Sunday, May 16, 2010

“And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit”

by Sister Julie B. Beck
April 2010 General Conference
for full text click here

Sister Beck quotes Sister Eliza R. Snow as saying, "Women should be women and not babies that need petting and correction all the time. I know we like to be appreciated but if we do not get all the appreciation which we think is our due, what matters?"

How's that for a smack in the face? I was thinking just yesterday that I was feeling like a slave in my own home. I spent all day on Saturday taking care of my baby, putting away laundry, doing dishes, preparing dinner, cleaning up the living room, making my bed, etc, etc because we were recovering from coming home from a little vacation. I was feeling very sorry for myself. Well, I guess I needed that smack in the face. It's my job. This is how I serve my family. It's how I serve the Lord.

The Power of the Priesthood

by President Boyd K. Packer
April 2010 General Conference
for full text click here

The message I gleaned from this talk is to help people expect more of themselves. The two fathers that were asked to step up and utilize their priesthood just needed a nudge in the right direction. Some people just need to be asked, and they will do what is expected of them. It's easy to sit on the sidelines when no one expects anything of you, so if you need something from someone who has been less active, don't just assume they don't want to do their home teaching or visiting teaching or whatever--give them the opportunity to accept an invitation to do the right thing.