YOUR WONDERFUL JOURNEY HOME Summary

183rd Annual General Conference of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

General Young Women’s Meeting, 30 March 2013

Key Doctrines:

Heavenly Father sends prophets to show us how to become like him and how to be with him again.  He is always mindful of us and loves us deeply but we each must make choices to find our own way. 

We can find our own personal ‘map’ for our journey in the scriptures, the words of prophets today, and especially through personal revelation through the Holy Ghost. 

President Uchtdorf detailed 3 additional important doctrines: “Do not fear, for I the Lord am with you;

love one another, as I have loved you; and be of good cheer.”

Favorite Quotes:

“ We do not know many details about life in that premortal sphere, but we do know some. Our Heavenly Father has revealed to us who He is, who we are, and who we can become.”

  “Open your heart to the Holy Ghost so that He can direct you along your journey through life.”

“You are not alone on this journey. Your Heavenly Father knows you. Even when no one else hears you, He hears you. When you rejoice in righteousness, He rejoices with you. When you are beset with trial, He grieves with you.”

“ Everyone you see around you ... was valiant in the premortal world. That unassuming and ordinary-looking person sitting next to you may have been one of the great figures you loved and admired in the sphere of spirits.”

So What?

To really know where I am going I must “study” my map. The words of ancient and modern prophets guide me. As I practice consistent prayer, scripture study, and seek personal revelation I can receive direct inspiration for my life, so I have a plan to read these things and consistently study them. 

THE HOPE OF GOD'S LIGHT Summary

183rd Annual General Conference of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Sunday morning April 7, 2013

Key Doctrines: President Uchtdorf skillfully contrasted dark and light, good and evil and explained our chance to choose light and good. He also invited all men to remember their own worth and the worth or others: how God sees us and them.

Several stories he told taught us how to seek God’s light and where to begin when confronted with “constant unrelenting contact with evil.” He suggested, “ First, start where you are. ... We don’t have to wait to cross the finish line to receive God’s blessings. Second, turn your heart toward the Lord.... Ask [in pleading prayer] that your eyes may be opened, that you may see His light. Third, walk in the light. ... Rise up and become the person you were designed to be. ... The gospel, ... teaches us the things we must know, do, and be to walk in [the Savior’s] light.”

Favorite Quotes:

“From time to time our lives may seem to be touched by, or even wrapped in, darkness. Sometimes the night that surrounds us will appear oppressive, disheartening, and frightening. ... I testify that with Christ, darkness cannot succeed. Darkness will not gain victory over the light of Christ ... Darkness cannot stand before the brilliant light of the Son of the living God!”

“Even after the darkest night, the Savior of the world will lead you to a gradual, sweet, and bright dawn that will assuredly rise within you.” 

“The best path for healing [is] to understand and accept that darkness exists—but not to dwell there. Light also exists. ... Resist the temptation to spread the darkness.”

“God’s light is real. It is available to all! It gives life to all things (Doctrine and Covenants 88:11–13).” 

“We don’t have to wait to cross the finish line to receive God’s blessings. ... The perfect place to begin is exactly where you are right now. ... The very moment you begin to seek your Heavenly Father, in that moment, the hope of His light will ... awaken, enliven, and ennoble your soul (Alma 34:31). The darkness may not dissipate all at once, but as surely as night always gives way to dawn, the light will come.” 

“Lift up your soul in prayer and explain to your Heavenly Father what you are feeling.”

“Ask that your ears may be opened, that you may hear His voice.  Ask that your eyes may be opened, that you may see His light.” 

So What?

Isaiah 28:14 teaches us to sing in the darkness that will precede the Second Coming. I loved President Uchtdorf’s teaching about how Saints without power sang hymns, that they knew the words and tunes to. He says, “In the midst of great darkness, these beautiful, wonderful Saints had filled ... and our souls with light.” When I heard this talk I committed to learn more hymns and to sing them more often. 

THE SUSTAINING OF CHURCH OFFICERS Summary

183rd Annual General Conference of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Saturday morning April 6, 2013

Presented by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

This talk was not required "reading" but I think this is one of the most significant parts of General Conference. I choose to include it, and yes - there are favorite 'quotes.' I look forward to hearing these words every conference.

Key Doctrines and Principles:

President Uchtdorf presented thenames of church leaders, one by one, to the members of the church. This is how the Savior knows each of us, individually. Seven times we were asked to public show our approval or disapproval. We also were invited to show our gratitude and appreciation four separate times.

Favorite Quotes:

“Those in favor may manifest it. Those opposed, if any, may manifest it.”

“ It is proposed that we sustain Thomas Spencer Monson as prophet, seer, and revelator and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”

“It is proposed that we sustain the counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators. All in favor, please manifest it. Contrary, if there be any, by the same sign.”

“Those who wish to join us in a vote of appreciation, please manifest it.”

 “Those who wish to join us in expressing gratitude for their excellent service, please manifest it.”

So What?

This procedure is significant and each one of us, individually and personally, may avow our choice to support and sustain or oppose. Twice a year we have this precious opportunity to manifest and witness publically our belief that prophets live on earth today. As I participate I do not pass over this solemn opportunity to witness this truth before God and man. I also consider careful what more it means to really believe these leaders speak for God as prophets. I set aside each week to study their words. I obtain a personal copy of the Conference Ensign and transfer my notes to it and keep it with my scriptures as soon as it is available. I also freely share the doctrines they teach in public media, personal interactions and with anyone that will listen in any type of way they will hear me.

FORMATTING CHANGES

A slight change in the instructions clarified the expected format for these talk summaries. Previously it did not specify and the following instructions led me to believe that a good 'write-up' would consist of a one page report not a point by point outline. I like the new instructions. They are much easier to complete.

Previous: You should write about one page per talk/write-up. Be sure to create a write-up for each talk that you were asked to read. If this week has 2 Apostle readings, then combine all your write-ups into one Word document. Submit your document below. This is worth 12 points, so take time to make your document great. Your instructor will be looking for exceptional quality and application. Don't expect to get full credit otherwise.

New Instructor Notes: As I have been grading the write ups for the conference talks, I think I can help some of you feel less stressed about this portion of the your grade. I am including a good example of how this should look.  Again, keep in mind that you can get a good grade on assignments by doing what it asks, you don't need to do more than that.  So here is a good example.  There were many that used a similar format.  From a grading aspect, it is very easy to grade because it is done in sections like indicated in the instructions.  Thanks!

Talk Name

General Conference April 2013

Specific Session

Key Doctrines and Principles:

Short statement or question identifying main points

Favorite Quotes:

“Insert several quotes”

Why it matters to you:

This message has great importance to me because ...

This happens through [hard work, sacrifice, and a commitment to be obedient to the commandments of the Lord.]  Speaker states that “perhaps a quote.” We can apply the talk by ...  

As we follow the apostle / prophet’s counsel, we can expect . . .

FOUR TITLES Summary

183rd Annual General Conference of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Priesthood Session, 6 April 2013

Key Doctrines:       
In the Priesthood session of General Conference President Uchtdorf reminded listeners that each of us have many, varied titles by which we identify ourselves and others. He then outlined 4 titles that each priesthood holder has in common: Son of Heavenly Father, Disciple of Jesus Christ, Healer of Souls, and Heir of Eternal Life “ —titles that may help [men] recognize [their] individual roles in God’s eternal plan and ... potential as priesthood holders ....”

Quotes and So what:

He further commented, “It can be discouraging at times to know what it means to be a son of God and yet come up short.” Discouragement comes from the adversary. “Brethren, don’t listen to him.” As a son of God, Elder Uchtdorf compared each person to a toddler learning to walk. A loving Heavenly Father “rejoices in our every effort to stand tall and walk toward Him. Even when we stumble, He urges us not to be discouraged—never to give up ...—but to take courage, find our faith, and keep trying.”

Disciples of Christ, although not perfect, do not use that as an excuse to avoid or refuse growth and effort to become more like Christ. This doesn’t mean that everyone must “look, feel, think, and behave like every other. This would contradict the genius of God.” The Church “acknowledges and protects ... moral agency—with all its far-reaching consequences” for all. President Uchtdorf reminded men to “be steadfast and constant disciples ... not give up ... be true to our covenants ... [and] never lose sight of [Christ] as we walk toward Him, one imperfect step after another.”

A soul is the body and spirit joined together. Elder Uchtdorf reminded brethren, “We are healers. ... This is our first and foremost responsibility It is our privilege ... not just to talk the talk but also to walk the walk. The Savior is the worker of miracles. He is the great Healer. He is our example. ... Let us follow Him. Let us rise up to our role and become healers by serving God and our fellowmen.”
President Uchtdorf spoke to those that feel not needed, overlooked, unwanted or inadequate, about each individual’s inherent potential to become like their Father in Heaven. He reiterated the promises found in Doctrine and Covenants 84 that “whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods, … magnifying their calling, … [will] receive me, saith the Lord; … and he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; … therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.” He encouraged all to “rise up to [their] true potential” and be a force for good in families, communities, and nations and “be prepared to inherit, with Christ.”

DEITER F UCHTDORF

Activity Instructions: 

General Conference: 

Read all of the talks given by President Deiter F Uchtdorf in the last General Conference in which he spoke.

• Pray for inspiration and guidance before and after you read. 
• If you have any questions in your life, search for answers to them in the talks from our prophet. 
• If any quotes stand out to you and have special meaning, write them in your Inspirational Quote Book. 
• You can follow the link to access the talks from the last general conference. 

Past Talk: 

In this activity, you are to find and read a past talk given by President Deiter F Uchtdorf that will address a problem or question you have. The topic of the talk should have special meaning in your life. The talk or article can be from General Conference, the Ensign, a Devotional address, or any other meeting or training session. 

• Pray for inspiration and guidance before and after you read. 
• To find General Conference or Ensign material, go to this site or the lds.org search page and search the name of the general authority you are looking for. 
• Browse the results and read one of the past talks or articles written by that general authority. 
• To find a devotional address, go to the BYU speeches web page browse by speaker (in the top left corner) to find a collection of speeches by the person you are searching. 
• If any quotes stand out to you and have special meaning, write them in your Inspirational Quote Book.

WORLD WIDE LEADERSHIP TRAINING 1st President Message Summary

First Presidency Message
World Wide Leadership Training,

February 2011

Henry B Eyring gave greetings from the First Presidency and opened the World Wide Leadership Training, in February 2011, by quoting President Monson’s conclusion from the previous training in 2010. “[W]hatever your current leadership calling is, the new handbooks will be a treasure to you. They will be a blessing to you and to those you serve as you read them, understand them, and follow them. ...”

President Eyring reminded us that President Monson had “ promised that the handbooks would become to you a treasure as you do certain things” and then taught us, “ The word treasure has been used in scripture to describe something a person loves which has enduring value and which enlightens.”

As he spoke, I pondered what the greatest treasure I might desire is and how I might have it, not only for me, but also for those I serve. My feelings and thoughts happened to align with his message. He spoke about personal revelation and using it to bless and help others to “improve in their capacity to receive and recognize revelation. Only with the help of the Spirit will you read with an understanding of what the Lord intends. Only by the Spirit will you know how to apply what you read ... Only with the help of the Spirit will those to whom you delegate understand their assignments and know how to accomplish them. Only through the Spirit will [we] come to unity on what the Lord would have done.”

He also taught about the feelings we have when the Lord helps us remember what we study and as we prepare to be guided. “You can more easily treasure up what you hear or read today if it touches your heart. ... You might read and listen with this question in your mind: ‘How might these words or that idea bless someone I love?’ When you feel an answer to that question, you have added to the treasury from which the Lord will draw in the very hour when you need it to serve and to lead for Him.”

This talk has blessed me, as I keep this question foremost in my interactions with others. It helps me to realize and remember that each person is a beloved child to our Father in Heaven and reassures me as I remember that many times of help from Him in their behalf (and mine). It changes my attitude and blesses my family and all around me as I seek God’s will not mine.  

WE ARE ONE Summary

183rd Annual General Conference of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

Priesthood Session, 6 April 2013

I love listening to President Eyring expound gospel principles. He always inspires me in ways I can personally apply. When I heard the title of this talk I considered how I might “be one” with the men and boys of the priesthood to whom this address was directed. [I do not typically think of myself in that manner but in an attempt to apply his talk personally, I pondered this concept.]

Initially, President Eyring’s opening remarks caused me to think we are all “one” in the need to obey commandments that are given to us, and we are also all “one” in the enjoyment of the promised blessings obedience brings to the faithful.

Doctrine and Covenants 38:40–42 gives each of us the commandment to “go to with [our] might, with the labor of [our] hands, to prepare and accomplish the things which [God has] commanded ... in mildness and in meekness. And go ye out from among the wicked. Save yourselves. Be ye clean ..”

So, I wondered, how do I save myself? How do I become more clean? What commandment is President Eyring specifically discussing? I found the answer near the very first of his talk. “The Lord made it clear at the very start of this last dispensation that we were to take the gospel to all the world. ... Whatever our age, capacity, Church calling, or location, we are as one called to the work to help Him in His harvest of souls until He comes again.”

Ah yes – that one – that commandment! The commandment to look upon all our fellowmen as our brothers and sisters and love them enough to ignore problems and see what God sees in them.

President Eyring is clear, “ there is one way in which we are one ....” as he explains that to be one with the Lord and each other in purpose and action we must, “ sanctify ourselves and fulfill our individual duties to the commandment to take the gospel to all of our Heavenly Father’s children .... In 1923 ... there was a general instruction sent out to the members of the Church: Every member a missionary! ... For generations the prophets have told us that we must help the missionaries find and teach the honest in heart and then love those who come into the kingdom.”

Often President Eyring’s words are intimate and personal, and teach very effectively, as he speaks to listeners like a dear and loving friend. “[Y]ou know that the Lord always prepares a way to keep His commandments, you can expect that He will do that for each of you,” he confides to us before pointing out that obedience to the commandment brings happiness and joy. 

The desire for happiness, for not only ourselves but also for others, unites us in happy service. When we have “felt the effects of sin in [our] own lives and the marvelous healing of the Atonement , ... Out of love and gratitude for the Savior’s gift ... [we want] to help everyone ... escape the sadness of sin, feel the joy of forgiveness, and gather with them to safety in the kingdom of God  ... and [w]e share experiences in the way in which the Lord builds His kingdom on earth.”

Hmm – how shall I share the gospel today? What should I plan to do tomorrow? My opportunities are limitless. How can I serve? President Eyring has answered. I can serve and plan and share kindly, gently and enthusiastically every day with gratitude for my blessings.

COME UNTO ME Summary

183rd Annual General Conference of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Saturday morning April 6, 2013

Elder Eyring greeted attendees at the opening, Saturday morning, session of General Conference with emphatic and forceful words. “I am grateful to be with you in this conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  This is His Church. ... He is God, the Creator, and perfect. We are mortals subject to death and sin. Yet in His love for us and our families, He invites us to be close to Him.”

His talk centered on the example Christ showed to help us accept that invitation to be close to the Savior. When I listen to Conference, I think of the words I hear as if they are personally to me. How do I draw near to Jesus Christ?

President Eyring reminded us of the Savior’s words, “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you (Doctrine and Covenants 88:63).” President Eyring added, “At this Easter season we are reminded ... of the promise ... [t]he Savior made ... [and] how, in our service to Him, He comes to us.”

When we seek him in prayer and scripture study, and when we stand as witnesses (Luke 24:46–48) of Jesus Christ by following his example to us, of obedience and service, we will be able to “come to Him”. After his death the Savior appeared to two disciples as they walked and they did not know him. “The Lord had come to them (Henry B Eyring April 2013).”  He taught them from the scriptures about the Messiah and when he was going to continue along the road “they constrained him, saying, Abide with us ... And he went in to tarry with them (Luke 24:28–29).”

“The Savior accepted that night the invitation to enter the house of His disciples near the village of Emmaus (Henry B Eyring April 2013).”  How can I, likewise, invite him to join me? How can I invite him to abide with me?  President Eyring reminds me, “We are under covenant both to lift up those in need and to be witnesses of the Savior as long as we live.”

He then comfortingly promised, “Many of you have loved ones who are wandering ... You wonder what more you can do .... You can depend on the Lord to draw closer to them as you serve Him in faith ... remember the Lord’s promise to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon when they were away from their families on His errands: “My friends Sidney and Joseph, your families are well; they are in mine hands, and I will do with them as seemeth me good; for in me there is all power (D&C 100:1).”

He promises, “Your prayers and the prayers of those who exercise their faith will bring the Lord’s servants to help your family members. They will help them choose the way home to God, ... My promise ... cannot be that you will have every blessing you may wish ... But I can promise you that the Savior will draw close to you and bless you and your family with what is best. You will have the comfort of His love and feel the answer of His drawing closer as you reach out your arms in giving service to others. As you bind up the wounds of those in need and offer the cleansing of His Atonement to those who sorrow in sin, the Lord’s power will sustain you. His arms are outstretched with yours to succor and bless the children of our Heavenly Father, including those in your family.”

HENRY B EYRING

Activity Instructions: 

General Conference: 

Read all of the talks given by President Henry B Eyring in the last General Conference in which he spoke.

• Pray for inspiration and guidance before and after you read. 
• If you have any questions in your life, search for answers to them in the talks from our prophet. 
• If any quotes stand out to you and have special meaning, write them in your Inspirational Quote Book. 
• You can follow the link to access the talks from the last general conference. 

Past Talk: 

In this activity, you are to find and read a past talk given by President Henry B Eyring that will address a problem or question you have. The topic of the talk should have special meaning in your life. The talk or article can be from General Conference, the Ensign, a Devotional address, or any other meeting or training session. 

• Pray for inspiration and guidance before and after you read. 
• To find General Conference or Ensign material, go to this site or the lds.org search page and search the name of the general authority you are looking for. 
• Browse the results and read one of the past talks or articles written by that general authority. 
• To find a devotional address, go to the BYU speeches web page browse by speaker (in the top left corner) to find a collection of speeches by the person you are searching. 
• If any quotes stand out to you and have special meaning, write them in your Inspirational Quote Book.

AS WE MEET AGAIN Summary

181st Semi-Annual General Conference of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Saturday Morning October 1, 2011

In April 2011 President Monson said, “My beloved brothers and sisters, may we make whatever sacrifices are necessary to attend the temple and to have the spirit of the temple in our hearts and in our homes.” 

He talked about sacrifices of the past and several ways that we might sacrifice today by setting aside time to attend the temple regularly, searching out deceased ancestors, “bringing our life into compliance with what is required to receive a recommend, and having pictures of the temple where we can see them often. I wondered how I might do more – what additional sacrifice might be possible for me to make to help me remember the blessings of the temple more in my “heart” and “home”? All those things I was doing already.

In February 2011, my husband and I had accepted a call to serve as temple workers. Although willing to serve, at first we didn’t know how we could possibly dedicate every single Saturday (my husband works 40 hours a week) to temple work – when would we do yard work or other home repairs? It was explained to us that this would be like a mission and promised that the Lord would help us as we trusted him and committed to serve him first.

Our next barrier was figuring out how to extract money, each month, from an overstretched budget, to pay for the weekly 175 mile trip. Steep medical bills drain all surplus, and we already forgo eating out, movies, and other luxuries that quickly add up. We pay our tithes and offerings, and then we trust Heavenly Father to help us get by. Within a short time of saying yes to the calling, a tax error returned enough money to finish paying for a car. The payment equaled the cost of the weekly temple trip. We have witnessed miracles and blessings in temporal and spiritual matters as we have followed the prophet’s counsel to look to the temple.

We were so grateful the temple is so close. For a time we lived where the temple was about 800 miles away - a 12 hour drive. We could not afford to go often. We would save for each trip for approximately a year, or sometimes longer.

Six months later, in October 2011 President Monson again talked about temples. He opened his talk in the first session by describing his busy ‘temple schedule’. He, also, makes many sacrifices so that all members of the church may have temple blessings. I was still pondering how I might implement his suggestion to make the temple more a part of my heart and home.

 He said, “First, may I mention that no Church-built facility is more important than a temple. Temples are places where relationships are sealed together to last through the eternities. ...I have mentioned in previous conferences the progress we are making in placing temples closer to our members. Although they are readily available to many members in the Church, there are still areas of the world where temples are so distant from our members that they cannot afford the travel required to get to them. They are thus unable to partake of the sacred and eternal blessings temples provide. To help in this regard, we have available what is called the General Temple Patron Assistance Fund. This fund provides a one-time visit to the temple for those who otherwise would not be able to go to the temple and yet who long desperately for that opportunity. Any who might wish to contribute to this fund can simply write in the information on the normal contribution slip which is given to the bishop each month.”

As I heard President Monson speak I knew I could do more to help others, who may long for temple blessings, to be able to attend. My husband felt the same way. We realized that we could make changes to  allow us to give money to the General Temple Patron Assistance Fund. We were surprised at how easy it was to be inspired to find a way to help when that is what we wanted to do.

President Monson concluded his talk, as he often does in the opening session of conference, by asking us to listen carefully. “Now, brothers and sisters, it is my prayer that we may be filled with the Spirit of the Lord as we listen to the messages today and tomorrow and learn those things the Lord would have us know.” 

I can testify that when we listen carefully and obey the prophet’s counsel, we are able to hear in ways that come only through the spirit. I know Thomas S. Monson is the Lord’s prophet on earth today. As we study his teachings and desire to apply them to our lives, we will have miracles bless our life and the lives of others.

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN Summary

183rd Annual General Conference of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Sunday afternoon April 7, 2013

At its conclusion, President Thomas S. Monson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints counseled listeners to the 183rd Annual General Conference, “May we long remember what we have heard these past two days. I urge you to study the messages further .... ” He requested they be good citizens and neighbors, aware of needs; reaching out to all around them in kindness, with love and tolerance.

He acknowledged they live “at a time ... when there are many difficult challenges” but encouraged listeners to notice the “great opportunities and reasons for rejoicing” that are also available. “There are, of course,” he comforted, “those times when we experience disappointments, heartaches, and even tragedies in our lives. However, if we will put our trust in the Lord, He will help us through our difficulties, whatever they may be. The Psalmist provided this assurance: ‘Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning (Psalm 30:5).’”

Last, but not least, President Monson shared his personal witness and testimony that God lives, hears prayers, and that His Son Jesus Christ speaks to us: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him (Revelation 3:20).” Through this great prophet, and other men and women like him that have been called of God to counsel and guide us, I heard the Savior’s voice speak to me. I believe President Monson’s final counsel for us to study their words is to help us recognize this reality and secure it into our hearts. He also invoked a final blessing from heaven upon each that will hear, read, or study these words. “May your homes be filled with peace, harmony, courtesy, and love. May they be filled with the Spirit of the Lord. May you nurture and nourish your testimonies of the gospel, that they will be a protection to you against the buffetings of Satan. Until we meet again in six months, I pray that the Lord will bless and keep you, my brothers and sisters. May His promised peace be with you now and always.”

OBEDIENCE BRINGS BLESSINGS Summary

183rd Annual General Conference of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Sunday morning April 7, 2013

President Monson taught, “‘Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come. …The Spirit of truth is of God. … And no man receiveth a fulness unless he keepeth his commandments. He that keepeth [God’s] (sic) commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.’ (Doctrine and Covenants 93:24, 26–28) What a glorious promise! [God has] provided an unfailing guide—even obedience. A knowledge of truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient to the commandments of God.”

Oh Say, What is Truth? (Hymn 272) expresses the angst of many hearts, including mine. All my life I have sought knowledge to understand my existence and purpose. In the Sunday morning session of April 2013 General Conference, President Monson said, “Such a search is undertaken by each of us.”

My first search was to know God. What does that word “God” mean, and to whom? I came to know the reality of a loving and eternal father in heaven. I came to know His Son, yet each answer merely presses new questions to my mind. “Yes, say what is truth? ‘Tis the brightest prize ...Truth, the sum of existence, will weather the worst, ... Tho the heavens depart and the earth’s fountains burst, Eternal, unchanged, evermore (Hymn 272).”

“This knowledge and understanding are available to all...” President Monson promised, as he quoted scriptures throughout his talk. I often find my answers, with the accompanying peace promised by prophets, in their words - the words of ancient and living prophets. I am especially grateful that these words are available to me so readily.

Our prophet rehearsed some suggestions, with examples, about “rules and laws to help ensure our physical safety [and] guidelines and commandments to help ensure our spiritual safety ....” all the while quoting additional prophets. Abraham, for example, was promised, “In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice (Genesis 22:18).” Joseph F. Smith in October 1873 declared, “Obedience is the first law of heaven.” I posted this simple quote prominently. I write such quotes on my mirror for memorization. Gordon B. Hinckley observed, “The happiness of the Latter-day Saints, the peace of the Latter-day Saints, the progress of the Latter-day Saints, the prosperity of the Latter-day Saints, and the eternal salvation and exaltation of this people lie in walking in obedience to the counsels of … God (Dec 1971, 125)." 

“Obedience is a hallmark of prophets,” President Monson taught, “... It is essential for us to realize that we, as well, are entitled to this source of strength and knowledge. It is readily available to each of us today as we obey....” It is that simple, so why do I struggle so?

President Monson concluded, “... the great test of this life is obedience. ‘We will prove them herewith,’ said the Lord, ‘to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them ( Abraham 3:25 bold emphasis mine).’... Declared the Savior, ‘For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing ... ( Doctrine and Covenants 132:5). ... No greater example of obedience exists .... He gave to us a divine example [and instructs] ‘Follow thou me (John 21:22).’ ” As President Monson closes, I tearfully realize how far I have to go to accept his promise, “The knowledge which we seek, the answers for which we yearn, and the strength which we desire today to meet the challenges of a complex and changing world can be ours when we willingly obey the Lord’s commandments.”

COME, ALL YE SONS OF GOD Summary

183rd Annual General Conference of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Priesthood Session Saturday evening April 6, 2013

When a prophet quotes a prophet, I listen carefully. When a prophet repeats something specific, I listen very carefully. In President Monson’s Priesthood session talk about missionary service, he repeated 4 principles, which build a formula for success, 4 times! I think I better study these!! 

He stated, “The challenge is to be more profitable servants in the Lord’s vineyard. This applies to all of us, whatever our age, and not alone to those who are preparing to serve as full-time missionaries, for to each of us comes the mandate to share the gospel of Christ.” As I considered these principles, they are indeed a good formula to succeed in most contexts of life.

First: Search the Scriptures With Diligence.“Emphasis of the Church curricula is the holy scriptures .... We are encouraged, as well, to study the scriptures each day both individually and with our families. (Alma 17:2-3)”

Second: Plan Your Life With Purpose. “Preparation ... begins early. In addition to spiritual preparation ... commence a ... fund, ... study a foreign language, [and maintain] worthiness. Regardless of the location, however, the response of the prepared and obedient missionary is the same: 'I will serve.'” President Monson guided us all (if we are applying his teachings to ourselves) to be prepared to sustain each other with labor, encourage with faith, and uphold with prayer. He reminded us to not limit ourselves to formal calls but to watch for opportunities in all circumstances, including during education and military service.

Third: Teach the Truth With Testimony. The Apostle Peter urged, “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15).” President Monson said to obey Peter’s counsel. He also commanded us, “Lift up your voices and testify to the true nature of the Godhead. Declare your witness concerning the Book of Mormon. Convey the ... truths contained in the plan of salvation.”

Fourth: Serve With Love. Mincing no words, President Monson , forthrightly declared “There is no substitute for love,” and quoted Doctrine and Covenants 4:2, 5-6 to specifically enumerate many loving qualities and attributes of genuine disciples of Jesus. “Well might each of you ... [ask yourself] 'Today, have I increased in faith, in virtue, in knowledge, in godliness, in love?'” he requested and then promised, “Through your dedicated devotion at home or abroad, those souls whom you help to save may well be those whom you love the most.”

After reiterating in summary these four points a fourth and final time, he reminded us, as he has done many times before, to respond to the gentle invitation of the Savior: “Follow thou me (John 21:22).”

WELCOME TO CONFERENCE Summary

183rd Annual General Conference of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Saturday morning April 6, 2013 

As Thomas S. Monson welcomed listeners to the 183rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, after sharing a brief overview of temple dedications, he announced two additional temples. This overview was in keeping with his General Conference teachings of April 2011 that members should make any sacrifice needed to regularly attend the temple and to keep it the symbol and focus of our lives.

He stated, “ My brothers and sisters, temples are more than stone and mortar. They are filled with faith and fasting. They are built of trials and testimonies. They are sanctified by sacrifice and service .... Some degree of sacrifice has ever been associated with temple building and with temple attendance. ... Those who understand ... know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy, no struggle too difficult in order to receive those blessings.... Each [temple] stands as a beacon to the world, an expression of our testimony that God, our Eternal Father, lives, that He desires to bless us and, indeed, to bless His sons and daughters of all generations. ... My beloved brothers and sisters, may we make whatever sacrifices are necessary to attend the temple and to have the spirit of the temple in our hearts and in our homes.”

He also reminded us about his announcement, six months ago, that allows missionaries to serve at younger ages. Prophets always ask us to share the gospel with others and to be missionaries. This change dramatically, and immediately, increased the number of missionaries serving full time. He said, “The response of our young people has been remarkable and inspiring. ... It has been necessary for us to create 58 new missions to accommodate the increased numbers.” The Prophet then invited us “To help maintain this missionary force ... because many of our missionaries come from modest circumstances” with generous contributions, if we are able, “to the General Missionary Fund of the Church.” His invitation made me laugh right out loud because in the past, when prophets have called for such donations, the response has been as immediate and as remarkable as the surge in missionary applications.

President Monson also urged us “to be attentive and receptive to the ... inspired messages” of conference because “Those who will address us have sought prayerfully to know that which the Lord would have us hear at this time.” I testify that his message was what the Lord wanted myself and my husband to hear. We felt a confirming witness that we are able to contribute to the General Missionary Fund and carefully worked out a plan and budget to determine what a ‘generous contribution’ consists of for us. We know Thomas S. Monson speaks to us from Heavenly Father. We try to always honor his counsel.

PRESIDENT THOMAS S MONSON

Activity Instructions: 

General Conference: 

Read all of the talks given by President Thomas S. Monson in the last General Conference in which he spoke.

• Pray for inspiration and guidance before and after you read. 
• If you have any questions in your life, search for answers to them in the talks from our prophet. 
• If any quotes stand out to you and have special meaning, write them in your Inspirational Quote Book. 
• You can follow the link to access the talks from the last general conference. 

Past Talk: 

In this activity, you are to find and read a past talk given by President Thomas S. Monson that will address a problem or question you have. The topic of the talk should have special meaning in your life. The talk or article can be from General Conference, the Ensign, a Devotional address, or any other meeting or training session. 

• Pray for inspiration and guidance before and after you read. 
• To find General Conference or Ensign material, go to this site or the lds.org search page and search the name of the general authority you are looking for. 
• Browse the results and read one of the past talks or articles written by that general authority. 
• To find a devotional address, go to the BYU speeches web page browse by speaker (in the top left corner) to find a collection of speeches by the person you are searching. 
• If any quotes stand out to you and have special meaning, write them in your Inspirational Quote Book.

WRITE IT!

Course Instructions: 

Create a write-up for each talk that you have read each week.

The class is to read ALL the conference talks from one apostle each week, and one past talk that has personal application or meaning. We began with President Monson and will move through all 15 living prophets during the semester.

Write-ups should include the following:

• Title of the talk 
• When it was given 
• Key doctrines and principles 
• Favorite quotes 
• Why it matters to you 

Write about one page per talk/write-up.
Be sure to create a write-up for each talk that you were asked to read.

100 QUOTE MINIMUM

FDREL333 Living Prophets is a required class.

Using 4 assigned topics and 6 more picked as "relevant to our day", by the class, we find 10 quotes from living prophets and apostles for each of the 10 topics.

This will be fun. 

What do you think is relevant?

Each student was asked to post 2 things. We were not to duplicate any others (but it could not be avoided if several posted almost simultaneously). I waited a day or so until someone else had posted committment, family history, anger, and the last days (I thought that was close enough to "2nd coming") and the I posted my other two choices: faith vs fear and kindness.

The class posted the following list as relevant:

Accountability, Addiction, Adversity, Commandments, Appropriate Media, Avoiding gossip, Anger Management, Blessings, Charity, Cheerfulness, Clean language, Commitment, Compassion, Contention, Conversion, Desire to be perfect, Developing Christlike attributes, Dress/grooming, Dwindling in Unbelief, Enduring to the end/through trials, Entitlement, Family history, Geneology, Family Home Evening, Scripture study, Fear vs Faith, Fellowshipping, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Hard Things, Honesty, Hope, Humility, In the world but not of the world, Jesus as God, Joy, Judging Others, Keeping the Commandments, Keeping the Sabbath Day holy, Kindness, Last Days, Marriage, Ministering, Miracles, Missionary work, Modesty, Obedience, Over-coming , Patience, Parenting, Peace, Perseverance, Personal Accountability, Personal revelation, Personal Worth, Pioneers/Church History, Prayer, Preparation, Pride, Priesthood, Priesthood Duty, Purity, Reaching the One, Retaining new converts, Same-Sex Attraction, Satan's war on our Youth, Seeking divine guidance, Self Mastery, Selfishness, Self-Reliance, Senior Missionary Service, Service, Spirituality, Stand in Holy places, Studying the Scriptures, Supporting/Sustaining Leaders in the Church, Testimony, Tender Mercies, Temple work, Tithing, True to self, Trust in God/Jesus Christ, Trust in the Lord, Virtue, Welfare, Women of Faith, Word of Wisdom, Work.

In addition to the assigned 4 topics - Family, Atonement, Agency, Pornography, you can pick any other 6. I notice that some topics kind of overlap or go together. I think forgiveness, marriage, parenting, patience, prayer, scritpure study, priesthood, and 'women of faith' would all fit in the category "family".

I would lump all missionary work, family histroy and genealogy, fellowshipping, charity, and compassion into the category of "service". I picked "service" along with my own topics posted. 

I would lump hope, trust, humility, miracles, patience, personal revelation, and others with "faith vs fear".

How would you organize so many topics?

How would you decide what is relevant to you personally?

What will you pick?