General Women's Session
Sister Sharon L. Eubank, the 1st Counselor in the Relief Society presidency reissued a challenge from Spencer W. Kimball:
1. Be righteous
2. Be articulate
3. Be different
4. Be distinct
5. Do 1-4 in happy ways
Sister Neill F. Marriot, the 2nd Counselor in the Young Women presidency quoted a poem or proverb, "Somethings matter, some don't. A few things last, most don't." She said that we need to focus on the things that matter and are lasting: learn of God, grow in obedience, serve, and forgive. She said to use Heavenly Father's help in doing those things, and to do them His way.
Sister Joy D. Jones, the general Primary President, explained the difference between worth and worthiness. She said that worth is our value; that we value ourselves how Heavenly Father values us. Worthiness is achieved through obedience. She said, "If we sin we are less worthy, but we are never worthless."
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 2nd Counselor in the First Presidency shared a parable about three sisters; one was always sad, one mad, and the other glad. He spoke on characteristics of each one, and advised us on how we can be glad; which was to study and apply Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life. His talk was for me. I felt like he was talking to me and no one else was there. I wrote about his talk for Mormon Women Stand.
Saturday Morning Session
Three talks stood out to me during this session.
Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, the general Young Women President, talked about service. She said that we don't have to feel discouraged or stressed if we can't save the world. She said to focus locally first: family, ward, neighborhood, community, and expand from there. Her message reminded me of an experience I had last year. My neighbor's child was having brain surgery, and I had signed up to bring them dinner the day of the surgery. That day happened to also be the same day as the terrorist attack at the Brussels airport. I became discouraged as I witnessed people I knew condemning others for not doing enough. I took it personally. What was I supposed to do? I have two young kids to care for. It's not like I could drop everything and jump on a plane to go help. The Holy Ghost calmed my frustrations and I felt him say, "You are doing a good thing. You are serving a family in need. This is what you need to do today."
Elder Dallin H. Oaks, of the Quorum of the Twelve talked about The Family - A Proclamation to the World. He said that salvation is an individual matter, while exaltation is a family matter. So if we want exaltation for our family, the decisions we make for our family should be done the Lord's way. He then talked about his personal experience and witness of the writing of the Family Proclamation. He said that is is not "just policy," it reaffirms God's doctrine. It was really special listening to him talk about the writing and revising of that special document.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, of the Quorum of the Twelve talked about perfection. I imagine his talk was almost everyone's favorite talk. It was so touching, comforting, and encouraging. My favorite line was, "While in mortality, let's strive for steady improvement without obsessing over what behavioral scientists call "toxic perfectionism."
Saturday Afternoon and the Priesthood Session
Unfortunately I let a lot of things distract during the afternoon session, so I don't have as detailed notes as I do for the morning session. I really enjoyed Elder Gary E. Stevenson's talk about spiritual eclipses,and how we should use the lens of the gospel when facing challenges and trials. I was also moved by President Russell M. Nelson's powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon. I missed the priesthood session, but I look forward to reading those talks in the Ensign.
Sunday Morning and Afternoon Sessions
I was preparing and baking a pretty complicated coffee cake during the morning session, so I have zero notes for it. But I really loved Elder Donald L. Hallstrom's talk on miracles. I'm most likely going to write about it for Mormon Women Stand. I also appreciated President Henry B. Eyring repeating President Monson's admonition to read from the Book of Mormon daily. He also shared some wonderful stories about volunteers helping in the aftermath of the recent hurricanes.
The afternoon session seemed to focus on Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. Four talks stood out to me.
Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke first during the afternoon session. He talked about family history and the trek back to our Heavenly Father; calling it "the most important trek of our lives." He suggested that when feeling lost we ask ourselves, "What is my final destination? Where are my footsteps taking me?" Right away I know that my final destination should be to live with Heavenly Father, so I should make sure that my footsteps are leading me there.
Brother Tad R. Callister, the general Sunday School President spoke about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. He spent the majority of his talk "debunking" common contradictions that critics like to use to claim the Book of Mormon is made up. I really liked when he said that it was revelation, not brilliance, that produced the Book of Mormon. While he was talking I thought about a sister in my ward who bore her testimony of the Book of Mormon a couple months ago, and she said something to the affect of, "To me it doesn't matter if today's Native Americans match the DNA of the Nephites and Lamanites or not; I know that the Book of Mormon is true and the people in it existed." I really love that, because the Spirit should always be the most credible witness to us.
Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella, of the Seventy, spoke about the First Vision. He talked about three truths that we have because of the First Vision:
1. God calls prophets, seers, and revelaters to instruct, guide, and warn us.
2. We know the true nature of God.
3. We have the knowledge of the reality and sacred nature of Jesus Christ.
Elder Neil L. Anderson ended conference. He talked about the preparation and revelation that goes into preparing the messages that we hear at conference. He advised us to trust the words of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the twelve, that doing so is vital to our spiritual growth and endurance. I thought it was a great way to end conference weekend to remind us that the messages we heard really were inspired by God, and they are meant for us to study and apply. I look forward to doing so.
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