April 2007 Conference

[Erudite]

Every time conference comes around, I always think that it couldn't be as good as last time and it is always better. I came away with a ton of great ideas and new thoughts to consider about parenting and personal growth. I loved all the good reminders to be the very best we can be. I was impressed with Elder Holland's talk on the power of words especially because it is something I'm working on specifically and it sure seemed to go along with both the book club book as well as some of the threads we have going here.

I was telling my children how much I loved Elder Holland's talks, when blammo Elder Bednar starts speaking and I find another totally awesome talk about the continuum we are all on and how to act and be in the different parts of the continuum in order to gain from our current location and move forward to new parts of our spiritual lives. I can't wait for them to be posted so I can read some of them again.

So I was wondering if anyone would like to start a discussion on specific talks?
I'd love to get different takes on the talks as well as some good FHE ideas. I was thinking through the whole conference that I would take the talks and turn them into FHE lessons and then Pres. Hinckley said at the end that he encourages us to do that exact thing. It'd be cool to get some ideas going on how to do that and how we're applying the talks more specifically. Is anyone interested in such an endeavor?

[PhillyGirl]

I really loved Elder Faust's talk on Forgiveness on Sunday Morning. I live only an hour and a half away from where the Amish school shooting took place. It really had a big impact on us as I am sure everyone else in the country. I cannot believe how forgiving and peaceful they were about the whole situation. I have so far to come on learning to forgive. If I could just have an ounce of the kind of forgiveness and love towards my enemy's as the Amish showed the milk man's family, I would be much better off.

I liked how Elder Faust said that forgiveness is not always instantaneous. It gives me hope to know that it is a process and that if I keep trying I will get there eventually. He reminded me that it takes time to work through the pain and the issues. But he also reminded me that I have to forgive to be forgiven. And that when I do I will be less stressed, angry, and anxious; and more happy and hopeful. When we get rid of anger God will replace it with comfort. We need to let Justice take it's course and then let it go. I thought that this was an amazing talk and maybe it was just for me.

[Meticulous madness]

That WAS an amazing talk! I loved it, too.

I can't even begin to imagine how hard it would be to forgive when a senseless act of violence has taken a loved one, or loved ones.

The most profound part of the talk (to me) was when he gently reminded us that we are commanded to forgive regardless of when and/or if the offender asks for our forgiveness. I wish I could quote the exact words. I really need to get on-line and print out the talk.

Great stuff!

[5ft Diva]

I was so impressed at all the instruction that was given during conference. There were a lot of talks that really clarified some questions I've had. There was a lot of teaching and understanding I felt I received. The common thing among all the leaders was that they taught and bore testimony. They didn't guilt or coerce us into belieiving that what they were saying was true so we'd stay on the path that leads us back to Heavenly Father, they simply taught and bore testimony. I was particulary impressed w/ this since it's what I'm struggling w/ at the moment. The question that kept pricking my mind after each talk was, "Are we here to assure that our children stay on the straight and narrow path or are we here to teach them how to stay on the straight and narrow path?" It was a profound question and one that made me really think about my approach and intention of each interaction I have with each person. Oh, I have so much to work on. I'm so grateful for a loving and merciful Heavenly Father.

As far as the discussions go, I'd like to wait til the May Ensign comes out and then I can start on that. Good idea, Erudite!!!

[teeny]

Both Elder Holland's talk and the talk about forgiveness were definitely two that stuck out to me as well. I definitely have issues in both of these areas! I've been working on the forgiveness one forever! And I guess the one about the power of words just hit me, mostly because that is how I've always felt! And I've never heard a talk before about the particular subject of being careful to not offend and hurt feelings. I think both of these talks went so well together! I too, can't wait to get the Ensign so I can study both of these and the others in more detail!

[Mamallama]

Amen!! Conference was awesome. Elder Holland, Elder Bednar, and President Faust's words all jumped out at me--- all of the other talks were wonderful as well! So much to digest. I'm so glad they print them all out in the Ensign. I just want to "Feast upon the Words" of our Lord's servants----don't you just feel that way-----I think I want to get a copy of conference on DVD this time. I want to again, watch, hear and feel the emotion expressed in a couple of those talks again. It touched me to the core. How blessed we are to have living apostles and prophets on the earth today!!!

[PhillyGirl]

You can always watch them online if you don't want to buy it. That is how we watched it because we didn't want to go to the Stake Center to watch it. My daughter (15 months) would not have sat there for 4 two hour sessions. That is what I miss about Utah is just sitting at home in my PJ's and watching conference but with the new technology you I can even out here in Philly; just with our computer. You just go to LDS.org and it is right there. You can listen or watch.

[runamyrun]

I also look forward to being able to read all of the talks in the Ensign. I have a hard time remembering things that were spoken about in conference, but when I can read it I remember it a lot better. During conference, I was feeling so refreshed and happy. I felt motivated to try harder to be the person I want to be. After a few of the talks I wrote a few notes of goals I wanted for my family. I even had the thought that I would like to do some of the things for family home evening. So when President Hinckley said that, I thought it was pretty cool!

[5ft Diva]

That's a great idea to write down goals you wanted for your family. BS and I will have to use that idea as we review these talks.

[crazyK]

I think that is so funny that my favorite talk was the same as my sister's, phillygirl. I really enjoyed conference. It is so strange how fast it comes and then it is over. I remember having to watch conference every time and every session when I was little it was brutal and they would just go on forever and ever. Now when conference in on it is over before I really get comfortable. I don't think phillygirl had the same experience growing up as I did with conference because she is so much younger than me but you never know.

I liked the one on divorce. I think it is so interesting when they just tell us how it is and that we need to change or become more. And we don't take offence but when the bishop says something we are angry. I loved conference.

[Mamallama]

I just wanted to share some quotes from Elder Neil L. Anderson’s talk in General Conference that hit home to me.

He shared an experience that he remembered President Hinckley sharing back in 1973:

“Then---Elder Gordon B. Hinckley spoke of meeting a young naval officer from Asia. The officer had not been a Christian, but during training in the United States, he had learned about the Church and was baptized. He was now preparing to return to his native land.
President Hinckley asked the officer: "Your people are not Christians. What will happen when you return home a Christian, and, more particularly, a Mormon Christian?"
The officer's face clouded, and he replied: "My family will be disappointed. . . . As for my future and my career, all opportunity may be foreclosed against me."
President Hinckley asked, "Are you willing to pay so great a price for the gospel?"
With his dark eyes moistened by tears, he answered with a question: "It's true isn't it?"
President Hinckley responded, "Yes, it is true."
To which the officer replied, "Then what else matters?"

Later in Elder Anderson talk he says:
“Faith is not only a feeling; it is a decision. With prayer, study, obedience, and covenants we build and fortify our faith. Our conviction of the Savior and His latter-day work becomes the powerful lens through which we judge all else. Then, as we find ourselves in the crucible of life, as Elder Oaks explained, we have the strength to take the right course.

President Hinckley said it this way: "When [an individual] is motivated by great and powerful convictions of truth, then he disciplines himself, not because of demands made by the Church but because of the knowledge within his heart."5
Are we sufficiently motivated by "great and powerful convictions of truth"? Do our choices reflect this motivation? Are we becoming who we want to become? It's true, isn't it? Then what else matters?”“

Many of the quiet acts of deep faith are known only to God. But they are recorded in heaven. It's true, isn't it? Then what else matters?

The Savior said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
I testify that it is true and that it does matter. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen”

I love General Conference so much. It is so positive and uplifting. All were fabulous talks with wisdom, love and inspiration of how to better ourselves, our lives and our families. I love getting my conference issue of the Ensign. I gain so much as I now can sit down and read each talk one at a time, and can take the time to read, ponder and pray and try and absorb all that I'm reading. I love it.