Finding Strength in Challenging Times!

This entry is part of my general conference application series.

Finding Strength in Challenging Times!, by Elder Allan F. Packer
Of the Seventy


As I prepared to write on this talk, I noticed that Elder Packer used an exclamation point in his title. I'm happy to report that I was actually excited to see such a mark. I mention this because I'm one of those terrible people who becomes easily annoyed when exclamation points are used too often (especially when many are grouped together, e.g. !!!!!!). This simple-looking mark seems shrouded in mystery to me—is it conveying anger? excitement? surprise?

Perhaps the main reason I was excited is because I'm trying to break free from my strict punctuational standards and be more accepting of those who are floridly exclamatory, even by using the once-deemed-wretched marks myself! (See, I just did it! Oh no, there one is again! What's happening here?!)

Shall I finally address the message?

In speaking of ways of "developing a deep personal conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ and knowing how to receive revelation," Elder Packer reminded me a talk of Elder Callister that I really enjoyed (from October 2007, Knowing That We Know); his charge:

We must know—and know that we know.

How do we gain such knowledge? From the Holy Ghost (see D&C 8:2).

Elder Packer used an example from his football days to illustrate the awareness we need to have to spiritual promptings:

We need to be acquainted with the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and we need to practice and apply gospel teachings until they become natural and automatic.

As a young man, I was taught that I only needed to make certain decisions once, and that when tempted to go against the commandments, I would not have to make up my mind under pressure because I had already decided to do what was right.

I remember feeling the power of this teaching and following the counsel. However, I was surprised at subsequent crossroads that the courage to stand by that already-made decision was harder than I thought it would be. Elder Packer reminded me that by making right decisions and following through with past decisions, that the crossroads don't seem to be major intersections anymore, but, rather, a small dusty path leading off of a major highway—righteousness can become natural and automatic!

Now, turning to promptings of the Holy Ghost and their influence on the development of testimonies and the course of conversion, Elder Packer points out the significance of spiritual communication in:

While testimonies can come as dramatic manifestations, they usually do not. Sometimes people think they need to have an experience like Joseph Smith’s vision before they gain testimonies. If we have unrealistic expectations of how, when, or where answers come, we risk missing the answers which come as quiet, reassuring feelings and thoughts that most often come after our prayers, while we are doing something else. These answers can be equally convincing and powerful.

I love the guidance and direction that comes from the Holy Ghost. It is through this guidance that "we will receive strength, comfort, and help to make good decisions and act with confidence in troubled times."

There are many things that are undeserving of exclamation points. The personal direction from our loving Father in Heaven, as communicated through the Holy Ghost, is a marvelous gift that is worth exclaiming about!

Revealed Quorum Principles

This entry is part of my general conference application series.

Revealed Quorum Principles, by Michael A. Neider
Recently Released Second Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency


In an attempt at likening teachings to my needs (see 1 Ne. 19:23), I read this talk through the lens of family. It this reasonable, you ask? Let's start with a definition of what a quorum is:

...A quorum is a class, a brotherhood, and a service unit: a class where a young man may be taught the gospel of Jesus Christ; a brotherhood where we can strengthen, build, lift, and friendship each other; and a service unit to give service to quorum members and others.

If we swap "individuals" for "young man," we see that this is also a working definition of a family. In fact, I wonder if quorums aren't [loosely] modeled after families...

Do the aims of quorums match those for families?

Our goal is to correctly use inspired direction from God and His prophets to maximize the virtues and blessings of the [family] ... The work of the [family] is to increase faith in Christ, prepare and save [individuals], and eliminate mistakes and sloth in implementing God's will.

I like this application. I also like the phrase "eliminate mistakes and sloth in implementing God's will." I take from this the need to be more efficient and effective, as well as the heavy aspect of aligning our lives with the will of God.

The will of God.

This has been on my mind lately as we've prayed for rain as a family. In stake council meetings, our loving stake president has taught us that he has had strong desires to ask the stake to fast and pray for rain, but felt that the timing was not right—that it wasn't God's will. Imagine my excitement when in a recent stake priesthood meeting we were told that he had, that very day, received confirmation that the time was right; we are to prepare our families to have a meaningful fast for rain in September!

I'm excited.

Back to the family:
This all reminds me of a similar application in the Doctrine and Covenants. As I read of quorum decision-making processes, I can't help but think of my family. A likened example from scripture follows:

Every decision made by [husband and wife] must be by the unanimous voice of the same; that is, [they] must be agreed to its decisions, in order to make their decisions of the same power or validity one with the other—

Unless this is the case, their decisions are not entitled to the same blessings which the decisions of [families] anciently...

The decisions of [families] are to be made in all righteousness, in holiness, and lowliness of heart, meekness and long suffering, and in faith, and virtue, and knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity;

Because the promise is, if these things abound in them they shall not be unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord. (see D&C 107:27, 29-31)

Last night, Maryann lovingly said, "I love that you agree with me; we talk about things, and I never have to be afraid to say what I really mean with you." This followed one of our usual politically/environmentally charged discussions. I can see the importance of unity in decision-making. If we couldn't agree on our personal, remote influence on people on the other side of the world (which is what we happened to be talking about), how could we have any hope of reaching meaningful conclusions on the day-to-day life-decisions of family, as well as the big life-altering choices?

After all, we all benefit when our decisions are align with "the knowledge of the Lord."

Reverence and Respect

This entry is part of my general conference application series.

Respect and Reverence, by Margaret S. Lifferth
First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency


Facing a growing concern that our children were requesting to watch things on the television too frequently, my wife and I moved our one TV to our bedroom. We hoped that having it out of sight would help it to be out of mind. In its place, we now have a large bookshelf, from which we spend a great deal of time reading books together. However, lately the children have been requesting to watch movies more and more—it probably has much to do with not being as able to play outside because of the Texas heat.

Despite our media vigilance, we still observe behaviors and actions that run contrary to our desires. Now that we can't blame media as readily, I'm left wondering where my usually incredibly-sweet and well-behaved children pick these things up. (I don't even have the luxury of blaming other children because our extra-familial social interactions are limited.) Fortunately (and unfortunately), as I listened to Sister Lifferth's talk, I isolated the most probable source: ME!

We've tried to teach our children to have respect for others and reverence for holy things. On this topic, Sister Lifferth taught:

...Our ability and our credibility to exemplify reverence for God is strengthened as we show respect for each other. In today’s society, the standards of decorum, dignity, and courtesy are assailed on every side and in every form of media. As parents and leaders, our examples of respect for each other are critical for our youth and children because they are watching not only the media—they are watching us! Are we the examples we need to be?

Just yesterday, frustrated, David asked, "Why does everything have to do with sitting in the corner?" He was upset that he had been sent to the corner a few times since I had come home, as a result of his actions. To him, it seemed that everything he did resulted in an undesirable punishment.

As I consider what Sister Lifferth said, I'm left to wonder if I should send myself to the corner! I'm confident that much of the frustrations that my amazing five-year-old experiences have more to do with his emulating behaviors I've unknowingly shown than conscious decisions to go against what we've said.

I need to change before I start saying, "Do as I say, not as I do!"

Directly following the above quote is a list of self-analysis questions for parents. The one that stings me the most is, "Am I an example of respect in my home by the way I treat those I love the most?"

Please don't think that I'm some sort of monster (I'm usually not!); I've just come to realize that I can do much more to improve.

Assuming that I can do better, what else do I need to do?

...Reverent behavior is not a natural tendency for most children. It is a quality that is taught by parents and leaders through example and training. But remember, if reverence is rooted in love, so is the teaching of it. Harshness in our training begets resentment, not reverence. So begin early and have reasonable expectations. ... It takes time, patience, and consistency.

I take from this that I not only need to do better myself, but I may need to adjust my teaching style—Am I too harsh?—and evaluate my expectations to determine if they are reachable—I want to develop faith and fun, not resentment!

Quoting President Packer, Sister Lifferth taught me that I can change as I work on improving reverence and respect in my life: "While we may not see an immediate, miraculous transformation, as surely as the Lord lives, a quiet one will take place."

I'm excited and hopeful to be a better father, teacher, and friend to my sweet children.

Becoming Provident Providers

This entry is part of my general conference application series.

Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually, by Elder Robert D. Hales
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles


I've noticed a common thread in discussions I've had with friends regarding life and spirituality. In essence, many of my friends will say, "After all I've done, I'm sure I'm going to Hell, so I just don't worry about it anymore." This brand of spiritual apathy concerns me, not simply because I'm confident that my friends aren't "going to Hell," but that it manifests a marked misunderstanding of the doctrines of grace and the Atonement.

Elder Hales taught:

Our challenges, including those we create by our own decisions, are part of our test in mortality. Let me assure you that your situation is not beyond the reach of our Savior. Through Him, every struggle can be for our experience and our good (see D&C 122:7). [emphasis added]

I find great comfort in knowing that I am within reach of "Him who is mighty to save" (see 2 Ne 31:19). I noted, though, that we must overcome—knowing that our success comes through Christ:

Each temptation we overcome is to strengthen us, not destroy us. ... Our success is never measured by how strongly we are tempted but by how faithfully we respond.

Continuing on this theme, I cannot help but see that successive successes sum to significant strength (how's that for alliteration?); this is entirely logical: as we grow and progress, we become more adapted to face future challenges—through a sort of spiritual evolution (I'll have to write more on other types of evolution later). Here is the transition to the main topic of this talk:

What we learn now, in our present circumstances, can bless us and our posterity for generations to come.

This principle is as true when applied to spiritual growth and development as it was to the successes of many children of the depression who later thrived because of the life-lessons developed (and maintained) because of hard times.

I hope to apply this to my little family, temporally, as we face "growing up in times of economic uncertainty," as well as self-application, spiritually, as I encounter challenges, trials, and temptations.

I know that "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philip. 4:13).

Welcome to Conference

This entry is part of my general conference application series.

Welcome to Conference, by President Thomas S. Monson


I love the summaries that President Monson provides at the start of each conference; I can't help but get excited over what has been accomplished, and what we will be able to do in the future.

While describing the rededication of the Mexico City, Mexico Temple, President Monson mentioned that he and President Eyring were each given a serape and sombrero (shown, in part, below).


As part of the proceedings, President Monson "couldn't resist serenading the group with an impromptu version of 'El Rancho Grande," an old Mexican folk song. Similarly, I can't resist sharing the video of the singing, located at 0:51 in the following video (links: YouTube, KSL):

Although speaking of temple dedications, I think the following quote applies equally well to general conference:

We look forward to these occasions. There is something about a temple dedication which prompts a reevaluation of one’s own performance and a sincere desire to do even better.

I loved participating in conference, and I look forward to recording how I've applied the messages from the conference to my life.

I promise not to sing! ... at least I'll try not to.