Monthly Archives: March 2013

GCBC Week 25: “Converted unto the Lord” by Elder David A. Bednar

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Well, it’s the grand finale of GCBC. Like, final finale. I have loved doing the online book club since 2009, so thank you to all of those who have followed along, and especially to those of you who were brave enough to comment and participate. I don’t ever remember being as hungry for general conference as I am this week. In a world where the lines between good and evil are constantly being muddled and stretched and flat-out ignored, I am so thankful for the opportunity to hear living prophets declare and clarify God’s will, reaffirm his commandments, and offer counsel to help us navigate our days.

This final talk is a great one by Elder Bednar.

Converted unto the Lord By Elder David A. Bednar watch

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Here is a great activity to do as you study this talk (makes a good FHE lesson, too):

Write the word TESTIMONY on the top of one sheet of paper (landscape way) and CONVERSION on another. Divide each page below it into 3 columns. At the top of column 1, write What leads to it?, column 2, What IS it?, and column 3, “What does it lead to?/Results. Label the columns that way on both papers.

Then as you study, write down phrases or snippets of information that belong to each column. His talk is outlined in such an organized way that it’s really easy to pick out answers to those three questions and glean a whole lot of information and understanding. This exercise helped me to see the relationship between testimony and conversion and how I can strengthen both.

What principles stood out to you as you studied this talk? Have you seen the process he describes in your own life? And are you as excited as I am to hear general conference this weekend?

 

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FOOD for thought

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I have a new favorite food, and it’s strangely outside my normal categories of chocolate, potatoes, and soups (I know. I’m like an icon of health.). So this is it:

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The Veggie Avocado sandwich at Kneaders Bakery. On Paesano bread, minus the onions, add cucumber. Yum! (That picture is on the wrong kind of bread, but conveniently seems to be accompanied by a potato-ish soup.)

I know, it seems like I should be kidding because it’s almost too healthy for me, but it is so tasty and it totally eliminates any drive-thru window guilt. And if I order it with a Blueberry No. 5 smoothie, double yum. So, you’re welcome. (Do you have a favorite “healthy” fast food option?)

2. Speaking of healthy, as a nice take-away gift for speaking at RootsTech, the Story@Home people gave me a box of 10 Utah truffles. Ten. On Saturday. Now there are none. I have nothing to say about that except that it’s a good thing I like myself or I might actually hate myself right now.

3. The infamous (3 Amigos reference) Middle-aged Mormon Man interviewed me on his blog today and asked me questions about my book, Covenant Motherhood, and other important things like Taco Bell and soda. You should go check it out because the poor man could really use the traffic (I’m teasing him).

4. I’m curious. Have any of you read my book yet? Did you like it? And what did you eat while you read it? (Just trying to keep everything on topic here.) If you did like it, would you maybe go write a review on Amazon, Goodreads, Deseret Book, and/or Seagull Book? I’ve heard that good reviews can make a big difference if people add it to their shopping cart or not. If you didn’t like my book, please disregard this part of the post and just go back to thinking about sandwiches and chocolate. Thankyouverymuch.

GCBC Week 24: “Blessings of the Sacrament” by Elder Don R. Clarke

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It’s the next-to-last week of GCBC, and then we get to hear another round of general conference (yay!).  Here is a video you can use to invite friends, family, strangers, and foes (no, really) to join us in hearing a living prophet and apostles speak. It is one of the coolest things on God’s green earth.

I believe that this will be my last round of GCBC. I have done it for every general conference since 2009, and I’m feeling like it’s time to “retire,” but I’ll do a post-conference post about how to start up or do-it-yourself host a similar club because I still love the concept and hope to keep up with the reading schedule on my own.

Okay, this week’s talk was one I really liked, and you can find it here:

Blessings of the Sacrament by Elder Don R. Clarke

This quote in particular was my favorite:

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I’ve thought about that concept a lot, and even thought about it today while I took the sacrament. (And also this talk by Elder Perry.) I thought how every week I should walk away from sacrament meeting a better person than I have been before. My life should be in closer harmony with the gospel. My offering should be my heart and my will and all my sins as a sacrifice before God, with the desire to cling to my covenants and lay claim on their promises through my obedience. That’s pretty powerful stuff to happen in a 10-15 minute period of time, but isn’t it merciful of God to make that possible? And every week?

What stood out to you as you studied this talk? How can you make the sacrament more meaningful and transformative?

(A reminder to those of you who are new to General Conference Book Club: You’re welcome to return to this post any time this week and leave your comment and thoughts in the comment section below. You may also want to see what others are saying about the talk and engage in a conversation for mutual understanding and encouragement. A new talk will be posted each Sunday and will be studied and discussed throughout the week.)

A call for photos… please?

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I’m speaking at RootsTech this Saturday. Go learn about RootsTech here: http://rootstech.org

I need some photos for my power point presentation. Will you send me 1) a beautiful family photo that is glowing and lovely (you know what kind I mean), and 2) a photo of what “real life” looks like in your family (doesn’t have to be everyone all together)?  Update: I now have plenty for my presentation, and dozens to spare. Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who sent them. Whoever says blog friends are not real friends is missing out on one of the finer things in life.

If you send them, I’m assuming you’re giving me permission to use them in my workshop, but I won’t use them for anything other than that, ever.

I promise it would help me a lot. Email the photos to dd.stephanie[at]gmail[dot]com (….replace the words in brackets with the actual symbols… just trying to avoid robot scammers…)

Pretty please?
Thank you!!

GCBC Week 23: “By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled” by Elder Marcus B. Nash, and “Becoming a True Disciple” by Elder Daniel L. Johnson

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I’m squeezing in two talks this week because we’re getting dangerously close to general conference and I’m hoping to finish. Only two weeks and two talks left after this. Exciting, right?

By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled by Elder Marcus B. Nash

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and Becoming a True Disciple by Elder Daniel L. Johnson

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What stood out to you as you read both these talks? What role has faith played in your life? What does discipleship mean to you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

(A reminder to those of you who are new to General Conference Book Club: You’re welcome to return to this post any time this week and leave your comment and thoughts in the comment section below. You may also want to see what others are saying about the talk and engage in a conversation for mutual understanding and encouragement. A new talk will be posted each Sunday and will be studied and discussed throughout the week.)