Questions to consider? How has your trust in Jesus Christ helped you have covenant confidence for yourself? What concerns are on your mind and in your heart TODAY that you can trust God to impress the answer you seek? Am I experiencing the greatest blessings the Lord can offer me in my own covenant making? What barriers can I remove in my life to more fully partake of the blessings tied to temple covenants? 1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,000 Closer to Christ through Conference, where two friends who love Jesus and His gospel 2 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:07,080 sharing our own approach to conference. 3 00:00:07,080 --> 00:00:08,360 Hey, Amy. 4 00:00:08,360 --> 00:00:09,360 Hey. 5 00:00:09,360 --> 00:00:10,800 So, this is Abbey here. 6 00:00:10,800 --> 00:00:15,260 I just wanted to remind our listeners, this podcast aims to reach you if you are eager 7 00:00:15,260 --> 00:00:19,240 to explore the insights and inspirations found within General Conference Talks. 8 00:00:19,240 --> 00:00:22,760 Our analytics are showing that on some platforms we're being heard, but we grab a listener 9 00:00:22,760 --> 00:00:27,600 at whatever the current episode is that they are on. 10 00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:31,960 We know that the introductions aren't always popular to listen to, but we would encourage 11 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:36,320 new listeners to find their way back to at least episode one so that you can understand 12 00:00:36,320 --> 00:00:39,960 the vision and intent we have for this particular podcast. 13 00:00:39,960 --> 00:00:44,500 If I haven't talked you into going back to episode one, let me give you a brief synopsis. 14 00:00:44,500 --> 00:00:47,880 We ask you to please ponder the questions we pose, but don't be afraid to formulate 15 00:00:47,880 --> 00:00:48,880 your own. 16 00:00:48,880 --> 00:00:53,120 Trust your own process of seeking revelation and acting on the promptings that you receive. 17 00:00:53,120 --> 00:00:55,920 Our hope is that through listening to these conference talks, you're going to find yourself 18 00:00:55,920 --> 00:01:00,240 drawing closer to Jesus Christ and experiencing a deeper connection with Him in your daily 19 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:01,240 life. 20 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:04,840 And we are hopeful that these short podcasts will allow you, the listener, to have a jumping 21 00:01:04,840 --> 00:01:10,120 off point to delve deeper on your own into whatever conference has to offer for you. 22 00:01:10,120 --> 00:01:15,480 If we suggest an action item that we see in a talk that we like, that we picked out as 23 00:01:15,480 --> 00:01:20,440 important, decide if it's right for you, but make sure our suggestions best suit your needs 24 00:01:20,440 --> 00:01:22,280 and modify them if they don't. 25 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:25,400 Ask yourself, will this be best for my individual growth? 26 00:01:25,400 --> 00:01:29,560 Lastly, we remind you, the listener, that it is important to access the talk we are 27 00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:32,800 covering in its entirety, either before the podcast or after. 28 00:01:32,800 --> 00:01:36,880 We always want the impressions you receive to be based on what you heard from the source, 29 00:01:36,880 --> 00:01:37,880 not from us. 30 00:01:37,880 --> 00:01:40,040 We are just here to open the conversation. 31 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:44,060 As we consider our hopes and intentions of the podcast, we would share that once your 32 00:01:44,060 --> 00:01:48,180 bucket is filled, maybe you would start a small or large group text or a chat that invites 33 00:01:48,180 --> 00:01:50,980 others to join you on this weekly conference study. 34 00:01:50,980 --> 00:01:52,680 Your ideas and inspirations are valuable. 35 00:01:52,680 --> 00:01:58,320 And when you are able to collaborate and share with others, the power of those ideas is exponential. 36 00:01:58,320 --> 00:02:02,880 So join us today as we discuss Elder Ulysses S. Suarez of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles 37 00:02:02,880 --> 00:02:06,800 in his talk titled, Covenant Confidence Through Jesus Christ. 38 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:09,640 Amy, what was the standout for you in this one? 39 00:02:09,640 --> 00:02:11,320 Where do we want to go with this talk? 40 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:18,960 So even for just the actual title of it, I had never heard covenant confidence through 41 00:02:18,960 --> 00:02:19,960 Jesus Christ. 42 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:23,560 I had heard spiritual confidence before and that does make sense to my heart as well. 43 00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:27,840 Or keeping your covenants, like it's something that you just hold close and don't exhibit. 44 00:02:27,840 --> 00:02:33,200 And I love the phrase covenant confidence because it gives me, who's a very visual person, 45 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:36,540 a clear picture of where the confidence is coming from. 46 00:02:36,540 --> 00:02:40,840 It's my confidence in Jesus Christ and His atonement that was made for all. 47 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:44,960 And my favorite part is the way that he, just at the beginning, he describes exactly what 48 00:02:44,960 --> 00:02:45,960 it is. 49 00:02:45,960 --> 00:02:51,160 Confidence is the quiet yet certain assurance of receiving the blessings that God promises 50 00:02:51,160 --> 00:02:56,280 for those who keep their covenants and is so needed amid the challenging circumstances 51 00:02:56,280 --> 00:03:01,600 of our day, which I just say amen to that. 52 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:05,920 So this is the next quote that I really liked and this is what... 53 00:03:05,920 --> 00:03:07,280 Stood out. 54 00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:09,460 It just stood out to me and resonated. 55 00:03:09,460 --> 00:03:14,520 So he says this, if we change our preparation to enter the temple, we will change our experience 56 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:18,920 in the temple, which will transform our lives outside the temple. 57 00:03:18,920 --> 00:03:22,800 So I loved it because temple preparation can look different for every person. 58 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:25,960 It can look different in every stage of life. 59 00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:29,080 If you're going for the first time, then a temple preparation class would be in your 60 00:03:29,080 --> 00:03:30,680 best interest. 61 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:36,600 And about six years ago, I found myself in a particular place where I sort of started, 62 00:03:36,600 --> 00:03:41,080 you could say I changed the approach and the preparation to enter the temple. 63 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:44,880 So what I did was I would just decide to take a question to the temple. 64 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:48,160 Now mind you, this wasn't some earth shattering question. 65 00:03:48,160 --> 00:03:52,680 It was honestly something like, what can I do this week for my third child so that he 66 00:03:52,680 --> 00:03:53,800 knows I love him? 67 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:55,120 Something like that. 68 00:03:55,120 --> 00:04:00,960 And then as I would worship and serve in the temple, I would listen for and I would wait 69 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:04,000 for pieces of my answer to distill on my heart. 70 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:11,920 And then afterwards I would write it down in my phone, like when I was on my way home 71 00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:13,800 or before I left. 72 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:18,440 And I would ask that the spirit would bring to my remembrance anything that was communicated 73 00:04:18,440 --> 00:04:19,440 to me. 74 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:21,200 Because you know, sometimes it's just a thought. 75 00:04:21,200 --> 00:04:22,920 And here it is. 76 00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:24,240 This was the key for me. 77 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:29,940 I take any answer that I received as 100% from God. 78 00:04:29,940 --> 00:04:33,880 And it's worth noting that I pay special attention to the feeling that accompanied my answer 79 00:04:33,880 --> 00:04:35,400 or my prompting. 80 00:04:35,400 --> 00:04:41,560 Feelings of peace in my heart, clarity, that it's a good thing, and that it's consistent 81 00:04:41,560 --> 00:04:43,360 with the gospel of Jesus Christ. 82 00:04:43,360 --> 00:04:46,760 And then like I said, I move forward in clarity and I do the thing. 83 00:04:46,760 --> 00:04:50,600 Then I return in temple worship and I repeat this with another pressing question for me. 84 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:53,760 So maybe the next one would be what's the most impactful thing I can do in my marriage 85 00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:55,720 relationship. 86 00:04:55,720 --> 00:04:59,040 Maybe sometimes, oh, there were definitely seasons when I would ask, can you help me 87 00:04:59,040 --> 00:05:01,320 see the holes in my physical health? 88 00:05:01,320 --> 00:05:05,240 And then I would say, what's one thing that I can focus on right now to bring greater 89 00:05:05,240 --> 00:05:07,200 happiness to my life? 90 00:05:07,200 --> 00:05:11,640 So this exercising of the muscle takes out all the second guessing that kind of takes 91 00:05:11,640 --> 00:05:14,720 up the valuable time and space. 92 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:16,640 I create room for the answer. 93 00:05:16,640 --> 00:05:18,240 And then I let doubt melt away. 94 00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:22,500 I become familiar to the sweet spirit of peace, clarity and comfort and hope that are available 95 00:05:22,500 --> 00:05:23,500 in the temple. 96 00:05:23,500 --> 00:05:28,040 So that's kind of the key is to remember what the temple feels like to my heart. 97 00:05:28,040 --> 00:05:33,520 And then couple that with the feelings and the promptings that I get from the spirit. 98 00:05:33,520 --> 00:05:36,720 And then don't let those feelings stop there like carry that with you outside of the temple 99 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:38,980 doors and into the action that you're going to take. 100 00:05:38,980 --> 00:05:40,080 That's exactly what I was going to say. 101 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:44,320 Like I'm very mindful of that spirit that accompanies me home from the temple that gives 102 00:05:44,320 --> 00:05:47,540 me the spiritual and covenant confidence, right? 103 00:05:47,540 --> 00:05:51,200 And honestly doing that has really changed my experience in the temple because I've done 104 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:52,520 it for so many years now. 105 00:05:52,520 --> 00:05:55,640 It's just become part, you know, you kind of don't think about it, right? 106 00:05:55,640 --> 00:06:00,720 Like when you do something so often, just these small things over a large amount of 107 00:06:00,720 --> 00:06:04,400 time, it really does make a big difference. 108 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:05,400 That's true. 109 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:06,400 Changes, it changes everything. 110 00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:10,440 And, and I mean, you make it, you make it sound easy. 111 00:06:10,440 --> 00:06:11,560 I'm not going to lie. 112 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:15,120 You make that sound like it's an easy process and you've been doing it for so long that 113 00:06:15,120 --> 00:06:16,400 it's just you're stuck in nature. 114 00:06:16,400 --> 00:06:19,840 I can say that I've gone into the temple with specific questions and I've received specific 115 00:06:19,840 --> 00:06:25,880 answers, but you're definitely articulating a process that you've made really work for 116 00:06:25,880 --> 00:06:26,880 you. 117 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:27,880 Can I share something? 118 00:06:27,880 --> 00:06:30,200 So this is what's interesting about that. 119 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:33,080 When you say those words, I think, yeah, you're right. 120 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:37,480 That does make it sound like it was calculated, like it was a process. 121 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:41,260 I do have to say that I just felt I just followed the spirit. 122 00:06:41,260 --> 00:06:43,560 It sounded like a great thing for me to do. 123 00:06:43,560 --> 00:06:49,800 Now six years later, I looked back and I decided to kind of write down some of my life stories 124 00:06:49,800 --> 00:06:56,000 so, really, it was in that moment of looking back, of asking the Lord to show me clarity 125 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:59,280 and to show me just kind of what I'd been doing. 126 00:06:59,280 --> 00:07:03,800 And it was really, really interesting to see it all come together when I actually wrote 127 00:07:03,800 --> 00:07:04,800 the words down. 128 00:07:04,800 --> 00:07:06,440 I thought, wow, that was amazing. 129 00:07:06,440 --> 00:07:09,200 I had no idea that's what I was doing. 130 00:07:09,200 --> 00:07:10,860 I like that. 131 00:07:10,860 --> 00:07:16,480 So you will admit that probably to people like me, that does sound like a big action 132 00:07:16,480 --> 00:07:18,200 item, like a big step to take forward. 133 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:23,160 But you're encouraging us, start with a small question, accept the answer as it is. 134 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:27,080 You said something that I was like, that's key to it. 135 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:30,720 You took your phone out, you write a little note in the temple of the inspiration that 136 00:07:30,720 --> 00:07:32,680 you got, and then you follow through and you do that thing. 137 00:07:32,680 --> 00:07:38,520 I feel like I'm most successful when I get revelation from the Lord, when I acknowledge 138 00:07:38,520 --> 00:07:42,200 that I received it, that I'm saying that it's from Him, and then I follow through with it. 139 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:43,200 Exactly. 140 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:48,040 I don't feel like He's willing to give me the next piece of the puzzle until I make 141 00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:50,960 a step towards doing the thing that He already gave me. 142 00:07:50,960 --> 00:07:51,960 Exactly. 143 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:54,800 And what if it was something just as small as take Him to lunch? 144 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:55,800 Guess what? 145 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:56,800 We can all do that. 146 00:07:56,800 --> 00:07:57,800 That totally happens. 147 00:07:57,800 --> 00:08:00,680 I was a Relief Society president in my younger years and I had this impression to go take 148 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:01,680 somebody crayons. 149 00:08:01,680 --> 00:08:03,640 I don't even know what that was about. 150 00:08:03,640 --> 00:08:05,480 And I did it and it meant everything to her. 151 00:08:05,480 --> 00:08:09,120 And I don't remember all of the details of it, but I was like, this is so weird. 152 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:12,700 But I'm like, I heard you say, go take crayons to the sister. 153 00:08:12,700 --> 00:08:15,560 And when I did it, maybe she seriously was sitting there. 154 00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:17,400 She's like, I could share you a box of crayons. 155 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:19,320 Can you even believe that? 156 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:26,080 And following through with that, it was kind of early in my service in that position. 157 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:30,000 And I thought when things are awkward, when I'm prompted to say something, it just kind 158 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:33,160 of comes out of my mouth because I'm like, if I hold on to it, then He's going to think 159 00:08:33,160 --> 00:08:36,320 that I didn't hear Him and He won't want to send me more. 160 00:08:36,320 --> 00:08:37,320 Exactly. 161 00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:38,320 Right? 162 00:08:38,320 --> 00:08:39,320 Visit somebody, do this, do that. 163 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:40,320 Yes. 164 00:08:40,320 --> 00:08:46,080 And that was the biggest thing too, is that I also remind Heavenly Father that my intention 165 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:51,120 with this is to cultivate clear communication with Him and then to act on any prompting 166 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:52,920 I get from Him. 167 00:08:52,920 --> 00:08:53,920 That's really what I tell Him. 168 00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:57,460 I said, I am loving growing into revelation. 169 00:08:57,460 --> 00:09:02,400 And if you think of it this way, Abby, the fact that I was able to look back over six 170 00:09:02,400 --> 00:09:04,000 years, think of that. 171 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:09,520 What I really did was I captured a bunch of rays that happened every week, sometimes multiple 172 00:09:09,520 --> 00:09:10,680 times a week. 173 00:09:10,680 --> 00:09:13,280 And when I captured that, it was a pillar. 174 00:09:13,280 --> 00:09:16,560 So right now you're saying that's a lot to handle because you're listening to the pillar, 175 00:09:16,560 --> 00:09:20,160 but really it did happen ray upon ray. 176 00:09:20,160 --> 00:09:22,640 I totally acknowledge that. 177 00:09:22,640 --> 00:09:27,340 I just want to make sure the reader knows that you've had other process of things you've 178 00:09:27,340 --> 00:09:29,480 taught me in the time that we've been friends. 179 00:09:29,480 --> 00:09:33,800 And I've heard other friends be like, you like revelation, personal revelation, that's 180 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:34,800 kind of a big one that comes up. 181 00:09:34,800 --> 00:09:36,780 They're like, you make that sound so easy. 182 00:09:36,780 --> 00:09:43,040 But I do want them to know that this is like Amy 2.0. 183 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:46,800 She was also our age at one time and she did also start somewhere else in the process. 184 00:09:46,800 --> 00:09:52,320 And even though revelation came and she trusted that revelation, I just want to say, I don't 185 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:56,680 think that it comes without some trial and error and some practice. 186 00:09:56,680 --> 00:09:57,680 Oh, amen. 187 00:09:57,680 --> 00:09:58,680 Okay. 188 00:09:58,680 --> 00:09:59,680 Yes. 189 00:09:59,680 --> 00:10:00,680 Good. 190 00:10:00,680 --> 00:10:01,680 People are feeling better about this than I think. 191 00:10:01,680 --> 00:10:03,480 100%. 192 00:10:03,480 --> 00:10:08,440 So then just the last part of it, Abby, is, you know, when he says that it changes your, 193 00:10:08,440 --> 00:10:15,440 what does he say, he says, which will transform our lives outside of the temple. 194 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:19,080 So then what I realized I did, and again, I didn't know I was doing this. 195 00:10:19,080 --> 00:10:21,440 I didn't know I was following a quote process or anything. 196 00:10:21,440 --> 00:10:28,360 But what felt right to my heart was I thought, okay, I have cultivated that feeling. 197 00:10:28,360 --> 00:10:32,120 I know what it feels like and I know what it sounds like when Heavenly Father speaks 198 00:10:32,120 --> 00:10:33,400 to my heart. 199 00:10:33,400 --> 00:10:37,160 So I said, and the fact that I didn't second guess it, I didn't waste any time. 200 00:10:37,160 --> 00:10:39,160 I just did the little thing, right? 201 00:10:39,160 --> 00:10:41,480 So how about, what if I took that home? 202 00:10:41,480 --> 00:10:45,560 And I started at home when I was saying my prayers, I would ask that question that normally 203 00:10:45,560 --> 00:10:47,680 I would reserve for the temple. 204 00:10:47,680 --> 00:10:49,540 And I would ask the question. 205 00:10:49,540 --> 00:10:53,400 And then again, I would just wait for some little pieces or promptings that are still 206 00:10:53,400 --> 00:10:55,160 upon my heart. 207 00:10:55,160 --> 00:10:58,480 And I would take it 100% that it was from God. 208 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:01,440 And remember, I had the two things that still went with it. 209 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:03,000 It had to have the feeling, right? 210 00:11:03,000 --> 00:11:05,800 The peace, the clarity, the hope. 211 00:11:05,800 --> 00:11:09,440 And then it also had to be consistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ. 212 00:11:09,440 --> 00:11:11,800 So that's what I would do. 213 00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:13,440 I would have that impression. 214 00:11:13,440 --> 00:11:15,240 I would do that thing I was impressed to do. 215 00:11:15,240 --> 00:11:16,840 I'd ask for his continued guidance. 216 00:11:16,840 --> 00:11:19,760 And then I'd thank him as he helps me grow into the spirit of revelation. 217 00:11:19,760 --> 00:11:26,240 So I just love that I was able to be as confident as I was in the temple when I received an 218 00:11:26,240 --> 00:11:30,840 answer or a prompting that I was in my everyday life and at home. 219 00:11:30,840 --> 00:11:35,520 And that's what I think the true blessing is, is when I think of the blessings of the 220 00:11:35,520 --> 00:11:38,200 temple flowing through my life. 221 00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:39,200 That's what I feel like. 222 00:11:39,200 --> 00:11:43,360 I feel like I was able to capture and remember and zip it into my heart what it feels like 223 00:11:43,360 --> 00:11:44,520 to be in the temple. 224 00:11:44,520 --> 00:11:46,480 And then I carried that with me. 225 00:11:46,480 --> 00:11:50,200 And I'm not saying it's easy to do, but rather than just capturing the words, if we can capture 226 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:54,560 the emotion or the feeling, the way that we feel about the revelation that we received 227 00:11:54,560 --> 00:11:59,840 and take that outside of the temple walls, because I think that's something that Satan's 228 00:11:59,840 --> 00:12:04,220 really good at, like making us doubt when he has more access to us and we have more 229 00:12:04,220 --> 00:12:07,400 time to think about it, like was the answer really that simple? 230 00:12:07,400 --> 00:12:08,400 Probably. 231 00:12:08,400 --> 00:12:09,400 Right. 232 00:12:09,400 --> 00:12:13,080 And how much time have I spent and have you spent thinking and wondering, was that really 233 00:12:13,080 --> 00:12:14,080 him? 234 00:12:14,080 --> 00:12:17,060 And then usually what happens at that point, you waste your time and then you second gets 235 00:12:17,060 --> 00:12:18,320 doing it, then you don't do it. 236 00:12:18,320 --> 00:12:20,040 And then it's harder to get the next piece. 237 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:21,040 Exactly. 238 00:12:21,040 --> 00:12:22,040 You do nothing. 239 00:12:22,040 --> 00:12:24,640 It stalls you, which is exactly what the adversary would love. 240 00:12:24,640 --> 00:12:26,240 Just, just a distraction. 241 00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:31,040 So I've kind of shared that Abby, I would love to hear what your thoughts were on this 242 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:36,520 talk and if you have any of your own, you know, your personal experiences. 243 00:12:36,520 --> 00:12:40,400 This is one of those that stood out to me, like it was written on my heart. 244 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:43,560 It's what I bore my testimony of the Sunday after conference, you know, people get up 245 00:12:43,560 --> 00:12:48,360 and say that kind of highlights what added to their testimony. 246 00:12:48,360 --> 00:12:51,480 I asked Heavenly Father to bless me to be able to say, you know, what was on my heart 247 00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:55,520 and the words that came out of my mouth were home centered, gospel supported and temple 248 00:12:55,520 --> 00:12:56,520 bound. 249 00:12:56,520 --> 00:13:02,720 And that addition of that third phrase, it meant everything to me. 250 00:13:02,720 --> 00:13:08,880 For me, I see the what of the gospel is that prophets, seers and revelators have moved 251 00:13:08,880 --> 00:13:11,840 us toward a home centered approach. 252 00:13:11,840 --> 00:13:16,420 No more can you say, well, the church teaches this, the church teaches that. 253 00:13:16,420 --> 00:13:20,600 What I'm teaching in my home is what is being taught to my children. 254 00:13:20,600 --> 00:13:21,600 I love that. 255 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:28,320 It's the foremost, so it puts the, I don't want to say burden of proof, but like it puts 256 00:13:28,320 --> 00:13:29,320 the pressure on me. 257 00:13:29,320 --> 00:13:36,160 Like if I just want to say, well, the church teaches that, you teach truth, the church 258 00:13:36,160 --> 00:13:40,220 supports that truth, ideally. 259 00:13:40,220 --> 00:13:42,040 But you know, church is condensed now. 260 00:13:42,040 --> 00:13:47,960 It's only that, you know, the two hours, I think we're all just happy enough with that. 261 00:13:47,960 --> 00:13:52,200 And it can be really impactful time of the week, it can be uplifting, but a lot of that 262 00:13:52,200 --> 00:13:56,040 has to do with the preparation that we've put into the time in our home in the previous 263 00:13:56,040 --> 00:14:00,880 week or recent past that goes into those lessons or if how we engage or, you know, teaching 264 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:04,800 styles like are they facilitators or they like lectures that does make a difference, 265 00:14:04,800 --> 00:14:09,940 but it's church supported, but it really is secondary to what's happening in our homes. 266 00:14:09,940 --> 00:14:14,200 So those are the what's of the gospel for me, but adding that third phrase provided 267 00:14:14,200 --> 00:14:15,440 the why. 268 00:14:15,440 --> 00:14:16,960 Why am I attending church? 269 00:14:16,960 --> 00:14:20,440 Why am I teaching come follow me in my home? 270 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:21,560 Why does this matter? 271 00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:24,640 And it's because we're temple bound. 272 00:14:24,640 --> 00:14:28,320 Looking at my life, I'm only a couple of years away from my oldest leaving the house and 273 00:14:28,320 --> 00:14:31,320 my kids are growing like at an alarming rate. 274 00:14:31,320 --> 00:14:35,240 And so I've been recently pondering a lot of questions surrounded by filling the measure 275 00:14:35,240 --> 00:14:37,120 of my creation as a mother. 276 00:14:37,120 --> 00:14:42,400 I say questions like what can I do in this brief time I have left with my children while 277 00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:46,160 we're all under one roof that gives them the greatest chance for keeping their faith that 278 00:14:46,160 --> 00:14:48,400 they've been taught in this home. 279 00:14:48,400 --> 00:14:53,440 And I'll say during this talk, I received an unmistakable impression that my devotion 280 00:14:53,440 --> 00:14:58,120 to the temple was a key piece of the answer to that question for me myself in this time 281 00:14:58,120 --> 00:14:59,800 right now. 282 00:14:59,800 --> 00:15:04,000 And I know that doesn't have to be the answer to everyone, but literally the question on 283 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:09,360 the top of my paper, it was to do with how to fill the measure of my creation as a mother. 284 00:15:09,360 --> 00:15:15,320 And as as Ella Schwartz was talking, I was like, your temple attendance matters. 285 00:15:15,320 --> 00:15:22,600 So after I had time to go back and I've looked at this talk like layer upon layer, I've also 286 00:15:22,600 --> 00:15:25,960 kind of done what Amy did, kind of introspective like what are the pieces? 287 00:15:25,960 --> 00:15:28,720 Why does the temple matter so much? 288 00:15:28,720 --> 00:15:30,280 And I came up with a few things. 289 00:15:30,280 --> 00:15:32,240 I jotted them down. 290 00:15:32,240 --> 00:15:34,840 So if it feels like I'm reading it totally because I am. 291 00:15:34,840 --> 00:15:38,800 If I'm attending the temple, I'm saying that the recommend that grants me access into the 292 00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:45,300 temple is valid and that those things that I attested to to be true means that I'm living 293 00:15:45,300 --> 00:15:47,200 up to the best standards that I can. 294 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:50,520 Not that I'm perfect, but that I'm coming recommended by the Lord. 295 00:15:50,520 --> 00:15:52,480 It's a check in process for me. 296 00:15:52,480 --> 00:15:55,880 I'm not going to a bishop asking for permission to attend the temple. 297 00:15:55,880 --> 00:16:01,000 I'm sitting in front of a representative of Jesus Christ recommending myself and he's 298 00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:03,880 eager to accept my desire to attend the temple. 299 00:16:03,880 --> 00:16:08,160 So for me, as long as I'm holding that recommend with a true and honest heart, it's a great 300 00:16:08,160 --> 00:16:09,360 assessment tool for myself. 301 00:16:09,360 --> 00:16:12,720 I did a quick little search. 302 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:15,560 It made me think, what do people think temple recommend is? 303 00:16:15,560 --> 00:16:18,080 And so Mormon Wiki is like, it's a piece of paper. 304 00:16:18,080 --> 00:16:19,600 And I was like, ooh. 305 00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:22,840 And then I scroll down a couple and it's like from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day 306 00:16:22,840 --> 00:16:29,160 Saints, much more confirmation bias that that recommend is so much more of an offering that 307 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:36,960 we're recommending ourselves to the Lord and he's accepting that recommendation. 308 00:16:36,960 --> 00:16:42,640 So what I said there, like that was another layer of study as to what that recommend means 309 00:16:42,640 --> 00:16:43,960 to me. 310 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:48,560 Another thing that I learned as I was reflecting is that I noticed that my children see me. 311 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:51,080 They know the responsibilities that I have in a given day. 312 00:16:51,080 --> 00:16:55,920 And when I make time for the temple, or better yet, when I don't even have time to attend 313 00:16:55,920 --> 00:17:00,400 the temple, but I still go, the Spirit's confirmed to me that they recognize this time. 314 00:17:00,400 --> 00:17:04,560 It's a very physical way for them to see me doing something that demonstrates my love 315 00:17:04,560 --> 00:17:07,280 for my Heavenly Father and His Son. 316 00:17:07,280 --> 00:17:14,600 So then just to go with what Amy said, I asked the question, what happens when I'm in the 317 00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:15,600 temple? 318 00:17:15,600 --> 00:17:18,760 For me, I definitely notice a change in the noise and the chaos of my life. 319 00:17:18,760 --> 00:17:22,680 I leave it on the outside and I'm there on an appointment with the Lord. 320 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:26,120 And I stole that little phrase from the talk because I loved it so much. 321 00:17:26,120 --> 00:17:33,000 And I can tell you that I have myself taken a question or two into the temple about one 322 00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:38,960 or all of my children or my spouse or whatever's pressing on my mind. 323 00:17:38,960 --> 00:17:45,640 But based on this line of thinking, I'll ask, what can I do for them as their mother? 324 00:17:45,640 --> 00:17:49,920 And those answers have become very apparent for me in very simple ways. 325 00:17:49,920 --> 00:17:57,120 But it has changed the conversation, it's changed interactions, it's changed like what 326 00:17:57,120 --> 00:17:59,880 my natural inclination to do as a mother would be. 327 00:17:59,880 --> 00:18:04,440 Like I'm involving revelation in that process. 328 00:18:04,440 --> 00:18:08,080 And so even if they're simple things, it's making a big difference in the way that I'm 329 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:10,120 mothering. 330 00:18:10,120 --> 00:18:14,400 So as I go to the temple often, I'm reminded of those covenants and blessings associated 331 00:18:14,400 --> 00:18:15,400 with them. 332 00:18:15,400 --> 00:18:21,760 And I know that those are broadcast on my posterity forever, as long as I remain faithful, 333 00:18:21,760 --> 00:18:27,280 regardless if they continue in the faith and the footsteps that they're taking now. 334 00:18:27,280 --> 00:18:31,000 So my covenant allows me to know that my job is to demonstrate my faith through thought 335 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:35,720 and deed, and that I don't get to determine the outcome of that for my own children, but 336 00:18:35,720 --> 00:18:36,960 that's okay. 337 00:18:36,960 --> 00:18:40,620 My life is so much better because of the covenants that I have made. 338 00:18:40,620 --> 00:18:46,680 And all that I can do is hope that if I continue to live the life that I am recommended to 339 00:18:46,680 --> 00:18:51,320 the Lord, and I make sacrifices to attend the temple, and I listen for revelation, I 340 00:18:51,320 --> 00:18:58,480 ask for revelation on their behalf as I'm in there, that I can see, wow, what confidence 341 00:18:58,480 --> 00:19:04,720 it gives me to be a covenant maker in the temple in maybe one of the hardest jobs that 342 00:19:04,720 --> 00:19:09,840 I've engaged in in my lifetime, being a mother. 343 00:19:09,840 --> 00:19:12,080 So that's the long and the short of it. 344 00:19:12,080 --> 00:19:17,080 I will say, you can defer this question if you want, but I do happen to know you attended 345 00:19:17,080 --> 00:19:19,480 the temple yesterday. 346 00:19:19,480 --> 00:19:23,840 And you went in with a question, you feel comfortable talking about that? 347 00:19:23,840 --> 00:19:25,880 I'm trying to remember what my question was. 348 00:19:25,880 --> 00:19:32,880 Because I do know, I'm going to try to remind you in subtle ways. 349 00:19:32,880 --> 00:19:36,160 The podcast went live and it was an offering. 350 00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:41,160 And it's like you're putting something kind of scary out there just because you know, 351 00:19:41,160 --> 00:19:45,520 like people start, like you put yourself out there as like a target, I think, when you 352 00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:49,880 put anything out in the world of social media. 353 00:19:49,880 --> 00:19:52,900 So I just asked, Heavenly Father, what do you think of me? 354 00:19:52,900 --> 00:19:56,560 And I just let the things come, you know, come to my heart. 355 00:19:56,560 --> 00:20:00,120 And some of the things I heard were, I'm proud of you. 356 00:20:00,120 --> 00:20:01,560 I like you. 357 00:20:01,560 --> 00:20:02,560 I love you. 358 00:20:02,560 --> 00:20:06,820 Which we, as parents, we know that like and love are two different things. 359 00:20:06,820 --> 00:20:07,820 And it was just sweet. 360 00:20:07,820 --> 00:20:08,820 I just sat there. 361 00:20:08,820 --> 00:20:11,320 I love my children all the time, but sometimes I don't like them. 362 00:20:11,320 --> 00:20:12,800 I was like, sweet, you like me? 363 00:20:12,800 --> 00:20:13,800 I love that. 364 00:20:13,800 --> 00:20:14,800 He loves you. 365 00:20:14,800 --> 00:20:15,800 Amen. 366 00:20:15,800 --> 00:20:18,240 I've got so too. 367 00:20:18,240 --> 00:20:22,320 So there are simple questions, but like that was what was most pressing for you in that 368 00:20:22,320 --> 00:20:23,320 day. 369 00:20:23,320 --> 00:20:24,320 I thought it was great. 370 00:20:24,320 --> 00:20:27,040 I learned so much from you. 371 00:20:27,040 --> 00:20:30,840 And so I'm hoping that people can see the questions can be short and sweet and the answers 372 00:20:30,840 --> 00:20:34,240 can be short and sweet, but they make a big difference. 373 00:20:34,240 --> 00:20:35,240 Action items from this. 374 00:20:35,240 --> 00:20:37,880 What did you pick up on? 375 00:20:37,880 --> 00:20:42,240 Something I love that you said, Abby, is, and I know what a busy life you have, and 376 00:20:42,240 --> 00:20:47,600 I stand in awe when I look at you, I've said this before, Abby has more peripheral vision 377 00:20:47,600 --> 00:20:49,320 than any person I've ever seen. 378 00:20:49,320 --> 00:20:53,600 She's able to keep her eyes on focus directly on what she's doing in her life. 379 00:20:53,600 --> 00:20:58,160 Yet she also has the spiritual gift to see and to help others in a very short amount 380 00:20:58,160 --> 00:20:59,160 of time. 381 00:20:59,160 --> 00:21:00,840 She can be very efficient. 382 00:21:00,840 --> 00:21:04,160 And I've also learned that with her and her temple attendance, she'll say, you know, can 383 00:21:04,160 --> 00:21:07,520 we hit a quick session or can we do initiatories together? 384 00:21:07,520 --> 00:21:12,560 And I used to spend more time in the temple and I love that she's able to fit it in amidst 385 00:21:12,560 --> 00:21:14,280 her heavy schedule. 386 00:21:14,280 --> 00:21:15,280 Yes. 387 00:21:15,280 --> 00:21:17,280 And that I've also adapted that as well. 388 00:21:17,280 --> 00:21:18,280 And guess what? 389 00:21:18,280 --> 00:21:23,040 Guess what the cool part is, I haven't felt any part that I've missed that extra time. 390 00:21:23,040 --> 00:21:27,940 I have been able to feel the spirit just as strong and do the things I need to do. 391 00:21:27,940 --> 00:21:32,940 So I really, that is a huge testimony for me, watching Abby fitted in amidst a very 392 00:21:32,940 --> 00:21:34,480 heavy schedule. 393 00:21:34,480 --> 00:21:35,480 I just think that's it. 394 00:21:35,480 --> 00:21:38,920 Go to the temple and love it and worship, you know what I mean? 395 00:21:38,920 --> 00:21:39,920 Can't do it wrong. 396 00:21:39,920 --> 00:21:42,080 We can't miss out on talking about the word binding. 397 00:21:42,080 --> 00:21:44,000 Look for that word when you're reviewing this talk. 398 00:21:44,000 --> 00:21:47,160 Look for how he talks about the word binding. 399 00:21:47,160 --> 00:21:51,380 But the action item I wrote out was the binding that happens as we attend the temple should 400 00:21:51,380 --> 00:21:55,360 hopefully make us desire to have our next appointment with the Lord scheduled. 401 00:21:55,360 --> 00:21:58,240 I like that they kind of change the wording. 402 00:21:58,240 --> 00:22:02,440 Changing the wording on that makes me change, makes me more excited. 403 00:22:02,440 --> 00:22:05,840 Like if you have on your schedule like date with your husband, nobody's like, I'm trying 404 00:22:05,840 --> 00:22:06,840 to get out of that. 405 00:22:06,840 --> 00:22:07,840 That doesn't sound fun. 406 00:22:07,840 --> 00:22:09,000 Everybody's like, that sounds good. 407 00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:15,400 So changing the wording of temple attendance from being like an obligation instead to being 408 00:22:15,400 --> 00:22:18,180 a date with the Lord sounds so much more appealing to me. 409 00:22:18,180 --> 00:22:21,400 And I really start wanting, I want to start thinking of it more like that. 410 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:26,240 So you may be near from a temple, near to a temple, you may be far from the temple. 411 00:22:26,240 --> 00:22:34,120 I would suggest as an action item that you set an appointment today to with the Lord, 412 00:22:34,120 --> 00:22:35,960 get it on the schedule and be realistic. 413 00:22:35,960 --> 00:22:39,520 So if you're far away, don't be acting like you're going to try to go tomorrow. 414 00:22:39,520 --> 00:22:40,720 That's not realistic. 415 00:22:40,720 --> 00:22:44,000 Make something that's actionable and that can happen for you. 416 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:48,320 I did start typing another action item and I deleted it, but I'm feeling like I'm going 417 00:22:48,320 --> 00:22:49,320 to add it back. 418 00:22:49,320 --> 00:22:58,480 So my last suggestion would be to our listeners that haven't yet accepted the blessings that 419 00:22:58,480 --> 00:22:59,960 come from the temples. 420 00:22:59,960 --> 00:23:03,420 I like to ask you to ask yourself what's holding you back. 421 00:23:03,420 --> 00:23:07,840 Just the simple question is that, and if it's self doubt and it's that you don't think that 422 00:23:07,840 --> 00:23:11,140 you're enough, then you need to backtrack and ask the question. 423 00:23:11,140 --> 00:23:15,680 You need to ask Heavenly Father how he feels about you and let him answer that and see 424 00:23:15,680 --> 00:23:21,800 if that propels you to getting closer to holding that recommend that you so deserve. 425 00:23:21,800 --> 00:23:22,800 Any last bit? 426 00:23:22,800 --> 00:23:23,800 We'll see you next time. 427 00:23:23,800 --> 00:23:24,800 Thanks guys. 428 00:23:24,800 --> 00:23:46,080 See ya.