General Conference April 2008

So this weekend was the 178th Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is our first conference since the passing of our beloved prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, and I think everyone was thinking it just couldn't be the same without him. But when President Monson spoke, we all knew that the mantle has fallen upon him, It is easy to see that he is indeed a prophet of the Lord. In seminary we talked a bit about how ( I'm not a mother so I don't exactly know ) when you are a parent you love your children so much that you think you couldn't love anymore, then you have another child and your love increases. It is the same with our prophets. With each one our love for them increases.

My favorite talks I think (all of them were wonderful, it's hard to decide) were by Sister Susan Tanner, and Elder Jeffery R. Holland. I loved Sister Tanners mostly because it seamed like more of a testimony than a talk, I don't remember ever having that happen at conference and it impressed me. She simply talked about all of the things that are pleasing and wonderful to her, reminding us that the prophet Nephi did so often, even through hard times.

Elder Holland I admit is one of my very favorite apostles. I always love to listen to him speak. He is so intelligent, and expresses himself so well. Last conference he mentioned the two main reasons that people often say we aren't Christian, that time he talked of only one of those-our ideas of the three members of the Godhead are unique, and many people find them strange- This conference he talked about the second reason. The fact that we believe in modern day revelation (The Book of Mormon, D&C, modern prophets, and personal revelation). I loved how well he explained that it is logical that the Lord does continue to reveal things to His children. Why would He not? He is God, not was, He reveals, not revealed. I loved that he mentioned the fact that saints in the early times of the Bible did not have the whole thing, and yet when the rest of it came they gladly and gratefully accepted it as well. I can't explain it near as well as he can of course, he's so brilliant, I'm going to read at least that talk again.

And last but not least, these are the two things that left a big impression on me. First, I am so thankful for apostles and prophets, and the gospel that I have in my life. Hearing about all of the crazy things going on in the FLDS church have helped me to realize how lucky I am. My friend (thanks Christi!) shared with me a little while ago a scripture "IN Him all things hold together" (Col. 1:17). The FLDS church is falling apart. I'm so glad that ours is not. I know that it is founded on Christ.

Second, the messages we hear seem to be ever more urgent-pray more sincerely, be true to you Father in Heaven, pay your tithing, let your light shine brighter, be a little better, etc...- We need to realize that the "signs of the times" are increasingly evident, and that we really need to prepare to meet our Lord.