Previously in Relief Society . . . Jan. 24, 2010 by Pat Rosenbury

Previously in Relief Society…Jaanuary 24, 2010

Sister Pat Rosenbury created a “Jeopardy” game with content based on Elder David A. Bednar’s October 2009 Conference address, “More Diligent and Concerned at Home.” The sisters were divided up into two teams, consulted copies of the conference talk and scored points as they gave the “answer” in the form of a question, as the game required.

The categories were: Express Love and Show It
Bear Testimony and Live It
Be Consistent
Revelation
Repetitions
Hypocrisy

Many of the key points from Elder Bednar’s talk, covered in the question and answers, were:

“In 1833, a revelation in D&C 93:40-50 contained a strong rebuke to leading brethren of the Church to set their families in order. His theme is based on verse 50, “more diligent and concerned at home.” …Tell the people we love that we love them. Such expressions do not need to be flowery or lengthy. We need to say it, mean it and most importantly we need consistently to show it. President Monson said, “We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.”

…Our love for spouse, parents and children is reflected most powerfully in our thoughts, our words and our deeds. Feeling the security and constancy of love from a spouse, a parent or a child is a rich blessing. Such love nurtures and sustains faith in God. Such love is a source of strength and casts out fear. Such love is the desire of every human soul.

We can also….bear testimony to those whom we love about the things we know to be true by the witness of the Holy Ghost. A testimony is what we know to be true in our minds and in our hearts by the witness of the Holy Ghost. As we profess truth rather than admonish, exhort, or simply share interesting experiences, we invite the Holy Ghost to confirm the verity of our words. Feeling the power, the edification and the constancy of testimony from a spouse, a parent, or a child is a rich blessing…fortifies faith… provides direction…is a source of eternal perspective and enduring peace.

(In our family home evenings), Sister Bednar and I thought helping our sons understand the content of a lesson or scripture was the ultimate outcome…The consistency of our intent and work was perhaps the greatest lesson-a lesson we did not fully appreciate at the time. Each family prayer…scripture study is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. Our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results.

A public statement of love when the private actions of love are absent at home is hypocrisy. The hypocrisy in our lives is most readily discerned and causes the greatest destruction within our own homes…children are often the most alert and sensitive when it comes to recognizing hypocrisy.”