Highlights from General Conference

I haven't ever been very good at publicly sharing my spiritual thoughts or beliefs, but I have some friends and family members who are great examples of this and I want to be more like them.  They are more brave than I.  So periodically, in order to help myself be "not ashamed," I'm going to try to post something requiring more spiritual thought than just pictures or our latest adventure/update.

To start off, I'd like to list some highlights of the church's general conference held this last weekend. It was fantastic and inspiring as usual.  If you have an extra 10 hours laying around, I suggest just watching it all yourself.  If you only have 30 minutes, I suggest this and especially this (a favorite for sure).

And if you're like me and spare time seems nonexistent, then blaze through this short and sweet list I've compiled of things that spoke to me and struck me this time around:

• "I renew the call for a return to virtue. Virtue is the strength and power of daughters of God. What would the world be like if virtue—a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards, including chastity—were reinstated in our society as a most highly prized value? … Would media ennoble and enable rather than objectify and degrade God’s precious daughters? If all humanity really understood the importance of the statement “We are daughters of our Heavenly Father,” how would women be regarded and treated?" - Elaine S. Dalton.  I hope that I am able to teach my children their divine nature, that of a son or daughter of God.  I believe knowing this truth could perhaps make all the difference in someone's life.
• "As disciples of Jesus Christ, we ought to do all we can to redeem others from suffering and burdens.  Even so, our greatest redemptive service will be to lead them to Christ. Without His redemption from death and from sin, we have only a gospel of social justice. ... Ultimate redemption is in Jesus Christ and in Him alone." - D. Todd Christofferson.
• "Tolerance is a virtue, but like all virtues, when exaggerated, it transforms itself into a vice. We need to be careful of the “tolerance trap” so that we are not swallowed up in it. The permissiveness afforded by the weakening of the laws of the land to tolerate legalized acts of immorality does not reduce the serious spiritual consequence that is the result of the violation of God’s law of chastity." - Boyd K. Packer.  I think this is something the world could use right now.  The laws of the land may change, but that doesn't mean that God's laws change.  In a secular and hardened world, we need reminded that we must stand for truth.  
• "Each of us must stay in condition to respond to inspiration and the promptings of the Holy Ghost. The Lord has a way of pouring pure intelligence into our minds to prompt us, to guide us, to teach us, and to warn us. Each son or daughter of God can know the things they need to know instantly. Learn to receive and act on inspiration and revelation." - Boyd K. Packer.  I loved how he said we should stay in condition to receive revelation.  What a novel idea that we have to keep our spirit healthy in order to expect spiritual help when needed!
• "Satan would rather you define yourself by your sins, than by your divine potential. Don't listen to him." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf.  The adversary is real.  And he knows our weaknesses.  However, "Satan is no match for the Savior." (Richard G. Scott)  I hope I remember this when I am in need of some strength in remembering my divine nature. 

Sheesh.  I could go on forever with all the fantastic words that were spoken over the weekend.  Not only were they inspiring, but they were also pure truth given by God's servants.  I know President Monson is a prophet who leads and guides Christ's true church on the earth today.  I know Christ came to earth to atone for us and allow us to return to live with our Heavenly Father, who loves us, His children.  What a great blessing it is for me to have this gospel in my life.  

I'll soon be back with more posts and updates explaining our absence on the blog as of late.   Look forward to tummy pictures, hairy face pictures, and a 1st quarter goal update.