Of Reading and Home Teaching

Elder Christofferson. That didn’t surprise me.

I noted a common theme this session, that of family and teaching/protecting children. Maybe that’s just what I’m bringing to Conference this time around, but there certainly seemed to be a lot of focus on teaching children and creating an atmosphere in the home in which children can learn to live the Gospel.

Just a few thoughts on some particulars from the talks.

1) Elder Wirthlin and his talk to those who feel lost or like they don’t fit within the Church, there was one line that rang out with major emphasis in my mind: “If only we had more compassion for those who are different from us!” I think he then went on to say that many of the problems in the world would be solved if we could do this very simple thing. Now it’s time for me to consider how I may treat some that I think are different from me.

2) Elder Nelson’s counsel, taken from D&C 121, about correcting our children. “Give correction quietly, privately, and lovingly.” Not publicly. Correction should never be used as a means of embarrassing or ridiculing others. This counsel is so simple and practical, and yet what an amazing difference it would make if it were followed. There’s nothing quite as uncomfortable as witnessing the correction of a child in public.

Now, just as an aside, one of my coworkers was opening a Mt. Dew before Conference started and while doing so she said, “I’ve got to drink this now in case this is the day they outlaw it.”