"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.