I love general conference! It gives me the opportunity to hear and learn from the prophet and apostles. I can always be sure that my prayers will be answered through someones talk. I have to say that I love all 15 of these men of God but I do have my favorites.
President Monson is our beloved prophet. I love this man. I always learn from him and his words always comfort me and remind me that I am a daughter of god. In this past general conference President Thomas S. Monson spoke to the world about temples. He said, "Each one stands as a beacon to the world, an expression of our testimony that God, our Eternal Father, lives, that He desires to bless us and, indeed, to bless His sons and daughters of all generations. Each of our temples is an expression of our testimony that life beyond the grave is as real and as certain as is our life here on earth." I'm grateful for his testimony on the importance of going to the temple to make and receive covenants from the Lord that I know we can receive no where else. I know that the temple is the door to the greatest happiness we can find in our lives. I hope that I can do as the prophet has taught...to do all I can to go to the temple often and learn all I can so that I can become more like the Savior.
President Uchtdorf is the second counselor in the general presidency and is another 'favorite' of mine. It might be his German accent or the fact that he is always smiling but whatever the reason I do know that he is an apostle of the Lord and I always learn from him. In general conference he spoke about diligently seeking Christ. He taught that belief in Christ comes one step at a time and that the best way to come to know Christ is to diligently seek for him everyday. I know that we have to share the gospel to grow in it, we must serve others and remember that our Father in Heaven loves us each individually. This talk was exactly what I needed....it is nice to hear a reminder from a prophet of God that the Lord loves me individually. I also learned once again that I must act in faith and search for the answers to my prayers in order to be guided to the right choices.
President Uchtdorf said, "The truth is, those who diligently seek to learn of Christ eventually will come to know Him. They will personally receive a divine portrait of the Master, although it most often comes in the form of a puzzle—one piece at a time. Each individual piece may not be easily recognizable by itself; it may not be clear how it relates to the whole. Each piece helps us to see the big picture a little more clearly. Eventually, after enough pieces have been put together, we recognize the grand beauty of it all. Then, looking back on our experience, we see that the Savior had indeed come to be with us—not all at once but quietly, gently, almost unnoticed."
Elder Scott is a wonderful apostle of the Lord and at this last conference he gave one of the most wonderful and spirit filled talks. I think I cried during most the entire talk...tears of happiness. He spoke about marriage and the eternal blessings it brings. He told personal stories about his wife and the love that they shared because they were sealed in the temple and it reminded me of the happiness and blessings I have been given because of my marriage in the temple. I learned how important it is to make sure that my husband knows how much I love him every day. He said, "Pure love is an incomparable, potent power for good. Righteous love is the foundation of a successful marriage." Eternal marriage gives the blessings of the temple and the blessing of having my best friend with me always. "It is so rewarding to be married. Marriage is wonderful. In time you begin to think alike and have the same ideas and impressions. You have times when you are extremely happy, times of testing, and times of trial, but the Lord guides you through all of those growth experiences together." I'm grateful that I have the blessing of being sealed to mike for all eternity. I hope I can learn from Elder Scott and show more love to my husband everyday and we can grow stronger as a couple.
Elder Holland also strengthened my testimony of prophets during conference. I'm grateful for his words of reminder to listen to the words of the prophets and that the words come from the Lord and are what the Lord wants his people to hear and know. I am grateful to know that the words of the prophet are an ensign to the nations and that the Brethren spend so much time trying to make sure that they are saying what the Lord wants them to say. I'm grateful for the time and effort they spend to teach me and help me to know what I need to do to improve.
Elder Nelson spoke on facing our futures with faith. Where their is faith, their cannot be fear; "Teach of faith to know that obedience to the commandments of God will provide physical and spiritual protection." Having faith in the Plan of Salvation is the only way that we can get through the trials that we are put through in life. It is the safest way back to our heavenly home. By praying for an eternal perspective like Elder Nelson suggests, we can and will have a deeper faith in the Lord's plan for each of us. Faith is essential to receive blessings. Often we must have faith first and then we will receive the blessings we desire. Prayer and doing the little things we have been asked to do like reading scriptures, family home evening and serving others are things we can do to strengthen our faith and will help us through life challenges. I know that if I remember the love the Lord has for me then it will be easier to have faith and that faith will shine a light through the darkest day.
I'm grateful that the Lord still speaks to his people through his prophets today. Their testimonies strengthen mine and inspire me to be better and live my life in such a way that I can know how much the Savior loves me. I am grateful that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I know that it is true. I'm grateful for prophets and their teachings. I'm grateful for my Savior and that he loves me unconditionally and has provided a way for me to return home again.
These 5 talks can be found at these websites if you would like to read them for your self:
http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/an-ensign-to-the-nations?lang=eng
http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-eternal-blessings-of-marriage?lang=eng
http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/waiting-on-the-road-to-damascus?lang=eng
http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-holy-temple-a-beacon-to-the-world?lang=eng
http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/face-the-future-with-faith?lang=eng
And if you want to read/study the other wonderful talks given at conference go to this website:
http://lds.org/?lang=eng
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