Prophetic Guidance in Times of Trouble

Saturday Afternoon Session, 183rd Annual General Conference, April 6, 2013

I absolutely love General Conference and the entire Conference weekend.  It is a moment for me to stop doing whatever I am doing and listen to apostles and prophets who have been called of God to give His holy words unto me.  I'm sure I say this every time, but I can't remember a time when I have enjoyed Conference so much.  The messages have been bold and powerful declarations of the truth and have stood out in stark contrast against so many of the messages and ideas that we are seeing in the world around us today.  Perhaps I have just been paying closer attention, but it seems as though this conference has lifted a warning voice in a powerful way and I have felt like those messages and warnings have been so applicable to me personally.

Each of the messages has been wonderful, but here are a few that stood out to me:

1) President Monson's opening message was short, but powerful.  I never cease to be excited by the announcement of new Temples and the addition of Temples in Cedar City and Rio de Janeiro will be such a blessing to the saints in those areas!  What astounded me most, however, was President Monson's discussion of the numbers of missionary calls presently issued with elders and sisters waiting to enter the MTC.  20,000 calls out at one single time was absolutely astounding to me, particularly on top of the 10,000 new missionaries already serving from where we were at last year.  Between the economy and Korea and a thousand other things, it is easy to get discouraged these days.  But the growth in Temples and missionary work serves as a powerful reminder that there are wonderful and miraculous things taking place in this troubled world of ours as well.  If we are attentive, we will behold the hand of the Lord wherever we look for it.

2) President Packer's talk was bold and powerful.  I must admit that I felt very sad as he told the story about the snakes in the ivy, but that story was so very applicable to us.  His witness of the atonement of our Savior stood out and reminded me of just why I am a member of this Church!

3) Elder Ballard's talk on the priesthood was so beautifully done.  Sometimes we forget that the priesthood is the very power of God and that it blesses all of us as we worthily seek to build up the kingdom of God.

3) I am not sure I have ever heard a more powerful talk on the law of chastity than the one that Elder Bednar gave.  It was pure and powerful and it taught the why of that important commandment so powerfully that I don't believe anyone who heard it could have misunderstood.  I know that this isn't always an easy or a popular commandment to teach in our world, but as we understand it within the context of our divine nature and destiny, it makes perfect sense.  Elder Bednar made me want to strive for greater virtue and purity, to rise to the divinity within me through developing greater purity within my mind and heart that I might be more like my Father in Heaven.

4) Elder Hales's talk in the priesthood session was similar to Elder Bednar's.  He reminded us that we must stand for truth and righteousness, no matter the cost because the commandments do not change.  It was perhaps the most moving talk I have ever heard Elder Hales give (which is saying something!).

7) Both of President Uchtdorf's talks (in Priesthood and in the Sunday Morning Session) were so hopeful and optimistic.  He always gives such wonderful counsel and reminds me that even as we stress obedience to the Lord's commandments, that it is ok that we are not yet perfect so long as we are striving each day to become like the Savior.

6) Elder Perry's talk moved me in similar ways to those by Elder Bednar and Elder Hales.  It was a powerful call to obedience and righteousness!

7) Who didn't love President Monson's story about trying to start Provo Canyon on fire?  It made me flash back to earlier times with friends on campouts.  There is nothing more frightening in this world than the thought of a group of boys, some matches, and dry fields.

8) Finally, I don't know how he does it, but conference in and conference out, Elder Holland never ceases to give what for me is the most memorable talk of the conference.  I loved his use of the story of the boy and his father, and particularly his statement about how the father referred to the need for "us," meaning his family, rather than "him," the boy, to be healed.  Trials of faith don't just come to individuals, they come to whole families and the Savior's healing touch extends to all those affected by those trials.  What a marvelous gift the power to believe is!  Would that I could have as much faith as did that anxious father!

What talks spoke to you?

I'm grateful for the conferences of the Church and for the constant willingness of the Lord to teach me notwithstanding my many imperfections and faults!

Brett