We had the Best Stake Conference I've ever been too this week, man, it was so sweet! I'll give you the run down with the highlights! We had President Sandor (Stake President and future General Authority), President Shields (Mission President) and the Toronto and Detroit Temple Presidents. It was a power house!
We got a call from President Shields on Friday telling us he wanted us to go to all the sessions of Conference, so that included a Leadership, Adult, and General Session. It was tons of fun to be able to go to all and meet with the different leaders and discuss different topics. For the Leadership one we were taken with the Bishops, WML, and Stake President to discuss a few different things. We talked about for one of the topics being called, or being chosen. Basically, when one is called, it is simple and not always from God. But when one is Chosen, it is based on desire, the heart, and is truly Chosen from God, therefore the scripture "many are called but few are chosen" makes more sense. Here are some cool strictures to check out that talk more about it. D&C 3; 4; 105; 50: 13-14 al well as Abraham 3:22-23 and the Articles of Faith.
On Sunday President Sandor gave a talk to all those who lived in homes were there were non-members, less-active members, and split families. He talked about the need to love those who have harmed us, or caused trials to come into our lives and live judgement up to God. He was very bold and blunt in it, and even said "If you can't love those that have harmed you, you are not fit for the Kingdom of God."
President Shields talked about Living in the Fullness of Times, while living in these Perilous times. Often we focus so much on all that's going bad, that we forget we are living in the times just before Christ comes again, where the fullness of the Gospel is available. 1800 years passed by without the fullness of the Gospel and in these Latter-Days we have it!
After The sunday session, President Shields grabbed us and told us to stick around because he was having a YSA fireside and wanted us to stay, so we stuck around. President talked about the Parable of the Good Samaritan and compared the parable to the Plan of Salvation, I'll explain how by sending some notes.
Luke Chapter 10
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went downfrom Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, whichstripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.- This is like the Fall of Adam and Eve, being cast from The garden to Earch, Jericho is a lot lower altitude then Jerusalem. Now we are in a Fallen state, suceptible to death and sin.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the otherside.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him,and passed by on the other side. -The Two bypassers are like other churches, who don't hold the authority to be able to administer the saving ordinances of the Gospel.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came wherehe was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,-The Samaritan is Jesus Christ
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouringin oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. -Christ Heals us, and the Oil and Wine is his Blood which he shed for us, he heals our spiritual wounds, the beast are the missionaries who carry those who are wounded to the church, which is the inn.
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out twopence, and gave themto the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when Icome again, I will repay thee. -The Inn Keeper is a representative for the members of the church, and the coming of the Samaritan, and when he repays, will be the second coming of the Lord, when all will be made fair, and the just will be rewarded.
The Parable took on a whole new meaning to me as I read this, I love this.
Kim is doing really well, she came to Stake Conference and Loved it so much! She's going awesome, and she should be getting baptized in the next few weeks!
Aggie is also doing well, she is working towards baptism in March, march because she is committed to her church as one of the head chairman until march. She was telling us about her friend who she was talking too about her meeting with us, and her friend asked if she would leave their church when the time came, and she told her that if that's what the Lord wanted her to do, she would. And that is what she feels needs to happen. I'm hoping I get to stay around long enough to see her baptized!
Last P-day we went to Brother LaFrance's house, he is a Ninjitsu trainer, and he taught us a few self defense moves, it was tons of fun. We'll probably end up going again. We also went to a chinese market by our house, enjoy the pictures. I felt Like I was in Hong Kong.
Well, I love you all, have a great week. Don't forget to read your scriptures and pray as a family!
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