We were privileged to have a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and a member of the Quorum of Seventy at our Stake Conference yesterday and today. After 10 years of service, our Stake Presidency was being released and a new presidency called. Our Stake hasn't had a visit from a general authority in over 17 years.It was a very special feeling when he walked into the chapel and the entire audience rose to their feet in reverence. I could feel the close connection he has with the Lord as he spoke to us on Saturday evening about the history of temples and the temple covenants.
This morning he taught us the things he wanted to make sure we were teaching our children. He said if he had it to do over again, when he had family home evening he would turn to the topical guide in the scriptures and use the section on Jesus to teach from. He wanted us to teach our children about Jesus. He didn't stop there, however. He reminded us to teach about our Prophet and all the prophets who have lead by revelation, the foundation of the Church. He also said it was important to teach about temples and the covenants we make there. That lead to the sacrament, and fasting and praying. He also mentioned that the up coming Conference was important to prepare for.
That wasn't quite all. He went on to say that we should teach our children that the most important commandment was to honor your father and mother, and then he admonished us that we needed to be the kind of parents worthy of being honored. He also mentioned the importance of tithing and the Word of Wisdom and avoiding pornography like the plague it is today. He encouraged us to encourage our children to become educated and asked us to participate in politics, standing up for our moral values in government.
Then he invoked his keys as an apostle and pronounced upon us a blessing of the Lord that we would be His disciples as we lived our religion and were good examples to those around us. He blessed our children, particularly that our sons would be missionaries. He also blessed us with answers to our problems as we attended the temple.
He taught us nothing new, and blessed us with nothing earth shattering . . . and yet it felt special! It felt powerful. I am grateful for latter-day prophets and for the blessings of the gospel. I hope I can live up to the special blessing I received today.
