JOY

It's that time of year when I am totally pumped up spiritually after a weekend of hearing a million inspiring messages at conference. I took away so much encouragement, felt so much love and was reminded of things I can keep trying to do better to improve myself and my relationships.

I felt like the major theme of conference for me was in remembering to focus my attention on what is most important and not to become overwhelmed with traditions and culture that aren't. That and HOPE.

Elder Holland

A quest for faith and conviction is our purpose in these conferences.

CHRIST IS THE REASON.

In spite of everything else this conference tradition may offer us, it will mean little or nothing unless we find Jesus at the center of it all. To grasp the vision we are seeking, the healing that He promises, the significance we somehow know is here, we must cut through the commotion—joyful as it is—and fix our attention on Him.

That is where true meaning lies.

I loved his talk to much. There have been so many changes happening in the church lately. Changes in policies and procedures, but they should never be distracting to us. Everything we do should point toward the Savior. We are to worship Him. Know Him. Follow Him.

Self-reliance supplies, pioneer treks, family trees, ministering to one another, youth programs, and Sabbath experiences are all part of an interrelated effort to do that. But none of us have time to do every single one of these things. That's why it's so wonderful that we are all different and can work together to help get all the work done! So we shouldn't compare what is most important to some against what is most beneficial for another. Some are good and reading their scriptures everyday, others are awesome at family history, some people prioritize regular temple trips and others are trying their best to make it to church on Sunday at all. Sometimes it's your season to serve and sometimes it's your season to be served. So don't feel like you need to give more than you are able to give or compare your worship and/or service to others around you. Bottom line: whatever you are working on to become more like your Savior today is worth your time. Pick what best feeds your spirit, do that as often as you can and you will be strengthened.

Elder Vinson

Don't prioritize things of no eternal consequence.

It's not our successes but rather our sacrifice and efforts that matter to the Lord.

Giving our all doesn't mean that we will be continually enveloped in blessings or always have success, But it does mean that we will have JOY.

JOY is founded on our efforts being accepted by the Lord.

Elder Owen

Strength comes from gathering with others also trying to be strong.

Home is the center for gospel learning and living. The Church is for support and reinforcing the spiritual nourishment that happens at home. 

So guess what?! We are each responsible for our own gospel learning. NOT the Church.

Elder Christofferson

The Lord's commandments are our guide to better choices and HAPPIER OUTCOMES.

Keeping the Lord's commandments enables us more fully and more easily to feel His love.

It is in turning to Him, obeying Him, binding ourselves to Him that trial and sorrow are turned to JOY.

Some people think that religion or having faith in God will protect you from bad things, I don't think that's the point, I think the point is that if our faith is strong, that when bad things happen, which they will, we'll be able to deal with them.

There is JOY in progress, JOY in having received a remission of sins and having peace of conscience, and JOY in knowing that the Savior pleads our cause.

President Oaks

 Not every statement made by a Church leader, past or present, necessarily constitutes doctrine. The doctrine is taught by ALL 15 members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve.

For all questions, I suggest 2 answers:

1. Remember that God loves His children and will surely do what is best for each of us.

2. Remember this familiar Bible teaching:

"Trust in the Lord will all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Elder Alliaud

Any reader who commits to a sincere study of the Book of Mormon, with the spirit of prayer, will not only lean about Christ, but will learn from Christ.

The truths of the Book of Mormon have the power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen, console and cheer our souls.

Elder Budge

The good news of the gospel is not the promise of a life free of sorrow and tribulation, but a life full of purpose and meaning- a life where our sorrows and afflictions can be swallowed up in the JOY of Christ, assuring us that our afflictions shall be but a small moment. His gospel is a message of HOPE.

Trust in the Lords' power, goodness and mercy. He will visit us with assurances, speak peace to our souls, and cause us to HOPE for our deliverance in him. (Alma 58:11)

During the women's session of conference, Saturday night, a new YW theme was introduced! I LOVE that it opens with, "I am a beloved daughter of heavenly PARENTS..."

How neat is that?! So beautiful.

President Oaks

"WE DON'T HAVE TO ALWAYS AGREE WITH EACH OTHER TO LOVE EACH OTHER."

(and on the flip side of this, disagreeing with someone doesn't mean you hate them either.)

God's laws are motivated entirely by His infinite love for us and His desire for us to become all we can become.

All of us are His children and He has created us to have JOY.

President Nelson

Every time you worthily serve and worship in the temple, you leave armed with God's power and with His angels having charge over you.

Woman have been blessed with a unique moral compass.

That night, during Woman's Session, President Nelson also announced 8 new temples coming, including OREM, UT and TAYLORSVILLE, UT. Numbers 22 and 23 in Utah!

Elder Gong

When we covenant all we are, we can become more than we are. Covenant belonging gives us place, narrative, capacity to become, It produces faith unto life and salvation.

Along life's path, we may lose faith in God, but He never loses faith in us.

God's priesthood and his ordinances sweeten relationships on earth and can seal covenant relationships in heaven.

Elder Uchtdorf

We tend to lose sight of our great quest, preferring comfort and ease over growth and progress.

God loves you no less when you struggle than when you triumph.

Elder Gonzalez

 We can trust Him because He loves us and wants what is best for us in every circumstance. 

Nothing bad can come from God.

Perhaps He will not remove our burdens right away. Sometimes He can make those burdens feel lighter.

He makes it possible for all things that have been broken in our lives to be mended.

The Savior is a God we can trust.

Elder Stevenson

Jesus Christ offsets perilous times with the fullness of times.

Righteousness, or obedience to commandments, brings blessings, and blessings brings happiness, or JOY, into our lives.

President Eyring

Greater holiness will not come simply by asking for it, It will come by doing what is needed for God to change us.

Elder Johnson

Each day as I read the Book of Mormon, it reaffirmed who I am as a son of God, reminded me not to compare myself with others, and gave me the confidence in my divine role to succeed.

Elder Soares

As we strive to overcome our challenges, He will do for us what we are not capable of doing for ourselves.

We cannot repent for other people, but we can forgive them.

So yeah, conference was so great and I was reminded of how much HOPE I have in the divine plan of happiness for my life. Faith doesn't mean I won't go through hard things, but it means that I have help when I am going through them and that they won't last forever. We can have JOY all along the way. Because of HIM.