Fayette Branch Conference

I gave a lesson/led a discussion in second hour at the Fayette Branch conference.

The discussion points were:

Mountain Streams

Challenge / Invitation

Vitamins

Bridges

First, I shared the concept of how a mountains stream starts out as a drop of snow way up high, then slowly melts to a little trickle, then an under-snow stream, then a river. To illustrate that our good choices and actions have a ripple effect that we can't always see or imagine, but it's always for good.

Second, I shared two examples of that: 1. Aiden Anderson is doing really well for himself with his graphic design business. His mother told me that part of that was due to me encouraging him to go for it. I don't remember ever telling him that, but I'm glad he listened. 2. Mauro being baptized was such a good thing, and he's now in such a good place. I couldn't have imagined that he'd be in Utah doing so well. I was more of a propelling-along-the-path force, not an instigating force.

Third, I had them list out some of the 'Vitamins' that President Nelson has encouraged us to eat. What does that phrase even mean? They came up with quite a list, I'm sure you can imagine what they are. Read Scriptures, Pray, etc. We talked about how to stay motivated to do those things, or how to re-motivate ourselves.

Bridges came from last week when I was driving through CR and noticed billboards crying about the poor quality bridges in Iowa. They had a picture of a car driving off a bridge that was only halfway completed. The lesson point was that if we are only going to do something halfway or without real intent, we can't complain that that thing isn't effective.

And that was all. Still more drumming, by the way. I sort of feel like it's slowly pounding me deeper and deeper into the floor. How does a nail feel if a hammer is hitting it 10,000 times softly as opposed to two or three times hard?

For all thy doings

1 Nephi 10:17-end reads:

17 And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the ^awords of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a ^bvision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the ^cMessiah who should come—I, Nephi, was ^ddesirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the ^eHoly Ghost, which is the ^fgift of God unto ^gall those who diligently seek him, as well in times of ^hold as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men.

18 For he is the ^asame yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.

19 For he that diligently ^aseeketh shall find; and the ^bmysteriesof God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the ^cHoly Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the ^dcourse of the Lord is one eternal round.

20 Therefore remember, O man, for all thy doings thou shalt be brought into ^ajudgment.

21 Wherefore, if ye have sought to do ^awickedly in the days of your ^bprobation, then ye are found ^cunclean before the judgment-seat of God; and no unclean thing can dwell with God; wherefore, ye must be cast off forever.

22 And the Holy Ghost giveth ^aauthority that I should speak these things, and deny them not.

I have often read these verses, particular 20, as a reminder to be good. 

I read from 17 to there, though, differently the other day. Nephi says a few times that we should diligently seek him, or come unto him, first, then gives the warning that we shall be judged for all our doings.

That felt like a warning to avoid pointless uses of our time. It felt like Nephi was saying something to this effect: If you want to know the mysteries of God, or anything at all by the power of the Holy Ghost, then you need to watch how you're using your time. Diligently seek, don't diligently waste time.

Maybe this was just a personal warning for me to not waste time.

I'm having an incredibly hard time recording my thoughts in a coherent and intelligent-sounding manner right now. Sam is in his room banging on whatever drum he can find. It sounds like he's teaching Mack how to use a drumstick. Right now he's hitting the floor. And his practice pad. Oh, now both. Drum roll. 

I'll admit he has good rhythm, but it is impossible to concentrate on anything requiring more than a few brainwaves.

Testimonies and Strength

I felt a while ago like my testimony of the prophet Joseph smith wasn't as strong as it ought to be. So in addition to reading the Book of Mormon like normal, I read the Saints volume one, and specifically asked the Lord to strengthen my testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith.

The short story is that it happened. I prayed and felt the Holy Ghost. In fact, I felt very strongly that not only was Joseph a prophet, but that Emma was an equal to him, and that Hyrum was also a great man. I felt like they were three friends I had not seen for a while and had missed.

I also felt poorly about myself. Why would I ever be at a point that I would need my testimony strengthened?

Today in church I bore my testimony because I was hit by the realization and I think inspiration that it's perfectly okay for somebody to need their testimony strengthened, and for them to go for it. In fact, it's okay for somebody with a strong testimony to ask for and receive a more sure witness.

One doesn't need to feel badly about that at all.