General Conference - Sunday April 7, 2013

Dear READER,


I just love conference!!!!


Sunday Morning Session

Song: Go Forth with Faith
Song: Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise

• Lord prepare my heart to stand on Zions Mount
• just as side note - the choir was in pink and gray and they looked amazing

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

• God promises the hope of his light
• The Lord lights the darkness that surrounds us
• The gospel brings joy, hope, and light into our lives
• Accept that darkness exists but that you don't need to dwell in it
• With Gods help we can be healed
• Be a defender of the weak, and tired
• Faith, Hope, and Charity will transform our lives
• Gods light is real and it is available to all
• The Spirit of Jesus Christ brings us light
• It takes an act of faith to step into the light (trust me this is so true, and its worth the step)
• Three Steps of how to Receive the light of Christ in our lives
• Start where you are
• you don't have to be perfect to receive the light of Christ
• The light always comes
• Turn your heart towards the Lord
• Pour out your heart to the Lord
• Walking in the Light
• Rise up and become the person you were meant to be
• Through serving others around us we then receive the light of Christ
• "I am the light of the world" - those who follow the Savior will not be in darkness
• Have the light of Christ radiate from you (This is one of my biggest goals. I want people to see the light. To say man she just glows what is that)
• Smile - this helps show the light to others
• Singing praises to the Lord brings the light of Christ into our lives
• Our living hope is in Jesus Christ
• With Christ darkness cannot stand
• Seek the Lord through study and prayers
• Participate actively in the Church (a call to be more involved in the Church)
• There is no darkness at all in the Savior

Song: Come Follow Me


Elder Neal L. Andersen

• Go ye therefore and preach the gospel to the world
• Signs and miracles follow the faith of the Saints
• Miracles will accompany us as we preach the gospel (I saw this all the time on my mission)
• The stone cut without hands is rolling over the whole world
• No force in the entire world can stop the work of God
• Now is the time to paint a missionary tag on your heart
• RM's (that's me) get your missionary tags and have them somewhere you can see it and remember what it means and how you can do it today
• We need the Lords help in sharing the gospel -- be on your knees
• Be ready to answer the question to what the hope is that we have
• Add to peoples faith in Christ
• Hold up your light in Christ for others to see
• Come and See --- come and see how I live, and who I am
• Invite people to come back and see and feel
• As you invite others to come and see you will feel the approval of the Lord (wow what a great promise)
• Use the Internet more to share the gospel (A call to action)
• Keep the full time missionaries in your thoughts and prayers - trust he missionaries, the Lord does
• You can share the gospel of Jesus Christ
• To be a true disciple we MUST open our mouths

Sister Rosemary M. Wixon (with the Primary)

• Love being a child
• The greatest influence we can have is on a child
• Children come to the earth ready to listen
• To speak to a child's heart we must first know what they need
• Disconnect from technology and reconnect
• I love everything about you (when did you last say this to somebody)
• With only 20 words what would you say (the story of the father in a war camp...and what he said)
• NOTE to self --- get those 20 words and hang them in the house because they were very powerful

Song: Guide us oh Thou Great Jehovah

• Feed us (the Holy Ghost) till the Savior comes

Brother L. Whitney Clayton

• Watch and Learn (all about marriage)
• We can learn so much by watching and pondering
• No other relationship out of marriage brings the greatest joy
• Make your marriage priceless
• Make your mutual quest to be obedience
• Strengthening our faith, strengthens our marriage
• Happy marriages rely on repentance
• Humility is the essence of repentance
• No one can change someone else but we can have a mighty change of heart for ourselves
• Put the other first in every decision
• Treat each other as equal partners
• Make decisions unanimously
• Retire to bed together as a couple
• Work together side by side in the home
• Make all decisions about finances together
• Live together in love
• Cleave, it means to be completely devoted
• Marriage (your marriage) is your first priority
• Seek after the desire of Marriage
• Be completely faithful and you will have a happy marriage
• (He also mentioned that those who are not yet married or have not had the opportunity to marry or things like that will be blessed and all the blessings will be given to us if we remain faithful)

Elder L. Tom Perry

• Obedience to law is liberty
• Next to life itself, agency is the greatest gift from God
• None of us should ever underestimate Satan's power and desire
• Sin will always be sin
• Gods promises, commandments, and laws do not change
• We must not pick and choose which commandments we think are important
• be a beacon to the whole earth

Song: Where Love Is

• We get love as we bring love
• The Lord guides us with his love in all we do

President Thomas S. Monson

• Truth is knowledge of things that were, are, and will be
• We receive truth as we keep Gods commandments
• Obedience is our unfailing guide
• Life would be simple if we learned to be exactly obedient
• To obey is better then to sacrifice
• The Lord wants a willing heart and mind
• Obedience is essential to our salvation
• Abraham and Isaac -- great example of Obedience
• Obedience is the first law of heaven
• Obedience brings strength and knowledge
• When will we return home (home teacher story - the HT went from their home land in Germany to Hungry where the person they were assigned to teach lived there) -- When the work is done
• Pay a full tithing so you are worthy before the Lord
• Do not deviate from that which ye know is right
• Follow thou me. Are we willing to obey

Song: Come Come ye Saints


Sunday Afternoon Session

Song: Come ye Children of the Lord
Song: Tell me the Stories of Jesus


Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

• If thou canst believe, all things are possible
• Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief
• If you can no more but desire to believe let that desire work in your heart
• Help 'us', 'we' are pleading
• Strait way the man cries out 'Lord I believe, help thou my unbeliefe'
• Hold the ground you have already won, even if that ground is limited
• Hold fast to what you already know, and wait until further knowledge comes
• The size of your faith is not the issue
• Do not start your quest with what you don't have
• Be true to the faith that you do have
• Don't let your questions stand in the way of your faith
• This is a divine work in process
• What we know will always trump what we don't know
• Be patience, kind, and forgiving
• Do not be afraid to ask for help
• God will send help from both sides of the vial
• Be not afraid, only believe
• Belief is the first step
• Fan the flame of your faith
• all things are possible to those who believe

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

• All the messages from conference help us follow the Savior
• Baptism is necessary in order to enter the kingdom of God
• We must leave the traditions of men and keep the commandments
• Do you love the praise of man more then the praise of God
• Christ teachings are to be acted upon
• Those who love the Savior will follow him and keep his commandments
• Family Prayer should be done kneeling
• Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self
• When we are wronged by others we need to forgive them
• As a disciple of Jesus Christ we have no other choice then to forgive others
• In order to follow Christ we need to make sure we are paying a fast offering
• If we come to the Father we are to receive all things

Christoffel Golden Jr.

• Man is created in the image of God
• God is ever near and interested in us
• We are the children of our Heavenly Father
• God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ are separate beings. This was a fantastic talk and one I will be sharing with others who questions wither or not the father and son are separate of the same. He had multiple examples from each book of scripture. (Bible and Book of Mormon and Modern Revelation). Very good talk.

Song: Now Let us Rejoice


Enrique R. Falabella

• Home is the school of parenting
• The temple is the place
• In order to have contention you must have two people
• make your goal to never be one of them
• We need to live a celestial life
• A child who sings is a happy child
• I need you to hug me
• love one another
• Love the Book of Mormon and Jesus Christ
• It is not enough to know the scriptures, we must live them

Erich W. Kopischke
side note before I start -- I've met him, and he was so kind, and soft spoken. Also his son was one of my MTC teachers. (very German)

• Being accepted by others helps build us up - the best acceptance if from the Lord
• Be willing to observe your covenants by making sacrifices
• We know our motives and desires - are they in order with Gods will
• A broken heart is soft, open, and willing
• As we open our hearts we will be ready to hear
• Know that our spirit is contrite
• If we have a contrite spirit we are willing to be taught and change
• Having the Holy Ghost as our continual companion is the number one way to know we are accepted by God
• Seek the Lords acceptance

Bruce D. Porter

• In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer for I have over come the world
• We need not fear the future for God is with us
• Fear Not!
• The Lord will stand with his church and his people
• Find sanctuary in the stakes of Zion
• Trials may come but if we trust in the Lord he will guide us
• Always strive to be positive and happy

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

• Ultimate redemption comes only through Jesus Christ

I'm sorry I don't have more notes with this one. It was a wonderful talk - I don't know what he said at the beginning but it triggered something and off I was writing down some things i needed to know in my journal. So sorry you didn't get more .


President Thomas S. Monson
I love that President Monson always starts and ends conference.

• Study the conference talks
• Serve in the cause of the Master
• Be good citizens and good neighbors
• Be aware of the needs of those around us
• Extend a helping hand and a willing heart
• If we put our trust in the Lord he will provide

Song: Lord Dismiss us with Thy Blessing



How sad - conference is over. I can't wait to get the ensign. I don't know if my heart was more prepared of if I just really needed this conference but I felt like it was WONDERFUL. I can't really put it into words but it was exactly what I needed and has filled my bucket. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.


Yours Truly,

Jenessa

General Conference - Saturday April 6, 2013

Dear READER,


I just love General Conference. I love being spiritually fed by the Spirit and hearing the words of the Lord through his servants. The sessions were wonderful today. Here are some of the notes I took. I can't wait for the Conference issue of the ensign to come out so I can study more in depth each talk. Hope you enjoy.


Yours Turly

Jenessa



Saturday - Morning Session

Song: Redeemer of Israel
Song: In hymns of Praise

• Humbly bow before our Kind for ever more
• Exsalt the name of the Lord with load acclaim

President Thomas S. Monson

• Two new temples were announced 1. Rio de Jenero, Brazil and 2. Ceder City Utah
• 65,634 full-time missionaries are out serving. 20,000 more have mission calls, and 6,000 are working on getting their papers in. How amazing the work of the Lord is
• 58 new missions.....Please NOTE he said new mission, that's plus the however many we already had out there.
• Contribute to the General Missionary funds of the Church. I believe every return Missionary should be contributing to this fund.

Song: Hark all Ye Nations

• Truth is restored once more
• Chosen by God (we are chosen to do the work of the Lord)
• The gospel lights every land today (Every Land)

President Boyd K. Paker

• When I was young I wasn't 68
• We are meant to age because with it comes an understanding of the truth
• We have no greater friend then the Savior (He is our friend)
• We need to protect our homes and families
• We find safety in living up to our covenants
• If ye are prepared ye need not fear
• Faith is a real power, not just an expression
• You will do no greater work then that in your own home
• Teach your families about the Holy Ghost & the Atonement
• Everyone is accountable for their own sins
• All are born with the light of Christ. How we use that light is part of the test of mortality
• We need to be prepared and ready for revelation (once again I got the call to go to the temple)
• Learn to receive and act on inspiration and revelation (I want to do better at this because I know there are thing I probably miss and lives I could have helped but I was to busy doing other things)
• I KNOW he lives (President Paker Knows that the Lord lives he left no doubt of that)

Brother Dean M. Davies

• Be built on a firm foundation
• The foundation we should build on is Jesus Christ
• Temples are built to sustain anything that comes against them -- we should be build that way
• The plan of salvation and Principles of the gospel are what are used and needed to help us build the structure of our life
• We must have a balance in our life. We can't just do one thing (read our scriptures) but not the other (pray)
• Through prayer we submit to the will of the Lord
• Prayer should become like breathing to us
• Prayer needs to be sincere and personal
• Worthily partake of the sacrament each week
• The Holy Ghost brings all things to our remembrance (Jesus Christ)
• Scripture reading should be unto us like food (substance for our spiritual bodies)
• Real personal growth comes from daily prayer, scripture study and partaking of the sacrament weekly

Sister Elaine S. Dalton (who got released today - how sad)

• we are daughters of an exalted King
• Know who you are and build the kingdom
• Stand in Holy Places and be not moved
•  My part does matter
• Our part matters because we matter
• We are daughters of our Heavenly Father and He loves us
• Be educated so you can be a contributor (I'm going to get more schooling -- I want to get my Event Planning Certificate and maybe work on a degree in Human Resources)
• It is the mothers who directly influence their children
• Stand as witnesses of God in all times and in all things and in all places
• How you honor the priesthood, will be an example to others
• Return to Virtue!
• We are making a difference because we are different
• Be proud to be a women
• Let the priesthood bless your life
• Act well your part

Song: Let Us All Press On

• Hold the sword of truth
• The Lord is on our side
• If we do whats right we have no need to fear

Brother Craig A. Cardon

• 'Thy sins are forgiven thee' ..... 'I say unto you arise and walk'
• The Son of God forgives sins
• upon earth not just at the final judgement
• The Lord loves us and wants us to understand that He forgives
• The lord does not limit forgiveness to the degree of the sin
• The Savior wants to forgive
• The Lord forgives those who confess and repent
• The Lord allows for continual progression
• By his strength (the Lords) we can do what we couldn't do before
• People can change (I think this is a great concept, one I need to work on understanding and accepting)
• See men not as they are but what they can become
• I will be merciful unto your weakness
• Pray always so that we do not fall into temptation
• Holy, Holy is the Lord....Repent and live.
• Remember and believe the words of the Lord

Elder M. Russell Ballard

• The Power of the Priesthood is how the Heavens and earth were created
• The Priesthood is how the Savior works
• The Power of the Priesthood only comes when we are worthy of it
• The man cannot fully exercise the Priesthood without the women
• The Power of the Priesthood is to succor the needy, strengthen the feeble knees, lift the head of those that hang
• Water and Light are needed to grow (The tomato plant)
• The purpose of the priesthood is to bless, sanctify, and purify us
• No matter our circumstances we can partake of the Priesthood
• Watch the leadership training videos
• If any man thirst let him come unto me
• Turn more fully to the Savior
• The work of Jesus Christ is accomplished through the Priesthood

Song: Faith (from the Primary Song book)

• Faith is trusting God above

President Henry B. Eyring

• Draw near unto me and I shall draw near unto you
• In our service to the Lord, he will draw close to us 'or' As we serve the lord we come closer to him
• I will encircle you in the arms of my love
• Keeping the commandments brings us closer to the Lord
• Why seek ye the living among the dead
• The Savior walked with them
• Did not our hearts burn within us as he spoke
• Repentance and remission should be taught to all
• Stand as a witness of God in all things, in all times, and in all places
• We are under covenant to lift those in need and stand as witnesses of the Savior
• I will go before you and will be on your right and on your left and my angles will bear you up (one of my favorite scriptures -- helped get me through a lot on my mission)
• As we serve, the Lord will bless us
• As we serve the Lord, he will draw closer to us and our families
• Satan's purpose is to destroy our families
• The Savior will draw close to you and bless you as you reach out to love and serve others
• Our works shall follow us
• Come unto me

Song: My Redeemer Lives


Saturday - Afternoon Session

Song: Jesus the very Thought of Thee
Song: Did you think to Pray

• When life is hard the best thing to do is pray

Elder Richard G. Scott

• The Lord, Jesus Christ should be the center of our homes
• Center your home and life on Jesus Christ
• Make sure every decision you make is what the Lord would have you do
• Have daily personal and family prayer, scripture study, and FHE once a week
• Apply gospel principles, don't skip on the little things
• Satan's fate is already decided and he want to bring us with him
• Stay on the Lords side and you will win every time
• Don't waste your time on your technology devises
• Just having them in your pocket will not protect you
• Selfishness is the root of great evil
• Do not hide your talents, share them freely
• When we serve others we are given strength and power from God
• Be a true friend
• Trust in the Lord and his timing (always a very hard things to do)
• acknowledge gods will in all things
• set our burdens at the feet of the Savior - (I can't handle it all on my own, but the Lord says come and I will lift you.)
• Always build on others virtues and talents
• Strive to live worthy and put your trust in the Lord
• Son step at a time will help us become more like the Savior
• The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the source of peace

Elder Quentin L. Cook

• The stakes of Zion are a refuge to the saints
• Agency is essential to the plan of happiness
• Peace comes by excepting the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
• He that doeth righteousness will receive peace
• The Lords peace will build or heal our broken hearts, ease our burdens, and blot out our hate
• Peace is found in focusing on the gospel of Jesus Christ
• Those who reject God, do not/will not have peace
• To believe in God is to know all the rules will be fair
• 'Where can I turn for Peace' - the answer is to the Savior
• Temples are a refuge for peace (once again I had the call to go to the temple)
• In the world ye will have tribulations, but fear not for I have overcome the world

Song: Rejoice the Lord is King


Brother Stanley G. Ellis

• The 70 are called to be messengers
• If you don't plant you don't harvest
• Do you want me to speak directly or with sugar
• We believe in God the eternal Father and in His Son Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost
• We are not alone
• If we do things the Lords way we will be blessed
• The Lord seeth not as man seeth, he sees the heart (that is such a blessing and comfort)
• Truly the Lord knows best
• Teach a man to fish, don't just give him fish
• Bloom where you are planted
• What happens in the home is more important then outside
• Ask where can I serve
• The Lord knows best how to help us
• Do all we do in the Lords way

Brother John B. Dickson

• Have great interest in knowing the Lord Jesus Christ
• The gospel is available to all

Elder David A Bednar

• We are all created in the image of God
• There are lessons we must learn and things we must experience in the flesh
• The Man and Women are meant to learn and grow from each other and with each other
• The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
• The natural man can be put off only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ
• Sin is a spiritual wound -- healing comes from the Savior

Elder Russell M. Nelson

• Now is your time to teach others
• Cathc the Waive!!!
• Be ready to give an answer to why you live the way you do
• Contribute tot eh General Mission Fund
• Through Gods eternal plan families can be together forever
• The living God is a loving God
• The Book or Mormon is in full harmony with the Bible

Song: More Holiness Give Me