Stake Conference

We were blessed with a visit from Elder Dalin H. Oaks at our Stake Conference this last weekend.

This isn't the first time I've been in a room with a General Authority, but it never loses it's amazing Spiritual power.

What is amazing, however, is how incredibly funny they can be in smaller situations like a dinky ol' Stake Conference.  As compared to a General Conference...

Anyway, Elder Oaks talked about a lot of interesting things.  In fact, there was no specific theme to any of his talks, but rather, several small points.

One thing he talked about was pornography.  He said a shocking 79% of users are between the age of 12-17.  *Mouth drop*  Cohen is only 6 years away from this.  Don't laugh at my molly-coddling.  If the next 6 years go as fast as the last, we'll be approaching 12 next week.

Brett and I talked about when we want to discuss this issue with Cohen, if at all.  Do we want to pique his curiosity by mentioning it?  We decided we'd talk to him at 8, unless the Spirit directed us otherwise.  This two year reprieve is hardly comforting.  It breaks my heart and angers me that we have to talk to an innocent boy about it at all.  But at the same time, it's our job to educate him.

As far as protecting him goes, "A ship in the harbor is safe.  But ships aren't built for the harbor."

We want to raise our children to be able to withstand the onslaught of the world.  Dip him in a spiritual lacquer, if you will.

Anyway, I'm grateful he brought it up.  Grateful it forced us to talk about it.  We'll be prepared now.  Well, as prepared as parents can be when talking to their child about pornography.

I also wanted to mention what our Stake President talked about at the Temple.  He talked about creating model homes for our families.  He gave a great scripture that I want to plaster on my wall to remind me:

D&C 109:16

"...that this house may be a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of glory and of God, even thy house..."

What a great scripture.  And what better place to hear it in than the Temple?  Heavenly Father is our example of the perfect parent.  I look to Him to see how he treats his children.  I learn this in the scriptures, in talks from Prophets, and examples in my own life.  I pray to him for guidance as a parent.  I seek him out for answers.  Because I try to model my life by Him and His Son, what better house to model my own after than the His house.

As Brett and I were leaving the Temple, the wind was howling and making an eery sound like Spirits trapped and wailing just out side the doors.  I was so grateful to push open those doors and walk out into the world, taking the Spirit with me.  I never feel the dwindling of the Spirit when I leave the Temple, as I've heard so many people do.  Walking out into the world doesn't change what I've just learned and felt in His Holy house.  It makes me more excited to go and conquer it all.