Last updated on February 4th, 2024 at 07:43 am
General Conference Applied
“Seeing God’s Family through the Overview Lens” by Sister Tamara W. Runia; October 2023 General Conference
Corresponding General Conference Applied episode show notes: S2 E17
Talk Outline
Invitations
“Sometimes all we can see is that up-close, magnified view of those we love. Tonight, I invite you to zoom out and look through a different lens—an eternal lens that focuses on the big picture, your bigger story.”
Directives (“an official or authoritative instruction”)
- “Before we interact with a loved one, can we ask ourselves the question ‘Is what I’m about to do or say helpful or hurtful?’ …
“Our job is not to teach someone who’s going through a rough patch that they are bad or disappointing. On rare occasions we may feel prompted to correct, but most often let’s tell our loved ones in spoken and unspoken ways the messages they long to hear: ‘Our family feels whole and complete because you are in it.’ ‘You will be loved for the rest of your life—no matter what.’
“Sometimes what we need is empathy more than advice; listening more than a lecture; someone who hears and wonders, ‘How would I have to feel to say what they just said?'” - “Let’s zoom out to view family relationships as a powerful vehicle to teach us the lessons we came here to learn as we turn to the Savior.”
- “Let’s stay at the tree, partake of the love of God, and share it.”
- “With an eye of faith on Jesus Christ, may we see that everything will be all right in the end and feel that it will be all right now.”
Promises
“I bear my testimony that this—all of this—is going to turn out so much better than we could ever imagine!”
Doctrines
Marriage and Family: “Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and the family is central to His plan of salvation and to happiness (see Genesis 2:24). Parents are to multiply and replenish the earth, to rear their children in love and righteousness, and to provide for their physical and spiritual needs. Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, such as faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”
Principles
Family Responsibilities: “Parents should teach their children the gospel. The Lord warned that if parents do not teach their children about faith, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, the sin will be upon the heads of the parents. Parents should also teach their children to pray and to obey the Lord’s commandments. (See D&C 68:25, 28.)
“One of the best ways parents can teach their children is by example. Husbands and wives should show love and respect for each other and for their children by both actions and words. It is important to remember that each member of the family is a child of God. Parents should treat their children with love and respect, being firm but kind to them.
“Parents should understand that sometimes children will make wrong choices even after they have been taught the truth. When this happens, parents should not give up. They should continue to teach their children, to express love for them, to be good examples to them, and to fast and pray for them.”
Christlike Attributes
Hope: “Hope is not simply wishful thinking. Instead, it is an abiding confidence, grounded in your faith in Christ, that God will fulfill His promises to you (see Moroni 7:42). It is the expectation ‘of good things to come’ through Christ (Hebrews 9:11).”
Attribute Activity
- “One of my greatest desires is to inherit eternal life in the celestial kingdom. (Moroni 7:41)”
- “I am confident that I will have a happy and successful mission. (Doctrine and Covenants 31:3–5)”
- “I feel peaceful and optimistic about the future. (Doctrine and Covenants 59:23)”
- “I believe that someday I will dwell with God and become like Him. (Ether 12:4)”
Most Important Quote
“Love is the thing that changes hearts. It is the purest motive of all, and others can feel it. Let’s hold fast to these prophetic words offered 50 years ago: ‘No home is a failure unless it quits trying.’ Surely, those who love the most and the longest win!
“In earthly families, we’re simply doing what God has done with us—pointing the way and hoping our loved ones will go in that direction, knowing the path they travel is theirs to choose.
“And when they pass to the other side of the veil and draw close to that loving ‘gravitational pull’ of their heavenly home, I believe it will feel familiar because of how they were loved here.”
Powerful Stories
“I went through a rough patch my senior year in high school when I wasn’t making great choices. I remember seeing my mom crying, and I wondered if I’d disappointed her. At the time, I worried that her tears meant she’d lost hope for me, and if she didn’t feel hope for me, maybe there wasn’t a way back.
“But my dad was more practiced at zooming out and taking the long view. He’d learned from experience that worry feels a lot like love, but it’s not the same. He used the eye of faith to see that everything would work out, and his hopeful approach changed me.
“When I graduated from high school and went to BYU, my dad sent letters reminding me of who I was. He became my cheerleader, and everybody needs a cheerleader—someone who isn’t telling you, ‘You’re not running fast enough’; they’re lovingly reminding you that you can.
“Dad exemplified Lehi’s dream. Like Lehi, he knew that you don’t chase after your loved ones who feel lost. ‘You stay where you are and call them. You go to the tree, stay at the tree, keep eating the fruit and, with a smile on your face, continue to beckon to those you love and show by example that eating the fruit is a happy thing!'”
The Best Footnote
None.
Questions for Reflection Asked by the Speaker
“Is there something difficult in your life right now, something you’re worried can’t be resolved?”
Tags
Faith | Family | Hope | Love | Perspective
Additional Content
Previous Talk Outline (“Abide the Day in Christ” by Sister Amy A. Wright)
Next Talk Outline (“For the Sake of Your Posterity” by Elder Carlos A. Godoy)