...if we listen and obey the prophets now, including those who will speak in this very conference, we will be strengthened and protected.
The greatest blessings of general conference come to us after the conference is over. Remember the pattern recorded frequently in scripture: we gather to hear the words of the Lord, and we return to our homes to live them.
After King Benjamin taught his people, “he dismissed the multitude, and they returned, every one, according to their families, to their own houses.” In his day, King Limhi did the same. After teaching and ministering to the people at the temple in Bountiful, the Savior entreated the people, “Go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again.”
We accept the Savior’s invitation when we ponder and pray to understand what we have been taught and then go forward and do His will. Remember President Spencer W. Kimball’s words: “I have made up my mind that when I go home from this [general] conference … there are many, many areas in my life that I can perfect. I have made a mental list of them, and I expect to go to work as soon as we get through.” President Monson recently said: “I encourage you to read the talks … and to ponder the messages contained therein. I have found in my own life that I gain even more from these inspired sermons when I study them in greater depth.”
In addition to inviting us to hold personal and family scripture study, Heavenly Father wants us to regularly study and apply what we have learned in conference. I testify that those who put their trust in the Lord and heed this counsel in faith will gain great strength to bless themselves and their families for generations to come.
I hope this inspires you to read with us and share your thoughts/feelings in the comment section. I learned a while back that when you share a goal with another person, and especially if you work on that goal with another, your likelihood of achieving that goal goes up 90%.
General Conference was very inspiring! I hope you won't mind if I follow your blog. I was wanting to do this same idea with friends in my ward but so far, no takers. I would LOVE the opportunity to set a goal and follow along with your group. Rebecca
ReplyDeleteIn 2010 General Conferenc, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland stated: "General Conference is a declaration to the world that Jesus is the Christ, that He and His Father-the God and Father of us all, appeared to the boy prophet, Joseph Smith in fullfillment of an ancient promise that Jesus would again restore His church on the earth. These conferences proclaim to every nation, kindred, tongue and people the loving messianic promise:that His mercy endureth forever
ReplyDeleteIn 2012, President Thomas S Monson stated "May we listen attentively to the messages...that we may feel the Spirit of the Lord and gain the knowledge He would desire for us. Since our Father knows us personally, He knows what we need to grow closer to Him. He has prepared a way for this to happen in many ways, one way being in General Conference; but it requires us doing our part. First a desire to thirst for the knowledge of God, second to repent of our sins to allow the Holy Spirit to commune with us on a personal level and then third to do as DC 50:19-22 states. The General Authority have done their part and we must do ours. This is a perfect way to prepare for all our meetings, but especially General Conference.
ReplyDeleteI love how Elder Hale spoke to all in his comments, he taught the new member and seasoned member alike. President Howard W Hunter in the Oct. 1981 Conference stated that "Conference is a season of spiritual revival, when knowledge and testimony are increased and solidified." It is a time to feel the Lord Jesus Christ in our gatherings. General Conference in a sense a supplement to or an extension of the Doctrine and Covenants. General Conference is like a modern Liahona and is deserving of your faith, heed and diligence. DC 68:2-6
ReplyDeleteIn Conference of Oct. 1981 President Spencer W Kimball stated " May I remind all of us that if we live the gospel and follow the counsel of the leaders of the church, we will be blessed to avoid many of the problems that plague the world. The Lord knows the challenges we face. If we keep His commandments, we will be entitled to wisdom and blessings of heaven in solving them.
ReplyDeleteIn Oct. of 1975, President Spencer W Kimball encouraged all to take notes of thoughts that have come to your to your mind as the Brethren have addressed you. Many suggestions have been given that will help you as leaders in the perfection of your work.Many helpful thoughtshave been given for the perfection of our lives, and that of course is the basic reason of our coming. While sitting here, I have made up my mind, that when I go home from this conference, this night, there are many areas in my life that I can perfect. I have made a mental list of them and I expect to go to work as soon as we get through with conference. WOW, a prophet of God, saying that He learned many things he needed to improve! Do we say the same thing?
ReplyDeleteAt the 2005 General Conference, Elder Paul V Johnson stated: "Decide now to make General Conference a priority in your life. Decide to listen carefully and follow the teachings that are given. Listen to or read the talks more than once to better understand and follow the counsel. As you do these things, the gates of hell will not prevail against you and the heavens will shake for your good."
ReplyDeleteIn the concluding session of Oct. Conference of 2005, Elder Jeffrey R Holland explained " that hearing God's voice through His servants is vital to spiritual survival in our day of dangers and difficulties. Our times are turbulent and difficult. We see wars internationally, and distress domestically, neighbors all around us face personal heartaches and family sorrows. Legions know fear and troubles a hundred kinds. This reminds us that when the mists of darkness enveloped the travelers in Lehi's vision of the tree of life, it enveloped all of the participants- the righteous as well as the unrighteous, the young along with the elderly, the new convert and the seasoned member alike. In that allegory, all faced opposition and travail and ONLY THE ROD OF IRON-THE DECLARED WORD OF GOD-CAN BRING THEM SAFELY THROUGH. We all need that rod. We all need that word. No one is safe without it, for in its absence any can fall away into forbidden paths and be lost. How grateful we are to have heard God's voice and felt the strength of that iron rod in this Conference these past 2 days.
ReplyDeleteElder James E Talmage stated" the standard works of the church constitute the written authority of the church in doctrine. Nevertheless, the church holds itself in readiness to receive additional light and knowledge pertaining to the kingdom of God through divine revealation. We believe that God is as willing today as He ever has been to reveal His mind and will to man, and that He does through His appointed servants, prophets, seers and revealators invested through ordination with the authority of the Holy Priesthood. We rely therefore on the teachings of the living oracles of God as of equal validity with the doctrines of the written word.
ReplyDeletePresident Boyd K Packer of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles stated "What you shall gain {in Conference} will depend not so much upon their preparation of the messages, as upon YOUR preparation for them.
ReplyDeleteElder Jeffrey R Holland stated" Each of these Conferences marks a call to action, not only in our lives, but also on behalf of others around us, those who are of our own family and faith and those who are not."
ReplyDeletePresident Spencer W Kimball: " In the several 2 hour sessions...truths were taught, doctrines expounded, exhortations given, enough to save the whole world from all its ills and I mean from ALL its ills. A rather complete education in eternalverities was given to millions with a great hope that there were 'ears a hearing and eyes a seeing and hearts a throbbing' convinced of truth".
ReplyDeletePresident Gordon B Hinkley stated "We will remember all that has been said, but there will arise from all of this a spiritual uplift. It may be undefinable, but it will be real. So it will be with the experience we have enjoyed. And perhaps out all we have heard, there may be a phrase or a paragraph that will stand out and possess our attention. If this occurs, I hope we will write it down and reflect on it until we savor the depth of its meaning and have made it a part of our own lives."
ReplyDeleteElder David A Bednar stated:"Preparation is essential in receiving and understanding the will of the Lord. The Lord has promised ' I will tell you in your mind and in your heart by the Holy Ghost which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.' ( DC 8:2). The word of the Lord will come to you more readily as you prepare your mind and your heart. Nephi teaches us :'When a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost, the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth (the message) unto the hearts of the children of men'(2N 33:10). Please notice how the power of the Spirit carries the message unto , but not necessarily into the heart. A teacher can explain, demonstrate,persuade and testify and do so with great spiritual power and effectiveness;ultimately however the content of the message and the witness of the Holy Ghost penetrate into the heart only if the receiver allows them to enter. Brothers and Sisters, learning by faith opens the pathway into the heart. Learning by faith requires spiritual, mental,and physical exertion and not just passive reception.
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