This is a talk from the church’s relief society. Any misinformation is the fault of the note taker. This class discussion was influenced by a talk by Edler Urdorf.

– The talk discussed how we could reach our full potential
– The pioneers started building the Salt Lake temple when they arrived at the valley and had to bury the temple foundation when Johnson’s army is coming. When they unburied they found the foundation was cracked. They had to repair the foundation. This could be compared to our challenges today with epidemic and violence.
– Examples of cracks in our foundation
– Some examples of stress in our lives are like running out of toilet paper. We were warned and could prepare in advance.
– Some found that they could stop things that are not necessary for their lives. Emphasize more on the spiritual aspects of our lives.
– We can take inventory and see what cracks exist in our lives.
– Urdorf says there are still a lot of unknowns about the virus. It did not catch God by surprise. He prepared his church before.
– Notice that the leadership of the church is not in a mindset of panic. God has a plan. He will let us struggle until we figure it out.
Q: How are we better prepared now?
– One family worked better spiritually. Mother’s goal is to read more talks about Christ.
– We need to turn to God to help us with the sense of contention and other challenges.
– Families have learned to be together by having to be home more.
– The teacher’s family plays a game called, ‘would you rather’ such as would you rather live during the pandemic now or than in 1963. Another is, would you rather be forced to be vaccinated or to be given a choice.
– Urdorf: there has been no dissension that has not had challenges.
– a.Adem and eve had their son, Cain kills Able.
– b.In another dispensation Joseph is sold into Egypt
– c.There was even hardship in the preexistence.
– Sometimes this game can help change our perspective.

Hardship brings blessings, Urdorf
– We must walk through difficult times so we can learn the principles of the gospel.
– Class member says God told her if you saw the big picture that is influenced by trials; you would not change a thing.
– Class member: we need to learn how to row our boats in the right rhythm to be of support to each other.
– One blessing of the church is members can teach others the gospel.
– There is not a life without trials. We don’t see what others are experiencing.
– In the preexistence, we were warned there would be trials.
– Class member is coming to realize that no matter how bad things go, we survive it. God does not expect us to face challenges alone.
– We have a support system, it, not our direct family, we have our church family.
– Class member: Even the saints felt they were being persecuted. They were annoyed about the crack in the temple foundation but learned they needed to build the temple in granite rather than sandstone.
– Even though we can’t attend the temple right now, we can still bring the blessings of the temple by remaining temple worthy. We need to change our foundation from sandstone to granite.
– I can choose how I will prepare and how to react. Urdorf
– With a change of attitude, I am no longer the victim, I can choose how I react.
– Class member: remembers a talk titled “I believe in Angels” that references helping each other.
– Class member: as we face a high level of challenges, it gives us a chance to learn compassion. We can set an example of compassion for the rest of the world.
My two cents: I have come to better appreciate how preparing for needs in advance, can makea current challenge less stressful.