General Conference Gems - April 2014

While being sick and stuck at home wouldn't be my first choice on how to celebrate Easter, it has given me time to go through all my notes from General Conference. It is hard for me to pick a favorite talk. I really loved the Saturday Morning Session. It felt like such a powerhouse session to me with Elder Holland's, Sister Reeves's and Elder Andersen's talks. I also appreciated Pres. Uchtdorf's and Elder Bednar's talks. I'm a bit behind on this post (and all other posts), but here are some quotes from this past conference that really stuck out to me.

• "The adversary would have us be critical or judgmental of one another. He wants us to concentrate on our differences and compare ourselves to one another...When we compare ourselves to one another, we will always feel inadequate or resentful of others." -Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson (This quote is from the General Women's Meeting. I loved Sis. Oscarson's talk. I had the chance to meet her at a photo shoot about a week before conference. She was delightful and funny. There was another section from her talk that I really enjoyed. She discussed how when Mary received the news that she would be Christ's mother, the Lord prompted her to visit her cousin Elisabeth, who was also expecting. Elisabeth was able to be the support Mary needed and was a nurturing strengthen to her. I had this experience a couple of times just this past week, of having loving friends be the strength and support I needed. Thanks to Melina for choosing the perfect time to send me a gchat when I was feeling particularly low, which turned into a needed conversation. And thanks to Krista as I was able to bear my heart truthfully of life's trials and challenges and feel nothing but love and understanding from you. I'm most grateful for my sisters on this earth, the ones by genetics and also the ones by spirit.)

• "You may wonder if it is worth it to take a courageous moral stand in high school or to go on a mission only to have your most cherished beliefs reviled or to strive against much in society that sometimes ridicules a life of religious devotion. Yes, it is worth it, because the alternative is to have our "houses" left unto us "desolate" -- desolate individuals, desolate families, desolate neighborhoods, and desolate nations." - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland 

• "Be strong. Live the gospel faithfully even if others around you don't live it at all. Defend your beliefs with courtesy and with compassion, but defend them." -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (If we yelled praises of "amens" and "hallelujahs" in our congregations, Elder Holland's talk would have received a few from me.)

• "Filters are useful tools, but the greatest filter in the world, the only one that will ultimately work, is the personal internal filter that comes from a deep and abiding testimony of our Heavenly Father's love and our Savior's atoning sacrifice for each one of us. -Sister Linda S. Reeves (I thought Sis. Reeves gave such a powerful and insightful talk concerning the effects of pornography without being condemning.)

• "A friend recently cautioned, "When you ask the sisters to read the scriptures and pray more, it stresses them out. They already feel like they have too much to do." Brothers and sisters, because I know from my own experiences, and those of my husband, I must testify of the blessings of daily scripture study and prayer and weekly family home evening. These are the very practices that help take away stress, give direction to our lives, and add protection to our home." -Sister Linda S. Reeves (And another quote from Sis. Reeves, because I really liked her talk.)

• "He [God] made your spirit strong and capable of being resilient to the whirlwinds of life. The whirlwinds in your youth, like the wind against a young tree, can increase your spiritual strength, preparing you for the years ahead." -Elder Neil L. Andersen

• "While many governments and well-meaning individuals have redefined marriage, the Lord has not. -Elder Neil L. Andersen

• "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." -President Henry B. Eyring (I like the perspective he shares.)

• "Day after day, on your path toward your eternal destiny, increase your faith. Proclaim your faith! Let your faith show. -Elder Russell M. Nelson

• "At vital times in my life, Father in Heaven blessed me with someone who cared for me enough to help guide my choices in an appropriate direction. They observed these words of the Savior: 'For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.'" -Elder Richard G. Scott (I feel most grateful for the family members, leaders, loved ones and friends that Heavenly Father has given me to help me along the way. I can only pray that I have been this person for others in their lives from time to time.)

• "Spiritually mature obedience is 'the Savior's obedience.' It is motivated by true love for Heavenly Father and His Son." -Elder Robert D. Hales

• "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!" -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (Though this can be hard at times, when I'm living with more gratitude, I do feel more peace and joy.)

• "There seems to be something inside of us that resists endings. Why is this? Because we are made of the stuff of eternity. We are eternal beings, children of the Almighty God, whose name is Endless and who promises eternal blessings without number. Endings are not our destiny." -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (I love this promise and knowledge so much.)

• "We can trust that He will help us, not necessarily in the way we want but in the way that will best help us grow. Submitting our will to His may be difficult, but it is essential to becoming like Him and finding the peace He offers us." -Sister Jean A. Stevens

• "Sometimes we mistakenly may believe that happiness is the absence of a load. But bearing a load is necessary and an essential part of the plan of happiness...The Savior said: 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." -Elder David A. Bednar (Danny and I have discussed this before and agree that the trials in our few years of marriage have brought us closer and deepened our relationship. I think it goes that way for most things in life.)

• "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." -President Thomas S. Monson

• "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..." -President Thomas S. Monson (I love my family!)

• "The more connected we feel to our righteous forefathers, the more likely we are to make wise and righteous choices." -Elder William R. Walker (I have recently felt really connected to my pioneer ancestors and I'm so grateful for their sacrifices that I have been blessed by.)

• "Obedience is an emblem of our faith in the wisdom and power of the highest authority, even God."     -Elder L. Tom Perry

• Those who rely solely on themselves and follow only their own desires and self-inclinations are so limited when compared to those who follow God. -Elder L. Tom Perry