It has been a long week around here – pretty much everyone in our house has strep. Antibiotics all around! Woohoo! I was looking forward to Sunday and then I remembered that with all the strep around our house I probably shouldn’t send my kids to Primary/nursery. We had to go to Church for sacrament meeting because we had choir practice before Church and the Elders’ Quorum sang a special musical number in the meeting, which I had to conduct (it was amazing, by the way). We shouldn’t be contagious anymore (we’ve been on antibiotics for a few days) but just in case, I figured it’s better to be safe than sorry, right?
President Ucthdorf’s talk from Sunday morning session of General Conference was so amazing that I got kind of excited when I saw that today’s talk was his talk from Priesthood session. Who else is excited?
Well, let’s do this, then.
We need to be constantly reminded of the eternal reasons behind the things we are commanded to do. The basic gospel principles need to be part of our life’s fabric, even if it means learning them over and over again. That doesn’t mean that this process should be rote or boring. Rather, when we teach the foundational principles in our homes or in church, let the flame of enthusiasm for the gospel and the fire of testimony bring light, warmth, and joy to the hearts of those we teach.
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The what is important in our work, and we need to attend to it. But it is in the why of priesthood service that we discover the fire, passion, and power of the priesthood.
I really really liked this talk from President Uchtdorf. I have mentioned the “Mission-Motherhood” parallel before, and I think there is also a Relief Society/Priesthood Quroum parallel. In fact, I don’t just think there is, there is. (Sister Beck said so!) Any talk that is delivered to the brethren in the priesthood quorums is equally applicable to the sisters in Relief Society, and the same is true the other way around – any talk delivered to the sisters of the Relief Societies is equally applicable to the brethren who hold the priesthood.
Now, obviously there are some exceptions, but as I read this talk my testimony was strengthened that women have priesthood duties and responsibilities, and as members of Relief Societies we are equally accountable for the work of “the priesthood”. We are equal partners in the work of the Lord. This is one reason I love reading and listening to the talks from the Priesthood session. At first I thought it was so that I can support my husband and teach my son(s), but now I realize that it is because the lessons taught are equally applicable to me!
I really loved all the principles of understanding purpose in this talk.
Like a fruit tree with an abundance of branches and leaves, our lives need regular pruning to ensure that we use our energy and time to accomplish our real purpose—to “bring forth good fruit”!
This was my absolute favorite quote from President Uchtdorf’s talk. I couldn’t help making a printable of it. How often have I needed this advice in my own life. His counsel was so appropriate for our day of “do everything” mentalities. I struggle with this attitude myself.
What stood out to you in President Uchtdorf’s talk?
My husband was with the YM at High Adventure this week. He came home quoting scripture, including D&C 84:33-39 (the oath and covenant of the priesthood). This was because they memorized scriptures with the boys wherever they would drive or hike or walk. They had powerful devotionals and discussions informed by the scriptures they were pouring into their minds. Yes, they did all the exciting things like ropes courses and white water rafting that are hallmarks of high adventure scouting, but they capped their time together with a meeting with Elder Andersen and they asked "what can we do to best prepare for our missions." I love that their leaders were so very concerned in filling them with the 'motivating power of priesthood leadership'.
ReplyDeleteI take great comfort and strength in Pres. Uchtdorf's statement quoting Pres Monson that when we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help. As mothers, we are always on the Lord's errand. I need to be more trusting of that promise and focus of receiving what the Lord would give me, lead me to do. That comes in remembering the why--the holiness of my family and my desire that it be eternal.
This was our lesson today for Teachings for Our Time. As I read it I felt that we could substitute the word Relief Society for Priesthood and it would absolutely apply to us. The work of the RS is for the women what the work of the Priesthood is for men. Both are to bring souls to Christ and to serve. We had some good discussion in class and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the talk.
ReplyDeleteI read this talk, applying it to visiting teaching. In the past, I have been a miserable visiting teacher. I don't know why. I had great examples in my parents, growing up, of dedicated visiting and home teachers. I know that there have been lonely times in my life when I sincerely and truly wished that my visiting teachers would come visit me more often, or ever. But I just couldn't seem to do what I knew I should do. I've been truly working on this, and the thing that made the difference was the truth that Elder Uchtdorf is teaching here: the why is as important as the what. Going visiting teaching is important, and reporting that I went is important, but as I've tried to really catch the vision of the WHY then it's expanded my view of my calling and made it not only possible but really delightful to fulfill this calling for the past few months. It's like, if I can get the "why" to click, then the "what" ceases to be a question.
ReplyDeleteI need to apply this to daily scripture study next, I think...
I loved Pres. Uchtdorf's teaching relating to teaching in our family: "...When we teach the foundational principles in our homes or in church, let the flame of enthusiasm for the gospel and the fire of testimony bring light, warmth, and joy to the hearts of those we teach." I really do love the gospel, and hope I can portray that to my kids.
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