General Conference Pep Rally
(FYI: General Conference is a semi-annual worldwide conference held in SLC, UT and broadcasted all over the world. We hear inspired messages from living prophets and apostles on the earth today who serve the Lord, Jesus Christ just like prophets did in ancient times, as taught in the Bible. We are so blessed to live in a time when it's so easy to have access to these teachings! Satellite, cable, internet access, etc. bring these messages directly do our home and then the following month, every talk is printed up in the Ensign (a magazine) so we can reread the messages and study them, applying them to our lives to enrich our lives and the lives of those around us. Cool, huh? Anyone can participate, if you're interested let me know and I will tell you how!)
Okay, it wasn't exactly a pep rally, but I nearly felt as if I had attended one after last Saturday's General Relief Society broadcast. It was such a good broadcast; the talks were great and I felt so inspired/uplifted! It made me so excited for this weekend's General Conference!
All of the talks were great but two of them really stood out to me. I took notes on all of them, but you can easily tell which two spoke the most to me. I think they were exactly what I needed to hear at the time. In fact, I know they were. If you missed the broadcast, or would like a reminder, here are the notes I took. Also, watch for the talks in November's Ensign. Everyone should read President Uchtdorf's message; it was just THAT GOOD.
(Another FYI: The Relief Society is an organization of women 18 years and older. Every woman in the church is a member of the Relief Society; it is the largest women's organization in the world and just as the name implies, it is an organization that seeks to bring relief: physical, emotional, spiritual, etc.)
Julie B. Beck, General Relief Society President
There is more to be done.
It is time for Relief Society to fulfill it's purpose as never before.
The purposes of Relief Society:
- Increase faith and personal righteousness
- Strengthen families and homes
- Serve the Lord and His children
She shared a personal experience of when she was a young newlywed and lived close to her parents. When it came time for her parents to move to another part of the world, she cried and asked her mom, "Who will be my mother?" Her mother counseled her that she should "tie" herself to the Relief Society. They would teach her, help her, serve her, love her. The Relief Society would be her "mother".
We do the work of the Lord as we seek, receive, and act on personal revelation; without it we cannot succeed, with it we cannot fail.
Silvia Allred, General Relief Society 1st Counselor
We make covenants to show our devotion to build up the kindgom.
Barbara Thompson, General Relief Society 2nd Counselor
Service in Relief Society magnifies and sanctifies.
The Relief Society is the Lord's organization for women.
We need women to step up and be strong.
Declare the truth with strength, faith, and boldness.
Set an example of righteousness.
Be anxiously engaged in a good cause.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 2nd Counselor in the First Presidency
Women sometimes undervalue their abilities. They have an inner desire to please the Lord to the best of their abilities, which is good, but sometimes it makes them feel inadequate and overwhelmed.
How can we taste of God's happiness even with our burdens?
We are spirit daughters of the most creative being in existence.
Seek and experiece eternal happiness. One way is by creating things. As mothers, we create life but we also teach and nurture (a way to create which will bring happiness).
We all have talents and gifts.
Creation = bringing into existence something that did not exist before.
It does NOT need to be PERFECT!
Start small. Create smiles, write letters of appreciation, etc.
Trust and rely on the Spirit as we create and improve the world around us.
Service and sacrifice open the windows of Heaven.
The number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness but the numbers of prayers we answer may be of greater importance.
As I listened to these talks, I felt the spirit witness to me that the messages were true and of great importance to me, especially right now. I felt the spirit prompt me in how I can improve in these areas. I know that this broadcast was for all of the Relief Society sisters all over the world, but I can't help but feel some of those talks were just for me. I have felt inspired to make some changes and I've been trying to apply them (a stong emphasis on the word "trying"; it is easier said than done). I know that by following these promptings of the spirit, I will be happier and that I'll be a better wife/mother, as well as being a better servant of my Heavenly Father. I want to do His will and I want Him to be able to count on me to act when He needs me to act.
I just cannot wait until this weekend! Two full days of inspired messages for us, living right now in these times. With all the crazy chaos and scary situations that we see around us in the world today, we could DEFINITELY use some divine guidance! I love our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson and I know he is a living prophet of God. I know he is led by our Savior; this is His church and He speaks through His prophets and apostles.
It is exciting to know that God loves us and wants to talk to us. I hope we all set aside this weekend to hear exactly what it is that He has to say.