Stake Conference

This weekend we had stake conference and Elder Melvin J. Perkins came down with his wife from Juneau, Alaska to talk to us. Every year my sweet husband let's me go to the adult session on Saturday night while he takes care of the kids. I cannot express how grateful I am for the opportunity to attend that session this time.

I have been struggling a lot lately with various trials (both internal and external) and have been well quite frankly, feeling rather sad for myself. I know, such a counterproductive attitude- but I just couldn't seem to pull myself out of the rut I was in. So, I couldn't help but feel like this whole conference was aimed at me. It totally changed my perspective on life brought a flood of joy that seems to have washed away all my doubts, suffering, and self-pity.

I just wanted to share a few things from the various talks that I heard that touched my heart and grounded me:

Saturday Session

Strengthening the Family

There were various talks on strengthening the family, below are notes I made some personal thought and some from the talks-

"A family that does nothing to strengthen itself is in danger of self destruction"

Reinforcement of family scripture study, fhe, and family prayer along with family council, one-on-one meetings, daddy-daughter/son dates, and various wholesome activities.

"Wholesome recreation is the 'glue' that binds families together"
(especially effective are specific activities geared toward a particular child- my eg) you have a child who has a hard time with self confidence so you do family activities which will help them feel important, smart, good, etc. to strengthen their sense of self)

3 D's for strengthening the home:
1. De junk- the garbage in our homes that shouldn't be there
2. De clutter- the stuff that was good at one time or in a certain way but needs to be organized or sifted through
3. De selfcenter- prioritize the best stuff


1. Get rid of the bad language, R-rated movies, sarcasm, anger, irritability, pride, violent video games and other things that drive the Spirit away from your home. "Sweep the dirt from the porch into a dust pan and throw it away instead of allowing it the opportunity to come back in"

2. Spend your time wisely. Remember Good-Better-Best! Satan cannot hope to lead most saints astray in such bold ways, he must create diversions which keep us from our ultimate eternal goals. Schedule FHE, family prayer, family scripture study, personal prayer, personal scripture study first then schedule everything else around them.

3. We must remember that our family is the most important! We need to work with our children, serve with our children to find real life opportunities to teach them. This life is about being like the Savior who did everything for everybody else, the ultimate goal is SELFLESSNESS!

So, go home and do a spiritual inventory in your home- take out the garbage, sort through your schedules and prioritize the things (and people) that are the most important.

-Try have one positive interaction with each of your children (and your spouse) every day.

Share the Gospel
Because I have been given much...
I need to count my many blessings

...I too must give.
-Reach out to people in your ward who may need a friend, or a listening ear, or an able body, or an un-judging heart...
-Try a new approach to sharing the gospel with family, neighbors and friends.
-We are full-time finders (missionaries are full-time teachers)
-Identify 5 families who are inactive, less active, or non-members and share with them the gospel

Would you keep secret a favorite restaurant or share its delicious food with your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, etc?
Why then would you keep hidden the nourishing sweet words of the true Gospel?

Would you keep secret your favorite book?
Why then would you not share the Book of Mormon that has been your life's guide?

Would you keep secret that activity that brings stress-relief and joy?
Why then would you not share the real happiness and joy of the the Gospel?

Keeping the gospel from loved ones is selfish- you have the greatest gift of all- SHARE IT!

Sunday Session
I am grateful and touched by all the testimonies that were borne in this session; from you children to elderly! No one could have been there with an open heart and not felt the power of the Lord's presence (even if my kids were racing around and causing all kinds of chaos).

I would like to add my testimony: I KNOW THIS GOSPEL IS TRUE! It has changed my life, it has made joyous and whole! I know that through the Atonement of my Savior that I can return with my eternal family to live in the presence of my Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother again. That is joyous news to my soul!