General Conference was amazing - as usual! It was a little harder to catch everything since we have a wiggly toddler on our hands but it was still wonderful just the same. I can't wait to be able to read and study these talks more in the months to come. PLUS - it dawned on me in the middle of Conference that NEXT Conference we would have TWO kiddos!!! What?! Crazy. But oh so fun. Also, I thought I had felt the little one moving before but during the Saturday Afternoon session I KNEW that I was. It's been happening more and more frequently since then. So exciting! But on to the goodness of Conference...here were my favorite tidbits!
Spiritual Whirlwinds
Elder Neil L. Andersen
"Challenges will come to you, but as you trust in God, they will strengthen your faith.
You are [God's] son or His daughter. He made your spirit strong and capable of being resilient to the whirlwinds of life.
Families are the treasure of heaven.
The way you feel in the temple is a pattern for how you want to feel in your life.
Don't let the whirlwinds drag you down. These are your days - to stand strong as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Build more firmly your foundation upon the rock of your Redeemer.
Treasure more completely His incomparable life and teachings.
Follow more diligently His example and His commandments.
Embrace more deeply His love, His mercy and grace, and the powerful gifts of His Atonement.
As you do, I promise you that you will see the whirlwinds for what they are - tests, temptations, distractions, or challenges to help you grow. And as you live righteously year after year, I assure you that your experiences will confirm to you again and again that Jesus is the Christ. The spiritual rock under your feet will be solid and secure. You will rejoice that God has place you here to be a part of the final preparations for Christ's glorious return."
A Priceless Heritage of Hope
President Henry B. Eyring
"Whoever you are and wherever you may be, you hold in your hands the happiness of more people than you can now imagine. Every day and every hour you can choose to make or keep a covenant with God.
Wherever you are on the path to inherit the gift of eternal life, you have the opportunity to show many people the way to greater happiness. When you choose whether to make or keep a covenant with God, you choose whether you will leave an inheritance of hope to those who might follow your example.
Our loving Heavenly Father gave us the gift of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior. That great gift and blessing of the Atonement of Jesus Christ brings a universal inheritance: the promise of the Resurrection and the possibility of eternal life to all who are born.
There are things you can do early, when those you love are young. Remember that daily family prayer, family scripture study, and sharing our testimony in sacrament meeting are easier and more effective when children are young. Young children are often more sensitive to the Spirit than we realize.
After all we can do in faith, the Lord will justify our hopes for greater blessings for our families than we can imagine. He wants the best for them and for us, as His children."
Roots and Branches
Elder Quentin L. Cook
"Our Father's plan is about families.
The essential doctrine of uniting families came forth line upon line and precept upon precept. Vicarious ordinances are at the heart of welding together eternal families, connecting roots to branches.
Our doctrinal obligation is to our own ancestors. This is because the celestial organization of heaven is based on families...We need to be connected to both our roots and branches. The thought of being associated in the eternal realm is indeed glorious.
Temple and family history work is not just about us.
The eternally significant blessing of uniting our own families is almost beyond comprehension.
Family commitments and expectations should be at the top of our priorities to protect our divine destiny...Our precious roots and branches must be nourished."
Grateful in Any Circumstances
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"Everyone's situation is different, and the details of each life are unique. Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious.
We can be grateful!
Our loving Heavenly Father knows that choosing to develop a spirit of gratitude will bring us true joy and great happiness.
Could I suggest that we see gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation? In other words, I'm suggesting that instead of being thankful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances - whatever they may be.
We can choose to be grateful, no matter what.
When we are grateful to God in our circumstances, we can experience gentle peace in the midst of tribulation.
Being grateful in our circumstances is an act of faith in God. It requires that we trust God and hope for things we may not see but which are true.
True gratitude is an expression of hope and testimony. It comes from acknowledging that we do not always understand the trials of life but trusting that one day we will.
Have we not reason to be filled with gratitude, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves?
How blessed we are if we recognize God's handiwork in the marvelous tapestry of life. Gratitude to our Father in Heaven broadens our perception and clears our vision. It inspires humility and fosters empathy toward our fellowmen and all of God's creation. Gratitude is a catalyst to all Christlike attributes! A thankful heart is the parent of all virtues."
Love - the Essence of the Gospel
President Thomas S. Monson
"We cannot truly love God if we do not love our fellow travelers on this mortal journey. Likewise, we cannot fully love our fellowmen if we do not love God, the Father of us all.
Actually, love is the very essence of the gospel, and Jesus Christ is our Exemplar. His life was a legacy of love.
Every day of our lives we are given opportunities to show love and kindness to those around us.
Some of our greatest opportunities to demonstrate our love will be within the walls of our own homes. Love should be the very heart of family life...If we would keep the commandment to love one another, we must treat each other with kindness and respect.
As we arise each morning, let us determine to respond with love and kindness to whatever might come our way."
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