Stake Conference Adult Session

What a great spiritual day! Last night we attending Stake Conference adult session and heard many words of wisdom from our wonderful stake president. He is so inspired! As are his counselors... they taught us well, about the importance of marriage, our relationship with our eternal companion and our Savior, and on a different note, about our relationship with others and how we view ourselves - mightier than thou or not - and repentance. I guess everybody takes something different away from Stake Conference, but I know I left there feeling that it was all for me.
It was quite poignant to hear the words of counsel congratulating us for our valiant efforts and nobleness in building the kingdom of God, but then to be admonished to watch out for having feelings of greatness amongst our own and making others feel less. Ironically, I feel that I have been at the brunt of that for quite some time amongst certain groups. I have been having my own pity party - private invitation only. The solution is very simple, but not easy to follow: lose yourself in the service of others. I know when I am striving to be a shoulder for someone else, or offer a hand to someone in need, or hug someone who is troubled, I feel so full of gratitude and love from the Savior. I was reminded of this last night: take the spotlight off of you and shine it on someone else. I was truly humbled by this. It is so easy to say that I want to feel sad and 'they' need to know my pain and feel some pain too, but in the end, it only hurts yourself. I know that harboring feelings of bitterness and angst towards others does more damage to oneself than those you have feelings about. I also know that the Savior atoned for all of our sins so that only He can take the pain away.
I know that if I try to be like Him, the pain will turn to hopefulness and eventually I will feel joy. I am writing these thoughts down to remind myself of the simplicity of the joy that the Gospel brings if we but obey and trust in Him, rather than ourselves....if we could just serve with unconditional love instead of expect to be served..... if we could look at things eternally rather than temporally, how great will be our wisdom and joy.... so much can be learned through the Savior's example - if we just follow Him instead of those around us. ♥