Wheat is fungible (i.e. replaceable). We are not fungible. [This was in relation to the scripture "Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.] "The worth of souls is great in the sight of God" (Doctrine & Covenants 18:10).
We are celestial beings having a telestial experience.
The only way we can distinguish the voice of the Lord from the voice of the world is through the scriptures.
We need to develop anticipatory forgiveness--be willing to forgive even before people say something.
Personal revelation is for those who libe close to the Lord. The life I am living now is the life the Lord wants me to live.
Self-worth cannot be based on whether or not we are married. It is difficult not to be chosen and to be asked why we are not participating in "the game." The problem we have is that we don't have the Lord's perspective. The purpose of this life is to come unto Christ, and He needs us where we are now.
We need to focus on building our testimonies and on developing kind and nurturing hearts, remembering we will be mothers in eternity.
Don't be afraid to stand up for who you are and what you believe.
As we make plans for our lives, we need to allow the Lord to become the architect for those plans.
When life doesn't go as planned, rewrite your dream. Even righteous desires may need to be rewritten on the Lord's timeline.
Going to the temple alone is not a consolation prize. It is a consummate blessing from our Heavenly Father. [Sister Oaks mentioned that some young women in their late 20s believe they still have to wait to go to the temple, because they are not getting married. She reminded us that the temple offers blessings to all of us.] The temple will make a difference in our lives!
Education--the more you learn, the better you'll be, and the happier you'll be.
Create a quality life in the environment we are in now. It is within our powers to create holy havens. [She pointed out that there is no reason to wait for new dishes, etc., until you get married. If you want them now, instead of having hand-me-downs from relatives, why not get them?]
Service is a great antidote and makes us less selfish and more concerned for others. It also makes us more flexible. Put yourself in a situation to serve other people when they need to be served.
Membership in the church is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience.
We need each other. Stay close to family and friends.
Respect the feelings and emotions we are given.
Keep soft hearts and do not become judgmental.
The single best thing we can do: Choose to be grateful. If we are always grateful, we will also be content.
Tragedy is the celebration for the human capacity to change. [Sorry, now I wish I'd written a little more here...]
If we do everything with an eye single to the glory of God, we cannot fail.
Do not be fungible. Be peculiar.
Doctrine and Covenants 135 (Be like the Prophet Joseph Smith--calm as a summer's morning.)
OK, these are my own words again rather than just notes. I think we all thoroughly enjoyed what Sister Oaks shared with us. The over-arching message I received was that if I am doing my best to seek and follow the Spirit and to come unto Christ, then I am where the Lord wants and needs me to be right now. As she said more than once--if we are still single, it is because that is the Lord's plan for us right now. It's nice to hear from someone who has spent most of her life single, who married for the first time in about 2000. She understands. But being single does not stop us from creating our own lives, from establishing our own identities, from progressing in the gospel and in the Lord's kingdom.
I did get to shake Elder Oaks's hand briefly before the fireside. He had just come back into town, but he wanted to be there to greet people, even though he didn't stay. I also loved the chance to sing "Grace" once more with our little women's choir. It's such a beautiful song!
So, for Mike Peck, who specifically requested these notes, and for anyone else who may find them interesting, here they are!
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