This morning I awoke quite early to go walking. Just myself, the moon and stars out. It was a choice time to think. I have been preparing and praying for this weekend...pondering over what questions God would have me ask. For whatever reason I questioned whether I had received any personal revelation in the April general conference.
As I walked a quick flood of memories came to me as I remembered the Saturday morning session back in April. I had quite a bit of inner turmoil in my life at the time and I remembered watching the first conference session and every concern I had been worried about and that had been plaguing my soul--they were all answered and I was left with peace and great joy after the first session!! All the doubts and things that I had questioned about my path in life and what I had chosen to focus on up to that point, were all confirmed to my heart and mind. I sound a little dramatic I know, but in all honesty, the first session of that conference gave me answers to my very heavy heart.
Remembering this sweet mercy from God, I felt I needed to type up my notes. I know that God lives! I know that Jesus is the Christ! And I know from personal experience that if I watch conference prepared, God will reveal things personally to me/for me.
Happy Conference Weekend everyone! If you have time for a 5 min read, you won't be disappointed! ENJOY!
(a few things that touched me last LDS General Conference in April 2010)
“...reach out to the new converts or to those making their way back into the Church, to surround them with love and to help them feel at home.” 1
“When priesthood authority is exercised properly, priesthood bearers do what He would do if He were present.” 2
“We need everyone. The tired or worn out or lazy and even those who are bound down with guilt must be restored through repentance and forgiveness.” 2
“There will be times when all that stands as a shield between your family and the adversary’s mischief will be [priesthood] power”. 2
“...move forward, certain that the Lord will watch over us, particularly in the family”. 2
“...Despite popular media messages to the contrary, no one is rich enough, beautiful enough, or clever enough to avoid a mortal experience.” 3
“...there has never been a greater need for increased faith and personal righteousness.” 3
“A good woman knows that she does not have enough time, energy, or opportunity to take care of all of the people or do all of the worthy things her heart yearns to do.” 3
“The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life.” 3
“Revelation can come hour by hour and moment by moment as we do the right things.” 3
“...it is possible to feel bathed in help even during turbulent times.” 3
“Women should be women and not babies that need petting and correction all the time. I know we like to be appreciated but if we do not get all the appreciation which we think is our due, what matters? We know the Lord has laid high responsibility upon us, and there is not a wish or desire that the Lord has implanted in our hearts in righteousness but will be realized, and the greatest good we can do to ourselves and each other is to refine and cultivate ourselves in everything that is good and ennobling to qualify us for those responsibilities.” -Eliza R. Snow - 3
“When we have done our very best, we may still experience disappointments, but we will not be disappointed in ourselves. We can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when we feel the Spirit working through us. (Preach My Gospel)” 3
“...it is our duty to pray. (Brigham Young)” 4
“It is as important to be guided by the Holy Spirit while praying as it is to be enlightened by that same Spirit while receiving an answer to prayer. “4
“... [Heavenly Father] answers every sincere prayer.” 4
“...hope...does not depend upon circumstance.” 5
“...hope and happiness and joy are not products of circumstance but of faith in the Lord.” 5
“There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman.” 6
“...hold your tongues about things of no moment” (Joseph Smith) 6
“Teach your daughters about things of the Spirit. Point them to the scriptures. Give them experiences that will help them cherish the blessing of priesthood power in their lives. Through keeping covenants they will learn to hear the voice of the Lord and receive personal revelation. God will truly hear and answer their prayers.” 6
“Of all the help we can give these young people, the greatest will be to let them feel our confidence that they are on the path home to God and that they can make it. And we do that best by going with them.” 7
“There is no such thing as overpreparing to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, for gospel insights, whether or not they are used during class time, can always be taught in the home.” 8
“The scriptures also enlarge our memory by helping us not forget what we and earlier generations have learned.” 9
“Today the Bible and other scripture are readily at hand, yet there is a growing scriptural illiteracy because people will not open the books. Consequently they have forgotten things their grandparents knew.” 9
“Faith comes by the witness of the Holy Spirit to our souls, Spirit to spirit, as we hear or read the word of God. And faith matures as we continue to feast upon the word.” 9
“...our need for constant recourse to the scriptures is greater than in any previous time.” 9
“...each day seek out those in need, that we might be the hands of the Lord in helping and saving His children.” 10
“...our partial or selective compliance with God’s laws will fail to bring the full blessings of obedience.” 11
“I made this my rule: When the Lord commands, do it.” (Joseph Smith ) 11
“Spiritual warnings should lead to increasingly vigilant watching.” 12
“...the Book of Mormon speaks to the spirit and to the heart of the reader like no other volume of scripture.” 12
“Youth of all ages, even infants, can and do respond to the distinctive spirit of the Book of Mormon.” 12
“This early warning system applies to children of all ages and contains three basic components: (1) reading and talking about the Book of Mormon with your children, (2) bearing testimony of gospel truths spontaneously with your children, and (3) inviting children as gospel learners to act and not merely be acted upon.” 12
“As gospel learners, we should be “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22) 12
“...a child is never too young to take part in this pattern of learning.” 12
“Love makes us instinctively reach out to God and other people. Lust, on the other hand, is anything but godly and celebrates self-indulgence.’ 13
“Love comes with open hands and open heart; lust comes with only an open appetite.” 13
“...how to guard against temptation in whatever form it may present itself.
Above all, start by separating yourself from people, materials, and circumstances that will harm you. As those battling something like alcoholism know, the pull of proximity can be fatal. So too in moral matters. Like Joseph in the presence of Potiphar’s wife, (Genesis 39:1-13 just run—run as far away as you can get from whatever or whoever it is that beguiles you. And please, when fleeing the scene of temptation, do not leave a forwarding address.
Acknowledge that people bound by the chains of true addictions often need more help than self-help, and that may include you. Seek that help and welcome it. Talk to your bishop. Follow his counsel. Ask for a priesthood blessing. Use the Church’s Family Services offerings or seek other suitable professional help. Pray without ceasing. Ask for angels to help you.
Along with filters on computers and a lock on affections, remember that the only real control in life is self-control. Exercise more control over even the marginal moments that confront you. If a TV show is indecent, turn it off. If a movie is crude, walk out. If an improper relationship is developing, sever it. Many of these influences, at least initially, may not technically be evil, but they can blunt our judgment, dull our spirituality, and lead to something that could be evil. An old proverb says that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, (Lao Tzu) so watch your step.
Like thieves in the night, unwelcome thoughts can and do seek entrance to our minds. But we don’t have to throw open the door, serve them tea and crumpets, and then tell them where the silverware is kept! (You shouldn’t be serving tea anyway.) Throw the rascals out! Replace lewd thoughts with hopeful images and joyful memories; picture the faces of those who love you and would be shattered if you let them down. More than one man has been saved from sin or stupidity by remembering the face of his mother, his wife, or his child waiting somewhere for him at home. Whatever thoughts you have, make sure they are welcome in your heart by invitation only. As an ancient poet once said, let will be your reason. (Juvenal)
Cultivate and be where the Spirit of the Lord is. Make sure that includes your own home or apartment, dictating the kind of art, music, and literature you keep there. If you are endowed, go to the temple as often as your circumstances allow. Remember that the temple arms you “with [God’s] power, … [puts His] glory … round about [you], and [gives His] angels … charge over [you].” (D&C 109:22) And when you leave the temple, remember the symbols you take with you, never to be set aside or forgotten. ... If we want it dearly and deeply enough, that enemy can and will be rebuked by the redeeming power of the Lord Jesus Christ.” 13 (emphasis added by me)
“But if we do sin, however serious that sin may be, we can be rescued by that same majestic figure, He who bears the only name given under heaven whereby any man or woman can be saved. (Acts 4:12)” 13
“Patience—the ability to put our desires on hold for a time—is a precious and rare virtue.” 14
“Nevertheless, without patience, we cannot please God; we cannot become perfect.” 14
“Indeed, patience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action, and offers hope for peace.” 14
“...patience require[s] actively working toward worthwhile goals and not getting discouraged when results [don’t] appear instantly or without effort.” 14
“It is not good to make others feel as though they are deficient.” 14
“When we are tempted to judge, let us think of the Savior, who “loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. …” 14
“We are all in need of mercy.” 14
“Every person we meet is a VIP to our Heavenly Father.” 14
“Once we understand that, we can begin to understand how we should treat our fellowmen.” 14
“Let us love at all times.” 14
“Love is what inspired our Heavenly Father to create our spirits; it is what led our Savior to the Garden of Gethsemane to make Himself a ransom for our sins. Love is the grand motive of the plan of salvation; it is the source of happiness, the ever-renewing spring of healing, the precious fountain of hope.” 14
“The Atonement gives all the opportunity to overcome the consequences of mistakes made in life.” 15
“As you ponder—not just read but ponder and meditate—on scriptural passages, the power of the Holy Ghost will distill truths in your mind and heart as a secure foundation in this uncertain time in which we live. As parents, prepare your children for the challenges they will encounter. Teach them truth, encourage them to live it, and they will be all right no matter how severely the world is shaken.” 15
“When the Savior is the center of your home, it is filled with peace and serenity.” 15
“No matter the size of the issue, how we respond can reset the course of our life.” 16
“Never let an earthly circumstance disable you spiritually.” 16
“Sacrament meeting is the most sacred and holy of all the meetings in the Church.” 17
‘We don’t fully comprehend the Atonement, but we can spend our lives trying to be more loving and kind, regardless of the adversity we face.” 17
“How we relate and interact with each other is a measure of our willingness to follow Jesus Christ. ... I invite each one of us individually to recognize that how we disagree is a real measure of who we are and whether we truly follow the Savior. It is appropriate to disagree, but it is not appropriate to be disagreeable.” 17
“If we want to have the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, we must find time to slow down, ponder, pray, and live so we are worthy to receive and act upon His promptings.” 17
“We will avoid major mistakes if we heed His warnings.” 17
“If there is a design in this world in which we live, there must be a Designer.” 1
“At the last moment, the Master could have turned back. But He did not.” 1
“...in our hour of deepest sorrow, we can receive profound peace...” 1
“Every human being who comes to this earth is the product of generations of parents.” 18
“In these perilous times it is not enough for our youth to merely know. They must do.” 19
“...the greatest influence does not come from an interview with the bishop or some other leader but from the regular, warm, friendly, caring interaction with parents.” 19
“There is no greater good in all the world than motherhood.” (President James E. Faust) 20
“... distraction doesn’t have to be evil to be effective...” 20
“The love of a true mother comes nearer [to] being like the love of God than any other kind of love.” (President Joseph F. Smith)” 20
...“all things work together for good to them that love God.” (Romans 8:28) 21
“Many blessings in life are missed because worldly judgment was applied to what was really a spiritual decision.” 22
“Our challenge as parents and teachers is not to create a spiritual core in [the rising generations’] souls but rather to fan the flame of their spiritual core already aglow with the fire of their premortal faith.” 23
“If a child is not listening, don’t despair. Time and truth are on your side. At the right moment, your words will return as if from heaven itself. Your testimony will never leave your children.” 23
“Two men can do anything as long as one of them is the Lord” (Elder Daniel Forrest)” 23
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”(proverbs 3:5-6) That has been the story of my life.” 1
“...look to the lighthouse of the Lord. There is no fog so dense, no night so dark, no gale so strong, no mariner so lost but what its beacon light can rescue.” 1
President Thomas S. Monson
President Boyd K. Packer
Julie B. Beck
Bishop Keith B. McMullin
Elder Wilford W. Anderson
Elder M. Russell Ballard
Elder Henry B. Eyring
Elder L. Tom Perry
Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Elder Koichi Aoyagi
Elder Bruce A. Carlson
Elder David A. Bednar
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Elder Richard G. Scott
Elder Donald L. Hallstrom
Elder Quentin L. Cook
Elder Russell M. Nelson
Elder Robert D. Hales
Elder Bradley D. Foster
Elder James B. Martino
Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer
Elder Neil L. Andersen
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