two witnesses

In the last session, Sunday afternoon, two talks mentioned staying out late.
1. "I have always believed that nothing really good happens late at night and that young people need to know what time they are expected to come home." Elder Larry R. Lawrence, "Courageous Parenting". page 98
2. "When I was a teenager, my curfew was 10:00 pm. Today, that is the time some go out in order to have fun. Yet we know that it is at night that some of the worst things happen. It is during the dark hours that some youth go to places with inappropriate environments, where music and lyrics do not allow them to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Then, under these circumstances, they become easy prey to sin." Elder Jairo Maazgardi, "Avoiding the Trap of Sin". page 103

Two witnesses to the same truth in the same session. Great parenting advice!

I like the symbolism of nothing good happens in the dark. So good happens in the light? The Savior is the Light of the world. It's simple and easy to understand, even for children.

"Reflections on a Consecrated Life": D. Todd Christofferson, October 2010 Saturday Morning Session

Merry Christmas Dad!

I think your idea of discussing a conference talk each week is a great idea, and will be valuable to all who participate! To start things off I have selected D. Todd Christofferson’s talk from the Saturday morning session of the October 2010 General Conference: “Reflections on a Consecrated Life”. You can watch the video below or read the talk here.

Elder Christofferson asks us to consider how we are using two of life’s great gifts: time, and the freedom of choice. What are we “purchasing” with our time? Thrills? Entertainment? Greed? Revenge? He explains that “every day, every hour, every minute of your span of mortal years must sometime be accounted for.” There is a real purpose for our being here on earth: to “walk by faith and prove yourself able to choose good over evil, right over wrong, enduring happiness over mere amusement.”

Christ is our example of how to allocate our time and choices. Like Christ, we will successfully manage our stewardship in life and accomplish our purposes for being here if we submit our will to God and consecrate our time and choices to His purposes. “In so doing, we permit [God] to raise us to our highest destiny.” So that when He appears, we will be like Him. (Moroni 7:48)

I really feel this is important. It is important not to waste our time on earth seeking after amusement or pleasure or less important things; and to regularly take an accounting of how we are using our time and choices. Satan does such a great job at distracting us from the really important. I know that we will have our greatest joy when we consecrate our lives to God and try to pattern our choices according to His will.

Elder Christofferson mentions five elements of a consecrated life:

1. Purity: someone who patterns his time and choices after Christ will undoubtedly seek to repent and be pure.

2. Work: Christ is a hard worker and we should be too. It builds self-worth, refines character, and creates beauty. Choose work that improves, orders, sustains, lifts, and ministers.

3. Respect for one’s physical body: “Our body is an instrument of our spirit…it is vital that we care for it as best we can. We should consecrate its powers to serve and further the work of Christ.”

4. Service: this is how the Savior spent his life.

5. Integrity: an important attribute of the Savior.

So my biggest take-away from this message was to re-examine my life and how I am spending my time. Am I spending too much time following sports (yes), surfing the internet (yes), or seeking after things that might not be of worth (like a new job? – maybe).

I have always wanted to achieve my potential in life, to be successful in the Lord’s eyes, and a careful examination of our choices and how we spend our time will keep us on the right path.

What have you all done to consecrate your lives? Do you have any advice on how to do this? What insights did you gain from this talk?

Christmas Devotional

The most recent message from our prophet was the Christmas Devotional. Click on the link to view the broadcast.

Modern Scripture

We have been taught that the words of the living prophets are the most important and current "scripture" we have. How great is it that the Lord gives us His counsel and guidelines through His servants, the prophets.

As part of this site our families will be able to read and reflect on the words of the living prophets. It will undoubtedly be a blessing for each of us as we share and learn from one another.