heeding counsel

I mentioned I had a great time in Utah being with family, friends, and attending Women's Conference. Well, I also got to attend my parent's Stake Conference and hear Elder Bednar, President Eyring and Gerald Lund. It was amazing and I loved each of their talks. Here are some notes I wanted to share!!

Gerald Lund Dealing with trials:

The Lord knows ME. He wants to bless ME. He loves ME.

Here are 3 ways to help us deal with trials.

1. Search the scriptures. They teach of Heavenly Father’s love for us. "He watching over Israel slumbers not." He is always wanting to bless us. 2 Ne 2:25. God desires for us to have joy. We have the ultimate Plan of Happiness.

2. Simply ask. Pray for what you long for.

3. Watch for the Lord’s confirming hand as he blesses us with tender mercies. We have to gain a testimony that HE loves us, and to know for a surety for ourselves through our OWN experiences HE will bless us. (That really stuck out to me when he said we will learn through OUR OWN experiences. What better way to learn then on our own...not by watching other people's trials (which is still effective), but we will learn most through our own experiences!)

God does love us.

Elder Bednar What we know should be what we do.

D&C 93 Revelation in 1833 by Joseph Smith * a rebuke to set their families in order. We need to be more concerned and diligent at home.

1. Express love and show it. Say " I love you" sincerely. That is the beginning and then actions should follow.

2. Bear testimony and live it. What we know isn’t always reflected in what we do. Open your heart and let us look inside. When you bear your testimony don’t give a sermon. Bear your witness. Let us know how you feel about the Savior. Do not exhort each other or tell others how to live. Don’t preach-once you start that your testimony ends. Tell us how you feel and what you know to be truth by witness of the Holy Ghost.

3. Be consistent. We often wonder if it is worthwhile...but it is. Spiritual expectations don’t always yield immediately (ex. hoping your children will gain an immediate testimony of FHE...it might take years, but be consistent in doing it.) The greatest lesson learned is consistency, not necessarily one single principle learned at FHE, like scripture study. No single event may be impressionable but they are brush strokes onto our beautiful canvas painting!

Don’t be a hypocrite. The Lord rebukes all hypocrites. Publicly bearing your testimony when faith in the home doesn’t exist is hypocrisy...publicly verbalizing love over the pulpit to your spouse *which Elder Bednar says he cringes hearing, if loves is not expressed in the home* is hypocrisy.

What we know should be what we do.

Become more diligent and concerned at home. May every child, spouse, and parent be blessed with strength and know they are loved.

I will share President Eyring's message in another post.

Fabulous talks!