Noteworthy Thoughts from BYU Women's Conference
Shari Dew
"Rally to the cause of Jesus Christ."
"We rarely understand how the Lord uses us."
"We are here to influence the world."
"If we would unleash the full influence of covenant-keeping women, the kingdom of God and the world would change overnight."
“The place of woman in the Church is to walk beside the man, not in front of him nor behind him. In the Church there is full equality between man and woman. The gospel, which is the only concern of the Church, was devised by the Lord for men and women alike” (Improvement Era, Mar. 1942, p. 161). "Much of the major growth... in the last days will... happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different—in happy ways—from the women of the world. " ~ quoting President Spencer W. Kimball (Ensign, Nov. 1979, pp.103-104)
We should ask "Are we the women God needs us to be in the latter part of the latter days?" "Why has the Lord brought me here today?"
"Seek to have influence in as many ways as possible."- [One of her suggestions was to start a blog to share your testimony and thoughts about spiritual things. I was surprised by this. I have read an awful lot of blogs that are negative and contain all kinds of inappropriate content, comments, inuendo, and flirtation. I think we have to be just as careful to beware of the negative influence we have without even meaning to, as we are to spread our positive influence in the world.]
The time to awake, arise, and come unto Christ is NOW.
Romans 13:11-12
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Pray about who the Lord needs us to be rather than living to impress one another.
"The Holy Ghost shows us all things what we should do."
"The power to influence comes when the Atonement changes our hearts."
Sue Egan- Cherish That Role That Is So Uniquely Yours: Parenting for Young Mothers
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Ask, "How do my children feel when they are around me?" Ask the Lord, "What should I do to invite the Spirit?"
[One of her suggestions I liked for those of us constantly battling our way through Mount Maytag: As you fold laundry, think of a blessing that the child whose article of clothing you're folding brings to your home/family. For each article of clothing think of another one.]
"We mustn't wallow in our imperfections."
"What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else."~quoting Elder M. Russell Ballard
Nona L. Maxwell: Cherish That Role That Is So Uniquely Yours: Parenting for Young Mothers
"The essential things often take a backseat to nonessential things."
"Stop what I was doing, look at their face, listen to what they were saying. Make them feel like they are one of my priorities."
"Is what we're spending time on consistent with what we want?"
- Remember children are a gift from God and our role is a sacred privilage.
- Look to Christ "No career approaches in importance of that of a mother."
Jesus fed 5000; We feed our families.
He washed the disciples' feet; We wash hands and faces.
He healed the sick; We take care of the sick.
He taught the Beattitudes; We teach them too.
He gave His life; We give our lives.
He gave His time and talents; His Father's will was His priority. So should ours be also.
3. Be obedient.- Obedient mothers raise obedient children. [Hmmm....?]
"I'll be a Heavenly Mother in training."
More later....
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