Spring Conference 2011

I love conference. I really do. I know that may seem crazy, but I so look forward to sitting down and listening to the words of those I truly look up to, feeling of their spirits, and walking away renewed and empowered, ready to make changes in myself and be better.

This hasn't always been the case. I used to see conference weekend as a week off of church, a time to go and do something fun with my family. I was asked to listen to the prophet speak and the last session, or was that just something I did? I can't really remember my parents actually forcing me to sit down, but that was generally the routine. I always understood that it was important, but it didn't seem to pertain to me and I didn't see it as necessary for my own personal growth. I loved seeing the prophet and all the beautiful flowers, but that's about where it ended.

I'm not sure when or why or how things changed for me but they did. I now listen so contently to the teachings of my leaders. I bask in their spirit and the comforting sound of their voices. I feel truly blessed to be a part of this wonderful gospel, to live so close to where a lot of important things happen, to be surrounded by people who put the lord first and live such happy honest lives.

Ok... I know this is so nerdy, but I took notes. shhhhhh! Don't tell! I do it so that I know I am paying attention and so that I can remember the things that can help me when I might forget exactly what was said. So, I thought I would share a few of my favorite notes. I took a lot so I'm not going to share them all, but I think a few will be good. At least good for me to come back and remember if I need to.

The things I wrote down are from conference, my thoughts on the subject are in blue.

• Keep the sabbath day holy and go to church! Innovative stuff, I know. But it made me think more strongly about the sacrament and if I am utilizing it fully in my life.
• The greatest joy we will receive in this life is following the Savior. Check, true so far for me.
• Follow the example of children. Children are full of faith and believing. They are open to the spirit. I really loved this talk. She spoke of children and why Christ always spoke of them and told his followers to behold them and become like them. Children come to us very innocent and pure. They have not been jaded by life's hardships. They have an easy time discerning between right and wrong. Children are much quicker to recognize the spirit and things that are good and right. I really loved that. It made me look differently at my children. They are truly so precious.
• We should express love even at the most dire of circumstances. Even when we are going through hardships. Christ showed his love always even when they were whipping him he had love for all the people.
• Elder Cook gave a talk about the role of women and I thought the whole thing was so wonderful and pertinent in my life. I wrote so many things about it and then starred it to go back and read when it is available.
• HAVE YOU DONE ANY GOOD IN THE WORLD TODAY? HAVE YOU HELPED ANYONE IN NEED? This question plagues me more often than I'd like to admit. I hope that I can really push this in my own life.
• When we have a vision of what we can become, our desire and our power to act increase enormously. We must have righteous desires. Our desires influence our actions. Our actions define who we are. Enough said.
• Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Begin this effort at home. I think sometimes I worry more about my actions with people who live outside of my home. I think that I have time to worry about those within my home or that I know they love me and therefore will forgive me for not having time or for being short. But I think I might have it backwards. I think I need to start in my home. Worry about these other four people first, my relationship with them and the quality time we spend together and then I can worry about the other people that matter.
• Where charity exists, there can be no gossip or unkind words.
• I need to start asking more questions of others instead of waiting for them to ask questions of me. Sometimes I feel like I need others to be interested in what I am doing or things that are happening in my life, but really it doesn't matter. What matters is what they are doing, what is going on in their lives.
• If we are thinking only of ourselves we will miss the most profoundly uplifting and spiritual experiences.
• When answering someone elses prayer, we usually find the answer to our own.
• We should engage the blessing of revelation in our lives. I want to learn to understand and know how to act upon the promptings of the spirit. I think I sometimes feel when the spirit is prompting me, but I want it to be clear in my heart and mind.
• Put a picture of the temple in every bedroom.
• The more often we go to the temple, the stronger we will be to overcome trials and temptations. Life beyond the veil is as real and certain as our life here on Earth. -President Monson. Wow.