I had a few questions this time: Is the pathway I am currently walking in life one I should continue on? How can I better support those I love with their schooling and callings? What can I do to help a few specific people around me who are struggling? How can I become a virtuous woman and valiant daughter of God?
Each speaker gave words of wisdom. There were many talks that touched my heart. I will just go through my favorites from each session. :)
Ann M Dibb
This semester I have a lot more free time that I would like. There is so much I could do with this time. I feel like her message reflected what I have been and still am working on since I came back to college. It was exactly what I needed. I focused mainly on the topic of "potential." Uchtdorf talked about a regret of many before passing away: not becoming who they could have and living up to their potential. Heavenly Father gives us time and Sister Dibb explained that we need to spend as much time with our spiritual growth as we do with school, work, movies, and music. How often do we spend our free time on Facebook or Netflix? There are so many better things we could be doing! As I said, I have been working on this and can honestly feel the world of a difference in myself and my perception of the reality of life. Recently, I have began doing Family History or going to the temple every Tuesday. I also began a more rigid workout schedule with P90X. When I am traveling to school on the bus, I listen to uplifting music or a podcast from one of the many CES firesides. And if I still have extra time, I try to think of small ways I can serve (this is a work in progress, but I will get to that later). Integrity is of utmost importance because we do what is right no matter who is watching. This characteristic of integrity along with conviction and confidence and giving our time to God really depict how I can and am become a virtuous woman.
Dieter F Uchtdorf
When Uchtdorf talked about the regret of not appreciating what we have and always wanting more, I felt impressed that what I have been doing with my life is exactly where I need to be. I have seen in my life and in others that we tend to live in the past where we were happy or in the future in dreams, but we forget today. I really like this quote:
"Fist I was dying to finish high school and start college. And then I was dying to finish college and start working. And then I was dying to marry and have children. And then I was dying for my children to grow old enough so I could get back to my career. And then I was dying to retire. And now I am dying... and suddenly realize that I forgot to live."It follows along those same lines. Yes, I want to get married. I will admit to that. But he is right.... I need and want to focus on getting to know my boyfriend first before I seriously consider that. At a regional conference a month ago, Elder Nelson said that we can make right decisions at the the wrong time if we are not careful. If we dream too much, decisions will be made with too much haste and we will miss what is in front of us and possible make decisions at the wrong time. When I heard his talk, I knew that what I am doing and where I am going is what I need to keep doing. I have been learning and growing so much and will continue to do so in order to reach my true potential. (see, they all tie together)
Jefferey R Holland
I was in the conference center for his talk and I absolutely loved it! He is so powerful and I felt on fire as he spoke to my heart and soul. Not only did he use "smargosbord" (which is Swedish... tee hee) but he spoke about what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and a Returned Missionary. I love how real the 12 disciples of Christ became as he elaborated on their points of view and how we relate to them. When Christ asked Peter three times "Do you love me?" I felt choked up. In the Gospel Principles book, under "obedience," it listed three reasons why we obey. 1. We fear the consequences. 2. We want the blessings that come from obedience. 3. We LOVE Him. Obeying out of love is true conversion because we are obeying for the right reason. I read this book on my mission called "A Love Like His." It really explains how we can let God's love into our lives and help others feel it as well. In other words, it explains that if we love God, then we will feed His sheep so they can feel his love as well which fulfills the greatest of all commandments:
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.This book also talks about taking time to slow down. When we are always in a rush, that is when it is hardest to make time to serve those around us.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:30-31)
Linda K. Burton
Wow, these women of the church are amazing. She spoke about service which was another focus of mine. She simplified service in a way that really helped me--> "Observe and then serve." Service doesn't have to be planned out as a big Relief Society project. It is doing as Christ and many prophets and other examples have done in the past; each act of service was very individual and unique based on the person they were serving. I tried this out today. I was sitting on the bus going to school, and there was this girl wearing a red shirt sitting across from me that I felt prompted to talk to. Sad to say, I did not. Later, after institute, I was walking through a hallway I don't normally take and saw the same girl sitting on a bench doing homework. This time, I stopped to talk for 15 minutes. She is amazing and has been thinking about serving a mission herself. I don't know what was accomplished during that conversation, but I felt uplifted. Observe and then serve. Such simple and profound advice from a daughter of God.
Henry B. Eyring
I enjoyed his story about how when he was trying to decide what to do at college, he asked his wife what she thought and completely trusted that her impression came from God because he felt that his own mind had a "pavilion" blocking his divine aid. Her response to this was that he needed to also receive this answer himself. The ability to receive those answers is very important. This talk made me think of my current life... which is school and dating. Yes, I need to find someone who I completely trust their answers in prayer (which I have and he is amazing!), but I need to receive confirmation in my own life that it be right. Not because I don't trust his answer, but because having that relationship with my Heavenly Father is the most important to me. He is the one that knows me best and what I can handle. I can do anything with him in my life if it is his will. He makes my weaknesses into strengths. Happily, I did pray about dating my boyfriend and I feel that the pathway I am on right now is the right one and I just need to continue to learn and grow both at school and spiritually and he will guide me and take care of me. I also felt that, just as Eyring's wife supported him with his schooling and decisions, I too can learn to support and encourage my boyfriend in his schooling.
I enjoyed many of the other talks. I learned a lot about missionary work and families. Each talk impacted my life or reconfirmed already strong beliefs. As my institute teacher says, "Now go home and apply what you have learned. Otherwise, your time listening to me teach today was pointless." We are constantly changing daily. Progress means change. If you are not progressing, you are digressing. Therefor, if you haven't changed from these talks, I encourage you to go back to search, ponder, and pray. This modern day revelation is what we need today to become a modern army of Helaman. I can promise that as you apply these gospel principles in your daily lives, not only will you feel joy in all you do, but you will begin to see the world in a clearer and more Christ-like view. I love it!
"I will let the love of God touch the depths of my heart and mold me into the person I should be. I will make love the center of my being and all I do."
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