In an effort to focus on our shared doctrine and faith and to encourage each other in our efforts to live what we believe, we have started a new weekly feature here on the MMB. Each Monday we will invite you to study one of the most recent General Conference talks and participate in a discussion about applying the counsel in our lives. Here's how it works:
PART ONE: READ, WATCH OR LISTEN TO THE ASSIGNED GENERAL CONFERENCE TALK (THIS WEEK IT'S ELDER BEDNAR'S). You can find it here:
To read “More Diligent and Concerned at Home”
Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, gave this talk, “More Diligent and Concerned at Home,” during the Saturday morning session of the October 2009 General Conference. He emphasized three important keys to achieving eternal goals in our families:
- Express love— and show it.
- Bear testimony— and live it.
- Be consistent.
PART TWO: COME BACK HERE AND JOIN IN ON THE DISCUSSION OF ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. The discussion will be open throughout the week.
- When Elder Bednar encourages us to express love and bear testimony to our families, he acknowledges that we might feel "unsure, awkward, or even perhaps a bit embarrassed." What ideas do you have that are ways to overcome those feelings and "both create and look for opportunities" to express love and bear testimony?
- Several times in this talk, Elder Bednar encourages us to "consistently do more of what we know is right and become better." It is often easy to recognize the gap between what we know and what we do, and then feel guilty or discouraged and do nothing about it. What can you do to close that gap and move intentionally and hopefully towards living with more integrity?
- Elder Bednar said: "Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable, But . . . [they] can lead to significant spiritual results." Do you have an experience or testimony to share about how the "seemingly small things" have made a positive difference in your home or family?
Stephanie is a mom to three young children that have almost completely consumed her brain. With what is left of it, she likes to blog at Diapers and Divinity, study the gospel, and plan fantasy vacations that she never takes. She and her family live in the great white north part of the country, where her husband is attending law school and working full time. Stephanie is switching to first person now because that was getting awkward. I've had a full life with many great opportunities like education, mission, travel, and cool jobs, but I'm learning that this stage of life where I am now (which sometimes mistakenly feels a little bit like a plateau), will be the time that I look back on as the years of my greatest influence. And that's the faith that keeps me ticking. Chocolate and naps help too.
