General Conference - Spring 2008

[5ft Diva]

GC takes place this weekend!!! Please share what you loved about it.

[5ft Diva]

BS predicted that Elder Ballard's talk would be brought up and I would hate to see him disappointed so I'll bring it up.

LOVED IT!!! I was able to pick out memorable quotes from a lot of different talks, but his was the only talk, in it's entirety, that I could say was just for me. I felt the Lord talking directly to me and my needs and concerns through Elder Ballard. It was exactly what I needed to hear - every word of it. I can't wait to read it. At first I was disappointed in myself for only connecting with one speaker, but now I find it a blessing to only be able to zero in on one speaker as I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment. The rest of conference will file in as I'm ready to take on more, I'm sure.

I particularly loved his descriptions of Sunday meetings on the back row w/o the help of his wife - especially the part about Cheerios and puppets.

I gained a greater appreciation for the essence of time after he put what feels like so many years of service as a young mother into perspective. Even though at times it feels like forever, I had no idea how little time we actually had with our little ones.

After seeing it through his eyes I now cherish every moment I've had in the past w/ my children, whether good or bad, even more and I feel ever more hopeful about the years of service I have ahead of me with my little ones. For me, hearing how little time I had allowed me stop focusing on the negative and start focusing on the positive and how I really want to spend my time as a young mother. It helped me realize I don't have time nor the luxury to waste on my inadequacies. I really only have time to focus on who I am so I can help my children realize who they are.

[natickgirl]

Amen! I loved his talk, too. My youngest is 6 1/2 already! We were watching home videos last week, and it made me so sad to remember how innocent they all were & how much they've changed. My time of great influence is really running out, especially for my soon-to-be-eleven-year-old. I can already feel the increasing influence of friends & society. Elder Ballard reminded me that I have to make the most of the few remaining years that I have with my precious children, who are not so little anymore.

I must admit that I've always had a hard time connecting with Thomas S. Monson. But, I did enjoy his last talk. There wasn't much "meat" there, but he seemed so tired & human, and he related to people in a way I haven't seen from him very often. As was mentioned several times during Conference, I think the "mantle" really has settled on him, and I can honestly say I sustain him in his new calling as prophet & president of the church.

There have been so many new faces & personalities to get to know in these past few years. Elder Bednar & Elder (now President) Uchtdorf, Elder Quentin L. Cook, and now Elder D. Todd Christopherson, as well as other auxiliary leaders. Isn't it amazing how we can lose so many beloved leaders, but the Church keeps moving forward without so much as a hiccup?!

[Erudite]

I have to say I was practically cheering when Elder Holland said all that stuff about Pres. Monson's new role of prophet. I too was so impressed with his Sunday morning talk and felt the impression of the Spirit that this is the leader for this time. I was so glad to have that assurance. I wasn't doubting it, but I was still glad to be assured by the Spirit that he is the prophet, called of God for this time.

[Erudite]

An email from a trusted friend...

Last night (Saturday, April 5) in the Priesthood Session of the Mormon (LDS) Conference, Elder Henry B. Eyring was speaking (among other things) about how the Lord will strengthen you and uphold you as you serve Him. He talked about how when you do the Lords work you qualify for the Lords blessings. Then he specifically mentioned that as you serve, angels will support you. During this time he got a little choked up, and you could tell there was context behind those words.

A few weeks ago when Elder Eyring was at home, he suddenly found himself waking up on the floor, with his leg twisted under him. He went to work, but soon realized he needed to have his leg checked. When he did, he found out it was broken (which is why he's currently using a cane, in case you wondered).

But then as the days went by, he continued to have times where he'd suddenly lose consciousness and he felt very weak. He was frustrated because he felt helpless. Newly appointed as the First Counselor to President Monson, he just wanted to serve. He got in to see the doctor, and had some tests done, and went back to work. Soon the results came in, and the doctor told him he had to come back to the hospital immediately.

Come to find out, his heart would periodically just stop. So last Tuesday, he had a pacemaker put in. Last Tuesday. I don't know if you've known anyone who's had that happen, but it's a serious surgery, with an extended recovery time.

He got a blessing from President Monson, wherein he was told that angels would support him. The next day - Wednesday, he attended the meeting with the General Authorities in the temple. Thursday, he participated in the General Authority training. Then today (Saturday), he stood up, looking as magnified and healthy as ever, and delivered a powerful address on trusting in God as you serve with all your heart.
He's living testimony of his own words (as he so testified).

Nephi said it well, when he said (1 Nephi 1:20): "I Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance."

How marvelous it is to be led by men of such faith, of such commitment, and of such stature.

[Stargazer]

I particularly like Elder Holland's talk about the scriptures. I found that idea and information very interesting. It really opened up my understanding. Of course I will have to read and reread it to really remember it.

I was really hoping to have a personal message this conference. I felt like I needed it. My dad was asking me if I watched conference and what I thought. The only thing I could really tell him was that I felt strongly that I needed to do things to keep the Spirit in my life. I am vaguely remembering someone saying that understanding and learning comes through the spirit and that we have to be in tune to have that happen (I already knew that, but it was significant to me - apparently not significant to remember who said it or what was really said). So, while I was kind of disappointed that I didn't get more out of it, the whole idea of keep the spirit follows directly with all of the promptings I have been having the last couple of months - so no surprise there huh?

I'm looking forward to the May Ensign so that I can revisit everything.

[Dia Minha]

I too, really enjoyed Elder Ballard's talk. I have listened to it several times since Sunday. The one phrase that hits me the most is when he said, "Avoid any kind of substance, any kind of substance abuse, mistakenly thinking it will help you accomplish more."

I have been self medicating myself with caffiene on and off for many years. It was one of those times I felt an apostle talking directly to me, because nobody else would ever use an addicting substance, to help them accomplish more. No one that is, but me. I have been in a slump since getting back from my grandpa's funeral and without my energy vitamin, with slow release caffiene, I have struggled getting anything done. It has been hard. I know I could accomplish much more with that little bit of help. I do have a very strong testimony of following the council of the prophets and have been blessed my whole married life because of it. It is just so hard to have to always go through the trial first.

[5ft Diva]

I had completely forgotten about that part. Thanks for the reminder.