Rabbit pies

Recently, Dave was able to attend a church meeting for bishops/branch presidents and elders quorum presidents.  Elder Cook, from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Bishop Waddell from the Presiding Bishopric and a few other general authorities attended this training.  When Dave got home, he was filled with the spirit and so excited to share with me what he was taught.  I could feel the spirit so strong as well and know that these apostles are men of God!

It was a wonderful evening having him share what he learned (he had been gone 10 hours in the car and about 3 hours there...I missed him!) and discussing the topics.  I was especially touched by this story Elder Cook shared and how he related it to us now.  

"Elder LeGrand Richards used to tell the story of a man who sold rabbit pies. He had a significant business and produced a large number of pies.  At some point people became suspicious that the pies included horse meat. A false advertising charge was made.  He initially denied that the pies contained horse meat, but upon questioning admitted that "yes, there was a little horse meat."  Upon further interrogation he finally acknowledged that the pies were half horse and half rabbit. When asked what he meant by half horse and half rabbit, he said one horse and one rabbit. He related this to how some of us want faith to be at the center of our lives, but it does not get our full attention. It is the rabbit portion of the pie."

 It made me think - does my faith in Jesus Christ get the horse portion or the rabbit portion in my life?  Am I spending more time in the Book of Mormon or on Facebook?  Do I pour out my soul in prayer to God, or is my communication with him superficial and bouncing off the ceiling?  Do my family members get the best side of me or is their wife and mother a grump? Am I truly living the life God expects me to or am I putting on a facade for man?  Do I spend my time in service or self-centered activities?  Some good questions to ponder over and room for improvement for me!  

Rabbit pie - offthespork.com

Here are some of Dave's other notes I loved. 

 We need to work on strengthening individual conversion through faith: we don't devote the whole faith that we need to, we need more time in building Faith. Have we ever devoted the time to get to know Christ?  Elder Cook gave an assignment to get on knees, how do i have the HG bear witness of Christ and Heavenly Father?  We need to stress the resurrection more.

Elder Soares said keeping the Sabbath day will do more for members then any church program. How can every member live to keep the Sabbath day? How do we make sacrament a remembrance? How can families make it a delight for them? Raise our families in faith.  

Elder Parela (who is a new member of the 70) said work on temple work and getting families to go. Teach families to do family history. 

Bishop Wadel taught how should we act. Caring for the poor and needy, if we truly love god then we will love other people. Living the law of the fast.  Generous offering is between you and the lord. We need to teach the law of fast and prayer and offering. 

Rulon Stacey: keys to gather Israel is with stake Presidents. This gathering of Israel weighs  night and day on the bretheren. Pray for missionary experience. 

Elder Cook said to build Zion in our hearts and homes. We need more love and kindness in our homes. More decision together, less criticisms of children.  Be an example in your communities and don't be in camafloge.  Children should participate in the community do this as a family counsel, honor the sacrament and Sabbath day and have fun on the Sabbath as a family not everything has to be serious.  Focus on the temple and make it a part of life. Tell your wives you love them and give them hugs per Elder Cook. This is so powerful - he said "I have heard his voice and i have seen his face, the holy ghost is the testifier. Christ guides His church."