In Conclusion - James R. Allen

No, I'm not one of the speakers but this post concludes my reading and summarizing of the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of April, 2011. This is the second such effort on my part and I'm am grateful to have chosen this way to "follow the Prophets." I know that only a few have actually read or even seen this effort as we made little effort to make it known but in committing to do this, I know that both Shirlyn and I have benefited in important ways. At the bottom of the blog page is a count of the number of times people opened the blog. That number is impressive, but since there have been very few comments posted, we are not sure what it means. As we consider the next Conference which begins in a few weeks, please let us know how you might have been benefited and should we do this again? Thank You.

A Living Testimony - Henry B. Eyring

I believe that most of his talks begin with the statement of his purpose in giving it. That is the case here as he says; " My beloved young sisters, you are the bright hope of the Lord's Church. My purpose tonight is to help you believe that is so." From his vantage point in front of this congregation world wide he advises the hearers that they already have felt the spirit witness to them in various ways the reasons they were there present. It was as a result of the small choices they have made, including the one to be present.


He proclaims that; "There is need for the young daughters of Israel to get a living testimony of the truth." 
He then defines what a testimony is, using the quote from President Joseph Fielding Smith; "...is a convincing knowledge given by revelation to [a person] who humbly seeks the truth." It will not come at once but "...in pieces as parts of the whole truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ are confirmed." Of course Alma 32 was referred to and is perhaps the best sermon available to understand how that spiritual gift is obtained. Using that path, faith will result in the end as certain knowledge. 


As many struggle with faith from time to time this wisdom is pertinent: "I do not depend on what has happened in the past. To keep my living testimony of the Book of Mormon secure, I receive the promise of Moroni often. I don't take that blessing of a testimony for granted as a perpetual entitlement."


And then this warning: "There is danger in neglecting prayer. There is danger to our testimony in only casual study and reading of the scriptures. They are necessary nutrients for our testimony." 


As we serve as missionaries, we have often seen the fulfillment of this promise, even as I summarize and comment on these Conference presentations, the Spirit has confirmed and strengthened my testimony and my ability to bear this witness to the ones we serve. Our prayers each night include all of the young women of our family whatever their age and we sincerely hope their testimonies are growing through the revelations of the Spirit.

Guardians of Virtue - Elaine S. Dalton

In explaining the position of young women she used the phrase "walk in the paths of virtue" and expanded this to the walk the was done by the young women of the Alpine, Utah area 22 miles to the Salt Lake Temple. That is a long walk but represented the distance walked by John Rowe Moyle on one good leg and a wooden leg to do his part in building that edifice. The example included the instruction to be Guardians of Virtue and was magnified by using the people involved in the walk as "guardians" helping along the way and helping them protect the young women during the walk. Our young women are helped along the way to the Temple by their family, the adult leaders, the Bishop, and their faithful friends. The objective is to one day arrive at the Temple and enter worthy to receive the sealing blessings that are only available there. In reality, some will take longer than others to make this trip and the temptations and obstacles in the path will be there and must be overcome to arrive and enter. The path has been carefully laid out and explained and all of us have the opportunity to follow that path once it is explained to us.


Later in the talk she gave the young women a very definite challenge to do something. She explained that at the young age of 12 she made two lists, one a list of things she would always do and the other a list of things she would never do. The list was written. Whatever our age, we all would do well to write such a list. I remember such a list that I discussed with one of my friends at a young age. Some of the items on such a list today may require you to make changes in what you are doing now. My advice is the same that Shirlyn posted on our wall; "Just Do It." Things to consider for your list might include:

• Obey the Word of Wisdom
• Pray daily
• Pay Tithing
• Commit to never miss church
• Serve when called
• Obey the law of chastity

Of course you would also consider your role as a virtuous woman and a "guardian" of others needing your help and example. 

"Remember This: Kindness Begins with Me" - Mary N. Cook

In reading the beginning experience Sister Cook related regarding a young Laurel in her ward I immediately thought of a young 17 year old young woman in one of the branches here. She has a warm sparkling attitude and is smiling and approachable with all of the students in her Seminary class and has only been a member less than a year. She is the president of the class and also helps with the attendance roll. She is caring and was engaged in helping several young members or investigators during the class and other meetings. I did not ask the question that Sister Cook mentioned but I'm confident that the answer would be that she now centers her life on Jesus Christ as well.


This was a new thread of thought about the word "benevolent" from the 13th Article of Faith. I don't remember the Primary song. When we go forward with people and we have in our hearts this attitude, it is easy to see the light in the eyes of a person when we listen and get to know him or her. By so doing, we find that every one of us is unique but in the Church our strengths and weaknesses blend into the unity that we strive to have. This is enhanced by our benevolence through individual acts of kindness. As we follow the Prophet and refrain from judging and criticizing others, our benevolent spirit will add to the unity of the group.


I am thankful for the many benevolent lives that have touched me and for those of my own family that demonstrate this great principle in their families.


Thank you Sister Cook for reminding us. 

I Believe in Being Honest and True - Ann M. Dibb

Well, I did not attend the Women's Conference nor have I watched the "rerun" but few men really hear about it much. For this, I decided that since it is included in the Conference Talks on the church web site I would include them this year in my Blog posts. As I read, I could picture the women in my family and how they are honoring the principles she was talking about. What a blessing they have to be part of a family, whether as a Mother, Daughter, Granddaughter or Grandparent who exemplifies these two principles of being "Honest" and "True." These principles are taught and understood by our family. They "keep us safe and on course." Good stuff indeed for the Mother/Daughter discussions that take place in the home. Since we are all challenged by life in this regard, mistakes can be forgiven and we can go forward from there.


Two of my sons will remember the event involving bows and arrows and coming home empty handed, but perhaps they don't know that paying the fine was very difficult for the young woman that was charged to collect it. She had trouble with the amount of money she should collect. Her computation was too little so I persisted until she understood the correct computation and took the money. The longer story involved several years of very great earnings connected to that honesty. 


Look ahead and be Honest and True.

The Miracle of the Atonement - C. Scott Grow

It is interesting to be able to learn interesting facts about speakers in the conference. By clicking on their name under the title of the talk, you are taken to a profile sheet with this information. He has much experience to recommend him to us, some similar to my own background as a CPA. (Even his name is interesting if you read it out loud as if you were his parent.)


What an experience regarding his brother at the very time Elder Grow was preparing to give this talk about the miracle of the Atonement. I thought that this is important in understanding our relationship with the Atonement; "Through His Atonement, He heals not only the transgressor, but He also heals the innocent who suffer because of those transgressions. As the innocent exercise faith in the Savior and in His Atonement and forgive the transgressor, they too can be healed." I know this is true.


The topic is well presented here and familiar to Church members worldwide. Here are some questions he asks us to consider:

• Are there things that you need to change?
• Have you made mistakes that still need to be corrected?

Then back to the counsel of all the holy prophets until our day; "Immerse yourself in prayer and scripture study." When we follow this, the path is revealed or comfort is given. It's a promise.

Called to Be Saints - Benjamín de Hoyos

It is comforting to know that the name of the Church so carefully connects us to the "saints" who were the members of His church at the time of His organization of it. I think the key point of this talk is to realize that while we are saints of the latter days, we are not exempt from the trials and suffering but have the promise of His comfort while we patiently go though what may be required of us. As he said it; "Even though our understanding of the gospel may not be as deep as is our testimony of its truth, if we place our confidence in the Lord, we will be sustained in all of our difficulties, our trials, and our afflictions."


Many of the presentations of this conference focus on the fact the we have these problems to confront as part of our telestial time here. How then do we attain sanctification while we struggle here? Here are some points to emphasize with our families:

• Live the gospel
• Follow the counsel of the prophets
• Conduct daily family prayer
• Scripture study
• Engage in family history
• Rescue those who have become alienated from the Church
• Encourage them to sit at the Lord's table
• Serve as the Lord's missionaries

This path will lead to the wonderful feeling involved with charity, or the pure love of Christ. May we be on and follow this path now and always.

What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be? - Lynn G. Robbins

At our stage of life, I was grateful with his closing paragraph which included' "My remarks today have been addressed primarily to parents, but the principles apply to everyone." This certainly applies to the focus words of his talk, "DO" and "BE" which permeate the counsel throughout. "BE without DO really isn't being - it is self-deception, believing oneself to be good merely because one's intentions are good."


Most of us have our to do lists so that we can make important progress during each day, but what a concept to think about a to be list. This kind of list cannot be checked off like the to do list because our to be's are never done in this life. They are however the motivators of our to do's. Character can be observed by a person's actions and so our motivation to become like Christ will be reflected by our actions and choices, our To Do's.


I love his comment  regarding the raising of children. "A sweet and obedient child will enroll a father or mother only in Parenting 101. If you are blessed with a child who tests your patience to the nth degree, you will be enrolled in Parenting 505. Rather than wonder what you might have done wrong in the premortal life to be so deserving, you might consider the more challenging child a blessing and opportunity to become more godlike yourself. With which child will your patience, long-suffering, and other Christlike virtues most likely be tested, developed, and refined? Could it be possible that you need this child as much as this child needs you?"


It is important not to label people or children with words such as "stupid," "slow," "lazy," or "clumsy." Maybe you can add some labels to this list but we must always be careful about putting people into such identity destroying labels. What about the question to a child; "What are you going to be when you grow up?" That puts profession, occupation, or trade as the identifier in their mind instead of the deeper and more important question of what attributes, qualities or virtues are most important. Back to the question of what to be versus to do. 


Thank you, Brother Robbins.

The Lord's Richest Blessings - Carl B. Pratt

This talk is all about tithing and the kinds of blessings that follow it. For our families that have young boys, it would be a great topic for a family gathering as it talks about outdoors experiences related to that principle. What I would like to add is the approach that President James D. King took to tithing early in his career. I don't know how often he shared this as it was in a very small setting of just a few that he shared it with me. He first asked these questions:


When are you entitled to the blessings of tithing?

• Is it when you receive a payment of money?
• Is it when you decide to pay your tithing?
• Is it when you actually write the check?
• Is it when you give it to the Bishop?
• Is it when the check is deposited by the Bishop?
• Is it when the Church uses the money?
• Is it when you attend Tithing Settlement? 

You can see that these are only to create discussion and thought about the topic individually or with a group and really is only to help you make your own decisions about when to pay your tithing. 

In relation to when to pay this that he said; "It has been my personal experience that the surest way to pay tithing faithfully is to pay it as soon as I receive any income. In fact, I've found it to be the only way." Early in our marriage we tried waiting for Tithing Settlement to pay the tithing for that year. Those were the most difficult settlements we ever made. Pay it now and expect the blessings to show themselves sooner.

Blessings themselves are not usually monetary as his story showed. Most often they are related to family of challenges where the blessings are evident.

"As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten" - D. Todd Christofferson

It is usually very humbling when one of our faults or shortcomings is pointed out to us. The human response may quickly be to find fault with the person that calls attention, attempting to ignore the statement or find other faults in the other that offset the rebuke. That is an attitude for us to watch carefully as it most often is an opportunity for us to grow. Our practice should be "willingly to accept and even seek correction." Four of the early church leaders were rebuked strongly in revelation found in D&C 93:41-50.


There are three purposes behind divine chastening:

1. To persuade us to repent,
2. To refine and sanctify us, and
3. At times to redirect our course in life to what God knows is a better path.

The two stories told by Hugh B. Brown illustrate this principle eloquently. They should be referred to if you are trying to understand and teach this to others. The first regarding the trimming of the current bush is understandable to even young children. The second about religion being the factor in losing a promotion may illustrate a probable reason for some of our own disappointments in life. I can relate well to this statement by Elder Christofferson; "Even when we encounter mean-spirited criticism from persons who have little regard or love for us, it can be helpful to exercise enough meekness to weigh it and sift out anything that might benefit us."

Important corrections can many times come from our own spouse and we will do well to listen and consider when this is the case. 

The Eternal Blessings of Marriage - Richard G. Scott

The "empty nest" has been with Shirlyn and I now for some years. It is a daily thing to have some conversation about one or more of our seven children and their spouses and what may be happening with them. That inevitably turns to the grandchildren. We are in awe of our family members, every one. What a great blessing to have this all connected beyond this life as covenants are kept and milestones celebrated.


As Elder Scott expressed, "Two of the vital pillars that sustain Father in Heaven's plan of happiness are marriage and the family." And for that plan to be evidenced by loving comments from time to time is the fruit of the plan in this life. I am so grateful for that wise counsel from Wayne Beck on leaving Brazil in December, 1964. He told me that the next and highest priority was to find the right girl and marry her. Education was the next priority. I took me about seven months to find her and eleven to be sealed in the Mesa Temple by Delbert L. Stapley, an apostle and a man that held that sealing priesthood power to make this happen.


For you married readers of this blog, Elder Scott left us with the following challenges:

• Are you faithful to your spouse mentally as well as physically?
• Are you loyal to your marriage covenants by never engaging in conversation with another person that you wouldn't want your spouse to overhear?
• Are you kind and supportive of your spouse and children?
• Do you lead out in family activities such as scripture study, family prayer, and family home evening, or does your wife fill in the gap your lack of attention leaves in the home?
• Do you tell you wife often how very much you love her?
• Do you express gratitude for what your spouse does for your?
• Do you express that love and gratitude often?
• Do you hold her close while you tell her those things?

The combined and complementary gifts that fathers and mothers are given are "the primary cause of contented, well-developed children." When your family is around you, from the oldest to the youngest, you can see and feel how rewarding it is to be married. For this principle and for the additional gift of sealing these relationship after our probationary time here is over, I am awesomely thankful.

The Spirit of Revelation - David A. Bednar

Revelation in our lives in Brazil is real. It is part of how we were prepared to be able to be called to this mission. It is part of how the call came to us and it has been part of the very numerous experiences here. Often, at the time of the revelation, we do not appreciate what was being received as revelation, but later it is easier to see that it was that very gradual result of listening and seeing the results. Many times the fact of revelation is felt during communication with a person or group. Other times we can see the hand of protection and care during travel. We have felt promptings which is another word we have for revelation, when we decide to visit someone or be early for a class or visit. During or later the purpose for that event becomes clear.


How wonderful is the apostolic promise that; "The spirit of revelation is available to every person who receives by proper priesthood authority the saving ordinances of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost - and who is acting in faith to fulfill the priesthood injunction to "receive the Holy Ghost."" It is ours to claim, not just for those in authority in the Church.


I marvel at our understanding of this principle. We have the promise but we have to seek it. When it is given, we need to be grateful and acknowledge this gift. Oliver Cowdery had to be reminded that it was through this process that he was led to help the Prophet Joseph Smith who he did not know and who was in another location at the time. As Elder Bednar promised, "As you appropriately seek for and apply unto the spirit of revelation, I promise you will "walk in the light of the Lord""


This is part of our understanding of "Line upon line, precept upon precept" (2 Nephi 28:30) that comes to us throughout our life. I am very grateful for this principle of revelation that has directed us during the difficult times and during the times when our help has been needed by others.

The Essence of Discipleship - Silvia H. Allred

  This discourse follows and goes hand in hand with Elder Burton's talk in the same session of Conference. It focuses on love being manifest in the service done by us in our quest "...to be of one heart and one mind." The foundation of this talk is the restoration of the Church and then the formalization of Welfare principles 75 years ago. 
  I remember going with my father to visit a family two or three times. I was probably at the impressionable age of 16. This was a mother with a couple of small children. The small house was very dirty and cluttered and I was reticent to sit on the couch, it looked so soiled. Dad talked with her and learned things about her and the children but I don't remember any of the details. I believe that he reported and then in ways I was not part of I think help was given, the house was cleaned up and then we didn't visit again. I don't know what happened to them but my youthful experience showed me that the Church programs were in place and that people were helped and I believe there was teaching to advance the ability of that family to help themselves. Since that time, I have been involved in many such cases where the program of the Church helped a family to meet their needs and become self-sufficient.
  As an addition to this post, I have re-read the Doctrine and Covenants section 20 now as part of the assignment by Elder Uchtdorf and summarized a few posts ago. I recommend that all families read that together, especially from verse 1 to 36, paying attention to the three "Amens" that punctuated the subjects involved. As far as I know, that is the only time the word "proving" appears in the scriptures as it is used in verse 11. These verses provide the pivotal summary of what happened that gives us all the choice to be believing and lay claim to the promises. Reading this together with verses 13 to 17 of Joseph Smith - History in a prayerful setting will certainly bring a confirmatory feeling to you. Amen.

The Sanctifying Work of Welfare - H. David Burton

  Having served as the Regional Welfare Specialist for Phoenix for three years, the references in this talk are very familiar to me. Here in Brazil the need for this kind of help is all around us. It is interesting how our family has been part of this effort since the early days of the Church. Here are some facts about that tying in to this topic. Elder Burton's great-great-grandfather, Robert Taylor Burton served as the second counselor to the Presiding Bishop from 1874 to 1883. The first counselor, Leonard Wilford Hardy was called to serve in this position from 1856 until his death in 1884. It appears that Robert T. Burton was then called to be the first counselor. Brother Hardy was my great-great grandfather. Here is a quote regarding a blessing given to him by Apostle Wilford Woodruff in England at the conclusion of his mission there:


  "He told him also he should spend his last days as one of the leading Bishops in the land of Zion. At the close of the blessing Elder Hardy remarked: "Brother Woodruff, I always thought you were a man of truth. I can comprehend arriving home in safety, but I cannot comprehend being a leading Bishop in Zion." And he says it came nearer trying his faith than anything that ever happened to him in the flesh. Elder Woodruff told him to wait and see, and if it did not come to pass, he would acknowledge that the spirit that dictated it was not the spirit of truth. The future events of his life showed that it was correct."


  So our family has always had this great concern for the "poor and the needy" and this continues to this day in our opportunities to serve. Whether it is to help a family in need, raise money for cancer research, work in the Cannery or serve in a Ward or Stake council we will always be involved in this sanctifying service. 
  My challenge to our family is to teach this to the young ones by finding opportunities to help. The world is in need of this attitude of "...helping people help themselves."

More Than Conquerors through Him That Loved Us - Paul V. Johnson

  That is a long title of this talk and it isn't until the end that you see it is part of a scripture attributed to Paul in Romans 8:35, 37. It is our nature to not want ordeals in our life, but we all must pass through many of them during our time here. Thinking about the ordeals in my life, often I thought "why me" but as I get through and look back I see some growth or blessing that could have only been the result of that experience. We don't see the blessing until after the "...pain, humiliation, or heartbreak we may be experiencing at the time." We certainly don't seek these trials but life provides them and they are there in just the right amount for our personal needs.
  It is important that we not become bitter and resentful of these trials and hardships but become humble and look for the blessings that are often evidenced in additional strengths and better understandings of the trials of others. Be patient and wait on the Lord for those blessings to become evident. 
  While not specifically mentioned in this talk, it caused me to reflect about the great hardships that are now taking place in our country due to the economy. Plans that were thought to be well made and carefully followed have evaporated through loss of livelihood and assets. For the older members of society this can seem very unfair, but it is never the less a trial for our time and will bring the promised blessings to an individual that puts his/her trust in God. 
  We must desire to hear the words; "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

Waiting on the Road to Damascus - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

  This one-topic talk requires of us a desire to know Christ in this life. While we must accept the fact that individuals are not likely to have the appearance of the Savior like Paul or Joseph Smith had, there is a way to slowly have His countenance present with us. When we take the right actions, like the pieces of a puzzle come together. "Small steps of faith" are those that put us on the path.
  As we walk that road, we will receive powerful promptings to do something for another. Those promptings will come more often if we follow them and the resultant powerful experiences will bring the promised revelations confirming our testimony of Christ.
  "Often, the answer to our prayer does not come while we’re on our knees but while we’re on our feet serving the Lord and serving those around us. Selfless acts of service and consecration refine our spirits, remove the scales from our spiritual eyes, and open the windows of heaven. By becoming the answer to someone’s prayer, we often find the answer to our own."   
  I liked the portion of the talk label Share.  It is human nature to want to have good experiences with others. This makes us fearful of opening our mouths about the gospel, but his family took the opportunity to relate a spiritual type experience they may have had such as a Sunday talk or a family experience overcoming a challenge. I think his challenge here is to try to interject this type of  topic in our conversations with friends and associates not of our faith. How about we practice this individually and with our family this week and report back how it goes.  He also suggested to "use your hands to blog or text at the right time and at the right place." Also, "Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words."
  Amen.

Your Potential, Your Privilege - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

  The compelling message is for us to listen as priesthood holders. Listen to the message of a scripture we are reading. Listen to the spirit as we hear a presentation. Listen when we have an assignment to do, so that we will know when and how to do it. As we have been taught to make lists, we have received from this presentation the charge to move our tendency from the "later" position to always be in the "now" position. On the wall, I have the words posted "Just Do It!" to help me stay in the "now" position regarding important things. Then his counsel is more specific:

• First: Read the Owner's Manual - This seems clear enough, but related to the Priesthood there is this assignment: "Let us begin by rereading sections 20, 84, 107 and 121 of the Doctrine and Covenants. That is really four assignments to get done. Section 20 has 84 verses. Section 84 has 120 verses. Section 107 has 100 verses. Section 121 has 46 verses. It is a large reading, studying and pondering assignment, not to be done in one day, but perhaps over 4 weeks spending one week on each one. It is important so let's Just Do It!
• Second: Seek the Revelations of the Spirit - It is interesting in keeping a daily journal, that you have to think about what happened that day and if you reflect on the day in relation to the prayer requests you made, often you can see specific but often small things that resulted from your requests. 
• Third: Find Joy in Priesthood Service - In those events related to our priesthood service, you will always find the Joy promised when you listen. It is there but we have to be careful to avoid the "...three W's: wearied, worrying, and whining." 

  Our priesthood service comes with the promise that our faith will increase and additionally light and knowledge will be given to us.

Sacred Keys of the Aaronic Priesthood - Larry M. Gibson

  Wow, did this talk open up the vision of the ways the Lord may use the Aaronic Priesthood in these latter days. As he spoke of the young men being given KEYS of presidency as Deacons and then Teachers I had to see our young boys becoming ordained to these offices soon. The three oldest are now being trained at home to become part of the councils of the Aaronic Priesthood in just a few short years.

Max - Turns 12 on January 25, 2013

Justin - Turns 12 on May 28, 2013

Gavin - Turns 12 on June 19, 2014

What should these three be prepared to do?

• Understand the scriptures regarding the Aaronic Priesthood and the office of Deacon.
• Understand the Keys given to the President of the Deacons Quorum and how to help that young President as a member of the quorum.
• What worthiness requirements are needed to be ordained to this office?

  Now the Deacons Quorum as defined in the scriptures consists of 12 Deacons. Could it be that a quorum of fewer than 12 should be seeking the "missing" members and bring them into the fellowship of the quorum? In the example here, there were 2 inactive members, but what of the other 5 mentioned. Perhaps the quorum should invite on a regular basis the full time missionaries and explain to them that there are potential members in the Ward area that they need to find to fill up the requirement for 12. Perhaps the other 5 are already known to the members of the quorum as school friends or neighbors. What if they do this and the quorum grows to 13? Should the Bishop at that point, under the counsel of the Quorum President split the quorum into two quorums and then seek to fill them both? I feel that the answer is yes and the Church is now in the state of "filling the earth" with the knowledge of the Savior. Our young men and women are part of this from their youth and so parents have this charge to teach them this duty.

  I can see now the great vision that was given to Joseph Smith regarding the Aaronic Priesthood quorums. I can see our Moms and Dads teaching this in the family with great effect when they are called to serve.

Hope - Steven E. Snow

  I have wondered why some people we know moved to the St. George area of Utah. It always seems so dry in that area and President Lorenzo Snow was frustrated when the Lord had promised rain if the Saints of that area would begin paying tithing. He ended up pleading with the Lord to fulfill that promise which He did. Now this Elder Snow who was raised in that area tells this story:

"The story is told there of the grandfather who took his five-year-old grandson for a walk around town. Ultimately, they found themselves at a small grocery store on Main Street where they stopped for a cold soda pop. A car from out of state pulled up and the driver approached the old-timer. Pointing to a small cloud in the sky, the stranger asked, “Do you think it’s going to rain?”“I certainly hope so,” replied the old man, “if not for my sake, for the boy’s. I’ve seen it rain.”"

  I recently read in a man's blog that as he has gotten older, his youthful hopes and expectations have caused him to think that HOPE is a mental activity that is best put aside because it so often results in disappointment and deflates a persons desire to try. That can certainly be said about many of the hopes we have recently seen dashed in the fallout of fickle economies. Thankfully, we look at HOPE differently. While we have little control over many of the situations of our lives, we know that we can remain hopeful about the areas that we do control. For an example to use in teaching our family you may use the Roger Bannister self imposed hope to break the four-minute mile. It was thought impossible in his day but in 1954 he succeeded.
  The great hope that we all can have with total assurance is the hope for eternal salvation through the Atonement of the Savior. Have a Scripture Chase with your family to find and discuss these foundational scriptures:

1. 1 Corinthians 9:10
2. 1 Peter 3:15
3. Moroni 10:20-21
4. 2 Nephi 31:20

  Then it might be helpful to discuss the story in the talk about Mary Murray Murdoch and put it in light of the 16 women mentioned in my recent post of August 13, LDS Women are Incredible.  The final challenge is to identify the "three legged stool" of Faith, Hope and Charity and how they must be intertwined in our lives to obtain that great Hope of eternal life. 

Preparing the World for the Second Coming - Neil L. Andersen

  If you are one of our Grandchildren, please don't lose your CTR ring. His four-year-old grandchild did and you can read in the first paragraph what happened! This discourse and challenge says something to all of us. In the family of Nephi and Marjorie Allen, my parents, I can list thirty-one returned missionaries, several of which have served more than one mission. In my wife's family, another dozen have served missions. Those missionaries have served in many different areas of the world. This is the work of preparation throughout the world for the Second Coming of Jesus. Right now our family is preparing many young family members to receive calls to serve. As they get closer to the age of service, some will have to make a sacrifice of some other goal or potentiality in order to serve. Sidney Going made that choice to serve as you can read in Elder Andersen's talk. In his case, the sacrifice did not take away the eventual fulfillment of his other dream.
  The potential for family members to serve as Senior Missionaries or in some other mission type calling is very great. I will say that the blessings are wonderful for this type of service. Recently, we have watched an inactive returned missionary begin to attend Church again in a humble and sincere way. I met him early on in the mission and we have had intermittent contact throughout with him and his family. He alluded to our part in his decision to return. 
  Another family we have known here for some time now invited us to join them with her family and parents in a Family Home Evening which we conducted. The wife who is a stalwart in the Branch here set up this little event and it was very well received by her non-member parents. Her husband is a returned missionary but at some point was offended and has not been to Church for many years. Things seem to be changing for the better and we will see.
  We will say that serving as a couple is very different from a mission as a youthful missionary. You choose your companion and there will not be any transfers! You will have many opportunities to influence people in their knowledge of the Savior and the Restored Church. You will feel the Spirit often.  There are many needs in the Church for Senior Couples to serve. For your information, go to http://lds.org/csm/pdfs/MissOpp.pdf for detailed information. 
  Now, to you young Grandchildren, don't lose your CTR rings. Choose the Right so that you will be prepared and worthy to serve. The world needs you and you need the blessings of service.

Finding Joy through Loving Service - M. Russell Ballard

  There are seven short paragraphs in the story in this talk that illustrate the principle of how out of small and simple things, great things are accomplished. As a youth, I remember the gold panning activity that you could do at Knott's Berry Farm in California. By paying an entry fee you were given a pan and allowed to pan in the sands and water in a trough looking for the flecks of gold. I'm sure we didn't find much and that the gold was "salted" in the sands. Now we are told here that we should take the time to find opportunities in our days to find Joy by doing small acts of service. Now the challenge has been given so let's find and report on some small act of service we can do each day. Here are the steps that might help this activity:

• Identify what act can be done today, knowing it may come to you on the spot or it may need planning.
• Carry out the service in the attitude of love and charity.
• Report on the service either in your journal, to your spouse, to your family or to a friend.
• Identify the service and look for the joy received by the giver and the recipient.
• Do it again.

  Here is an example: Shirlyn made cookies with M&M's showing on the tops. We took them to a family we were invited to visit. The cookies represented a service they could do for others when they visited a young person with an invitation to join with them in their class. This act of sharing resulted in commitments to do the same with their visits and resulted in a great expression of love from the family and invitations to return soon.
  When you create your own acts of service, you will find the culmination of the many small acts in your "pouch" will add up to a great treasure over time.  Just Do It!

Desire - Dallin H. Oaks

  How to review a General Conference talk? Well this talk gives itself well to some questions that may help someone or a family ponder and consider the counsel and ideas Elder Oaks lays out. After all, we are to "search the scriptures" and for today's world this qualifies. All who read this Blog have easy access to the scriptures and the talks so do your best.

• What are the three basic desires mentioned and can they be overridden?
• How did the actions of Captain Ray Cox parallel the story of the 2000 young warriors in the Book of Mormon?
• What basic desire did Captain Cox override in the events?
• Was his motivation to receive the honors later bestowed?
• Are there desires of Mothers that contributed to the success of this event? What desires?
• For Enos, what three essentials preceded the promised blessing?
• What word did Elder Oaks identify being used in scriptures that evidence "desire?"
• What four words identify the "worldly quartet?" Should those words be included in our "highest priorities?"
• What happened with Aron Ralston that helped him identify a life saving, overwhelming desire?
•  What three words identify types of dangerous "righteous desires" and what three words are their opposites?
• To become an "eternal being" what qualities does he identify as we lose every desire for sin?
• What challenge did he outline regarding single men and single women regarding marriage?
• What three things do our desires dictate?

Maybe a family could have fun with this in Family Home Evening with pencils and paper. It is time to consider our desires!

Testimony - Cecil O. Samuelson Jr.

  Like Elder Samuelson, associations with the youth have been and continue to be part of the great hope and blessings of my life. Here in Brazil now, we are together with many of the great youth as they learn the better way of following Christ and obtaining their personal testimony of Him. Just yesterday, we spent the evening with two fifteen year old young men and their families. We discussed how they were going to complete their year's study of the scriptures while they prepare to serve. They both expect to be asked to work full-time for two years in whatever country they may be called to in just a few short years. They are looking ahead while they study and already are very knowledgeable about the Church and Gospel according to their mothers.
  The topic of this discourse relates to the very thing that all men and women need to understand, that of Testimony. He asks and explores here the three important basic questions:

1. Who is entitled to have a testimony?
2. How does one obtain the necessary revelation, and what are the fundamental steps to achieve it?
3. Is gaining a testimony an isolated event or an ongoing process?

  In answering these three foundational questions about testimony, he uses ten observations and suggestions from his young friends:

1. Everyone has worth and since we are all children of God, He wants us to gain trust in Him so that His love and timing can work with us.
2. Part of this process involves a "mighty change of heart" as contained in the scriptures and which may occur gradually, usually in response to questions, experiences and concerns in a background of personal study and prayer.
3. We must remember that life has a purpose which includes being tested and stretched to receive the often hard lessons that we need.
4. In times of uncertainty and challenges we must learn to trust the things we believe.
5. As Alma taught, we can expect a progression which comes as a result of hoping, believing, and then knowing the truth of a specific principle, doctrine or the gospel itself.
6. We can expect that as we grow in our quest, the act of teaching someone else our faith and understanding of that which we have received grows while the hearer is also enlightened.
7. We must do the regular things we are asked to do such as:
1. Scripture and gospel study
2. Church meeting attendance
3. Temple worship
4. Fulfilling assignments within the Church
5. Inviting the Spirit into our days with regular prayer
8. Focus on our own progress and standards, not the difficulties, mistakes or failures of others is a key to avoiding the negative approach that often weakens our resolve.
9. Remember that we must not be too hard on ourselves when you make a mistake nor too casual when real repentance is the right path.
10. Always be clear that the Atonement of Christ is completely and continuously at work for each of us, even when we struggle with our own challenges of faith.

  No matter our station in life, these true principles are operative and results can be seen as we work on our testimony of Christ. Often it is in hindsight that we recognize the knowledge obtained during a life of desire to obtain first the testimony, then the gift of knowledge.

Establishing a Christ-Centered Home - Richard J. Maynes

  Did you know that when you are reading the conference talks on lds.org you can click on the presenters name and learn more about that person? It was helpful to do that with Elder Maynes as I was not familiar with him. He served in Uruguay/Paraguay Mission, the country that we spent a little time in a few days back.
  Right off the bat he brought in the song our family sang so many times. I Am a Child of God was probably sung in our home when our children were growing, more than any other. It was right up there with Book of Mormon Stories. When we talk about our family here they are surprised that we have seven children and many grandchildren. Small families here are the norm and there are excuses made for this fact, but when they think about our family in relation to what we believe about eternity they are pensive. In Brasil as well as throughout the world the battle against families rages on. The attacks using selfishness, greed, and pornography are the same here as at home, but the calm and true principle of family resonates with people when it is discussed.
  While our challenges to hold the weekly Family Home Evening were always there, I think that it was held often enough that the fact that it was held is still in the hearts of our children now as they confront the same challenges. As Elder Maynes relates, the lessons were quickly forgotten but the fact that we held them remains.
  "Learning, teaching, and practicing the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ in our homes helps create a culture where the Spirit can dwell. Through establishing these celestial traditions in our homes, we will be able to overcome the false traditions of the world and learn to put the needs and concerns of others first."
  I like where he puts the responsibility for establishing a Christ-centered home on both the parents and the children. Sometimes the gentle promptings or remindings of the small children move the parents and older siblings to do what is right. I have to share here that great poem that he used from C. C. Miller "The Echo."

’Twas a sheep not a lamb

That strayed away in the parable Jesus told,

A grown-up sheep that strayed away

From the ninety and nine in the fold.

And why for the sheep should we seek

And earnestly hope and pray?

Because there is danger when sheep go wrong:

They lead the lambs astray.

Lambs will follow the sheep, you know,

Wherever the sheep may stray.

When sheep go wrong,

It won’t take long till the lambs are as wrong as they.

And so with the sheep we earnestly plead

For the sake of the lambs today,

For when the sheep are lost

What a terrible cost

The lambs will have to pay.

  Several times in this talk he used the word traditions. In our family there have been a number of traditions that have bound us in important ways. These traditions have sometimes had short lives and others longer persistence. They include the following in my memories:

• Christmas 
• Thanksgiving 
• Greer Summers 
• California Vacations 
• Gifting to a Needy Family 
• Colorado Hiking 
• Colorado Biking 
• Price Family Reunions 
• Wednesday (or Monday or whatever day) Lunch with Mom 
• Family Meeting on the First Sunday of the Month 
• Ice Cream after the First School Day 
• Taking a Missionary to Provo 

  Perhaps your family has some others that are unique. Each tradition has built in some events that bring out the qualities required in a Christ-centered home. Traditions give parents and children time together outside of the world's attacks. I am thankful for all the traditions we have and continue to have as a family.

Guided By the Holy Spirit - Boyd K. Packer

  His counsel begins with the blessing given to members of the Church of Jesus Christ by the laying on of hands of priesthood brethren. It is reiterated in the prayers every sacrament meeting. At great sacrifice we have the scriptures and Elder Packer summarized the life of William Tyndale back in the 1500's. This man, after receiving the scholarly religious degrees from Oxford began to translate first the New Testament and then the first five books of the Old Testament into English. This was considered to be contrary to the will of the powerful political and religious community of the times. His prophecy is stunning; "If God spare my life, ere many years I will cause a boy that driveth the plough shall know more of the Scripture than thou." He was referring to the Church leaders who hounded him at that time. He was eventually imprisoned and then killed, his body then burned.
  Today, we are members of that same Church organized by Jesus Christ during his short sojourn on the earth. While the world may call us "Mormons" we are Latter Day Saints and should refer to ourselves in this manner. The correct name of the Church was given to us by Jesus Christ and we are asked to use the correct name of the Church in our conversations.
  Now, I think for me the most important part of this great discourse was the principle of forgiveness. We are to love one another and "...to frankly forgive offenses." The example he gave of the story of the loss of the life of a young mother due to an infection carried by an attending doctor is a great one and can be used by parents to teach older children in the home. After years of bitterness, a man was finally told by a great priesthood leader; "John, leave it alone." "It is often the case that we are offended by someone, either a member of the Church or outside and we carry inside causing great personal suffering. Ponder his paragraph: "That attitude is somewhat like a man being hit by a club. Offended, he takes up a club and beats himself over the head with it all the days of his life. How foolish! How sad! That kind of revenge is self-inflicting. If you have been offended, forgive, forget it, and leave it alone." 
  The Church of Jesus Christ requires much from the members. It is not an easy Church to belong to but it is the right one and the only true course to follow. "If you are carrying some burden, forget it, let it alone. Do a lot of forgiving and a little repenting, and you will be visited by the Spirit of the Holy Ghost and confirmed by the testimony that you did not know existed. You will be watched over and blessed--you and yours." 
  I am personally very thankful for this great counsel and direction.

Opportunities to Do Good - Henry B. Eyring

  I notice here the interchangeable use of the words "sympathy" and "compassion" and perhaps we can add "charity" to this mix. He points out again our covenant renewed each Sunday with the sacrament. Those prayers offer us the company of the Spirit as we keep the commandments each week. The emphasis on sympathy as a feeling we get when seeing or hearing about the troubles of other people reminds us of our need to respond with action to those feelings as the opportunity presents itself.
  In Brasil, there are many daily opportunities presented, some of which we are able to respond with some gesture of help, usually a gift of money to street people here. Of course fast offerings are available here to the members, but poverty is much more prevalent here than in the US and we feel somewhat helpless in the face of many situations. It is sometimes a wake up call however to see the favelas (slums) here that on closer observation show cable TV dishes and electric cords prevalent there! Progress is slowly coming.
  I remember the many trips to the welfare farms around Phoenix in my youth, usually to weed the rows in conjunction with many wards or stakes. It was hard work and usually very dirty, but was accented by the breakfast usually served and the feeling of brotherhood with the other men and boys.
  Challenges he left in this talk include:

• Parents need to see in the needs of others, ways they can help their children serve which brings the long term memories of those special feelings of charity.
• Parents also should make the children aware of the fast offering system and perhaps allow them to contribute once in a while.
• Teach the principle of "...the way to have a surplus is to spend less than I earn."
• Point out the great power and blessing of unity when we as a family or group join to help others in need.
• Draw your family together to they learn to care for each other as they care for others.
• Seek out the poor to find opportunities to act in this commandment in helping relive the stress and needs of others.
• Teach and recognize the great spiritual blessing that happens when acts of compassion enter the hearts of those blessed and of those blessing another.
• When able, "...plan to draw on the power of the bonds of families, of quorums, of auxiliary organizations, and of people you know in your communities. The feelings of unity will multiply the good effects of the service you give."

  I am so grateful to have opportunities here on an almost daily basis to be part of this great plan taught to us by the Prophets.

LDS Women are Incredible! - Quentin L. Cook

  In making this self-assigned reading of the April Conference talks, I will catch up to my commitment to post to my Line by Line blog. This has become necessary as the past two months have been filled with other assignments and challenges. Elder Cook’s talk about Women is very full of inspiration and observations that resonates well with my experience regarding the topic. As I read this talk it occurred to me that there are some women in the foundational era of our family about which we know very little. Sixteen women that are our children’s ancestors that made sacrifices required because of decisions of faith and courage. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know just a little about the lives of these special women! If you read the birth places and where they died, you know their individual stories would be faith promoting and extremely interesting. Here are the women:

1. Calista Bass - Born May 22, 1812 in Connecticut, Died January 12, 1863 in Hyrum, Cache Co., Utah
2. Inger Christine Nielsen - Born February 22, 1826 in Norway, Died March 13, 1913 in Hyrum, Cache Co., Utah
3. Sophia Lois Goodridge - Born July 2, 1826 in Massachusetts, Died November 3, 1903 in Salt Lake City, Utah
4. Sarah Ann Elliott - Born April 30, 1834 in Pennsylvania, Died February 28, 1911 in Twin Falls, Idaho
5. Ann Powell - Born June 2, 1840 in England, Died July 20, 1917, Charleston, Utah
6. Agnes Ann Bancroft - Born April 26, 1847 in England, Died January 28, 1914 in Provo, Utah
7. Mary Virginia Marsteller - Born December 11, 1818 in Maryland, Died in 1847 at Council Bluffs, Pottawatamie, Iowa
8. Sarah Wilder Hatch - Born November 2, 1820/21 in New York, Died October 12, 1861 in Salt Lake City, Utah
9. Beulah Sabin - Born June 11, 1786 in New Hampshire, Died December 12, 1857 in Levan, Utah
10. Mary Mariah Fuller - Born May 9, 1798 in New Brunswick, Canada, Died October 29, 1868 in Nephi, Utah
11. Elizabeth Parry - Born January 1, 1809 in Wales, Died October 18, 1869 in Cedar City, Utah
12. Eliza Ann Snyder - Born October 22, 1815 in New York, Died May 24, 1888 in Cedar City, Utah
13. Anna Matilda Doolittle - Born December 24, 1820 in Connecticutt, Died September 23, 1887 in Snowflake, Arizona
14. Martha Jane Reagan - Born March 2, 1832 in Missouri, Died April 6, 1907 in Junction, Utah
15. Charlotte Pincock - Born June 3, 1826 in England, Died March 28, 1901 in Grafton, Utah
16. Ann Elizabeth Newman - Born June 29, 1840 in England, Died February 8, 1875 in Salt Lake City, Utah

Numbers 1 through 8 are from my Allen lines while numbers 9 through 16 are from Shirlyn’s lines. If anyone reading this has information about the lives of these women please send it to me.

Face the Future with Faith - Russell M. Nelson

  This time around, I am picking and choosing which talk to follow. Since Adversity is on the minds of most in these troubling days, I followed up on the "Pain" talk with this one. It is always good to approach a Gospel presentation with the "IF, THEN" approach. This takes us from the feeling of guilt and failure to the higher thoughts of IF I follow this, THEN I will have this result. Elder Nelson warned us against the Cafeteria approach to keeping the commandments that is so prevalent and then gave us throughout his talk the following more uplifting, future oriented points:

• IF we are obedient, THEN God's blessings will flow without restraint.
• IF we are obedient to the commands of God, THEN He will provide both physical and spiritual protection.
• IF we pray with an eternal perspective, THEN we need not wonder if our most tearful and heartfelt pleadings are heard.
• IF we offer sincere and heartfelt prayers, THEN our faith will be strengthened.
• IF we develop an enduring commitment to be a full-tithe payer, THEN He will open the windows of heaven and there shall not be room enough to receive it.
• IF we walk in the Lord's path of righteousness, THEN we will be blessed to continue in His goodness and be a light and a savior unto His people.
• IF we are faithful to the covenants made in the Temple, THEN we will qualify ourselves and our family for the blessings of eternal life.
• IF we are "faithful saints" THEN the Lord declared, "I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children." and "I, the Lord, would fight their battles, and their children's battles, and their children's children's, ... to the third and fourth generation."

  We remain children of the promise with this attitude to live our lives looking for the THEN of the doctrines and principles and seeking it.

The Atonement Covers All Pain - Kent F. Richards

  How personal is this topic for every person? To help us understand the broad scope of the gift the Savior offers, Elder Richards mentions many types of pain and explains that pain is a gauge of the healing process:

• Pain from an illness or surgery
• Spiritual Pain from sin or transgression 
• Unexpected events
• Contradicting or disappointing circumstances
• Interrupting illness
• Death
• Actions of others
• Worry
• Fear
• Distress

  What is to be learned from Pain? Certainly these lessons are there for us to learn about our purpose in mortality:

• Patience
• Gratitude 
• Compassion
• Love
• Humility
• Long-suffering
• Empathy

  Most of all we learn that the Savior is the physician for all this pain. He understands because He sought the experience of the pains of all mankind that He may draw us to Him. As President Henry B. Eyring taught: “It will comfort us when we must wait in distress for the Savior’s promised relief that He knows, from experience, how to heal and help us. … And faith in that power will give us patience as we pray and work and wait for help. He could have known how to succor us simply by revelation, but He chose to learn by His own personal experience.”
  I can only recommend you read the experience regarding 13 year-old Sherrie contained in his talk. Stunning, but just one of the gifts that was given to this young girl and her family. How close He is when we need Him.
  I am grateful for the insight this great talk gave me in relation to this very personal topic.

Followers of Christ - Walter F. González

  In this talk he makes reference to the great number of indications of the desire to follow Christ. In Brazil we see this every day. It was told to us this week that Ipatinga, Brazil was in the 2008 Guiness Record book for being the most religious city on earth. This is evidenced by the many churches, mostly Protestant or Catholic that are in every neighborhood. Many, even most, cars and trucks have some phrase or words acknowledging Him in their life. Our message is taught when they will allow it as an extension of the good things they already have in their hearts. Brazilians are already very loving when you get to know them. They close letters and emails with the word Abraços, meaning Hugs. That is represented here as friends often greet each other with a hug, and the women friends with the hug and kiss on the cheek. It is easy to become friends here with the willingness to be open hearted.
  What should we do then as a result of this presentation?

• First exhibit our love of Christ by our actions in following the commandments.
• Second, make, keep and renew our Covenants made at baptism, in the temple and each week in partaking of the sacrament.

  It was a reminder that following often brings sacrifice. Perhaps great sacrifice is the test of our love. We may need to sacrifice as young Jimmy Olvera did in leaving on his mission. He was told he would lose his family if he left but he went and served. His family later asserted how much they were blessed as a result of his choice. "The power of our covenants is greater than any challenge we face or we may face." So in our lives, bearing witness of the love of Christ to others opens the door to those promises and blessings that follow the covenants we make.

Become as a Little Child - Jean A. Stevens

  Towards the end of her very soft, understanding and motherly talk we find this from Elder M. Russell Ballard.  "He said to behold them. To me that means that we should embrace them with our eyes and with our hearts; we should see and appreciate them for who they really are: spirit children of our Heavenly Father, with divine attributes."
  In way of a summary, here are some of the attributes that are mentioned and in which we, as adults must improve:

• They will follow a commandment such as paying tithing, they will and do, setting the example.
• They are humble.
• They are obedient.
• They are loving, often the first to love.
• They are forgiving.
• They are observant and kind to others.
• They are willing to serve.
• They share testimony.
• They have contagious optimism.
• They choose faith and trust in the Lord.
• They are submissive, meek, humble, patient and full of faith.

  Since virtually all parents and grandparents see these children as gifts from God, they come with the purpose of helping us become more like Him. I believe each family can recount little stories about their children exhibiting the attributes listed above and it would be great to write some of these stories and share them. We all need to see and follow these examples. "It is a process by which we can become more Christlike."

The Sabbath and the Sacrament - L. Tom Perry

  "We must commit ourselves to study it and treasure it." He is referring to the New Testament which is this year's topic for our Sunday classes. In my plan of scripture study, I will soon finish both the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon and begin the New Testament and plan to finish it by year end. By treasuring it, we then can focus on being better examples of the believers as we observe the Sabbath day. Here are some of the observances we need to do:

• Partaking of the sacrament is the center. This is where and when we do "self investigation" and "self-inspection" to change our course as needed. This is the time to renew and always remember Him to claim the promise of the companionship of the Spirit.
• Keep ourselves unspotted from the world. Avoid worldly distractions of businesses and recreational facilities on that day. Dress appropriately.
• Go to the house of prayer and offer up our sacraments. Confess and forsake our sins and errors to the Lord and to others.
• Rest from our labors. Avoid activities that take us away from worship and the opportunity to minister to others.
• Teach our children how to be examples of the believers by attending sacrament meeting well rested, properly dressed and spiritually prepared to partake of the sacrament.

  On our reading list perhaps we should add; Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin Joseph Ballard - Bryant S. Hinckley (1949) (Used copies through Amazon.com but not as yet on Kindle). Melvin J. Ballard spoke as an Apostle to the Phoenix Ward in about 1926 when J.R. Price was the Bishop. Elder Ballard had just returned from South America and two young men in that audience were inspired to serve and then sent to Brazil.

Thomas S. Monson

  President Monson spoke four times in the five sessions of this conference. In reading these presentations from our Prophet, he covered many topics with specific guidance for us which I have summarized in this table:

Topic	Spiritual Direction
Church Attendance	Attend Church Regularly
Church Attendance	Attend Seminary or Institute
Citizenship	Be Good Citizens and Neighbors in our Countries
Citizenship	Reach Out to Those of Other Faiths & Our Own
Citizenship	Be Examples of Honesty & Integrity
Conference	Read & Study from the Ensign or Liahona
Marriage	Learn to Sacrifice
Marriage	Learn to Make Difficult Decisions
Marriage	Exercise Faith to Find Someone Compatible
Marriage	Be Careful to not Destroy your Eligibility
Marriage	Be Fiercely Loyal to One Another
Marriage	Make Repairs when Needed
Marriage	Don’t Let it be Jeopardized
Personal Righteousness	Avoid Innuendo & Filth
Personal Righteousness	Use Clean Language
Personal Righteousness	Stay Away from Pornography
Personal Righteousness	Avoid Addictions
Personal Righteousness	Reject False Concepts & Teachings
Personal Testimony	Obtain a Testimony
Prayer	Regular Prayer and Scripture Study
Priesthood	Discipline to be Above the Ways of the World
Priesthood	Treasure the Gift of Priesthood
Repentance	Talk with Your Bishop & Change
Scripture Reading	Read the Book of Mormon
Temple	Attend Regularly when Possible
Temple	Marry in the House of the Lord
Temple	Be or Become Worthy to go
Temple	As a Youth, Guard your Worthiness
Temple	Have a Picture of a Temple in Every Bedroom
Temple	Teach your Children the Temple’s Importance
Temple	Make the Sacrifices Needed to Attend
Temple	Have the Spirit of the Temple in Hearts & Homes
Tithes & Offerings	Contribute to Missionary Fund

  The table is not in the order in which they were presented, but you can examine it to choose the Topic and Direction that you or your family may wish to focus on. This should make it useful as a guide to refer to for Family Home Evening, Class Lessons, your own Talks and for your own personal progress. 

  Since this is the current word of the Lord from His servants, it has the Spirit and specifics for improving our lives and those of the people we can influence in this wayward world. The Priesthood received the most challenges in this list and we would do well to take those items seriously.