Today was our Church’s annual Women’s Conference. The week before General Conference we gather as women of the church to hear talks to encourage and inspire. It seems like this was another session where all the talks were just what I needed.
Women’s Conference Talks:
Sister Wixom, our General Relief Society President, spoke on our divine nature.
“Heavenly Father generously shares a portion of His divinity within us. That divine nature comes as a gift from him with a love that only a parent can feel.”
She shares how Elaine Cannon, a former YW General President shared, “There are Two most important days in a women’s life: the day she was born and the day she finds out why.”
This talk reminded me that as a daughter of God I need to know and remember why I am here. Sister Wixom shared we are here to build up the kingdom and to help prepare the world for the Lord’s second coming. I loved this talk and the feelings I felt about the need to be united with other sisters. There is power when we gather together and serve in the kingdom.
“Take our validation vertically from Him. Not horizontally form the world around us.”
I love this reminder that I shouldn’t let the criticism from the world weigh me down. It only matters what my Fathers thinks of me. These next couple of quotes stood out to me. A good reminder of what am I going to do with this testimony that I have. And to remember to see my divine nature and to look for it in others. It’s always easier to serve and put others before yourself when you seen them as children of God.
“I am a child of God therefore what?”
“Once we begin to see the divinity in ourselves we can see it in others.”
“The Divine natures with in us ignites our desire to reach out and help others and prompts us to act.”
what to do???
This talk encourages us that if we haven’t felt our Heavenly Father’s personal love for us we need to seek Him out and ask Him. I have felt His love and I know He loves you too. This is an important truth that we must all come to find out for ourselves. This talk also encourages us to act and think of others now that we have felt His love. What am I doing to build up the kingdom of God and prepare the world for when our Savior returns.
Sister Reeves
I loved this talk!!! Sister Reeves talked about hard challenges we face in life. My heart ached as she expressed concerns she felt heavy in sharing. The adversary seeks to pull us away from what is virtuous and good. We need to seek out The Lord to get answers. There is hope in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I love how she encourages us to draw from Scripture Power, Temple Power, Prophet Power, Sabbath Day Power, Virtue Power and Covenant Power.
“When we strive to wear the garments properly our Father recognizes it as a great sign and love to Him. It is a sign of the covenants we have made with Him. He has promised ‘I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.’ “
I love the comfort in knowing The Lord makes, keeps, and remembers His promises. Wearing our garments is a very personal thing and we don’t always talk about it. But I felt the Spirit affirm that The Lord knows I am trying to keep my covenants. And power comes when we keep our covenants. This gave me courage that I can face hard things and The Lord will help me.
“What will it matter, dear sisters, what we have suffered here if in the end those trials are the very things that which qualify us for eternal life and exaltation in the kingdom of God with our Father and Savior.”
This is such a powerful message. And it puts our trials in perspective. I know this life can be hard with so many challenges. But if those trials can qualify us to live forever with our Heavenly Father they will be worth it!!! We came to earth knowing it would be hard. Trying to keep this as my perspective really helps when things are going hard. Things are only going to get harder, but if it helps me rely on my Savior Jesus Christ, and strengthen my relationship with Him it’s worth it. Hard. But worth it.
What to do??? Find strength in the sometimes small and quiet things we do, such as pray, study the scriptures, keep the Sabbath Day holy, and attend the temple. And remember when trials come that they are only for a moment. Blessings we can’t even comprehend will come if we can stay faithful.
Sister Carol F McConkie
Sister McConkie taught us about our purpose and the importance of uniting as sisters, no matter what our age, to join together for this great cause.
“In this cause we are all valued. We are all needed.”
The cause is the cause of Christ.
“We are the cause for which Jesus Christ suffered”
This talked, like the others above the importance of working together and serving and helping others. I felt a great love for my fellow man to reach out and help others more. That as a disciple of Jesus Christ I need to press forward and further His great work.
What to do???
Get out and love and serve and work! And study and seek to understand what my Savior has done for me.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“The best things in life take patience and work” Crazy Aunt Rose
“God created us to have joy.” We need to trust in The Lord.
I learned from his parable that we can choose happiness. Life can be hard but we can choose to try faith. And faith turns to hope. Perspective can change everything. We can live joyful now by exercising faith. We can find joy in helping others and putting others before us. It all comes down to love. (Did he remind anyone else of Dumbledore when he said that?) Love from our Savior and love and charity for others brings true joy.
“Isn’t that the most beautiful thing you have ever heard?”
To watch the talks from Women’s Conference click here for the full sermons. And be sure to leave a comment on your favorite part!
