Stake conference

I hope those of you who did not attend conference today will be able to feel the spirit of the meeting through my words in this blog. It is always a challenge to try and redo someone else's words in a relatively short space in this blog but here goes.
 (Quick aside- Happy Birthday Relief Society.)
The meeting began with remarks by a young man Ben Davis, fresh from high school, getting ready to leave on a mission. He spoke about how he prepared to serve. He had such a positive outlook and radiated it as he spoke of "I Hope They Call Me On a Mission" song. He said he could prepare by reading the scriptures and praying to know God better. He said recognizing the Spirit is important as the Holy Ghost is a teacher of the gospel. Seminary and the Strength of Youth pamphlet were both given credit for guiding him to have the faith he needs to serve the Lord. Yes, all these things can lead us to the Christ, whether we are leaving home to teach the word or using this knowledge at home in our lives, sharing what we believe with those around us who are ready to hear the word.
Sister Kirk spoke about how she could become more Christ-like. (uh oh, she is reading this. I hope I do a good job.) She told a story about a child named Hate Evil and pondered the importance of this  name to his parents. ooooh Aren't you glad you don't carry that moniker? If we take upon us the name of Christ, (probably the afore mentioned parents' desire) we must live a life that reflects Christ's attributes. In 3Nephi 27:27 " Therefore, what ^cmanner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even ^das I am." There is an action song in Primary that says, "Do as I'm doing, follow, follow me- -  -" Sister Kirk said that she consciously spent the week looking for her Christ-like behavior or opportunities. I think when we have an assignment like that, it gives us a boost to focus on  that ability we want. Doing so also brings to attention the good acts of others as well. If we rely on God, we can become peacemakers as he was. We learn line upon line like the Savior did. We should allow ourselves the opportunity to actually learn; this act is a life long process. We must discover how we best learn and improve on those talents. She told a story in which LOOK stood for L=Learn O=observe good O=Obey his commandments K=know the love He has for you.
We next heard from Pres. and Sister Alba of the mission presidency. They each told instances where members attended missionaries at appointments and made intuitive comments. We are all always on a mission to share the gospel through living it each day. Many people are looking for happiness  and don't know where to find it. It is our responsibility to feel the spirit's guidance when someone is already prepared to receive the gospel so that we can be there to help. Don't hide your faith; let it shine.
Pres. Kurtz bore his testimony that if we live the gospel, our friends will see the light of the gospel and feel the spirit through the Light Of Christ we all receive at birth.
Pres. Gibson spoke of some of the miracles that Christ performed while on earth. Did the people understand the importance and lessons taught through the parable? We could each ask ourselves if we had been there as the thousand were fed with fishes and 5 loaves ( with left overs) would we have understood what he was trying to teach? One benefit to us is that we were saved for a later time and have the advantage of being able to read about these acts and can study. Still, the time for us to commit to following the Savior for the right reasons awaits each of us. He wasn't just handing out free lunch but telling us if we believe in Him, we shall not hunger but have ever lasting life. Some who didn't understand  about his announcement of the upcoming Sacrament ordinance left his side in unbelief. They did not know that further instruction was coming. They didn't give the spirit a chance to work; they didn't understand the whole picture. Can we get caught in things like this? Of course. We act some way or read something and don't understand what someone at General Conference has said or  something in the  scriptures might not sing to us that day. Hold on to that rod of iron and work toward seeing the greater picture. We must constantly take that leap of faith until we come to the full knowledge.
Elder Haynie of the Seventies led us through the last of the meeting with his own version of parables, a life with stories. This is where I have a difficult time shortening his story as I want to tell it all to you. Maybe I can do this. "Alan" was raised by a 6'4" single father. They lived around the corner from Grandma (4'10"). When Alan got into trouble he would dash to Grandma's and hide behind her so he didn't get a spanking. (Imagine that scene!) Grandma would say, "--You shall not strike this child." No wonder Alan loved his Grandma so much. We all need a champion. (My daughter had a relationship with her Gram like this I think).
As father was single, Grandma would come around and stay for a while sometimes, a spring cleaning and relief for her son as well. One day Alan and his brothers went across the street to the field and decided to dig a hole. (I can understand that. Can't you?) They had help from some friends. Finally they got it almost big enough when one of them said that no one in the neighborhood had a pool, so away they went again, digging more. Yes, they got to the water part and filled the hole. You can imagine the condition of the boys and their clothes by this time. Who got to initiate the new muddy water pool? Alan, the littlest. As you can imagine, as it got dark and cold, Alan dashed home to find a Grandma barring the door, the same scene at the back door. She had worked to clean the house and no mud child was entering her clean house. ( I immediately had a vision of years gone by when one or both my boys appeared at my back door in similar conditions. I know what I told them.) Yes, take off  your clothes and she hosed him down so that he was clean enough to enter into the house.
I'm certain you know the scripture- no unclean thing can enter into the house of the Lord. Our Savior washed away the sin/mud from our garments  in his blood/sacrifice.
Elder Haynie said it would be tragic if we were denied entrance into our Father's home because we were too foolish to repent. Please don't be afraid or let pride or embarrassment ( pleasure for Satan) keep you from letting go of sin. Only one person could live that sinless life, Jesus Christ and he willingly gave his life that we might live again and be exalted IF we will repent. Won't it be wonderful when we see Him again (all repentant) and all He sees is the new and improved  - - you!
Your constantly repenting bloggess,
Janice