Elder David A. Bednar was in Lethbridge this weekend providing training to bishops and stake presidencies from the region. He also spoke to the general membership of the Lethbridge Alberta Stake this morning.<\/p>\n
Here are a few things that stuck out to me. These are not direct quotes.<\/p>\n
Conference talk topics are not assigned; although, the time alloted to the talks are. Any orchestration of common themes between talks is done in heaven.\u00c2\u00a0We determine the subjects of the talks by how we conduct ourselves. For example, if we are tired of hearing about tithing, we need to pay our tithing.<\/p>\n
When listening to the conference talks, we should seek to identify the doctrine of the gospel, look for invitations to act, and look for the promised blessings.<\/p>\n
He talked about the Apostasy, the Restoration, and the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times<\/p>\n
Focusing on the gospel as being a celestial checklist discourages us from gathering all things together in one in Christ.\u00c2\u00a0Checking the boxes does not produce spiritual strength. In the\u00c2\u00a0War in Heaven,\u00c2\u00a0Lucifer didn’t lose; he rebelled. He called Lucifer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s rebellion the first something-for-nothing scam.<\/p>\n
Agency is more than choosing; it is the power and capacity of independent action (see 2 Nephi 2). Agency is serving God and our fellow beings.\u00c2\u00a0Once we have made the baptismal covenant, we no longer have the choice to break the commandments.\u00c2\u00a0Parents need to teach children to exercise agency in the bounds the Lord has set; no force or\u00c2\u00a0coercion.\u00c2\u00a0Obedience is honouring the terms and conditions of the covenants<\/p>\n
We should seek the companionship of Holy Ghost, exercise agency, and bless and serve others. We should not focus on\u00c2\u00a0running programs and worrying about numbers instead of peeople.<\/p>\n
As we ponder Ephesians 1:10, we will have eyes to see what we’ve not seen, ears to hear what we’ve not heard, spiritual vitality, spiritual direction to give us added purpose, and spiritual protection.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"