Unlike General Conference wherein an Apostle speaks to the entire Church membership, Elder Bednar's talk was designed for us in this geography. He mentioned this was a big break from his typical speaking circuit: he rarely gives talks in the US or at these kinds of local meetings. So what he said to us last night was extra special and sacred.
Before continuing, I want to make two small observations not related to the talks themselves:
Small Observation 1
Elder Bednar paid close attention to each speaker as if THEY were the Apostle. He leaned forward most of the time.
Small Observation 2
When the interlude music started playing, and the congregation sat stuck in their seats, it was Elder Bednar who motioned for us to rise.
Elder Bednar's talk was beautiful. He has an elegant style that is "simple and clear," the terms he uses to describe how he wishes to communicate. It's always refreshing to hear an Apostle provide his candid thoughts. For example, when he was the president of BYU-Idaho, students would always complain about the dress code. In response, Elder Bednar wishes he could have said something like this: "You are messing with the wrong person."
Elder Bednar's talk was divided into two parts. First, he taught doctrine based on the 2nd and 4th Articles of Faith and expanding the concept of moral (not "free") agency and its relationship to covenants. He said this part might be a "snoozer." It wasn't. However, it's best if I let Elder Bednar publicly articulate this doctrine in his own way in his own time, and not share/butcher it by disclosing further details.
However, I feel I can talk about Part 2, which was not about doctrine, but equally profound and captivating. Elder Bednar contrasted his experiences with Church members inside and outside the US. He made it clear he was not trying to give us a "guilt trip." It wasn't. But it was eye opening enough to change my worldview on what's really important in life and sketch out tonight's family home evening lesson.
3 comments:
Thank you for sharing your family home evening lesson! Keith and I also felt very humbled/motivated to improve ourselves. I still feel overwhelmed/kind of scared thinking about the fact that our little stake had Elder Bednar come and instruct us. What does that mean? I definitely feel like it means we need to repent and change our focus. I definitely have a lot of work to do. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
A funny thing happened on Monday. Me, Chris, and the kidlets had FHE in the van as we drove to get dinner at Jimmy John's. We used your FHE lesson and it went quite well. Then we stopped at Holly & Keith's house to pick something up and they invited us to join them for their FHE. Which lesson was Holly teaching? That's right, one written by our friend, Ken Li! The kids enjoyed hearing it a second time as well. Anyway, thank you for sharing! It has been used well and we wouldn't mind at all if you posted a FHE lesson every week... (hint hint).
Abby
Holly and Abby: Wow, your teaching this lesson to your kids touched me very much. Isn't Elder Bednar inspiring? FHE is so important. We hear lessons at church. FHE gives us a chance to teach the lesson at home, "sealing" it in our own hearts and allowing what learn at church to be applied throughout the week.
I'm happy to provide another FHE lesson, once Elder Bednar or another apostle comes back around to the Valpo stake, ha, ha!
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