"Please permit me to say one thing to the grandchildren of Jeffrey R. and Patricia Holland, and by extension to every member of this church. While this is a very sad day for this family, there is only one thing that could make this day truly sad in any sort of an eternal way, and that would be for us to turn our backs on the gospel of Jesus Christ, to which your grandparents dedicated their lives. The only way we could break their hearts is to abandon the source of truth and light that they lived and died to show us. Now it is time for each of us to pick up their baton and to carry on the fire of faith that they flamed within each of us."
Steven C. Harper of the Church History Department describes Bishop Edward Partridge and his wife Lydia and their children as the "pioneering family of the law of consecration" ("The Law of Consecration" video, Gospel Library, churchofjesuschrist.org).
Let me provide a little background. Edward and his wife were searching for a church that taught the New Testament gospel. Four young men appeared at the door of Edward Partridge's hat shop. Lydia recognized the truth she knew from her Bible teachings, and she wanted to be baptized, but Edward sent the young men away. Edward sent an employee after the men to purchase a book from them. After traveling to New York to meet the Prophet Joseph Smith, Edward was baptized.
In section 41:9 we read of Edward's calling to be a bishop unto the church, to leave his merchandise and to spend all his time in the labors of the church. Edward was given the responsibility to administer the law of consecration among the saints. That would be no easy task!
At one point Edward went with Joseph from Ohio to Missouri and wrote to Lydia that he couldn't come back to help she and the girls move. Edward warned Lydia that once she joined him in Missouri, "We have to suffer and shall for some time many privations here which you and I have not been much used to for years." Lydia obeyed the revelation to move.
The Partridge family moved from Kirtland to Missouri, and then on to Illinois. At one point Edward served a mission and was imprisoned. In 1833, after the birth of five daughters, Edward and Lydia welcomed a new baby son., Edward Partridge Jr. When the baby boy was three weeks old, Edward was drug to the center square of Independence; he was beaten, tarred and feathered.
In 1840 at 46 years of age, Edward died, leaving a wife and children, ages 6-20. One of Edward and Lydia's daughters wrote, "When I look back and remember the great responsibility that rested upon my father as first Bishop--his poverty and privations, and the hardships that he had to endure, the accusations of false brethren, the fault-finding of the poor, and the persecutions of our enemies-- I do not wonder at his early death."
I pay tribute to Lydia for remaining faithful through all of this!
God is my rearward. "And they shall go out from all nations; for I will go before them, saith the Father, and I will be their rearward" (3 Nephi 21:29).
God is my refuge. "In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God" (Psalms 62:7). "God is a refuge for us" (Psalms 62:8).
God is my help. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1)."God is mine helper" (Psalms 54:4). "Thou hast been my help" (Psalms 63:7). "Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing to both small and great" (Acts 26:22).
God is my defense. "My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart" (Psalms 7:10)."Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence" (Psalms 59:9). "He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be moved." (Psalms 62:6).
These marvelous art pieces by Caitlin Connolly make me think, and I wonder what she was thinking when she drew them. I like the lines, colors, and subject matter.
Maintaining Church membership on our own terms is not true discipleship.
Real disciples absorb the fiery darts of the adversary by holding aloft the quenching shield of faith with one hand, while holding to the iron rod with the other. There should be no mistaking; it will take both hands!
("Overcome...Even As I Also Overcame," April 1987)
As you know, I have lost a mother, father, brother and grandparents, along with several dear friends. I miss them and think about them often, but I have a sure knowledge that I will see them again. My loss and sorrow have been swallowed up in the hope and anticipation I feel due to the Atonement and resurrection of the Savior. Without the triumph of Jesus Christ over death, my grief and sadness would engulf and swallow me. His triumph over the grave provides great joy as I anticipate the resurrection of every living soul. What a gift!
I have fallen short repeatedly in my quest to be a worthy disciple. God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ are patient and merciful with me, and continue to meet me where I am. Without the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I would have no incentive to keep trying, for I would know that I am lost and dirty. To think that the Savior paid the price for my sins, my weaknesses, my disobedience, and my shortcomings, is very humbling. His love was so great that He suffered and died for me! Oh, it is wonderful! Oh, how I love Him! Through His Atonement, I can be made clean again. I know that as hard as I may try, I cannot pay Him back, but when I think about what He has done for me, I am filled with great love for Him and with a desire to love and serve others. He has shown the way and modeled a life of unselfishness and giving. He is the bright light in my life, a substance that fills in my cracks and imperfections, and a needed rock that provides stability and strength. I bear testimony that He lives! He is our teacher, friend, example and Redeemer. I know that He will come to the earth again in great glory and majesty and I look forward to that day. I welcome Him into my life and admit that I am nothing without Him. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love, Mom/Grandma
This book is a compilation of conversion stories, written by individuals from a variety of religious backgrounds. I really enjoyed reading the personal accounts. These individuals were hungry and they found the truth!
Like so many Latter-day Saints, my conversion didn’t end at baptism, or when I was ordained, or when I received my endowment, or on my mission. Conversion, if it is to have the long-lasting effect God desires it to, must be a lifelong pursuit (pg. 127).
When I read those tracts,
or when I talked to those who were seeking to “save me from the Mormons”—and
from what appeared to be sure damnation—I felt dark, confused, frustrated, and
more. However, when I was talking with
the missionaries, attending the LDS Church, reading the Bible or the Book of
Mormon, I felt uplifted, at peace, happy, and so on (pg. 124).
If we are committed to a
belief system that is less than what God wants for us, sometimes the only way
for Him to wake us up to something new—something bigger than we currently
have—is to bring a little instability into our lives. If He can get our attention, He can
recalibrate our direction (pg. 152).
I recently read the conversion story of Meredith and Randall Casto. Meredith grew up going to church regularly. She attended college, then a seminary, and was ordained into the priesthood in the Episcopal Church. A pastor of two congregations was her next role, "Yet," she explains, "I was still hungry."
"I was hungry. Not the hunger that can be satisfied with a meal, but that deep, abiding hunger I could never seem to quell. it was a hunger that brought with it a great depth of sadness, loneliness, and longing for something more."
Meredith became friends with two ladies who were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while serving at a senior community center. The two ladies shared The Family Proclamation with her and welcomed her into their social circle. She listened to General Conference and then attended church with them.
Meredith explains, "What we learned was that priesthood authority (and heavenly power) was once again restored to the earth and that it had been taken from the earth upon the death of the Apostles. We discovered that spouses and families could be together forever, sealed by the authority of the restored priesthood."
"Our lives became alive! We have finally started living! We are no longer lonely, or longing. We've come home. We are joyful in the fullness of the gospel. We are one in our Lord's fullness."
(From a book I recently read titled Converted: True Mormon Conversion Stories from 15 Religions by Alonzo L. Gaskill)
We can’t control how others feel, nor should we try, but by better understanding these faith challenges, we can more effectively minister and show love. Building a bridge requires humility and openness; we must open ourselves to the people we are trying to understand and put ourselves in their shoes, sincerely trying to see their perspective. Building a bridge means that we listen—not to formulate the perfect response, but to empathize, comfort, mourn, validate, and love. Building a bridge requires vulnerability, because our efforts may not always be reciprocated—there may be no one else building the other side of the bridge. But we keep learning and trying because of our love for them and our love for our Heavenly Parents (pg. xii).
Often, we only understand what we can see from the outside; rarely can we see the whole person, including what is inside their heart. When we cast blame on those losing their faith, doubt their sincerity, or offer cliché solutions to their concerns, they will lose confidence in their relationships with us and we will lose the trust that comes when we treat their experiences and feelings as real (pg. 45).
The behavior that is most effective in ministering is loving, listening, and trying to understand without judgment. This is what bridge building is all about—finding common ground and building a firm and constant foundation (pg. 45).
From a family text chain today:
Someone posed this question (I'll call them Family Member #1): How do we receive a testimony/confirmation of things that have become habitual to us (i.e. scriptures study, daily prayer, fasting)? Curious about your thoughts/insight.
Reply: Does that mean you have been doing them but don't have a testimony yet of them?
Reply: Or you feel like you have received a testimony initially but don't feel as much or as frequently anymore as you perform these habits?
Family Member #1: Could be that, or could be where you're reading the scriptures all the time but maybe not having some big experience of truth. It could be rephrased of how do we receive a confirmation sufficient to motivate us to carry on in what we're doing. We aren't going to receive a life-altering answer to prayer every time we finish the BOM and ask if it is true, but we also aren't going to get radio silence. So how do we put ourselves in position to recognize that we are receiving spiritual nourishment or strength in the little things we do that may tend to seem mundane if we aren't careful? Keeping the fire alive, but also continuing to receive a sure witness of their truths.
Last Sunday a sister in the ward shared her testimony. She also spoke about her father and how he had taught her joy in living gospel principles. Fasting for him was joyful, as was paying tithing and attending church meetings. This sister learned to love the gospel from her father.
Matthew and I have talked a few times since about this principle. Have we shared with our children and grandchildren how sweet the fruit of the tree tastes? Are we beckoning to them to come and share in the fruit of the tree (the love of God) and enjoy its deliciousness? Are we testifying of how joyful the gospel is to us? Is this something you say, or can people pick it up by the way you act?
I remember once as a child saying something slightly negative about Sunday and my father said simply, "Sunday is my favorite day!"
I remember my mother's happiness as she served in various callings.
I remember watching my parents feast on General Conference. They listened to every word and lapped it up.
I don't remember hearing complaints or negativity about the church, the doctrines of the church, or the prophet. I am grateful for this. My parents found joy in the gospel and so do I.
"I believe these people!"
"I feel the Spirit as I listen."
"I feel a desire to help out in good causes."
"I want to stay true to the Savior no matter what!"
In the Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Bruce R. McConkie wrote:
Deity works through witnesses; he does not personally teach each person. This mortal sphere is one in which men are privileged to talk by faith rather than by sight. The gospel is always preached by witnesses who know by personal revelation of the divinity of the message they bear. Acceptance or rejection of the Lord's witnesses bring salvation or damnation to men (pg. 72).
"Our experiences with the Spirit, yours and mine, may seem best measured in micro-lumens rather than lightning bursts, but especially in our darkest hours, the Spirit can amplify them to clearly light our way along the covenant path."
..."All evidence, a pattern of the veil leaking light as the Savior relentlessly pierces it to bless His own...I bear this testimony, informed as it is, and very probably like your is, by the accumulated weight of a thousand flashes of light."
I understand that as soon as conference finished, or maybe as it was going, individuals started to critique the talks. I am not a part of that. I stand with the prophet and the other General Authorities. I listen to conference not to find fault, or something to debate, but I listen for ways that I can improve. General Conference provides instruction for those who seek to elevate their discipleship. I loved each of the speakers and I sustain them.
A few thoughts from my conference journal:
