Wednesday night I went to a Stake Relief Society Birthday Party at which Sister Ardeth J. Kapp spoke. It was so inspirational, I wanted to share my notes and feelings.
Upon her stepping up to the stand, the word "diminutive" came to mind, but as she began to speak she seemed to grow in stature. Her spirit was so strong and strengthening that I no longer felt that "diminutive" could describe her.
She had an interesting insight into a familiar Bible story. She pointed out that after the wisemen saw the baby Jesus, Matthew reports that "they departed into their own country another way (Matthew 2:12)." She said that was her hope-- that we would return home "another way."
A couple of funny things she shared with us at the beginning:
"I have a photographic memory, but it's next day delivery."
While serving as a mission mom, a couple of the sister missionaries commented to her how wonderful her husband was and said, "Where did you ever find a man like that?" She replied, "Oh, I didn't find him like that. . .neither did he find me like this."
The Stake Relief Society Presidency had asked her to center her talk around two scriptures:
1) I Nephi 17:3 "And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness."
2) Mosiah 2:41 "And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."
She then pointed out that the first scripture focuses more on the "here and now" and the second on the "there and then."
She asked the question: "Does keeping the commandments of God give you more talents than you would have otherwise?" The answer was, "Yes, you're given access to all the talents you need to accomplish the missions you were given before you came to the earth."
She told us to remember that "You are better than you think you are."
A way to decide what to do is to consider what we want to do, what we should do, what we ought to do, and what we must do.
If you've ever felt like the Lord has asked you to do something you feel is not within your realm of possibility and you ask the Lord, "Do you know what I have (problems, inadequacies, challenges, etc.)?" He will answer, "Yes." The key is to change how things seem to us so that we can have more confidence and courage, then the spirit can work with us. If we won't change, things will stay the same because we won't let them change.
If you're concerned about whether or not you've "made it" to the Celestial Kingdom, consider that all those who are baptized and given the gift of the Holy Ghost are in (with the assumption you don't shed any innocent blood or the like). Now the job is to journey on, receiving the additional ordinances we need to make it to the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom.
Whenever you need a recharge and feel like no one understand you, read Alma 7:11-12:
And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
Two Commandments/Tools to Take Home
1) Obedience-- the closer we bring ourselves in line with the commandments, the easier it becomes; or, as Ezra Taft Benson put it: "When it ceases to become an irritant and becomes our quest, the Lord gives us more power."
It's the little things that we do that give us more power to do what is right. Consider the Sacrament prayer (D&C 20:77 : "that they may always have His Spirit with them."). Also, D&C 109:22 : "And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them."
The world will detract us in whichever way will keep us from feeling even better.
Do not be discouraged. A woman came in and announced she had done 50 push-ups; her friend was impressed and said, "Wow, I don't think I could even do five." The woman then responded, "Well I started in 1985." So just do the best you can.
2) Love One Another: No one has a corner on charity.
Challenge: Strive to work on two different commandments, such that they are inscribed on the "fleshy tables of the heart." When Sister Kapp asked a young missionary what he thought about when he thought of his mom, he told her how when he was four he bumped his head on the corner of a table and she gave him a hug and comforted him saying, "There, there." Who would have guessed that that seemingly small action would become a resevoir of strength to this young man serving a mission.
"Empathy at a time of agony is a sign of divinity." Neal A. Maxwell
"Let that desire work in you." (see Alma 32:27)
Ask Heavenly Father what He would have you do and then listen at the upcoming General Conference to hear His answer.
