I'm one of those people who doesn't sit still often, so when I do I tend to fall asleep pretty quickly. It's quite a problem actually, especially when I'm driving more than about 20 minutes or trying to accomplish something from a sitting position, which is why I often answer emails and blog while standing. General Conference is extra challenging for me, because we sit cozied up in comfortable chairs for the 8 hours. It's just so easy to snooze and I try to convince myself that it's just as good to read the talks that I missed in the Conference Ensign later.
This year I wanted a challenge--I wanted to create a "headline" for each talk and write up a little summary. In order to do that though, I needed to stay awake, alert, and take good enough notes during all eight hours of general conference that I could actually have enough information from each talk to create these summaries for the blog.
I used different colored
gel pens
(which I love, by the way) for taking the notes--a different color for every talk. Somehow the challenge proved to be a very motivating (and even exciting) thing for me to do. It shouldn't be such a big deal for a 42-year-old to stay awake and alert for 2-days, but for me it was an accomplishment and I am proud that I actually did it.
Sunday Morning:
Thomas S. Monson (a living prophet on the earth today)
BE AN EXAMPLE OF THE BELIEVERS
Watch the words we use and extend charity to others.
Exercise our faith by reading and pondering the scriptures.
Gratitude, forgiveness, and goodwill will help our lights to shine.
Ronald A. Rasband
I STAND ALL AMAZED
God's love is real and is for all of us--no matter where you are in your life.
Reach out in love to others.
Gary Stevenson
ANCHOR IN CHRIST
Anchor our faith in Jesus Christ.
Focus on what you CAN do, rather than what you can't do.
Dale G. Renlund
LOOK AT OTHERS THROUGH HEAVEN'S EYES
You are called not for what you've done, but for what the Lord needs you to accomplish.
Remember that everyone is a beloved son or daughter of Jesus Christ.
Russell M. Nelson
GREAT IS THE STRENGTH OF COVENANT KEEPING WOMEN
The virtue, light, love, character, faith, and virtue of righteous women of today are a fulfillment of prophecy and making a huge difference in the world.
Women are full partners with men in families, communities, and in church councils.
Gregory A. Schwitzer
DON'T BE AFRAID TO TESTIFY OF CHRIST
True disciples represent the Lord even when it is not convenient.
Have courage and be bold when testifying of truth.
Voices try to drown out the simple message of the Gospel that God loves us.
Claudio R.M. Costa
TEACH OUR CHILDREN OF CHRIST
Tell the stories of Christ's life to our children.
"I have no greater joy to hear that my children walk in truth."
Teach them the truth.
Henry B. Eyring
THE HOLY GHOST TESTIFIES OF TRUTH:
WE SHOULD SEEK ITS CONSTANT COMPANIONSHIP
The more we obey the spirit, the more impressions we will receive, and the more we will be blessed.
Through the Holy Ghost we can see people as Heavenly Father sees them.
Truths are verified by the Holy Ghost.
Sunday Afternoon:
D. Todd Christofferson
THE CHURCH IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF CHRIST'S WORK ON EARTH
The church is a necessary part of Christ's work on earth, and without it great things could not be accomplished.
More important than knowing doctrine is learning how to apply it.
Devin Durrant
"PONDERIZE" THE SCRIPTURES
Ponderize = 80% pondering + 20% memorizing
Like saving a little money each week for a rainy day, ponderizing the scriptures weekly helps us to elevate our thoughts and bring us closer to Christ.
Discipline yourself, exercise your faith, and do it!
Von G. Keetch
SEEK TO DO GOD'S WILL
Like a barrier in the bay to protect surfers from sharks, the commandments are safety and protection to us from spiritual dangers.
God wants us to have joy, peace, success, and safety, which is why we have commandments.
Carole M. Stephens
IF YOU LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS
Commandments = Love
We show love by keeping commandments.
He gives us commandments, because he loves us.
Allen Haynie
THROUGH CHRIST WE CAN BE CLEAN
Through Christ we can be forgiven of our sins and be made clean again.
Savior's atonement leaves no traces or tracks...it just heals.
God will never reject us.
Kim B. Clark
SEEK FOR EYES TO SEE AND EARS TO HEAR THE WILL OF THE LORD
Stand for truth with courage and seek for eyes to see and ears to hear the will of the Lord.
Strive to live plain and simple truths of the gospel.
We still live in a time of miracles.
Koichi Aoyagi
KEEP FAITH IN ADVERSITY
Purpose of life is not to merely to overcome trials, but to learn to rely on the Lord and to increase your faith.
All things are for your experience and good.
David Bednar
OLD MEN ROCK!
There is great wisdom in having older, experienced men lead the church of God.
Their physical limitations are actually an asset to them, in that it helps them to focus their efforts on what is most important.
They are not spared affliction, but are blessed and strengthened (and increase in understanding) as they face the afflictions with faith.
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The missionaries joined us for the Sunday morning session. It was great to have them. We love their spirit and the extra good motivation not to snooze!
Ellie loves missionaries and was especially excited that they had brought pictures to add to her missionary art binder.
And second session looked like this (but not me!), so having them here really was a good motivator for us.
It turned out to be one of the most meaningful general conferences I'd ever experienced and I think I've learned some good tips for next time. 1. Have guests over 2. Have snacks to munch on 3. Give myself a challenge.
I am grateful to live in a day and time when we are blessed to have a living prophet on the earth. It's a comfort to know that in these perilous days that God has not left us without His guidance and revelation!
