Every now and then, on this journey called life, there are points in time when we learn some things about ourselves that are important to our progression. These last couple of weeks have been a point in time such as that. It's interesting to me how these things I learn are not new concepts. But my capacity or even readiness to accept them is new. I guess that's what they call progression.
Last weekend, our church had what we Mormons call General Conference. Twice a year the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hold meetings where they give inspired counsel to everyone all over the world. Those meetings are broadcast on TV and also available online in many different languages. (They remain online and available for listening, viewing or reading at http://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2013/10?cid=HPFR100413113&lang=eng for anyone who wishes to access them.) We Mormons believe we have a living Prophet on the earth today. After all, there have been prophets on the earth through out time. Why would this dispensation of time be any different. Why would God not communicate to us, as he did to the people of Abraham's or Noah's day. Well He does and I always feel something very special about these leaders. In my heart I know what they have to say is from God and from Jesus Christ. I always look forward to that feeling in my soul when the spirit testifies to me that something that was just said was meant for me. I know that might sound crazy, since these men and women are speaking to the world, but that's how the spirit works. If I'm in tune, I will hear something that touches my soul and it will be deeply personal to me. Interestingly enough, that can happen to everyone listening with an open heart and mind.
I anticipated General Conference this time a little more than usual, due to a dream I had about 3 weeks ago. I dreamt I was waiting for a meeting to start and waiting to hear Elder Robert D. Hales speak. He's one of the 12 Apostles who lead our church under the direction of our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson. There were quite a few people in this room, but a lot of them left just before Elder Hales came in to speak. The few of us that were left moved up to the front few rows and then Elder Hales came in. I woke before he started to speak. As this dream occurred only a few weeks before our General Conference, and as I have learned to pay attention to dreams of this sort, I felt sure that Elder Hales would have something very specific for me. As the first of 4 sessions started, it was announced that right after President Monson would give his opening remarks, Elder Hales would be the speaker. Wow, right off the bat. I wasn't going to have to wait! To my surprise, Elder Hales spoke about conference in general. How the topics for the talks are not assigned, but rather each Apostle ponders and prays for weeks, and then prepares what they feel the Lord is prompting them to talk about. Okay, I knew that, so what did that have to do with me and where was my spiritual moment of inspiration. I did feel that he was giving a great preface and explanation to the next 2 days of inspired words from our leaders. I also felt that the people who left, in my dream before he came in to speak, represented many people in the world who were going to miss out on these next few days of spiritual strength and growth and that made me sad. I also felt that the Lord must have a sense of humor and was now chuckling as I thought Elder Hales personally would give me my "ah-ha" moment and what he was saying was listen carefully with that open spirit to ALL the inspired talks. I have to say, there was one thing he said that set off a spark in my heart. In talking about how our conferences are inspired and the leaders who speak are inspired, he mentioned briefly our Stake Conferences too. Where our General Conference is for the entire world, our Stake Conference is local and not broadcast. We meet in a local chapel and hear our local leaders. My geographical stake was having Stake Conference the week after General Conference. So this inspiration would simply follow right in line and flow into the next week. None of what Elder Hales said was a new concept. As I said earlier, I know these men and women that hold leadership positions in our church are inspired. I know I always gain something personal from these talks. But the message still rang clear, "listen carefully and with an open heart over these next few days and next weekend in Stake Conference as well".
I did gain some insightful things from General Conference, things I won't be sharing here. I then waited with anticipation for Stake Conference, which was last night and today. Last nights session was marvelous. It was focused on how we can use technology to help the world understand what we Mormons believe. We can help others understand that God loves them, that He is their Heavenly Father, that He does hear them when they pray and that they can have a personal relationship with Him. We can help others come to know that Jesus Christ is at the center of our gospel, even the center of our hearts. Yes indeed we are Christians, unlike what current rumor would have the world believe. We can help others find answers to questions that can help bring joy and happiness into their lives. As I have written in earlier blogs, I started blogging for my children, a life story type of thing. When I made the decision to open it to the public, it was a HUGE step for me. Yes, all the things I mentioned in previous blogs are true. This is therapeutic. This is a way to help me open up and hopefully to help my family and future posterity understand who I am and what I believe. But there is another reason, something I don't think I have shared. Dieter F. Uchtdorf (another Apostle from our church) said something a few years back that stuck with me. He told us to spread our joy and our beliefs to the world, not only with our voices, but with our fingers through text, social media and blogs. I also was told in a very special blessing given to me as a teenager that I should teach the gospel through my testimony. Those 2 statements are the reason I was able to follow through with opening my blog to the public.
As I continued to listen to our local stake leaders both last night and today, another topic touched my heart, surprisingly. I say surprisingly because it is a topic that is usually very hard to listen to. One of those things I know is a weakness of mine, therefore counsel about it just brings feelings of guilt. The topic is forgiving others. Being able to forgive others is something that I know is important. It is taught to us by Christ himself and if we truly want to live a Christlike life, we need to develop that attribute. I know these things, but making them happen in my own life is something I have found difficult to comprehend. A while back, someone told me of a quote from another of our church leaders. To paraphrase, it basically said that to rush forgiveness of others who have greatly wronged us, was counter productive. Rather, we need to simply prepare our hearts and when the time is right, that ability to forgive will come. I think I have held onto that quote, like a rite of passage of sorts, justifying my hesitancy to forgive. As I listened to my inspired local leaders, my heart openly accepted the message offered. There was emphasis on the fact that forgiving others might take time and not happen all at once, but we just need to persevere with the Lord's help in that direction. I believe I have been prepared to understand that I am capable of forgiving others. I believe that a loving Heavenly Father knows what I need. More importantly, when I need it and when I am capable of accepting it. I know that through the atonement of Jesus Christ our hearts can heal and soften. I know that sharing these things with you is the right thing to do. So on a very personal note from me to each one of you individually, I also know that you have a Heavenly Father that loves you. You can also come to know the joy and peace in your heart that the doctrines of Jesus Christ have brought to me.
Many answers to questions about what Mormons believe can be found on www.mormon.org and my personal profile can also be found at http://mormon.org/me/782S
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