Saturday Session of Stake Conference

Stake conference was so uplifting tonight. I was so glad I went. I had previously planned on going to the first night out with the ladies since I moved to Willard. I had been so excited to go, but Stake Conference definatly comes first. It was wierd to tell the ladies in my ward that I wasn't going to go out with them anymore. I felt self-righteous.

Even though I had pretty high expectations for the talks, I was still pleasantly surprised by them. I love how the visiting authority tends to shake tradition up on Saturday evenings of Stake Coferences. Tonight was no different. Elder Flukmon (sp?) asked two ladies there to sing a duet without prior knowledge that they were going to do so. It was so fun.

At one point he was talking of my ancestor Jedediah Grant’s account of the Spirit World and asked where that was found. Out of no where I piped up and said “Mormon Thunder.” As if I’ve ever read it!!! I don’t make it a practice to read biographies and so have never taken the time. It’s next on my list now, though, just so I can make sure such account is actually in there. I guess my sub-conscious figured that such an important account would be found in his biography. But my conscious brain quickly reminded myself that I should keep my mouth quiet and I probably didn’t know what I was talking about anyway.

Oh, I just looked it up on Half.com, where I buy all my books because it’s so much cheaper, and there’s good news and bad. The good news is that 1. I got the title right and 2. My very own ancestor was such an amazing man that this book is still in print. The bad news is that it’s $40 for the cheapest one!!! I’ll have to raid my father’s library and settle for a ‘70’s printing.

When I yelled out right there from the center of the chapel, the elder responded “Oh, you would like to speak, would you?” And I, of course, bashfully hid my face for a moment as to appear normal. But the truth is, I wouldn’t have been scared at all to go right up there and share my feeling about the Savior. It’s interesting to me that I had to feign worried so I would appear normal. And it’s especially interesting to me that I wouldn’t be scared to do so since I very well know that I wouldn’t have anything great to say (I’ve born my testimony many times on Fast Sunday. I feel the spirit and go on up only to find that I can’t think of anything to say and so my testimony sounds much like that of a young child). God gave me the ability to be comfortable in front of crowds; I wonder if He’ll ever give me anything worthwhile to do when I’m up there. I suppose that’ll have to be a talent earned through hard work.

The first talk of the evening was by my bishop’s wife. She is an amazing lady and a book smart lady. What I love most about her is that I sense that she is a woman of great growth in her life. She has no air of authority but she seems secure in the Savior’s love.

She spoke on our stewardships in this life. I felt a great desire to try a little harder in motherhood. I pictured myself reporting to the Lord someday about what I did with what and who I was entrusted. I thought of my impressionable children and desired so much to be a better mother. I felt the responsibility of teaching of the gospel rest heavy on me for a moment but shook off the pitty feeling and counted my blessings.

She quoted Doctrine and Covenants 64:33 which says: “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.” She reminded us that we can’t tell which seeds we sow will fall on fertile ground so we sow much and hope some will make a difference. As I teach my children, I bet most of the scriptures we read and lessons taught in FHE will go unnoticed, but some may stick. Some may grow in their hearts and bring them great joy.

She related a personal story of the weekly visits she gave to 6+ inactive Young Women for 4 years and how they never once came to church despite her efforts. Then, years later, she happened to meet one of them in the temple. What joy she had. She wept with joy as she recounted that joyous meeting. I got teary and wanted to weep too. What joy I felt as I imagine such a beautiful spiritual moment.

Next, that 70 authority spoke. He said that if you haven’t had the chance to marry in this life, not to worry because EVERYONE who has the desire to have the blessings of the New and Everlasting Covenant who lives worthily of it will have it (all that the Father hath).

He also boldly stated that the greatest teaching in all the gospel is found in D&C 131-132.

He counseled to not let the things of this world get in the way of what’s best. My children need to feel the Lord’s spirit in the home. They need to learn the gospel in the safety of the home where there’s Love and Trust.