Mormons Anonymous

General Conference - Sunday Sessions - October 2008

I have to continue to state that my favorite two weekends of the year are the weekends of General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is difficult to put in words why that is. It really comes down to just the feelings that I feel as I listen to the inspired talks.

This series of talks seemed a little different than lately. There were no talks on pornography and gambling. There were no talks on the importance of attending the temple. There was a big push on helping people as we all go through economic hard times.

Here are some of my notes on certain speakers. I will leave the names of the speakers out for brevity.

Families need to pray together day and night.
Joy comes when blessed with unity.
Don’t criticize the bishop.
Respond to attacks in a Christ-like manner. But what is a Christ-like manner? To Herod, he was silent; to Pontius Pilate, he bore testimony; to the Roman soldiers, he showed forgiveness; to the money changers in the temple, he threw over their tables.
Be Christ-like when defending the Kingdom against attacks.
Use the internet to repond to blogs and to discussion forums.
Meekness is the badge of Christian courage.
Don’t confuse confidence with overbearance.
Help others to understand the truth by bearing testimony in love and meekness.
Don’t be judgemental of others.
We all need each other.
Sometimes it is best to just walk away.
Share unconditional love.
Love your neighbor.
We are all neighbors.
Fast offering is heaven’s help.
Prayer will help you.
Display a banner signifying a return to virtue.
We must return to virtue if we want to change the world.
Lay aside the things of the world.
God’s work cannot be frustrated, only the work of man can be frustrated.
1 millionth missionary was called last year.
Carry on the traditions of those who began the church by being consecrated to the work showing no superficiality.
(Monson) Don’t let the most important things pass you by. Find time for the important things now. Don’t let problems be mor important than someone we love. Gratitude and thankfulness is a noble virtue.
For harmony in marraige, minimize personal demands and maximize loving harmony.
The three keys to teaching are:
1. Show love and call them by name.
2. Cause to ponder what was taught as pondering invites personal revelation.
3. Use and quote the scriptures.
Go back and get the less active. Many will come back. Many still have the flame, the flame is just weak.
A testimony of the gospel comes in the still small voice. It may not be grand or loud.
Some of our trials have lasting repercussions; but, not every cloud rains.
(Monson) Pull together and get through the trials.

Well, that covers most of the two Sunday meetings.

General Conference - Saturday Session - October 2008

Yesterday was the Saturday sessions for the October conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I did not keep very good notes; nevertheless, I would like to jot down some of the items discussed (or at least my thoughts) by some of the speakers. The Sunday session is later today as right now it is Sunday morning while writing this post.

One of the talks touched on being generous during the upcoming tough economic times. It is important that we be willing to give to those in need. This particular topic is one that has been heavy in my heart lately as I personally have gone through several years of difficulties. The difficulties were not all financial. There were many emotional challenges and even spiritual challenges regarding worthiness that have plagued me throughout this time. But now my challenges are nearing an end and I am seeing people that are important to me also going through challenges and the question of how to best help them weighs heavy on my heart. Nevertheless, the message is quite clear that we need to be willing to reach out and help those in need. The speaker who impressed me on this subject was Brother Christopherson on the saturday afternoon session.

Two individuals gave similar talks today on modest dress and appearance. As part of thier talks one item they both touched on was dealing the the administration of the sacrament. As Priesthood holders are administering the sacrament, there should be nothing about thier appearance that detracts from the sacred ordinance of the sacrament. It was even suggested that the youth (or all others) who participate in the ordinance should be wearing the uniform of the white shirt symbolic of the dress when baptized and later to be worn while serving a mission. The concept of modesty went far beyond just dealing with the youth. In general, we were told to treat our bodies as sacred and not to defile them (suggesting not doing tatoos, crazy hairdos, and such). We are also to dress modestly in general. A joke was made referencing the making of two dresses out of the material normally used for one.

President Eyring spoke of being overworked. He said when he was a junior apostle, one of the members of the presidency pulled him in his office and asked him if it had happened regarding the instruction on how to cope with the stress of how to get everything done. President Eyring had been quite overwhelmed with his responsibilities. The counselor here did not tell him how to cope with it. He simply told him to get his answers from him (pointing his finger to the sky). President Eyring pointed out that it seems the busiest are often the ones called on the most because they get things done. And he pointed out that the harder you work at getting the Lord’s work done, the more strength he gives you to get the work done. And he compared it to simply working out and building up your muscles. It was pointed out that many people don’t want to get involved in the work. This should not be the case. We need to work at our callings to push forward the kingdom of God. There was a story given of a group of people needing to move a grand piano from the chapel to the cultural hall (different speaker). One person told everyone to stand where they were and lift. They all did so and the impossible task became as though the piano moved itself. We must be doing the same. Everybody stand where you are and fulfill your church callings. Do your home teaching. Prepare your lessons well. Do whatever it is you are required to do in the church and then some and the God’s work will get done and you will be rewarded with the Spirit. Another story on this topic was given of a man who migrated from Europe and joined the saints in the Salt Lake Valley. He built a home twenty miles away and was later hired to do stonework for the temple. Every monday morning, he woke up about 2:00 am to walk to the temple site. On Friday he would walk home and get home about midnight. One day, a cow kicked him and broke his leg. With the limited medical care, his family amputated his leg. Soon, through much pain, he built a wooden leg and soon began his weekly trek to the temple to do his stone cutting work. We need to have dedication to the work, a willingness and a desire to do the work, and we need to work together to do the work. In doing so, we will all reap Gods blessings of fulfillment and exhaltation.

Another good talk I recall was by the first counselor in the Relief Society. This talk was on missionary work. Everyone can and should be involved in the work. I don’t think the message was anything new. Nevertheless, it was a reminder to us that we all need to be willing to actively share the Gospel with those we are in touch with.

The saturday sessions were good. In fact, they were just as they always are.