general conference

This past weekend was the Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I always enjoy being able to listen to the Prophet and Apostles give us counsel, and this year was no different. Watching conference was a little harder this year with Baby R, although she did manage to nap at convenient times for us. I always feel as if the speakers are talking directly to me because many of the comments are exactly what I need to hear.

I took notes from a couple of my favorite talks. If you want to listen to them yourself, or read them (they will be available tomorrow), click here.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said:
"Honor the Savior's declaration to 'be of good cheer.' Indeed it seems to me we may be more guilty of breaking that commandment than almost any other... Life has its problems and there are negative things to face, but please accept one of Elder Holland's maxims for living, 'No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won't make it worse.' Our words, like our deeds, should be filled with faith and hope and charity, the three great Christian imperatives so desperately needed in the world today."

Elder Henry B. Eyring said:
"For those who are discouraged by their circumstances and are therefore tempted to feel they cannot serve the Lord this day, I make you two promises: Hard as things seem today, they will be better in the next day if you choose to serve the Lord this day with your whole heart. Your circumstances may not be improved in all the ways which you desire, but you will have been given new strengths to carry your burdens and new confidence that when your burdens become too heavy the Lord, whom you have served, will carry what you cannot... The other promise I make to you is that by choosing to serve Him this day, you will feel His love and grow to love Him more."

Those were just a few of the many inspired words spoken this weekend by our Lord's servants. They have helped me to recommit to serving others, and in so doing I will be serving the Lord. I want to be an example to Baby R. She may be too young to remember what she has seen me do, but I have no doubt that she will remember the feeling of the Holy Spirit as we serve others. It is amazing how the words of these inspired men do not make us feel guilty, but rather they help us to have a desire to be better.

I think the counsel from President Gordon B. Hinckley is as important today as it was 12 years ago, "The time has come for us to stand a little taller... It is a time to do what is right regardless of the consequences that might follow. It is a time to be found keeping the commandments. It is a season to reach out with kindness and love to those in distress and to those who are wandering in darkness and pain. It is a time to be considerate and good, decent and courteous toward one another in all of our relationships. In other words, to become more Christlike."

That is my goal.