OK, got my short walk in and we’re back for the final round of General Conference. So excited - let’s finish strong!
Dieter F. Uchtdorf starts it off continuing with what I think has been a theme of the whole Conference - the path (and arc) of Christlike discipleship.
Christ looks to unite us.. where Satan focuses on division. We should look to unifying and helping and lifting, not in our differences.
"Now is the time to unify. Unity won’t magically happen in the next life if we haven’t earnestly tried to learn it here. Every step we take toward unity matters, however small it may seem."
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we should focus on what unites us, instead of getting distracted by our differences.
“Christ-centered unity” 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Baptismal Covenants in Mosiah 18 references in this Conference: 3 (at least…)
Andrea Muñoz Spannaus to the YW (and the rest of us) - “the Lord knows where you are. He has your exact location and can guide you. He knows your dreams and your gifts. … He knows everything. And knowing everything about you does not make Him love you less."
And she just gave me permission to add “get more sleep” to my own Articles of faith aspirations - I’m on it!
Loved Elder Moises Villanueva’s simple testimony of tithing and how it leads to the virtues of gratitude and abundance. As we live the law of tithing, we receive significant but subtle blessings that we do not expect and can be easy to overlook.
The Widow of Zarephath was sustained with her faith and sacrifice.
We will be sustained, also.
Tithing/Malachi 3 references: 2 (at least)
David A. Bednar’s words on “Spiritual Credentials” - The integrity of a passport must be maintained over time. Our covenants are the same. "Ongoing faithfulness is required for those credentials to be valid and for promised blessings to be received."
"A faithful spouse may ask, ‘Can the unrighteous exercise of moral agency by another person rob me of what God has promised?’ To this question the answer is an emphatic NO!”
I look forward to studying more about “lateral and vertical sealing”.
We cannot just say we are good…after one time obedience. It is constant... consistent... daily pursuit.
Covenants, Covenants, Covenants, and more Covenants!!!
King Benjamin References: too many to count…
Loved Thabo Lebethoa’s take on contention and how to handle differences with others. "Whatever concerns, challenges and struggles we may have in our lives, the answer is always Jesus Christ."
Paul H. Sinclair’s story of James, the primary kid who inadvertently created a one-armed straitjacket and the girl who calmly saved the day. Instead of being aggravated, she just wanted to help. Lesson learned…A true disciple of Jesus Christ is quick to help and slow to judge.
Gary E. Stevenson (great suit and tie combo…along with some sweet elf ears from the primary kid’s drawing of him…🤣) loves the fresh fruit and tied it seamlessly into Lehi’s Dream. Holding the fruit is awesome, but tasting it is SO much better! And the natural result is wanting to share.
Gospel truths like knowledge of our divine origin, the great plan of happiness, and the gift go the Holy Ghose and His constant companionship “become sweet to us as we live them, bringing us happiness and joy."
Always appreciate his invitation to “Love, Share, and Invite”. It always resonates with me.
Gabriel W. Reid (who Rochelle pointed out looks a little like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) and the question, “Lord, I love you but do you really have the right person?” We were never meant to do this alone.
“The impact of a gospel teacher is not the message, it is the love conveyed by the teacher.” Christ-centered teaching is rooted in relationships. 💯
To teach like the Savior we must love like the Savior. 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Former NFL players who have spoken in this Conference: 2
Clark G. Gilbert and the challenge of standing for truth with love…and peacemaking (again!). Avoid overly contentious settings, ummm…which is pretty tough in the social world we live in. There are times when being a peacemaker means that we must often resist settings where contention is present.
"Being a light opens more doors than any pointed argument ever will."
Teaching truth with love will be the hallmark of Christ's disciples in the last days.
Ya think God wants that message to get across to us?!?
And just like that - Another General Conference is over! But is that really true? Nope! As President Oaks, promised - “The Lord has promised, 'Unto him that receiveth I will give more.
I think this spirit and excitement can joyfully continue for the next 6 months, but on a deeper and more personal level as we study it and keep it fresh in our lives and stay anchored in Christ. I look forward to study the messages that I heard along with the ones that I missed…and the ones that will mean even more succor to me as life’s “days may demand”.
Thanks for letting me invade your feed with my quick, unfiltered, but hopefully helpful thoughts.