Replete

What a satisfying weekend!

I have sat at the feet of living apostles, looked into their faces, and listened to words of counsel, comfort, admonition, wisdom, and love.

Never mind that we were over 650 miles apart. We live in an age of miracles. Oh, the wonders of modern communication!

We go to the Stake Center and watch the satellite broadcast.

My hands were busy working on my crocheting, so I didn't take much notes, although I tried to at first. Doing both just didn't work that well! Thankfully, I think that audio & video are available on-line now at lds.org, although I also think my computer may be too old to get it. Soon the text will be available on-line. And we will receive 2 copies of next month's Ensign containing the entire conference report!

Here are a few sporadic notes and impressions:

Robert D Hales, Quorum of the 12 - Provident Providers

For debt and for addiction, the cure is the same - Turn to the Lord and follow inspired counsel.

Our challenges, including those we have created ourselves, are part of our earthly trials to teach and test us. None of them are beyond the Lord.

A provident provider provides both spiritually and temporarily.

Joyfully live within your means.

Debt is self-imposed servitude that can depress, result in loss of self-worth, and damage relationships.

2 Ne. 9: 51
Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.


Margaret Liffereth, Counselor in Primary General Presidency - Reverence

Reverence for God is reflected in how we treat His children.
Reverence is love.
Reverence invites revelation.

Michael Neider, Counselor in Young Men’s General Presidency

Study to obtain God’s word.
Quorum = class, brotherhood, opportunity to serve
A young man in a foreign land, called to serve as quorum leader for boys who did not attend and whose language he did not speak. He called the one who had a phone.
“Omar, tu. Iglacia Hoy.” - "Omar, you. Church today."
Omar came. Together they in time visited the other boys and built an active quorum.

Allan F Packer, Quorum of the 70 - learn to know the voice
We need to learn to know and to know that we know.
We must learn to recognize His voice.
Testimony is to know and feel. Conversion is to do and become.
Study it out. Ask.
If we have unrealistic expectations of how God should answer our prayers, we may miss the quiet answers and manifestations.
This is our day. This is our time.

D. Todd Christofferson, Quorum of the 12

Doctrine & Covenants 97: 8 Verily I say unto you, all among them who know their hearts are honest, and are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice—yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command—they are accepted of me.


Henry Eyring, 1st Counselor in the 1st Presidency
and others talked to us about adversity

We all have / will have adversity. If we think that righteousness means an easier life, talk to Job. Adversity is part of mortal life and testing.
The Lord can comfort, guide, and uplift us in adversity.
Adversity comes to all.
The faithful will be comforted and ultimately rewarded.

Kevin W Pierson, Quorum of the 70
Our net usable faith = faith minus doubt.
We get what we focus on consistantly.

Dieter Uchtdorf, 2 Counselor in the 1st Presidency
We don’t acquire eternal life in a sprint.
Knowing that the seed is good is not enough. We must nourish it and cultivate it over time.
Discipleship is a journey.
The 1st step begins exactly where we are now.
It is ALWAYS the right time to walk in His way.
It is never too late.

Jeffery R Holland’s testimony & account of the atonement of Christ was deeply moving

Thomas S Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, prophet, seer, and revelator, beloved leader

Turn your thoughts from adversity to your blessings.
The future is as bright as your faith.

Gary Stevenson, Quorum of the 70

You are never lost when you can see the temple.

~~~

Between morning and afternoon sessions both Saturday and Sunday, as is our tradition, my family spread out sandwich fixings and a bit of other food for the full-time missionaries (and ourselves, of course.) Saturday we fed 16 missionaries, a man who looks like he might be homeless, but who attended every session I think, and the brother over-seeing the building. Sunday I think we only had 11 missionaries and the homeless looking brother. I was too busy (and a little shy) to talk to him, so I don't know who he was. Shame on me. Mostly we felt pretty good about our conference lunch.

We used to go to Leatherby's Ice Cream Parlor on Saturday between afternoon session and time for the guys to go to the Priesthood session. Budgets are tighter, so not many conferences ago we started having our own little ice cream party at Ruth's instead.

You would think that 8 hours of church on a weekend -10 for the men - would be a bit much, but when we approached the end of the last session, Benjamin (16) said something like, "Already?!" You maybe have to experience it to understand. Even though we may fight off sleepy moments or get tired seats, it is wonderful.

We can review as frequently as we wish.

We get to do it again in 6 months!

Where will Andrew experience his next conference?