Over the last couple of years, I’ve been writing occasionally,
as power thoughts came to me. A couple
of friends on facebook would make a simple comment which for some reason would
stick with me and I’d ponder on it for a length of time until I blogged what
was occupying my thoughts. There were
times that I had more power thoughts than time to write about. Lately, however, I’ve been having the desire
to write (because I get so much insight from my own writing) but haven’t been
able to identify anything that speaks or weighs on my mind at present. I guess you can say I am without
inspiration.
So with my desire to continue my search for truth, I’m
adapting my blogging to a different source of inspiration. Maybe those power thoughts came so easily
because they were gifted to me but now it’s time to stretch myself a little
more by seeking them out. I’m hoping to
study each of the general conference addresses and ponder the message that I
receive from it, enough to write about it.
I find it significant that his welcome begins by relating
the purpose for this world wide gathering –
Why would we gather?
It isn’t because we are all on the same bandwagon or
political ideal, a bunch of fringees who like to hear someone speak in our
language and our own ideas. It’s not any
type of sales presentation where they are selling an idea, concept, or product. It’s not really a duty to listen to those
that preside over us, such as the royal decrees from a king or military
instructions, or even our elected officials.
It’s not like a seminar or convention where you go to the class of your
own picking and choose from the ideas presented on how you might try to improve
your life.
It is a gathering of the saints (those who have covenanted
with their father) from all over the world (all of his children) to listen and
learn (those that have ears, let them hearken and heed) to those whom we sustain
(promise to support and follow their counsel) and receive the inspiration they’ve
been given for us (revealed messages specifically for this time and this people).
What a glorious purpose!
Then there is the summary aspect of the kingdom. Brief but encouraging.
The prophet takes the time to express gratitude for the
progress and privileges granted us in this time. From the beginnings when conference could no
longer reach all its members and how that has changed with the advanced
technologies of radio, television, cable, satellite, internet, and now personal
devices. We truly are blessed to have
everything available instantly. When you
consider that King Benjamin’s tower and hand written transcripts were
remarkable solutions for the masses that could not hear him, to the
availability of God’s word through the prophet, today – it is difficult to not
feel gratitude. And of course, our
prophet is leading the way in how to observe and express that appreciation.
Not only do we have access to the prophet’s voice, he points
us to the temple. Temple dedications,
rededications, and construction progress keep the vision of where we are to
look and stand. With 170 temples in
(near) operation, I can see the foundation being laid for the work that we are
to engage in.
In keeping with the growth of technology and temples, the
membership of the church continues to increase as the stone cut out of the
mountain rolls forth. 15 million really
isn’t much when compared to the billions of people on the earth, but when
compared to the 6 members that the church began with only less than 200 years
ago, it is quite impressive. I wonder
how that growth compares with Christianity as a whole or any of the other world
religions.
I’m trying to remember a statistic, but I may be waaaaay
off. I believe back in 1999, there were
only about 15,000 missionaries. I recall
being friends with someone who was interested in comparing Mormons against
Christians. They were impressed with the
number of youth who volunteered to serve.
Now the missionaries are over 88,000, my daughter being one of them, and
another daughter in preparation. I can
see how the Lord is in earnest, sifting out those who hear from those who
choose to be deaf.
The major counsel given during this address is the
invitation to pay attention. Like a
mother or teacher encouraging a child to pay attention so that we won’t miss
something that will be of value to us later.
Some important skill or knowledge will be available, if we but choose to
catch it. He closes his remarks with the
desire that our hearts will be touched and our faith increased. It is my hope that in pondering, evaluating,
and blogging about conference, that his desire will come to fruition.
