Conference!!

Between Sunday sessions of General Conference I checked to see if Ordain Women followers were still beating their heads against a brick wall...they are.  I wanted to post something like...stop counseling living Apostles and just follow them!!  I didn't do that because it seemed a waste of time and inappropriate for what I feel to do with my time.  I want to bear testimony of truth and my trying to live the truths I know about.  I definitely don't want to word battle over it.  I feel as I feel and they might say the same holds true for them.  This beautiful Conference has reaffirmed for me to speak my truth, proclaim my individual testimony of Jesus Christ, and speak of the joy that the Restored Gospel can bring into our lives.  To continue to grow and figure out how to have more personal revelation through the gift of the Holy Ghost.  More guidance.  Heavenly guidance!  I'm liking that.  like cures like?

I always want a bundle of things accomplished in all aspects of my life.  Scattered and jumping around in all areas at times.  Never staying focused long enough to really move ahead or I guess that is better said by ...never feeling I've done enough of whatever I'm trying to do.

Definitely my feeling is the Gospel does work for me but I need to simplify on so many levels.

I was spiritually overwhelmed by Conference.  The Holy Ghost was with me and I just couldn't get enough!!  The man who spoke about Pondercize???  Brother Durrant.  He was the Mission President for my friend Betsy's son, Cody.  Small world, huh?  And...Mindy, Bob and Maureen's daughter...Elder Rasband was her Mission President!  Small world indeed.  Anyhow I was saying how that pondering/memorizing challenge was given and I'll join in on that but my heart is feeling pulled a different way and I'm not quite sure exactly how I'll pull it off but I am going to do it.

I was impressed years ago when I heard what President Harold B. Lee said.  I might have read it in his book or heard it quoted but it has really stayed in my mind.  You know that I'm just MsGeeky about Conference talks and this has always felt right to me-- To somehow or other really use the Conference talks for 6 months.  I do read gobs of them and love everyone but this October Conference was so dynamic and so spirit-filled that I want to do more.  Oh, here is the quote...

As the Latter-day Saints go home from this conference, it would be well if they consider seriously the importance … of this conference and let it be the guide to their walk and talk during the next six months. These are the important matters the Lord sees fit to reveal to this people in this day” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1946, 67–68).  President Harold B. Lee

Then President Ezra Taft Benson shared it and put his words in also....
 “For the next six months, your conference edition of the Ensign should stand next to your standard works and be referred to frequently. As my dear friend and brother [President] Harold B. Lee said, we should let these conference addresses ‘be the guide to [our] walk and talk during the next six months. These are the important matters the Lord sees fit to reveal to this people in this day’ (in Conference Report, Apr. 1946, p. 68).


Elder Boyd K. Packer said this of how to use the Conference talks in our lives.

1. 1. 
   Plan and set aside personal time to listen to and study the conference addresses. This may require that you remove yourself from distractions or interruptions. Make the environment in which you view, listen to, or study the conference addresses acceptable to the Holy Ghost.
2. 2. 
   Pray in faith that you will receive messages of significance in your own life. Pray for the Church leaders as they prepare and deliver their addresses.
3. 3. 
   Before listening to or studying the conference addresses, list personal questions or concerns for which you are seeking answers. By taking a spiritual inventory you may notice aspects of your life where you want to improve. In a journal or notebook, record the answers and impressions you receive during the conference.
4. 4. 
   After listening to or studying the conference addresses, recommit to improve your life in those areas that impressed you.

I was so bowled away by the opening talk of Elder Uchtdorff  that I felt we could have closed with prayer.  I felt he gave enough information and encouragement that I could live by it the rest of my life and come out ahead.  At that point I remembered what President Lee said so that is what I'm going to do.  Commit myself to studying and figuring out how to best live the next 6 months as counseled.  I will start with that first talk.  It's not yet available in print but I did find this snippet...

Brothers and sisters, if you ever think that the gospel isn’t working so well for you, I invite you to step back, look at your life from a higher plane, and simplify your approach to discipleship. Focus on the basic doctrines, principles, and applications of the gospel. I promise that God will guide and bless you on your path to a fulfilling life, and the gospel will definitely work better for you. …

God will take you as you are at this very moment and begin to work with you. All you need is really a willing heart, a desire to believe, and trust in the Lord. …

As you exercise a little faith and begin your walk as a peaceable follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, your heart will change. Your whole being will be filled with light.

God will help you become something greater than you ever thought possible. And you will discover that the gospel of Jesus Christ is indeed working in your life.

--Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorff  (Saturday Morning- Oct. 2015) 

There is so much, in even these couple of paragraphs, that just touches my heart and makes me eager to experience it!!!

And you???  What are you going to do to enrich your life spiritually???  Time for all of us to step up the plate and grow spiritually!!