Gleaning conference: semi-annual svithe

Jess was right. It was much harder to take copious notes during conference now that I have a baby to entertain. Heck, it was hard to take any sort of notes. But this is what I came up with:

SATURDAY

Elder Nelson

Law of Common Consent is to bring unity of faith. Time to prepare for salvation and exaltation is now. Development of faith and repentance are individual matters. Salvation is an individual matter, but individual progression is fostered in the family. Eternal life is a conditional gift. Resurrection is an unconditional gift. Parents, teach importance of God in your children’s lives. Teach them to honor their parents. How? By persuasion, long suffering, meekness, love unfeigned, etc. (scripture D&C) Salvation is individual matter. Exaltation is a family matter.

Sister ??

Traditions: not enough to be good, must be good enough. Are our traditions making it easy for our kids to follow the Lord?

Kenneth Johnson

Need less critics and more models. Never be satisfied with less than your best.

Elder Wirthlin

We need to have more compassion.

Elder Eyring

Elder Oaks

Testimony is not a travel log, health log, sermon, profession of love for family, etc. What do we mean when we say “I know the gospel is true.” Contrast it with I know it is cold outside. (sci- proof). I know I love my spouse (subjective). Scientific method won’t yield spiritual knowledge. We know spiritual truths by spiritual means (God via Holy Ghost). We can be just as sure of this knowledge as we are of other methods (ie scientific). How do you gain a testimony? Not passive but a process.

1. desire to know
2. ask god in sincere prayer
3. bear it
4. Partake of sacrament each week so we may have the spirit with us. The spirit will then make known to us the truth.
5. Gift of knowledge has a responsibility to bear so those with gift of believing on their words may receive their testimony.
6. Be valiant in your testimony.
7. Speak truth in love.

Each of us has 2 different channels to God. Governance (leaders) encourages obedience, and personal testimony that results in knowledge. Avoid arrogance and pride while testifying.

Elder Hales

Gerald Lund

(He used to be my stake pres. back at BYU. We had an activity at his house once and it's huge. He has a leather bound set of his books The Work and the Glory.)

Need to assess condition of our hearts. Unto vs. into the heart. HG delivers msg unto the heart, but we must allow it into our heart. We must choose to open our hearts.

Walker

First presidency is made up of 3 presidents, not a president and two vice presidents.

Elder Scott

Powerful talk on sexual abuse, healing, atonement, and Satan. The lord will help you but you must reach out for that help. You’ll be guided in your efforts to receive help. The perfect Judge, Jesus Christ will hold all abusers accountable for every immoral acts un-repented of.

Elder Perry

Immortality is forever but is not the same as eternal life. Eternal Life is the greatest gift of God. It is the quality of life that God himself enjoys. Cookbook picture analogy. The product pictured in the cookbook can only be achieved when the recipe is followed exactly. Faith in the lord leads us to believe which allows us to see. Baptism a gate. Repent moment-by-moment as well as week-by-week when we take the sacrament. Be an integral part of the community of saints. In order to succeed we must be unified in our Savior. Always maintain faith in Christ. Pray, fast and read scriptures continually.

SUNDAY

President Uchdorff

Story of Monson in Germany climbing 5 flights of stairs to visit a man.

Todd D. Christofferson (New Apostle in 12)

Born again. We are spiritually reborn through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Our own actions as well as Christ are needed to be changed into a new creature. Don’t retain in yourself some disposition to do evil. Continue in the path of spiritual rebirth and the atoning power of Christ will cleanse you and temptations will lose their appeal.

Sheldon Child

Silver dollars. If we faithfully pay our tithing, the Lord will bless us and our needs will be met. Tithing is a commandment. When we obey his commandments he is bound to bless us. Violate them and we suffer everlasting consequences. Obey them and we reap everlasting joy. We’re living in challenging economic times, but if we look to the past we’ll see that there have always been times of prosperity and disparity. If we use wisdom and good judgment, the Lord will help us manage the resources we have. There will be enough. As you faithfully pay your tithes, you will be able to pay your debts and the Lord will pour out blessings upon you in abundance. Tithing will be the best investment you will ever make.

Susan Tanner

Nephi remembers his source of delight amidst affliction. Delight in the things of the Lord; it will give us cause to rejoice. Men and women should be nurturers. Miracles are real. They come in His way and on His timetable. Live always to be worthy of the Lord’s delight.

Elder Packer

The quorum of 12 is made of ordinary people.

President Monson

In’63 ordained to quorum of 12.

Elder Holland

Continuing revelation. Awesome talk. Wish I could write down more.

Elder Bednar

Saying prayers vs. engaging in meaningful prayer. We must improve in our consistency and efficacy of our personal and family prayers. True faith is focused on Christ and always leads to action.

someone???

Do not lower your standards, be a standard to others. Doubt not, fear not.

Stuer

How do we obtain spiritual light?

1. Learn true doctrine
2. gain pure testimony
3. live the gospel courageously

Wickman

Death is a passage through which everyone must pass. This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God. “The day of this life” The person we are when we depart from this life is the person we’ll be when we arrive in the next. Today is the day to forgive others. Today is the day to repent of our sins. These are among some of God’s chief requirements for us.

Craig Christensen

When Prophets speak by the power of the holy ghost, it is scripture.

Elder Ballard

Demanding role of motherhood. No role in life more essential. No one right way of mothering. Many are able to be full time moms, many would like to be, some work part or full time, some work at home, what matters is a mother loves her kids deeply and prioritizes them above all else. It’s crucial to focus on the children the short time we have them with us. This eternally important work falls to mothers and fathers in an equal partnership.

If the simple things are being tended to, a mother’s life can be rewarded

1. How do you reduce pressure and enjoy it more?
1. Look for the shining moments of joy and satisfaction. Don’t rush past the fleeting moments.
2. Don’t be in such a hurry to get to the next thing
3. Don’t overscheduled yourself and children. Families need some unstructured time where relationships can deepen and you can play together.
4. Find time for yourself to cultivate your interests. Water cannot be drawn from an empty well. Don’t be caught up in the mindless time wasting of tv, soaps, internet, etc.
5. pray
2. What can a husband do to support?
1. Show extra appreciation.
2. Have a regular time to talk with wife about needs.
3. Give wife a day and break from her family responsibilities.
4. Come home from work and take an active role with families.
3. What can children do to help mother?
1. Pick up toys
2. Chores without being asked
3. Say thank you more often
4. Tell her you love her.
4. What can the church do to help mothers?
1. Bishopric and counselors be mindful of mothers and the strain of time and responsibilities.

Family is central to creator’s plan for the destiny of his children.

President Monson
*A few times throughout this conference I felt a very strong witness that he truly is the Lord's Prophet. His stories about his heritage and his wife touched me and I really enjoyed his talks.* I loved the story about the note his wife left for her kids before she went to the hospital. "Dear children, please don't let dad touch the microwave, or the oven, or the dish washer," etc. hahaha