September 7 - Bremerton Stake Conference

This has been a beautiful weekend with the pleasant sunny days and the inspirational Stake Conference sessions.

Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Second Quorum of the Seventy was our visiting authority. Interestingly he served his mission in the Argentina North Mission. He is a former senior vice president and co-founder of Franklin-Qwest and the producer of the Franklin Day Planner. I really enjoyed his words of wisdom. Here are my notes from his talk Saturday evening:

The true teacher is the Holy Ghost. Three important things we must do - read the scriptures, follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost and listen to the prophets. He said when we underline scriptures that have meaning to us we are receiving personal revelation. A problem is a wonderful opportunity... a real gold mine. The best home teachers are those trying to help their families find solutions. Be a good Samaritan to win their heart. Acts of kindness very important. How did the Savior win your heart? Listen to the instructions in the scriptures. Partial obedience is disobedience. What is the most difficult commandment? The one you can't keep. Use the Temple roll and add names of those that might have wandered from the truth. Go often to the Temple. Love is the most important principle.

Here are my notes from his morning remarks:

Take out your hymn book and read the preface. Underline all the promises you will find from the brethren. There are 15 promises. He asked the choir to sing again the song they sang... "If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do." Falling in love is a magical thing... but really a myth. Doctrine - love has more to do with the mind and not the heart. Love can be discovered in your mind and learned. He used the example of Fiddler on the Roof. Love your spouse! Can you fall out of kindness? Not really and you can't fall out of love either... it is a myth. We have control over love... you don't fall in love and you don't fall out of love. I love you is an expression of our feelings. Say I love you to your family often!! Teach them to love. Teach your children to love. Love starts in your mind.

President Mikel Anderson is amazing in his comments. Here are some highlights from last night:

Everyone should study scripture, have family prayer and couple prayer. We were promised great blessings when we do those things. Go to the Temple... in the Bremerton Stake he recommends at least once a month because of the distance to the Temple. Ask yourself... How can I live that covenant better? In the Temple we learn the symbols of eternity. When you see a symbol ask... What is that? What does it mean? What can I do about it? Purpose of commandments is to become like Him. Next to life it self is the complete living of chastity... If you can't live this law you can not be as happy as He is. Trust and love.

Here are some highlights from today from President Mikel Anderson:

Feast upon the words of Christ. We learn what we must do. The Holy Ghost will show you all things you should do. Harness the powers of the Gospel. Use "Preach my Gospel" or personal study and family home evening. He said they have a copy of Preach My Gospel for each member of the family. He has four sons and the youngest is 2 and he has his own copy too. President Anderson's favorite chapters were 3 and 6. Work to have an eternal family. Trying and learning and doing... will help us know the doctrine.. we can change today. Commit to living the gospel - he explained how we can repent now of the things in the future. By the atonement we can become clean again. Simplify your life and help your children at the same time. Family traditions of family prayer and reading the scriptures are essential.