Stake Conference

     You know how when you don't want to do something you should it is Satan's influence because you really need to be there?  Well the Adult session of Stake Conference is like that for me.  I really didn't want to go and I did anyway because Trent invited me to get ready in a way that didn't upset me.  I need to thank him now so that I don't forget to all together.  I learned so much and I would have stayed home and read and missed what I needed to hear.
     The theme of the conference was Helaman 5:12.  The instruction to build sure foundations on the rock of our Redeemer was littered though out every talk.  I'd like to share the Stake Presidents thoughts with you tonight as I am still pondering them and know that they are necessary for me to implement in our home.  When President Rollins (who reminds me of Uncle Doyle, my father's oldest brother) was twelve they the youth took a trip to Beaver Mountain for two weeks.  The lake they camped near was beautiful and very cold.  It also had a beaver lodge in the center (he called it a beaver house or beaver hut--that made me chuckle all through the story).  He watched the beavers swim in the lake and go in and out of their lodge.  It looked so cool to him that he decided he was going to go in the "beaver hut."  I couldn't help myself--I said out loud (in a whisper), "Are you stupid?"  So the next morning he dove into that ice cold water and swam to the center of the lake, went under the water and poked his head up into the "beaver house."  He said his screams can still be heard echoing in the canyon.  He came face to face with a beaver and his teeth were "this big." (Hold your hands about shoulder width apart.)  He somehow got out of there and began swimming to shore.  Well, the beaver followed him alternately growling and slapping the water with his tale.  He is still today terrified of beavers and will never go near one again.
     Any ideas as to why he shared this story?  He had planned a whole different talk and felt impressed to disregard it and tell this story, so it must have been about more than just entertaining us after a long meeting.  He said that we can buy the most expensive alarm system in the world and still not be safe enough from things in this world that can harm our homes.  Even the best alarm cannot protect us from that which robs us of the Holy Ghost.  We must be like that horrifying beaver and chase away the things that come into our homes to destroy our very foundation.  In my patriarchal blessing it says that my home will be a haven from the things of the world.  Is it?  How am I doing in that regard?  I think we need to step it up and be even more diligent about protecting our kids from what can desensitize them and eventually lead to spiritual loss in the mists of darkness.