By Stephanie Sonksen
When Sister Bonnie D. Parkin''s sons left home growing up, their mother would often call after them, 'Remember who you are!'
When chores were left unaccomplished at home, their mother reminded her children, 'To know is to do!'
These and other 'Bonnie-isms,' as named by her oldest son, were introduced by Parkin, Relief Society General President, in her CES fireside address Sunday, March 7, 2004.
'When we know something -- truly understand it -- then we do it,' Parkin said.
She urged students to remember who they are because 'knowing who you are changes what you do.'
Parkin said remembering her divine heritage gave her confidence to accept her assignment as general relief society president, and challenged students to seek their specific place in the kingdom.
When Parkin asked a group of young sisters what single thing kept them from knowing who they truly are, the response was the loud, distracting and powerful pull of the world.
'Separating ourselves from the world both in distance and in worthiness is an act of great struggle,' she said.
Parkin related her message to Moses and his struggle to remember who he was when faced with temptation from Satan.
Through patriarchal blessings, and reading and praying about them often, Parkin said students can know what their work will be, and rediscover their mission in life.
'Your patriarchal blessing protects you from becoming weary of mind,' Parkin said. 'It reminds you who you are. If you''ll oppose the world''s pull, Heavenly Father will show you.'
Parkin pointed out the faithfulness of those in attendance at the fireside demonstrates their desires for righteousness, but also makes them larger targets for the adversary.
'Every righteous soul that Satan seduces from the truth becomes a games hunter''s trophy,' she said, 'prominently mounted on the walls of hell.'
Parkin encouraged students to take Moses'' example and say, 'Get thee hence, Satan.'
The pattern of feeling the love of the Lord and remembering it can be used to cast out Satan, Parkin stated.
Though no one can do it alone, Parkin said praying for strength will help students overcome trials and remember who they are, which shows true faithfulness.
'In your deepest times of temptation and fear, like Moses, you must plead with Heavenly Father as frequently and as long as necessary to retain your faith,' Parkin said. 'True faith is only made manifest in the face of heart-piercing trials.'
Parkin said overcoming temptation is not easy, but nothing of worth is.
'You are entitled to His presence and direction according to your faithfulness,' she said.
Parkin also reminded students to remember that they are children of Heavenly Father, who knows and loves them.
If they are struggling to know who they are, Parkin said the 'Bonnie-ism' of, 'To know is to do,' can be flipped to also mean, 'To do it to know.'
'If you''re unsure, just do anyway,' she said. 'Do, and you''ll know.'
Reminding students they are children of a Heavenly Father who is on their side, Parkin said, 'His work and His glory is to bring to pass your immortality and eternal life.'