So many changes were made at the last General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in April, and we heard rumors that we hadn't seen anything yet. Turned out to be true, and for good reason!
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| Photo Credit - Deseret News |
General Conference started out in Billings on Saturday. It started right before the end of Coverton's flag football game. Thank goodness for technology...we listened to audio on our phones. We listened in the car and at McDonalds. President Nelson announced that church on Sunday will now be 2 hours instead of 3 to promote more Gospel learning at home. A new program "Come, Follow Me" is now available for all and encourages families to do more Gospel learning and have more family time at home. It will be a better balance now as a "home centered Church." How exciting, and how humbling. Parents are their children's greatest resource! As we listened, I felt such joy and knew it was from the Lord. President Nelson isn't just trying to change things up to get publicity or other nonsense some are saying, Christ is coming and He is getting us all ready! He asked us to make our homes the center of Gospel learning. So much to learn and prepare for in this upcoming year and beyond! Hearing this reminded me of something that happened this past week. We were driving a boy to Scouts, about 20 minutes away. Now he's a convert, so don't judge. On our way back, we decided to read scriptures, since we were all in there and it would be about bed time when we got home. He said "Wow, you really take this Church stuff literally, don't you?" Why yes we do, we told him. We all should. He read along and listened with us. I've been thinking about this a lot. This is the way the Lord intends it. His Gospel is not just to be lived on Sundays, but everyday and especially with our families. There were many other great talks, and I am so thankful for them. The boys games went until a little after 10 and Cal's started right before noon. Really a tender mercy, I believe as most of their other games on other weeks are right during that time. The boys did great at their games and had several "tackles" and caught others' flags and also had a touchdown ad a conversion. Awesome!
The women's session was awesome! We invited the girls and women from our branch. Unfortunatey, almost everyone was out of town, but we had the Stahls join us. We had popcorn and a bunch of mix ins and coloring pages out for the youngers to color while listening. President Nelson gave four challenges to the women and girls. 1. Social media fast - started Monday. So far, so good. I try not to over use it anyways, because it is easy to be sucked in and spend way too much time with it and also to give into the comparison monster. 2. Reading the Book of Mormon. I'm also incorpating something then Elder Nelson asked us to do a few years back. He said to look to all references of the Savior and study his roles, teachings, and mission. So I got a notebook and am making notes on all references to Jesus Christ. It is making me excited about Scripture study again! Because my study was becoming a bit stale with the same routine. I have to admit, at first I murmured in my mind a bit because I was already reading it and almost done! And I've been reading the OT. Will I have time to do both? Where there's God, there's a way. 3. Establish a pattern of regular temple attendance. I was thinking about doing a date night with Dave this Friday. And we can make a schedule to plan it in rather than just every once in a while. Yes, it is hard with littles sometimes. But He can make a way again if we trust him! 4. Participate fully in Relief Society. I am thankful for RS. I shouldn't go for myself, but for others. Who needs me when I go to class? Who needs an invitation to come? Who in our RS needs my love?
Sunday, we started out by making "Apostle Waffles", which was Cov's idea when I asked him what he wanted for breakfast. We each decorated a waffle to look like one of the apostles using various toppings. Everyone did pretty well and it was fun seeing the results! It was silly, but the kids loved it and it helped them look forward to Conference. Which is hard for them. We get out many puzzles and coloring and Legos. And they can play quietly as long as they can hear, but let's get real. Sometimes it's really loud and they can't hear. They did pretty well with their packets and had fun. But still we got many mentions that it is so long and boring. I told them I remember feeling that way as a child, too but now I love it and can't wait for it! We do not force them, though, they have their agency after all. Our hope s that they will see how important it is to Dave & I and will feel the same someday!
President Nelson also asked us to not go by nicknames "Mormon" or "LDS" but to always refer to ourselves at members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I quickly got on my phone and updated my profile on my accounts and blog to Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints instead of Mormon/LDS. This makes so much sense the way he explained it. It is His Church and by not including Him in it, we disregard Him. It made me think of the Primary song. He also announced 12 new temples! When all are completed that have been announced, there will be 200! What a blessing! I love hearing the audible cries for joy and picture people in all parts of the world so elated that a House of the Lord will be by them!
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| Camille's Primary ideas |
So much great revelation! I also have tried to listen to a different Conference talk each night (or every couple of nights). The feeling came to study one for an entire week at a time and try harder to implement those teachings for the whole week. Rather than just listening and then following asleep. Time to go and do!
The weeks following General Conference were enlightening. I downloaded a calendar with a schedule for keeping on track to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. President Nelson asked us to prayerfully study, and "mark each verse that speaks of or refers to the Savior". I got a notebook and am writing down each reference and my own thoughts on it. It has helped me already come closer to the Savior and gain a stronger testimony of his mission and divinity. I just started 2 Nephi and already have pages upon pages. It is truly "Another testament of Jesus Christ"! My Book of Mormon is red!
By cutting out social media, I feel happier. I cut out Instagram (except quickly seeing the scripture assignment and commenting in my favorite ones...I didn't think that was breaking this fast ;) and Facebook, pretty much the only 2 social media platforms I use. And Pinterest, though I had to pull up a couple recipes on there and find the links for a few ideas for Primary and Halloween costumes.
Though I wasn't on it a ton before and try hard to be careful with it, I don't feel tempted to compare in my mind ("Oh, her decorating in her house is so cute! Wish mine looked like that"...or "How come my makeup always looks terrible, even if I'm following what she says to do." ...or "They are always go on fun vacations. No fair!"). I make more time to communicate effectively with my family and spend quality time each day. I'm more aware of the Spirit.
President Nelson posed these questions and here are my answers:
"What do you notice after taking a break from perspectives of the world that have been wounding your spirit?" I felt more optimistic. Though I wouldn't say I'm one to spend a bunch of time on social media and "infotainment" websites and accounts, I got enough to where it was weighing me down.
"Is there a change in where you now want to spend your time and energy?" Yes! It has opened my eyes to see the things that matter most! And we all have improvements to make.
"Have any of your priorities shifted- even just a little?" Yes. I am spending more time in the word of the Lord. More sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. I am not as irritable. I am a more loving wife and mother.
"I urge you to record and follow through with each impression." I will limit my social media use and only get on social media during nap time or after 9 p.m. for a half an hour or so. These things have their place and its nice to keep in touch with loved ones. But left unchecked, it can take over and distract us from what is most important. I am thankful for the prophets council! Conference and all of the changes are getting better all the time to help us get better all the time.
