General Confrence Review

I stumbled across this YouTube video today and I found that it was funny and a great way to remember General Conference. I laughed a few times and I thought it was a very enjoyable way to remember some things that were talked about.

Rejoicing Together

Saturday morning I had the opportunity to go to General Conference in Salt Lake City and hear the words of our modern day prophets teaching us true truths. During each session they have the audience stand and we all sing together as a congregation. We sang "How Firm a Foundation" and as I was singing I looked around at all the people who were in attendance at the conference. We came from all over the world to hear this conference, to be in the presence of a prophet. We have different nationalities, countries, and language, but we are singing together as one faith. (see President Monson's Saturday morning talk). Singing together was my favorite part of attending conference. We were rejoicing together and were in attendance with the prophet and his apostles in what we knew or believed to be true. I cannot wait for the day when millions more of us will all be singing and worshiping together in attendance with our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Tree of Life

"The tree of life vision is the central message of the Book of Mormon." - President  Packer

The message is to come unto Christ (the tree)
Other parts of the gospel relating to trees/Christ.

• When Christ was crucified He was nailed to a tree
• Graphting (see Jacob in the BOM)
• Christ is grown inside of us
• If you do not keep the commandments you will be cut off (from the tree)
• In wickedness nothing grows
• When Moses and his people were in the wilderness the water was bitter so they put a tree in the water to make it sweet. (Exodus 15:22-25)

You may feel that you cannot go back to the rod but you ALWAYS can.
If you hold onto the rod long enough it turns into Christ's hand to pull you in.
You have help when you really need it from the other side of the veil.

Scripture Study Keeps Me Safe From Sin

Many of you have probably seen this picutre on Facebook, but for those of you who have not, I thought it was too good not to share.

"As I think about your schedules and the pressures you face at this time in your lives, I can understand why scripture study can so easily be neglected. You have many demands pulling at you. In some cases, just maintaining your social life is a full-time occupation. But I plead with you to make time for immersing yourselves in the scriptures. Couple scripture study with your prayers. Half an hour each morning privately studying, pondering, and communicating with your Heavenly Father can make an amazing difference in your lives. It will give increased success in your daily activities. It will bring increased alertness to your minds. It will give you comfort and rock-steady assurance when the storms of life descend upon you."

-Elder Ballard

The Killing of Laban

Many people who are learning about the gospel have a hard time with the story in 1 Nephi 4 because it is the killing of Laban. In institute we learned more about his death. Here are my notes from the class.

1 Nephi 4

• According to the law of Moses, Laban had stolen Nephi's family's property and had threatened to kill them and by punishment that is death. Nephi had the right to kill. Legally.
• Nephi was preparing to be King in the promised land. We are preparing to be Kings and Queens in the Celestial Kingdom and then we are able to see why we are having the troubles we personally face
• 1 Nephi 2:22 "a ruler and teacher over thy brethren."
  This gospel is not convenient or comfortable.
• Laban probably has often been been drunk before and has killed innocent people. So the smell of blood and alcohol was probably a familiar scent to the servants of Laban.
• By going through trials we become men and women of God
• 1 Nephi 4:6 "And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do." We need to walk a little into the darkness before we are able to understand.

How to Prepare for General Conference

I love General Conference. I love getting messages from God. Amos 3:7 says: "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (but- footnote, until)

This time of year is exactly when I personally need God instruction from His prophets. In order to get the most out of General Conference this year I am going to use these steps. I hope that you can follow them with me.

1) Prayer
Pray for the speakers that they will be inspired in what they say and have your heart receptive to the messages they give.

2) Make a List
Make a list of areas that I am struggling in or look for greater understanding in certain principles.

3) Get a Good Nights Rest
Sometimes it can be hard to sit and listen to conference. Get a good nights rest on Friday and Saturday night. This way you can be alert and ready to here the prophets instructions to you. These instructions are from the Lord. I would defiantly get a good nights rest if the Lord was coming to speak to me!

4) Take Notes
The talks will come out in the Ensign, but if you take notes it is a great way to stay awake and put your own personal insights on what has been said.
How can you apply this to your life?
This talk reminds me of....
I am going to try and improve in this area. etc....


I hope that this helps you. Have an amazing conference!

Quote of the Day

You are each unique and precious. Each of you has your own burdens and challenges, which give you the blessing of turning to the Lord for help. –Julie B. Beck Relief Society General