Tuned In This Weekend--Images and Highlights

Twice a year we look forward to a weekend full of instruction and inspiration from the leaders of our church.  General Conference is a great break from our normal routines.  Four two-hour sessions over a two-day period all broadcast from Salt Lake City via the Internet--it is renewing.  I loved Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's talk today about their apostolic duty to prepare for these conference addresses.  "We testify that God not only lives, but that He Speaks" he said.

This was our set-up this year:  a laptop and speakers in the living room.  The kids kept busy--there was a lot of coloring, shushing, and snuggling.  D and I managed to take some good notes.  These are some of my favorite paraphrased parts.

President Dieter Uctdorf said we need to hear and hearken and heed the whisperings of the Spirit when we are given direction.  When we help answer the prayers of others through our service, we find answers to our own prayers.  Similarly when we share truth, truth is imparted to us.

Elder Boyd K. Packer (quoting someone else?) said "if someone is looking for a church that requires only a little, this is not the one for them."


Elder Russell M. Nelson said the "Cafeteria Approach" to obedience will not work.  To live with God we must keep all of his commandments.

I loved the talks (and I think there were three big ones) on caring for the poor.  As a parent and as a citizen I'm always trying to figure out God's laws for being compassionate and teaching self-reliance.  I find it so interesting that a few years into this recession conference messages were about maintaining faith and having hope in the future, and clearly there are so many people who need our help in learning how to take care of themselves.  Simultaneously we cannot hold back on serving them and sharing generously--these were the messages I got.

Sister Jean E. Stevens said that we need to take note of the Savior's exact wording to "behold your little ones"--all I could think about for the next five minutes was how I need to be more present with my kids and see them for the miracle that they are and prepare them to do the miracles they'll need to do.

Elder Quentin Cook quoted Wallace Stegner (one of my favorite authors who wasn't a member of our church) who said speaking of the early Mormon saints "their women are incredible."  I was impressed by God's complete faith in our abilities to serve this world.

Elder C. Scott Grow reminded us that Satan tries to convince us that when we sin we are lost, when in reality Christ's sacrifice and suffering made it so that we are all safe--there is always hope for us.