The Rush of General Conference

Last weekend Easter fell right over General Conference and it made for a wonderful Easter!

Kyle worked enough hours on interview boards all week that he even got all of Saturday off to watch Conference with us (and smoke some good food).

There were so many changes happening this Conference, kept it super exciting!

This year was the first time that we didn't have women's session, since it will only be in October now. Then first thing Saturday morning we got to watch the Solemn Assembly take place and sustain our new Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson.

I do sustain him. I know he is God's prophet that he has called here on the earth to "teach us of the Savior and lead us to Him." -Elder Anderson

That is why I will follow him.

Elders Gong and Soares were also sustained as the 2 newest members of the 12 Apostles! Kyle was wrong, Tad R. Callister was not called to be the next apostle. Fun fact though: I have met Elder Soares! He is from Brasil and was there with President Nelson the day I met him on my mission!

During the Priesthood session they announced that the Elders Quorum and High Priest Quorum will be combined into one Quorum.

On Sunday he then announced that Home and Visiting Teaching are being changed to Ministering. To me it still sounds the same as it was, except that the young women will be involved, but I'll understand exactly how it's all changing soon I'm sure!

Now for some of my favorite parts of Conference that I want to remember and work on:

 

"However many generations in your mortal ancestry, no matter what race or people you represent, the pedigree of your spirit can be written on a single line. You are a CHILD OF GOD!” Coming to know these truths with certainty helps us overcome trials, troubles, and afflictions of every kind. When asked, “How can we help those struggling with [a personal challenge]?” an Apostle of the Lord instructed, “Teach them their IDENTITY and their PURPOSE.” 

"Knowing you are a child of God is the MOST POWERFUL KNOWLEDGE you can possess!" -Elder Taylor

"I invite you to find a way around the obstacles and make family home evening a priority—and make FUN a key ingredient." As parents we are always on call and need to be ready to give an answer when opportunities to teach our children arise. -Elder Durrant

"Temple blessings can heal hearts and lives and families." -Elder Renlund

Likewise we might ask, “Lord, what do I need to DO to be part of the solution?” Instead of just listing our problems in prayer and asking the Lord to solve them, we ought to be seeking more proactive ways of receiving the Lord’s help and committing to act according to the Spirit’s guidance. 

We need the Holy Spirit as our guide in calm waters so His voice will be unmistakable to us in the fiercest storm. -Elder Wilson

To endure means “to remain firm in a commitment to be true to the commandments of God despite temptation, opposition, and adversity.” -Elder Zivic

There is a powerful effect over time of the SMALL and SIMPLE things we are taught in the scriptures and by living prophets. Consider the scripture study, personal prayers and the KNEELING family prayers that we've been taught to incorporate into our daily lives. Though each of these practices may seem to be small and simple, over time they result in powerful spiritual uplift and growth. This occurs because each of these small and simple things invites the companionship of the Holy Ghost, the Testifier who enlightens us and guides us into truth. 

SIMPLE or EASY tasks are not less important.

“It is in failing to do the small and simple things that faith wavers, miracles cease, and progress towards the Lord and His kingdom is first put on hold and then begins to unravel as seeking after the kingdom of God is replaced with more temporal pursuits and worldly ambitions.” -President Oaks

Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. RECORD your feelings and follow through with ACTIONS that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will “grow into the principle of revelation.” You don’t have to wonder about what is true. You do not have to wonder whom you can safely trust. Through personal revelation, you can receive your own witness. 

I promise that as you continue to be obedient, expressing gratitude for every blessing the Lord gives you, and as you patiently honor the Lord’s timetable, you will be given the knowledge and understanding you seek. Every blessing the Lord has for you—even miracles—will follow. That is what personal revelation will do for you.

My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. Let this Easter Sunday be a defining moment in your life. Choose to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more FREQUENTLY and more CLEARLY.

The MOST IMPORTANT TRUTH the Holy Ghost will ever witness to you is that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He lives!

-President Nelson

That first Easter morning is the most important event in history.

Because of Jesus Christ we can live again.

Because of Jesus Christ we can live with God.

When we truly behold the Man, we learn of Him and seek to align our lives with Him. We repent and strive to refine our natures and daily grow a little closer to Him. We trust Him. We show our love for Him by keeping His commandments and by living up to our sacred covenants.

In other words, we become His disciples.

I testify that the most important day in the history of mankind was the day when Jesus Christ, the living Son of God, won the victory over death and sin for all of God’s children. And the most important day in your life and mine is the day when we learn to “behold the man”; when we see Him for who He truly is; when we partake with all our heart and mind of His atoning power; when with renewed enthusiasm and strength, we commit to follow Him. May that be a day that recurs over and over again throughout our lives.

 -Elder Uchtdorf

The next day we went up to the Jordan River Temple open house. It is being rededicated next month after being renovated. I had a pounding headache and Tai screamed the entire time cause she wanted me to hold her instead of Kyle, but I'm so glad Kasen got to go walk through it, even if his most favorite part of the tour was riding the golf carts through the parking lot!

President Nelson announced 7 new temples, including Layton, UT! That will be Utah's 19th temple. 

"My dear brothers and sisters construction of these temples may not change your life, but your time spent in the temple surely will."

I am so grateful for temples, prophets, the spirit, general conference and the testimony I have that I am a child of God and He loves me. I love the new motivation I have to love others and be better every time I watch General Conference and all the witnesses I have received of the truth.

We so need the Spirit in our lives and the through small and simple things we can! Make them habits and miracles will happen.