Bonnie H. Cordon: Letting Him Direct Thy Paths
2Digest
Sister Bonnie Corden, President of Southern Virginia University and former Young Women General President, shares her insights on trusting in the Lord and navigating life's varied paths. She emphasizes the importance of personal revelation and inspiration, drawing from her own experiences on a farm, serving a mission at 17, and choosing to stay home with her children. Sister Corden highlights the power of being present in each moment and trusting in the Lord's plan, even when it doesn't make sense. She also shares her journey from a career in software to leading a university, emphasizing the importance of saying yes to opportunities and embracing the Lord's surprises. The episode concludes with a discussion on the meaning of being "all in" the gospel of Jesus Christ, with Sister Corden emphasizing the importance of trusting in the Lord with all our hearts and allowing Him to direct our paths.
Outlines
Introduction and Advice from Sister Bonnie Gordon
This Chapter introduces Sister Bonnie Corden, President of Southern Virginia University and former Young Women General President. She shares advice she received from Sister Bonnie Gordon, emphasizing the importance of trusting in the Lord and acknowledging Him in all our ways.
Sister Bonnie Corden's Background and Work Ethic
This Chapter delves into Sister Corden's upbringing on a farm and how it influenced her work ethic and career decisions. She shares anecdotes about her father's encouragement and her experiences with chickens and picking corn, highlighting the importance of learning from failure and embracing opportunities.
Serving a Mission as a Miracle
This Chapter explores Sister Corden's experience serving a mission as a young woman, which she considers a miracle. She recounts how she received an unexpected invitation from an apostle and the challenges she faced, including graduating from high school while serving in the MTC. She emphasizes the importance of saying yes to the Lord's invitations, even when they don't make sense.
Navigating Career Choices and Trusting in the Lord
This Chapter discusses Sister Corden's journey through college and her initial concerns about her chosen field of education. She shares how she sought the Lord's guidance and received a clear message to simply graduate, trusting that her career would be joyful. She encourages listeners to trust in the Lord's plan and to learn to learn.
Finding a Job and the Importance of Courage and Patience
This Chapter recounts Sister Corden's experience finding her first job after college. She shares how she faced rejection and discouragement but ultimately found success through persistence and faith in the Lord. She emphasizes the importance of courage and patience in seeking the Lord's will.
Balancing Work and Motherhood
This Chapter explores Sister Corden's experiences as a working mother and her decision to stay home with her children. She shares how she and her husband counseled together and received guidance from the Spirit to make adjustments for their family's needs. She emphasizes the importance of personal revelation and the unique challenges and rewards of motherhood.
Finding Fulfillment Outside the Home
This Chapter discusses Sister Corden's experiences after staying home with her children, including starting a small business and finding fulfillment in community involvement. She emphasizes the importance of finding fulfillment in different ways and recognizing that different people have different needs.
Advice for Working Mothers and Stay-at-Home Moms
This Chapter offers advice to both working mothers and stay-at-home moms. Sister Corden encourages both groups to trust in the Lord with all their hearts, be present in each moment, and rely on the Lord's guidance. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing that there are seasons in life and that each season has its own unique joys and challenges.
Preparing for Church Callings
This Chapter explores how Sister Corden's professional and personal experiences prepared her for her callings in the Church, including serving as a mission leader and Young Women General President. She emphasizes the importance of cumulative experiences and trusting in the Lord's plan, even when it doesn't make sense.
Leading Southern Virginia University
This Chapter discusses Sister Corden's appointment as President of Southern Virginia University. She shares how she received an unexpected invitation and was impressed by the university's atmosphere and students. She emphasizes the importance of saying yes to opportunities and trusting in the Lord's surprises.
Being All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ
This Chapter concludes the episode with a discussion on the meaning of being "all in" the gospel of Jesus Christ. Sister Corden emphasizes the importance of trusting in the Lord with all our hearts, acknowledging Him in all our ways, and allowing Him to direct our paths.
Keywords
Sister Bonnie Corden
Sister Bonnie Corden is the current President of Southern Virginia University and previously served as the Young Women General President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is known for her leadership, insights on personal revelation, and emphasis on trusting in the Lord's plan.
Southern Virginia University
Southern Virginia University is a private, four-year university located in Buena Vista, Virginia. It is known for its strong emphasis on faith, academics, and community. Sister Bonnie Corden is the current president of the university.
Young Women General President
The Young Women General President is a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who oversees the Young Women organization, which focuses on the spiritual and personal development of young women ages 12-18. Sister Bonnie Corden previously served in this role.
Personal Revelation
Personal revelation is the process of receiving guidance and inspiration from God through the Holy Ghost. It is a key principle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is believed to be essential for making important decisions and navigating life's challenges.
Trust in the Lord
Trusting in the Lord is a fundamental principle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It involves having faith in God's plan and trusting that He will guide and direct our lives. This principle is often associated with the scripture Proverbs 3:5-6, which encourages individuals to trust in the Lord with all their hearts and lean not unto their own understanding.
Missionary Work
Missionary work is a central aspect of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Young adults are encouraged to serve full-time missions, typically for two years, to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. Sister Bonnie Corden served a mission in Portugal at the age of 17.
Motherhood
Motherhood is a significant experience for many women and is often viewed as a calling in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sister Bonnie Corden shares her experiences as a working mother and her decision to stay home with her children, highlighting the challenges and rewards of motherhood.
Fulfillment
Fulfillment is a sense of satisfaction and purpose in life. Sister Bonnie Corden discusses the importance of finding fulfillment in different ways, whether through work, family, or community involvement. She emphasizes that different people have different needs and that it is important to find what brings us joy and purpose.
Being Present
Being present is a key principle for living a fulfilling life. It involves focusing on the current moment and being fully engaged in our experiences. Sister Bonnie Corden encourages listeners to be present in each moment, whether at work, at home, or in our relationships.
Agency
Agency is the ability to choose and act for ourselves. It is a fundamental principle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is believed to be essential for our spiritual growth and development. Sister Bonnie Corden emphasizes that God honors our agency and that He will be as present in our lives as we desire Him to be.
Q&A
What advice would you give to a young working mother?
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, be present in each moment, and rely on the Lord's guidance. Remember that you can't balance everything, but you can be present wherever you are.
What would you say to a mom who has chosen to stay home despite having dreams of making significant contributions outside the home?
Recognize that there are seasons in life and that there will be opportunities to pursue other dreams in the future. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and find joy in the journey.
How did your professional life prepare you for your callings in the Church?
I believe that all of my experiences, from growing up on a farm to serving a mission to working in the software industry, have helped to prepare me for my callings. The Lord gives us line upon line, and each experience helps us to learn and grow.
How did you come to be President of Southern Virginia University?
It was a surprise! I was actually planning to ski all winter with my grandchildren when I received an email asking if I was interested in the position. I was impressed by the university and the students, and I felt a strong impression to say yes.
What does it mean to you to be "all in" the gospel of Jesus Christ?
To be "all in" means to trust in the Lord with all my heart, not lean to my own understanding, and allow Him to direct my path with full confidence that He loves me.
Show Notes
There have been seasons when Sister Bonnie H. Cordon was a working mom and other seasons where she was able to choose to stay home. Today, she is a working grandmother who feels that the Lord has given her a miracle she didn’t know she needed in the form of an opportunity to lead Southern Virginia University. On this week’s episode, we discuss with President Cordon, the former Young Women general president, the Lord’s ability to direct us from season to season if we’ll just say yes.
3:26- Raised on a Farm
9:53- A Miraculous Mission Call
17:36- The Wrong Major?
20:15- Courage and Patience
23:57- Decisions Surrounding Work and Motherhood
32:20- Many Ways to Contribute
35:01- Advice to Young Working Mother
38:03- Advice to Stay-At-Home Mother
41:26- Prepared for Service in the Church
45:16- The Road to SVU
53:42- What Does it Mean To Be All In?
“We say ‘What is leadership? What is power?’ And it’s really influence.” -Bonnie H. Cordon
Links:
Bonnie Cordon Announced as President of SVU: https://news.svu.edu/2023/bonnie-h-cordon-named-president-of-southern-virginia-university/
Elder Perry Helps a Young Bonnie Cordon Feed Chickens: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/feeding-chickens-with-elder-perry-taught-president-cordon-to-shine-her-light-so-others-may-see#:~:text=With%20a%20soaked%20leather%20shoe,Perry%2C”%20President%20Cordon%20recalled.
“In the absence of experiences with God, one can doubt the existence of God. So, put yourself in a position to begin having experiences with Him.” -President Russell M. Nelson, “Come, Follow Me.” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2019/05/46nelson?lang=eng
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