LDS Conference in Review

I just love that we can listen to modern day prophets and apostles! As I mentioned in my LDS Conference-Are You Ready? post, I listen to conference with a list of questions I've prayerfully made. I received so many answers over the weekend, but even more than that I received such an incredible feeling of peace and comfort, a feeling of hope, and an indescribable feeling of love and gratitude. The hard part is to now hold on to these feelings. In an effort to do so, I plan on:

• Listening and reading conference talks daily
• Praying sincerely
• Scripture Study
• Referring back to the notes I took often
• Incorporating the changes I felt inspired to do 
• Using the conference talks as a basis for FHE (I always learn more when I teach it to others)
• Study the lives of current and past prophets and their wives
• Study the history of Relief Society
• Share insights on my blog

Go to LDS.org to watch conference now or it will be available to read after April 7th.

What do you do to keep the feelings from conference alive in your heart over the next six months?

LDS Conference—Are you ready?

I'm so excited for conference! It is such a remarkable blessing to be able to listen to a prophet of God and his apostles, to know what God wants me to be doing. In preparation for the upcoming conference I've been making a list of questions I'd like to have answered. I was introduced to this idea when I was in college. I made a list of questions I had and prayed for answers to come during conference. I had questions about dating/marriage, my college degree, meaning of certain scriptures, etc. My questions were answered in a variety of ways. Some answers came from things said by the speakers, others came from thoughts, and even one from the person I happened to sit behind while attending a session.

After this remarkable experience I have made it a tradition to prayerfully make a list of questions before conference. My questions have always been answered, not always during conference, sometimes during the following weeks, but they have always been answered. 

I've made my list of questions and I'm ready to have a nice weekend learning from modern day prophets and apostles. I've also planned yummy treats and printed off some fun packets I found at sugardoodle.net for my children to do.

What do you do to prepare for LDS Conference?

What Motivates You: Personal Gain or Love?

This blog was inspired during a Relief Society meeting that I was attending not too long ago. The woman speaking shared her story of getting to know Christ and how it has changed her life. I left with such a strong desire to have a relationship with Christ, as she does, and be able to share with others. I began to plan and pray how I could come to know my brother, Jesus Christ. My scripture study and prayer has become more meaningful and little things I've heard so many times before suddenly had real meaning for me. For example I've heard the phrase "What would Jesus do?" hundreds of times, but lately it has held real meaning for me. When you really think about it, what better way is there to know Him, then to choose to become like Him.

I recently was reading in a parent's guidebook published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1985. In the first pages it begins talking about the differences between Satan and Jesus. What motivated each of them. Satan wanted all the glory; he was using others for his gain-just as so many people do. Christ on the other hand didn't need or want glory or power, he was willing to sacrifice all simply because he loved us.

Do we think like this, "I do what I do because I love you, not because I have any selfish gain in mind or any anticipation that credit shall come to me. I do what is best for you in an eternal sense. What will help you return to our Heavenly Father." That is unconditional love. What a difference this could make if we thought this way towards our children, our spouses, our friends, our co-workers, even the stranger we pass on the street. We are all brothers and sisters trying to live a life worthy to return home to our Father.

How do you view people? Do you use individuals for your gain or do you serve them and love them as your brother, Jesus Christ, loves you?

Judge Not

"If you Judge people, you have no time to love them" has echoed through my mind countless times since President Monson shared this quote from Mother Teresa at the last General Relief Society Meeting. Sadly a few people came to mind that I'd been quick to judge without really knowing all the facts. I'd never shared my thoughts with anyone, but I certainly hadn't shown these individuals the love they probably needed at that time. I made a promise that night that I would make an effort to just love everyone and leave the judging to God.

The following humorous story was shared by President Monson and gets right to the point of his talk.

"A young couple, Lisa and John, moved into a new neighborhood. One morning while they were eating breakfast, Lisa looked out the window and watched her next-door neighbor hanging out her wash.

"That laundry's not clean!" Lisa exclaimed. "Our neighbor doesn't know how to get clothes clean!"

John looked on but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, Lisa would make the same comments.

A few weeks later, Lisa was surprised to glance out her window and see a nice, clean wash hanging in her neighbor's yard. She said to her husband, "Look, John—she's finally learned how to wash correctly! I wonder how she did it."

John replied, "Well, dear, I have the answer for you. You'll be interested to know that I got up early this morning and washed our windows!"

This is a funny, yet sad, story to me. How often are we acting just like Lisa? What if we changed ourselves and were filled with the pure love of Christ?

One last thought, to help us be a little better.
"Life is perfect for none of us. Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life. May we recognize that each one is doing her best to deal with the challenges which come her way, and may we strive to do our best to help out."

Go to Charity Never Faileth By President Monson to read the full talk.

Would I Recognize Christ If I Saw Him?

What kind of relationship do you have with Christ? If he was to walk into the room would you know him?

"A man died and was resurrected and waiting in a room to be interviewed, Another man was ahead of him. The door opened, the man entered, and the door closed. The man on the outside could hear the conversation on the other side of the door. The interviewer began: "I want you to tell me what you know about Jesus Christ."

"Well, He was born of Mary in Bethlehem; he lived thirty-three years, spending the last three organizing his church, choosing his apostles, and giving the gospel to direct our lives."

The interviewer stopped him and said:"Yes, yes, that's all true, but I want you to tell me what you know about Jesus Christ."

Well, he suffered and died so that we could have eternal life.Three days later he was resurrected so that we might return to Heavenly Father."

"Yes, yes, that is true, but I want you to tell me what you know about Jesus Christ." The man, a little perplexed, again began: "Well, he restored the gospel in its fullness to the earth through Joseph Smith, reorganized his church, gave us temples so we could do work to save our dead. He gave us personal ordinances for our salvation and exaltation."

The interviewer again stopped him and said, "all of what you have said to me is true." The man was then invited to leave the room. After he left the door opened and the second man entered. As he approached the interviewer he fell upon his knees and cried "My Lord, my God."

When I read I this story I always wonder, which person am I? Do I just know the facts or do I truly know my savior? My thoughts have turned to him more as I strive each day to know my brother, Jesus Christ who suffered unimaginable pain for me.

Which person are you?