April 2018 General Conference Jeopardy

April 2018

General Conference Jeopardy

Sat am

1. President M. Russell Ballard said that if we have even a small amount of this, we can remove mountains of discouragement.  (What is faith?)

2.  In a story that Elder Brian K. Taylor told, the girl, Jen, said that this was the most important knowledge she possesses.  (What is that she is a child of God?)

3. This was the subject of Elder Larry J. Echohawk’s message.  (What is forgiveness?)

4. This is the prophet that died when Elder Gary E. Stevenson was 14 years old.  (Who is President David O. McKay?)

5.  In Elder Lynn G. Robbins’ message “Until Seventy Times Seven”, he said “amid a life full of stumbling blocks and imperfection, we all are grateful for” this.  (What are second chances?) 

6. Elder Neil L. Andersen said that “the prophet does not stand between you and the Savior. Rather, he stands beside you” and does this.  (What is points the way to the Savior?)

Sat pm

1. Elder Bednar used these two men as modern examples of meekness in following the prophet to read the Book of Mormon with more intent.  (Who are Pres. Russell M. Nelson and Elder Henry B. Eyring?)

2.  Elder Godoy’s mother sold this so that he could purchase surgical instruments to continue his education in dentistry.  (What is a bracelet given to her by her father?)

3.  Sister Bonnie Oscarson said that doing this can help youth who are struggling with issues of self-worth, anxiety, high levels of stress, and perhaps even

depression.  (What is showing concern for and service to others?)

4.  In Elder Wakolo’s message on ordinances, he says that casualness leads to this.  (What are casualties?)

5. This was Elder Durrant’s response when asked if reading the Book of Mormon in Spanish as a family might be why all his children spoke Spanish on their missions.  (What is “es posible”?)

6. These are the two brothers Elder Renlund spoke of in his message on family history.  (Who are Parley P. Pratt and Orson Pratt?)

Priesthood

1.  In “What Every Aaronic Priesthood Holder Needs to Know” Brother Holmes quoted Elder Renlund, who said that this is the purpose of the priesthood.  (What is “to provide God’s children access to the atoning power of Jesus Christ”?)

2.  This is what the significant restructuring of the Melchizedek Priesthood quorums was that Pres. Nelson announced in his introductory remarks.  (What is “in each ward, the high priests and the elders are now combined into one elder’s quorum?)

3.  In Elder Christofferson’s message on The Elder’s Quorum, he said that having one Melchizedek Priesthood quorum in a ward unifies the priesthood holders to do this.  (What is accomplish all aspects of the work of Salvation?)

4.  Elder Rasband added his witness to Elder Christofferson and his other brethren of the 12 that the changes that evening were this.  (What is the will of the Lord?)

5.  In “Inspired Ministering” these are the last names of the 4 great grandparents of Pres. Eyring’s that were with Joseph Smith in Nauvoo when he organized a way to care for the flood of  impoverished Saints that were coming into the city.  (Who are the Eyring’s, the Bennion’s, the Romney’s and the Smith’s?)

6.  Pres. Oaks said that men who hold the  Priesthood are not this.  (What is the Priesthood?)

7.  President Nelson wants each stake president and bishop to ensure that every priesthood holder in their stewardship understands how to do this.   (What is give a priesthood blessing?)

Sun am

1. In the message, Take the Holy Spirit as Your Guide, Elder Wilson said that this is no time to dust off the gift of the Holy Ghost and figure out how to use it.  (What is during a typhoon?)

2. Sister Reyna I. Aburto used this creature to help us understand how we can work together to make the world a better place.  (What is a monarch butterfly?)

3.  In his talk, Elder Massimo De Feo quoted Elder Holland, who said that this is the first great truth of all eternity.  (What is that God loves us with all of His heart, might, mind and strength?)

4. In Elder Claudio D. Zivic’s message on enduring to the end, he said we must strive to keep all the commandments of the Lord and pay close attention to these.  (What are those that are hardest for us to keep?)

5.  In “His Spirit to be with You”, Pres. Eyring said we can use this person as a guide on how to have and keep the Spirit with us.  (Who is the prophet, Joseph Smith?)

6. This is the number of hymns that Pres. Oaks referred to in his message “Small and Simple Things”.  (What is 2?  “How Great the Wisdom and the Love” and “Have I Done Any Good?”)

7. This is one thing that the Spirit has repeatedly impressed upon President Nelson’s mind since becoming president of the church.  (What is how willing the Lord is to reveal His mind and will?)

Sun pm

1.  Elder Gerrit W. Gong pledged this to the Savior.  (What is all the energies and faculties of his soul?)

2.  This is the miracle that occurred when Elder Ulisses Soares was called as a mission president.  (What is his visa was granted earlier than it should have been?)

3.  In President Nelson’s short message on Ministering, he announced the retirement of this.  (What is home and visiting teaching as we have known them?)

4.  In Elder Holland’s message, he said that when the Savior was leaving his somewhat-confused little band of followers, He didn’t list a dozen administrative steps.  He summarized their task in this fundamental commandment.  ( What is “Love one another; as I have loved you. … By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”?)

5.  In Sister Jean B. Bingham’s message on ministering, she said, “No matter our age, when we consider how to minister most effectively” we ask this question.  (What is what does she or he need?)

6.  Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf said that this day was the most important day in the history of mankind.  (What is the day Jesus Christ won victory over death and sin for all of God’s children?)

7.  Bishop Gerald Causse said that the strength and vitality of the church comes from this.  (What is the daily actions of millions of His disciples who strive each day to follow His example by caring for others?)

8. In Quentin L. Cook’s message called “Prepare to Meet God”, he said these 3 keys were restored to the earth on April 3, 1836 in the Kirtland temple.  (What are:  1. The Gathering of Israel 2. The dispensation of the Gospel of Abraham and 3. The sealing power?)

9.  In “Let Us All Press On”, President Nelson said that this general conference marks the beginning of a new era of this.  (What is ministering?)

The blessings of serving in the church.....

I have been thinking about this a lot lately.

About a month ago, there was an enrichment meeting in our ward that featured sisters who are presently serving outside our ward.  Our ward is pretty big and there are 35 people who serve in other wards.  Some are at the two senior care centers that are in our stake boundaries and some serve in various ways in YSA wards and some even serve at the Provo Canyon Boys school.  I was really inspired to hear all the great things they are doing.  This was really good for me to hear, because I have to admit, I have felt a little resentful at times that so many of my good friends in the ward don't attend because of these other assignments, especially because now that I work full-time, I don't see a lot of these ladies at other times than at church.  So it was great to see all the good that is coming from their service.

But then that got me thinking.  You could also have a group of sisters (or men too) that are serving in our ward in different capacities and you would hear the same inspiration coming from them.  I love working in the Young Women and see great things happening and get to be involved in awesome experiences and activities going on there.  The same could be said for nursery, scouting, Primary, Sunday School, etc.  There are marvelous works and wonders going on in the church everywhere.  

(Are there also a lot of problems and conflicts?  Yes, but this is not the purpose of this blog.  Christ organizes His church through His people, who are all mortal and not perfect.)

Then I started thinking about the many opportunities I have been given to serve in the church.  There is a line from my patriarchal blessing that has helped me a lot and I think could apply to everyone.  It says that I will be blessed as I do those things I am called to do by those presiding over me.  And that as I do so, I will find, discover and develop talents and creative powers and skills.  This is true.  We are a practicing church.  We learn by doing.  We learn on each other's time.  I find that when I put my heart into whatever calling I am given, I learn to love those I serve and I do gain skills that help me in my own life, but also in helping to build God's kingdom on earth.  It is amazing to be part of something so amazing.  There is a place for each of us. 

When I think of some of the callings I have had in the church, it is incredible to think of the many and varied opportunities I have been involved with:

Primary teacher, president, counselor, chorister
Webelos leader
Young Women counselor, secretary, camp director, camp cook, advisor, youth leader such as Beehive President, Mia Maid President, Laurel President, youth conference committee member
Activities: plan and carry out ward parties
Relief Society president, counselor, teacher, chorister, homemaking committee, food chairman
Seminary council
Full-time missionary and refugee camp volunteer
Visiting teaching

Beyond these, there are many opportunities to help clean the church, help with funeral luncheons, give presentations on various topics in Relief Society or other organizations, substitute in Primary and Sunday school, give talks, sing in the ward choir.  The list can go on and on.

Some of the blessings associated with serving in the church:

• Learning talents, skills, knowledge.
• Gain self-esteem.
• Learn to love others and lose yourself in service.
• Establish friendships and relationships with those you serve and serve with.
• Gain a testimony of different areas/aspects of the Gospel or church organization.

For me, serving in the church has strengthened my marriage.  When Kevin and I were first married, we introduced ourselves to the bishop and let him know we were ready and willing to be put to work.  And our marriage has been blessed by our being willing to do whatever was asked of us.  We have always tried to support each other in the calling they have.  By doing this, it has helped us keep each other strong, committed, and focused on what is important in life.

But wait, there's more!.....


In the most recent general conference (April 2018)  Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson gave this address: Young Women in the Work

In it, she says this:
I lived in a small branch of the Church during a good part of my teen years, and I was often asked to fulfill assignments and callings that would normally have been done by adults. For example, those of us in the youth program often took the lead in helping organize and run our activities and special events. We wrote plays, formed a singing group to entertain at branch activities, and were full participants in every meeting. I was called to be the branch music leader and led the singing in sacrament meeting each week. It was a great experience as a 16-year-old to stand in front of everyone in the branch each Sunday and lead them in singing the hymns. I felt needed and knew I had something to contribute. People depended on me to be there, and I loved feeling useful. That experience helped build my testimony of Jesus Christ and it anchored my life in gospel service.


This statement is true for me, too.  I was serving in church callings, particularly Primary from the time I was 13 or 14.  Back when Primary was during the week, I helped with the children before Primary started and I was the junior primary chorister when I was still in junior high, and I think I did that for a few years.  I taught Primary and loved it!  I can remember my sister Karen and I teaching a Primary class together.  



Now that I am in my late fifty's, that means that I have been serving in the church for well over 40 years!  Wow!  It starts to add up.   And I realize that this early church service and feeling needed has helped to solidify my testimony and commitment to the church/gospel.  My life isn't over yet, but when I think about this, it has helped me to realize that serving really has saved me.  Have I loved every calling I have had?  Almost.  But even things I thought I wouldn't like to do have turned into some of my favorite callings.  I have learned how to do a lot by observing others as they serve in their callings.


And this, my friends, is my testimony of serving in the church.