Stake Conference Elder Rinland
Posted: February 22nd, 2009, 2:18 pm
I am not quoting any of these speakers we had in stake conference over the past two days. So do not attribute what I write as their words. I can only account for what impressions it had on me personally and what I was inspired to write down.
The over all just of the meeting seemed to focus on the grace of Christ and forgiveness. I kept feeling like these attributes were needed now and we would need to perfect them as much as possible due to the events which will transpire in our local area in the near future.
Here is a breakdown of the talks:
1. A member testified of his repentance from his wayward ways. The repentance was triggered by his procrastination to help his best friend who has a life threatening incident. This man realized he had not helped his friend in need immediately. He repented of this by praying for his friend's recovery which lead to peace in his heart and the full recovery of his friend. The theme seemed to be, it is never too late for repentance because of the grace of Christ.
2. A member testified of the gift of grace. That we should rejoice that Christ will come. We are given strength through the grace of Christ that we would otherwise not be able to obtain. She re accounted the story of the creditor and the debtor. A broken heart, is a heart willing to submit to the will of God and a contrite spirit is humble and teachable. Forgive and love our enemies. You will know you have forgiven them when the thought of the experience no longer brings you pain.
3. A member read 2 Timothy 3:1-4. Live in the world but not of it. Make our house a house of family prayer. Be watchful and prayerful continually. Pour out your souls. This will help ease tensions in your families. Cry unto God for all you support. Have a great love and concern for all your family members.
4. Elder Renlund's wife spoke. She spoke about her and her husband visiting a small town in Wyoming. They attended sacrament meeting where two young boys spoke. The first young boy, Cody, read a talk from the Ensign and then sat down. The second boy stood up and kind of him-hawed around a little, then finally admitted his mother was out of town and so he did not have someone to push him to prepare for his talk. He said he was supposed to give a talk on following the prophet. He paused for a moment, then said, "I think I will have to go with Nike on this one, and say, "just do it"." He then sat down. She said that this is proof that talks do not have to be long or articulate to be memorable. She said his talk stuck with her more than the long talk and the point was well conveyed.
She said President Monson is a type and shadow of the Savior. We should follow his example of visiting the sick, widows, orphans and those in prison. Expand our reach to help others.
5. Elder Renlund spoke about lost time. He read the parable of the laborers, how each started at different time and yet each received an equal wage. He said this is because of the grace of Christ which makes us all equal. He spoke on the repetition of speaking on gospel principles and said this is done because God is underlining the principle so we will pay attention. He read the hymn, "More holiness give me". He said this prayer is answered in the temple. Keep our eyes single to God, administer unto the people. He read the parable about the house built upon the rock and the other upon the sand and said they both had rain and the wind fall upon them, the difference is what they are built upon. The answer to the greatest of trials is simple, Christ is resurrected from the grave. Putting the atonement and resurrection of Christ foremost in our minds places all things in perspective.
Sunday
1. The power of reverence: Greater respect for diety. Went over the Saviors appearance to the Nephites, first their eyes towards him, no speech, fall to the ground. They did not want to interrupt the spirit. Read 2 Chonicles 29:5 about king Hezekiah and his efforts to bring the people to repentance by cleansing the inner part of the temple. Take things out of your home that should not be there and replace them with things that prepare us to meet the Savior. D&C 108.13. Revelation comes from being reverent We must know if his sacrifice for us in depth just like the Nephites did when they felt the prints of the nails in his hands.
2. The next speaker spoke on how reverence invites the Spirit into our lives and brings us close to Christ. Reverence is not a temporary behavior and needs to fill our lives. Children need to be a part of spiritual experiences. Teach children about the temple. Reverence include rejoicing.
3. Putting off the natural man. Choose to do right even if it is not poplar. Choose to express gratitude. Spoke of King Benjamin's address to the people and how it affected their lives. What we do is more important than what we do not do. Christ expressed his love through serving. Yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit.
4. Elder Renland's wife related another story. They moved to Maryland early in their marriage. The ward members invited them to a ward crab feast. It was in a member's back yard and the pick nick tables were covered with newspapers. They took out a large basket and dumped a large pile of small crabs onto the table. She asked where they got them from. They said the elders quorum had went out on a skiff onto the water in the Chesapeake Bay with chicken necks they bought from the local butcher. They tied the necks onto a long string and dropped them down to the bottom of the water. The crabs would smell the delicious food and grab onto it. They would hold onto the necks until they sensed they were nearing the top of the water, then let go. But it was too late because someone would use a net to catch them as they fell off.
Chicken necks lead us to places that we do not want to be. Do not be tricked. She thought the crabs must be stupid to hold on for so long. Then she held up the strength for youth pamphlet and said, to all you crabs out there. She said to let go of complacency and follow the Savior. Feast upon the Love of God.
5. Elder Renland spoke on reverence begets the Love of God. Mosiah 4:14. We are carnal and depend on Christ to receive a remission of sins. Rejoice and love god. Portray outward things that are a manifestation of an inner thing, namely recognize your nothingness and Christ's greatness, call on the Lord at all times, stand steadfast in the faith of the atonement. This will beget reverence which will not let us become complacent which will lead to continual repentance. Our former sins are remembered no more. You are not what you were, but what you have become. We must remember Christ forgives us for sins that we could never repay, so we are to forgive others for the sins they commit against us which are small in comparison. Only forgiveness heals.
That's all folks
The over all just of the meeting seemed to focus on the grace of Christ and forgiveness. I kept feeling like these attributes were needed now and we would need to perfect them as much as possible due to the events which will transpire in our local area in the near future.
Here is a breakdown of the talks:
1. A member testified of his repentance from his wayward ways. The repentance was triggered by his procrastination to help his best friend who has a life threatening incident. This man realized he had not helped his friend in need immediately. He repented of this by praying for his friend's recovery which lead to peace in his heart and the full recovery of his friend. The theme seemed to be, it is never too late for repentance because of the grace of Christ.
2. A member testified of the gift of grace. That we should rejoice that Christ will come. We are given strength through the grace of Christ that we would otherwise not be able to obtain. She re accounted the story of the creditor and the debtor. A broken heart, is a heart willing to submit to the will of God and a contrite spirit is humble and teachable. Forgive and love our enemies. You will know you have forgiven them when the thought of the experience no longer brings you pain.
3. A member read 2 Timothy 3:1-4. Live in the world but not of it. Make our house a house of family prayer. Be watchful and prayerful continually. Pour out your souls. This will help ease tensions in your families. Cry unto God for all you support. Have a great love and concern for all your family members.
4. Elder Renlund's wife spoke. She spoke about her and her husband visiting a small town in Wyoming. They attended sacrament meeting where two young boys spoke. The first young boy, Cody, read a talk from the Ensign and then sat down. The second boy stood up and kind of him-hawed around a little, then finally admitted his mother was out of town and so he did not have someone to push him to prepare for his talk. He said he was supposed to give a talk on following the prophet. He paused for a moment, then said, "I think I will have to go with Nike on this one, and say, "just do it"." He then sat down. She said that this is proof that talks do not have to be long or articulate to be memorable. She said his talk stuck with her more than the long talk and the point was well conveyed.
She said President Monson is a type and shadow of the Savior. We should follow his example of visiting the sick, widows, orphans and those in prison. Expand our reach to help others.
5. Elder Renlund spoke about lost time. He read the parable of the laborers, how each started at different time and yet each received an equal wage. He said this is because of the grace of Christ which makes us all equal. He spoke on the repetition of speaking on gospel principles and said this is done because God is underlining the principle so we will pay attention. He read the hymn, "More holiness give me". He said this prayer is answered in the temple. Keep our eyes single to God, administer unto the people. He read the parable about the house built upon the rock and the other upon the sand and said they both had rain and the wind fall upon them, the difference is what they are built upon. The answer to the greatest of trials is simple, Christ is resurrected from the grave. Putting the atonement and resurrection of Christ foremost in our minds places all things in perspective.
Sunday
1. The power of reverence: Greater respect for diety. Went over the Saviors appearance to the Nephites, first their eyes towards him, no speech, fall to the ground. They did not want to interrupt the spirit. Read 2 Chonicles 29:5 about king Hezekiah and his efforts to bring the people to repentance by cleansing the inner part of the temple. Take things out of your home that should not be there and replace them with things that prepare us to meet the Savior. D&C 108.13. Revelation comes from being reverent We must know if his sacrifice for us in depth just like the Nephites did when they felt the prints of the nails in his hands.
2. The next speaker spoke on how reverence invites the Spirit into our lives and brings us close to Christ. Reverence is not a temporary behavior and needs to fill our lives. Children need to be a part of spiritual experiences. Teach children about the temple. Reverence include rejoicing.
3. Putting off the natural man. Choose to do right even if it is not poplar. Choose to express gratitude. Spoke of King Benjamin's address to the people and how it affected their lives. What we do is more important than what we do not do. Christ expressed his love through serving. Yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit.
4. Elder Renland's wife related another story. They moved to Maryland early in their marriage. The ward members invited them to a ward crab feast. It was in a member's back yard and the pick nick tables were covered with newspapers. They took out a large basket and dumped a large pile of small crabs onto the table. She asked where they got them from. They said the elders quorum had went out on a skiff onto the water in the Chesapeake Bay with chicken necks they bought from the local butcher. They tied the necks onto a long string and dropped them down to the bottom of the water. The crabs would smell the delicious food and grab onto it. They would hold onto the necks until they sensed they were nearing the top of the water, then let go. But it was too late because someone would use a net to catch them as they fell off.
Chicken necks lead us to places that we do not want to be. Do not be tricked. She thought the crabs must be stupid to hold on for so long. Then she held up the strength for youth pamphlet and said, to all you crabs out there. She said to let go of complacency and follow the Savior. Feast upon the Love of God.
5. Elder Renland spoke on reverence begets the Love of God. Mosiah 4:14. We are carnal and depend on Christ to receive a remission of sins. Rejoice and love god. Portray outward things that are a manifestation of an inner thing, namely recognize your nothingness and Christ's greatness, call on the Lord at all times, stand steadfast in the faith of the atonement. This will beget reverence which will not let us become complacent which will lead to continual repentance. Our former sins are remembered no more. You are not what you were, but what you have become. We must remember Christ forgives us for sins that we could never repay, so we are to forgive others for the sins they commit against us which are small in comparison. Only forgiveness heals.
That's all folks