I just had no enthusiasm for attending our new ward again and staying home sounded pretty good, even if I had to be sick to swing it.
Well I felt pretty good this morning, so Lucas and I went to church. On the way, I asked him how long he thought it would take until this new ward, this new building, stopped feeling so weird. (I was thinking about a year.) He said he didn't think it would take long at all, that it wasn't so weird. Well, then. He was the one I was most worried about! I guess I'm the one having the hardest time.
Today was ward conference, and it was great.
One speaker talked about Mosiah 2:41:
And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the happy and blessed state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true, for the Lord God hath spoken it.
I already have a desire to keep the commandments of God. I know from experience that I am much, much happier when I am doing so. But this reminder of temporal and spiritual things being linked gave me even more motivation to increase my obedience. The temporal blessings that come from obedience are not necessarily riches, but a greater ability to meet our financial obligations. We really want to reduce our debt and are in need of temporal help, so this was a welcome reminder indeed.Another speaker related this passage:
Sometimes we feel that the busier we are, the more important we are—as though our busyness defines our worth. Brothers and sisters, we can spend a lifetime whirling about at a feverish pace, checking off list after list of things that in the end really don’t matter.
That we do a lot may not be so important. That we focus the energy of our minds, our hearts, and our souls on those things of eternal significance—that is essential.
As the clatter and clamor of life bustle about us, we hear shouting to “come here” and to “go there.” In the midst of the noise and seductive voices that compete for our time and interest, a solitary figure stands on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, calling quietly to us, “Follow me.”
—Joseph B. Wirthlin, April 2002 General Conference
I love this. Lately I feel like I have been working at a feverish pace, and feeling empty. This was a much-needed reminder to focus my energies on the things that really matter.
In addition, a sweet lady (who introduced herself to me after the meeting in which we found out we would be changing wards) sat next to me in Gospel Doctrine. She remembered my name, and she asked where the rest of my family was. She complimented Lucas, who she had seen passing the sacrament. She pretty much made my day.
And I was reminded, yet again, that I have never regretted having gone to church.
