Happy Sabbath,
Released – Matt B as the ward mission leader and Mariann C as a RS instructor. Many thanks to them for their wonderful service!
Sustained – Mariann C as the visiting teacher supervisor and Dale P as a Gospel Principals instructor.
Bishop Gardner spoke a little bit about general conference and some personal experiences while watching it and overthe last couple of weeks. He admonished us to watch Pres. Monson’s talk in the Priesthood session of General Conference.
June A was our first speaker and she told us how fabulous she feels conference is and what a great celebration happens that weekend. General Conference was first held in 1830 with 27 people in attendance, in 1924 it was first broadcast on the radio (inside Utah only), in 1947 it was first broadcast on the TV (inside Utah only), by 1953 it was broadcast on TV outside of Utah. In 1980, Pres. Kimball broadcast part of conference from the newly restored Whitmer farm, where the 1st conference was held and 2000 found conference held in the new Conference Center for the 1st time. June pointed out that things taught and themes spoken of haven’t changed much through the years.
June then asked, “Why do we have conference?” She found the answer in Paul V. Johnson’s talk, The Blessings of General Conference that he gave in the Oct Priesthood session in 2005. Elder Johnson pointed out that we live in challenging times full of temptations and dangers. But the Lord doesn’t leave us alone, we have the Holy Ghost, thechurch, the scriptures, parents, church leaders and teachers. We also have current, living prophets, seers and revelators and we get guidance from them at general conference.
This conference weekend June was watching her friend’s children while the parents were away. Sunday morning June was ready to feed them breakfast and then had things to keep them busy during conference so that everyone could enjoy it. Well, the morning didn’t go as planned and the children acted like children – somewhat out of control! Conference was on the TV and the choir could be heard in the background. When the children heard Pres. Monson start to speak, they stopped what they were doing and went to listen. June is grateful for a living prophet who speaks to us twice a year.
Marcia Clark sang a musical number and did a beautiful job!
Paul M was our second speaker. Paul introduced himself and told us a little about himself. He was raised in CA, served a mission to CO and is a software engineer. He was married for 35 years, has 6 kids, 9 grandkids and has been divorced for 1 year. He is living with his parents, Patriarch M and his wife. Paul loves the Lake Ward and is enjoying the great spirit here.
Paul said that we lived in a fast paced world. He told us a story about an old snail that lived in a park and took some little snails out for a walk. While out they ran into 2 turtles that attacked them, the police were called and asked the old snail what had happened. He said, “I don’t know, it all happened so fast!”
Our world is so fast paced that it can be hard to connect with the spirit. Paul referenced Pres. Uchtdorf’s talk from theSunday session of general conference, “Waiting on the Road to Damascus.” While Saul was waiting on the road to Damascus suddenly there was a bright light from heaven. Saul was asked, “Why persecutest thou me?” That event turned his life around and was a true miracle. The real miracle was in his heart and he allowed himself to receive theblessings.
What is the nature of God? We read in 1 John 4:8 that God is love. That is the connection we are looking for. We left our eternal home, where we were created by a God of love and there are no boundaries or limits to His love for us. We are here on Earth on a learning path. Paul said that love is the joy of unity, oneness and harmony. Everyone is unique and we are all trying to get back to our Heavenly Father’s home where we are completely embraced in the arms of a loving Heavenly Father.
In every situation we are free to choose how we look at it. We should seek the spirit of the Holy Ghost. We need to learn from Heavenly Father, who treats us with love, even when we grumble.
It was a great meeting, where I felt the spirit.
Brother Pinto has already left for his new job in Philadelphia. FHE will be held, for the last time, at the Pinto’s home tomorrow, April 11th at 7:00 p.m. Come and bid the Pinto family a very fond farewell.
The new counselor will be announced and sustained next Sunday, April 17th.
We will have light snacks, not a meal, after church next Sunday so you can stay, mingled and get to know the new counselor. We aren’t having a Bishopric Wives dinner because of the OCBC potluck dinner and fireside.
With much love,
Debbie
