It always amazes me how fast time goes - especially between General Conferences. As a teen newly converted to the gospel, general conference was interesting in the fact that we were able to see and hear from a prophet of the Lord. In my late teens and early twenties General Conference was a long, long weekend sitting on the most uncomfortable of chairs. Children brought in a whole new challenge of attending General Conference...and we didn't attend much when they were small. As they grew and as I grew spiritually General Conference took on a whole new meaning. I now look forward to it with eager anticipation. What topics will be spoken about? What questions that I have will be answered? Will the spirit speak to me in the gentle way that it does letting me know that truth is spoken by these men and women called of God? It is interesting to me the number of things I have been taught by my own children. My son taught me that I should contemplate specific questions I need answered before watching conference. To pray about them and ask for divine help to guide me through life's difficult waters. I have done this now a few times and I have heard in my heart the voice of the Lord answering those questions. I would like to record what I learned this weekend so I remember the counsel I have been given:
Henry B Eyring, 1st Presidency
We choose to either soften our own hearts or harden them. When we find ourselves questioning "is my faith intact?" Why do I not feel as strongly I once did?" "Is God really there?" we need to examine our hearts. Are we allowing the quiet teachings of the prophet in? Are we stopping the spirit's general whispers at the door of our hearts? Doing those small and simple things like reading our scriptures and praying with real intent allows our hearts to hear what the spirit has to say. Before long, we will remember the feelings we had, and truth will once again prevail to us.
Mary R Dunham, Primary General Presidency
How do we keep ourselves from drowning from the weight of the world? USE THE HOLY GHOST. This simple, yet truthful answer reminds us that the Holy Ghost can be our constant companion, our shield from the ugliness that sometimes surrounds us. Pray with real intent, and often.
Donald Hallstrom, 70
Do not forget to our connection to God. Feed it by keeping a conversation with Him always in your heart. Toss your distractions away.
Gary Stevenson, 12
Go to the Temple - a reoccurring theme this weekend. Without the priesthood keys we will not reach our full potential. Always prepare for missionary service.
Kevin Duncan, 70
The Lord is responsible for all judgments - we are responsible for forgiveness. Every tear we cry due to hurt that we have received will be returned 10 fold as joy by the Lord in the next life. We need to see each other as God sees us. We do not know the burden others carry - forgive.
Steven Snow, 70
Our general concern should be for the success of others. A little humility goes a long way. Sometimes people are changed by physical ailments (Traumatic Brain injury).
Dale Renlund, 12
The greater the distance between the giver and the receiver gives the receiver a greater sense of entitlement. Murmuring is the scriptural equivalent of childhood whining. The covenants we make each Sunday are personal. Partaking of the sacrament is vital to securing our foundation built upon a rock. It is interesting that this reference came up in during conference as I just read it in 3rd Nephi. I must've read this passage a dozen times or more....but this time it really struck me. Just like Elder Renlund said, the Lord doesn't say IF the rain will descend, or IF the wind will blow, or IF the floods will come HE SAID WHEN. We must be SURE that the foundation of our lives is based on the Lord's teachings, otherwise our house will fall - and great will be the fall of it.
Ronald Rasband, 12
Reach out and lift one another so no one goes his way alone. This was a specific answer to a question I had. Elder Rasband said "Jesus asked Peter to leave the boat and walk on water to Him". Then he said "That was a bold statement" Made me think of when David says "Bold Strategy". Peter did leave the boat and ended up needing the Saviors help - like we all do.
Mervyn Arnold, 70
How do we rescue our brothers and sisters that need our help?
1. Do not delay. Move now - do not wait.
2. Never give up.
3. Strengthen the Weak
4. Do not let your station or age in life keep you from rescue attempts.
David A Bednar, 12
How can we obtain and RETAIN a remission of our sins?
1. Baptism by immersion by priesthood authority
2. Be given the gift of the Holy Ghost
3. Attend sacrament meeting and prayerfully take the sacrament
M Russell Ballard, 12
Have family council - listen to one another.
Thomas S Monson, Prophet
The choices we make determine our destiny
Bonnie Oscarson, YW General President
Choose Faith over Doubt. Realize that discipleship is a m.iracle and we should treat it that way.
W Christopher Waddell, General Bishopric
Learn of Him, Listen to the Prophet, Walk with Him
D Todd Christofferson, 12
Fathers play a vital role in the family. Their importance cannot be discounted or replaced by another.
Challenges are indications of the Lord's trust in you.
Quentin L Cook, 12
See ourselves in the temple. Do not allow anything to keep us from going. Never underestimate the power of the assistance from the other side of the veil when doing our family history work.
Dieter F Uchdorff, 12
There is no life so shattered it cannot be restored. God will not force anyone to Heaven.
Robert D Hales, 12
The Holy Ghost allows us to have personal revelation. Remember this is a gift and not one to be take lightly. The Lord does not expect us to take every little decision to Him for an answer. Remember to search out in your mind, and in your heart the weighty decisions you need to make. Then make a decision and bring it to the Lord. He will not allow you to go too far down a wrong path.
Gerrit Gong, 70
Always remembering Him - how is this accomplished:
1. Have confidence in all of His promises.
2. Gratefully acknowledge His hand in our lives.
3. Trust we are forgiven - trust in the repentance process.
4. Remember the Lord wants us to come home - that invitation is always there.
5. Prays
6. Remember he always remembers us.
Patrick Kearon, 70
He spoke of refugees and the assistance that has been extended to them by the church. He told us that a significant portion of refugees are educated - doctors, nurses, teachers - that have been driven out of their country by a war they did not start or want. We need to have compassion on those people and help where we can. My dad was a refugee.
Dallin H Oaks, 12
Opposition is necessary in the plan of salvation - and necessary for our growth and progress. Some things can only be learned by faith. Not all answers can be found in history books or records of the past. God promises to consecrate our trials for our good.
Kent Richards, 70
GO TO THE TEMPLE
Paul V Johnson, 70
The power of the Atonement rescues us.
Jeffrey R Holland, 12
After you have been spiritually fed, it is normal to experience trials making it hard to remember the peaceful feelings of the spirit. Satan tries to convince us we cannot change, we cannot grow, so why listen to council? He does this because he CANNOT CHANGE, he CANNOT GROW..he wants what we have and are promised to have in the next life. The Lord blesses us for even wanting to try to better ourselves....He blesses us when we try and are not successful. He is there every step of this mortal life, to hold us up when we are weak and to rejoice with us when we are strong.
Great ending to a great weekend!
