General Relief Society Conference Notes

Between the 4 different talks, I found that the message given last night was that as sisters in Relief Society and daughters of God, we need to live faithfully and be steadfast and immovable.  As we do so we can likewise strengthen and uplift our other struggling sisters through service as we show the pure love of Christ towards them.  We must also be careful as not to judge those that we serve.  We must love them as Christ loves all.

1. [Sister Beck's Talk]

• This meeting is a gift for those seeking His will and want to know how to align their will with his
• Main Topic: How To Live Faithfully and To Be Strong
• Remember who we are --> We are daughters of God
• Stay watchful and prayerful -- Pray, read our scriptures -- Let us not be "silly women"
• Understand the history of the Relief Society so that we may learn who we are, apply the history in our lives, and learn the ways to prepare and receive our covenants in the temple.
• Our work as sisters is to further the salvation of our families
• We shouldn't be spending our time or money on things that are of no worth
• History helps us learn how to change, to be united
• Knowing who we are removes doubt and fear by replacing it with hope and faith.

2. [Sister Allred's Talk]

• Main Topic: What Helps You To Be Steadfast and Immovable?
• Knowing that my Heavenly Father knows me, loves me and knows what I am feeling
• Birthing and rearing children is our vital role -- to raise a family and bring salvation to them.
• Jesus continually has our disappointments before Him upon his palms. He knows how to succur to our needs.
• Prayer, Scripture Reading, Obedience, Service
• Pray morning and night for protection [Invites Spirit into our lives]
• Read the scriptures to find answers [Invites Spirit into our lives]
• Obedience shows our commitment to our covenants and it brings blessings
• Our service to others is to help them with their spirital and physical needs
• Those who are strong need to help strengthen the weak

3. [Sister Thompson's Talk]

• Main Topic: The Lord Has Aksed Us To Do What He Has Done Through Visiting Teaching: Serve Others with Love and Compassion
• Blessings we give: show compassion, we are answers to their prayers
• Blessings we receive: personal revelation, relief of our own burdens as we do service to others, increase in unity and love
• We are the Lord's hands here on this earth

4. [President Monson's Talk]

• Main Topic: What Do We See When We Look At Others? What Kind of Judgement Do We Pass?
• Appearances can be deceiving. Don't judge on appearances
• "If you judge people, you have no time to love them" (Mother Teresa)
• Charity: tolerant of others, forgives, merciful, compassionate, patient
• Charity is love in action -- the pure love of Christ
• We should wear the mantle of Charity -- Charity Never Faileth

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Today the Relief Society lesson was on "Turning to the Lord" and "Forgiveness".  Some of the things we talked about corresponded with last night's message and also what I have reading in the scriptures this last week.  In 2 Nephi as Nephi and Jacob talk to the people, they emphasize that we must turn to the Lord, be thankful for what He has done for us and still praise Him during our trials.  We shouldn't murmur or complain but know that these trials our for our own good.  We can learn from them, grow character and spiritually progress as we live through them.  I felt like this message was reminding us to not dwell so much on the negative that is happening in our lives and that as we turn to the Lord when going through trials we can be uplifted by Him and our burdens lightened as we do what He has counseled us.  We can lose ourselves through service.  It is like an eternal round.  We suffer, we turn to the Lord, we are strengthened by Him, we now can serve and uplift others, then more trials come and we are then uplifted by those that are stronger.  Just as the Bible and the Book of Mormon have the Happiness/Corruption/Destruction/Repentance/Happiness cycle, we also have the cycle described above. 

My God Hath Been My Support

• In 2 Nephi 4, Nephi talks about his self doubt, temptations, discouragement and anger in regards to his sins.  And then he turns around and says I know in whom I have trusted. My God hath been my support. (4:19-20)  He sees his imperfections, almost drowns in all of it but rises above it bc he knows who is he, what he is worth and who stands behind him.  We are all children of God, He loves every one of us despite our imperfections and His arm is and ever will be outstretched to help us if we but turn towards Him. 
• In vs.26-29 he talks about why or why not to linger on past sins.  We shouldn't dwell upon our past bc it is not healthy nor does it matter if the Lord has forgiven persons of that matter, what matters is if we know if we have been forgiven.  It is up to the Lord to forgive who He will and up to us to forgive all.  Forgive and move forward.
• 2 Nephi 5:32 talks about what we should be writing in our journals -- things pleasing unto God.  I find it interesting that he says if people like the things of God, then they will be pleased with mine engravings.  So my grandkids should be pleased with my journals if they are things pleasing unto God.  I think it is vitally important that we have evidence that not just ancient people had faith through trials and endured to the end, but that people not too distant from us did also.  If I can read about my close relatives holding tight to the iron rod and striving to live righteous lives, I think it would be another testimony that it can be done. Perhaps my words will be what someone needs later on. 
• Tonight we had FHE on what the "Ultimate Treasure" is that Heavenly Father has for us.  I used a great site to help me with the short lesson (for younger kids) HERE.   We talked about how the Lord gave us a map to find our way to this ultimate gift -- scriptures, prophets, parents, etc.  All these things can help point us in the right direction in how to live our lives in such a way that we can obtain this great treasure -- being eternal life and living again with our Heavenly Father.  My daughter really enjoyed it and participated in the discussion (7 yrs old), my son (2 yrs old) roamed the room.  I think he was oblivious to what we were doing but he did pray with us so at least he knows what that is.  He loves to pray.  He does great with folding his arms and he can string 2-3 words at a time if we help him say the prayer.  I think right now I am really enjoying see my children grow in the gospel and make it a natural part of their lives. 

Remember Remember

• Nephi gives his thesis statement if you will in the last chapter of 1 Nephi, 1 Nephi 30-31. The purpose of his writings in the plastes of brass --
• ...they testify that a man must be obedient to the commandments of God.
• ...Wherefore, if ye shall be obedient to the commandments, and endure to the end, ye shall be saved at the last day...
• I remember how in Seminary class, my teacher would drill into us that it was so important for us to REMEMBER the Lord and his commandments bc it is when we forget and forsake the Lord that we lose his blessings and promises from keeping the commandments.  So every time in the scriptures when it has the phrase "if you keep my commandments, you shall prosper" I think REMEMBER in my head. 
• Throughout this first book, each story shows the consequences of either following the commandments or disboeying them.  When I think of my kids, I can't seem to understand why they would do something they know will get them into trouble.  Most of the time, their answer is "I don't know, bc it was fun?"  I'm sure Heavenly Father feels the same way about us.  Just follow these rules and I will bless you!!! We're basically throwing away blessings when we choose to not follow his commandments. I know it is easier said than done but logically it seems right. 
• In Lehi's dying words, he instructs his children on 3 things in 2 Nephi 1-2:
• Exhorts his sons to repent, obey and put on the armor of righteousness
• Testifies of the Atonement
• Teaches the importance of opposition and freedom to choose
• I see a repeated promise in his words in 2 Nephi 1:7, 9
• ...And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them;
• ...inasmuch as those who the Lord God shall bring out of the land of Jerusalem shall keep his commandments, they shall prosper upon the face of this land...and if it so be they shall keep his commandments they shall be blessed upon the face of this land...
• Ok, keep his commandments, we'll prosper and be blessed.  Got it!
• In 2 Nephi 1:21, it seems like Lehi is basically telling his children to grow up, act like adults and get along and the way to do that is to be united together. 
• ...arise from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things...
• Trials are here to help us grow and progress. The Lord shall consecrate thine afflictions for they gain. (2 Nephi 2:2)
• Lehi says in 2 Nephi 2:14 I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning.  He is trying to leave some words of wisdom before he dies.  He then starts to talk about how God gave us our free agency (...the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself... 2 Nephi 2:16) He had previously spoken about there is opposition in all things.
• Funny that this should be read now.  This last week I had to watch my daughter go through a tough experience at school.  There was a boy teasing her, who egg'd on others to tease her as well.  It made her cry and she was so hurt that this boy would spread lies about her.  She was too scared to tell her teacher.  As my husband and I talked with her, we told her that telling her teacher is the right choice bc she doesn't have to put up with this, that as a daughter of God, she deserves more respect.  We told her we should include her in our prayers to be given the courage and strength to get through this situation.  We tried telling her that it doesn't matter what those kids think, it matters what she thinks but it didn't make her hurt feelings feel any better.  I told her I would talk to her teacher the next day after school if they kept it up.  Although when I went to get her, the teacher told me that KJ had spoken to her already and they fixed the problem (the boy's parents were notified and he wrote an apology note).  She found the courage to speak up for herself and I was so happy that she did.  That was yesterday and today I read about how we have to have opposition in all things so that we may know good from evil, joy from sorrow, happiness from pain.  My daughter can't learn unless she experiences herself first hand, not me fixing her problems for her. 

Words of Isaiah

• I've never been able to understand the words of Isaiah.  As plain and simple as the Book of Mormon is, 1 Nephi 20 & 21are not! I remember my husband telling me how he relished in reading Isaiah in the Book of Mormom bc if Nephi thought that those words were important enough to talk about again in his writings then we better pay better attention to them! 
• It just seems like he is talking to the lost tribes of Israel or the broken branch of the olive tree that needs to be grafted back in.  And I wonder, is that me?  Or am I the Gentile and he is speaking to others? 
• When his brothers asked about them (bc it seems they were just as confused as I was!), Nephi said Isaiah was talking about things both temporal and spiritual.
• In 1 Nephi 22:10, it says that all the kindreds of the earth cannot be blessed unless he shall make bare his arm in the eyes of the nations. In Isaiah 52:10, the footnotes say "to make bare his arm" also means the power of God.  I'm wondering if that means in order for us to be blessed, we must show our faith in the power of God.  This would make sense as things of God are being trampled on so readily.  Like taking down the 10 Commandments inside government buildings or ceasing any pryaers in schools and what not.  Why would we want to revoke any blessings that the Lord would readily give us if we showed our faith in Him?

Not Remembering

• On Sunday when our Home Teachers came to visit us, we somehow got on the topic of electronics and I was explaining to them how we always get the warranties.  I gave a bunch of examples of why buying it came in handy.  One of them commented, "You have a lot of bad luck with electronics!"  And I replied that no, it all didn't happen at the same time, this is over an 8 year span.  Then this morning I was reading about AGAIN Nephi's older brethren forgot the Lord, were merry and rude on the boat and tied up Nephi bc of what they had to go through.  It just seems that each story is time and time again Laman and Lemuel forgetting the Lord, punishing Nephi, then given another sign that the Lord is indeed using Lehi/Nephi to lead them. I mean...how many times can they make this mistake over and over?  And then I thought of what I told my home teachers.  Perhaps this was over a longer period of time? And he was just highlighting the times that his brothers followed the pattern.  
• Pattern: 
• Obey the Lord's commandments by starting to do what He asks
• Murmur/complain while doing it
• Get angry and take it out on Nephi
• Called to repentance and given a sign that showed Heavenly Father was truly guiding them
• They repent and ask forgiveness
• It makes me wonder what commandments am I not following that the Lord has asked of us? 
• One easy one that not a lot of people do is food storage. We are just now starting to as our circumstances let us.  We have always had a lot more food in our pantry than others around us but surely not the year's worth our church leaders have asked of us. 
• Another one is temple attendance.  3-4 hour drives just to get to one was hard but now?  What is our excuse?  Not planning it into our week.  A 15 minute drive is all we have between us and the temple right now. 
• One that I want to start doing is my genealogy.  Get my family file at the temple.  I have my grandmother's entire genealogy book that she worked on her whole life...not sure how I got it, but I do.  Now I need to carry on her work. 

Lack of Gratitude

• In the latter half of 1 Nephi 17 all Nephi's brothers do is complain and desire to destroy Nephi's life bc of the trials they've had to endure in the wilderness.  In vs. 41-44 Nephi tells of the many blessings and mercies the Lord has placed on their people. In the next verses 45-48 Nephi speaks with such power (he is a little bit angry at this point) as he calls them to repentance asking how could they NOT believe anything is possible with God when they've been witnesses to so many miracles. Even as I read this, I can feel how urgent Nephi is in trying to convince his brethren. 
• In 17:53, the Lord sees fit to give Nephi's brethren yet another sign to show them that the Lord is able to help them accomplish what needs to be done.  So now they have seen an angel, heard the Lord's voice as a whisper and as thunder, felt the Spirit of the Lord in Nephi as he speaks to them AND now he shocks them with Nephi's touch.  How much will the Lord have to show the unbelievers until they finally have a strong enough testimony that it will stick?

Attitude of Gratitude

• The longer that we procrastinate our repentance, the harder it is to hear the truth.  1 Nephi 16:2 states the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.  It is not that we don't understand the truth, it is just that we don't have enough motivation (or any at all) to adhere to it. We know we should change but if we are too prideful/stubborn then we'll just try to ignore it so we don't have that nagging feeling that we need to make changes in our lives. 
• Tonight during scripture reading, my daughter read that scripture about learning line upon line, precept upon precept.  That made me think of the scriptures in 1 Nephi 16: 8-11 where after Lehi did bring his family out of Jerusalem and into the wilderness, the Lord then gave Lehi new instructions and the Liahona to guide them to where the promised land was.  As we follow and finish what the Lord commands us we can progress and follow new commandments.  He always provides ways to do what He asks of us.
• As He directs us through our life, the Lord's ways can help us grow the most and find the  most of what we are in need of. 1 Nephi 16:16 And we did follow the directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness.
• When facing trials, we have two choices.  We can be like Ishmael's daughters (1 Nephi 16:20) and complain OR we can be like Nephi (1 Nephi 16:23) who armed himself with tools to get the job done and turned to the Lord for directions on where to use them. The point?  Murmuring/complaining never got anyone anywhere.  Action is needed! [This is a pattern as I will show in later verses]
• 1 Nephi 16: 29 -- ...And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.  In my family I see this as we live the small things the Lord asks us to do.  By always reading our scriptures as a family, doing family prayer at night and attending church every Sunday, our daughter has learned and reminds us (if we don't do it) that we need to do it.  It is part of our routine.  If we haven't taught her anything, at least she knows that she needs the scriptures, prayer and church attendance in her life and that it is important.
• I am seeing the pattern again in 1 Nephi 16: 32 of:
• Following His commandments
• Being blessed with the means to accomplish those commandments
• Remembering the Lord and seeing His hand in our lives bc of those blessings
• Thanking the Lord for what He has done for us.
• (1 Nephi 16:35) Sometimes our old ways may entice us bc they are easier even if we know it will tear us down. (1 Nephi 16:37-38) We must realize that these thoughts are from the adversary and not of God. (1 Nephi 16: 39) As we hearken to the voice of the Lord thru General Conference, if we repent and act upon His words, he will bless us. 
• The Lord gives us promises if we follow His commandments.  1 Nephi 17:3 --
• ...And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the things which he has commanded them...
• The story of Nephi arming himself with a new bow and arrow and then asking his father Lehi to ask the Lord where he should hunt to obtain food so they won't perish -- this reiterates how we should arm ourselves with the tools we need and then turn to the Lord as to how or where to use them in order to accomplish what is asked of us.  Again -- ACTION!  We must first have action on our part to show the Lord that we really mean to do what He asks of us.  And then turn to Him and ask where are we needed to the most to accomplish our task as hand. (1 Nephi 17:9)