5 Years From Now...

I love Autumn time for so many countless reasons. The colors of the leaves are in their fullest brilliance, the temperature starts it's gradual decline, and some of the most important words ever to be spoken, etch themselves into the walls of our homes. As the General Conference of the church is broadcast throughout the world, the tender, sweet, and inspiring messages are also ever so close to home. Not only is the council that is given to each of us so definitely all inclusive, but also so very personal in so many different ways. With paper and pen in hand, I opened my heart and mind to the words that a loving Heavenly Father was sending to ME. There are always so many wonderful messages that it is like a feast for the soul. And lucky for us, we live in a day and age where we can read and re-read those inspired words and then the "feast" becomes a "buffet" where we can "go back " as many times as we would like and then truly "be filled."
So, as I listened to 5 sessions of conference (including the General Relief Society Broadcast), I learned many great lessons. I learned a lot of our great worth as individuals. I learned a lot about charity and service. I learned that we should always make sure that we are looking out of "clean windows" and not judging others. :) I learned about faith and prayer and endurance and obedience and gratitude... and the list goes on and on. But I asked myself this question, and it was amazing the answer that I gave: "What was the number one most important thing that you learned this conference that you can use today to help your family right now?" Well, with such a smorgasbord of spiritual food, the one thing that touched me greatly came through the talk given by Mary N. Cook. She related the story of her new grand-daughter and how her daughter felt so driven to "begin now" teaching little Ruby the things that she needed to know to become a virtuous young woman someday. I likewise felt those inspired words pierce my soul with such great force that I knew that this was what I needed to do. Sister Cook said, "Begin now teaching your children what you would like them to know 5 years from now." As I sat and pondered on this, I began to see such great wisdom in this council. In 5 years from now Kierra will be almost 18 years old! Carew will be right behind her - preparing for a mission, Dallin will almost be a teenager, Gavin will be 10 and Kambriella 6! So, should I wait until then to begin trying to teach them what they will need to know to be happy? Or should I begin now and prepare them for the joys and trials that indefinitely lie ahead? If I want my children to dress modestly, love the scriptures, live honestly, and go to their Heavenly Father in prayer with all of life's questions, should we begin by doing these things now? YES! And although I have always tried to make these things a priority, I now have a renewed sense of determination to do better and be better because I know it will benefit the lives of the people that I love the most. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father, a loving prophet, and the spirit that can whisper to each of us individually of what we need in our lives right NOW.