Brenda Grandma Travelers

 Brenda Clausing spoke in church today.  She talked about unity and love.  I loved a story she shared.  Her grandparents lived on South Temple between 400 and 500 West.  The railroad tracks passed by their home and trains would slow down by their home as they approached the turn into the train station.  Often people who were riding the train without tickets would hop off as the train slowed.  Often these travelers would find their way to her grandparents' home.  Brenda said her grandma never turned them away.  She baked bread or rolls regularly and they raised chickens.  So at the least she would have bread and eggs to offer these travelers, sometimes more food.  Brenda didn't think much about it as a little girl, but she looks back on these memories with fondness. Her grandma loved and served others, regardless of their background.

LESSONS LEARNED:  

How can I be a little more generous with my time, talents and money?  

I need to be less prone to judge those whose lives are different than mine.  They are my brothers and sisters.  Do I treat them as such?

I can do small acts with great love, in the words of Mother Teresa.  That's how unity and love and righteousness will grow.

Matthew 25:34-46 says:  

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his ^aright hand, Come, ye ^bblessed of my Father, ^cinherit the ^dkingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an ^ahungred, and ye ^bgave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a ^cstranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye ^avisited me: I was in ^bprison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee ^asick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have ^adone it unto one of the ^bleast of these my ^cbrethren, ye have done it unto me.

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the ^aleft hand, ^bDepart from me, ye ^ccursed, into everlasting ^dfire, ^eprepared for the devil and his angels:

42 For I was an ^ahungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the ^aleast of these, ye did it not to me.

46 And these shall go away into ^aeverlasting ^bpunishment: but the ^crighteous into ^dlife ^eeternal.

Romney Grandfather Welcome

 In her book I Like Me, Anyway, Brooke Romney explains that one afternoon her grandfather asked her cousin to help him put up a large Welcome Home sign on the gate to their private community.  Her cousin asked where the man was returning from, expecting the answer to be the military or a mission.  Her grandfather replied, "He is coming home from prison, and I want him to know that we are happy that he is back with us." (64)

Romney writes, "That day, my grandfather stood proudly and caught this man's stones so he could walk back into life knowing that someone was on his side, someone was rooting for him, someone was glad he was home." 

Lessons Learned:  

Am I a stone catcher for those whose lives have gone differently than mine?  Am I a stone catcher for those who have made mistakes or who sin differently than I do?

Matthew 5: 7 "Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy."

Elder Uchtdorf said in April 2012:  "When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following:

Stop it!

It’s that simple. We simply have to stop judging others and replace judgmental thoughts and feelings with a heart full of love for God and His children. God is our Father. We are His children. We are all brothers and sisters. I don’t know exactly how to articulate this point of not judging others with sufficient eloquence, passion, and persuasion to make it stick. I can quote scripture, I can try to expound doctrine, and I will even quote a bumper sticker I recently saw. It was attached to the back of a car whose driver appeared to be a little rough around the edges, but the words on the sticker taught an insightful lesson. It read, “Don’t judge me because I sin differently than you.”

Susan Heart Miracle

 I've been able to go walking a few times recently with Susan Vincent.  She found out a couple of months ago that 2 of her arteries were completely blocked and a third one was 80% blocked.  The doctor said it was a complete miracle that she hadn't suffered a heart attack.  In December, she had heart surgery to clear the blockages.  She's had a rough couple of years.  She's had multiple surgeries on her foot.  She is hoping to get on the liver transplant list.  She has been hospitalized several times and now had heart surgery.  But she comes to church each Sunday and she is going for walks around the neighborhood to build up her strength.  She is an inspiration to me.  She just keeps doing what needs to be done and tries to live a faithful life despite her challenges.  

In Real Talk Come Follow Me two weeks ago, Ganel-lyn Condie talked about an experience she had.  She had a dream about a friend of hers named Carrie Clark.  Carrie is a good woman.  She serves others.  She reaches out to those who are struggling.  She serves valiantly in callings.  She has been a scout leader and a primary worker and is one of those who is continually behind the scenes, doing what needs to be done and serving those who need service.  She will likely never be famous and her name will probably not be in history books, but she is good and valiant and makes a difference in the lives of those who know her.  Ganel-lyn had a dream one night that Carrie had died.  At her funeral, the stake center was filled and there were the boys she had taught in scouts and who were now returned missionaries and fathers.  There were her primary children, her neighbors, her friends.  Each one had a story of how Carrie had blessed their lives.  Ganel-lyn reached out to Carrie and shared her dream and Carrie thanked her and said she'd been wondering if the small and simple things she did really made any difference at all.  Ganel-lyn said that if you are a Carrie Clark, you ARE seen and known and what you do DOES matter.  And Susan Vincent is a Carrie Clark.  In fact, most of the women I know (and many of the men) are Carrie Clarks.  I am surrounded by valiant women who change this world in small but nevertheless profound ways through their goodness and their service.  I want to be a Carrie Clark.  I'm trying to be a Carrie Clark.

LESSONS LEARNED:  

Be valiant.  Keep being faithful, no matter what comes.

Even in the midst of hard challenges, the Lord sends miracles and tender mercies.  Notice them.  Record them.  Remember them.

Be a Carrie Clark or a Susan Vincent.  Keep doing good all the days of your life!!

Student Confidence Poetry

 I have a darling boy in my class this year.  He is so sweet and smart and I am so happy that we'll finally be going back into the classroom in a week.

Tonight I was reading some of the poetry they have written.  When I got to William's I read his poem and it was well written.  At the bottom he wrote, "Not trying to brag but I think we both know I am pretty awesome at writing poems!!!!!"  I laughed out loud.  But I also smiled so big because I just love his confidence and that he happily embraces his strengths and isn't afraid to share them with the world!  I just love it.

LESSONS LEARNED:  Share your talents.  Embrace your strengths.

Be confident.

Jackson Expose Bias

When my children started attending Jackson for the dual immersion program there, in my head I told myself how happy the teachers would be to have my children.  I knew Jackson was in an area with high poverty.  I worked in a neighborhood with high poverty and I know the challenges that many of the children face.  And in my head I assumed that meant that many of the parents would have limited education.  That my children would have a big advantage over many of the students there. 

Now there was some truth in my thoughts.  I had worked at a Title 1 school for several years at that point and many of the families do have limited education.  But as I got to know the parents at Jackson, I discovered that there were quite a few that had as much or more education than I did.  Several were living there because it was in relative proximity to the university and were pursuing advanced degrees.  I held a bias that was neither fully accurate nor at all helpful.  And many of the students were great students.  

What is ironic about this is I grew up quite poor.  I lived in a trailer park until 5th grade, then in an apartment for 5-7th grade and then with my grandparents for 8-9th grade.  I had either free or reduced lunch throughout my childhood.  But my mom had a college degree and my dad had some college.  And I was smart.  I was a great student.  I know better than to assume poverty makes you a poor student.  And yet, I still carried a bit of that bias.  We all have bias and we can't do anything about our biases until we come to recognize them.  

LESSONS LEARNED:  Experience can help us uncover and reform our unconscious biases.

We should not make judgments about people based on their income or the neighborhood in which they reside.

Romney Stonecatchers Judging

Brooke Romney (I Like Me Anyway) attended her grandmother's funeral.  Her uncle said he remembered a time when he was excited to share some juicy gossip with his mom.  When he told her the gossip, her response was "People who live in glass houses don't throw stones."    He tried to repeat the gossip--this was great gossip.  She simply repeated her previous statement.  She taught him not to gossip or judge others.

In the book Just Mercy Bryan Stevenson says we need to do more than just not throw stones...we need to be stone catchers.  We need to stand up for and protect the vulnerable.  

Brooke Romney shared several examples of stonecatchers.  Her grandma, obviously, was one.

One day Romney was at Target with her young son.  He was melting down.  She was trying to stay calm and calm him down while also holding her infant.  A woman walked over and said, "I love how you speak so kindly to your children even when they are giving you a hard time.  You are a wonderful mother."  She had been on the verge of losing it, but this woman was a stone catcher.

A friend, Jessica, delivered her 6th baby.  Her 3rd grade son had just been diagnosed with ADHD.  The friend was overwhelmed and exhausted.  The teacher didn't question why she wasn't more involved at school or why she had another child when she was so busy.  The teacher tutored and taught the little boy and helped him make progress.

She gives hints of how to be a stone catcher:

Share your struggles openly.

Put an arm around someone who is struggling. 

Be genuinely glad that the rowdy child or surly teenager is at church even if he/she doesn't seem to be taking anything in.   

Include others.

Notice who is standing/sitting alone and talk to them.

Welcome the stranger.  

See others through God's eyes.

LESSONS LEARNED:  Be a stonecatcher.

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.  And since that isn't me...don't cast a stone!

LOVE...LOVE everyone and let your love be seen and felt!

Romney Swimming Disability

 Brooke Romney (I Like Me Anyway) tells an experience that happened at the swimming pool.  She and a friend saw a woman in a bikini with toned arms, tight abs and strong legs.  They both thought how lucky this woman was to have enough time and money to have a body like that.

Then they watched her walk to the pool and lift out a heavy child with severe special needs from the pool.  She then tenderly carried her daughter to their chairs. Suddenly, they both realized that her body hadn't come from hours at a gym working with a personal trainer.  She was strong and healthy and she most likely got each one of those muscles by caring for her child..."through selfless love and sacrifice."

She then said it is easy to look at the outside or the visible parts of a person's body or personality and make assumptions about them...but "who they are is so much deeper than most of us are willing to discover.  It is easy to dismiss people because they seem to have it all, but those who are spiritually, physically, socially or emotionally great have most likely paid a price to get there.  How often I want things the quick and easy way!  I want the muscles without the lifting; I want the humility without the heartache; I want the empathy without the suffering.  But that is not the plan.  Those who are this way have paid the price."  (page 61-62)

LESSONS LEARNED:  Judge not that ye be not judged.

Romney Community Embrace

 In I Like Me, Anyway Brooke Romney shares that her husband was doing well in real estate and so they purchased their dream home in Arizona.  Things were going really well.  And then...the market crashed in 2008 and things weren't good.  Arizona was hit hard.  And her husband's job was 100% commission and they had just spent much of their savings on a down payment.  They were living on their food storage and pinching pennies.  They prayed and plead but had to back out of their dream home.  They sold the house they were living in and moved to Michigan so her husband could attend graduate school.  The winters were long, their student housing was drab and they had little money.

AND YET...she writes:

"Our community quickly embraced us and taught us more about openness, generosity and true charity than we had ever known before.  They accepted us immediately, 20 of them waiting on the curb in the rain for us to arrive.  They took our kids to play and unloaded our moving van with warm smiles.  They delivered a basked of essentials on our first night and had us over for breakfast the next morning, though none of them truly had extra to spare.  Never had I seen such genuine selflessness and acceptance.  It felt like Zion.

As we lived together for the next two years, our Michigan friends taught me that you don't need a certain amount of square footage to invite someone into your life and that goodness has nothing to do with the size of your house or the balance of your bank account and everything to do with your heart."  (page 51)

She says there is nothing inherently good or bad in money but our attitude toward it matters.  And "the way it dictates how we feel about ourselves and others  can distort our vision if we aren't careful."

LESSONS LEARNED:

Character and love--that's what matters.

I can gather others in my home even if it is smaller. 

How can I better welcome people into my life and into my heart?  How can I welcome others with open arms?

 

Women of the Scriptures Week

  Back around the middle of November, I got a pretty distinct impression that we needed to do something like worth week.  But it needed to be focused on women in the scriptures.  We needed to help the young women get into the scriptures.  We needed to help them see these remarkable women and the good that they were able to do and we needed to help them recognize that God also has a work for them to do.  I hoped it would be a beautiful, spirit filled week for them.  I hope it has been.  Today concludes "women of the scriptures week".  I asked each of my counselors and each member of our stake YW presidency to select one woman in the scriptures.  I asked them to briefly tell that woman's story and then to select a character trait/Christlike attribute that woman possessed.  Describe that attribute and give a simple challenge related to that attribute that the girls could do on that day.  Then prepare a small gift that tied in with the woman and/or the attribute.  I ended up loving the week and loving what each woman came up with.  I really hope the YW did too!

We began the week learning about Esther and courage.  Our stake YW President made personalized mugs for each YW with their name and a picture of a lion and the words "strong and courageous".

On Monday, we learned about Tabitha.  The young women read about her good works and almsgiving.  They were given chapstick and a charge to speak kind words to all the people they passed.

On Tuesday, they 

On Tuesday, they learned about Sariah.  They learned that she had a moment when she complained and murmured and her faith wavered.  But when her sons returned safely, she repented and she received confirmation from the spirit.  Sister Sweeny wrote, "All of us, like Sariah, have times in our lives when we experience doubts and trials that may leave us cold on the inside.  As you use this rice bag, let it be a reminder that when you are spiritually cooling or cold, you can draw from the heat of others (parents, friends, siblings, leaders, the Holy Ghost, and especially our Heavenly Parents and Savior, Jesus Christ) to help keep you warm until your heat returns.  We need each other, Wendy Sweeny"

On Wednesday, we learned about Mahlah (who I admit I didn't know about!  I loved her story!!)

The girls got gum with a note to "chews" calm over confusion, courage over concern, peace over panic and gratitude over gripe.

On Thursday, we learned about Ruth.  The girls were given a friendship bracelet and a challenge to reach out to someone they haven't talked to recently and tell them that they love them.

On Friday, the girls learned about Emma Smith's great faith.  They were given a wooden sign to let their faith show.

And they were challenged to choose a song that helps increase their faith and share that song with a family member, friend or leader.

On Saturday, they learned about the wise woman (found in 2 Samuel 20).  They learned what it means to be wise and were challenged to think of one wise woman they know and reach out to her and tell her what they admire about her or ask for her advice.  OR they could write in their journals about the lessons they learn from this wise woman.  They received owl socks.

Today, Sunday, they learned about Elisabeth and her nobility and what a faithful mother and wife she was.  They were challenged to read her story in Luke 1 and write their feelings in their journal.

Romney Be Yourself

 In I Like Me Anyway, Brooke Romney shares that she was asked to speak at Time Out for Women.  She felt shocked and humbled.  As she prepared her talk, she felt an outpouring of the Spirit.  She felt certain she was sharing the message that God wanted her to share.  She had prayed and fasted and prepared and practice and she was ready.  

Then she arrived at TOFW and met the others she would be presenting with.  They were talented.  They were spiritual giants.  They were well known and revered and influential.  But she pushed through her insecurities because she felt sure God wanted her to share her message.  But then as she sat in TOFW and listened to the others present, she felt certain she didn't compare to them.  They were authors and scriptorians and she didn't measure up.  She began to think, "What am I doing here?  I don't belong here.I can't make a difference to these women who came seeking inspiration and revelation!" She was the last speaker of the day and her doubts got worse and worse.  She began to feel ill.  Then another presenter leaned over in the middle of someone else's talk and said, "Just be yourself.  That is why they asked you to be here."  

Brooke Romney writes, "Those two sentences changed everything for me.  I could be myself.  I could be the best, most authentic, faithful, prepared and loving version of myself, and I could share the message God had whispered to me.  My fear and doubt left me...I didn't give a flawless performance or get a standing ovation, but I know I touched hearts that snowy February afternoon, and I realized that even when I doubt my own worth, God doesn't."  (page 43)

LESSONS LEARNED:

Be yourself!  What you have to offer is what God wants you to give!

God is mindful of you and believes in you, even when you doubt yourself.

Each of us have an important message to share with others.

College No Talent

 In high school I was almost the top of my class. I took honors and AP classes, and I was one of the smartest kids I knew.  I felt like that was one of my real talents--I was smart!  (Not very humble about it at all...but smart!)  

Then I went to BYU.  And I was in the honors dorm.  I had a scholarship but many of the others in my dorm had presidential scholarships.  I had a good ACT score, but a few of them had perfect ACT scores.  After just a few weeks, I realized that I was not the smartest person around.  And so many of them were not only smart but seemed to have many other talents as well.  What about me?  I couldn't sing or dance or play a musical instrument.  I wasn't artistic or funny or athletic.  I suddenly felt very much without talents.  It was a struggle.  But I began to read my patriarchal blessing and noticed some talents it mentioned that aren't easy to display but are talents nonetheless.  I did well in my classes and realized that I was still smart--just not the smartest and that's okay.  I made friends and began to worry less about how I measured up to them.  

**This sounds a lot like Brooke Romney's story...it is a lot like her story.  "Comparison is the thief of joy."

It's years later...more than 25 years after my freshman year in college.  I'm not the smartest person I know, but I am smart.  And I do have talents.  Some of them are talents I read about in my patriarchal blessing that gave me comfort and some are other talents that I have recognized or developed since then. And I'm continually trying to develop additional talents.

A few of my talents include:

*an ability to recall scriptures and words of the apostles to aid in teaching

*compassion

*an ability to speak in church or other public settings with only a small amount of nervousness and usually able to express my thoughts relatively eloquently

*teaching

*these days I'm pretty good at using Zoom and Canvas  (haha...thanks, Covid!)

*ability to bear testimony

*I can/do weep when touched by the Spirit.

*I'm good at serving others.

*I'm good at keeping a journal/documenting my life story.

LESSONS LEARNED:

We all have talents and spiritual gifts.

We can continue to develop new talents. (This year I'm taking piano lessons...just started this week.)

Our patriarchal blessing can help us know what some of our gifts are.

DON'T COMPARE YOURSELF (or your life) TO OTHERS!!

Brooke Romney Poor Me

 I'm reading I Like Me Anyway by Brooke Romney. 

She tells the following story.

She was living just outside of DC when she had her first baby.  She had no clue what she was doing.  But soon she got into a routine.  She watched Trading Spaces and faux painted her apartment.  She watched Food Network and started cooking semi-homemade meals.  She kept her house tidy and made some friends and felt like she was rocking the motherhood/wife/homemaker thing.

Then they moved to Arizona when her son was 15 months old and it seemed most other women had 2 or 3 children, canned, cooked, had spotless homes, created FHE kits, and had chore charts.  She suddenly felt completely defeated and like she would NEVER measure up.  Her talents hadn't suddenly disappeared when she got to Arizona.   But she had begun to compare herself to a conglomerate of women.  She felt devoid of all the things that made other women seem special.  She was in a "poor me" moment when the Spirit told her to stop it.  She also had gifts to share.  She was good at gathering others.  She started playgroups and ran an exercise class and built unity in an area that needed it.  She writes, "We rise when we focus on what we can give."

Then she urges us to use our talents and our interests and contribute.  See others as friends and allies, not competitors.

LESSONS LEARNED:  Use MY talents and gifts.

Learn from others.

We rise when we focus on what we can give.

Don't compare.

See others as friends and allies.

Our spirits long to learn and grow and progress.

Which Blanket? Amelia

 Today Amelia Maass spoke in church with me.  She held up a beautiful blanket made for one of her sons when he was a baby.  It was bright and colorful and handmade and really lovely.  She then held up another blanket of her son's.  This one was tattered and torn and nearly see through and pretty worn out.   The first blanket had been stored on a shelf while the second one had been loved and cried on and hugged and dragged around.  It had been "highly favored"--just as we have been.

She talked about evidences that we have been highly favored and while, like Nephi, we have seen many afflictions, we have also been highly favored and received many tender mercies of the Lord.

At the end she asked, which blanket do we want to be when we leave this life?  The pristine blanket that looks beautiful but has seen little love or experience?  Or the tattered and torn but well loved and wise blanket?  Because when we leave this life, the tears and holes and scars will healed without a trace but the learning and wisdom and richness of experience will remain.  I definitely want to be the tattered and torn and loved blanket.

Talk of Christ Andersen

 **I spoke in sacrament meeting today.  My talk was to be based on Elder Andersen's talk We Talk of Christ and Bishop Harding also specifically asked me to talk about how we can talk of Christ on social media.  Here's my talk:

What do you spend time talking about?  Perhaps you spend time talking about your family.  Or maybe sports.  (That wouldn’t be me!)  Or maybe books you have read recently (that would be me!)  Or maybe politics.  Or maybe you talk about art or tv shows or movies.  Most likely you talk about things that are interesting and important to you.  Typically I think we can learn a lot about a person based on what they talk about.  I like to talk about my family, about books I’m reading, about teaching, and (in a positive way) about my friends and their importance in my life.  These things matter to me.  I also love to talk about the gospel and about the Savior.     

Elder Andersen gave a talk in October Conference entitled “We Talk of Christ.”  Much of what I will share will be based on his talk.  

In 2017 President Nelson studied all 2,200 references of the name Jesus Christ listed in the Topical Guide.8  When Sister Nelson asked President Nelson about the impact of this study, he said, “I am a changed man.”  He then said, ““As we invest time in learning about the Savior and His atoning sacrifice, we are drawn to [Him]. … 

“… Our focus [becomes] riveted on the Savior and His gospel.” 

 

Elder Andersen said, “In a world of work, worries, and worthy endeavors, we keep our heart, our mind, and our thoughts on Him who is our hope and salvation. 

If a renewed study of the Savior helped prepare President Nelson, could it not help prepare us as well?” 

I know it can!! 

This past year held both a lot of good and a lot of bad. For me, personally, the two things that were the best about this past year were having more time with my family and studying the names of the Savior.  Since March, each week I have selected a name of the Savior to ponder and to read about.  I have mentioned this before in my testimony, so I apologize for repeating this...but I choose a name and try to choose an image that helps me picture that name. I usually read at least a few verses of scripture where that name is mentioned.  During the week, I think about that name and how Christ acts in that role for me personally.  As I have done that, my love for the Savior has grown.  Here’s the thing:  I have had a testimony of the Savior most or all my life. I want to be like Him.  I love Him.  But I know Him better now than I did a year ago. I think of Him as so much more than just my Savior and Redeemer now.  Along with being my Savior and Redeemer, He is my Rock.  I can rely on Him when the world feels unsteady or when it is literally SHAKING as it did back in March.  He is the Great Physician and can heal me...both physically and spiritually and boy have we needed a healer this year!  He is my Deliverer...delivering TO me all the greatest gifts (better than an Amazon delivery guy!) and delivering me FROM my sins, sorrows and ultimately from death.  He is the founder of peace...and I have needed peace this year as the world seems to lack peace.  He is Rabboni, meaning teacher and so much of what I know about teaching comes from Him.    He is Immanuel...which means literally God with Us.  Whatever I have experienced this year, He has been there by my side.  When I suddenly and unexpectedly went from teaching in person to teaching online (something that has now continued for 10 months for me!!), He was there to strengthen me and help me figure out technology that I was not adept at.  When I couldn’t meet with the young women in person and girls camp and trek and so many other events were cancelled, He quietly led me to know how to continue to love and serve and teach the young women.   How to help the youth plan a virtual girls camp and a virtual youth conference and so on.   I haven’t done it perfectly and I long for the day when we can all gather in person, but through the Savior and the Holy Ghost I have been led to know how to magnify my calling.  When I have felt scared, lonely, sad, or discouraged, the Savior has come as Immanuel, as Wonderful Counselor, as the Light of the World, as the Author and Finisher of my Faith when my faith felt all but finished.  I love Him so very much and even more now than I did last January, though I loved Him then.  This has come as a result of study...but also as a result of really needing His help, His answers, His goodness in my life during the challenges of the past year.  I prefer my learning to come from books—and I’m pretty good at learning from books—but I recognize that life is meant to be a laboratory and the most lasting learning and growth happens as we EXPERIENCE things, not just read about them. I’m so grateful for the ways I’ve grown closer to my beloved Savior this past year. 

Listen to just a small part of Elder Andersen’s description of the Savior: “Like a guiding star in a clear, dark sky, Jesus Christ lights our way. He came to earth in a humble stable. He lived a perfect life. He healed the sick and raised the dead. He was a friend to the forgotten. He taught us to do good, to obey, and to love one another. He was crucified on a cross, rising majestically three days later, allowing us and those we love to live beyond the grave. With His incomparable mercy and grace, He took upon Himself our sins and our suffering, bringing forgiveness as we repent and peace in the storms of life. We love Him. We worship Him. We follow Him. He is the anchor of our souls.” 

Elder Andersen spoke of how many people are turning away from faith in Christ.  Faith in Christ is waning in much of the world.  Then Elder Andersen said these words that seemed to burn into my soul.  It’s likely you’ll remember them: “You and I speak of Jesus Christ, but maybe we can do a little better. If the world is going to speak less of Him, who is going to speak more of Him? We are! Along with other devoted Christians!” 

As the world speaks less of Him, we will speak more of Him!   That’s a challenge I want to undertake!! 

But if we want to talk more of Christ, we have to know about Christ and we have to know Christ. When I was about 6 years old, one day I was at school and another student asked me if I was Catholic or Christian.  I’d never heard either of those words before and didn’t really know what they meant.  I asked a clarifying question and then said, “Well I’m a Mormon so I think maybe that’s Christian.”  My friend assured me it was not Christian.  I went home and told my parents about the conversation and I think they were a little embarrassed that I didn’t know I was Christian...but they taught me what that meant and that I AM Christian.  Since that time, my knowledge and understanding has grown.  We can’t speak of Christ if we don’t know about him and don’t have a relationship with Him. 

 

At the beginning I asked you to think about what you talk about often.  Was one of the things that came to mind for you the Savior?  If not—or even if it was—how can you and I do a little better at following the counsel in 2 Nephi 25:26?  “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.”  Can we talk a little more about Christ in our homes?  In our families?   Here in Church?  And in the world, including on social media?  How? 

Perhaps when a child comes to us with a problem, we can talk about how Christ handled a similar situation.  Perhaps when we speak—regardless of the topic we are assigned—we can be a little more mindful of connecting our topic to the Savior.  We can share a little more openly with friends, neighbors, and even on social media the impact that the gospel of Jesus Christ has on our lives. 

Elder Bednar gave a beautiful address about social media usage at BYU Education Week in 2014.  He talked about how technologies have come forth at this time for the specific purpose of gathering Israel and hastening the Lord’s work.  It’s no accident that we have access to communication tools that allow us to share our testimonies with hundreds or thousands of others with the click of a button.  Elder Bednar gave some great counsel regarding social media use:   

“We and our messages should seek to edify and uplift rather than to argue, debate, condemn, or belittle. Share the gospel with genuine love and concern for others. Be courageous and bold but not overbearing in sustaining and defending our beliefs, and avoid contention. As disciples our purpose should be to use social media channels as a means of projecting the light and truth of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ into a world that increasingly is dark and confused.” 

I loved this...especially these words...edify, uplift, genuine love, courageous, avoid contention, project light and truth... 

 

I was specifically asked to spend a few minutes talking about social media and how that can be a tool to “talk of Christ.”  I’d like to share some examples that I have seen or heard about right here in our ward. 

One of the young women regularly posts scriptures from the Book of Mormon on her Instagram stories.  Typically, it is a verse from the CFM readings that week.  Many, if not most, speak of Christ.  She lets her testimony be known as she shares. 

A member of our ward celebrated her anniversary this past week. She posted on both her personal and business social media accounts.  Her post included a photo of her and her husband on their wedding day in front of the temple and then a heartfelt message about the joys and challenges of an eternal marriage.  She probably didn’t think of this as “talking of Christ” but I think it was a beautiful way to affirm what she believes and lives. 

Another member of the ward told a coworker—who is not a member of our church-- about the message that President Nelson was going to share with the world a week before Thanksgiving.  He encouraged his coworker to listen to the message from a prophet of God.  His coworker responded to the invitation, listened and even participated in the #givethanks initiative on social media.  That ward member was talking of Christ and pointing his coworker to Christ.  Many of you also responded to President Nelson’s invitation to post what you were grateful for on social media. 

 

Another ward member invited her (grown) family members over for a holiday celebration.  As part of the celebration the family watched The Christ Child video and while that ward member would be the first to tell you that it wasn’t a perfect experience, at least one member of her family felt something as they watched.  This is a beautiful example of “talking of Christ.” 

Another ward member has a text thread with her family.  Their family has a scripture of the week.  They send it through text...the scripture, an article to go with that scripture, and then everyone can read and respond when they have time.  They send social media posts and inspiring thoughts as well.  And because it is through text, they have a written record of their conversations. 

Social media makes it so easy to share inspiring messages.  These can be your own words or the words of others that you share.  Many people are looking for the light and truth we have to offer. I run a group on Facebook that is responding to President Nelson’s invitation to study the blessings promised to covenant Israel.  There are over a thousand members now, with new requests to join the group each day.  It is a small and simple thing I do to talk of Christ, but I believe it is making a difference in the lives of those who participate. I regularly repost inspiring messages.  On several occasions, I have had others reach out and thank me for the messages.  Two different friends who are not of our faith have reached out relatively recently and said that a message I shared was really helpful.  One friend said that more than once I have shared a message that specifically helped her with something she was facing.  It’s so simple to repost something inspiring or something that speaks of Christ...but it can make a big difference. 

We have ward and stake Facebook and Instagram pages where inspiring messages are regularly shared.   

We are already doing a great job as a ward.  I know there are countless other examples I could share.  I follow many of you on social media and I see the positive messages that you post and that inspire and uplift and edify me...that bring light and truth into this dark world.  But I also think we can do even a little more. 

 

Listen to these words from Elder Bednar:   

“What has been accomplished thus far in this dispensation communicating gospel messages through social media channels is a good beginning—but only a small trickle. I now extend to you the invitation to help transform the trickle into a flood. Beginning this day, I exhort you to sweep the earth with messages filled with righteousness and truth—messages that are authentic, edifying, and praiseworthy—and literally to sweep the earth as with a flood (see Moses 7:59–62).”   

The word exhort stands out to me in his words.  To exhort is strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something.  It means to call for, to encourage, to appeal, to beg or beseech.  It is a word that leads me to want to ACT.  I can do more to talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, and preach of Christ in my home and family, in Church, with friends and neighbors and on social media. 

Elder Bednar then went on to say this: “Imagine the impact we can have as hundreds of thousands and millions of members of the Lord’s restored Church contribute in seemingly small ways to the rising floodwaters. May our many small, individual efforts produce a steady rainfall of righteousness and truth that gradually swells a multitude of streams and rivers—and ultimately becomes a flood that sweeps the earth. “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33). 
 

We can talk more of Christ.  As the world talks less of Christ, we WILL talk more of Him!  I exhort you to join me in that—in our homes, in our families, with neighbors and friends and even on social media!   Out of our small acts will proceed that which is great! 

Every time I read Joseph Smith’s account of the First Vision, my heart is touched.  This week was no different and I found his words ringing in my head.  “I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two aPersonages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was bhated and cpersecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me dfalsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not edeny it, neither dared I do it;” 

While we have not had the same experiences that Joseph had, may we also bear testimony to what we do know with the same conviction as Joseph.