Conference for me!

I said I would write and post more conference information after reading. I was looking for comfort and strength because I do not have the sealing power or the Priesthood power in my home, which I share with non-members!

Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve recited a beautiful poem that had taken half his life to write and copied here. When he finished he spoke of the finches in his garden that were attacked by snakes and he wondered if evil had penetrated his Garden of Eden and thought yes, we have been warned time and again, and he added this statement that I hold to myself about my family:
'We live in a very dangerous world that threatens those things that are most spiritual. The family, the fundamental organization in time and eternity, is under attack from forces seen and unseen. The adversary is about. His objective is to cause injury. If he can weaken and destroy the family, he will have succeeded. Isaiah said, “The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”That peace is also promised in the revelations in which the Lord declares, “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.”...The consummate power of the priesthood has been given to protect the home and its inhabitants. The father has the authority and responsibility to teach his children and to bless and to provide for them the ordinances of the gospel and every other priesthood protection necessary. He is to demonstrate love and fidelity and honor to the mother so that their children can see that love.' Well I have no Priesthood in the home, so its go it alone with me and Heavenly father. I think perhaps that is why Kemp and Martha were trying to get me to be sealed to Les. But that will not bring the Priesthood power into my home as the Temple President said. The priesthood holder needs to be living; marriage and sealing. After reading that bit of his talk and thinking no Priesthood holder here for me, I went around the house, room by room, except Danny's room which was locked, and banished the evil one as Moses did. I used the back veranda for Danny's room. But I do have my Heavenly Father and I know I have His protection. And I know that my family is being attacked by the adversary and making my life miserable, or it could do if I allowed it. And here is Elder Packer's beautiful poem:
“Unfinished Composition.” The first
part of that work goes like this: By Boyd K. Packer and read at the 183rd
General Conference April 2013
I had a thought the other night,
A thought profound and deep.
It came when I was too worn down,
Too tired to go to sleep.
I’d had a very busy day
And pondered on my fate.
The thought was this:
When I was young, I wasn’t 68!
I could walk without a limp;
I had no shoulder pain.
I could read a line through twice
And quote it back again.
I could work for endless hours
And hardly stop to breathe.
And things that now I cannot do
I mastered then with ease.
If I could now turn back the years,
If that were mine to choose,
I would not barter age for youth,
I’d have too much to lose.
I am quite content to move ahead,
To yield my youth, however grand.
The thing I’d lose if I went back
Is what I understand.

Ten years later, I decided to add a
few more lines to that poem:

Ten years have flown to who knows where
And with them much of pain.
A metal hip erased my limp;
I walk quite straight again.
Another plate holds neck bones fast—
A wonderful creation!
It backed my polio away;
I’ve joined the stiff-necked generation.
The signs of aging can be seen.
Those things will not get better.
The only thing that grows in strength
With me is my forgetter.
You ask, “Do I remember you?”
Of course, you’re much the same.
Now don’t go getting all upset
If I can’t recall your name.
I would agree I’ve learned some things
I did not want to know,
But age has brought those precious truths
That make the spirit grow.
Of all the blessings that have come,
The best thing in my life
Is the companionship and comfort
I get from my dear wife.
Our children all have married well,
With families of their own,
With children and grandchildren,
How soon they all have grown.
I have not changed my mind one bit
About regaining youth.
We’re meant to age, for with it
Comes a knowledge of the truth.
You ask, “What will the future bring?
Just what will be my fate?”
I’ll go along and not complain.
Ask when I’m 88!

And last year I added these lines:

And now you see I’m 88.
The years have flown so fast.
I walked, I limped, I held a cane,
And now I ride at last.
I take a nap now and again,
But priesthood power remains.
For all the physical things I lack
There are great spiritual gains.
I have traveled the world a million miles
And another million too.
And with the help of satellites,
My journeys are not through.
I now can say with all certainty
That I know and love the Lord.
I can testify with them of old
As I preach His holy word.
I know what He felt in Gethsemane
Is too much to comprehend.
I know He did it all for us;
We have no greater Friend.
I know that He will come anew
With power and in glory.
I know I will see Him once again
At the end of my life’s story.
I’ll kneel before His wounded feet;
I’ll feel His Spirit glow.
My whispering, quivering voice will say,
“My Lord, my God, I know.”

And I do know!

Its a beautiful poem of a good man's life, one that believes in and loves the lord with all his heart, might, mind and strength! I am inspired to try and write one myself!