Conference weekend!

It was Conference this weekend. Growing up, i never knew when Conference was. My mom would always turn it on, but we'd go about doing our business, listening to the bretheren speaking in the background, but never really paying attention. How very differenly i look at it now. I look forward to it and prepare, knowing that Heavenly Father has inspired speakers to say some things to me, personally. Isn't that wonderful? That Heavenly Father loves us so much, that he would counsel us, and even rebuke us, to save us? (for i was chastened a few times... but i'm glad for it. Because, i know he loves us and it's to better us, which will make us happier. Isn't that what we ultimately want, happiness? It's what i want. )

I'm sad to say that i didn't have a notebook with me for all the talks, but here are a few of the notes i took.

Richard G Scott started the conference out with some thoughts on revealation. He said "if you constantly strive to recognize and follow the promptings you receive, your confidence in the direction you receive will also become stronger. He also said that strong emotions such as hate, anger, passion, fear and pride can overcome the delicate promptings of the spirit and to beware of that.

Vicki Matsumori talked about sharing our testimonies to help others.

L. Whitney Clayton talked about trials. He said some come randomly, some by the sin of others, and some we place on ourselves. Sometimes time, courage and faith are needed to overcome our trials. He reads a scripture that says the Lord does visit his people in their afflictions, and "be of good cheer, for on the morrow, i will deliver you."

Russell T Osguthorpe talked about teaching. The goal of teaching is not to dump information but to inspire.

President Henry B Eyring talked about God's love and how it's the motivating principle to become like him. Our sorrows come from selfishness, which is the absense of love. God cannot compell us to choose happiness. He also talks about strengthening our relationships with our family members, because our families is where our greatest joys will come from.

L. Tom Perry talked about thinking and reasoning about our problems before we go to the Lord and ask. That we can't merely ask, but we need to study it out in our mind and ask if it be right. He also asked how prepared we were to teach and testify about 1) the restoration 2) the plan of salvation 3) the gospel, when called upon.

H. David Burton talked about virtues. He said alot of the population right now won't take responsibility for their decisions concerning temporal welfare. They want to blame others for their choices concerning debt. He called the most important virtues the "ity" virtues. (charity, intergrity, fidelity, generosity, humility, responsibility, etc.) he quote the 13th article of faith.

Ann M. Dibb used an analogy of some workers who had safety equipment and CHOSE not to use it and how we too, have access to saftey equipment (the gospel: prayer, scriptures, prophets and the holy ghost). are we choosing to use it?

She tells us to "get a grip", referring to the iron rod. How everyone is engulfed in the mist of darkness, but those who have a firm grip on the iron rod (the gospel) are safe, and not lead away into forbidden paths and destruction.

She also reminds us that if we've lost hold of the rod, there's ALWAYS a way back. (always)

Russell M Nelson reminds us that we can hear from Heavenly Father without hardware, software or monthly service fees. "This timeless offer is extended to ALL. Always be ready to receive it."

To access revealtion we need to have faith, desire, a sincere heart and REAL intent. (meaning one REALLY intends to follow the direction given.)

He reminds again that we need to study our problems out and ask if our decision is right. We will FEEL that it is or not.

He says, the natural man receives not the spiritual things of God. They are foolishness unto him. He understands not because they are spiritually discerned.

President Thomas S. Monson talked about service and how we need to lose ourselves in it. By doing so, we will be happy.

Jeffery R. Holland was pretty bold. He talked about the mist of darkness and how it comes, obscuring all view. It descends on ALL travelers, weak or elect. The successful travelers resist ALL distractions. PRESS forward, holding fast to the iron rod, however dark the night or day.

He points out how no wicked man could write the Book of Mormon and no good man would, unless he were commanded to do so.

Quinten L. Cook talked about responsibility vs accountability. That we will be accountable for our own sins. (that's... all i have written down... ha)

D. Todd Christofferson talked about the word disciple and discipline. How the world teaches that truth is relative and different for each person. "Every man walketh in his own way.."

He asks, "what happened to gentlemen?" They insured that laws were kept concerning the treatment of ladies but now we rely on the government and laws to enforce sexual harassment laws. That should be a last resort. It is a measure of how uncivilized we have become.

He talks about parents teaching their children and that to affectively let them use their agency, we must teach them the truth, so that they may more accurately choose which way they want to follow. "They should not have to learn by sad experience that wickedness never was happiness."

He also talks about temptation. How we may WANT to yield, but we dont HAVE to. Mere WANTING is hardly a moral guide. That therapy can help support a will (in overcoming addictions, etc) but it cannot take it's place. Eventually, we must CHOOSE discipline to overcome our weakness.

President Thomas S. Monson reminded us that "we're all in this together and we all have a part."

Kent D. Watson talked about temperance. I really liked this talk. It chastened me. I liked the analogy of tempered glass. That it is stronger because it has gone through intense heat, so that when it encounters opposition and shatters, it not will create sharp shards that damage others.

I wish i had made notes for every talk because i got something from them all. I know we all get something different from each talk, for Heavenly Father fits the counsel to each of us. So if you haven't already, i would invite you to listen.

http://www.lds.org/move/index.html?type=conference&event=Oct179&lang=english#

The church, is true!