Inspirational Words

A couple of weeks ago Elder Holland came to our stake to visit with the members here. I thought that I would write down (and share) some of the things that he shared with us.

His emphasis in talking was, for the most part, aimed towards the youth that were there. But I believe, like all gospel principles we can apply this to ourselves as well. I will paraphrase his words, but this is not a direct quote.

He first spoke of President Hinckley and his lifelong dedication to service in the church. Three days before he passed away he was conducting meetings with the first presidency and the twelve. He was almost 98 years old. He worked up until the very day that he died. Why did he do this? Why not just retire to Florida, and take some time off. Surely he deserved it after working for so long. He did it not for his own salvation. Surely Pres. Hinckley's salvation is sure, if not, then we are all in serious trouble. He did it for each and every one of us.

I ask of you today, a tithing. Not of your money, you give that to your bishop. What I want from you today is a tithe on your lives. If we all live to be 100, then 10% of your lives is 10 years. The years that I ask of you are the years from 12-22. This is a time in your lives that you will make nearly every important decision in your life. Whether or not to go to church, who your friends are, whom you will date, whether you will go to college, if you will go on a mission, whom you will marry. These years are the time that we lose many members. YOU MUST NOT LEAVE THE CHURCH.

I know that this was directed at the youth, but I think that it is such a lovely idea. To tithe your life to the church. Of course, I doubt after ten years that you would have the desire to stop. :)

He also talked about temples. I don't remember exactly how he fit it in, it wasn't a structured, written talk. There is a scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 88th chapter, 33rd verse that haunts me. It tells us if we reject the gift, we reject the giver. In our time we have 125 (?) temples. If this is not a gift, I don't know what is. Throughout all of history there have been only a few temples. We have the amazing opportunity to attend these temples on a regular basis. All over the world. Let us not reject this gift that the Lord has given us.

In his closing remarks he gave a quote of some kind. He did not say where it was from, but this is what he said. Many of us are looking toward the second coming and wondering when it will be...the actual moment when Christ descends from heaven. I am not here to announce that today. If you are faithful and look to Christ in all things. If you will be obedient and valiant in your life. You can bind Satan in your own life. We can live in our homes as if the millennium has already come. We can have millennial homes and millennial families. Satan will be bound in our very homes.

I know that many were as touched by this as I was. There were not very many dry eyes in the church. What a beautiful idea. To make our homes a true safe haven from the world. I know that this is what I am now striving for in my home. I am trying to constantly have the spirit with me so that I can deal with my children in a Christlike manner. Instead of TV or random music, I have been playing conference talks on my computer. With the tumultuous times that this world is going through, I want my family to be safe and to have a place of peace and love to go to.

If anyone has any ideas that you use in your home to make your home more peaceful, I would love to hear them.