General Conference Gems

I love General Conference. It is a recently acquired taste - I remember growing up doing everything in my power to entertain myself while "listening" to conference. But now I get excited about the weekend and the knowledge that the speakers are going to have special things to share to help me with my struggles. To be honest I get really possessive of those hours from 10 to 12 and 2 to 4. Heaven help the person who tries to divide my attention.
This past conference weekend was just what I needed. Although there were plenty of interruptions and distractions with my kids, I was able to watch every session and get something out of it all.
Here are some of my favorite talks/quotes.
1. L. Tom Perry's talk about the Sabbath day was a really good reminder to me about keeping the Sabbath day holy. He said something like, "Conduct yourselves in a manner that will call down the blessings of heaven."
2. Jean A. Steven's talk about learning from children. She said that God gave us families to help us become what we want to be.
3. Kent F. Richard's talk about the purpose of pain. "Let us come boldly to the throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy." Christ is the great physician, the great healer.
4. Quentin L. Cook's talk about women. I love any talk about women - they are always uplifting and inspiring.
5. Henry B. Eyring's talk about the Lord's way of helping the poor and the needy. "Wise parents see in the needs of someone else the opportunity to teach their children." There were quite a few talks about the Church Welfare system, I think because of it's 75th anniversary, but also because these are hard economic times and we need to be reminded of our duty to serve and uplift those in need, to give all that we have, and to love others unconditionally.
6. Russell M. Nelson's talk - my notes include, "let my kids feel my faith even when sore trials come upon me. Teach that faith with conviction." He also warned of the "cafeteria approach" to keeping the commandments - picking and choosing which commandments to keep.
7. Richard J. Maynes shared a wonderful talk that his grandson wrote about families. It was "Families are like ropes," and he included pictures with the story. We played it for FHE and talked about how our family could be strong if we all work together and help each other.
8. Dallin H. Oaks spoke about desire. He said that DESIRE + FAITH + LABOR = Promised Blessing. "What we insistently desire over time is what we will become and what we will receive."
9. Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk (that did not have a single airplane analogy, which he brought up, poking fun at himself) was about recognizing the voice of the Lord. "The answers to our prayers often don't come while we are on our knees, but when we are on our feet, serving others." Quite a few talks shared the quote, "God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom." (Spencer W. Kimball)
10. Paul V. Johnson asked and answered the question "Why must we face difficult challenges?" He said, "many times a particular challenge helps prepare us for something vitally important."
11. Richard G. Scott's tender talk about his wife and their special relationship was so very touching and moving. I consider his experience with marriage the very ideal that I would like my own marriage to measure up to one day.
12. D. Todd Christofferson spoke about being willing to accept and even seek correction. I love the story about the currant bush and where he said something like, "correction will come through prayers - when the answer is NO and not yes, through the scriptures when we recognize deficiencies in ourselves, and through others." I thought it was interesting how his talk came after Elder Scott's talk had shown me a lot of need for correction and improvement in my marriage relationship. Also many of the other talks had - as Elder Christofferson pointed out - shown me a need for correction in other areas of my testimony.
13. Carl B. Pratt's talk about tithing and his reminder that money and bank accounts are NOT the Lord's richest blessings. Heavenly Father will not always bless full tithe payers with money. In fact, spiritual sensitivity, peace and harmony in the home, and having a generous, forgiving, and charitable heart are the richest blessings of our Heavenly Father. My house is not always peaceful. Unless my kids are asleep...so I will take the blessings of peace and harmony in my home anyway I can get them!
14. Lynn G. Robbin's talk about Be vs. Do was awesome. Rus woke up in the middle of it and said, "this is so confusing." But I loved it, especially when he said to discipline what attribute we see our child lacking as shown by the thing they do wrong. I need to read that whole talk again. I am always praying to know how to discipline and correct my children's behavior, because obviously yelling at my kids is not the right answer.

And that was it! If you made it to the end of all this, good job! I am so grateful for the talks that were shared and I want to make it my goal to incorporate the things that were taught into my life.