So, the same weekend as the water party was our stake conference. We were privileged to hear from Elder Richard G. Scott. Saturday evening we attended the adult session. We listened to lots of good talks, and then it was Elder Scott's turn. It was so cool. He asked us what we would do to prepare if we knew we were going to meet the prophet Joseph Smith, and lots of people shared their ideas. Most of them were standard answers; I would study his life; I would try to emulate the Savior because that is who he tried to emulate; I would pray that I could be inspired/ready/etcetera. Then there were some who said they'd invite everyone they knew to come with them, or they would try to serve others because he lived a life of service. Elder Scott told us that we will meet Joseph one day, and so we should all be preparing.
Then, even more fascinating than an open forum in stake conference was the Q and A session that followed. He let the audience ask him questions. My favorite was about the Payson temple. Someone said we knew the groundbreaking was announced for October 8th, and then asked if Elder Scott knew the estimated completion time for the temple. It was awesome because of his answer :) He said he knew that information because he is the Chair of the Temple Sites Comittee :) but did we really think he would answer that? He said that was something for President Monson to announce, not one of his friends :) lol Awesome.
At the end, Elder Scott, along with Area 70 Elder Richard Wheeler and President Ballard stood at the door and we got to shake their hands. It was an amazing experience. :) (And Elder Scott is shorter than I realized lol) I had such an amazing time that on the way home, I called my dad about it lol
Sunday, we headed out to he 400 north building as it was our ward's turn to meet there for the general session of conference. You know, I think it's rather neat that when we have stake meetings, half of the stake has to be in a different building. Just think what would happen if we had 100 percent attendance!
Anyway, I took a few notes during the Sunday session and got some good stuff for what I need :) Umm, I guess I'll just point out a few bullets that, as I'm reading over this a few weeks after conference, still stand out :)
President Workman taught that our afflictions are our blessings. It made me think of the story of refining silver. Here's a link to an online copy: The Refiner's Touch. Read it if you're not familiar with it. Re-read it if you are :) It's short.
An interesting note from Elder Wheeler's talk was about Satan. He told us Satan's role is to blind men and to lead them astray. I found that interesting because most of us know what we should or shouldn't be doing. If you find yourself in a seriously bad situation and you reflect how you got there, it's easy to say, "What was I thinking?" Believe me, it doesn't make you feel any better about yourself when you're in that spot, especially when you know what's okay and what isn't. Even as you're walking down that wrong path and you think, I probably shouldn't be doing this, but you keep going. When you're there, it's helpful to remember how Satan ensares us. Just like the gospel is built line upon line, precept upon precept, Satan uses the same method to take us in the opposite direction. Things start off innocently enough, but then your vision clouds in the moment, and you can easily end up in the complete opposite place from where you wanted to be. I'm not saying that's an excuse, but it's helpful to know there's a trap in order to avoid it :)
Of course, on the flip side of that, Elder Wheeler talked about the Atonement. The atonement is so much more than allowing us forgiveness from our sins. As he put it, it can cover all of our trials. Trials don't have to be sinful in nature. Trials can be not being able to find work and wondering how you are going to pay your bills. The Atonement is a means to pay our debt. Jesus stands in our place to pay the price of justice. Through the Atonement, we can really get to know Heavenly Father and Jesus. We can more fully feel of their love. The Atonement is the perfect example of charity. Jesus didn't have to die for us. He could have said no. He didn't do anything to warrant feeling all of the pain of the world, but He did it because he loves us and wants to help us. He truly is the perfect example. He has offered us so much through the atonement, and we should really try to use it daily and become more like Him. I was searching through my scriptures to find one that illustrated that Jesus suffered for more than just our sins, and in my notes was Alma 7:11. I should just read my notes instead of searcing on my own :) I'm including versus 12 and 13 as well, which I had highlighted already in my scriptures. Go me :) Copied from lds.org.
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and aafflictions and btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him adeath, that he may bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to csuccor his people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit aknoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the bflesh that he might ctake upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.
So you see, He suffered for even our temptations, you know, when we have that inner argument about whether or not we should eat that piece of cake, even though we know we don't need it :) When we're sick, He felt that same pain. There are so many things He suffered for that we don't even have control over. But why make His suffering in vain by the things I do have control over?
I think this is a good place to segue into Elder Scott's talk. We have a huge blessing of receiving a temple in our own town. (Down the street from my old house!). The groundbreaking is October 8th. We have time to prepare to go to OUR temple. Yes, we should go to the temple anyway and always be preparing, but the fact we will have our very own Payson temple is a good motivator, and there's a significant amount of time so that those who aren't ready can be ready to go through it when it is done. It's exciting. Elder Scott also talked about the atonement near the end of his talk. He said the Atonement was singularly earned by Jesus, so He is the only way back to God. So true.
For funsies, I want to tell you about Elder Scott's Sunday talk too. He didn't have an open forum, but he did call up to the stand two young women and asked them questions. He had them illustrate the things their families are doing to prepare. He asked how they read and study the scriptures. It was fun because one of the young women is going on a mission. Lucky her, she got to stay and talk some more lol. It is helpful to learn what others do, to either get ideas on how we can improve, or just to be strengthened in our own testimonies.
I can't recall specifics around this note at this point in time, but I wrote down that primary kids set an awesome example for us to follow. It's so true. I love being in the primary. These kids are smart, and they want to know the truth. They want to be happy and choose the right, even if they insist on answering the opposite answer every time :) Yes, we're responsible for bringing them up in the gospel, but they know things and they learn from our examples and the things we've taught them. They learn the same way we do, but making connections to things they already know. The gospel truly is simple, and they are blessed with a simple understanding of it. They can help us remember that. There's a reason Jesus says we should be like the little children, because they're innocent and eager to learn. Wouldn't it be nice if we could say the same for ourselves?
We can teach others and help them through gentle guidance and example. We shouldn't be afraid to share our testimonies, the things we know to be true. Even if someone doesn't accept it, they usually appreciate your intent and will concede that you believe it. As long as it is done in a loving manner, wanting to truly share your happiness and knowledge for their good, they won't fight you on it. In fact, most people will appreciate that you felt you could share something so dear to you with them. We need to do more to love and invite those around us to partake of the truths of the gospel. Yeah, it takes time and effort because we have to build relationships with people. But we should be doing that anyway, right? I have a lot to work on :)
Anyway, I'm glad we attended conference, and just writing about it weeks after the fact makes me happy and reminds me that the gospel is true and the church is good. I know Heavenly Father and Jesus live and love me and each one of us. I know that we can rely on Him to help us through anything we come up against. I just need to do it more :) I know the Atonement is real and I need to strive to apply it more in my life. I know Elder Scott is an apostle of the Lord sent to help clear the mists so we can see the path we should follow. I know President Monson is the prophet of the Lord and that he truly loves each of us as well. I know the temple is the House of God, and we really should strive to live worthy to enter. And when we have that privilege, we need to use it so we can become even closer to Him. Just like building relationships with other people takes time and effort, so does our relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus. We need to talk with them through prayer and visit their House to spend time with them. That way, we will be able to follow Them and our trials will become easier to bare. I bare this witness in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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