Sunday, October 5, 2014

General Conference, October 2014

General Conference, October 2014

First of all, I feel just so happy and grateful and excited. I also, for the first time, really tried to listen tot he prayer and involve myself in it. It helped. I feel more prepared to feel the Spirit. The sister prayed that we would have a greater resolve to serve others and keep the commandments. I want a greater resolve to:

  • love Heavenly Father
  • pray sincerely
  • share the gospel
  • stand for truth and righteousness
  • ask inspired questions (to members and non-members)
  • study my scriptures 
  • bless my family
  • serve Joseph selflessly
  • be a good mom

President Monson

  • 171 temples (once all are finished and dedicated)
  • 90th anniversary of radio broadcast

Boyd K. Packer

  • He met a man who didn't think he was Christian. So Packer used the topical guide to show how many scriptures there were about Jesus Christ. USE THE SCRIPTURES. 
  • The atonement gives not only gives us forgiveness and redemption, but promises peace if we choose to follow Christ.
  • The Savior's atonement can do so much more for us than we know, expect, think. 
  • He talked about how large the church is and gave statistics. He said it was evidence that the stone that was cut out of the mountain without hands continues to fill the earth. But no matter how large it is, the true strength of the gospel will be measured by each individual person's testimony.
  • We need each and every one of us in the gospel to influence the world. We may think, "I'm only one person. What can I do?" We are each parts of the body of Christ and are needed. 
  • There is no end to his power to help those who believe in Him. 

Lynn G. Robbins

  • Which way do you face? (A quote from Boyd K. Packer) He meant that a seventy is the face of the prophet to the people, not the people to the prophet.
  • Sometimes we worry about what others think of us. This makes us avoid conflict or standing up for what is right in the face of those who disagree with us. This kind of behavior is a snare. The fear of offending others is a snare. "I fear not what man can do" (Mormon). "I seek for freedom...not power" (Captain Moroni).
  • Others' scornful reaction or unkind words or even laughter is a manifestation of their guilt. Be loving and allow them time to think about it (see Korihor).
  • Lowering the Lord's standards to match those of the world is apostasy.  
  • This is coupled with not doing things to be seen of men.

Cheryl Esplin

  • During the Sacrament, think of more than just the things that I need to repent of. Instead, think about when His enabling power helped me.
  • Let the Savior's life and actions and teachings dictate everything I do. If I have questions, think about what He would do.  
  • The method to receive forgiveness: confess, seek restitution, Sacrament, be forgiven. Spiritual healing will come. 
  • The more we think about and prepare for the Sacrament, the more I will get out of it. Seek a holy communion, a renewal, a sacred experience. 

Chi Hong Wong

  • Look this over and study the story. It's about working as hard as possible to bring people unto Christ.
  • We are each needed in the church. Our combined faith WILL effect change in others. 
  • We should always be anxiously engaged in bringing people to Christ. 

D. Todd Christofferson

  • We have the principle decision-making role in our lives.
  • We are not puppets. If God were a puppeteer and want to control us, then everyone would believe! But it's hard and we have to make the decision to follow Him and deny ourselves.
  • The real manifestation of God's love are His commandments.
  • God is just. There are some things God cannot do. He cannot allow sin with any degree of allowance. Mercy is for those that use it, not for everyone just because He loves them. 
  • Christ died not to save indiscriminately, but to save based on repentance. 
  • THIS TALK ROCKS. So much doctrine on justice and mercy
  • A god who makes no demands, is a god that doesn't exist. With a god like this, moral relativism would reign.
  • We DO NOT decide individually what is right or wrong. There would be no reason for life. 
  • We must defend our personal accountability so that we never become dependent.  

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

  • Imagine trying to explain a jumbo jet or a microwave to someone a thousand years ago. They'd think I were crazy and wouldn't believe what I had to say.
  • That is what truth might seem like to some people. But believe it and share it and show that it brings joy. 
  • Tell them to start with a desire. 
  • "If you do your part, [your witness] will come."
  • Think about your testimony as a loyal friend. Something that supports you in hard times. Something you want to spend time with and strengthen. Something you love and that stays with you.

Saturday Afternoon

Dallin H. Oaks

  • Love my neighbor. Love all people and show concern. Disagree by don't be disagreeable. 
  • Avoid contention, even when standing for truth and righteousness. "Wise men turn away wrath." Don't argue. But don't surrender our positions or values. Don't compromise what I need to be true.
  • I am an enemy to the world. Embrace and accept it. And don't even approach middle ground. Be firm and do not waver. I may be called a bigot or a fanatic.

Neil L. Anderson

  • Christ was called glutenous; Joseph Smith was defamed, too. I probably will be. 
  • To sincere inquirers, encourage them to look at true sources, both sides. Then to ask God about it. 
  • I'm so grateful for my testimony. It is so precious to me. I know that I have a calling to represent the prophet, the Church, and the Savior.
  • To strengthen my testimony, find things you already know to be true, and bear testimony of those things. Then read more things, like the testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Tad R. Callister

  • Parents. If we don't teach our children how to pray and what to pray for and how to act, who will?
  • I just can't wait to be a parent and to teach my children.
  • In the eternities, the only titles we will hold will be father, mother....

Jorg Klebington

  • What is my standing before the Lord? Would I talk to Him?
  • To be more spiritually confident, protect my temple. Exercise and eating. Be the master of my body and temple.
  • Become really really good at repenting completely. 

Jeffrey R. Holland

  • Christianity is not a statistical endeavor. 
  • My efforts are a drop in the ocean. But without them, there would be a whole drop less in the ocean!
  • Be like Mother Theresa and serve those within my reach, though they are few.
  • We attain remission of sins by repentance; we retain remission of sins by serving those in need. 
  • He talked about his conviction of industry and self-reliance. And he said he didn't know how each of us should fulfill our obligation to help those in need. But God knows. Pray for ways to keep the commandment to serve those in need (everybody). 
  • Live the law of the fast.
  • He openly said that he didn't know the reasons why birth and circumstance deal out hard circumstances. But he does know that he must give what he can.
  • President Monson, he bore testimony, has done all he could to bless the widowed and the fatherless, the poor in heart and spirit.

L. Tom Perry

  • Our homes must be holy places so that we can help our families prepare to face the unrighteousness in the world.
  • "[Women who make a house a home do more than lead armies]" (Gordon B. Hinckley). Hinckley said I have no responsibility greater than making my house a home, a holy place.
  • The father should help the family build spiritual traditions (FHE, scripture study, prayer) and even vacations and recreational activities.
  •  

Sunday Morning

Henry B. Eyring

  • He compared revelation to a mother to revelation to a patriarch before he gives a blessing. he will pray that his words will be the words of God through him. And so can mothers. He told of his own mother and how she'd ask him inspired questions when he would come home at night.
  • Our lives should be led by continuous revelation.
  • To receive this kind of revelation, see D&C 121. My bowels must be filled with charity. 

Russell M. Nelson

Carol McConkie

  • Heaven is higher than the earth; God knows what we and our families need at a time like this, a time of turbulence and danger and sadness and unrest. So the prophet receives guidance for the whole world to know what is right, true, and important.

President Monson

  • The purpose of our lives is to learn of Jesus. As we learn of Him, we will want to act like Him. Follow Him. His examples leads the way. 
  • Jesus experienced all the same things we experience in this life: disappointment (because of other's choices, for example), sorrow, happiness..
  • Jesus walked the path of service; so can we. Of prayer; so can we. 
  • He tells us to stand up bravely for our beliefs even when we are ridiculed, which we will be. He told us to let our lights shine. He taught us to be morally clean in thought and action. 
  • No other choices that we can make can make us like He can. 
  • What do His actions teach us? His parables?
  • Just do what He did! Be as He was. 

To do list

  • Don't be two-faced. Don't try to serve two masters. Study JS and MH story. Overcome the fear of man and what they think of me. Have courage. Courage is at every virtue at the starting/testing point (Robbins). Study Korihor and 4 Nephi.
  • Ask myself, "Which way do you face?" (Robbins)
  • Do good as anonymously as possible. Could I do something more anonymously?
  • Use the scriptures (Packer) in addressing others. Explain them to others. Study it in PMG.
  • During the Sacrament, think of more than just the things that I need to repent of. Instead, think about when His enabling power helped me.
  • Think of ways that I can better prepare to partake of the Sacrament. Study this.
  • Study standing for truth and righteousness.
  • When I share the truth with others, have this perspective: it may difficult to understand truth first, to believe that there is a God and Savior Who know and love us. It's like explaining electricity to somebody who lived a thousand years ago. They may find it impossible to believe. But tell them that I know these things to be true, and as we do our part to get to know God and Jesus Christ, we will have peace and joy and guidance and assurance in this life. And we will know for ourselves without a doubt (Uchtdorf).
  • Stop arguing (Oaks). Don't even revile against revilers.
  • Love my neighbor and don't be disagreeable. But defend what I believe.
  • Read the testimony of Joseph Smith often.
  • Serve others. Be the one drop in the ocean that I am. Serve those within my reach. And pray for opportunities to do so (Holland). Like in Alma 34, if prayer is the only option for helping some people, do that! Rich or poor, do what we can.
  • Study/memorize D&C 121 again. 

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