Bednar - More Diligent and Concerned at Home - October 2009

Elder Bednar speaks about three things that will help us focus on our families and express lvoe and appreciation for them

• In 1833 the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation that contained a strong rebuke to several leading brethren of the Church to set their families in order (see D&C 93:40–50 ). A specific phrase from this revelation provides the theme for my message—“more diligent and concerned at home” ( verse 50 ). I want to suggest three ways each of us can become more diligent and concerned in our homes
  

Suggestion Number One: Express Love—and Show It

• We can begin to become more diligent and concerned at home by telling the people we love that we love them. Such expressions do not need to be flowery or lengthy. We simply should sincerely and frequently express love.
  
• Each of us already knows we should tell the people we love that we love them. But what we know is not always reflected in what we do. We may feel unsure, awkward, or even perhaps a bit embarrassed. As disciples of the Savior, we are not merely striving to know more; rather, we need to consistently do more of what we know is right and become better. We should remember that saying “I love you” is only a beginning. We need to say it, we need to mean it, and most importantly we need consistently to show it. We need to both express and demonstrate love.

Suggestion Number Two: Bear Testimony—and Live It

• We do not need to wait until the first Sunday of the month to declare our witness of things that are true. Within the walls of our own homes, we can and should bear pure testimony of the divinity and reality of the Father and the Son, of the great plan of happiness, and of the Restoration.
  
• We should remember that bearing a heartfelt testimony is only a beginning. We need to bear testimony, we need to mean it, and most importantly we need consistently to live it. We need to both declare and live our testimonies. Our testimony of gospel truth should be reflected both in our words and in our deeds. And our testimonies are proclaimed and lived most powerfully in our own homes. We should both create and look for opportunities to bear testimony of gospel truths—and live them.
  

Suggestion Number Three: Be Consistent

• Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results. Consistency is a key principle as we lay the foundation of a great work in our individual lives and as we become more diligent and concerned in our own homes.

Elder Bednar speaks of hypocrisy in the way we talk and the way we act.

• A public statement of love when the private actions of love are absent at home is hypocrisy—and weakens the foundation of a great work. Publicly declaring testimony when faithfulness and obedience are missing within our own homes is hypocrisy—and undermines the foundation of a great work.
  

He concludes with this statement:

• As we seek the Lord’s help and in His strength, we can gradually reduce the disparity between what we say and what we do, between expressing love and consistently showing it, and between bearing testimony and steadfastly living it. We can become more diligent and concerned at home as we are more faithful in learning, living, and loving the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
  

When a talk is given and the speak says the same things multiple times, we should really pay attention to those comments when studying what he says.  Elder Bednar on multiple occasions said this "As disciples of the Savior, we are not merely striving to know more; rather, we need to consistently do more of what we know is right and become better." To me, this is the theme of this talk. I need to do more of what we know is right and become better.  I am going to ponder that over the coming days.  In my personal, professional, and spiritual life, I believe I have multiple opportunities to implement this into my life.  I would encourage you to ponder these thoughts as well.  If you have a suggestions or insights that you come up with, send me a note on Twitter (@superscriptures) or comment below. Maybe we can learn together to be better disciples of Jesus Christ.