183rd general conference notes

Saturdays talks were really good.  Richard was hunting and we were in vernal so I was entertaining the wee ones and didn't make an effort to keep notes.  I really enjoyed Uchdorfs talk on not letting our doubts destroy our testimony.   Anyways, this is just my journal, so I'm recording my thoughts here.  

Sunday Morning:

Eyring:  there is infinite joy for the faithful.  A grandma had a wayward grandson.  While traveling to visit him in prison she asked, I've lived a good life, why do I have this tragedy in my life?  She got the answer: because I knew you would love him no matter what.  I. Know God puts people in my life because he knows I will love them unconditionally.  I need to remember that.

Oaks: Thou shall have no other gods before me.  What is our ultimate priority?  The ultimate treasures on earth are our children and our posterity.  Moral coward is afraid to do what he thinks is right because others will scorn or laugh.  We must never deviate from our paramount desire.

Bonnie Oscarson:  Being truely converted.  Ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.  Joshua me and my house,we will serve The Lord.  Her great great grandma Agnes was an immigrant and single mom.  Her daughter Isabel was sent to work as a servant in a wealthy household, they were about to move and wanted to adopt Isabel and take her with them.  They were not members of the church.,  if her love had not compelled her to say no, speaker would not be a member today.  Agnes did not intend a child of hers to lose what she had come so far to maintain.  Hundreds of isabel's descendants are members of the church.  The decisions we make have eternal consequences.  It takes time effort and work.  The Lord expects us to exercise faith.  We must do the work first and then receive the witness.

Maynes:  Each day brings challenges.  Some challenges will be with us until we pass on.   Endurance is an important principle found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Second nephi 31. Press forward feasting on the words of Christ and endure to the end.  We must complete the important ordinance work and then keep the covenants.  Strength of testimony and depth of conversion.  Our decisions will be Christ centers.  A testimony needs to be I shape if we want it to endure.  We ants get in basketball shape by just watching basketball.  We can get in testimony shape by watching conference.  You must become the rock the river cannot wash away. Great grandpa, 8 kids, mission at age 53 in native England, died suddenly of a heart attack and never saw his family again.  Run with patience the race set before us.   Develop within ourselves the strength to endure.

Scott:  most important thing for teens, learning the power of the atonement.  Story of the people of Ammon.  Although you can repent, you still must suffer the consequences of your sins.  The Lord makes weak things to become strong - story of the stripling warriors. We have all made poor choices and need to repent of any rebellion.   Have we allowed weakness to develop In our character.?  Repentance is not  punishment, it is the hope filled path of righteousness.  Fulfill your callings, especially home and visiting teaching, don't be a 15 minute visiter.  Be a real friend, show how much you care.  Make the spiritual development of your spouse and children your highest priority.  Fill your life with service to others.  As you your life to service, satan loses power over you.

Oh divine redeemer

Pres monson:  Francis never complained.  When the pathway turns we can be tempted to ask "why me" is there no balm in gilead, do we become pessimistic and IMPATIENT.  Difficulties are a real test of our ability to endure.  Do we falter or finish.  Job.  Whenever we want to feel burdened, remember others have overcome.  Think of the pioneers.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is the center of their lives.  From his travel he says "sadness and suffering are universal."  Brother brehms from his ward growing up.  105th birthday.  He wanted a blessing from tommy monson.  He couldn't see, he couldn't hear, he lived in a small room in a care center, but he said "thank you, Heavenly Father has been so good to me".  We can learn and grow and become stronger.  We will grieve and be the seated to our limits.  This allows us to become something different than what we wee, more understanding and empathetic.  This should be our goal to perservere and endure.  Good timber does not grow with ease.  The stronger the wind, the stronger the trees.  Only Christ knows the depths of our sorrow.  My yoke is easy and my burden is light.  We must pray to him DAILY.