Another wonderful conference concluded on Sunday afternoon. I've waited a couple of days because I wanted to take some time to think about the messages and focus on the ones that touched me personally. This is the fourth time I've written my post conference thoughts. I find it interesting that there have been certain brethren who pretty consistently affect me as I've watched conference and then there are the messages that jump out at me and strike me to the heart. I noticed several themes in this conference: 1) light was mentioned in several talks and when we follow the gospel, it enlightens our mind; 2) sacrament meeting and making it an important part of our Sabbath worship was mentioned multiple times; 3) not allowing doubt to overwhelm us and staying away from negative internet influences that tear down the gospel's simple, yet profound message; 4) faith and the importance of keeping it strong; 5) the role of the Holy Ghost in our lives (also tied to light). There were others, but these are the 5 that stuck out to me.
I sensed a subdued spirit over the conference weekend, but also one of rejoicing. Subdued in the sense that voices of Elders Perry, Packer and Scott were not heard at this conference. I think it was a bit jarring to realize that their insights were not a part of the proceedings. At the same time, I rejoiced in the calling of the three new apostles called to fill the vacancies. With that as my backdrop, I will mention the talks that touched my spirit during the two days of the conference.
"It Works Wonderfully!" - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: President Uchtdorf began conference by immediately letting us know that we would be sustaining three new members of the Quorum of the Twelve and then he dove into his wonderful talk. He pointedly asked us if the gospel was working in our lives and gave two examples of what could be done to strengthen its influence in our lives if we found our discipleship to be lacking. The first was to "simplify." He counselled, "Brothers and sisters, if you ever think that the gospel isn’t working so well for you, I invite you to ... simplify your approach to discipleship. Focus on the basic doctrines, principles, and applications of the gospel." Sometimes it seems easy layer other things over top of the simple truths of the gospel until those truths get lost underneath the layers. When we strip those layer away, then the beautiful message shines through. His second suggestion was to "start where you are." If we get caught up in the idea that we need to be something greater than we already are in order for the Lord to work with us, we are selling ourselves very short. Instead, it is so much more productive to understand that "God will take you as you are at this very moment and begin to work with you. All you need is a willing heart, a desire to believe, and trust in the Lord." Instead of thinking that we need to be somebody before God will work with us, we should understand that by starting with God as we are right now will allow Him to develop us be become who He sees. (full talk here)
"God Is at the Helm" - Elder M. Russell Ballard: This was a follow-up to his Oct. 2014 talk which counselled members "to stay on the Old Ship Zion ... and to hold on with both hands." Since then, family members and others have asked him what is there in the Old Ship Zion that we should hang on to. His answer: "Clearly, our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ have outfitted the Old Ship Zion with clear and simple eternal truths that will help us stay the course through the troubled waters of mortal life." Two back to back talks, right out of the gate, reminding us of the simplicity of the gospel. Elder Ballard then listed some of those "clear and simple eternal truths" such as: living prophets and apostles, the doctrine of the plan of salvation, families and observing the Sabbath day. Near the conclusion of his talk, Elder Ballard declared: "God’s plan is in place. He is at the helm, and His great and powerful ship flows toward salvation and exaltation. Remember that we cannot get there by jumping out of the boat and trying to swim there by ourselves." Good words to consider. (full talk here)
"The Joy of Living a Christ-Centered Life" - Elder Richard J. Maynes: The story of Elder Aoba and his object lesson of making pottery at a youth conference is what stood out to me. I think I've heard this before at some point in my life (maybe in an art class, or perhaps in a talk given in a ward I've lived in, but I was struck by the importance of having the clay "centered on the wheel." I liked how Elder Maynes used that idea to show the importance of a Christ-centered life. The three examples he used were also very good, but the one that really jumped out at me was the story of the Lamanite king. It's funny sometimes how someone can point something out and make me think to myself, "Why did I never catch that before?" That is how I felt as Elder Maynes contrasted the king stating he would give Ammon "even to half of the kingdom" if he would spare his life, but to Aaron, the king declared, "I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom" to receive the joy of the gospel. (full talk here)
"Yielding Our Hearts to God" - Sister Neill F. Marriott: One of the aspect of Sister Marriott's talk that caught my ear was the hymn that she recited at the very beginning. After listening to Elder Maynes use potter's clay as an example of living a Christ-centered life, she "follows up," in a way, with these lines: "Thou art the Potter; I am the clay. Mould me and make me After Thy will". I think this is why the first four talks struck me so profoundly. I was amazed to hear how Elder Ballard's wonderfully backed up President Uchtdorf's and Sister Marriott's bolstered Elder Maynes'. She talked about yielding our will to Father's and how that can be difficult, but can bring such blessings. I also liked her definition of the sacrament: "the heart of the Sabbath". If we look at the sacrament in the same manner, we can be so blessed and strengthened by this weekly ordinance. Oh, and I loved her Southern accent. ☺ (full talk here)
"Be an Example and a Light" - President Thomas S. Monson: No, I am not choosing this talk because of what happened to President Monson toward the end of his address when his strength began to fail him. I am choosing this talk because of its profound and simple truths. If you look at the two scriptures that framed his remarks (Matthew 5:16 and 1 Timothy 4:12), and how President Monson talked about letting our light shine and how we can strengthen our light, I feel that his talk serves as the crux of all the other addresses. By partaking of the sacrament, we recommit to these two scriptural ideas. As we do what is necessary to live a Christ-centered life, our light becomes stronger and can be a beacon to others. All of the truths President Monson touches upon reach out and gather in all the other addresses. "To each of you, I say that you are a son or daughter of our Heavenly Father. You have come from His presence to live on this earth for a season, to reflect the Savior’s love and teachings, and to bravely let your light shine for all to see. When that season on earth has ended, if you have done your part, yours will be the glorious blessing of returning to live with Him forever." President Monson's address, to my mind, serves as the "heart" of the conference which is, in my estimation, why he was so determined to finish it in spite of his physical weakness. (full talk here)
"Through God’s Eyes" - Elder Dale G. Renlund: All three of the newly called members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles had the opportunity to bear their testimonies. Elder Renlund's talk back in April conference of this year was one that touched me and I found his words doing so again here in October. His personal story about being a heart transplant surgeon and how he tried to keep a "professional attitude" after one of his patients, Chad, was broken when he "saw Chad through his mother’s and father’s eyes", was touching because of the lesson he then taught: "I now realize that in the Church, to effectively serve others we must see them through a parent’s eyes, through Heavenly Father’s eyes. Only then can we begin to comprehend the true worth of a soul." I have found myself gaining a better understanding of this lesson. It is one that I'm still working on (probably for the rest of my mortal life and beyond), but it is one that has helped me gain a better appreciation for others. (full talk here)
“Chosen to Bear Testimony of My Name” - Elder David A. Bednar: In my opinion, Elder Bednar's address was the cherry on top of the sundae. There are some who complain about the age of our leaders. The criticism of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve seems to range from "they're so old that they're out of touch with the modern world" to "how can they lead the Church when they are so infirm and weak in physical strength and stamina?" Elder Bednar countered: "The limitations that are the natural consequence of advancing age can in fact become remarkable sources of spiritual learning and insight. The very factors many may believe limit the effectiveness of these servants can become some of their greatest strengths. Physical restrictions can expand vision. Limited stamina can clarify priorities. Inability to do many things can direct focus to a few things of greatest importance." To my mind, this explanation brought what happened to President Monson at the end of his Sunday morning address into sharp focus. Like I said above, I feel that his talk serves as the heart or the crux of all the other conference addresses. His spiritual insight and the revelation he received from the Lord allowed him to craft a talk that holds the rest of the conference address in a tightly woven framework. For the remainder of his talk, Elder Bednar then focused on the six apostles who have passed away during his tenure in the Quorum. He talked about the insight they gave us in their final conference addresses before their passing and finished each example by saying that each "message is a powerful lesson of a lifetime from a man I love". As I thought about my own feelings concerning President Faust, President Hinckley, Elder Wirthin, Elder Perry, President Packer and Elder Scott, I was again reminded of how thankful I am to the Lord for the impact each of these men have had on my life and how grateful I am to the Lord for calling them into the Quorum. (full talk here)I love general conference and look forward to listening to and reading these talks again!
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