Thoughts After Conference

For my non-Mormon friends, twice a year our church has what is called General Conference (most of you have heard me talk about it at one time or another). It begins on Saturday afternoon with a two hour session, then two sessions on Sunday - one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Instead of attending church, we either watch General Conference on our televisions (if you have a satellite dish or cable and the BYUTV station is carried), or attend a stake center where you can catch the broadcast. Many thousands are lucky enough to actually travel to Salt Lake City, if they don't already reside there, as see it live. At these conferences, our Prophet, his two counselors and other leaders of our church speak to us. Every year there are many quotes that touch my heart, many talks that speak to me and many things I am reminded of or encouraged to be better at in my daily life. This year I noted a few great quotes I'd like to share.


'Be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled, will disappear all too soon...and that you will, to your surprise, miss them, profoundly."--Thomas S. Monson (Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Also by President Monson: "There is no tomorrow to remember if we don't do something today." and "Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved." And after saying his wife was a "showaholic" (I think that was the term he used) he gave a quote from the musical 'The Music Man' - "If you pile up enough tomorrows, you'll find you've collected a lot of empty yesterdays."

"Faith is not only a feeling; it is a decision." Elder Neil L. Andersen, Presidency of the Quorum of the Seventy.

Here are several I liked by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor to President Thomas S. Monson: "Hope is a gift of the Spirit." and "No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may look today...we can have hope in the Savior." And a few more: "The things we hope FOR lead us to faith, while the things we hope IN lead us to charity." "Present circumstances will give way to future blessings." "Hope is manifested in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm and patient perseverance."

Two by Elder Jeffery R. Holland, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "Angels are not always seen--but seen or unseen they are always near." and "Not all angels are on the other side of the veil."

Two by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "For every tear shed in sorrow will be replaced by one hundred tears of joy for those who follow Christ." and "The next time you are tempted to groan, try a laugh instead."

Elder Robert D. Hales, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said these two: "We're always better off staying on the higher ground of mutual respect and love." and "Meekness is not weakness, it is the badge of Christian Courage."

Elaine S. Dalton, Young Women General President gave these notable quotes: "In the strength of the Lord I can do ALL things." and "You be the one to stand for right even if you stand alone." (I LOVED that one) and this next one made me laugh - as did she after saying it: "young people...ever texting and never coming to a knowledge of the truth." Also, a quote from marathon champion Juma Ikangaa (President Dalton is a marathon runner) "The will to win is nothing without the will to prepare to win."

"He's not asking us to die a martyr's death, he's asking us to live a disciple's life." --Elder M. Russell Ballard, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:"As we have inherited the spirit of liberty and the fire of patriotism from our fathers, so let them descend unchanged down to our posterity."

"The interest, attention, and care we show towards our brethren is a profound manifestation of love towards our Heavenly Father." --Elder Eduardo Gavarret, Quorum of the Seventy.

Elder Carlos Godoy, Quorum of the Seventy: "To receive the witness of the still small voice sometimes can have a stronger impact on our testimonies than the visit of an angel."

"We are not going to suffer any more than is for our good." --Elder Quentin L. Cook, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Most of these I got either listening to the talks over the weekend or listening to them on-line over the last two days and a few from another blog I read where others noted them. Regardless, I know they are words from wise leaders of our church and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to hear them again and again as I desire with our technologically advanced world.