Thursday, April 28, 2016

General Conference April 2016

Okay, so now it has been almost a month since April General Conference.  I began this post the Monday after conference ended.  Didn't finish it.  But, this is such an incredible treasure to me that I am going to finish as much as I can now.  

My whole family loves General Conference.  Even V, who is 3, counted down the days to General Conference, although I sincerely doubt that she even had any clue what it was.  I love gathering my family around to hear the words of modern prophets.  I feel that the world is in such turmoil...politics, natural disasters, new moral issues, and so forth, that I am so grateful I have a place to turn to be grounded and at peace.  I am grateful my children can feel this grounding also.  It is such a blessing to me.

This time, I did not order the pictures via calling or via session in which they spoke.  I only order them via where they are located around our living room (I guess I was a lazy picture taker...it was easier).

So, we begin with President Eyring:
CK:  "It is our responsibility to be fertile ground for the seed to grow."
Me:  "Feeling the closeness of the Savior depends on each of us."
C:  "If we humble ourselves and listen to the talks, we will hear what we need."
J:  "Nurish (nourish) the seed."


Elder Rasband:
CK:  "Be a light in the growing darkness."
Me:  "The apostles are no strangers to the challenges/problems of today's youth."
K:  "Questions are an indication of a further desire to learn." and "When we reach out, we are powerful."
C:  "Listen to and stand with the prophets."
J:  "The profets (prophets) are true."


Elder Holland:
CK:  "Don't give up when life doesn't meet your expectations.  The Lord blesses those who want to improve."
Me:  "Every day will be magnificent - God wants it to be."
K:  "The devil tries to convince us that we will never progress." and "We get credit for trying." and "Heaven is cheering me on!"
C:  "Love God and try your best even after you make mistakes and tomorrow and the future will be better than today."
J:  "Try to keep your faith - get stronger."


President Monson:
CK:  "The choices we make will determine if we reach our goal."
Me:  "Choose the harder right rather than the easier wrong."
K:  "Our choices (all of them) determine if we reach our goal." and "The path we follow in this life determines our destination in the next life."
C:  "Small choices can have a big impact." and "Choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong."
J:  "More telples (temples)."


Elder Stevenson:
CK:  "Priesthood keys unlock the vehicle that will take us back to the presence of God."
Me:  "Never ever do we have to question again, 'Where are the keys?'"
C:  "Prepare for mission, go to the temple, find names of ancestors, go forward with faith."
J:  "Do not ask where are the keys."


Elder Christofferson:
CK:  "The most essential of a father's responsibilities is to turn the hearts of his children to Heavenly Father."
Me:  "Fathers are unique and irreplaceable."
K:  "Fathers are unique and irreplaceable." and "Make up your mind to honor your father."
C:  "Prepare to be a father by honoring your parents, being righteous, serving others."
J:  "Fathers are good - not just moms."


Elder Cook:
CK:  "The temple is a place of tranquility and peace in a tumultuous world."
Me:  "See yourself in the temple."
K:  "There is nothing the Lord could do to help us that He hasn't done."
C:  "Strive to always be worthy of a temple recommend, because the temple is a place of refuge."
J:  "Prepare yourself for the temple."


CK:  "Combined with prayer, family councils invite the Savior to our presence."
Me:  "Family councils provide ways to strengthen, protect, and nurture cherished relationships."
K:  "Councils are the Lord's way." and "With His help, we can improve."
C:  "Family time brings love and blessings and helps protect our family from distractions and evil."
J:  "Listen to Jesus - famly (family) bonding time is asetrl (essential)."


Elder Anderson:
CK:  "Do all we can to strengthen the love of the Savior in all we do."
Me:  "A child's spiritual DNA is perfect, even if their earthly situation isn't ideal."
K:  "It is vital to embrace other youth."
C:  "Do whatever you can to help children/youth to church and support those who don't have support at home."
J:  "Jesus knows you."


Elder Oaks:
CK:  "Without opposition, there would be no growth."
Me:  "Oppositions further our growth towards what our Heavenly Father would have us become."
K:  "Opposition is inevitable and even necessary." and "Some things can only be learned by faith."
C:  "Our ultimate test is to have faith that making righteous choices is better for us in the long run."
J:  "Opicishon (opposition) shows how faithful you are."

President Nelson spoke in the Priesthood session, so we did not watch together as a family and do our notes.  :)


Elder Renlund:
CK:  "We need to develop the desire to stop causing God grief.  He 'owes' us nothing."
Me:  "Sacrament = indispensable to a spiritual foundation."
K:  "He did this just for me." and "Because of the Atonement, all will be right."
C:  "By partaking of the sacrament, you will feel God's nearness and become closer to Him."
J:  "Jesus loves you."


Elder Bednar:
CK:  "Ordinances invite spiritual purpose and power our lives."
Me:  "Prepare conscientiously for the sacrament."
K:  "Baptism is worthless if you do not know its meaning." and "Ordinances should impact every aspect of discipleship." and "The feeling of baptism can be ongoing." and "The plan IS rigorous." 
C:  "Prepare to take the sacrament with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and we can receive forgiveness."


Elder Hales:
CK:  "Don't let personal feelings overpower the promptings of the Spirit."
Me:  "Seeking the Holy Ghost in minor decisions trivializes the Holy Ghost.  We have agency."
K:  "We can continually feel the Holy Ghost." and "The Holy Ghost helps us discern false prophets."
C:  "To receive personal revelation, study out your questions, then pray to the Lord with a decision to see if it is right."
J:  "The Holy Ghost is real.  Do not forsake him."



President Uctdorf:
CK:  "A lost sheep is worthy of rescue because it is loved by the shepherd."
Me:  "Obedience = process by which we discover what we are truly made of."
K:  "What matters to Him is that I am His child and that He loves me." and "There's nothing good unless you do it."
J:  "Your faith can be rebuilt."