Becoming True Disciples

This talk was given at the 2019 stake women's conference.
By Shelly Harrison

The other day, I was out doing my morning exercise route when I saw a huge backup of cars on a busy road. I thought to myself, "Oh no, an accident!" As I got closer, I saw a lot of people getting out of their cars and heading to the first car.

It looked like the driver was having car trouble in the middle of the intersection. Some people pulled over, got out of their cars, and jumped in to help this lady in her minivan, by pushing it to a safe place. Then there were a few extra men who stayed with her to see what they could do to help get her van working.

Photo from LDS.org. Used with permission

My thoughts were, "This is so heartwarming and amazing to see all the people jumping in to minister to her in a time of need."  I think many of us are always willing to help, especially in a crisis. But sometimes ministering may be easier when they are people we don’t know. Putting ourselves out there to minister to people we know can create some uncomfortable feelings inside us.

Let me explain… Anxiety, uncertainty, lack of confidence, feeling threated. feeling unprotected. This is the definition of INSECURITY. Is this how you feel when it comes to ministering? Maybe not for all of you, but for some, like me, it is.

Jesus Christ, Our Risen King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Through trials great and small, as each of us seeks to find the Savior, to love Him and to follow Him, we will find strength in Him. These truths are what inspired George Frideric Handel to compose his magnificent oratorio "Messiah." Its "Hallelujah" chorus is a majestic declaration of testimony and love for the Savior. Christ is risen, and because of Him, we will live again!

Have a blessed Easter!

The Power of Good Music

by Marisa Sharpe
Recently I had the opportunity to reflect on how using church music in my home has blessed our lives.  There are two personal stories I'll share which demonstrate how we have felt the Spirit and the love of our Heavenly Father through the power of music and how music has helped me as a mother.

When my daughter was three, our little family took a road trip to Lake Couer d'Alene, Idaho.  It was just the three of us driving through the beautiful mountains of western Idaho.  At one point in our drive, to help pass the time we decided to sing Primary songs.  One we sang was "Love is Spoken Here."  My daughter and I sang the mother part and then my daughter and husband sang the father part. Then we sang it as a duet, and my husband even held his own part by himself!  The Spirit was strong in our car that afternoon and the sweet memory was engraved on our hearts forever.

from LDS.org, used with permission 

Almost five years later, when my daughter was eight, she wanted to attend General Conference in person.  We were fortunate enough to obtain tickets for the Saturday morning session.  I considered it a tender mercy from the Lord when the choir sang "Love is Spoken Here."  I took it as a sign that Heavenly Father was aware of my little family, and it felt as though the choir was singing just to the three of us out of 21,000 people.  Again, I was so touched by the Spirit.

When my son was four, he was experimenting with language.  My first tactic to curb it was to lay down the law.  "Our family does not talk like that. Period."  That didn't stop the problem.  My second tactic was reason.  "When we talk like that it doesn't show respect to Heavenly Father and Jesus, and we always want to show respect to them."  No results on that one either.  My third tactic was fear. "If I hear you say that one more time there will be consequences!"  Needless to say, that didn't help.

Lessons from a Cracked Tile

by Shay Tucker
My husband, Daren, and I have recently been experiencing the stresses that come from building our first home. It has been a learning experience that has taught us temporal and eternal lessons. I thought I would share one particular lesson we learned together. Rather than share my own words, I thought it best to share my husband’s journal entry.

The other day I was installing the backsplash at our new home. Shay came to see how it was going and noticed that one of the small marble tiles was cracked. I had already attached it to the wall but had not yet grouted. She wanted me to replace it. I argued with her that it looked like a seam in the stone and we didn't need to worry about it. No one would ever notice it but her. She said it would bother her for the rest of her life and would rather change it now while it is easy to fix.

For a while I stubbornly refused to change it but eventually lost the battle. I popped the tile off and replaced it in about three minutes with a brand new piece. Since the mortar was still wet behind the tile and I hadn't grouted yet, it was not very difficult to change. Had I refused to change it and finished grouting, fixing it later would have been much more difficult. It likely would have caused the other tiles around it to become loose as well, requiring them to be replaced also.

On the way home, I realized that Shay had taught me an eternal principle about repentance. I turned to her and related the enlightenment I had just received. We make mistakes in our lives, and sometimes we think we can hide them from others. But the truth is that we, as well as the Lord, will always know about these mistakes.

If we do not correct the mistake right away, it may become hardened and "grouted" into our lives. At that point it becomes very difficult to fix the mistake. If we fail to correct our mistakes, it can lead to other mistakes, which can affect others around us. "Now is the time for us to prepare to meet God."

I related this experience during my testimony on Sunday. Shay just sat and smiled, enjoying every moment of it.

The Difficult Path of Forgiveness

by Mechelle Wingle
There was a time in my life when I had been offended. I was always the one thinking that people “should just not be offended.” I believe there is truth in that thinking even now. But I could tell myself until I was blue in the face to not be hurt, but I was. I prayed and fasted and spent hours listening to conference talks, all in an effort to earn the blessing of forgiveness. It didn’t come like I wanted it to come. It was such a hard time in my life.

During this period of time I completed my daily scripture goal and it was time to start a new study. I couldn’t bring myself to begin something new. I was so hurt and felt that I needed something from Heavenly Father – some kind of jump start or blessing.

I prayed and fasted and spent hours listening to conference talks, all in an effort to earn the blessing of forgiveness. It didn’t come like I wanted it to come.

I had tried so hard and felt like I was not getting the help that I needed and deserved. I had put a lot in the "bank," and I felt I deserved to make a withdrawal. My scripture study stopped. I wish I could say that I felt something was missing so I got back to it but it didn’t. Life went on just as it had when I had been spending all that time in study and in prayer. I was in pain – still hurt.

My Prayers Were Answered

by Julie Brophy
As I reflect on experiences in my life that have built my faith, I can think of several. The most profound experience though, happened to me when I was 19 years old. I was seriously dating the cutest guy! I was just sure that I was supposed to marry him, but I recalled a lesson that my fabulous Young Women’s leader had taught when I was about 13.

I wanted to have this life-altering experience to know that I was making the right choice.

The lesson was on marriage, and she told us that in our marriage there are bound to be ups and downs, and she encouraged us to know for a certainty that the man we chose was right for us. She then told us that as the storms of life would come and we may start to doubt our marital decision. we would be able to look back on our decision and remember that feeling that we had and know to stick it out.

I remember praying for an answer to marry this man, and I felt good about it, but I wanted to have this life-altering experience to know for a surety that I was in fact making the right choice. After several weeks of praying I decided to fast as well about my decision. 

Sacrifice Brings Forth Blessings

Name Withheld

It was taught in a conference a few years ago that great faith is not attained through big trials or temptations, rather it is those experiences that reveal faith and help to confirm faith. I learned the truth of this teaching in my life.

I went through a few years which were for me without question the most trying time of my life so far. During this time I experienced a depth of spiritual and emotional feeling that I had previously never realized existed.

I came to recognize that all of the “small and simple” practices such as scripture study, prayer, church attendance, striving to keep the commandments, and even previous trials, had built up in me strength to endure this time period. I was constantly having things I had studied in the past “brought to my remembrance” and they gave me strength.

During this time, I increased my temple attendance and I studied and prayed like I never had before. The Holy Ghost frequently taught me and gave me strength. Yet even with all I was doing, the stress of the situation became deeper and deeper until I came to a point of desperation. I pleaded in the temple one day for divine help. I let my Heavenly Father know I was doing all I knew how to do to overcome the trial I was facing, but I couldn’t do it anymore. I needed His help.

I went out of the temple that day knowing with certainty that my prayer had been heard and that things would turn out okay. From that point on things began to change. It wasn’t long after that I received a clear answer in general conference. It involved taking an action in my life I had not thought of previously. It was an action that required sacrificing something that meant a lot to me.

Testimony: We Can Do Amazing Things

by Mandy Cox
I loved reading Daughters in My Kingdom. It was so powerful. It made me want to do better and be better. It provided a sense of strength and encouragement. It is amazing what we can do as daughters of our Heavenly Father when we are in tune with His Spirit, listen, and do the things that He asks us to do. It also taught me so much about the purpose and design of the Relief Society program and also about visiting teaching. It taught me how I can be a better visiting teacher and friend.

Testimony: Inspired by "Daughters in My Kingdom"

by Beulah Kunz
I found the book Daughters in My Kingdom to be very positive and uplifting. The statement, “The world’s greatest champion of womanhood is Jesus Christ,” and the list of Biblical women and their accomplishments are truly inspiring.

Testimony: Relief Society Blesses Lives

by Julie Brophy
I am so grateful for the opportunity I have had to read Daughters in My Kingdom. I have been uplifted, inspired, filled with a commitment to do better, and overcome with pride to be a part of such a wonderful organization. The stories and testimonies of the dear Relief Society women who have come before me and helped to organize this Society are tremendous examples of courage and strength who served with great faith and obedience.

Testimony: Grateful for Relief Society

by Amy Moyes
My testimony of Relief Society came when I was 24 years old. I had taken my two small children to my parents’ house while I picked up a final copy of divorce papers from my lawyer. I felt like my world was falling apart. Instead of picking up my kids, I drove to my home and sat alone in my living room, afraid to open the envelope. I had been inactive in the Church for the past few years but prayed always. That afternoon I asked for help. I told my Heavenly Father I couldn’t get through this alone.