Highlights of General Conference

I did it guys. For the first time in 19 years, I watched all 4 sessions of conference available to Women. (When the Ensign comes out, I'll read the Priesthood session, those are my favorite anyway)
I'm glad I did it. It really wasn't that hard. I don't know what my problem was before but I won't have that problem come October or any Conference in the future. So here are my favorites parts...


1. TAB choir singing Come Thou Fount.
     This could be hugely in part that my high school choir sang this same arrangement each year as one of our goodbye songs. It's always been my favorite. When I saw that blue sheet music in the folders of the choir, I was so giddy. Then to hear them sing it was incredible. It was insane how amazing that was. They are amazingly spectacular.
Here is another version of the song, not from today but it's the same just in blue instead of lavender. With an added Orchestra and Bells. Which is fantastic. :)

That's the only one I'm giving a number. It's the only one I really can. So we'll do a run down..

Saturday Afternoon:

• Hearing that there are over 14 million members and 136 dedicated temples and counting!!! 
• Hearing Grandpa Jacks name announced for everyone listening and feeling incredibly blessed to call him Grandpa. I miss you.

How cute is his G.A. picture?!

• Jeffery R Hollands talk was amazing! He gave the parable of the workers where even though they were hired at different times during the day, they were all paid the same. The earliest workers were angry but the one who hired them said, "Why should you be jealous because I choose to be kind?" I love that. It's so true. He urges us not to be hurt or envious when good fortune comes to others. To forgive others and not hold grievances. "Even if a grievance didn't begin with you, it can end with you" He promises that it is never too late but don't delay. 
• Robert D. Hales spoke on being worthy. A difficult thing for a lot of members I would say. How do we know if we are worthy? He councils to worthily partake of the sacrament by leaving behind worldly things and pondering the Atonement. Also to worthily hold a temple recommend by keeping your covenants to steadfastly remember Him, obtain a testimony and most importantly stand as a witness. He says "Don't live in regret of what you did or did not do" Remember to ask yourself, "Where do I stand?"
• David S. Baxter spoke to single mothers, promising them they are not alone. "It is through our hardships that we draw closer to God." "You can't go to God to escape hardships, but God can come to you." I love that.
• Ulisses Soares urged us to sew in the Spirit, not of the flesh. He warns that " Influences and drives can distract us and easily become a part of us" Then reminds us that "You can't be wrong by doing right- you can't be right by doing wrong."
• Quentin L. Cook used musical metaphors to get his point across. You bet I bought into that. He guides us to "Be in tune to the Gospel and in Harmony to the principles"  Also to "Hear the music of faith, don't be tone deaf or off key... if you are tone deaf to faith you are off key with the Spirit."
• Richard G. Scott spoke on the Holy Ghost and the revelation he brings. He reminds us that "The Lord does his teaching through the Holy Ghost." but then explains "Guidance does not take away our agency." and we should learn to repent of any mistakes we make.

That takes us to Sunday Morning, my favorite session. It was so powerful. It began with..

• Dieter F. Uchdorf (aka the Silverfox- you know he is an attracitive man!) His talk was all about not judging others. He quoted a powerful bumper sticker that said "Don't judge me because I sin differently  than you." So we need to stop judging people because we have all pleaded for mercy and forgiveness. He reminds us that "it is easy for us to love someone who loves us, but we should love our enemies and pray for them often." Then states that "Heaven is filled with those who are forgiven and forgive, we all have that in common." 
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• Russell M. Nelson spoke on gratitude and how it is "A measure of our love for Him" Then to remember that God has given us Physical and Spiritual gifts. We should be grateful for those gifts and not be envious of others gifts. For God gave us all gifts for a reason.
• Ronald A. Rasband urged us to help those in need.
• Julie B. Beck spoke, for the last time, on Relief Society and how it is "not only Man/Woman Made but, Divinely made" Then explains that "Relief Society is not a program, it is a way of life" Then reminded us that "There are many women living in spiritual rags while we are in robes, it is our duty to trade them our robes for their rags." 
• D. Todd Christopherson reminded us to "Treat everyone equally for God loves us all."
• Then Prophet Thomas S. Monson treated us by asking if "In this fast paced life, do we take time to slow down and reflect?" Then quoted "Lay up your treasures in heaven, for where your treasures are, there will be your heart." Then reminded us that "We should be grateful we are here, not ask why... we are here to learn, that is why!" Then reminded us that this is not a race, "The prize goes to all that endure to the end."

Then finally the Sunday Afternoon Session was started with...

• L. Tom Perry who stressed the importance of the Book of Mormon in our lives. He promised that God will deliver us, just like all those in the Book of Mormon. 
• M. Russell Ballard spoke on the importance of families. In this changing world where more than half of the children born are born outside of marriage and 50% of marriages end in divorce, he councils us to cherish the family unit more. "Life is better and happier when families are close and live within the Christ  light." Then he promised that "You can never be so lost that you can't find your way through the Atonement and teachings of Christ."
• O. Vincent Haleck promises that "Christ will not leave us comfortless." We need to remember to Search, Ponder and Pray. He says that, "God sees us with great potential, we need to see ourselves as God does."
• Larry Y. Wilson councils us on raising children and letting them use their agency to learn lessons. "We act righteously when we take away another's agency" The warns that "controlling leaders and parents make in difficult for children to feel of God's love." 
• David F. Evans spoke of miracles and conversion. "Conversion is never just one- it's a whole family and their posterity." He promises that miracles will occur and lives will change.
• Neil L. Anderson tells us to ask ourselves, "What thinks Christ of me?" Then reminds us to listen to the Holy Ghost for that is how the Lord provides customized guidance. "He will do for you what you cannot do for yourself."
• Then finally Thomas S. Monson thanks those that were involved in this Conference and tells us to love our families and settle our disputes and contention, for it is of the devil.

All in all, you can tell, that it was a very powerful conference and I'm so glad I was able to hear all of it. I look forward to October when we can do it all over again.

Want to learn more about what I believe? Go here.