What an amazing weekend! This is the first time in a long time that I went to the chapel for all four sessions of conference. Even though I was sick and could barely keep my eyes open for most of it, I still came away from it with really great spiritual inspiration. The funny thing is, most of that inspiration was not for me specifically, but for my students. That is something I haven't experienced before--being given direction for someone else instead of myself. I guess that's how it will be when I have kids of my own. For now, the students in my class are the special spirits in my care so I can receive inspiration to help them.
So, instead of giving my overview of every talk of conference (we'd be here a while) I'll give a summary of the talks that touched me most.
-true happiness is following the example and teachings of Christ
-those who have felt the touch of the Master's hand feel more inclined to follow Him
-we need to act and search for the one who has been lost (sometimes they don't even know they're lost)
-Do NOT delay! We may lose them forever!
-The Saviour's love is for all but He never loses sight of the one
-Happiness comes from making and keeping sacred covenants
Boyd K Packer (president of the 12 apostles)-young people are being raised in enemy territory
-despite the opposition, you need not fail or fear
-the Gospel plan is the Great Plan of Happiness
-All beings who have bodies have power over those who don't
-my testimony is key to supporting others
-Angels speak with the power of the Holy Ghost
-You'll not make a big mistake without first being warned by the Holy Ghost
-You are never lost!
-You will be protected by evil if you heed the promptings of the Holy Ghost
-Lucifer will lose!
-Surround yourself with friends who desire to be good too
-retain in remembrance the greatness of God
-We are the reason He created the universe
-D&C 18:10, Moses 1:39
-Compared to God we are nothing, but to God we are everything
-a person's true value has little to do with what the world prides
-those who will inherit the kingdom of God will be those who become as little children
-Satan tries to focus us on our own insignificance
-it doesn't matter where you are, what your calling is, or what your standing is with others, the Lord knows your heart and will bless you
-He will use those hwo incline their hearts to Him
-Your influence can be flet even if it goes seemingly unnoticed
-the Lord uses a scale very different from the world to measure the worth of a soul
-1. God loves the humble and meek
-2. The Lord entrusts the fulness of the Gospel message to be preached by the meek and lowly
-3. No matter where you live or how meager your circumstances you are not invisible to your Heavenly Father. He knows your acts of loving kindness
-4. What you see and experience now is not what forever will be
-God sees you as the being you were created and designed to become
Ian S. Ardern (of the seventy)
-become the master manager of our time
-time flies on the wings of lightning, we cannot call it back
-prioritize our choices to match our goals
-the poor use of time is a close cousin to idleness
-don't let technology take over
-let us be as quick to kneel as we are to text
-we must devote our time to the things that matter most
Carl B. Cook (of the seventy)
-"remember, it`s better to look up"
-re-direct youe focus to God, we will be blessed to have faitha nd strength to fulfill the things we have been called to do
-sins are forgiven and burdens are lightened as we look to Christ
D. Todd Christofferson (of the 12 apostles)
-the prophetic call to repentance should be celebrated-justification and sactification are just and true
-steps to repentance:
- Invitation to repent is an expression of love
- Repentance means striving to change
- it takes effort on our part
- real change, real repentance may require repeated attempts
- Covenant to be obedient to the Father--Baptism
- Repentance requires persistence
- true repentance is not superficial
- confess and forsake
- my soul is filled with joy as exceeding was my pain
- Whatever the cost of repentance it is swallowed up in the joy of forgiveness
Elder Robert D. Hales (of the 12 apostles)-why is it so hard to do the Father's will?
-why is there such terrible tribulation and to what end?
-to grow, to develop, and to be strengthened
-we wait upon the Lord
-tests and trials are given to all of us to see if we will use our agency to choose to follow our Heavenly Father
-wait means "to hope", "to anticipate", and "to trust" in the Lord
-Endure to the end
-plant and nourish a seed of faith with patience and diligence
-tribulation worketh patience
-stand fast and press forward in faith having a perfect brightness of hope
-**all things with which we have been afflicted will work together for our good**
-our understanding of what the Lord has for us comes line upon line
-wait in faith--the promises of the Lord are sure
-in your Gethsemane, you are never alone
Elaine S. Dalton (Young Women general President)-fathers must faithfully raise daughters by loving their wives
I have no other notes on this talk, but I had a hard time listening to it. Coming from a family where I had no father in the home, it was difficult for me to think of what could have been if I had a worthy priesthood holder, or father in my home growing up. Though it was difficult to listen to, it impressed upon me further the importance of getting married in the temple to a worthy priesthood holder. I don`t want my daughters to be raised without the guidance, direction, and love of a worthy father.
Thomas S. Monson (prophet)-the world`s message is that morality is `passe`
-we know it`s not
-we are responsible for our actions
-the rules of God are constant
-God`s constancy is an anchor to which we can hold fast and be safe
-we must be vigilent (this struck me, as the same is said in my patriarchal blessing)
-reject anything in your life that does not conform to our standards
-watch and pray always...for Satan desires to have you
-work towards having a relationship with Heavenly Father through prayer
Matthew O. Richardson (2ns Councellor in the Sunday School Presidency)-a key to becoming a real person in every aspect is teaching in a way that doesn`t limit learning
-teach by the Spirit so it can teach the truth unrestrained
-the Holy Ghost is the real teacher
-to conduct ourselves after the manner of the Holy Ghost is to adjust our teaching methods to align with how the Spirit teaches so it can testify more fully
-The way the Holy Ghost teaches:
- Teaches individuals in a very personal way
- does not teach all truth all at once
- teach people not lessons
- real teaching involves much more than learning and telling
- Teaches by prompting, inspiring, and encouraging us to act
- can facilitate opportunities to learn, feel, and act
- we cannot learn, feel, or act for others
- how do I invite and ask those around me to learn for themselves?
-`look how far we`ve come!`
-lives will change as you teach with and by the Spirit
-God will help you in your efforts
Randall K. Bennett (of the seventy)-decisions determine destiny (President Monson)
-we are free to choose freedom and liberty or captivity and death
- CHOOSE ETERNAL LIFE!!
-ultimately we have 2 eternal choices
-there is safety and joy in living like Jesus Christ
-We all face adversity, we all made mistakes
-we need to become self-disciplined fast!
-am I seeking divine direction through daily scripture study, pondering, and prayer?
-am I seeking the guidance of the Holy Ghost in what I think about and do?
-it is never too late to begin to choose eternal life
Quentin L. Cook (of the 12 apostles)- We have a Father in Heaven who loves us
- His Son is our Saviour and Redeember whose Atonement covers all sin
- Plan of Happiness includes premortal, mortal, and eternal life with reunion
-we`ve seen into the events of evil exercise of agency
-be appreciative for the blessings we receive and the tragedies we avoid
-we should be grateful for the tender mercies we receive in our lives
-an essential elemnet of prospering is having the Spirit in our lives
-the refiner`s fire is real
-fear not for God shall be with your forever and ever
-regardless of the trials we face in this life, there are enough life boats for everyone
-`dying with your music still inside you`
-we know of the great eternal reward
-Jesus listening can hear the songs I cannot sing
Those are the ones that touched me the most. I`m grateful for conference and for the wonderful messages it has poured into my soul at this time. I can`t wait to listen to and read the talks again.
Until next time,
-J
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