"You will have significant experiences. I hope that you will write them down and keep a record of them, that you will read them from time to time and refresh your memory of those meaningful and significant things. Some may be funny. Some may be significant only to you. Some of them may be sacred and quietly beautiful. Some may build one upon another until they represent a lifetime of special experience." Gordon B. Hinckley, 2006

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Relief Society Broadcast

  • Last night was the Relief Society general broadcast. It was amazing. I loved all of the talks, but I must say that the highlight of the evening was President Uchtdorf's talk. It was just what I needed to hear.

  • He began with a description of how his wife cooks a beautiful, perfect meal, and inevitably apologizes for something she thinks is imperfect. He said that as women, he's noticed that we undervalue our abilities and focus on what is imperfect.
  • Guilty!
  • I often find myself feeling inadequate, discouraged, and weary, just as he mentioned. I know that these feelings are not healthy, and I loved his secret for dispelling feelings of gloom, depression, and sadness:
  1. Create: Creation brings satisfaction. As a mother, we participate with God in creating and nurturing our children. The bounds of creativity extend beyond the brush on a canvas, keys of a piano, etc. It can be in your garden, laughter, etc. And it doesn't have to be perfect! Start small--see how many smiles you can create, write a letter, beautify a small space, cultivate the earth and your mind. The more you learn to trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater will be your ability to create.
  2. Compassion: Succor the weak, strengthen the feeble needs, show compassion, follow the Savior, mourn with those that mourn, and our own lives are blessed as well. As we lift others, we rise a little higher ourselves. President Lorenzo Snow said, when you feel gloomy, find someone in a worse plight. Find out what their problem is, and try to make them feel better. You will find yourself feeling lighter. True words of encouragement require only a loving and caring heart. The number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of greater importance.
  • I left the conference that evening feeling uplifted, rejuvenated, and excited about the possibilities to create and serve. What a great evening.
  • After President Hinckley's death, we were at an Enrichment activity when the news came on the TV announcing the new first presidency. Several of the ladies in the ward were especially excited about Elder Uchtdorf being called to the presidency. "He's so handsome! Oooh, a pilot! He's so charming!" It made me smile.
Did you attend this meeting?
What was your favorite part?
Are you excited for General Conference next weekend?

18 comments:

raising4boys said...

I had the same thought when he began his talk, it was just what I needed to hear. I love how he said we don't have to be perfect at our talents.

I too was so uplifted and inspired. I have been so excited for conference weekend for that very reason. I really need a big boost.

Thanks for sharing your notes.

lvs2dance said...

Sigh....I had planned to go to the conference with Angie, but then Chris reminded me of a previous obligation that we needed to attend. I was so bummed! I really felt like my soul needed to be there and here the messages that were given. I am really looking forward to conference this weekend, my testimony really needs a boost right about now.

Laura said...

Thanks for that! I DID love the meeting! I LOVE Elder Uchtdorf! He is so sweet and so inspirational! We all need to be a little more gentle on ourselves!

Laura said...

PS- SOOOOO excited for General Conf next week! Plus the vacation from Primary- although I LOVE it- it can sure wear you out each week! Can't wait to fill back up again!

Lauren in GA said...

Thank you for sharing that!! I needed to hear it, too. I am guilty of feeling inadequate, too. I have a friend that said. I felt like he was a cheerleader for the women of the church, his words made me feel so good!

Heather S. said...

Yes, I attended the conference and it was very uplifting and I'm glad I was able to attend. I too am looking forward to general conference this weekend. I hope the kids let us listen to it.

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

It was wonderful wasn't it? I am so excited for General Conference this weekend.

Desiree said...

I love conference weekend!

donna said...
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donna said...

Yes i also needed to hear Pres Uchtdorf's talk.. It was so wonderful............

Super Angie Супер Энджи said...

My dad knows Elder Uchtdorf personally--being of Boeing/Lufthansa and also because his wife and my aunt were best buddies growing up in Frankfurt. I love hearing his German accent. He's awesome!!

Kathy said...

Yes I went, and I felt like a new woman coming out of there! President Uchtdorf brought a whole new energy to the meeting.

I think the meeting got me even more excited for General Conference. It's going to be great!

Cecilia said...

I loved president Uchtdorf's talk! It was written for me, but I'm glad he shared it with all of you {giggles}
I'm so excited for General Conference this weekend :)

Anonymous said...

We linked to your blog post on The Mormon Women Website at mormonwoman.org. Thank you for your uplifting report!

Anonymous said...

p.s. To those who missed it, you can get a video link here. You can listen to it all a talk or song at a time!

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

It was a wonderful conference! I think everyone love his talk the best, I know I did!

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Here in France it's only tommorow by broadcast, but i could attend it by internet yesterday. I really love this relief society conference and my best part was the talk of Pt Uchtdorf. I like his humour and it made me feel useful, to hear him about creativity. that encourages me to do more and to be grateful for what I can already do, and for all the possibilities I still have, espacially concerning compassion.
I really like the General conference WE, and even I couldn't go to see it by broadcast I could by internet, sunday afternoon. That's always a moment when I'm strengthened for weeks.