Hastening the Lords Game Plan

As a mother of boys who love sports, I loved this talk. In fact our oldest will be using this for FHE in January.

Since we are all on the Lords team, do we each have our own winning game plan? If we, as members, really loved our family, friends, and associates, wouldn't we want to share our testimony of the restored gospel with them?

A few of our kids are having a hard time with this recent move.  They are stuck wanting to live in the last place, think of their friends, wishing for the weather (although I can't blame them for that), and not finding joy and opportunity in the present in the place we are now.  I'm hoping this talk will better motivate them to think of what can be done now and who we can touch here.

What would you do if the prophet of The Lord really called you?  Well, he has!  President  Thomas S. Monson, as he did once again this morning, has called each one of us to a very important work.  He said, "Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together, to labor in the Lord's vineyard to bring souls unto Him".

Have we been listening? 

Christmas Articles for Christmas

http://www.mormoncontributor.com/2013/12/08/the-12-talks-of-christmas-a-christmas-study-guide/

Moral Force of Women/ Power in the Priesthood

We used this talk in Relief Society a few weeks ago. It was a good lesson with a lot of participation in the way of comments and dialog.
There are many strong feelings in the church and especially in the world on Women and their "place" in the Church. This was a good talk if you took it in the spirit it was given.

whether you are single or married, whether you have borne children or not, whether you are old, young, or in between, your moral authority is vital, and perhaps we have begun to take it and you for granted. Certainly there are trends and forces at work that would weaken and even eliminate your influence, to the great detriment of individuals, families, and society at large. Let me mention three as a caution and a warning.
A pernicious philosophy that undermines women’s moral influence is the devaluation of marriage and of motherhood and homemaking as a career. Some view homemaking with outright contempt, arguing it demeans women and that the relentless demands of raising children are a form of exploitation.8 They ridicule what they call “the mommy track” as a career. This is not fair or right. We do not diminish the value of what women or men achieve in any worthy endeavor or career—we all benefit from those achievements—but we still recognize there is not a higher good than motherhood and fatherhood in marriage. There is no superior career, and no amount of money, authority, or public acclaim can exceed the ultimate rewards of family. Whatever else a woman may accomplish, her moral influence is no more optimally employed than here.

Elder Andersen's talk was another one that was well written and delivered. Another topic that is tricky and needed in our society today.

My message to this faithful woman and to all is that we can live every hour “blessed by the strength of priesthood power,” whatever our circumstance...The power of God’s holy priesthood is found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I testify that as you worthily participate in the ordinances of the priesthood, the Lord will give you greater strength, peace, and eternal perspective. Whatever your situation, your home will be “blessed by the strength of priesthood power” and those close to you will more fully desire these blessings for themselves.
As men and women, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters of God, we move forward together. This is our opportunity, our responsibility, and our blessing. This is our destiny—to prepare the kingdom of God for the return of the Savior.

Key to Spiritual Protection

There is so much to learn from in this talk by Pres Packer. Pres Packer often teaches parents how to create a home of learning and sanctuary from the world.

Parents wonder if there is a safe place to raise children. There is a safe place. It is in a gospel-centered home. We focus on the family in the Church, and we counsel parents everywhere to raise their children in righteousness...
In Paul's revelation, in addition to the list of challenges and problems, he also tells us what we can do to protect ourselves...
The scriptures hold the keys to spiritual protection. They contain the doctrine and laws and ordinances that will bring each child of God to a testimony of Jesus Christ...
Children taught an understanding of the scriptures early in life will come to know the parth they should walk and will be more inclined to remain on that path. Those who stray will have the ability to return and, with help, can find their way back."

Elder Ballard's Challenge

No More Strangers/ Come Join with Us

These were great talks!!! A recent concert who watched to conference with us commented that she'd never heard a church say they weren't perfect and that we had problems but that shouldn't impede the reason for worshipping God. 

It was Pres Uchtdorf's talk that she especially liked. 

"The Church is designed to nourish the imperfect, the struggling, and the exhausted.  It is filled with people who desire with all their heart to keep the commandments, even if they haven't mastered them yet."

Bishop Caussé's talk was very similar. 

"In this Church there are no strangers and no outcasts. There are only brothers and sisters... In this Churh our wards and our quorums do not belong to us. They belong to Jesus Christ. Whoever enters our meetinghouses should feel at home. The responsibility to welcome everyone has growing importance.... It is your duty to reach out anyone who appears at the doors of your church building. Welcome them with gratitude and without prejudice... 

"Please make the first move to help them feel welcome and loved, rather than waiting for them to come to you."

I read this and immediately resolved to do a better job of looking out for those who are new at Church.  I'm not always the most outgoing so I need to work on this.