Matthew 21: 28-32
28. But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work today in my vineyard. (In relating this to family, let's call the vineyard our own homes)
29. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
30. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
31. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first, Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
32. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not; but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward that ye might believe him.
Every general conference I notice how many talks are related to the family.
Here are some of the things I took note of from the last General Conference:
Simplify! "I wonder if we as Church members might also benefit from asking ourselves from time to time: "Is my experience in the Church working for me? Is it bringing me closer to Christ? Is it blessing me and my family with peace and joy as promised in the gospel?" President Uchtdorf
Sabbath day observance! "All of us are blessed when the Sabbath is filled with love for the Lord at home and at church. When our children are taught in the ways of the Lord, they learn to feel and to respond to His Spirit. We will all desire to attend each Sunday to partake of the sacrament when we feel the Spirit of the Lord."
Prepare for marriage! "The track that lead to marriage passes through the terrain called dating! Dating is the opportunity to lengthy conversations. When you date, learn everything you can about each other. Get to know each other's families when possible. Are your goals compatible? Do you share the same feelings about the commandments, the Savior, the priesthood, the temple, parenting, callings in the Church, and serving others? Have you observed one another under stress, responding to success and failure, resisting anger, and dealing with setbacks? Does the person you are dating tear others down or build them up? Is his or her attitude and language and conduct what you would like to live with everyday? That said, none of us marry perfection; we marry potential. The right marriage is not about what I want; it's also about what she- who's going to be my companion- wants and need me to be."- Elder Hales
Appreciate Mothers! "Today I declare from the pulpit what has been said here before: that no love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ that the selfless love a devoted mother has for her child." -Elder Holland
The Lord understands your work! "Heavenly Father will allow you to feel that He know you, that He appreciates your service, and that you are becoming worthy of the greeting from the Lord you wants so much to hear: "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." -President Eyring
Live the commandments! "Throughout our lives will will need to nurture strong testimonies by studying the scriptures and by praying and by pondering the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When firmly planted, our testimonies of the gospel, of the Savior, and of our Heavenly Father will influence all that we do..as we prove to be examples in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith and in purity, we will qualify to be lights to the world." -President Monson
Be a woman of faith! "My dear sister, you who are our vital associates during this winding-up scene, the day that President Kimball foresaw is today. You are the women he foresaw! Your virtue, light, love, knowledge, courage, character, faith, and righteous lives will draw good women of the world, along with their families, to the Church in unprecedented numbers."
The gospel of Jesus Christ is structured as a family network! "Beginning with Adam, the gospel of Jesus Christ was preached, and the essential ordinances of salvation, such as baptism, were administered through a family-based priesthood order. As societies grew more complex than simply extended families, God also called other prophets, messenger, and teachers.
After conference I made goals about what I learned from conference.
Goals such as these:
Simplify my worship, and get rid of unneeded things.
Help my family keep the Sabbath day.
Be a better mother, and appreciate my own mother.
Realize that the Lord helps me in this work.
Live the commandments better with my family.
Be a great woman of faith in bringing souls to Christ.
Care for my ward family.
I may have the best intents to follow the promptings of the spirit, but do I follow through?
I don't know if this applies to this parable...but it gives me something to think about.
