WC: Julie B. Beck

I simply cannot explain how many wonderful talks we heard at Women's Conference! And, Sister Beck's was definitely a favorite. Just like the other women, she said way too many great things to write them all down on my blog.

My favorite one-liner during Sis. Beck's talk was "There is no they." When you say (or hear) that "they" will take care of something or that "they" are responsible for something, who is really taking care or taking responsibility? There is no shapeless, formless something that is going to accomplish the tasks that need to be taken care of--no "they" to get it done. Therefore, we need to be "they." As part of this, Sis. Beck mentioned that the responsibility of other people and other entities is to support the teaching that happens in the family. If we are not teaching our children all they need to know at home, they will. I think you're all smart enough to figure out the connection between that statement and Sis. Beck's. :)

Also along these lines, Sis. Beck talked about the fact that women have half of Heavenly Father's plan. It takes both men and women to fully complete the plan of salvation, and if one half of the equation isn't doing their job, then the plan is still frustrated. She later explained that Christ called the 12 Apostles, (which established the leadership), then the 70, (which established spreading the gospel), and at the end of the chapter is Christ's invitation to the women, (establishing the gospel in the home). I know that we have all heard the meaning of the Mary & Martha story, but the way Sis. Beck said it stuck with me: you can go around being busy or you can choose to be part of something bigger than yourself.

This brings me to the next idea--she said, "Influencing is so much more lasting than managing." I often find that when I am most busy, I am much more focused on managing and less impressed with the idea of influencing. I tend to get more wrapped up in what I'm doing and lose focus on the opportunities to teach and minister to the one. (This was an oft-repeated theme at Women's Conference.) In reality, the teaching and ministering moments will be remembered and appreciated far longer than the supreme managment skills will be.

So--to tie this all together--YOU are the one who can have an influence if you make the choice to slow down and focus on living the gospel. What a great reminder for all of us!