104- 2/3/25

 This past week I watched one of the leadership training videos we were asked to watch in preparation for our upcoming stake conference meetings. It was from the leadership session of the October 2023 general conference session given by Elder Bednar. The title of his training was: Ye Shall Have Joy with Me—The Connection between Worship at Home and Church


I’ve often wondered about the process of how the prophets and apostles choose their conference addresses. No doubt they rely so much on the impressions of the Holy Ghost, and the counseling that occurs amongst themselves concerning the needs of the church. I would guess the Spirt works on them for months in preparation. 


I love all their messages, and try my best to apply them in my life, but I’m extra conscientious when a  specific topic rests on them for a long period of time, becoming apparent in repeated addresses. It seems like that has been the case for President Nelson with the theme of Temples/Covenants/Priesthood Keys, letting God prevail in our lives and to elevate our thinking to things celestial as we allow our thoughts to govern our actions.


The same pattern of repetition has rested on Elder Bednar thoughts. Here in this October 2023 training to the leadership of the church, he focuses on the importance of making our homes a refuge from the world, where the Spirit is being constantly felt. Teaching how we can take meaningful worship at church and in the temple and bring that power received back into our homes, our ultimate place of needed fortification. In April 2024 Elder Bednar gave almost the same exact message in his conference address, “Be Still, and Know That I Am God”, as he gave to the general authorities at that October 2023 training. 


He felt impressed to re-emphasize the importance of taking the spiritual power gained from our temple and church worship back with us into our homes, allowing our homes to become refuges from life’s storms. Places where real life sustaining strength is needed on a day to day basis. 


After explaining the essential and important blessing of temple and church worship he taught us that: “The principal purposes of sacred time and holy places are exactly the same: to repeatedly focus our attention upon Heavenly Father and His plan, the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement, the edifying power of the Holy Ghost, and the promises associated with the sacred ordinances and covenants of the Savior’s restored gospel.”


“Our homes should be the ultimate combination of both sacred time and holy place wherein individuals and families can “be still” and know that God is our Heavenly Father, we are His children, and Jesus Christ is our Savior. 

Leaving our homes to worship on the Sabbath and in the house of the Lord certainly is essential. But only as we return to our homes with the spiritual perspective and strength obtained in those holy places and activities can we then sustain our focus upon the primary purposes of mortal life and overcome the temptations so prevalent in our fallen world.”


I really love this teaching. Making our homes a sacred space, and making time for this sacred protected time in our homes, gives us so many more opportunities to feel His Spirit. Giving us the strength and preparation to tackle whatever comes our way each day.


Two Part Invitation: 

1.  Ask the question, What can we do to make our homes even more like the temple? It may be pictures we have up, or the cleanliness and order of our space. It might be evaluating the music or the movies/tv we allow to come into our homes. It could the language we use. I know I can use less sarcasm and more gentleness at home. Whatever it is, let’s strive to make our homes more like the temple. 

  1. Evaluate what time we are making sacred at home? Is it a fair share that our prophet has encouraged us to set aside? This time could be spent in prayer, scriptures study, gospel conversation with our family, or just quite pondering. 


I know that as we take time to be still in our lives, we will have a stronger sense of who we are, and what our primary purpose is. We are so blessed to have apostles and prophets to give us God’s word. I hope that we never become so use to hearing their word that we take them for granted. 


Love you all so much,


Dad


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

86- 9/30/24

  We can’t wait to all be together this weekend. Mama and I were talking last night about when the next time we might all be together at home again after this weekend and she mentioned it might not be until April Conference time next year. So needless to say we are really looking forward to this weekend. I will keep it short today with a simple invitation. Throughout this week leading up to General Conference and hearing the words of prophets, ask yourself this question: What do you know and have in your life because there is a living prophet on the Earth today?  I think your thoughts will lead you where mine have, and that is to a place of gratitude. No wonder we often sing: We Thank Thee O God, for a Prophet! Love, Dad
Read more

99- 12-30-24

 Hello Family, Happy New Year! It is New Year’s Eve, and we are gathered all together in Ogden, Utah. What a treat to be all together! As Lainey would say, “I love you guys!” This weekend I have watched each of you set time aside to plan and to make New Year’s Resolutions, pondering on things that you would like to add or improve in your life. I love that! A life without purpose is a life of complacency. Goals put us in a place to act, and to do. You each know who you are and what your purpose is, and this brings so much joy to Mama and I. This purpose is innate in each one of us, and as we listen to, and follow the Spirit we will continue to strive to become better. The Hope we have that we can be successful at this improvement comes from our faith in Jesus Christ. Nephi teaches us,“ And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from e...
Read more

45 (12-4-2023) I Need Thee Every Hour

 45 (12-4-2023) I Need Thee Every Hour Dear Family, This scripture has stayed with me over the past couple of weeks, and has helped me several times. The message has gained greater meaning for me as I try to apply it. I thought this week I would share a few examples of its application in my own life,    and invite you to consider ways to apply it in yours. 2 Nephi 9:39    Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal. President Nelson defined thinking Celestial as being spiritually minded. The prophet Jacob defined here the same way, as “life eternal”. This is our greatest hope and desire, to return to our love in Heavenly parents, and to be together as family forever. So here are just a couple of ways striving to be spiritually minded have helped me this past week: As you all know to well, because you know me better then anyone, patience manages to stay one or two steps ahead of me most times. And when I am inpatient, I ...
Read more