Husbands and Wives

Stake Conference today was wonderful! I am so glad I went. February has been a month full of sickness for our household. Today I was in need of spiritual fulfillment and I got that! Our Stake Conference was a broadcast from Salt Lake to 42 Stakes in our area. We were pleased to get to hear from Robert S. Wood of the Quorum of the Seventy, Susan W. Tanner General Young Women's President, Russel M. Nelson of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, and Dieter F. Uchtdorf 2nd Counselor! It was so neat to hear their counsel.
All their counsel was great but I wanted to share what Russel M. Nelson had to say to us as families. To we as women...wives...mothers...he said (and I am quoting what I could write down fast enough) "Love your husbands, their divine potential is realized through us...a man's perception of thier own worth is shaped by wife's attitude..." I was able to experience that counsel first hand not too long ago in my own marriage. I was troubled with a situation with Mike and I and my attitude toward him was rotten...it wasn't until we had a good talk and my stinkin thinkin changed and our relationship immediately improved...I think that his counsel goes both ways for us as couples.
Another thing he said for us as mothers and I roughly quote went something like " Each time a worthy woman gives birth and raised the child in the Lord ... Praises God"...
For the Men....He said the #1 thing for them is to care for your wife. Best thing you can do for your children is to care for and love your wife. He suggested men apply 8 words in their relationship with their wife.
#1: Anticipate - Think of her hopes and needs and try to be ahead of her...find a secret desire of hers and help her achieve it!
#2: Appreciate - Give her a simple expression of her efforts...the Lord loves a grateful heart!
#3: Celebrate - Celebrate her, the Sabbath together, your Sealing (by attending the temple together), your courtship (by going on regular dates)!
#4: Cooperate - work together towards common goals
#5: Alleviate - Don't let your frustration from your day's work come into the home.
#6: Motivate - Motivate wife to develope a talent she may have & feel the growth of that talent with her.
#7: Radiate - goodness by being good. Radiate more light than heat...you have the Priesthood in the home you are a Lighthouse in your home and neighborhood.
#8: Supplicate - Counsel with the Lord in all your doings so he may direct you!
Then he said Good luck brethern hope they help you! I think it would...I think if we try to do exactly the same...just imagine the infinite possibility of success and strength our relationship can enjoy!
As a couple he suggests we study the doctrines...have our home be a sanctuary!
There was a lot of talk about temples...going to the temple...and for the Children he mentioned The Fifth Commandment...Honor thy Father and thy Mother....we honor eachother...how wonderful our relationships as a family!
Dieter F. Uchtdorf talked a lot about the Temple...my favorite thing he said was another use for CTR to mean "Current Temple Recommend"....He instructed us to be good examples and encourge those around us to serve...read Preach My Gospel...we will gain from the lessons that will build our own testimony..clear picture of our own life and identity....it will help us in our homes, with friends and coworkers and how to reach out to others regardless of religious status...Make a commitment NOW to serve the Lord.
One of my favorite things Uchtdorf mentioned was in reaching out to non-members and inactive let us "be a true friend, not their judge."
He wanted us to also ask of ourselves thes 2 questions to help in our priorities of eternal status...1 What are we personally doing to increase our faith in God and in our Savior? 2 What are we doing individually and in families to strengthen marriage and families? We need to seek the answers prayerfully and by the spirit. The Lord promised us we'd be taught form on high...we need to follow His voice. There was much more and I hope you've gained a little from what was shared.
I just want to share my testimony...I know that Jesus is the Son of God...I am a Child of God! I am a VIP...very important person...what I do in this life matters...how I behave, how I live and love...and I do love my family, friends, I realize the worth of every soul...I am thankful to have the the insight of my own faults and am thankful for the Plan of Salvation...for a loving Savior who made it possible for me to repent of my sins and be clean again! I am thankful...more than thankful to have a husband that loves me and I love him...and for my children...I am so blessed to be their mom...I ask them often...How did I get so lucky to be your mommy? I know they are a gift to me and I get overwhelmed sometimes to think I am responsible for how they grow up and what they are taught...but I am not alone...and with God all things are possible...and it's the help that comes from God and His Son Jesus Christ that will help me be the mom they need and help them to grow up with a testimony of God and Jesus and of how precious they are!
Well, I am forever thankful for all of you whom I know...I love the hymn "Each life that touches ours for good" here are the words...it's how I feel for you all...I love and miss you...you know who you are...xoxoxoxo
Each Life That Touches Ours for Good, no. 293
1. Each life that touches ours for good Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;Thou sendest blessings from above Thru words and deeds of those who love.
2. What greater gift dost thou bestow,What greater goodness can we know Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.
3. When such a friend from us departs,We hold forever in our hearts A sweet and hallowed memory,Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.
4. For worthy friends whose lives proclaim Devotion to the Savior’s name,Who bless our days with peace and love,We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.