We were blessed to hear from Kasee C. who presented the talk by Elder O. Vincent Haleck , "Having the Vision to Do" She began with a story from the talk:
"Like all good parents, my own parents desired a bright future for their children. My father was not a member, and because of unusual circumstances that existed at that time, my parents determined that my brothers and sisters and I should leave our island home of American Samoa, in the South Pacific, and travel to the United States in order to go to school.
The decision to be separated from us was a difficult one for my parents, especially my mother. They knew that there would be unknown challenges as we were put into new surroundings. However, with faith and determination, they pressed forward with their plan.
Because of her Latter-day Saint upbringing, my mother was familiar with the principles of fasting and prayer, and both of my parents felt that they needed the blessings of heaven to help their children. In that spirit they began to set aside a day every week to fast and pray for us. Their vision was to prepare their children for a bright future. They acted on this vision as they exercised their faith by seeking the Lord’s blessings. Through fasting and prayer, they received the assurance, comfort, and peace that all would be well."
In this statement we hear preparation, action and receipt as key factors. How do we amidst the challenges of our lives gain the vision to bring us closer to our Savior? One sister shared that she had recently fasted and prayed for a child that needed strength. Another sister shared that the simple tasks of scripture study and prayer. We also need to see how we are in the Lord's eyes, and then we can have courage and feel adequate to meet our challenges. By breaking our shell and serving others is another way we can gain that vision. We should constantly give thanks for the vision and knowledge that we have in the Gospel that can add clarity to our lives. One sister shared the story of Brigham Young keeping the temple open into the early morning hours because people were so hungry for the vision that we are presented in the temple. Another sister noted that sometimes we don't have to see the distant future, but "one step enough for me." We see the love of God in a newborn child, and that love is what we should strive to reflect. God sees our goodness and potential and calls us to do things that allow us to see that vision.
"The Savior saw more in those humble fishermen whom He called to follow Him than they initially saw in themselves; He saw a vision of who they could become. He knew of their goodness and potential, and He acted to call them. They were not experienced at first, but as they followed, they saw His example, felt His teachings, and became His disciples. There was a time when some of His disciples departed from Him because the things that they heard were hard for them. Aware that others might also depart, Jesus inquired of the Twelve, “Will ye also go away?” (John 6:67). Peter’s response reflects how he had changed and had caught the vision of who the Savior was. “To whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68), he responded." - Elder Halek
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What type of activities does the relief society give us that allow us to gain this vision? We have the opportunity to interact closely with women in all stages of life, which helps to give us the vision. We have the same opportunity in visiting teaching, where we are able to serve in the same way that th Savior served. We have th opportunity to serve others that in need. The friendship in relief society supports us and strengthens our faith.
Elder Haleck also mentions the missionaries, "they act on their vision to serve, they bless the lives of many and, in the process, change their own lives."
How does service help us gain our divine potential? When we serve other people we are an extension of the Savior. When we serve we forget ourselves and in that we feel better about ourselves. Our divine nature is to become as God and therefore our work is His. When we serve we are fulfilling our divine role.
How do we bring people to the Savior? By service. When we receive kindness we are likely to be kind to others. When we emulate Christ we help others to do so. We come to understand Christ through the examples of others. The fact that service is done throughout the world regardless of faith is a testimony of our divine nature. When we emulate him and the things we can do we begin to see the vision of Christ like love.
She closed with the steps that Elder Haleck suggested: "This is the same Holy Ghost who can empower and motivate us to do the things that the Savior and our modern-day prophets and apostles teach. As we put into action the teachings of our leaders, we gain a deeper understanding of our Savior’s vision for us. Throughout this conference we have received inspired counsel from prophets and apostles. Study their teachings and ponder them in your hearts while seeking the Spirit of the Holy Ghost to help you catch a vision of these teachings in your life. With that vision, exercise your faith in acting upon their counsel." (emphasis added).
