Hear Him

General Conference! Oh how I love you.

At the close of last October conference President Nelson told us that this conference would be different from any previous conference. We were asked to prepare for a unique conference to commemorate the restored gospel, that would not only be memorable, but unforgettable.

And man was it!

Also because the Covid-19 pandemic required that nobody actually attend conference. It wasn't held in the conference center, the music was all pre recorded and even Kasen asked me why all the chairs were empty.

President Ballard

"We should always remember the price Joseph and Hyrum Smith paid, along with so many other faithful men, women, and children, to establish the Church so you and I could enjoy the many blessings and all of these revealed truths we have today.

I have often wondered why Joseph and Hyrum and their families had to suffer so much. It may be that they came to know God through their suffering in ways that could not have happened without it. Through it, they reflected on Gethsemane and the cross of the Savior. As Paul said, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.”

Shall we not go on in so great a cause?

One of my favorite talks from conference was from Elder Andersen

He talked about one of my favorite quotes from Joseph Smith.

 “I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true. … I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it.”

Remembering these spiritually defining experiences takes us to our knees, declaring as did the Prophet Joseph: “What I received was from heaven. I know it, and I know that God knows that I know it.” 

 I don't think there is anything more important than writing down answers, spiritual experiences or testimony you've received from the Lord. The Lord knows when we know and we have the responsibility to not forget.

Elder Holmes

"To get the gospel of Jesus Christ deep in our hearts, we need to engage in it- to give our time and talents to it, to sacrifice for it. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest cause in the world."

Elder Soares

 "Even amid the adversities, persecutions, all kinds of difficulties, and even some of them later faltering in their faith, these ELEVEN chosen Book of Mormon witnesses never denied their testimonies that they had seen the plates.
The historical facts and the special witnesses of the Book of Mormon testify that its coming forth was indeed miraculous. Nevertheless, the power of this book is not based only in its magnificent history but on its powerful, unparalleled message that has changed countless lives—including mine!"

 Sister Bingham

Men’s and women’s innate differences are God given and equally valued.

I loved the prophecies that Elder Rasband talked about! 
Prophecies about Christ and how this Church will fill the world.
 "We live in that time prophesied; we are the people charged with ushering in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
We do not know when the Savior will return, but this we do know. We must be prepared in heart and mind, worthy to receive Him, and honored to be part of all that was prophesied so long ago."
The Restoration continues!

When he read the Standard of Truth I again felt the same spirit that I always feel when I hear it. The feeling that the Lord's work is great and marvelous and I want to be a part of it!

And then Elder Holland talked about my favorite scripture, the one I have on my mission plaque.

“My beloved brethren [and sisters], after ye have [received these first fruits of the Restoration], I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay. …

“… Ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. … If ye shall[,] … saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”Because the Restoration reaffirmed the foundational truth that God does work in this world, we can hope, we should hope, even when facing the most insurmountable odds.
We have every reason to hope for blessings even greater than those we have already received because this is the work of Almighty God, this is the Church of continuing revelation, this is the gospel of Christ’s unlimited grace and benevolence.

So don't give up, don't quit and don't choose to live the easier lifestyle.
Persevere, endure, press forward and finish! Fail forward, do the hard things, make changes that last and that will be the greatest accomplishment of all!

Elder Bednar testified that this latter day work will destroy the powers of darkness.

President Nelson
introduced the new symbol of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

 The entire “good news” of the gospel is contained in this image of the Savior tenderly extending His “arms of mercy” to invite each individual to come unto Him and receive the blessings of His Atonement.

He also introduced the newest proclamation of the Restoration, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the Restoration of Christ's Church upon the earth. A monument of words.

"What does it mean for you that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth?

It means that you and your family can be sealed together forever! It means that because you have been baptized by one who has authority from Jesus Christ and have been confirmed a member of His Church, you can enjoy the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. He will guide and protect you. It means you will never be left comfortless or without access to the power of God to help you. It means that priesthood power can bless you as you receive essential ordinances and make covenants with God and keep them."It has never been more imperative to know how the Spirit speaks to you than right now."

And this goes back to Elder Andersen's talk about embracing and believing the Spirit when it does speak. We need to be able to Hear Him and hearken to the answers He will send. We get to receive our own personal revelation so we don't have to just take the word of any other person. A prophet called by God pleas with us to do whatever it takes to increase our spiritual capacity to receive personal revelation. God wants to speak to us! But will we listen?
He closed his talk in solemn assembly and led all of us, in our homes, in the Hosanna Shout together.

Elder Gimenez
In order to enjoy the REFUGE that Jesus Christ and His Atonement offer, we must have faith in Him—a faith that will allow us to rise above all the pains of a limited, earthly perspective.
 “To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.”
I invite you to come and see that He can lighten your burdens and be the REFUGE you are seeking.

My two favorite words from this conference are RESTORE and REFUGE. Christ is our refuge, our safety from the storms of life. And during this Easter time the more I study about the resurrection as well as the restoration how grateful I am that God is a God of restoration of all things!

Elder Uchtdorf
"The Savior Himself restored His Church to help us on the path to become more like Him. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is structured to provide opportunities to practice the fundamentals of discipleship. Through our participation in the Church, we learn to recognize and act on the promptings of the Holy Spirit. We develop the disposition of reaching out in compassion and kindness to others.

This is an effort of a lifetime, and it requires practice."

Another reason I love participating in Church, the opportunities to act and become. The chances I have to do good and see others doing good.

Our loving Heavenly Father has not given us every answer. He expects us to figure out many things for ourselves. He expects us to believe—even when it’s difficult to do so.

He expects us to straighten our shoulders and develop a little resolve—a little backbone—and take another step forward.

That is the way we learn and grow.

God didn’t wait to find a perfect person to restore His gospel.

If He had, He would still be waiting.

Joseph was a lot like you and me. Though Joseph made mistakes, God used him to accomplish His great purposes.

Elder Clayton

Our homes are to be REFUGES from the storms of life. 

Can my children feel Christ's spirit, love and comfort in our home? Do they feel safe?

Elder Christofferson

The ultimate promise of the Restoration is redemption through Jesus Christ.

Because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Restoration has meaning, our mortal lives have meaning, and ultimately our very existence has meaning.

President Nelson 

closed conference by announcing 8 new temples! Including Syracuse, UT

Shanghai CHINA

and DUBAI.

Those are in addition to the temple in Russia announced in 2018.

WHAT?!?! CHINA! Biggest miracle ever.

The work of God is rolling forth and will continue to roll forth and blessings will just keep pouring down. It is so exciting.

President Nelson ended with an APOSTOLIC BLESSING of peace, increasing faith in the Lord, a desire to repent, and to know that the Prophet Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness.

During the closing song, We Thank Thee O God For a Prophet, I felt the Spirit stronger than I have ever felt at General Conference before. It was sung by choirs from all around the world and it was powerful to see each different choir standing together, across the world, to bear testimony through that hymn. Music is definitely the best way that I Hear Him! 

As I was watching all the choirs from Africa, New Zealand, Brazil, Germany, Korea etc. I was reminded that I am not alone in what I believe. I was reminded of the all the ways the gospel blesses my life and all the reasons that I want to be a part of the greatest cause in the world! The gospel of Jesus Christ brings me peace, perspective, understanding, hope, purpose and joy. I was reminded of the answers I've received and of all the good people doing good things for this great and marvelous work.

God is speaking to us. Hear Him.