HAPPY CONFERENCE WEEK!

With conference this weekend, it was time for me to pull out my notes from last conference. Wow! Can we just say spiritual feast! I can't wait to find out what the Lord has in store for us--ME this weekend.

GENERAL CONFERENCE NOTES/QUOTES - OCT 2009
*Burdens provide opportunities to practice virtues that contribute to eventual perfection. 2

*The suffering we experience through the offenses of others is a valuable, though painful, school for improving our own behavior.2

*Learning and teaching are not optional activities in the kingdom of God.3

*...as you gain experience and success in being guided by the Spirit, your confidence in the impressions you feel can become more certain than your dependence on what you see or hear. 1

*Spirituality yields two fruits. The first is inspiration to know what to do. The second is power, or the capacity to do it.1

*...the Lord will not force you to learn. You must exercise your agency to authorize the Spirit to teach you. 1

*...as you pray with all the fervor of your soul with humility and gratitude, you can learn to be consistently guided by the Holy Spirit in all aspects of your life. 1

* In my office is a beautiful painting of a wheat field. The painting is a vast collection of individual brushstrokes—none of which in isolation is very interesting or impressive. In fact, if you stand close to the canvas, all you can see is a mass of seemingly unrelated and unattractive streaks of yellow and gold and brown paint. However, as you gradually move away from the canvas, all of the individual brushstrokes combine together and produce a magnificent landscape of a wheat field. Many ordinary, individual brushstrokes work together to create a captivating and beautiful painting.
Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results. “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33). Consistency is a key principle as we lay the foundation of a great work in our individual lives and as we become more diligent and concerned in our own homes.4

*...when a call comes, you accept it, no matter how inadequate you might feel.3

*Love is the measure of our faith, the inspiration for our obedience, and the true altitude of our discipleship.5

*No, God does not need us to love Him. But oh, how we need to love God!5

*For what we love determines what we seek.5
*Love is the defining characteristic of a disciple of Christ.5

*God the Father watches over us, fills our hearts with breathtaking joy, brightens our darkest hours with blessed peace, distills upon our minds precious truths, shepherds us through times of distress, rejoices when we rejoice, and answers our righteous petitions.5

*Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely.5

*We are important to God not because of our résumé but because we are His children.5

*He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken.5

*God’s love is so great that He loves even the proud, the selfish, the arrogant, and the wicked.5

*Because love is the great commandment, it ought to be at the center of all and everything we do in our own family, in our Church callings, and in our livelihood. Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk.5

*...don’t get discouraged if you stumble at times. Don’t feel downcast or despair if you don’t feel worthy to be a disciple of Christ at all times. The first step to walking in righteousness is simply to try.5

*Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible—and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you.5

*As we draw near to Heavenly Father, we become more holy. And as we become more holy, we will overcome disbelief and our souls will be filled with His blessed light. As we align our lives with this supernal light, it leads us out of darkness and toward greater light. This greater light leads to the unspeakable ministerings of the Holy Spirit, and the veil between heaven and earth can become thin.5

*The divine love of God turns ordinary acts into extraordinary service.5

*I testify that God is in His heaven. He lives. He knows and loves you. He is mindful of you. He hears your prayers and knows the desires of your heart. He is filled with infinite love for you.5

*Cultivate a diligent desire to know that God lives.6

*Let us with faith, enthusiasm, dedication, responsibility, and love do all that is within our reach, and we will be doing all that is possible to achieve the impossible—that is, to achieve what for the human mind is impossible but with the divine intervention of our loving Father and the infinite sacrifice brought about by our Savior becomes the greatest gift, the most glorious of realities, to live forever with God and with our families.7

*...it is possible to be happy now and forever.7

*Learning to be temperate in all things is a spiritual gift available through the Holy Ghost.8

* Tempered glass, like tempered steel, undergoes a well-controlled heating process which increases strength. Thus, when tempered glass is under stress, it will not easily break into jagged shards that can injure.
Likewise, a temperate soul—one who is humble and full of love—is also a person of increased spiritual strength.8

*Divine forgiveness is one of the sweetest fruits of the gospel, removing guilt and pain from our hearts and replacing them with joy and peace of conscience.9

*For most, repentance is more a journey than a one-time event. 9

*Repentance is turning away from some things, such as dishonesty, pride, anger, and impure thoughts, and turning toward other things, such as kindness, unselfishness, patience, and spirituality. It is “re-turning” toward God.9

*...our Savior can deliver us from our sins.9

*One of the adversary’s sharpest tools is to convince us that we are no longer worthy to pray. No matter who you are or what you may have done, you can always pray.10

*Worthy music is powerful and can help you control your thoughts. (D&C 25:12)10

*Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind, in your heart. Pray on your knees. Prayer is your personal key to heaven. The lock is on your side of the veil. And I have learned to conclude all my prayers with “Thy will be done” (Matthew 6:10; see also Luke 11:2; 3 Nephi 13:10).10

* With thoughtless and impatient hands
We tangle up the plans
The Lord hath wrought.
And when we cry in pain He saith,
“Be quiet, man, while I untie the knot.”10(Author unknown, in Jack M. Lyon and others, eds., Best-Loved Poems of the LDS People (1996), 304.)

*He [President Thomas S. Monson] needs our prayers—and his wife, Frances, and their family—in the tremendous load that is upon him.10

*...to husbands and wives. Pray for the love which allows you to see the good in your companion. Pray for the love that makes weaknesses and mistakes seem small. Pray for the love to make your companion’s joy your own. Pray for the love to want to lessen the load and soften the sorrows of your companion.11

*“Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God.” (Orson F. Whitney, in Conference Report, Apr. 1929, 110.)11

*Preparation removes fear.12

*...repent, hold on, and don’t let go.13

*Even more amazing than modern technology is our opportunity to access information directly from heaven, without hardware, software, or monthly service fees.14

*“Real intent” means that one really intends to follow the divine direction given.14

*The gift of spiritual discernment is a supernal gift.14 (D&C 46:23, 26-27

*Patience and perseverance are part of our eternal progression.14

*Each must be persuaded that service and sacrifice for the well-being and happiness of others are far superior to making one’s own comfort and possessions the highest priority.15

*If we heed His words and live the commandments, we will survive this time of permissiveness and wickedness---a time which can be compared with the waves and the winds and the floods that can destroy. He is ever mindful of us. He loves us and will bless us as we do what is right.16

*May God give us the strength and the ability and the determination to play our part well.16

1. Elder Richard G. Scott - To Acquire Spiritual Guidance
2. Elder L. Whitney Clayton - That Your Burdens May Be Light
3. Russell T. Osguthorpe - Teaching Helps Save Lives
4. Elder David A. Bednar - More Diligent and Concerned at Home
5. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf - The Love of God
6. Elder Robert D. Hales - Seeking to Know God, Our Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ
7. Elder Jorge F. Zeballos - Attempting the Impossible
8. Elder Kent D. Watson -Being Temperate in All Things
9. Elder Neil L. Andersen - “Repent . . . That I May Heal You”
10. President Boyd K. Packer - Prayer and Promptings
11. President Henry B. Eyring - Our Perfect Example
12. Elder L. Tom Perry - The Past Way of Facing the Future
13. Ann M. Dibb - Hold On
14. Elder Russell M. Nelson - Ask, Seek, Knock
15. Elder D. Todd Christofferson - Moral Discipline
16. President Thomas S. Monson - Closing Remarks

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Amazing conference! And you are amazing if you were able to read through all of those thoughts! I really try to be choosy with the quotes I put down! [True statement].

I know that God answers prayers. He is so kind and loving. Surely if we will prepare for conference with questions ready in our hearts, He will give us answers through His appointed servants.

Jesus is the Christ! Oh how I love Him. He knows how to work with all my weaknesses and my many imperfections. He loves me without any requirements or down deposits. He believes in me/us even when we feel there is no hope. He is the master carver of our souls. And I am sure glad His hand is steady. He stands waiting at the door. He never gives up on us. It is never too late to decide that He is the better master! He is the sure choice. He is the best Savior for our souls!

Happy Conference everyone!