We had our #StakeConf (yep you know there's a hashtag for it) last week and I ended up with 10 pages of notes including the Hub's notes from Priesthood Leadership Session.

WHAT? Who takes that many notes? I guess the Winegars do. I promise we didn't write it word for word. Ok Well...maybe the Hubs came close to doing that actually. Guess that's what happens when he doesn't have kids on his lap and crawling all over him. ;)

“That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.” - D&C 50:24 

“What are we doing to create spiritual chlorophyll so we can absorb the spiritual light from God.”  - President Duane Cutler. [link to meme for this quote and more info]

“Parents: plan, organize, & drive your kids to the temple!” - President Cutler

He visits us IN our afflictions! - President Anderson

Mosiah 24:13-14 “And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people IN their afflictions.”

I ABSOLUTELY loved this and had a new view on this. As we've personally been succored by the Lord during our trials, we've learned what it truly means to succor those in need and those who suffer. Had we not been 'visited IN' our own afflictions and taught, by friends and family, we wouldn’t know what we know now. As we continue to learn to succor and be like the Savior, we know we can share that same love with others as He has with us. And we are excited to do so!


Young Sis. Platt (age 16) was going to a school dance (with a friend we actually know!) when she saw her friends a far off and decided to run to them, she ran straight through some streamers into a metal pole. :'( Similarly, Sis. Roney had the same experience but with a glass door during a school dance. They've learned a lesson and I just love how Sis. Plat says:

'SATAN CAN DISGUISE POLES WITH STREAMERS.' - Lauryn Platt

Sis. Platt repeated that she felt loved when she goes to the temple, 3 times during her talk! I don't know if she did it on purpose or on accident. It’s so perfect and obvious that she would say that so many times though, because all Young Women need that, ALL women need that. We all need & want to feel the love of the Lord!

Elder & Sis. Roney

Sis. Roney described parenting and said it is hard and it’s not perfect. She remembers bringing a lunch to her son at his school because he forgot it. She saw him down the hall, he loved football so she said, "go long," she chucked it at his forehead and knocked him out cold. She said she makes it an analogy these days, that 'you never know what life will throw at you!' LOL classic. Something I'd probably end up doing someday.

“He builds trust, until we do all that He says.” - Elder Blake M. Roney

This statement got me thinking about parenting. How much time do we spend serving our children when they are babies vs. when they get older? I feel like the time we spend serving them lessens as we help them to become more self sufficient. Self sufficient, contributing and driven youth is the goal, however that is also how they may start to lose their trust in us and their ability to obey decreases because they don't rely on us as much anymore. The amount of service rendered to our children is evident in the decreasing amount of trust they have in us.
What if we served our children more? Would they obey us? Not serve them in ways that remove their ability to learn skills, talents & no, I don't mean doing all of their chores for them again. They wish! What if like the Savior, we spent time with them?
My friend from the 7th Ward, Dilya (also one of my awesome #TempleTuesday sistas) told me about a time with her not so obedient teenage son. She decided to play a video game with him and he ended up being more receptive and agreeable with her the rest of the day. Do you think that's what did it? Should we do things THEY want or need us to do? I think she and Elder Roney are onto something. I'm going to try some things and then I'll let you know how it goes next month.

Other Fave quotes from Elder Blake M. Roney

• Does your nose hurt? Pray to have a 'divine rendezvous!' 
• The more we do the things He’s taught, the more we remember Him.
• The birth of Christ was the beginning of the plan of salvation. 
• Study the Scriptures & pray everyday! It's more important never to stop.
• The way to happiness is, to learn what He taught and then do it. 
• Forgiving someone who doesn’t deserve it or someone who doesn’t seek it, is our ticket to heaven!
• Do something today that will bring you closer to the Savior. 
• You’ll like me better when you meet my wife. (LOL we did!)

Peter Vidmar

Elder Roney shared a story of an Olympian, who is also LDS. Former Olympic gymnast Peter Vidmar who won three medals at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Vidmar helped the U.S. men win their only team gold medal in history then he won a second gold medal on the pommel horse with a perfect 10.0 score. He then won the silver medal in the men's all-around individual gymnastics competition. Vidmar now works as a motivational speaker. He first invited him back 25 yrs ago to speak to his company then again 25yrs later. He did the same Pommel Horse routine in both motivational speeches. He said the reason he can still do the routine on the pommel horse (now that he’s over 45yrs old and the only man his age who can do that) is because he has done that routine everyday of his life except Sundays. He has the same muscles because he has been doing it every day throughout his life. That’s how we must continue in the scriptures. It’s more important never to stop!

Fave Quotes from Priesthood Session: