Between Conference sessions on Sunday, I was replying to a friend’s email and I mentioned,
“This has been one of the most ‘personally customized‘ conferences I have ever participated in – and it isn’t even over.”
About two hours later Elder Neil L. Anderson referred to it as “customized direction”. I can’t recall a General Conference that has seemed so specifically customized for me, my questions, and the things I needed to hear. What makes that much more interesting is that many of my friends feel the same way. Uniquely personal, for millions of us.
As I was focused on watching this ‘customized direction’ unfold, I failed to notice any sort of traditional “theme” this year. I didn’t notice multiple talks about temples, or family history, or missionary work, or history, or pioneers. So I have been processing, trying to decide what the theme of the Conference was for me. Here is what I came up with:
God wants me to increase my spirituality, my discipleship, and my priesthood power, so that I can be of more use to Him in my family, in the church, and in the world.
Where did that come from? From the Spirit. And my brain. That is what I felt as I listened, and what has distilled on me since then.
As President Monson welcomed us in the very first talk, he said, “We meet each six months to strengthen one another, to extend encouragement, to provide comfort, to build faith. We are here to learn. Some of you may be seeking answers to questions and challenges you are experiencing in your lives, some are struggling with disappointments,or losses. Each can be enlightened, and uplifted, and comforted, as the Spirit of the Lord is felt. Should there be changes which need to be made in your life, may you find the incentive and the courage to do so.”
I can’t imagine a better overview of Conference than that, because I was entering Conference with challenges, and seeking answers. In his concluding comments, he linked back to his welcome, and tied it up nicely: “May you ponder the truths you’ve heard. May they help you become even better than you were when Conference began, two days ago.”
That’s the goal, right? That we emerge from Conference better than when it began. If we don’t, isn’t it just a waste of time?
So how will this Conference help me to be a better man? Here are a few thoughts:
The talks that stood out to me about increasing my spirituality were Elder Scott’s talk about revelation, Elder Holland’s talk about envy, Elder Nelson’s talk about gratitude, and of course, President Uchtdorf’s talk about mercy.
The talks that addressed my discipleship and priesthood? Everything else. Just kidding, but the Priesthood Session was very direct at echoing Elder Holland’s call for the brethren to “Step Up.” Many of the talks (Bednar, Ochoa, Uchtdorf and Monson) spoke of priesthood power, and doing our duty. It was an obvious theme – so it must be a problem. (It is)
A few other notes:
• President Eyring’s talk about taking on challenges moved me, as did Elder Rasband’s amazing talk about suffering. Powerful stuff. Timely.
• I think Elder Christofferson’s talk about doctrine and revelation is HUGELY significant. I think it will be talked about for decades. Much good will come of it, but it will also be misused.
• I loved Elder Hallstrom’s point that “It is possible to be active in the Church without being active in the Gospel“, but I wish he had finished the thought that it is impossible to be active in the Gospel without being active in the Church. (My take here)
• President Packer’s talk about little children was so sweet. I love that such a fierce defender of truth can be so cuddly, too.
• Yes, I do find great satisfaction when some my blog posts line up closely with things taught in Conference. Simply because it reenforces to me that I am kinda on the right track.
• I didn’t count, but D&C 121 was mentioned several times as THE guide to parenting. Message received. Nicely reenforced by President Monson in his closing remarks about contention.
• Elders Ballard, Pieper and Cook all gave important talks from a perspective of looking at society. I look forward to reviewing all three of them.
• Lots of focus on how we need to treat each other well in our homes. Again, a highly personalized Conference.
• I will miss Sister Julie Beck immensely. I was serving as bishop when she gave her landmark speech “Women Who Know”. I was grateful then, and I am grateful now. I am also grateful for her to be willing to stand up and speak truth, and catch the arrows for it.
• Bishop David Burton will be missed as well. He has done so much for the Church, and for the entire world. I will miss his happy demeanor.
• Great quote: “A good sense of humor helps revelation” Elder Richard G. Scott.
••• I’m sure I’m missing 100 other things.
——
Overall, it was a highly emotional, personal experience for me. I mentioned on Facebook that I was wondering how long the “Post-Conference High” would last. I’m hoping that by revisiting the talks online, and in written form, and regularly reviewing my notes, I can keep moving forward with faith and motivation.
One last thing: I am grateful to the Lord for holding this General Conference perfectly personalized for my benefit. I’m glad that you got to watch it too.
Chime in – let me know what struck you.
oh– I also agree with you on the talk about revelation! Can’t wait to get my hands on that one!
I ditto everything you’ve said, except the priesthood stuff, because I’m a women and didn’t hear it. It was something special this time wasn’t it. I think everyone felt that. I agree with Michell about the themes and I don’t have a family, but I have myself- like it or not!
Thank you for everything inspirational and funny you put on your blog. Julie B. Beck never missed a beat in any of her talks and in one speech(not conference) a woman asked why women don’t hold the priesthood. She told her, she was asking the wrong question and to pay attention in the temple! Loved her for that! And I will miss Bishop Burton too!
Elder Holland’s and President Uchtdorf’s talks were the most meaningful to me personally. I loved when President Uchtdorf compared envy to swallowing a jar of pickle juice every time something good happens to someone else.
A friend of mine was only able to listen to the Saturday morning session the weekend of General Conference, but she had several questions in mind she wanted answered. We marveled that Heavenly Father knew that her questions needed to be answered in the Saturday morning session since she would be unable to attend the other sessions.
Then we remarked on His ability to make this happen for every single person who participates in General Conference.
Truly a blessing.
One of our full time missionaries challenged me to write down three questions I needed answers to and promised me I would find answers in the talks. I wrote down five and all five were addressed and answered. I loved the talks. Maybe I got my answers because I had prepared myself to listen and I took notes so I could remember my answers.
And you will probably remember this conference for years to come. Well done!
For the past two Conferences, I have been watching on Facebook and Twitter as well as taking my own notes. It has been an interesting experience as I have seen how others react or feel about something that is said, and often people see things differently than me and I gain new insight. I have enjoyed reading MMM’s blog posts and have picked up some new people to follow on Facebook because I liked their perspectives. I love Conference and it is wonderful to see how many people out there who love it as much as me!!!
The talk that touched me most was Elder Andersen and the three children from Haiti. My older girls went down to the conference center to sing with their singles’ ward in the no-protest zone when conference was over, so they missed part of the last session. I couldn’t even tell them that story of the five-year-old singing and just knowing his dad would find him without tearing up. I love conference! They are my favorite weekends of the year.
Sandy
Conference was so personal for me, that I am finding that I can’t really even talk about it yet. It was just that personal. (I win.) 🙂
Chicken.
Just a super-brief comment:
When we ask God questions, He does not disappoint, and I’m so grateful for living prophets and apostles.
I loved it all . . . it truly WAS an incredible, spiritual feast . . . I, too, was deeply touched by President Packer’s tender talk . . . It surprised me almost because he so often takes on the heavy duty stuff . . .
I can hardly wait until my Ensign arrives so I can devour that and slowly go back and savor each talk again . . .
I LOVE General Conference!!!
I wrote about it on my blog Sunday night – http://www.momscholar.net/ (in case anyone wants to read it).
The one recurrent theme I picked out (at least Sunday) was family & how important families are & how we need to get our families to be better. I also felt a strong sense of getting myself in order too, which kind of goes along with getting the family in order & stronger. I loved Elder Andersen’s “What thinks Christ of me?” question. It really made me think of where I need to improve – and of how to keep that post-conference high through the next 6 months!
I love that we have so many ways to view/read/listen to conference! I didn’t watch Saturday yet, but that is my first goal to work on those talks!!
Unfortunately I didn’t catch conference. I was physically in front of the TV, but with a nasty cold, 7/8ths of the time I was asleep; infact I was asleep 7/8ths of the entire day. Can’t wait to get the written form to see/read what I missed.
‘I loved Elder Hallstrom’s point that “It is possible to be active in the Church without being active in the Gospel”, but I wish he had finished the thought that it is impossible to be active in the Gospel without being active in the Church.’ -MMM
When Elder Hallstrom was talking about this, I couldn’t help thinking “Works are necessary, but not sufficient.” (I wish I could remember who said that off the top of my head.) Being active in the church is necessary, but not sufficient.
I can’t help but think that maybe the reason Elder Hallstrom did not say that ‘it’s impossible to be active in the gospel without being active in the church’…because of those for health reasons or work reasons, cannot be very active…but still live the gospel the best they can. I knew this couple years ago who had strong testimonies, but they rarely left the house so they weren’t ‘active in the church’.
Grandma Honey: You make a wise point that obviously requires some clarification. The part of church participation that I consider essential is the participation in the ordinances of the gospel. If someone is homebound, they can still participate in the ordinances, as the sacrament is brought to them.
My comment is more directed at those who thing that they can live the gospel, yet never participate in the ordinances.
I totally agree with you MMM. But I was just giving a possible reason as to why Elder Hallstrom did not make that statement. People suffering at home and not able to attend meetings I’m sure can be very sensitive..being they have been through so much already and may feel so judged…or forgotten. They may have the Sacrament brought to them but still feel they are so lacking in activity at church and temple attendance, even though they are doing the best they can. I just think he may be trying to protect their feelings. Just my thoughts.
Surprisingly, I didn’t have a favorite talk this time around. They were all equally wonderful, and necessary, and I’m looking forward to spending more time with each of them. However, I’ll probably start with pondering “recognize, remember, and hold sacred” from Elder Pieper.
I have been a widow and single parent for the last 12 years. It has be a long, hard, endless task and many a night has been spent on the feeling that my family and I were “second tier” members. Elder Baxter was speaking directly to me and my children (I hope everybody else learned something from it too)and encouraging me in the journey.
I LOVE Conference and was so blessed this year to hear all sessions! I’m still a work in progress but I got some great pointers about improvement. It was an incredible experience.
Regan I have so much respect and admiration for you. My husband is in the military and Ive been living without him for almost two years. But when tell me that I am like a single mother I quickly correct them. Single parents have to do double duty, while yes my husband is gone he is still providing for us. I dont need to worry about making an income. Single mothers are my heroes. I can not imagine! I was so glad to hear that talk. You have my utmost respect!
*when people tell me I am like a single mother…
I feel like a little child when it comes to my spirituality; I’m in my 30s, have been a member all my life, and have only just awoken to the feast that is Conference.
I am glad to be awake.
THAT IS AN AWESOME COMMENT! Congrats, and welcome to the party!
My second post-conference post comes out Thursday. In it I talk about the many repeat messages I received. You allude to some of them above.
As I listened to Elder Packer, I reflected on the first time he’d told that Cuzco story in conference. It brought tears to my eyes both times. Considering one child as a nation is a powerful, powerful thought.
I had a similiar though about Elder Packer. His talk was very tender. If I were him (PS I am no where near his level of spirituallity) I would be relieved to speak more the of the “pleasing word of God” and less of “soberness” that we seem to need.
I agree- there’s a great spiritual high after conference. I’m loving it! Your post was spot-on with all the wonderful parts of conference. I’m working with a friend to possibly put together a G.C. reading group so we can get ourselves to re-read the talks and discuss them together.
As we have a bit of a family feud going on between a grown niece and her stepmother which is kind of polarizing the rest of that part of our family, Elder Uchtdorf’s talk was my favorite. Made me wanna call both sides of the argument and tell them that an apostle said to get over it. I hope they were all listening. I also loved Elder Hallstroms talk about being active in the Gospel, not just the Church. I loved Elder Oaks’ talk about Sacrifice. There was just so much, we need to sit down and figure out what we’re gonna work on first.
I will really miss Sister Beck, I was RS Pres when she was called, and her Women Who Know talk really made me want to stand up and cheer. I was so surprised that she caught so much flak for it. I’ve always loved straight-forward, plain talking people and she is amazing.
One of my favorite parts of conference actually happened between sessions. In Utah, between sessions of conference, they play LDS-themed documentaries. This year between the 1st and 2nd sessions on Sunday, they showed a story about how a Mormon Messages video helped to convert a woman and her family. Here’s the Mormon Message: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwwxBjpvDVQ
If anyone knows what the show was called or has a link to it, I highly recommend that everyone watch it. The spirit was really strong. It also talked about using social media to further the work of the Lord, which is what MMM does so well.
I loved Conference. Every talk seemed to have some significant meaning to me. At one point I was so excited I jumped to my feet…and then remembered I was supposed to be behaving as if I was at church. Its funny, because the theme for me would have been “Loving your family well” and “There is hope for the Prodigal Son.” It seemed like so many talks said the same thing.. “We love you. Come Back. You Can do this!” It was like a spiritual pep rally.
I can see how so many people felt the conference to be “personalized just for me”. We all live in the same world, enjoying the tumolt together and needing something to hold on to. For the last several conferences I’ve been wanting the brethren to tell us it’s time to move to Missouri but I guess our Missouri is in our spiritual lives and to keep stepping up, up, up.
I am enjoying your thoughtful blogs. From one of your pictures I’m wondering if you sit in the choir seats?
Here’s an add on to my upper comments. A few things that stuck out, and I’m paraphrasing,
1. You know what ou need to do, now get out and do it. (Can’t remember who said it. Bad note taker)
2. The church is a mooring in this tempestuous sea. (Ballard)
3. See clearly what matters in life. (Monson)
AND
4. Don’t delay, it’s getting late. (Holland)
My thoughts exactly triple M! Very personal for me as well. Great insight!