General Conference

This are some notes and a few thoughts of my own from General Conference. I will add my personal revelation in my journal.

Sunday, October 03, 2010

I love General Conference. The last session as just finished and I feel so loved, so supported, so encouraged and so uplifted. I am grateful for so many who live their lives such that they can stand and teach this large congregation and gathering of Saints.

A summary of what I have heard and what I have learned follows:
• President Monson opens with an announcement of 5 new temples to be built. With his message was felt the tenderness and love of this dear sweet man. He encouraged us to listen to the messages of the conference.
• Elder Holland shared his gratitude for all members and pledged to be better. I too pledged after him to be better which means I need to do better to be better.
• Sister Wixom talked about taking hold of our children and teaching them. I was reminded of the sweetness of these tender little ones and the responsibility parents have in teaching their little ones.
• Brother Costa spoke about the blessings of having a prophet to lead us and the importance of learning and obeying their word.
• Brother McConkie spoke directly to me about teaching as I have been struggling with me call to teach institute. During the whole conference I have found answers to my struggle regarding this call…as well as answers to other questions. Before we teach we must learn and what matters is out attitude about teaching. We should pray for inspiration to reach students.
• Elder Christofferson taught us about the importance of time and reminded us that we are stewardship of our time. He taught that true work is sacred and our work should be consecrated work. I want to be careful with my time.
• Pres. Uchtdorf- what do rings in trees have to do with flying airplanes.  We need to slow down and steady the course. Millstones and become milestones. He had a quote I really liked but I didn’t write fast enough to get it down. I really felt like his talked summed up and supported all the above messages. When we slow down, we will have time to reflect and be grateful for our blessings and express that gratitude. We will have time to be with our little ones and know how he loves them and what we need to do to teach them. When we slow down we will and can take to know what the Prophet is teaching us to be and become. And most of all to slow down we can better seek to use our time wisely.

Second session

• Elder Hales talked about how agency blesses our lives. Something I need to remember to express gratitude for more often.
• Elder Cook reminded us that our homes are a Holy Place or should be a Holy place. There should be light and truth and we need to teach moral
• Brother Edgley the atonement is universal and how our faith brings us to a perfect knowledge. He talked about how faith can move mountains such as mountains of sin, pain, etc. I was thinking about how parts of mountains were moved literally in building temples.
• Brother Duncan spoke about what we have learned from prophets. He repeated an earlier point from a previous speaker that our living prophet’s word are more vital than our scriptures. I may have miss quoted that but I know for sure that the words of our Prophet are vital in my life.
• Brother ?? spoke about missionaries and being grateful for missionaries and how conversion is a blessing. I couldn’t help think of all the missionaries that have gone out that are within the bounds of our little family and how blessed I am. I also thought about gmom and pop’s conversion and how grateful that my great grandfather joined the church and planted seeds that flourish today.
• Elder Anderson asked if we would love Jesus. He mentioned that life is no spiritual picnic. I second the motion on that one. He talked about how we can remain with Jesus and about being converted and what we need to do to stay close. He said we need the believing heart of a child. I thought of the grandchildren and how tender and sweet they are and how they love and trust their parents COMPLETELY.
• Elder Scott spoke about Faith. He said something like Faith in the Savior is action. He continued to give a beautiful message about Faith and Character being interrelated. He said that Righteous Character endure to Eternity.

Third Session

• Elder Eyring shared how he had prayed and pondered about what to speak about as we are all uniquely different. He quoted Alma “…Oh that I were an Angel…..” and reminded us that God sends messengers to deliver his messages. He then spoke to us on the topic of Building Trust in God. He said the Lord’s voice will not pass away. By him or his servant, it is the same…God speaks to us by his servants/messengers. I personally received much direction during all sessions and know I need to work harder at being obedient and serving others.
• Elder Packard message was very clear to me and I thought could bring much peace to those suffering in some gospel standards. He began with the Family Proclamation and how marriage is ordained of God. He said those who say that the devil made them do it are wrong because the Devil cannot make us do anything. (my wording) He says there needs to be an alarm to wake us up. He said moral standards can’t be changed and gave an example of laws that can’t be changed. (I can’t remember his example but the law of gravity comes to my mind) The Lord is bound when you do what He says. He said angels would guide us and that those suffering from these bad habits need to repent and unlock the patterns of our bad habits. Forgive ourselves and look forward.
• Brother Jensen spoke on the gift of the Holy Ghost and shared a personal story. He shared a quote from Wilford Woodruff about the Holy Ghost being the greatest gift we have. He reminded us that things of the spirit are sacred.
• Sister Mary Cook spoke about being Believers of Faith and Purity and told the sweet message of when her granddaughter was born.
• Elder Oaks visited with us about the Lines of Communication and that the personal line and priesthood line are not independent of each other. They need to be in balance with each other.
• Pres. Monson he said our thoughts should turn towards our Savior and spoke about the remembering to give thanks. He said we should walk in gratitude and live in Thanksgiving daily. He said money can’t buy deep and lasting joy. He said a grateful heart comes from expressing gratitude. His message, live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven.

Last session

• Elder Perry spoke to the YM about the Priesthood and that we need to teach the doctrine of the priesthood and it’s blessings and promises.
• Elder Bednar taught that revelations are messengers from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He said we should sincerely desire the Holy Ghost, invite the Holy Ghost and obey the Holy Ghost. If asked if we are distracted from the world. (I know I am) He said we would learn to recognize the Holy Ghost as we invited him into our lives. We need to Do and Become to receive. ( thought of an analogy to this but too long to share right here)
• Brother Lawrence spoke to parents of teenagers and said that parents should work together and not to be afraid to speak up to your child. He emphasized the importance of Family prayer, scripture study, FHE, dinner and personal interviews. He said be a courageous parent. Applying to my life, I thought this council is good for empty nester couples as well.
• Brother Malm Told the story of the Tree with a hole that was hollow but not empty. He looked in it and it had steel wires keeping it standing. He related the Savior as being our steel wire and to beware of things that can destroy us from the inside out.
• Brother Mazzagarde shared the story of him walking on a beautiful pathway with his granddaughter. She asked what is sin? I cannot remember his quote but I made note for now that is willful disobedience. He made note of sin being like a monster as quick sand.
• Brother Arnold related a touching message about his parents passing away and leaving their family more than worldly gifts. They left them the lessons they had been taught about the gospel. He talked about choices and how we are free to choose but not free to choose our consequences. He shared another story about the horse or cow, forgot now, but told how his daughter (I think) learned from her experience of the animal dying about boundaries set to protect us. He said we should think before we act. He said to ask ourselves if we would do it if the Savior were here with us.
• Elder Ballard began with saying how the season of Fall is a state of transition then related the principle or parable of the Fly Fisherman. He then gave a most beautiful talk on addiction and how it destroys agency. His message was the best one on addiction I have heard. I can’t wait to read it (an all others) again. He said fervent prayer is needed to overcome.
• Pres. Monson concluded the meetings admonishing us to read and study these talks. He said we face many challenges but we must endure. He spoke of peace, comfort and safety.
It has been a beautiful conference with heartfelt messages & lessons. How blessed am I.