THREE weeks left until General Conference!! Only two more GCBC weeks to go, and then we’ll start all over again. Woo hoo!
(Is anybody up for that?)
We have five talks left to read, so we’ll look at two of them this week so that we can finish up on time.
Both of these talks address trials: the first focuses on the why of burdens and suffering, and the second discusses how to endure well.
Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy spoke at the Saturday morning session of conference. His message was “That Your Burdens May Be Light.”
“Burdens provide opportunities to practice virtues that contribute to eventual perfection.”
“No matter the burdens we face in life as a consequence of natural conditions, the misconduct of others, or our own mistakes and shortcomings, we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father, who sent us to earth as part of His eternal plan for our growth and progress. Our unique individual experiences can help us prepare to return to Him.”
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Seventy spoke during the Sunday afternoon session of conference, and he taught how preserving our faith and maintaining our obedience is the best way to endure our challenges well. He also cautions us against complacency. His talk was “Preserving the Heart’s Mighty Change.“
“Enduring to the end can be challenging because the tendency of the natural man is to reject the spiritually changed heart and allow it to harden.”
“To endure to the end, we need to be eager to please God and worship Him with fervor.”
So, enjoy these talks. Just share some of your thoughts and insights as you read and study them. I always love to hear what stands out to you and how it is meaningful in the circumstances of your lives.
You can go here to find the links to watch, or listen to these talks. And here you will find more information about the GCBC if you’re curious how it works.
Diapers and Divinity 
I like the image of the man carrying the huge load of firewood. Our burdens can certainly feel like that some days. I like how E. Clayton talked about burdens sometimes being lifted in stages. That’s often how it works. We don’t pray and then things are instantly better. We pray and the Lord strengthens us and subtle changes seem to follow–increased capacity, improved attitude, unexpected help, etc.
I also like E. Renlund’s story about his own experience during his residency. We often underestimate the importance of prayer and scripture study in keeping our spirits and testimonies strong. There is such power in these simple acts. I know that during trials doing these two things has provided a daily lifeline that has kept me from totally crumbling under the weight of my life.
I loved both of these talks. We had Elder Clayton’s talk as part of our lesson the first of the month in Relief Society. Right now so many are faced with heavy loads–I feel so blessed to know the Lord is there to help.
Our theme for RS this year is based on Elder Renlund’s talk. Prayer, scripture study, and service are so key.
I’m looking forward to General Conference. I must make it a point to really try to stay up with your book club this year. Thanks for doing it.
I also like the image of the man carrying the heavy load of firewood. I loved that he said “Burdens provide opportunities to practice virtues that contribute to eternal perfection.” That all things will give us experience, for our own good.
It is always great to be reminded that the little things like reading the scriptures, saying prayers, and attending church really are the most important things that we can do to remain faithful.
I’ve been gone from GC book club and may still be sporadic, but I am glad I stopped by today. The talk on burdens spoke to me in a good way. I do so want to be more like the people of Alma that were worthy enough that “the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.” At times I think I might catch a tiny glimpse of this, but Oh it would be good to sustain a cheerfulness and patience in all things.
Just found your GCBC! I LOVE the idea and will check back later for the next assignment, as today is Sunday.
The most heart hitting part of this talk,
“Finally, we need to frequently biopsy our mightily changed hearts and reverse any signs of early rejection. Please consider the state of your changed heart. Do you detect any rejection setting in as a result of the tendency of the natural man to become causual? If so, find a place where you too can kneel. Remember, more than mortal years on this earth are at stake. Do not risk forfeiting the fruits of the ultimate operation: Eternal Salvation and Exaltation.”
Elder Dale G Renlund is a Cardiologist at the University of Utah Medical Center.
To have the Gospel spoken in this manner, how the “Heart” is the pump, driving force of life, how we can not be sustained with out it, That the Gospel is the same, it is the pump, the drive of life, that we should not want to live without it and to do everything we can to protect it. Just as the body does for the Heart. To protect it!