The first was in church. Lay members of the congregation speak in LDS church services, which I LOVE. Not only does everyone get a chance to practice public speaking, we also get to hear different personalities and viewpoints expand on simple truths and doctrines of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's GREAT! Bro. Gordon Smith (former U.S. Senator from Oregon) spoke about self-identifying and defining yourself; something that is especially pertinent to me at this point in time: unemployed, not in school... :) Below are the highlights:
I would urge you to be defined by your gifts, not by your current job.
Your calling is to find your spiritual gifts.
Find your gift and give it away.
You make a living by what you get, you make a life by what you give. -Winston Churchill
Told the story of Joseph (sold into Egypt). Elaborated on how difficult things were for him at work: a slave, rather unpleasant situation with boss's wife, thrown in prison (multiple times), but he went to work to serve.
Also shared an experience about hiring two girls from BYU into his senate office, figuring he'd give them a chance. He said they came to work not because the work they were doing was extremely important; they came to make the lives of those they worked with better.
You know a talk is great when you start making a list at the bottom of your notes, outlining your own spiritual gifts. :)
The second talk was a part of the "Why I Believe" fireside series, Sunday evening talks sponsored in part by the Washington D.C. Temple Visitor's Center (open to the public daily, 10am to 9pm). Business executives and community leaders are invited to share the source of their faith in Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. Brad Bryan, an old bishop (pastor, congregational leader) of mine, shared the story of his conversion to the LDS (Mormon) Church. He is a powerful writer and speaker. I filled up a whole week of my tiny 3"x5" planner copying as much of what I thought applied to me as I could:
Three men are put in a room and told the one who can open the door will receive a great prize. Two of the men immediately begin doing complex calculations to determine the makeup and specifications of the mechanisms and hardware of the door. The third man walks over to the door, turns the knob, opens the door and walks out. We don't try and yet many things are in our very power.
The secret of life: be ready for opportunity.
It is not that we endeavor to get ahead of others, but to surpass ourselves.
"Facing up to reality" or "understanding our limitations" but it's giving up all the same.
Brad Bryan says the first reason he believes is because of the confidence the Church helped restore in him.
Of course, it is the responsibility of those who hear the talk to actually apply what they furiously write down into their lives...
I would urge you to be defined by your gifts, not by your current job.
Your calling is to find your spiritual gifts.
Find your gift and give it away.
You make a living by what you get, you make a life by what you give. -Winston Churchill
Told the story of Joseph (sold into Egypt). Elaborated on how difficult things were for him at work: a slave, rather unpleasant situation with boss's wife, thrown in prison (multiple times), but he went to work to serve.
Also shared an experience about hiring two girls from BYU into his senate office, figuring he'd give them a chance. He said they came to work not because the work they were doing was extremely important; they came to make the lives of those they worked with better.
You know a talk is great when you start making a list at the bottom of your notes, outlining your own spiritual gifts. :)
The second talk was a part of the "Why I Believe" fireside series, Sunday evening talks sponsored in part by the Washington D.C. Temple Visitor's Center (open to the public daily, 10am to 9pm). Business executives and community leaders are invited to share the source of their faith in Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. Brad Bryan, an old bishop (pastor, congregational leader) of mine, shared the story of his conversion to the LDS (Mormon) Church. He is a powerful writer and speaker. I filled up a whole week of my tiny 3"x5" planner copying as much of what I thought applied to me as I could:
Three men are put in a room and told the one who can open the door will receive a great prize. Two of the men immediately begin doing complex calculations to determine the makeup and specifications of the mechanisms and hardware of the door. The third man walks over to the door, turns the knob, opens the door and walks out. We don't try and yet many things are in our very power.
The secret of life: be ready for opportunity.
It is not that we endeavor to get ahead of others, but to surpass ourselves.
"Facing up to reality" or "understanding our limitations" but it's giving up all the same.
Brad Bryan says the first reason he believes is because of the confidence the Church helped restore in him.
Of course, it is the responsibility of those who hear the talk to actually apply what they furiously write down into their lives...
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