General Conference: First Impressions

There is so much about General Conference this time around that I want to remember.  And because this is my only form of journaling I thought I would try and post a little each day for a week of what I felt inspired by during Conference.  Here are some of my 'first impression' notes:

- Humility, humility, humility.  That is an attribute Christ that I would like to acquire.
- Study the life of Christ and create a Christ-centered home by reading in the New Testament.
- SERVICE and being an example to my children through serving others.  I was really touched by all talks that were focused on the Welfare program of the Church.  I felt reminded of my family's need to be life within our means and be self-sufficient so that we can better serve others and teach them to be self-sufficient as well.  (Especially our own children).
- Trials.  We are given enough trials in this life to become who our Father in Heaven wants us to be.  Our trials remind us of His infinite love and the need we have to understand and use the Atonement of Christ.  Our trials help us gain Christ-like attributes if we bear them with faith.
- Be willing to make sacrifices.  Prioritize our lives and let the extraneous activities or habits fall out of our lives.  Cut off our arms (figuratively speaking).
- Listening to Richard G. Maynes speak the words of "I Am a Child of God" and watch Raleigh light up as he heard the words of his most favorite song in Conference.
- The sheep leading the lambs away poem really, really made me examine myself and my example to my children.
- DESIRE.  Dallin H. Oaks, how did you know??  This whole talk was like seeing a teacher's copy of a test.
- Nuggets vs. flecks of gold.  I felt like this principle was talked about many times.  Small things bring about great things.  Be kind.
- President Uchtdorf talking about turning down the volume control of the world's noise in our lives.  Move forward with faith, hope, and charity.  Service!  By becoming the answer to someone else's prayers through service, we can become the answer to our own prayer.  "Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words."
- Paul V. Johnson, "being good is not enough, we want to become like the Savior".  He talked about trials also, our trials are not wasted if we have faith in Christ.
- David A. Bednar talked about light switches and watching the sun rise and how those things relate to the spirit of revelation.  The spirit of revelation is real!  This talk was reassuring to me.
- Fill the home with pictures of the Temples of the Lord.  (Our FHE lesson tonight is inspired by this message from the Prophet!)
- I loved hearing so many speakers, including the Prophet, encouraging returned missionaries to make Temple Marriage their number one priority.  Amen!  I am taking this as a clue to teach my sons to prepare to be worthy to serve a mission and be married in the Temple soon after their return.
- Richard G. Scott melted all our hearts when he talked of his wife.  Such a sweet reminder of the joys and responsibilities of marriage!
- D. Todd talked about chastening and he told the exact same story of the currant bush, etc. that we learned about in Institute a couple weeks ago!  I felt my need for this lesson deep in my heart both times I've heard it.  Repentance leads to righteousness, "he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of me".
- Carl B. Pratt gave a great lesson on tithing and using money wisely.  Once again we were reminded to be self-sufficient and live within our means.
- And my FAVORITE Conference talk this time around, Lynn G. Robbins.  I lovingly call it "Parenting 505".



Well I think that was my longest post yet, tomorrow I will talk about the Hymns during Conference!