Here's my SATURDAY that made up for my nightmare FRIDAY.

It must be saturday. I've spent most the day cleaning and as a result, i'm a mess. But hey, house looks GREAT. Tonight was time spent much better at the worldwide leadership training meeting. I went with my mom and dad. Kenna and Gage came and sat with us too. It was held at the stake center tonight at 6 and got out about 8:15. But of course, being that i went with my parents...i couldn't just leave. They do like to chat :) Anyway I took plenty of notes, i hadn't intended to but it was THAT GOOD. Elder Holland introduced the meeting by saying that although the general authorities are fully aware that not everyone is in the 'ideal' family situation, and everyone has circumstances that are unique to them. They still have the need to set the 'pattern' for the ideal situation in the family. Elder Packer then spoke. He read to us the family: a proclamation to the world, giving us his comments about it along the way. One of which was "Live the gospel, and you're going to be alright."
Following Elder Packer, they made a 'panel'. Made up of elder oaks, cheryl lant, julie beck, susan tanner, and elder holland. And in discussing the family they said the following, as well as much more, but, i couldn't write it all...

"The Lord didn't tell us it would be easy, but he DID assure us it would be possible." -Oaks

"Genesis 2 tells us that we are to 1. Leave where we were 2. Cleave together as husband and wife, and 3. Become one. "-Beck

Elder oaks said that in talking to couples being sealed in the temple he said FIRST look to one another. Because your unity, under the direction of a loving heavenly father, will get you over the inevitable problems of your marriage."

"Selfishness may be the single biggest problem for couples in their marriage." -Holland quoting Hinckley

Elder Oaks talked about soul mates. And mentioned that although that may occur in SOME CASES. We usually just have to find someone we love, someone we can STAND together with. To go forward with the same ideals. He said, if you're waiting til something hits you in the head, that just delays marriage, or prevents it all together.

"Love is what you go through TOGETHER"

Elder Holland said we must summon our faith and go forward...(didn't catch his whole quote) but even that is a statement worth pondering.

Elder Holland spoke of going through this life in fear. Fear of what is in the world. Fear of what we may have to face. And elder oaks offered a passage of scripture.."Perfect love of the Lord casteth out fear."

In compromises in the marriage, Sister Lant said "It's not about who is right, it's about what is right."

"We are in danger today. People look to the world for the standard in child bearing, rearing, and families, and not to the Lord to make decisions that are FUNDAMENTAL and ETERNAL. In things that NEED to be made before the Lord."- Oaks

In talking about children, sister beck said, "We don't have children because we have money or means. We have them because we have faith."

Sister Tanner continued, "The way will be opened up if we walk by faith."

In light of the task it is to be the 'perfect parent', Elder Oaks offered the following passage of scripture, of which he said is is a most comforting scripture for him. "For I the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts." -Doctrine and Covenants 137:9

Elder Holland said, we can definitely do a better job, of "putting the family first."

Sister Beck told a story of the FHE's held in her home growing up. That every single week they sang love at home to start. Elder Oaks commented, sometimes that song is sung through clenched teeth. :) She continued to say that one day she asked her dad why, that there were plenty of other wonderful hymns to be sung and he said, once you have learned lesson one, we'll go on to lesson two. She said she never found out what lesson two was. :)

"Be Careful about judging people. Things are not always as they seem. We just have to love eachother." -Sister Lant

"We need to reach out to those around us, our 'extended family'- as this situation is better in many places than it is here in north america." -Oaks

"We don't judge. We teach, we love, we rally, we encourage." -Holland

In talking about parents trying to raise up a righteous posterity, and still having some children make bad decisions, these words were shared. "God has given his children the power of choice, we are responsible to teach correct principles with love, but keep praying, keep trying. Put down the burden of guilt- sometimes they do have to make decisions themselves and see the consequences on their own to learn." -Oaks

"There is nothing greater that a father can do for his children than to love their mother."

"Are we too busy? Are we trying to do too much? Lets make sure its not the spiritual things that we are excluding." -Lant

In homes with single parents, or trying situations Elder Oaks quoted his mother when she said, "I love my children with all my heart, but I can't love them with all my time."

"Home is not just a place, its a feeling, and a spirit." and on that note, "Homemaking is as much for fathers as it is for mothers." -Oaks.

"If we increase our family time- it is parents responsibility to make sure that time is not spent watching tv, or in sports, etc.." -Oaks

The topic turns a little bit here, and they mention elder perry talking in the jan '03 worldwide training meeting. He said "The secret behind building a ward is to know your members and their needs....BIGGER IS NOT NECESSARILY BETTER."

"Sometimes to magnify your calling is to do less. Not more." -Elder Scott quoted by Elder Holland.

A big part was sister beck mentioning that we should not do things just because they are tradition. We should do things because its what people need. Don't just do it again because it was good last time..

"Focus on the people, not the program."-Lant

"SACRIFICE is a key principle in the gospel of Jesus Christ."- Holland

"Lets do everything possible to RECLAIM the JOY of the Sabbath, the delight of worship, surely we can do better." -Holland

"Don't let the business of 'church work' distract us from the main purpose of our going to church, and that is renewing our covenants." -Sister Beck

"It is fundamental for us to avoid taking the world's models in eternal purposes such as marriage and children"-Oaks

2Corinthians6 was quoted saying we cannot afford to stand side by side yoked with the world when we are trying to bring about the Lord's eternal purposes." -Oaks

The 'Panel' ended their discussion and President Thomas S. Monson addressed us in conclusion. He gave us 3 guidelines to making home a haven of happiness.
1. Establish a pattern of prayer.
2. May our homes be a library of learning. He said good books are a pleasure in life, he made mention of D&C 88:118. He said seek out of the best books privately, and with our families.
3. Let us enjoy the legacy of love. Let our homes be filled with love. Of eachother, our friends, our fellowmen, and of our Savior.
May we ever strive to have a home where the spirit of the Lord would CHOOSE to dwell.


NOW IF THATS NOT DOCTRINE PACKED, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. I really enjoyed this meeting and wanted to get this all put on my page in history. I hope we can all take this to heart and be an example to those around us.

Today has just been a really good day. Despite my own trials, and battles fought within myself about where I'm going and how i'll get there...its great to know I am watched over by a heavenly father. WHO LOVES ME. He knows my needs, and gives me days like this where I can get all the strength I need to make it another day on this road we call mortality. What a JOY it is to live, and to learn, to love, and be loved.....

Thats all for now-
SIERRA BRIANNE.