general conference

I love General Conference. These are my notes, and so, they may not be exactly word for word. Something that really stood out to me was the Prophet's words at the very end of the conference when he said that these messages given have been re-emphasized. These messages are not new. And in his kind way, I think the Prophet was saying, we're having to give these messages again since they weren't fully obeyed/understood/applied by the members the last time they were given. Woops.

The overall theme of Conference seemed, to me, to be about having a change of heart and being truly converted--having the gospel knit in our hearts. What did you think?

Saturday Morning Session

• Announcement: All worthy young men can now serve missions at 18/graduated from high school. All worthy young women can now serve missions at 19!
• "No other building is as important as the temple." --Thomas S. Monson, Prophet
• "Immersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual nourishment." --Quentin L. Cook, Apostle
• "I'm a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it!" --Ann M. Dibb, YW 2nd Couns.
• "You can continue with good cheer." --Shayne M. Bowen, Seventy
• "Make real connections!" (in other words: don't just communicate thru FB/email/texts etc.) --Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 2nd Counselor, First Presidency
• "The more we devote ourselves to the pursuit of holiness and happiness, the less likely we will be on the path to regrets...As we listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, Heavenly Father will help us learn things we didn't know about ourselves--we will discover unknown or even unimagined talents....The more we rely on the Savior's grace, the more we will feel we are on the track Heavenly Father intended for us." --Dieter F. Uchtdorf
• "There is something in each day to embrace and cherish." --Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Saturday Afternoon Session

• "5 things parents can do to create a stronger family culture: 1.) Pray in earnest that Heavenly Father will help to guide you in understanding and loving the children He has sent you. 2.) Have Family Home Evening, scripture study, family dinner, etc. 3.) Use church resources/work with your children's primary/youth teachers to help them understand your children's specific needs 4.) Share your testimony with your children and 5.) Organize your family based on clear, simple rules and expectations--wholesome family traditions, family thrift/economics, chores and responsibilities and allowance--help them be self-reliant and responsible. [...] These things will help them live in the world but be not of the world. [...] Begin teaching at the cradleside. Teach them by example as well as precept. [...] A strong family culture builds another protective layer around our children." --L. Tom Perry, Apostle
• "There is one simple, daily practice that can make a difference for every member of the church: In morning prayer, ask Heavenly Father to guide you in recognizing an opportunity to serve one of His precious children. Then go throughout the day with your heart full of faith and love, looking for someone to help. If you focus like the honeybee...your spiritual sensitivities will be enlarged." --M. Russell Ballard
• "Yes, Drill Sargeant!" --Larry Echo Hawk, Seventy
• "Satan triumphs over petty sins." --Robert C. Gay, Seventy
• "You don't leave the storm cellar during a tornado! [...] Our trials need not be spiritually fatal." --Neil L. Anderson, Apostle
• "One of the most serious abuses of children is to deny them birth." --Dallin H. Oaks, Apostles
• "Divorce does affect children." --Dallin H. Oaks
• "Children/youth can be victims of psychological abuse. Do not bully, demean, ostracize or verbally abuse children in their trials (particularly in struggles with same-sex attraction)." --Dallin H. Oaks
• "Children are our role models in humility and teachableness." --Dallin H. Oaks

Sunday Morning Session

• "God is never hidden. But sometimes we are by our mindset of 'My will, not Thine be done.'" --Henry B. Eyring, Apostle
• "Take His hand, and with Him, enter in." --Boyd K. Packer, Apostle
• "First observe, then serve." --Linda K. Burton, General Relief Society President
• "Iniquity hampers our ability to see, feel and love others." --Walter F. Gonzalaz, Seventy
• "Your Father in Heaven expects your loyalty and love at every stage of your life. [...] In short, we have a life of devoted discipleship to give in demonstrating our love of the Lord. [...] When the Lord asks us, 'Do you love me?' we shall say, 'Yea, Lord. We do love thee. We will put our hand to the plow and we will never look back until this work is finished and the love of God and neighbor rules the world." --Jeffrey R. Holland, Apostle
• "If we consider our blessings, especially the small things, we can find greater happiness." --Thomas S. Monson, Prophet
• "I believe that the more we act upon the inspirations and impressions that come to us, the more the Lord will entrust to us. Never postpone a prompting." --Thomas S. Monson, Prophet
• "No concern of ours is too small or insignificant. The Lord is in the details of our lives. [...] I never cease to be amazed at how the Lord can motivate and direct the length and breadth of His kingdom and yet have time to provide inspiration concerning one individual. The fact that He can, that He does, is a testimony to me." --Thomas S. Monson, Prophet

Sunday Afternoon Session

• "What kinds of Christians are we? In other words, how are we doing in our quest to follow Christ?" --Robert D. Hales, Apostle
• "There are some members who engage in temple work, but fail to do family research history on their own family lines. Although they perform a divine service in assisting others, they lose blessings by not seeking their own kindred dead as divinely directed by latter-day prophets." --Richard G. Scott, Apostle
• "Like the Nephites of old, we can return to our homes and ponder upon the things which have been said and ask the Father, in His name, that we may understand." --Russell T. Osguthorpe, Sunday School Presidency
• "Five principles that can bless our lives as we partake of the sacrament worthily: 1.) Have a feeling of gratitude to Heavenly Father during the sacrament for the Atonement of His Son. 2.) Remember that we are renewing our baptismal covenants as we partake of the sacrament. 3.) We can feel forgiven of our sins. If we have spent time before repenting we can leave sacrament meeting feeling clean and pure. 4.) We can receive inspiration for solutions to our problems. 5.) Partake worthily and feel the Holy Ghost." --Don R. Clarke, Seventy (Scott's Mission President!)
• "Testimony alone is not and will not be enough to protect us in the latter-day storm of darkness and evil in which we are living. [...] Knowing that the gospel is true is the essence of testimony. Consistently being true to the gospel is the essence of conversion. We should know the gospel is true and be true to the gospel." --David A. Bednar, Apostle
• "Taught and re-emphasized." (meaning: these aren't new messages. take heed.) --Thomas S. Monson, Prophet
• "Let us not be critical and judgmental. But let us be tolerant, even emulating the Savior's example of loving kindness." --Thomas S. Monson, Prophet
• "The Lord is always on our side as we do what is right." --Thomas S. Monson, Prophet