The past few evenings, as I've prepared to blog, our internet has "gone down". We've been experiencing power outages and had some terrific thunder storms...perhaps that is the the reason. It occurs to me, at this moment, that perhaps I could have blogged the pages and posted later...but I don't really know if that works, but it's something I can investigate for future outages. Again, it would be nice if I understood so much more about the computer. :)
Today was the first day of our annual General Conference. It consists of a morning session, an afternoon session, and the Priesthood session for the men in the evening. I always look forward to Conference and this year, the yearning for it seemed intense and l think I'm not the only one who feels this way. It is not difficult to see, hear, and feel our secular society spiraling out of control...what is good is called bad and what is bad is called good and if you are trying to advocate for righteousness, it certainly feels like stones will soon be cast your way. Still, there are many, many more who hold similar views and worries, even not of our faith...just too often we're bullied into silence by the other forces.
Conference seemed to address these growing concerns...how to live as a disciple of the Savior and yet also stand immoveable in the winds of our time. The talks seemed perfectly prepared just for my aching soul. I can't wait to be able to read them, although I have recorded them. Today I am eager for the last two sessions...although I feel sad that they are the last two...too bad we can't have the three days of my youth.
Rich and I had gone to Sam's on Firiday, to pick up pies for the Priesthood session. The men of our two wards usually gather together the hour previous to the session for pie and ice cream. I had set our dvr to record all of the sessions earlier and had noted that the Priesthood session was going to be on BYUtv - a departure from previous conferences. I recorded it too and told Rich about it. Both of us were intrigued, and I was especially hoping it wasn't because of the insipid women who have been clamoring for their right to have the priesthood. When Rich left for his session, I settled in to watch some hallmark tv and work on some cross stitch. However, I was interested to know if the change had been addressed at his session.
When he got home, about 10:45 pm (we're on east coast daylight savings time), I asked Rich how his session had been and he was eager to share his thoughts...and about the fun he'd had with his guys with the pie and ice cream. :) I finished watching my hallmark movie (10 minutes) and then he wanted me to hear at least the first talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks so we turned to the dvr...and it was such a great session that we listened to the entire thing! We didn't get to bed until nearly 1:30!
There has been a movement from some women in the Church, over the last few years, who've been actively campaigning for the Priesthood. They've even gone so far as to declare a certain Sunday as "wear slacks to Church day" and have tried to to promote and even encourage women throughout the Church to wear slacks on that Sunday as a push for solidarity. Largely, I think, it has failed. There have been a few women who've joined in, mostly because they have been persuaded by the argument but don't really see the dangers of this movement. The blogs and social media within my circle of friends have mostly ignored this stupidity...somewhat like ignoring gnats. However, there have been a couple who have been vocal advocates and some who've flirted with the ideas...perhaps in jest...maybe even sarcastically. Needless to say my hackles go up, my irritation rises, and my alarm bells go off when I hear and read such nonsense because I so worry about those who may be caught in the snares of the adversary. My life experience has taught me that as women go, we're usually mostly concerned about "micro" issues. That isn't meant to be condescending or any such thing...it is a fact of life, I think. We're made that way! Our concerns are for our families, the here and now, the immediate, the things that affect and effect our lives on the "cellular" level. We inherently know that "as the family goes, there goes society". And it is within our sphere that we have any control! Lol. Rightly, it is where we spend our time, energy, and capital. It is for the nurturing, protecting, teaching, loving, and development of the most important and helpless among us...our children, our aging parents, and the poor and needy. We live and work in that "micro-cosm" and that is where our concerns are most often focused. It isn't to say that we aren't aware of the "macro" - indeed we are, and we see what is happening to the macro and how it is affecting us in the micro...just sometimes...and some would argue that it is most times :)...our advocacy and our urgency for the concerns we face sometimes overwhelms us and we connot see the forest for the trees...the immediacy of our concerns and our focus can cause us to be somewhat myopic, forgetting, not seeing, not understanding, or maybe not even valuing the "macro".
My life experience has also taught me that men, most often, live and work in the "macro" - literally and figuratively! Lol They are also "compartmentalized" - a fact that so often, as women, we deride, minimize, and mock because we easily "multi-task" and mistakenly assume it is superior to the "compartmentalized" focus of men. Last night, during the Priesthood Session, one of the speakers warned the brethren against "multi-tasking"! I had to chuckle to myself, knowing that so often, we as sisters, get frustrated by the total focus of our "compartmentalized" men, and they get harassed by us because of it, and yet the irony is that their efforts to multi-task are the exact things that drive us nuts and the Elder was warning about! Lol. When we're talking to them, we want their full focus and attention! When we're on a date, we want their full attention! When we're needing their help, we want and need their full attention! Poor guys!!! They can't win for losing! And we, as sisters, need to appreciate their "compartmentalized" and "100% focused" talents and characteristics...we need to value them...and to recognize that they complete us, make us whole, make us perfect. Having two "multi-taskers" or two "totally focused and compartmentalized" individuals at the head makes for a lopsided companionship....
As far a guys' macro interests...it seems they are often looking at the micro and seeking to find ways to make life better for all the micros by improving the macro. A case in point...Brigham Young, when faced with the daunting task of moving thousands of saints to the west, was perfectly aware of his micro tasks, and the micro needs of not only his families, but also the families and individuals of all in his care. It was those concerns that led him to appoint bishops, captains, etc. over groups so as to provide the leadership and stewardship for the people. It was his understanding of the micro needs that caused him to create settlements in Mt. Pisgah and Garden Grove that would set up housing, plant crops, and become way stations for the weary travelers. He also was able to recognize the need for bridges, ferries, water supplies, and trails that would lessen the wear and tear of man, beast, and equipment and devise ways to provide safe passage over prairies, mountains, streams, rivers, and desert. Quite remarkable really. And it goes without saying that without a wife caring and concerned for the welfare of the micro, he probably couldn't have focused as well or as easily on the macro. What a team they made. Isn't that what every team should be and do? Each has responsibility, traits, talents, and characteristics that are best suited to get the job done. I can readily recognize that we can certainly do the others' job, if necessary, but our real skills, aptitude, and interests tend to dictate where we're best suited. Why is that so difficult for some?
Yes, I know Brigham Young was/is a prophet...obviously he was prompted, directed, and supported by The Lord, but I believe that also, by their very nature, with specific talents, traits, and characteristics suited for the tasks of working for and improving the lives of all in society...men are the builders of bridges, skyscrapers, airplanes, automobiles, trains, railroads, and dams. They're the microbiologists, pharmacists, engineers, and accountants that's bless the lives of all. They're the military who provide safety and freedom. They're our husbands, fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, and sons! They deserve our respect, admiration, appreciation, and support instead of our derision, anger, and jealousy. In my experience they appreciate and value what we bring to the table and do everything within their power to support and help us achieve our goals. Why is it that we don't do the same for them? Why do some of us seem to think we need to be like them to be valued? Perhaps it is because we don't value ourselves and the mission we have...not the other way around!
At the Priesthood session, Elder Oaks taught magnificently about priesthood power, keys, and authority. At the Women's session last week, they tried to impress upon us, as women and girls, our value and how much we are loved by our Heavenly Father. However, I came away from that conference frustrated...of course we are love and valued. Duh?! I wanted to scream back, "why don't you encourage, inspire, and teach us to love, value, and support the priesthood and priesthood holders?" That probably wasn't fair. In retrospect, I believe that they understand that the lack of respect and competition that some in my gender feel is precisely because they don't value themselves or their roles, and they were trying to teach that. But Elder Scott taught that so beautifully yesterday when he told about the power and influence to two women so important in his life - his mom and his wife...two women that understood what power their influence could have in the micro to affect the macro! May all of my gender learn that and be grateful for their power and influence and seek to provide the love and support for our partners so deserve and need...without malice, anger, irritation, or mockery. I pray that all of my daughters, daughters-in-law (really my daughters too...in my eyes...but I know they may not feel that way about me), and granddaughters will understand that their joy and happiness depend on their love and respect for their husbands and for their love, respect, and value of their own roles as daughters, wives, mothers, sisters, aunts, and grandmothers...we have true power and influence to inspire and promote the cause of righteousness if we are true to our very natures!
