This weekend I had the opportunity to attend my Stake's Relief Society Women's Conference. I'm so glad I went! It was the best women's conference I have been to. The format was very different than what you normally expect. There was the beautiful music and the delicious luncheon, as usual, but they did some really neat things in addition to all that.
They had a reader's theater where women read different parts about strong women from the scriptures and the latter days...how the gospel affected their lives, how their trials and afflictions affected their lives, how their knowledge of Christ affected their lives. It was truly an amazing experience to learn more about the strength of these women...the strength they obtained from the blessings of the knowledge of the gospel and of Christ...the same blessings that we can have today. Blessings of strength, comfort, peace, covenants, love...the list goes on and on.
They also held a Q&A (instead of speakers) about things that were of concern to the women in our Stake (they polled sisters in the various ward relief societies beforehand). We read through scriptures and anyone who wanted to share a thought, a feeling, an experience had the opportunity to do that with the microphones passed around. I really like meetings like that...I think the Spirit is there so strongly when people feel moved to share.
As a gift from the Stake Relief Society Presidency, we all received a bookmark for our scriptures and I have really been thinking a lot about what it reads. One side of the bookmark is as follows:
What if we treated our scriptures like cell phones?
What if we kept them in our purse or pocket?
We spent a half hour using them every day?
We used them for "text" messages?
We used them traveling and in emergencies?
We treated them like we couldn't live without them?
I have been thinking a lot about these questions since yesterday and I would have to say my life would be very different if I treated my scriptures like my cell phone. Sadly, I don't read my scriptures as often as I should or would like to, but the fault is my own. I always say that I don't have enough time but I sure have enough time to watch all my tv shows. However, I am happy to report that I do carry a small Book of Mormon with me in my purse for days that I take the train...which isn't as often as it should be.
The bookmark also shares "The Scripture Plan" which is:
- Unlimited usage
- No roaming charges, lack of reception, or weak signals
- Never disconnected because our Savior already paid the bill!
I have made a resolve to be better at reading my scriptures and to truly feast on them and try to learn from them. I know that they can benefit me in my life...and I do enjoy reading them. The back of the bookmark lists an 'Emergency Scripture List' - 34 different subjects to read about and the scriptures to find them. This list is broad, from Anger to Finding Happiness to Other's Behavior to Courage to Worried About Money...there is even one on Motivation to Clean! Maybe I should start on that one first. I have decided that I'm going to read about at least two of the topics a week...in addition to finishing the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon has always been one of my favorites, ever since I took it during Seminary in the 9th grade. Who knows, maybe I'll even blog about my thoughts on the different subjects.
If you have a scripture you really enjoy...one that helps you in your life...please feel free to share! We can all use a little boost now and then. I'll leave you with one of my favorites: John 3:16.
Thanks! Have a great week! :)
This one is the quilt I made for baby Mason. It is a snowball pattern in different blue, yellow, and green fabrics. It has a soft flannel back. The binding is blue. I love the way it finished.