Hearing and Heeding: General Conference Reactions

Hello friends!

It is truly hard to believe that another six months have passed away, but they surely have, as will the next six months surely pass in a whirlwind.  I think that the goal is develop traction that can fuel improvement and progression, and hopefully this can be accomplished in a spiritual sense in between meetings of the General Conference of the Church.  My hope is that we all can use the words of the prophet and Apostles to propel us further, rather than to just maintain a level of spirituality at which we seem comfortable.  With that said, please enjoy my reaction to selected messages given this weekend by President Monson and other general authorities.

SATURDAY MORNING SESSION
Without question the most memorable announcement on Saturday morning was the announcement by President Thomas S. Monson that the Provo Tabernacle which burned down last December would be converted into the second temple in that city (artist's rendering at right).  I would to not like to neglect this truly historic announcement, but admit that there was doctrine more pressing that came from yesterday morning.  Of note were Elder Richard G. Scott's wonderful illustration of the importance of scripture study, and Elder L. Whitney Clayton's reaffirmation that no unhallowed hand will keep the work of the Lord from progressing; however, I would like to focus on President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk on the significance and insignificance of man.

President Uchtdorf began by explaining that modern science has shown that man truly is nothing; the stars in the sky that we can observe with modern telescopes outnumber the sands of the earth.  And even in the grand Plan of Salvation, our existence on this earth is but a small moment.  However, in spite of this knowledge we also know that the vast universe was created that we might reach our potential as sons and daughters of God.  We should remember that the Lord uses a scale very different than that of the world to measure the worth of souls, and that even when we feel all alone, Heavenly Father has not forgotten us.  I know this of myself to be true, and was touched as I received that reaffirmation of truth from a prophet of God.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION

I must admit that over the last several months I have thought more and more on the doctrine of the family, and its importance in the great Plan of Happiness.  With that said, it's natural that I was inspired yesterday afternoon by the first two talks given, by Elders Bednar and Andersen, respectively.

Elder David A. Bednar spoke on the Spirit of Elijah, and that the greatest responsibility with which the Lord has entrusted us is that  of seeking after our dead, that they may too be partakers of the Heavenly Gift.  When we perform family history work and vicarious temple ordinances we are direct fulfillment of the prophecy of Elijah, turning our hearts to the fathers who have come before us.  How great a work is this!  I know that as we strive to reach across this generational gap, we will be blessed to appreciate our lineage in even greater measure.

Elder Neil L. Andersen spoke on the importance of parenthood, and specifically motherhood.  He said that how many children to have is a sacred decision between husband, wife, and the Lord, and that motherhood specifically is not a hobby, but is a divine calling.  We should not be judgmental of others' abilities to fulfill this calling, but rather should seek to create a spiritual sanctuary for our own families within the home.  We should exercise faith, and not put obstacles in the way of raising righteous posterity.

PRIESTHOOD SESSION

Over the last few Priesthood Sessions there has been an extra focus placed on the moral decay that is present all around us, and there have been bold and fervent voices of warning against getting trapped by the lures of the adversary to be sent into paths that will disqualify us from Priesthood service.  None were more bold than Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, who seems to always deliver a message that shakes the very core of the individual. He spoke candidly, beginning by saying that Satan is real, and is the very personification of evil.  Elder Holland also made clear that Satan is eternally opposed to the work of God, and although he knows that in the end he will lose, the devil will try to take down as many with him as he can into that "gulf of misery and endless woe" (see Alma 26:6).  Moreover, Satan delights if he can but bind the tongue of the faithful.

In the context of missionary service, we must not let this happen.  Our testimonies are too great, our light too bright to be hid from the world who is "kept from the truth because they know not where to find it" (D&C 123:12).  We cannot think that we can play on the side of Satan, and then expect to be able suit up for the Savior when the hour of service arrives.  While Elder Holland applied this specifically to missionary service, this applies equally to any calling in the Priesthood.  We all must be better prepared for day when our name is called.

 SUNDAY MORNING SESSION
This morning I loved hearing Elaine S. Dalton's talk on how to raise righteous daughters of God, and that we must "be loyal to the royal within [us]."  While this talk was inspiring, I'd like to focus my reaction from this session on the words from our beloved prophet, President Thomas S. Monson.

President Monson again reiterated that the moral compass of society is rapidly evolving, and that today we are seeing the same reckless abandon for moral capital that we today see for financial capital.  President Monson affirmed that though this may be the case in the world, morality is NOT passe,  for the laws of God are unchanging and immovable.  It is, in fact, a great solace to know that in the midst of constant change, our Father in Heaven is an unchanging constant, the same yesterday, today, and forever.  We should strive to follow God's laws, as (just as in times old) nothing brings more joy and peace than the Spirit that comes from putting off the natural man.  As the world has moved so far away from the spiritual, we must be ever vigilant.  President Monson went on to state that we will be able to overcome if we have the Gospel in our core, and the love of the Savior in our hearts.  Though Satan desires to have us, we will be the Lord's as we daily turn to Him, and strive to draw near to Him.  Amidst all the turmoil we see in the world today, we should not fear as we strive, for the Lord will be with us.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON SESSION
The fifth and final session of conference was as equally enlightening as the other previous four.  I was impressed by Elder J. Devn Cornish's words that honesty is essential when making requests from God.  I was informed and inspired by Elder Dallin H. Oaks' talk on what it means to really believe in Christ.  While all the talks were faith-promoting, I would like to focus on the words of Elder Matthew O. Richardson, Second Counselor in the General Sunday School Presidency.  This talk had special meaning for me, as Elder Richardson was once my religion teacher at BYU before being called as a general authority.

 Elder Richardson spoke today on the importance of being real: a real missionary, real priesthood holder, real member of the Church.  Part of being real in this church is the ability to teach others, and doing so by the Spirit, not in front of or behind the Spirit.  This means that we teach in line that the Spirit may teach, having put in our preparation time, but being open to the needs of those whom we teach.  Elder Richardson stated that teaching by the Spirit entails understanding that the Holy Ghost teaches each individual in a very personal way, and that he teaches by inviting, inspiring, and encouraging us to act.  As teachers we must utilize the Spirit to invite those we teach to learn for themselves, and to understand that learning comes line upon line, precept upon precept.  Elder Richardson ended by saying that we desperately need this type of real teaching and learning.

CONCLUSION
I hope you have enjoyed this brief synopsis of those things I found inspiring this weekend.  I know that the Brethren are ordained prophets, seers and revelators, and that they receive divine guidance from God for us.  I know that they see that which the world cannot, and are compass that we can follow in these days of turmoil and strife.  Let us be humble enough to hear their words, and with that same humility have strength to act in accordance with their words as taught by the Holy Spirit.

Have a great week!