We spent this October General Conference at our cabin in Christmas Meadows. We were happy to be there with my mom and dad, and also John and Janice. Conference was amazing, as it always is. I was particularly impressed with the talk given by our wonderful Prophet, Thomas S.
Monson, at the close of the Sunday morning session. When I taught my lesson in Relief Society last Sunday, I brought this talk up. He talked a lot on change, and how change affects each and every one of us. I have read, and re-read his words, and am drenched in tears. He could not have spoken more eloquently and sincere. For my reminder, I wanted to post some of my favorite parts of his talk.
“Nothing is as constant as change.”
"Day by day, minute by minute, second by second we went from where we were to where we are now. The lives of all of us, of course, go through similar alterations and changes. The difference between the changes in my life and the changes in yours is only in the details.
Time never stands still; it must steadily march on, and with the marching come the changes. This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us
distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now."
"If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly."
"Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, “They do not love that do not show their love.” We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us."
"Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows."
“Do . . . human beings ever realize life while they live it—every, every minute?”
"Our realization of what is most important in life goes hand in hand with gratitude for our blessings."
"Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days—as much as we can—with those things which matter most. May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and in deed."
"Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His word. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude."
"Brothers and sisters, my sincere prayer is that we may adapt to the changes in our lives, that we may realize what is most important, that we may express our gratitude always and thus find joy in the journey. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
I think that just about sums it up. He is amazing. That is pretty much all I have to say about that.
I am so grateful for my family. I love my children, I love to hear their footsteps pattering on the ground. I love to see their faces each morning. I love the small and simple talk with them. I love the light in their eyes. I am the luckiest person in the world to have the family I have.
