Elder Hales' Visit

Sunday April 18, 2010 Elder Robert D. Hales visited my singles' ward. We have been blessed to be visited by 2 members of the First Quorum of the Seventy (Elder Ringwood has been there twice), President Monson, and now Elder Hales since the beginning of the year. Apparently we are interesting to study. :) But on a serious note, the church is honestly concerned for those of us near and over 30 and still single, and they want to know how the church can better serve us. Elder Hales was the concluding speaker of our sacrament meeting and then held a question and answer session with us for Sunday School. I've never been around Elder Hales, and his conference addresses have always slightly intimidated me. But, I was so touched by his concern and love for us. It felt as though he was our grandfather. I thought I would share a few tidbits of what I got from his talk. Hopefully it means something to you.

• "Sarah, it's good enough just being you."
• I don't have to be like anyone else, I don't have to be something I'm not.
• I am a beautiful daughter of God.
• Is the facade I put on to the world different than how I feel?
• Is my world built too much around me and how I'm feeling?
• Do I really love myself? How can I make myself a better person?
• Do I love the Lord? The Lord taught, "If you love me, keep my commandments."
• Am I living in a way to be worthy to go to the temple? There is nothing else more important!
• If I love the Lord, let eternity come into my perspective. Do not beat myself up on what is here and now, these things may not matter in the eternities.
• If you want to be a good friend to yourself and others would you be able to ask, "How can I be a better friend?" and then LISTEN? You have to be willing to be teachable!
• The only thing worse than not being married at all is being married to the wrong person. If you get married for the wrong reasons you pay a dear price.
• Pray, fast, be close to the Lord that He might lead your way.
• There are many gifts I have that have not been developed. Search for them and then nurture them.
• As I am right now I am to be happy. Do not worry about what I don't have. I am beautiful just the way I am and that is good enough! Ask Heavenly Father to help you find that happiness.
• Am I the kind of person that brings light and happiness to the lives of others?
• I have the Gospel. Therefore, I have what is needed to help others be happy.
• Be close enough to Heavenly Father that I will be able to see and to know.
• I can be as good as I allow the Lord and the Holy Ghost to make me.
• Thank my Heavenly Father for what I DO have!
• Elder Holland said, "This is the church of happy endings."

This was an amazing experience that Heavenly Father knew I needed to have. I needed to hear these things and I am thankful for the answer to many prayers.