Thoughts on General Conference

I was really grateful for the opportunity that I had to listen to General Conference this weekend. It came at a time when I needed it the most and I have been anxiously awaiting the peace that comes just from hearing the voices of the prophets speaking. It soothes my soul, calms my heart and quiets my mind. I find comfort and protection in their words. This weekend more than ever I have needed that.

There were several talks that really stood out to me...I wish they were accessible already so I could listen to some of them again. Here are some of my thoughts I wrote down I thought were worth sharing--there's a lot so maybe you won't read the whole thing now, but don't worry...the internet isn't going anywhere anytime soon so much as I'm aware, so you can come and finish later :).

Elder Edward Dube
Look ahead and believe. Follow the Lord's invitation which is always "Come, follow me."
"You cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation" (D&C 58:3)

This verse from Doctrine and Covenants has been impressed upon my mind these last several months. It reminds me of the scripture from Isaiah where we are told that the Lord's ways are higher than our ways. In our mortal state here on Earth we can't always comprehend the ways of God...how some blessings could possibly come to pass, how we could possibly feel whole again, how some things could be true...but this reminds me that God is God and I am not. He knows all things and I do not. It does not do me well to dwell on the past or to dwell on doubt. The Gospel is centered on the Savior and the invitation is always "Come, follow me." When we are focused on the Savior, who is the Word, the Bread of Life and the Living Water, we will be led to His doctrine. As Elder Bednar has previously taught, "the answers are always in the doctrine." This does not mean that I should not address the concerns that I have, because I need to know for myself that these things are true. But asking questions in a spirit of faith and not doubt allows revelation and an environment where I can be taught truths from on high.

Keep the Commandments
Thoughts in my mind as the choir sang this intermediate hymn: Don't be afraid to keep the commandments, for He will surely send blessings if we have eyes to discern them. Don't feel yhat you will be missing out if you don't keep the commandments. He is bound when we do as He asks. "In this there is SAFETY and PEACE."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. Stay yet a little longer. There is always room for you here.

This was powerful to me. "By their fruits ye shall know them." Christ is the head of our Church, but there are imperfect people who manage it here on Earth. Sometimes mistakes are made by imperfect people, as we all are, but that does not change the doctrine of the Church. Whatever we feed is what will grow, whether it be doubt or faith. Having questions with a sincere desire to find the answer is not the same thing as entertaining doubt. Doubt and faith are opposites - you cannot have both at the same time, so you must choose. As Elder Holland has previously stated, we should not pretend to faith we don't have, but start where we are and build from there.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
If the bitter cup does not pass, drink it - and be strong.

I loved this quote from Elder Holland. We don't get all the answers in this life, and that is why we have faith. In another address Elder Holland has given, he said "Salvation is not a cheap experience...I do believe there is something in this walk of Salvation...that says we have to pay something for that...when we come to know the Savior it's when we've been out somewhere, at least in the borderlands of Gethsemane. The road to salvation always goes through Gethsemane, and it will always require a journey to the summit of Calvary...if we say we're disciples of Christ, we walk where he walked...at least in some proportion. The invitation is always, 'Come follow me.' What we have to be fully prepared for is that some of that journey will be at least into the borderlands of Gethsemane."

We may have to drink the bitter cup. But God will not abandon us. Christ walked from Gethsemane to Golgotha, but He also rose on the 3rd day. There is yet hope and happiness ahead.

President Thomas S. Monson
The heavenly virtue of patience is required.

The waterworks were definitely going during this talk. All during the Sunday morning session I was praying that I would be able to hear something to bring solace to my anxious heart. As soon as President Monson started his talk and began speaking about his late wife, I lost it. Tears streamed without shame. "He gets it, he understands" I thought. I know that the Savior completely understands how I feel because of His Atonement, but at that moment it was such a great relief and comfort to me to know that there was another human on this Earth that could sympathize with my feelings and concern. His loss is much, much greater and deeper than mine, but still it was loss of something dear to him.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens.
Sometimes it is a season for loss and sacrifice, a time for goodbyes to loved ones and long-anticipated dreams.

And then came these words of counsel - "The heavenly virtue of patience is required."

Required. Patience is required when seeking answers and blessings. Patience is required when we are in the unknown. Patience is required when we are in the moments of our extremity. Patience is required as we strive to become more like the Savior. Patience is required as we await the inevitable. Patience is required as we eagerly anticipate days of reunion.

Patience is required. I will spend time in the refiner's fire. But to tie it back to the scripture I used in the beginning from D&C 58, "...for after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory..."


I have yet many things to learn and become. I am by no means perfect or all-knowing. Not even close. But I know that God loves His children, and He speaks to us through His chosen prophets and apostles. I know that this is true as surely as I know that I am now living.

And with that I say goodnight! I send my love and best wishes to you all.