed my conference blog last week due to all the birthdays, Halloween  pre-parties, and just way too many things going to to even get to my computer.  Oh, and I was preparing a talk for Sacrament meeting too last week.  I was busy.

This week's conference book club talk link is:
 http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/an-unspeakable-gift-from-god?lang=eng

"An Unspeakable Gift from God" by Elder Craig C. Christensen of the Presidency of the Seventy

A few of my thoughts:

One of the unique doctrines of  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that of the Godhead and the role the Holy Ghost place in that unit.  We as members of the Church, know and understand the Gift of the Holy Ghost is something we receive at the time of our baptism and confirmation.  This gift is a blessing to us so long as we remain faithful and obedient to the covenants we make.   We are blessed to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost as a guide for us here in mortality.

Quoting the talk, "President Boyd K. Packer has taught: “The Holy Ghost speaks with a voice that you feel more than you hear. … While we speak of ‘listening’ to the whisperings of the Spirit, most often one describes a spiritual prompting by saying, ‘I had a feeling … ’.”¹⁸ It is through these sacred feelings from the Holy Ghost that we come to know what God would have us do, for this, as stated in scripture, “is the spirit of revelation.”¹⁹

This conference address is a very good explanation for non-members or new converts to explain our beliefs about the third member of the Godhead. 

I recommend using it as a family home evening lesson too.

Prophets and Latter-day Saints

I read an article today written by Joni Hilton, an LDS writer.  I often follow her on a e-zine known as Meridian Magazine.  Joni's work is spot on, in my opinion.  She doesn't mince words and doesn't seem to mind hitting some of the tougher issues.  I respect that about her.

Her article today was one of the best ones I have read.  The topic was about prophets of the LDS church.  In the article she shares a story about a woman's experience talking to a stranger about the church.  The conversation didn't go well for the woman.  Because of her experience she learned a valuable lesson.  A lesson we can learn too, hopefully less painfully.

Having a Latter-day Saint running for the highest office in our country has stirred up a bit more interested in the Church.  Now more than ever we need to be prepared to share and teach.  We need
to know what we believe and why.   One day though, this current hubbub will die down and the spot light will dim a bit.  Regardless of what goes on in the world around us, we need to be prepared to answer questions.

Being a stay at home mom for the past few years,  I don't have as many opportunities to talk to people like I did when I was working.  I do have one friend who has a strong faith in God.  Often our conversations are of a religious nature.  Sometimes the conversation isn't so much about doctrine but about the love of the Savior and Father in Heaven.  I believe this friend does not doubt that I believe in Christ.  I believe her view of "Mormons" is favorable.  Not because of any great thing that I did.  More because, I believe, spirits can talk to one another more deeply than one can imagine.

I hope that as you read this blog and check out Joni's article from the link below.  Consider what things you would say to people you meet in line at the store.  Consider what message you want them to hear, in spite of the one  you actually sent.

http://ldsmag.com/article/1/11624

Conference Book Club update

In my last post, prior to even seeing the first GCBC talk I mentioned Elder Cook's talk and what do you know, that is the very one used to kick off the club.  How awesome is that?  Is it possible that even on the blogosphere great minds think alike?  

Honestly, it was just an awesome talk.  I love the scripture he referenced in the beginning of his talk; “If ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?”²

Much of conference seemed to me to be about commitment.  I loved the explanation by another apostle the difference between testimony and commitment. 

With the "poisonous culture" around us we have "wounded spiritual immune systems."  This part of Elder Cooks talk grabbed a piece of my own testimony and validated what I know to be a real concern. Even for myself.  It is not uncommon for our testimony to waiver from time to time.  Now, after hearing General Conference, I look not so much to my testimony well-being but to my commitment well-being.  

This is another of the quotes from this talk that spoke to me:  "The Prophet Joseph pointed out that before your baptism, you could be on neutral ground between good and evil. But “when you joined this Church you enlisted to serve God. When you did that you left the neutral ground, and you never can [go] back.” 

I have seen the affects of members who do not take both feet to the covenanted side of their baptism. I have seen what happens when one foot stays in the old life.  I can testify that this counsel, this reminder, cannot be stated often enough or emphatically enough.  

In the past few days since conference I have taken the time to review many of the past conferences addresses of a couple of the apostles.  I appreciate the 'in your face' tone to a conference talk.  I don't think words should be minced when it come to how the gospel should be lived.  

I hope that you will take the time to go back and read Elder Cook's address.  Here's the 
link:  http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/can-ye-feel-so-now?lang=eng

I am grateful for the enlightened perspective that I received from hearing Elder Cook's address.  

Conference Update No. 1

• October 2012 General Conference

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Every year I say this, but its true, conference was awesome.  I loved every minute of it (including the parts that I missed due to kiddos).  I loved seeing many of the brethren come to tears as they taught principles that they new were important and necessary for us.  Principles that were felt deep in their souls.  I often wonder if the stewardship to impart doctrines that will reach the Latter-day masses is a heavy weight.  Still, they should feel their prayers answered, knowing that their messages delivered by the Spirit of the Lord.

Something else about this conference has cause me to feel great gratitude.  It has not been that long ago that members of the Church waiting for the printing of the ensign to obtain a copy of the talks from general conference.  They all available online today.  All of the sessions, text and audio are available here: http://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2012/10?lang=eng

President Monson said, "We have had unprecedented coverage of the conference..." Another gift for which to be thankful.

The talk that I want to point out today is from Elder Quentin L. Cook.  Elder Cook is a family friend.  His brother family doctor most of my growing up years.  My mom served in callings with Sister Cook, wife of Elder Quentin L. Cook.  It is fun to have this little tidbit, but it is also a wonderful experience to be taught by this great man.

At the inception of Elder Cook's remarks he takes a moment to join his testimony and support to the new changes for missionaries.  Elder Cook quotes George Albert Smith with this comment; "Your mission is to warn the people in as kind a way as possible that repentance will be the only panacea for the ills of the world."  Though this comment was made during the trials of WWII, its message is even more pertinent today as the decline of morality increases and will be one of the major issues missionaries deal with as they serve the Lord.

There were many things Elder Cook spoke on, but the two that made great impact on me where these:
1.  "Emersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual nourishment.  The word of God inspires commitment and provides a healing balm."

2. A quote from The Prophet Joseph Smith, "Before your baptism you could be on neutral ground between good and evil, but once you join the Church, you enlist to serve God.  When you did that you left the neutral ground and you can never go back.  You must never forsake the Master."

Testimony and commitment seemed to speak to me as each General Authority stood to speak.  I often look for themes during the sessions of Conference.  I often ask members of my family if they picked up on a theme to compare impressions.  Either way, it is a form of personal inspiration.  It is an opportunity to focus on an area that may be in need of attentions or change.

Aside from a pattern of topics, or answers to prayers and questions you might alway receive warnings from Conference messages.  I felt a type of warning or counsel this past weekend.  A message that developed or repeated as the sessions progressed over the two days.  I am grateful for these blessings.  We are, some of us, many miles from the foot of Church leaders during these conferences, yet still, the Lord will teach us.  Through his spirit, as we prayerful pay attention to the speakers, we can be taught, warned and comforted.

Over the next few months there is an opportunity to participate in a  book club group.

General Conference Book Club Week 1

I hope you will join us.  This is the first time for me.  I am anxious to make connections there and to have my spirit fed and the talks from this past Conference is discussed.   The messages of the past weekend are likened to our modern scripture.  As Elder Cook taught,  "Emersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual nourishment."


As I spend the next few days reviewing my notes and listening again to the talks online I will be back to post more General Conference Updates.

General Conference and Fruit - Lots of Fruit!

General Conference and Fruit!

The past few days I have so wanted to follow up on the General Relief Society broadcast.  Now General Conference is almost here.  There is so, so much to say on that topic.

My timing is off this week.  Instead of catching up on the last of the conference talks from April.

My house looks like this:

And this:

And this is sitting on the counter:

This is in the freezer waiting:

There is also a 14 lb bucket of boysenberry puree so far back in the freezer that I might forget about it until I am trying to get stuff in there for Thanksgiving.

My plan is to have all this mess cleared away and pretty little jars of apple butter, berry jam,  and rhubarb jam all lined up on the shelves in the basement before the first session starts at 10:00 on Saturday.

While I am not here posting this week check out some of the other blogs out there.  Diapers and Divinity has a great post going this week.  I know there are others.  I take a peek at them each time I wipe my hands off and go in for the next round of hot jars and rings.

I am anxious to sequester myself on the couch and drink in the words of our leaders.  It seems each time there is something that must be said just to me.  Instruction that I have been needing and answers to questions I have.

I saw a cute idea on another blog where the family wrote out each of their questions on a piece of paper and put it on the wall near their TV.  When answers seem to fit their questions they can go up and write what they hear on papers taped to the wall.  (check out onbeinglds.blogspot.com)  I like this idea well enough that my plan is to make a list of my questions on several pages in the back of my notebook.  When the answers come, and they will,  I will record my impressions there.  Great idea!!!

I am grateful that we have a living prophet upon the earth that leads this church under the direction of the Savior.  I know there are many who do not believe this is possible, yet there are many like me that know it to be so and are grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  This weekend is huge to us.  We look forward to it.  We prepare for it and we are hopefully changed by it.