President Thomas S. Monson: Until We Meet Again

Brothers and sisters, my challenge has come to an end. I have read and reflected on each of the talks presented in the September and October sessions of General Conference. I have had an amazing time as I have studied the word of the Lord that was shared through His choosen servants.

The words of those men and women are filled with beauty and truth. Heavenly Father guided and inspired them to share these messages with us because He loves us. He wants us to return home to Him in the Celestial Kingdom. He wants to bless us with the knowlege and peace that can help us on our path.

Fulfilling this challenge has been difficult. I often let my day become overcrowded and complicated by the business of living. But I must, we must, make time for the Lord everyday of our lives.

I now challenge you to study and ponder these talks and the truths within them. If you do, these lessons will enter into your heart and bring you closer to God.

President Thomas S. Monson: Until We Meet Again

Read or watch the closing remarks here

I will end with a quote from Presiden Monson's closing remarks. These words seem to touch on the heart of his final message. "May we return to our homes with a resolve in our hearts to be a little better than we have been in the past. May we be a little kinder and more thoughtful. May we reach out in helpfulness, not only to our fellow members but also to those who are not of our faith. As we associate with them, may we show our respect for them."

Brothers and sisters, this is my prayer for you: each day resolve to be a little better. The task might seem impossible but you are not alone. 

Thank you for following me on this journey. 

Elder David A. Bednar: Come and See

This was a sweet talk about why we, members of the Church, want to share the gospel with the world. You have to read it.

Elder David A. Bednar: Come and See

Read or watch the full talk here

According to Elder Bednar, "members of the Savior’s Church have accepted the solemn obligation to assist in fulfilling the divine commission given by the Lord to His Apostles." That commission is to spread the gospel to all of His children. 

This was a wonderful reminder to me. Covenants truly are a solemn obligation. I've never thought about my Baptism in these terms so reading this talk deepened my understanding of the seriousness of that obligation. I've always known I wanted to share my testimony with others but I I think that now I have a better understanding of why I've felt that way.

The gospel is just so beautiful. It has brought such comfort and understanding into my life. I can't imagine living without these truths. Brothers and sister, don't be offended when someone opens their heart to share their faith with you. It is an act of love. 

I join with other members of the Church, including Prophets and Apostles, and I invite you to test the message of the gospel. You can know that it is true if you pray with an open heart. 

During his talk, Elder Bednar tried to explain why members of the Church feel driven to share the gospel. He said that "we as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have felt the anguish associated with spiritual uncertainty and sin. We also have experienced the cleansing, the peace of conscience, the spiritual healing and renewal, and the guidance that are obtained only by learning and living the principles of the Savior’s gospel."

I hope and pray that you will take this invitation. The gospel can bring peace and joy into your life. Becoming a member doesn't mean your life will be easy, but you can find peace amidst your trials. You just have to open your heart to hear the the confirming witness of the Holy Ghost. 

Elder Larry S. Kacher: Triffle Not with Sacred Things

Elder Larry S. Kacher: Triffle Not with Sacred Things

Read or watch the full talk here

During his talk, Elder Kacher shared a story about a time when he was caught in a rip tide and feared death. He used this story to teach us about the existance of unseen currents in our lives. According to Elder Kacher, "there are many currents in this earthly life—some safe and others not. President Spencer W. Kimball taught that there are powerful forces in our own lives much like the unseen currents of the ocean. These forces are real. We should never ignore them."

He then went on to declare that while there are dangerous currents trying to pull out us to sea, there is also the divine current of the gospel. Brothers and sister, we can trust that current. We may not always understand it, but we can rely on it. 

Elder Kacher explained it by quoting President Tanner; "I learned 'how much wiser and better it is for man to accept the simple truths of the gospel … and to accept by faith those things which he … cannot understand'"

Brothers and sisters, we have to trust the Lord. We may not understand everything He does, or every gospel principle or practice, but we can still know the gospel is true. We can ask quetions and search for answers and we can have faith that one day we will understand all.

Until then, trust in the Lord. He is your Heavenly Father and He loves you. 

Elder Hugo E. Martinez: Our Personal Ministries

It is getting late, so this post will be short. 

Elder Hugo E. Martinez: Our Personal Ministries 

Read or watch the full talk here

“He who serves in some thing is good for something; he who serves in no thing is good for nothing.” Elder Martinez shared these inspired words with the church. They are the words of Brother Udine Falabella and they are a wonderful reminder that we, all of us, need to serve our fellow men. 

According to Elder Martinez, "every individual needs to be ministered to." The way we do that is "discovering needs, then tending to them."

This might not always be easy. A lot of people hide their needs, but we need to pay attention. If we prayerfully ask for the opportunity to serve, the Spirit will show us what to do. We must do this because every child of God deserves to know that they are cared for and loved. They each, we each, deserve to know that someone is watching out for us. Our charge, accoring to Elder Martinez, is to "make good use of [our] moral agency." 

We can do this, brothers and sister. Remember, we are not alone. 

Elder Allan F. Packer: The Book

The writer in me can't help but like the title of this talk.

Elder Allan F. Packer: The Book

Read or watch the full talk here

The book that Elder Packer is talking about is the "book containing the records of our dead." The point he is making, brothers and sisters, is that we all need to complete our family history and temple work. 

I have to admit that Elder Packer overwhelmed me for a moment at the beginning of his talk. He said, "we must work on all of the requirements for exhaultation." The word "all" was a difficult one to read. Elder Packer's words are completely true, but it made me think of all the many things that I need to be better at. Thankfully he then reminded us that "qualifying for exhaultation becames a quest of a lifetime." 

Brothers and sister, you do not have to be overwhelmed. We are all imperfect beings. We all have many areas in which we need to improve. The point, in Elder Packer's words, is that "we must be willing to change."

The good news is that we don't have to do it on our own. Heavenly Father is there for us. Christ is there for us. Even our fellow brothers and sisters are there for us. If you think about it, everything about the gospel is designed to bring us home. We can do it. We just have to keep trying. We have to endure to the end.

According to President Spencer W. Kimball, who Elder Packer quoted, "our success individually and as a church, will largely be determined by how faithfully we focus on living the gospel in the home." We can all do this. I promise you that if you keep Christ in the center of your life amazing things can happen. Doing this will not always be easy, but you can do it. 

Ok, there is one final thought that I have to share with you. At the end of his talk, Elder Packer referenced a promise that Elder Bednar made: "I invite the young people of the church to learn about and experience the Spirit of Elijah ... I promise [that] you will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary. As you participate in and love this holy work, you will be safe guarded in your youth and throughout your lives."

I don't know about you, but that is a promise I want to take advantage of. 

Elder Carlos A. Godoy: The Lord Has a Plan for Us

Ooooh. This was a really good talk. I can't wait to read it again.

Elder Carlos A. Godoy: The Lord Has a Plan for Us

Read or watch the full talk here

I am most definitely a fan of Elder Godoy. All of the talks shared in General Conference have been wonderful, but this is the one that touched my heart the most. 

The starting point of Elder Godoy's talk is a conversation he had with a friend several years ago. At that time in his life things were going pretty well. Things were going so well, in fact, that Elder Godoy didn't realize he needed to make a change. Understanding came when his friend asked him this question: "Carlos, everything seems to be going well for you, your family, your career, and your service in the Church, but ... if you continue to live as you are living, will the blessings promised in your patriarchal blessing be fulfilled?”

Wow, That is simply a beautiful question. 

It is also one that we need to ask ourselves regularly. The answer will help us to distinguish the difference between more than what is right and what is wrong. It will help us know the difference between what is good for us to do with what is best for us to do. 

Elder Godoy offered three principles to help us consider our own personal answer to this perplexing question. 

Principle One: Keep the "best" end goal in mind. 
The best and only end goal that matters is reaching the Celestial Kingdom with our family. We must always keep that end in mind. 

Principle Two: Be prepared for the challenges that will come. 
Remember, life is a test. It isn't supposed to be easy. You can do it.

Principle Three: Share this vision with the people you love. 
Your decisions imapct those around you. Facing the challenges between you and your end goal will be easier if you have the support of your loved ones. 

Thank you, ELder Godoy, for your powerful words. 

Brothers and sisters, I know that we can all make the better choice. We just need to remember that we are not alone. Heavenly Father is watching over us. He wants to help us. We don't have to be afraid to pursue our best future. 

Elder Richard G. Scott: Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority

The cold continues so I'll keep this short.

Elder Richard G. Scott: Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority

Read or watch the full talk here

One of the helpful reminders that Elder Scott provided in his talk is the truth that we must have opposition in this life. We cannot appreciate, or understand happiness until we have experienced saddness. It is also true that we cannot find peace until we have been surrounded by turmoil. (Or, unfortunately, health without sickness.)

Brothers and sisters, I know that isn't exactly what we want to hear. I mean who wants to experience saddness and turmoil? But it is for a purpose. Remember, we came to this earth to be tested. Hopefuly it will be easier to deal with those tests knowing that our challenges are there to help us grow.

Elder Scott had a few suggestions for how to successfully make it through our challenges. (1) Prayer, (2) scripture study, (3) family home evening, and (4) temple attendance.

I'll end with this quote from Elder Scott: "I am not suggesting that all of life's struggles will disapper as you do these things. We came to mortal life precisely to grow from trials and testing. Challenges help us become more like our Father in Heaven, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ makes it possible to endure those challenges. I testify that as we actively come unto Him, we can endure every temptation, every heartache, every challenge we face, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."