Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Greatest Rising Generation and Friends

Elder Dalton, Area Authority, 70 in the 5th quorum speaking at the Walnut Creek Stake Conference on November 8, 2009.

A few minutes into his talk he asked all the 'children' from newborns in mother's arms to 30 years old to stand up. It was approximately a third of the audience more or less. He said this was the Greatest rising generation ever - quoting Pres. Monson and said these children had been reserved for 6,000 years for this day to develop the Kingdom of God to deliver to the Savior. He had 6 admonitions for the youth: (of course he spoke of each in depth and I'm just listing them.)

1. You must know Heavenly Father and the Savior. Matthew 22:37-38 [37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.]
2. Do your duty, what you were born for. Are you ready to take the church to another level? Doctrine and Covenants 107:99-100 [ 99 Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.
100 He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand. Even so. Amen.]
3. Have great friends in the Church - those you can trust and confide in. Proverbs 14:20 "The poor is hated even of his own neighbor; but the rich hath many friends." He told a story of a marathon run and a friend looking back and taking his friends hand in the 18th mile and pulling him through the exhaustion.
4. Honor Father and Mother - take advantage while parents live because at some point they will be gone. Ex. 20:12 (Of course Michael came back remembering that Elder Dalton said, "Take advantage of your parents....." [12 ¶ Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. ]
5. Get a good education. " If you work hard, you will get results. If you are smart and work hard, you will get superior results." (President Monson) Doctrine and Covenants 130:18 [18 Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. ]
6. Pray Always. Open up and talk to Father about everything going on in life, then stop and listen to the Spirit/still small voice. Doctrine and Covenants 93:49
"Hold on to the______ (line in the sand, iron rod, rope*, what you want to call it). Draw your line in the sand. This is one of your finest hours. [49 What I say unto one I say unto all; pray always lest that wicked one have power in you, and remove you out of your place. ]

*Elder Dalton as a young man was asked if he wanted to go feed sharks. Of course he did. They went out and got on an outrigger instead of a boat and paddled out to the reef. Then the young man with a bucket of fish dove down and pulled a rope across the reef and motioned the young Elder Dalton down and mouthed, "Don't let go of the rope". The young man dumped the bucket and just as if they had been walkie-talkied large man eating sharks came out of the depths to eat mackerel. The young man would smack them on the nose if they came up to the rope. Elder Dalton said he didn't know why they didn't go around or under the rope but he certainly didn't let go.

[ ] Everthing in brackets copied from LDS.org


Future Missionaries...

Future Families.....

Future reunions....

And future adventures with friends.....

So we were invited to a picnic that our hosts didn't show up for but we followed a family down to a meadow (in our heels and Sunday best) and found that there are some families who traditionally meet after conference for a picnic and enjoy the great outdoors a bit in a really beautiful wooded area. They graciously invited us with them and though a little awkward for my family turned out nice. Next time we will be a little better prepared.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Footloose Soccer Team 2009

Rachel's team had their last hurrah, party and awards! Really cute girls, a nice season and lots of laughs. Girls - aren't they great!?