Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Favorite quotes from my favorite talk

My favorite talk from this last General Conference was Sister Julie B. Beck's. She always speaks right to me. To see the whole talk, click here.

A good woman knows that she does not have enough time, energy, or opportunity to take care of all of the people or do all of the things her heart yearns to do. Life is not calm for most women, and each day seems to require the accomplishment of a million things, most of which are important. A good woman must constantly resist alluring and deceptive messages from many sources telling her that she is entitled to more time away from her responsibilities and that she deserves a life of greater ease and independence. But with personal revelation, she can prioritize correctly and navigate this life confidently.

The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life.

Those who earnestly seek help through prayer and scripture study, often have a paper and pencil nearby to write questions and record impressions and ideas.

When women nurture as Christ nurtured, a power and peace can descend to guide when help is needed. For instance, mothers can feel help from the Spirit even when tired, noisy children are clamoring for attention, but they can be distanced from the Spirit if they lose their temper with their children.

Quoting Eliza R. Snow: "We want to be ladies in very deed...fit companions of the Gods and Holy Ones. In an organized capacity we can assist each other in not only doing good but in refining ourselves, and whether few or many come forward to help prosecute this great work, they will be those that will fill honorable positions in the Kingdom of God...Women should be women and not babies that need petting and correction all the time. I know we like to be appreciated, but if we do not get all the appreciation that we think is our due, what matters? We know the good Lord has laid high responsibility on us, and there is not a wish or desire that the Lord has implanted in our hearts in righteousness, but will be realized, and the greatest good we can do to ourselves and each other is to refine and cultivate ourselves in everything that is good and ennobling to qualify us for those responsibilities."

We are doing well when we seek to improve ourselves and do our best. We are doing well when we increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and home, and seek out and help others who are in need. We know we are successful when we live so that we qualify for, receive, and know how to follow the Spirit.
We can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when we feel the Spirit working through us.

1 comment:

Cam said...

So true Linds! I love Sis. Beck as well. She reminds me of Mom. :) Cute pictures at the zoo, by the way! You guys do such fun things.