Friday night: Temple Session at 6:30 followed by temple presidency message. The talk was focused on helping us realize the trials we face are meant to help us learn to turn to him. The temple blessings can strengthen us in our ability to face these trials and help us find the purpose in them. Not all trials we face are our fault. Most are consequences of living in this mortal world. The Lord's experiences on this earth help him to know how to help us and give us confidence that he understands how we feel.
Saturday opening session: Bro & Sis Williams, missionaries for the Pathways program. They discussed light and truth...that there isn't much time left before Christ comes again. We get light through ordinances, through temple attendance, through keeping the commandments, through praying and studying the scriptures. Truth is the knowledge of things as they are, as they were, as they will be. Light is life...all light comes from God. More light means more power, but we only get more light as we are ready to act on the light we have. Whenever we learn more, it is because we are attending to the light we already have. We don't have to rely on our light. We through the Holy Ghost can rely on the light/knowledge of Christ. We are either gaining or losing light every single day. There is no standing still. We must earnestly seek light and truth.
Breakout Sessions: Cooking class by G. Lynn Sharp was a lot of fun and had some good information!
Symbols of the temple: Symbolism that we observe in the temple is the Lord teaching us. Temple presidencies and temple workers are not supposed to interpret these symbols for us, because it may disrupt our own individual learning. There is no "ONE" meaning behind the symbols we see...there are layers of meaning depending on where we are in our spiritual progress. We must become as a little child, wondering, inquiring, absorbing. Symbols stimulate our minds, help us learn about gospel and personal truths, help us focus on what is important. If something keeps attracting your eye in the temple, it is the Holy Ghost trying to get your attention. Pay attention! Everything in the temple points us toward the Redemptive and Enabling power of the atonement of the Savior. A great temple experience begins with preparation. Give yourself time to prepare body, spirit and mind. The Holy Ghost is the teacher...he prepares, instructs, interprets and reveals as we are ready.
Building Lasting Relationships: Carol Anderson
The more you improve all of your relationships, the more chances you will have to find and build THE relationship you are looking for. Remember three things: The Lord loves us and answers our prayers. We are not saved in isolation - it is our duty to act as agents of righteousness. As we live the Gospel, we will attract good people, worry less about marriage and more about becoming a true disciple of Christ.
Our relationships are mirrors for our lives. Light attracts light. Birds of a feather flock together. People that irritate you remind you of things you need to work on. The Lord uses divine positioning...he puts people in our path to serve his purposes. You may be called to serve, teach, love and endure in order to accomplish his purposes. Happiness and unhappiness are both choices. Righteous choices, service and gratitude all lead to a happier outlook. Focus on being happy, being positive. Even though adversity is a part of every life, how we handle it is what is important.
All good relationships have: Trust, honesty, respect, commitment, safety, ongoing investments of time, reciprocity, communication, and room for the Lord.
Make a list of your requirements in a relationship. Then look and see if you possess those requirements. If not, work toward becoming that person. You are responsible for your relationships. Only you can change yourself, and most importantly, YOU the only one YOU can change.
Commit to a lifetime of growth - spiritual, emotional, interpersonal growth. Remember the BEARR cycle - Belief yields emotion, emotion yields action, action yields a result, and the result reinforces the belief.
Have courage to see your shortcomings. Have a willingness to change. The Lord will reveal these things to you bit by bit. Successful and permanent change comes through the atonement of Christ. Be a better disciple of Christ, and good relationships will happen.
Closing Session: Kimberly Smith and Bryan Davis, descendants of Joseph Smith
Gave us an overview of the dynamics of how the Smith family who fell away view the events around Joseph's death and Brigham Young becoming the prophet. Told of her journey to the LDS church. Explained some of her research around Joseph and Emma Smith. Gave an overview of Emma's life and feelings following Joseph's passing. Encouraged us to act on love. Love is the way through any barriers. Encouraged us to heal our families with love. She said once hatred has been exchanged for love, then God can work with love to change and heal families.
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