Conference tecrus::mormonism

			Power of a Personal Testimony

As the children of a loving Heavenly Father, we are blessed wit his love and
can receive his inspiration in our daily lives.  As we grow in faith and
experience and learn to call upon him in all things, we can come to understand
and rely upon the sustaining power of our personal testimonies.

In the book of Alma, Amulek reminds us that our Heavenly Father is deeply
interested in all aspects of our lives.  He encourages us to "exercise our
faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name." (Alma 34:17.)

"Humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him. Cry unto him when ye are
in your fields, yea, over all your flocks.  Cry unto him in your houses, yea,
over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.  Yea, cry  unto
him against the power of your enemies... Cry unto him over the crops of your
fields, that ye may prosper in them.  Cry over the flocks of your fields, that
they may increase... Pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret
places, and in your wilderness." (Alma 24:19-22,24-26.)

SHOW ME THE WAY HOME

Many years ago, a young Latter-day saint girl became lost in a wilderness
outside her family's ranch in the rugged hills of southeastern Montana. 
Frightened and bewildered, she realized she needed help immediately, so she
closed her eyes and fervently prayed, "Father, show me the way home."

The words had hardly left her mouth when she felt as if hands were placed on
her  shoulders and she was turned around.  With this prompting, she started
back up a nearby gulch.  This strong impression remained with her all the way
home and never left her until she turned the doorknob of her front door.

This experience helped form the foundation of the faith that sustained her
throughout her life. "I wish all children, especially the lost ones, had such a
knowledge of our Father's love," she said.

What personal evidences do we have that our Heavenly Father hears and our
prayers and directs our daily lives, even in small ways?

BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK

As we meet our challenges, we learn to live by faith, harmonizing our lives
with God's purposes.  At times of crisis and decision, when we turn to God in
prayer, we are in effect opening a door, attuning ourselves to receive
spiritual power in our lives.

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the
door, I will come in to him." (Rev 3:20.)  An artist created a painting of the
door described in this scripture, with a doorknob only on our side.   Although
the Lord stands ready to enter, he does not force anyone to invite him. We have
our agency to open the door to him and allow him into our lives. "Remember that
without faith you can do nothing: therefore ask in faith." (D&C 8:10.) He sees
us at our daily work and is ready to respond. We can talk  to him, and the Holy
Ghost will be a constant companion. "And if your eye be single to my glory,
your whole bodies shall be filled with light...and that body which is filled
with light comprehendeth all things." (D&C 88:67.)

Our Heavenly Father's love encompasses us all.  He is there for us if we have
the faith to seek him. As with the young girl, lost and afraid in the 
wilderness, the Lord will show us the way home if we humble ourselves and seek
him in prayer.

How does applying Christ's teachings demonstrate that we have invited him into
our lives?
    

    
		     Nurturing Others With Caring and Faith

All living things need proper nourishment to grow.  Without light, food, and
water, the seedling can never become the fruitful tree.  

Proper nourishment is also essential to the growth of a human soul.  To nurture
is to feed, nourish, or sustain.  We nurture others physically when we share
with them our food and our substance.  We nurture them emotionally and
spiritually when we strengthen and encourage them.

The Savior spent hours in friendship with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.  He guided
the impetuous fisherman Peter, counseled the wealthy young man, and lifted and
encouraged the weak.  He tenderly blessed the children.

Women seem to have a natural desire to nurture others.  We can do so through
words, example, and loving gestures.  Two specific ways are to give small acts 
of caring and to exercise our faith in behalf of those in need.

WE CAN CARE, NOT CRITICIZE

When we see other people struggle with difficulties, we may think we are
helping them when we criticize them or point out how they should improve.
But the Lord has asked us not to "weed the garden" - or remove the faults
- of another's life.

Instead of judging or criticizing those who may be having difficulties, we can
listen without advising, thus helping them find their own answers.  And we can
offer small acts of caring - an encouraging smile, an appreciative word, or a
willingness to share an experience.

A young college student found herself almost over-whelmed by personal and
family difficulties.  "It was a time of grief and loneliness," she recalls. 
"Then Lila, a young woman who served with me in a ward calling, began stopping
by my apartment to visit with me.  Again and again her visits came at the very
moments when I felt nearest despair.  Her friendship gave me the courage to go
on - not only because it lifted me - but because it showed me that my Heavenly
Father knew my needs."

When has someone's caring helped you through a difficult time?  

What specific things did that person do to nurture you?

Can you think of someone who needs that kind of nourishment from you now?

WE CAN EXERCISE OUR FAITH IN BEHALF OF OTHERS

Another way to nurture others is to exert our faith and prayers in their
behalf.  Alma fasted and prayed for his troubled son - and his faith yielded
great fruit in the spiritual nourishment of Alma the Younger. (See Mosiah
27:8-14, 20.)

A couple from California with children between the ages of eighteen and thirty
found that fasting, praying, and attending the temple specifically for their
children has blessed them:

"A son, suffering from a lack of testimony, long overdue to serve a full-time
mission, was the subject of several of our special visits to the temple," said
the mother.  "Following each visit [to the temple] came a spark of change into
his life, and soon the fire of testimony burned brightly enough that he served
his mission." (Ensign, Mar. 1992, p. 71.)

Can you recall a time when your nurturing efforts brought comfort to a family
member or a friend?  What was your experience?

Who in your life might need your faith and prayers now?

    

    
		       Compassion: Feeling and Acting

The scriptures record that, just before raising the dead son of a
grief-stricken widow, Jesus "had compassion on her." (Luke 7:13.) Compassion
is an important aspect of Christlike love.  It is the ability to feel what
another is feeling - and then to help.

Paul described a congregation of compassionate Saints: "And whether one member
suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the
members rejoice with it." (1 Cor. 12:26.)

WE CAN HELP BY LISTENING AND FEELING

When we have compassion, we open ourselves to feel with others their sorrows
and joys.  Sometimes what they say may be hard to hear, especially when they
are feeling pain.  And often we cannot do anything to make that pain go away. 
In such instances, just listening can be a form of genuine compassion.

A man whose young wife died tells how he needs this form of compassion. "If I
say, 'That reminds me of how [my wife] used to ....,' my comment sometimes
causes an uncomfortable silence.  I want to talk about her.  Sometimes I just
need to ramble.  Yes, it is painful, but loneliness and isolation are much
worse.  Allow me to remember and cry." (Kevin Fitzwater, ENSIGN, June 1992, p.
57.)

Think of a time when someone really listened to you.  How did it make you feel?
How do you feel toward that person?

COMPASSION IS ACTION

Sometimes, compassionate listening can lead to action.  Lois Porter, a Relief
Society president in Salt Lake City, was visiting an elderly woman in the
hospital.  "I asked her what I could do for her, and she answered, 'Nothing.'
But when I asked her what was worrying her, she told me she was worrying about
her lawn and her cat.  I would never have known that, but I was then able to
water her lawn and feed her cat for her."

When we know another's needs, we must act on that knowledge.  The Apostle James
said: "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

"And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; not-
withstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what
doth it profit?"  (James 2:15-16.)

A group of sisters in Caracas, Venezuela, acted with compassion when they
visited a nursing home as part of a service project.  They took cookies and a
drink to share with the women there.  But when they saw the women - with
disheveled hair and nearly without clothing, slumped in chairs with
expressionless faces - they felt what the women must be feeling and acted
immediately.  They gathered clothing and helped dress the women.  Then they
cleaned faces and bodies and combed hair.  After bringing dignity to these
women, they held hands with them, talked with them, and shared their
refreshments.

Who could benefit from your compassionate listening today?  Who could use your
actions of compassion today?

    

    
    There are no designated visiting teaching messages printed in the May
    and November general conference issues of the ENSIGN.  After
    prayerfully considering the needs of the sisters they visit, visiting
    teachers are to choose a general conference address by a member of the
    First Presidency or the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to use as the
    message for those months.
    

			    Dealing With Disabilities

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are taught to love and accept all of our
Father's children.  That includes those around us who have physical, emotional,
and mental disabilities.  Our goal is to fully extend the blessings of the
gospel to everyone.  "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if
ye have love one to another." (John 13:35.)

Some of us have disabilities or know family members or friends with
disabilities.

Some have impaired hearing or vision; some have mental illness or intellectual
impairments; some have learning disabilities or serious behavior problems. 
Some of our disabilities are visible, because they require such things as
wheelchairs or hearing aids.  Many more are invisible.

WE CAN UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT

The love and understanding of the Savior included all people in all their
circumstances.  We can follow his perfect example by increasing our own
understanding and acceptance of those whose challenges seem great.

When we do not understand, a person who suffers from depression may seem to
lack faith.  A person who is hard of hearing may seem unresponsive.  A child
with a behavior disorder may seem to lack proper discipline.

One mother who has a child with a disability hopes others will understand her
child's abilities, as well as her disabilities. "My child is 90 percent
typical and only 10 percent disabled," she said, "but most people notice only
her disabilities."

As we follow the Savior's example of love and compassion to all, those with
disabilities will feel accepted.  One teenager who is both blind and profoundly
deaf feels loved when ward members shake his hand and give him a hug.  Another
child who is deaf loves to see her bishop, who has learned to greet her by name
and say "I love you" in sign language.  But a mother sorrows that friends
rarely mention her autistic son, who cannot be taken to church.  "Most people
never mention Brandon because they are afraid I might be hurt if they say the
wrong thing.  It fortifies me when someone asks me how he is."

How can you show interest and love for someone who you know has a disability?

WE CAN OFFER TO HELP

If we are sensitive to the Spirit and care for each other, we will discover
many ways to help those with disabilities.  One young woman with a serious
behavior disorder loved having members of her Young Women class send her
anonymous kind notes and small gifts.  A sister who is blind appreciates
members offering her rides to Church activities.  A woman recovering from
mental illness was pleased when a friend recommended her for part-time
employment.  

Those who care for others with serious disabilities often have great needs, as
well.  They may need physical, social, and emotional support.  We can offer to
stay with a disabled child for a few hours, stay with other children in the
family while parents make a hospital visit, or provide rides to a doctor's
office.  Including them in ward activities and offering assistance could help
alleviate some of the stress they feel.

A mother of a child with a disability says, "My nature is to be optimistic and
act as though I am in control.  But I have one friend I can be honest with, and
I have found it therapeutic to occasionally cry and let out my feelings."

How could you help a disabled person or his or her family?

    
		           The Strength of Sisterhood

"As sisters in Zion, we'll all work together." (Hymns, 1985, no. 309.) This
line from a hymn reminds us that our sisterhood is strengthened by our
individual relationships with each other.  One way we can do this is by
learning to listen to each other with both our minds and our hearts.  Another
is by trusting others and by being trustworthy.  In these two ways, we can
begin to enjoy the kind of unity exemplified by some of our sister from the
scriptures - Mary and Elisabeth, Ruth and Naomi.

WE CAN LEARN TO LISTEN

First, we must listen to each other with open hearts and minds.  Active
listening enables us to take into our hearts what is said. If we are only
waiting to tell what we know, then we are not listening.  As we listen, it is
sometimes helpful to rephrase what we have heard and to ask a few questions. 
This often helps the speaker to think through her own situation and make her
own decisions.  She may benefit more from our interest that if we tried to
solve her problems for her.

One mother was puzzled by the unruly behavior of her young son, Nathan.  As she
struggled to turn his negative talk and actions to positive ones, she watched
how other families directed their children.  She also confided in a friend who
knew how to listen.   Her friend asked helpful questions, such as "When Nathan
comes home from school, what do you do?"  As the mother described her daily
response, she realized she was reinforcing Nathan's negative behavior and that
she needed to change her own attitudes and actions.  She tried a different
approach, and her son changed, too.  Lives were blessed by the careful
listening and questioning of a caring friend.

*How would you describe real listening? What has happened when you have tried
it?

WE CAN LEARN TO TRUST

When we trust each other, we can express our own feelings, experiences, and
expectations honestly.  This allows others to express themselves openly, too.

But trust comes only when we keep confidences.  The Apostle Paul warned against
tellers of tales, "wandering about from house to house;... tattlers also and
busybodies, speaking things which they ought not." (1 Tim. 5:13.)

When we respect the confidences granted us, our friends can speak of their
inner feelings or reach out for help.  Marie and Heather shared this kind of
trust.  Heather had four children and demanding home responsibilities.  Marie
was often prompted by the Spirit to call just when Heather needed to confide. 
Heather said: "I couldn't hide my feelings from her questions, 'How are you
doing?' I'd cry and explain, and she would listen, and I'd feel better.  I knew
my words would go no further.  I thank the Lord for Marie."

With this kind of trust we can be "knit together in unity and in love one
towards another."  (Mosiah 18:21.)

*How can you be more worthy of your sister's trust?

*How have you felt when you have talked openly with a trusted friend?
    

    
			   Improving Our Communities

Latter-day Saint women have the ability, the opportunity, and the 
responsibility to improve the societies where they live.  We can do this by 
reflecting the teachings of the gospel and by beginning in small ways to 
improve our communities.  Elaine L. Jack, Relief Society general president, has 
said, "You show your love for the Lord daily as you support your husband, 
nurture children, care for parents, benefit neighbors, serve in your school, 
sit on your community council, and do much of the work of this world in and 
out of the home."

CHURCH SERVICE PREPARES US FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE

Our experience in Church leadership prepares us for effective public activity. 
We learn how to organize events and delegate responsibility.  Natural concern 
for our families encourages us to try to improve the areas in which we live.

Our Relief Society sisters of the past have left us a rich legacy of 
recognizing  and solving community problems.  Relief Society sister were 
trained as nurses, midwives, and even doctors; they saved and purchased wheat 
to relieve hunger and provide seed; they organized "swat the fly" campaigns to 
improve health and sanitation; they worked to give women the right to vote in 
the United States.  Our sisters have run for political office and served as 
public officials.

*What problems in my community would benefit from my concern?

WE CAN BEGIN IN SMALL WAYS

Our sisters today are continuing to take interest in education, social 
services, and politics.  Even our small efforts can influence our communities 
in significant ways.

Martha Isgett of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, volunteered to help in the 
classroom of her children.  As she helped with classroom projects, she noticed 
that some of the children had difficulty finishing their work.

"I did this at home with my six boys and two girls," Martha said.  "They all 
had required chores and knew we would have a schedule of work for them.  When 
they finished, they had rewards, but they weren't allowed to play until their 
duties were complete.  Now my children are older, and more is expected of them 
in school, in jobs, and on missions, because they have learned to be 
responsible at home."

Martha served in the parent-teacher organizations in her school, in her 
county, and in the state.  She has often been able to share her ideas about 
how parents can help children succeed.  Now she works as a substitute teacher, 
where she continues to help children form good habits.  "I want children to 
come to school prepared and to take pride in their work.  I know that parents 
at home can help by taking interest in their children's assignments and 
encouraging home and school projects to be completed."

Our community involvement need be no greater than we can handle at any one 
time,  but we should always be aware of problems and be ready to help.

*What am I doing in my community?  How else might I contribute?