More Elder Bednar Notes

Yesterday, John had a Bishopric training meeting. President Cruze, our stake president, invited the wives. He spent the majority of the meeting sharing thoughts and teachings from Elder Bednar. I wrote them down and thought that I would share them with all of you. To teach for attention is priestcraft. He compared daily prayer to the creation. When we pray, we begin with words, and then throughout the day, put those words into action. Then at the end of the day we report. It's hard to teach past our own conversion. Members would have more spiritual experiences if they would stop talking about the ones they have had. We should seek correction, rebuke, and counsel. We need to have a desire to get it right, not be right. You can only be acted on when you stop moving. Being a special witness of Jesus Christ means that you are a witness of the totality of His mission and work. When we go to conference, we should dress the part. (We were encouraged to go to the building rather than stay at home.) Our children will not be exalted by our actions, but theirs, however, by honoring our covenants, we can give them an influential tug. President Cruze said that Elder Bednar turned to him at the youth meeting with tears in his eyes and said, "These children are starving for the gospel." People will only learn what they are prepared to learn. Our young single adults on average are 10% active. We are one generation away from losing the restoration. President Cruze taught that in reference to wayward young adult children we should love them first. Do whatever it takes. Constantly remember that they were the Lord's children first. He loves them even more and will do everything a Heavenly Father will do. Never shut them out. Pray to know what the Lord would have you do. He also taught that when Nephi was bound with rope by his brothers, he didn't ask the Lord to break his bonds, but rather, to give him strength to break them. It took him a while to break through. He also said to not shrink from adversity. If we abide these teachings, we will be safe.