Sunday March 2, 2013

Fayetteville Stake Conference - General Session

President Parker -
Things happen the way the Lord wants them to happen
James 1:27 - visit the fatherless and the widows
Sometimes our plans don't work out how we want them to
Doctrine and Covenants 44:6
Look forward to living the law
Don't wait for society to make great changes
Preparation of the youth
The New Youth Curriculum
Take time to testify
Talk to the children
Impart what you know to the youth
This is a lifetime of learning
Live in joy

Brady Cole - Temples
Gives us power and knowledge
Doctrine and Covenants 109:22-23
The temple plays a big role in missionary work
"Preach My Gospel" (teaching and learning manual)

Ashley Cain - Temples
168 Temples, so far
Places of learning
Go to feel protected from the world
Kings 9:3
His spirit will be there continuously
There is a difference between the spirit of the Temple grounds and the outside world

Angela Gubler - Temple Experiences
Go with questions
Have Hope
A family is a fragile thing
We can make and keep sacred covenants
The list of things the Lord can do is exceedingly long, longer than our is
Doctrine and Covenants 109:22-23
Go forth armed with the Lord's power
Take His name upon you
Every name you put through the Temple is fighting for you on their side
You won't know if you don't go
You have to go
This is the work of God
Going to the temple can affect your family

President Jewkes -
Find rest unto your souls
Doctrine and Covenants 1:1, 4-5, 18-19
   Original preface to the book of the Lord's commandments
Go to every isle of the world
Weak things shall break down strong (v. 18-19)
v. 23 - Missionary Work
Missionaries as Moroni's
Armed with power to speak truth
58 new missions have been opened
Are we prepared to follow in the Lord's pattern?
Be Bold
Set a deadline to invite someone into your home (1)
Volunteer to host Missionary discussions in your home (2)
Put more love in your life
Love is a spiritual gift

Elder Hyman -
Do you ever pinch yourself and wonder how lucky you are to be a member of this church?
The priesthood we have today comes directly from the Savior
Holy Ghost comforts us in times of need
Baseball and the Gospel
We're excited when we get to come first (here on the planet, first base)
Excited to get into the game
Our goal - in both - is to get home; with friends and family
Our coaches in the dugout: teachers, leaders, parents
The Adversary is there to strike us out: curves, fast, hard
Listen to those in the dugout
Challenges facing the Youth & all today:
1) A morally deteriorating world
 - bad media
 - religion 'not cool'
2) Media and Technology can be a deterrent
 - evil places
 - evil things seen and heard
 - use it properly
 - Time could be better spent in service, gospel activity, person-to-person activity
 - social interaction
Technology can't teach in a home on a mission
3) Break down of the Family
 - divorce is part of life (FALSE!)
 - reduced parental guidance
 - child bearing
 - single parents
Reach out and help each other
It's good to know NONE of us has a perfect family
Everything isn't perfect in every home
There are bumps along the way
4) Conversion of the Youth often absent or weak
 - concerned with failure of practice's to convert
Have activities that help with gospel
Many good things to be involved in
Have a good balance in your home
If you make the decision once, you won't have to make it again
 - Keep Sabbath day holy
 - Attend church
The Lord's principles come back to bless us
Make it clear up front
There are more important things than being a 'star'
Be part of the Army of Helaman
Children need to hear their parents testimony
 - time to play
 - time to talk
 - time to spend with them
There are wonderful programs in the church
Teach people - Not lessons
Ask what people need in their life
Are they trained well enough to teach and bear testimony to others?
Don't do a check-list
Be "Preach My Gospel" ready
Can we take a lesson where the spirit directs?
Be guided by the spirit
5) Often You have been prepared poorly for life in the world
 - no work ethic
 - walk away from challenges
 - few experiences
 - sense of entitlement
 - sense that substandard is okay
1 Nephi 17
 - building a boat
 v. 50 "If God had commanded me to do all things, I would do them."
Become the person Heavenly Father wants you to become
Take time to ponder and understand
Mosiah 7:33
 - put your trust in him
 - serve him with all diligence
 - he will deliver you from bondage
The Savior has promised to deliver us
2 Nephi 2:25 plan of Salvation "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."
2 Nephi 2:26 "And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given."
Go up to bat and swing
Don't watch the pitches go by, so we can go back to the dug out
When we are obedient in the commandments we are free
2 Nephi 2:26-30
"And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given
"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself."
"He (The Adversary) seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself"
"Good called evil, evil called good" - Isaiah
Act, teach children to learn to act
Primary Song, "The Church of Jesus Christ"
I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
I know who I am.
I a know God's plan.
I'll follow him in faith.
I believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ.
I'll honor his name.
I'll do what is right;
I'll follow his light.
His truth I will proclaim."
Truth of primary song will take us home
Share it with neighbors, friends and family