Thoughts on General Conference

How we love General Conference! I have so many thoughts and impressions running around in my head that I need to get some of them down for my own benefit.

1. I loved Elder Robert D. Hales talk on Provident Living. I agree that the lessons we have the opportunity to learn in these economic times can be a great blessing to us. Greg and I have already experienced some of those blessings. Learning to sort out wants from needs and asking the questions " Is this temporary or of eternal value?" and "Even if we can afford this, do we need it?" can be very helpful to put ourselves in a better financial (and spiritual) situation.
2. The thought that reverence invites revelation from Sister Lifferth.
3. Testimony is to know and to feel; conviction is to DO, to act on that testimony. (Elder Alan Packer)
4. Elder D. Todd Christopherson's thoughts that by keeping temple covenants, we receive strength in adversity. (An oft-repeated theme of conference).
5. Even the smallest of choices result in spiritual consequences for ourselves and our posterity.
6. Elder Richard G. Scott's counsel to set a goal for temple attendance. Don't be hurried, rotate ordinances, remove our watches, and listen with our heart and mind. Don't complain in adversity but ask what the Lord wants us to learn from it. We need never complain about what happens to us when we are trying to live righteously. Temple covenants bind us together forever and give us the ability to endure afflictions and even death of loved ones.
7. Elder Russell M. Nelson: "Pray for the Kingdom of Heaven to come"! (Lessons from the Lord's prayers). Pray for His will to be done in our lives. Also, we can pray as long as we want in our personal prayers, but public prayers should be short supplications.
8. Pres. Dieter F. Uchdorf's message on the week of Palm Sunday through Easter morning as an opportunity for us to really turn our hearts to Christ. And again, the message that the gospel is a way of discipleship even in times of peril and adversity. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the ultimate formula for happiness and success...but certainly not an "overnight fix". We must nourish the seed of faith. Discipleship is not a spectator sport!
9. Elder Neil L. Anderson, our newly announced apostle replacing Elder Joseph Wirthlin who died last December, is such a welcome addition to the quorum. He was the Seventy over the Idaho Area before Elder Claudio Costa. Upon finding out that my husband was in the LDS hospital in Salt Lake a couple of years ago, he came there and gave him a beautiful priesthood blessing. How touched and very grateful we were for that act of unselfishness and kindness on his part. And Greg once again recovered much faster than the doctors told us he would. He will always hold a special place in our hearts. I remember him saying in this conference talk that keeping our covenants will be a badge of honor and that we need to remember who we are at all times!
10. Elder Jeffery R. Holland's talk was one that I will never forget. As my mom said, we should be grateful we were able to see him give this talk and not just read it at a later date. The deep emotion and testimony with which he spoke on Christ's Atonement drove the message deep into my heart. I am so grateful Christ determined to be faithful to the end and complete what He promised He would do. Because He walked alone, we will never have to. And now we must never leave Him alone in this great work! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc
11. President Monson counseling us again not to be discouraged but to have joy despite all we must endure. The joy we experience in this life is a matter of the faith we possess. He gave three beautiful examples which I am anxious to read and review.
12. Elder Dallin H. Oaks' counsel not to be worldly, (a message I got over and over from this Conference). I loved this quote: "You can't be a lifesaver if you look like all the other swimmers on the beach." Refrain from being a part of the "me" generation. Sacrifice is not out of fashion. We need to be unique and a light to the world by forgetting ourselves and defending what is right and true.
13. Elder David A. Bednar's message on worthiness to receive and honor temple covenants and ordinances. There is a tremendous protection available in temple covenants. The "fire of the covenant" will burn within us as we serve in the temple. Greg and I both had the same impression after this conference that we need to set a goal for weekly temple attendance.
14. L. Tom Perry's counsel to be a part of this great missionary effort; that we should not be MIA (missing in action). We have a responsibility to be the finders and fellowshippers so that the full-time missionaries can be the teachers.
15. President Monson's closing remarks were brief but very thought-provoking. He spoke out once again against the evils of pornography and the responsibility we have to use the Internet the way the Lord intended. He also counseled us to attend the temple more often...I see a theme here! We need to make our homes a place of love and peace, nourish our testimonies, pray for him and our other general authorities, and study these conference talks when they are published in the Ensign. Great counsel from a Prophet of God!

These are impressions which came to me and that I made note of. What a glorious and spiritual two-day feast! I am grateful for the opportunity to study these messages as they are printed in the Ensign and again in our Sacrament and Relief Society meetings over the next 6 months. I am so revitalized and uplifted! My prayer is that I will keep these feelings by my actions in the days to come. The Holy Spirit has born witness to me that what I have heard is from a loving Heavenly Father through his prophets and apostles on the earth today.