Monday, February 28, 2011
Temple Mirrors of Eternity
I'm with Becca- this was really good and what I needed today. I've been having an awful time lately, I am having trouble believing that some bad things will ever get better. I know that this talk didn't discuss that in particular but I loved when talking about God he said "He 'shall wipe away all tears from [our] eyes'- except the tears of joy when we see through temple mirrors of eternity and find ourselves home.." I just think that I needed to hear that.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Temple Mirrors of Eternity
I have been reading, things have just been in such upheaval I haven't had a chance to say anything. I actually kind of want to go back and read through a couple again, but I thought I better at least get this week's talks read.
I loved how in this talk Elder Gong spoke of all the different ways the temple mirrors remind us of eternity and our role here on earth. Sometimes I think we forget that the family relationships created in this life will go on for eternity. We are not working to save just ourselves but our families too.
Of all the things that were said in this talk the things that spoke to me the most were about the Savior. He said "only our Savior’s Atonement transcends time and space to swallow up death, anger, bitterness, unfairness, loneliness, and heartbreak." We focus so often on how the atonement can take away our sins, but it can also give us the comfort we need to get through hard things that come as a result of living in an imperfect world.
"Sometimes things go wrong even though we have done our very best." I think that was a message I needed to hear. It is hard not to feel guilty or wonder if you have done something wrong when you have numerous trials. It made me think of the story of Lazarus. Jesus did not get there in time and when he heard Lazarus was dead he wept. He knew that he had the power to raise Lazarus, and he knew the plan of salvation so he knew that death was not the end. I think Jesus wept for the pain he knew Martha and Mary were feeling. It is that way for us sometimes. He has a better perspective on our lives, yet he has felt what we are feeling and bears the burden and hurt with us. Sometimes just knowing that, is a comfort, there is someone who understands exactly what you are feeling.
Wow, that got a little long, but what a wonderful talk!
I loved how in this talk Elder Gong spoke of all the different ways the temple mirrors remind us of eternity and our role here on earth. Sometimes I think we forget that the family relationships created in this life will go on for eternity. We are not working to save just ourselves but our families too.
Of all the things that were said in this talk the things that spoke to me the most were about the Savior. He said "only our Savior’s Atonement transcends time and space to swallow up death, anger, bitterness, unfairness, loneliness, and heartbreak." We focus so often on how the atonement can take away our sins, but it can also give us the comfort we need to get through hard things that come as a result of living in an imperfect world.
"Sometimes things go wrong even though we have done our very best." I think that was a message I needed to hear. It is hard not to feel guilty or wonder if you have done something wrong when you have numerous trials. It made me think of the story of Lazarus. Jesus did not get there in time and when he heard Lazarus was dead he wept. He knew that he had the power to raise Lazarus, and he knew the plan of salvation so he knew that death was not the end. I think Jesus wept for the pain he knew Martha and Mary were feeling. It is that way for us sometimes. He has a better perspective on our lives, yet he has felt what we are feeling and bears the burden and hurt with us. Sometimes just knowing that, is a comfort, there is someone who understands exactly what you are feeling.
Wow, that got a little long, but what a wonderful talk!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Week 3- Emily
Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life:
Do we fear the judgments of man over the judgments of the Lord? I liked this question he posed and also the example of the varnished floor.
Let There Be Light!:
“It is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right.” Mosiah then warns, “If the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come." This quote from Mosiah 29 was really reassuring to me. For me it is a reassurance that the majority of the public will not choose wickedness until the timing is right. That when called to vote on public policy laws the things that will be decided are the Lord's will because he can help direct men's concious.
Faith- the Choice is Yours:
You can choose faith or you can choose pessimism. Written like that they seem like opposites. I guess this just stood out to me because being more positive is something I need to work on and the way to do that is to work on my faith. It reminds me of one of my favorite talks from a few conferences ago- The Best is Yet to Come- where it says that part of faith is the faith that the Lord will have everything work out.
Our Very Survival:
This talk went over something that was talked about earlier in conference, following the prophet. They went over the same 14 points about obedience to the prophets, it must be something we really need to hear. I liked how he said our very survival depends on following the prophet.
Do we fear the judgments of man over the judgments of the Lord? I liked this question he posed and also the example of the varnished floor.
Let There Be Light!:
“It is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right.” Mosiah then warns, “If the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come." This quote from Mosiah 29 was really reassuring to me. For me it is a reassurance that the majority of the public will not choose wickedness until the timing is right. That when called to vote on public policy laws the things that will be decided are the Lord's will because he can help direct men's concious.
Faith- the Choice is Yours:
You can choose faith or you can choose pessimism. Written like that they seem like opposites. I guess this just stood out to me because being more positive is something I need to work on and the way to do that is to work on my faith. It reminds me of one of my favorite talks from a few conferences ago- The Best is Yet to Come- where it says that part of faith is the faith that the Lord will have everything work out.
Our Very Survival:
This talk went over something that was talked about earlier in conference, following the prophet. They went over the same 14 points about obedience to the prophets, it must be something we really need to hear. I liked how he said our very survival depends on following the prophet.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Week 2- Emily
Sorry I'm late!
Gospel Learning and Teaching:
I really loved what he said about making sure we were studying the scriptures and sincerely praying for each member of our class- I felt like this was important to more than just teachers but also in our visiting teaching and other callings along with in our families.
Reflections on a Consecrated Life:
The part that stood out the most to me was where he said that a consecrated life was a life of work. I have been really setting some goals lately and trying to improve myself, and everything on the list of goals includes work which I think is what stops a lot of people from trying to do better and from trying to become better. I loved having the reassurance that working for certain things is part of the Saviors plan.
Of Things That Matter Most:
Oh, I needed this. I have been thinking this week about really deciding what I want to work on in my life and what I need to improve. I guess this talk just gave me my goals. 1- my relationship with God, 2- my relationship with my family, 3- my relationships with my fellowmen, and 4- my relationship with myself. I still need to figure out how to implement these but I definitely will find ways to work on all of these.
Gospel Learning and Teaching:
I really loved what he said about making sure we were studying the scriptures and sincerely praying for each member of our class- I felt like this was important to more than just teachers but also in our visiting teaching and other callings along with in our families.
Reflections on a Consecrated Life:
The part that stood out the most to me was where he said that a consecrated life was a life of work. I have been really setting some goals lately and trying to improve myself, and everything on the list of goals includes work which I think is what stops a lot of people from trying to do better and from trying to become better. I loved having the reassurance that working for certain things is part of the Saviors plan.
Of Things That Matter Most:
Oh, I needed this. I have been thinking this week about really deciding what I want to work on in my life and what I need to improve. I guess this talk just gave me my goals. 1- my relationship with God, 2- my relationship with my family, 3- my relationships with my fellowmen, and 4- my relationship with myself. I still need to figure out how to implement these but I definitely will find ways to work on all of these.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Week 1- Emily
Sorry I never posted about what I read- but I did read. The week just then got away from me and now I don't remember what about them I wanted to say.
But I will say this. Our primary presidency gave everyone in primary a cd of the primary songs we will be learning this year. This week I put it on in our car and for some reason it has my outings with Sophie go smoother. I have enjoyed listening every day.
But I will say this. Our primary presidency gave everyone in primary a cd of the primary songs we will be learning this year. This week I put it on in our car and for some reason it has my outings with Sophie go smoother. I have enjoyed listening every day.
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