October 2012 General Conference: Part I

I adore General Conference.

I love the advice and the guidance given.  I love the spirit felt with each talk and speaker.  I love the reaffirmation that we have a living prophet who gives us a clearer view of our personal road map.  I love the chastisement or critique presented that helps me know where I need to make improvements in my life.

I love General Conference.

Sidenote:  For those friends who don't know what General Conference is, let me give you a little definition.  General Conference is when leaders from the LDS church speak to members, investigators, and anyone who want to listen about the teachings and principles of our gospel.  If you're looking to find out more about the LDS faith, or just Jesus Christ in general, check out some of the talks by clicking HERE. 

 **My favorite speakers are Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Thomas S. Monson, but Marcus B. Nash gave a favorite talk for me this time too!

Here are a few of quotes and notes from this last Saturday session (October 6) in case you missed it...
 
Quentin L. Cook
 - When you feel disillusioned evaluate where you are in life.  You have enlisted to serve God - you left the neutral ground... Don't go back to that ground.
 - "The foundation for kindness begins in the home... Spiritual maturity must flourish in our homes."

Ann N. Dibb
 - "I am a Mormon. I know it.  I live it.  I love it!"
 - Are we as well-versed in gospel truths and how they fit into your life?  Knowledge is the power of God and salvation. As our gospel knowledge increases we can more fully live the gospel.

Craig C. Christensen
 - As a parent (future for me), take advantage of the questions from our children, and opportunities to share the gospel.  When your children feel something, tap into that and let them know when you feel the spirit.
 - Our blessings and the spirit are given upon our desires to receive them.... what desirest thou?

Russel M. Nelson
 - We keep all that is good and true from all religions and then add unto it with fervor. 
 - Families can be together forever, but it takes WORK.
 [My own thought - People keep telling me what's "normal" for a young adult my age... but LDS young adults aren't normal.  Haha!  We have to try and cut above the curve completely.]

Dieter F. Uchtdorf
 - Do you have any regrets?  Apply the gospel!  The blessings and teachings of the gospel prevent us from having regret.
 - "We often wear our business as a badge of honor..."  Moderation in ALL things.
 - God knows things about us that we do not know about ourselves - trust Him.
 - Don't focus on the trivial or fleeting - follow the Savior!
 - "Discipleship is a perusal of holiness and happiness - it is the path to our best and happiest self."
 - "When it comes to living the gospel, we should not be like the boy who dipped his toe in the water and then claimed he went swimming... we are capable of so much more."
 -  Listen to all the promptings that come to you!
 - It's not a race, it's a journey - enjoy the moment!  Don't focus to hard on the finish line.  Example: "Do we say our prayers with only the "amen" in mind?"  Happiness is available all the time - there's something in each day to bring excitement.
 -  "General conference is always a good time for both hearing and doing. Therefore, let us 'be … doers of the word, and not hearers only.''
 -  "I pray we will not wait until we are ready to die before we truly learn to live."

L. Tom Perry
 - Set values and expectations from the gospel.  
 - Teaching in the home is the most sacred calling - make the home come first... Pray, eat, and read the scriptures together.  Have Family Home Evenings each week.  Utilize church leaders, share your testimony often, organize clear expectations, and let family know you love them.
 - Teach them by example as well as precept- teach them to love and serve.

Robert C. Gay
 - Follow all promptings and listen to the spirit --> This was mentioned a LOT!
 - It is not enough just to avoid evil.  Able men who sit as sophisticated neutrals are a large part of Satan's plan.
 - Don't sell your soul for the candy bars and trophies of the world...

Scott D. Whiting
 - God sees all parts of you - do not undertake to cover up your sins... work to fix them.  Give 100% of your efforts 100% of the time. You are divine material.

Niel A. Andersen
 - When you have trials, don't step away from the gospel and what's holding you up.  Protect your faith by being close to it...
 - When you want to ask, "How can you ask so much?" of God, remember that His ways are higher than ours.
 - "A real but manageable test for one can be a fiery trial for another."
 -  Quoting Ezra Taft Benson, "Every [person] eventually is backed up to the wall of faith, and there … must make his stand.” --> Love this!
- "Hold on and fear not, for God shall be with you."

Dallin H. Oaks
 - Take a stand against that which you know to be wrong.
 - Making a child feel useless or unwanted is the worst of transgressions.  (Being a teacher and a nanny, I can completely see this to be the case - children are so fragile, and it's our job to build them up -not break them down.)
 -  "We are all under the Savior’s command to love and care for each other and especially for the weak and defenseless."
- "Children need others to speak for them, and they need decision makers who put their well-being ahead of selfish adult interests."

More on the Sunday session to come soon... :)
*muah*

Song of the Day: This is one of my faovrite songs that MoTab sang during these sessions... I adore the line that says, "Fear not. I am with thee."  I also love, "I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes!"  So powerful.  Here is The Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing, "How Firm a Foundation."  Enjoy!