President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and concluding speaker at the General Women’s Conference, told the story of Ava and Great Aunt Rose.
“As I pondered what I should say to you today, my thoughts turned to the way the Savior taught,” said President Uchtdorf. “It is interesting how he was able to teach the most sublime truths using simple stories.”
Ava, an 11-year-old girl, was sent to her Great Aunt Rose’s for the summer, due to a time consuming surgery and recovery of Ava’s mother. Ava didn’t want to go, but arguing didn’t change a thing. The instant her father dropped her off, Ava knew she hated the house.
It was lonely, cluttered and her Great Aunt Rose and a fat cat were the only occupants. Though she had never met her Great Aunt Rose, Ava spent the beginning of her summer there, worried and praying about her mother.
When Ava heard that her mother’s surgery was successful, Ava knew she just had to “Endure to the end of summer.” She began noticing Aunt Rose’s happiness by her aunts large voice, large smile and large personality.
Ava noticed that her great aunt’s laugh filled the house. When her aunt went into town, people surrounded her despite the embarrassing bright hats her great aunt would wear.
As the summer progressed, Ava began walking with Great Aunt Rose. She “discovered that she was happier when she was with Aunt Rose.” When the time came for Ava to return home, she realized that she was going to miss her Aunt, but had one question to ask her.
“Aunt Rose, why are you so happy?” Ava asked. Aunt Rose then took Ava to a painting of a pioneer girl skipping down a bright path. Aunt Rose began sharing her story to Ava about how she chose to have faith in God during a depressing time in her life. As Aunt Rose’s faith grew, hope came and “faith and hope game me confidence that everything would one day make sense.”
Aunt Rose shared Revelations 21:3 and 1 Corinthians 2:9 with Ava, prompting Ava to ask, “Is all our happiness in eternity? Can come of it happen now?”
“Now is a part of eternity,” Aunt Rose replied.
Aunt Rose explained that she decided to get busy with meaningful things, but Ava had previously noticed that not all busy people are happy people. Aunt Rose said those people had forgotten love, Christ-like love.
President Uchtdorf concluded the story by sharing a brief summery of Ava’s life. Then with an expression of his love for all those in participating in the conference and his hope for them to all find happiness, President Uchtdorf concluded his talk.
Other General Conference news:
LDS Church announces three new apostles
Three new apostles to represent Christ throughout the world
English only at LDS General Conference
LDS Quorums of the Seventy now called General Authority Seventies
Slideshow: General Conference Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015
Women’s general session:
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: Now is a part of eternity
Sister Carol F. McConkie: The Lord’s agents
Sister Linda S. Reeves: Rewards will come
Sister Rosemary M. Wixom: Divine nature within you
Saturday morning session:
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: It works!
Elder M. Russell Ballard: God is at the helm
Elder Richard J. Maynes: The joy of living a Christ-centered life
Sister Neill F. Marriott: Yielding our hearts to God
Elder Francisco J. Vinas: The pleasing word of God
Saturday afternoon session:
Elder Dallin H. Oaks: Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ
Elder Bradley D. Foster: It’s never too early and it’s never too late
Elder Robert D. Hales: Meeting the challenges of today’s world
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: Behold thy mother
Priesthood session:
Sunday morning session:
President Thomas S. Monson: Be an example and a light
Elder Ronald A. Rasband: Love one another
Elder Gary E. Stevenson: Fulness of times
Elder Dale G. Renlund: Through God’s eyes
President Russell M. Nelson: A plea to my sisters
Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer: Let the clarion trumpet sound
Elder Claudio R.M. Costa: That they do always remember him
Sunday afternoon session:
President Henry B. Eyring: The Holy Ghost as your companion
Elder D. Todd Christofferson: Why the church
Elder Von G. Keetch: Blessed and happy are those who keep the commandments of God
Sister Carole M. Stephens: If ye love me, keep my commandments
Elder Allen D. Haynie: Remembering in whom we have trusted
Elder Kim B. Clark: Eyes to see and ears to hear
Brother Devin G. Durrant: My heart pondereth them continually
Elder Koichi Aoyagi: Hold on thy way
Elder David A. Bednar: Chosen to bear testimony of my name
Other conference-related coverage:
LDS Quorums of the Seventy now called General Authority Seventies
LDS Church members anticipate counsel on LGBT acceptance
English only at LDS General Conference
Music and the Spoken Word: A Mormon gift to the world
Mormons encouraged to review past sessions before General Conference
Slideshow: General Conference Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015
