Obviously I'm not very good at writing in a blog, but I am trying to do better. My goal is once a week (probably every Saturday). I've been thinking all week about what to write and I thought I would like to go over my notes from the recent General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. For those of you who read this and are unfamiliar with this religion there is a Semiannual worldwide conference every April and October. It gives the leaders of the church a chance to address the concerns they have for all of us, members and nonmembers and talk about the state of the church. Its an opportunity to learn and reflect. It has been recommended to me multiple times in my life that I should prayerfully listen to conference with a question or two. I decided to do that very thing this conference; I had three questions. I wont say what they were, but I will report that two were addressed and guidance was given to answer the third. I won't mention every talk, just a few things that stand out to me.
Saturday Morning
I always enjoy this session and feel it is the perfect way to start these weekends. I especially enjoy the announcements of the new temples. Pres. Monson also talked about missionaries and Senior couple missionaries. I get excited to think about being able to do that one day with Melissa. Although we haven't ever discussed anything beyond just going one day, I ind of like the idea of going on at least 3 or 4. After visiting Nauvoo I hope we can serve there at one point. While I'm on this subject, later on I heard another talk on missionaries (Elder Nelson). While the words were more directed at young men serving, I realized that even though I served one mission I still am in the process of preparing for then next.
In my notes I have lines for Personal Revelations (PR), or impressions I receive during the talks that I want to specifically apply in life. I will be talking about those more than anything most likely
PR – Pledge, as Elder Holland does, to do better and live more closely to God
At the end of his talk, Elder Holland mentioned this pledge that he made and I felt I could do the same.
Elder Costa of the 70 used a talk given by Pres. Benson as notes for his talk. Pres. Benson's talk was titled “14 fundamentals in following the Gospel of Christ.” I plan on looking this talk up and reading it. It was mentioned in another talk during another session adding to its importance in my mind.
I enjoyed Bro. McConkie's talk as well. He talked about the how of learning. As someone who enjoys teaching and learning I paid close attention to what he said. It caused me to look back at the teachers I've had that have influenced me and what they did to stand out as a teacher. He mentioned how to be a successful gospel teacher and as i listened it was apparent that the same goes for a teacher of any subject. It starts with having a love for what you are teaching. then he gives 4 ideas to follow. 1) immerse yourself in the scriptures (or subject material). 2) Apply what you desire to learn. 3) Seek heavens help. 4) Use our agency to act and make decisions as we feel directed by the spirit through our hearts and minds.
Elder Christofferson's talk on consecration proved to be very inspiring as well. I appreciated what he said on how leisure can be good as long as we are finding wholesome activities. I have been working on trying to make sure the things I do in my free time is more wholesome.
With Pres. Uchtdorf he mentioned the four types of relationships we need to build by order of importance. 1) Our relationship with God, 2) our relationship with our family (love is spelled T-I-M-E), 3) our relationship with our fellow man, and 4) our relationship with ourselves. the best way we can create and secure these relationships in this order is through service. With our relationship with ourselves he suggested taking time to enjoy nature and God's creations, which is something I haven't done in a long time, but lately have been feeling a stronger need to fulfill.
Saturday Afternoon
At the end of Elder Cook's talk he quoted Joseph Smith when he said, "No man should be in bondage one to another." I applied it different then what he was teaching as I looked towards debt. The more I learn about debt the more I realize that it is bondage and you can easily see how those who loan money hold other people in bondage.
Bro. Edgley's words on faith helped out a lot, but I will talk more about my thoughts on faith later. I will say though that I liked it when he said that faith can move a mountain of sin and replace it with peace.
Elder Anderson's talk led me to realize a little more about the scripture "If ye love me, keep my commandments." Everybody who loves Christ is imperfect, but those who love Him most are the ones who work the hardest to keep his commandments. Our level of obedience can reflect our level of love.
Elder Scott also talked about faith. It seemed to be a reoccurring theme, at least to me. He mentioned how faith cannot be destroyed by Satan, but only by ourselves. However, ever time we act with faith and it is an act of worthiness that will be followed by a witness of truth.
Priesthood Session
this year I feel it was one of the best priesthood sessions I've ever witnessed. As I mentioned before, Elder Nelson's talk inspired me about returning to the mission field one day, but it was also a good reminder to open my mouth and be a missionary at all times.
Elder Kearon's talk was very pleasant. What stood out to me most is something he said in connection to the Anti-Nephi-Lehites. They buried there weapons of war to testify that they were done committing sin against God and his children. We need to show that we will bury and reject our sins in order to be forgiven of them.
The main thing that I got out of Elder Uceda's talk was that the words "I'm sorry," along with the love of God can restore peace and harmony to our family and home. Through this same spirit we can have peace with God.
Pres. Uchtdorf's talk also mentioned a Pres. Benson talk on pride. Its one I've heard a couple of times and is extremely powerful. I will be rereading that one as well. I realized that the difference between pride and righteous praise is were the credit is given, either to ourselves or God. He talked about an experience with Pres. Faust where he learned that he should be grateful for praise, but not to inhale it. He ended by reminding us to choose to be humble today.
PR – less TV and more cleaning, exercise, reading, and practicing need to be done
The last part of Pres. Eyring's talk he was explaining about how we can perform in the Lord's work. Not everybody will accept what we say, but its important that we say it anyways as long as we are speaking for the Lord. PR – sometimes we just need to open our mouths. The power of the Holy Ghost comes to us in His service.
Pres. Monson talked about the 3 R's of agency. The right to choose, the responsibility to choose, and the results of choice. I missed part of this talk due to a technical problem in the broadcast, so I need to go back and reread it.
Sunday Morning
Elder Eyring's talk during this session is the one I mentioned before that uplifted on the topic of faith. As i listened to it I felt his faith radiating and filling me spiritually. I felt a strong fortification in my faith in certain areas where I had a testimony, but was seeking extra confirmation. He didn't address the question directly, but a confirming spirit clearly took over. As he quoted the scripture that says, "be still and know that I am God" is something I feel I need to remember when I'm struggling with something.
PR – the focus of this talk seems to be faith. This topic has been on my mind. I’ve had the faith that I would receive answers to the questions I’ve been having and I’m already seeing it performed. I will probably always have questions, I just need to remember to have faith and I will receive an answer.
This is strait form my notes and is something I hope to always remember. He also mentioned how the Lord calls on those who trust in Him. I need to continue to increase my faith in case the Lord needs to trust me.
Sis. Cook talked about leading our children and the youth of the world in the right direction. We can't have one hand on the rod and the other in the world because that will only leave our children confused. She mentioned we need to be careful with how we dress and the media we allow into our home.
Pres. Monson talked about gratitude this time. We all need to be more grateful. Too often we focus on what we lack instead of being grateful for what we have. The things that we are (or should be) most grateful for are usually the things that money cannot buy.
Sunday Afternoon
I found Elder Perry's talk to be a good reference to look for when working with youth.
PR - What is the legacy we are leaving with our children? Is it one of a good name?
This is what I got from Elder Arnold's talk. How will we be remembered by our children, grandchildren, etc. Is it something we want to be remembered for. We are free to choose, but we aren't free to choose the consequences. The commandments protect us from death and destruction.
In Pres. Monson's final address he reminded us that safety is found within the gospel.
PR – How do I show that I am grateful for them?
He mentioned how the brethren and leaders of the church pray for us like we do for them and they are grateful for us. I can feel that appreciation, but am I doing enough to show that I appreciate them.
That concludes my new blog. I know it was kind of long, but I hope you found it useful and helpful. Stay tuned for more blogs to come. Thanks.
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