I can't help it though! I love General Conference and I love hearing what our leaders have to teach us! It's new scripture just for us in our day. I really enjoyed EVERY talk! A few hit me especially strong and I put a star next to those. I'm mostly typing up my notes for myself. This is a lasting way for me to keep the notes I took and in a location that is easy for me to reference at any time. I don't really expect anyone to read all of this. But if you feel so inclined, go ahead!
Saturday Morning Session
Elder Russell M. Nelson
The Lord gave apostles and prophets for the perfecting of the saints, to bring unity of faith, and to proclaim knowledge of the Master.
They help prepare people for salvation and exaltation.
Exaltation is the highest state of happiness.
The time to prepare is NOW.
We/All must hear and understand the Gospel. This is done by missionary work.
Developing faith in the Lord is an individual matter. We're born individually and born again individually.
The home is to be God's laboratory of love and service.
In the world, the family is under attack. If families fail, their eternal potential cannot be realized.
Study and pray together, focus on the temple.
The Atonement makes resurrection and Eternal life possible.
Everyone will be resurrected. Gaining Eternal life is conditional on ordinances and enduring to the end in obedience.
Teach children diligently. "Bring up your children in light and truth."
The church assists, not replaces parenting.
To be persuasive, our love must be sincere and our teachings must be based on correct doctrine.
Sealing ordinances are essential to exaltation.
Each is judged according to the desires of our heart. The Lord will bless all who are worthy.
Salvation is an individual matter. Exaltation is a family matter.
We are each accountable for our individual agency.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband
Building blocks of faith and testimony can be powerful, spiritual events or small enlightening moments.
All these things shall give thee experience and shall be for thy good.
The senior apostle, after years of experiences, becomes prophet.
Faith is increased through experiences.
Trials and difficulties provide building blocks of faith.
Sister Cheryl C. Lant
Traditions - the most important ones are the way we live our lives and will last beyond us.
What are our traditions? Are they influenced by the spirit? Will they strengthen our children?
Mosiah 5:15 3 Nephi 6:14
We need to be personally converted.
Seek the Lord's way, seek the spirit.
We need to be steadfast and immovable in righteousness.
Elder Kenneth Johnson
We are responsible to restore faith to the family.
Laws keep life and living things in balance - also applies to ethical and moral standards.
Youth need fewer critics and more models.
Loyalty, integrity, service, etc - learned in the home.
Never be satisfied with anything less than your best efforts.
The things God know no man, except he has the spirit of God.
We must hand down a foundation of faith in the family.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
True disciples of Jesus Christ are concerned for "the one". Christ was concerned for "the one."
Seek out those who are lost.
Some are lost because they are different and feel like they don't belong or are not needed.
We are all created different to add depth and beauty.
2 Nephi 26:33
Have more compassion for those who are different from us.
Some are lost because they feel tired and weary, or inadequate.
Emotional and spiritual trials can be heavy and difficult.
D&C 128:22, 23
The church and Lord need you.
The Lord chooses weak things of the world to accomplish His purposes.
Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.
Sometimes the ones who start slowest, go the farthest.
Some are lost because they have strayed.
None of us are perfect, we are all striving to be better.
There are no signs outside our chapels that say "Restricted Entrance: Perfect People Only"
The Atonement was made for us because the Lord knew we would all make mistakes.
President Henry B. Eyring
The church is true and living. The keys of the priesthood are on the earth.
As long as the members have faith, the keys will not be removed from the earth.
We must examine our lives, repent as necessary. If not, the Spirit will withdraw.
We should measure our depth of gratitude for the Gospel.
How can we do better in keeping the commandments?
Always remember the Savior and keep His commandments.
We must do better; we can and we will.
We should pray for and sustain our leaders.
Family history and temple work sustains the church - it is for all people.
The greatest joy in life is in our families, as will be in the world to come.
Saturday Afternoon Session
Statistical Report for 2007
Stakes - 2790
Missions - 348
Districts - 618
Wards/Branches - 27,827
Membership - 13,193,999
Increase in Children of Record - 93,698
New Convert Baptisms - 279,218
Full Time Missionaries - 52,686
Temples in operation -124
*Elder Dallin H. Oaks
A testimony is apersonal witness of things we know to be true. It is not a travelog or healthlog, not a sermon.
Some important knowledge is not based on scientific truth. For example, "I know I love my family"
God reveals spiritual things by the Holy Ghost
We can each know for ourselves, directly from Heavenly Father, through the Holy Ghost.
When we have a testimony, we know.
JS History 1:24-25
How to gain a testimony:
*Really desire to know
*Ask God in sincere prayer D&C 42:62, Alma 5:46
Attaining a testimony is not a passive thing but a process.
We gain and strengthen our testimony by sharing it.
Our testimony is fundamental to our faith, vital to our spiritual life.
*Partake of the sacrament each week.
D&C 46:13-14
Those who have the gift to know have a duty to witness to others so they can believe.
"We must be valiant in our testimony of Jesus."
Our children should hear our testimonies. And we should encourage our children to define themselves by their testimonies, not just their achievements, schooling, and such.
We should be the ones to state our beliefs rather than allowing others to say what we believe.
We should speak the truth in love.
Obedience and Knowledge:
Sometimes we are accused of "blind obedience".
We each receive our own witness of the Holy Ghost, and therefore we are united. United in following leaders, but independant in knowing for ourselves.
It's like having 2 channels to God. One channel is obedience to the prophets. The other channel is the knowledge we have through our own personal testimony.
When the Holy Ghost gives our souls witness of the prophet of God, our knowledge is not blind obedience.
Elder Robert D. Hales
Sustaining leaders is not a vote, but a private and personal covenant to sustain and support them in their calling.
God, the Father and Jesus Christ - know us as individuals and hear and answer our prayers.
The Holy Ghost bears record of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Seek to know, then obey.
Whenever Heavenly Father introduced Jesus Christ, he commanded us to hear him.
Who is Jesus? He is the only begotten of the Father in the flesh.
He pleads our cause to the Father.
He is not the same person as Heavenly Father, but is like Him.
They are one - in purpose, unitied in purpose and in love.
We should be one, like them. (This would be a great FHE lesson, as a family to strive to be one.)
Jesus wanted us to know the Father.
Jesus prayed for us, to "not take them out of the world, but keep them from evil."
*Elder Gerald N. Lund
Opening our hearts to the holy spirit.
We need the Holy Ghost to guide us.
The Holy Ghost is described as "still", "small", one that whispers.
President Packer said, "The Holy Ghost speaks with a voice that you feel more than hear."
The meak and lowly of heart receive it.
Those who do not harden their hearts receive the greater portion.
We need to carefully assess the condition of our heart.
The spirit carries the message unto our heart. It can't carry it into our heart unless we allow it to enter.
Heavenly Father will not force us. He allows us to be the guardian or gate keeper of our hearts.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
No one is perfect. But the more we try to be pure and push out sin, the more we will feel the spirit.
Often in prosperous times, people harden their hearts. They seek to hide their sins instead of repent; they seek to gratify pride and vain ambitions instead of seeking things of God; they seek unrighteous dominion.
Be thou humble - God will lead thee and give thee answer to thy prayers.
"We choose what to let in or hold out."
Pray that ye may be filled with His love.
Elder Carlos H. Amado
Three purposes of the Savior's life on earth:
*It was an assignment from Heavenly Father to carry out the sacrifice. Only His sacrifice could rescue us from a fallen state.
*Teach doctrine that He learned from His Father. Love, forgiveness, mercy, they way to return to God.
*Build the Kingdom of God on the earth.
Service is a characteristic of His followers. We take upon us the name of Christ. If we are His disciples, we will serve others.
God loves us and allows us to use our agency, even when we misuse it.
Through serving, we come to know the Lord. It teaches us to love and understand others, eliminates pride. We think of others and forget ourselves and our problems.
The more we give of ourselves, the more our capacity to serve and love will grow.
"Two people can always do what they propose to do, as long as one of those two people is God."
Elder William R. Walker
(I found this helpful information for me in my own presidency.)
Joshua 24:15 "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve..."
A presidency is made up of 3 people who lead together.
Article of Faith #5 - "called of God"
Isaiah 55:8-9 "My thoughts are not your thoughts"
The way the church is organized and leads is not the way of the world.
The pattern of presidencies work together. Include counselors in any decisions that need to be made.
D&C 52:14 "I will give you a pattern" - The Lord has given us a pattern of leadership. Look to the First Presidency as a pattern of ideal leadership, be like them, work together in love and harmony.
The lord puts counselors there for a purpose. Prayerfully discuss together until you all come to the same conclusion.
Elder Richard G. Scott
Abuse is a vicious, abominable sin that causes profound suffering.
Healing can be obtained.
Agency is sometimes used improperly.
Heavenly Father is completely just so there is a way of overcoming abuse, through the atonement which rectifies what is unjust.
The Atonement heals victims and also provides a way for abusers to repent.
Satan wants to convince us that there is no solution. But there is and he knows it. His strategy is to seperate you from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Do not let Satan convince you that you are beyond help.
You must have faith that all negative consequences can be resolved.
Though abuse may influence, it does not define the real you.
Heavenly Father loves you. If you don't believe it, then Satan is manipulating you.
Heavenly Father cannot control others, but He will punish them if they do not repent of their actions.
There are many ways to begin healing but full healing is through the Atonement.
When healed, you will be able to forgive and will have no more pain.
If forgiveness is too painful, set it aside until you have more strength and can seek for it.
If in an abusive situation, ACT NOW, do not fear.
Fear is a tool that Satan uses to coninue suffering.
Jesus Christ has perfect knowledge of all the details and will hold abusers accountable unless they repent.
If you are an abuser - get help now! You likely need professional help. You've deluded yourself but Jesus Christ knows of your sins. Satan will abandon you. But full repentance will bring freedom to yourself and the victims.
Elder L. Tom Perry
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ
The Gospel is a recipe for Eternal Life.
Eternal life is greater than immortality. We must obey Gospel laws to attain Eternal Life.
A picture of a recipe gives the person a vision of what we're working for - if everything is done right. How delicious and beautiful it will be.
A picture of Eternal Life would give us a desire to do better.
Faith in Jesus Christ leads us to action, commitments, and change.
Repentance requires humility, we must accept His will. It is a cleansing, prepares us for baptism which is a cleansing ordinance.
Baptism cleanses and illuminates the soul.
The soul cleansed of sin is in condition to have the Holy Ghost.
Endure to the End - it's not easy, it's meant to be challenging. This is not a Do It Yourself project - we need the Savior.
Repent regularly, moment by moment.
Serve in the church, do missionary work, maintain faith and hope in Christ.
Sunday Morning Session
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
We do not seek nor decline callings from God through Priesthood channels.
He went about doing good - we should too.
Pioneers - True to the Faith
Many modern day pioneers.
Faith of our Fathers is not just doing what our parents did, it's not just religious tradition.
The Faith of our Father in Heaven is consistent.
Stand with The Son and The Father. We owe Him our allegiance.
True religion should not originate from what pleases man, or even from tradition, but from what pleases God.
Walk in the true faith of our fathers.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson
To be "born again" - to be a new person because of faith and obedience in and to Christ.
Hearts are changed. Lives are changed.
We're freed from the chains of death and sin.
All must be born again - born of God.
Spiritual rebirth originates from faith in Christ. Faith unto repentance.
Take heed - there is a possibility of falling away. Hold fast; endure to the end!
To be born again is more of a process than an event. Engaging in the process is the purpose.
There are remarkable accounts in the scriptures but we should remember that they are that - remarkable. Not typical.
Elder Sheldon F. Child
Tithing - the best investment we can make.
Blessings come by obedience to the law that the blessing is predicated.
Violate laws = lasting consequences.
Obey laws = receive everlasting joy.
Windows of Heaven are opened when tithing is paid.
The Lord's promises are sure.
Blessings are temporal and spiritual.
Regardless of circumstances, if we pay tithing and then use wisdom and judgement, the Lord will help us to manage what we have.
When we pay tithing: the principles of truth become clearer, our spiritual senses are sharpened, we become more like Heavenly Father.
**We got to sing all three verses of How Firm A Foundation! So many times when they sing it as a congregational hymn, it's only one or two verses. So that made me happy! :) lol**
Sister Susan W. Tanner
I delight:
In the things of the Lord, He will lift our hearts and give us reason to rejoice.
In Jesus Christ, for salvation comes only in and through Christ.
In the Gospel and that we have a living prophet.
In Priesthood Keys and temples, that we can make eternal covenants.
In the Strength of Youth and their worthy adherance to the standards.
To be a daughter of Heavenly Father.
In my role as nurturer, which is a mother's primary responsibility.
In families. Parents have a responsibility to love and rear children in righteousness.
In chastity and purity.
In examples in the scriptures of those who walk by faith. We each are on our own path and do not know what lies ahead.
In the Lord's love for each of His children.
In eternal love for my spouse.
In the things of the Lord.
When we delight to serve Him, He delights to bless us.
President Boyd K. Packer
Calling of apostles goes back to Jesus Christ.
The Quorums of the Seventy to assist the Twelve Apostles. We have 8 Quorums of the Seventy.
Christ gave the apostles power and authority, then sent them to preach and heal.
The most precious thing lost by the apostasy was the keys that the Twelve held - the authority of God.
The church could not be restored without the keys being restored.
Elder Christofferson is the 96th apostle called in this dispensation.
The keys are restored. The prophet holds all the keys and they are used everyday.
We have living apostles today. We have living Seventies today. Just as Christ had organized in the New Testament.
The Twelve apostles are men from all different backgrounds of life. They are united by love of the Savior and their witness of Him.
Most are from humble beginnings.
When the call came, each put down his net to follow the Lord.
It is not an easy life for the Twelve or their families.
The apostles hold the keys but all of us are entitled to our own personal revelation.
The church is built upon apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone.
President Thomas S. Monson
God lives, this is His work. Jesus Christ is at the head of this church.
Grateful for the legacy left by each of the previous prophets.
Leaders are prepared for the positions to which they are called.
If you are not one, ye are not mine.
Detours often lead to a dead end. Don't stray.
A change for the better can benefit all.
Come back and feast at the table of the Lord.
Show kindness and respect for all people everywhere.
Homes should be a sanctuary and where God's spirit dwells, where storms stop at the door and where love and peace dwell.
No one is exempt from exposure to temptations and things that drag us down.
Satan is working nonstop. We are waging a war with sin - but do not despair, we can and will win.
God is at the helm. He is a god of light and hope. He loves us.
If you feel abandoned or alone, turn to your Heavenly Father in faith. He will lifta nd guide, comfort and lead in love to help you through whatever you are going through.
Sunday Afternoon Session
*Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
God continues to speak His word and reveal His truth.
The individual books in the Bible were not a complete collection at the time that John received his revelation. And many of the books were written after the revelation.
Jehovah said, "My works are without end and my words never cease."
Continuing revelation does not diminish or demean existing revelation.
The Bible is the word of God and it is always identified first in our canon.
But the Bible alone is not the answer to all religious questions. It's scriptures are understood differently by many. We need continuing revelation to reveal that the Bible is true and to clarify it's teachings.
The Book of Mormon is to build up the Bible.
Christians existed before the Bible.
Scriptures are not the ultimate source of knowledge for Latter-Day Saints. The Living God is the ultimate source of knowledge.
We believe in a God who is engaged in our lives. He lives and He speaks! The heavens are open.
*Elder David A. Bednar
Help prayers be more meaningful by asking in faith.
Prayer is essential - we know that. But what we know is not always what we do.
James 1:5-6
Ask in faith means not only to plead but to do. Not just to communicate, but to act.
Joseph Smith asked not only so he'd know but so that he could act. Which church was true? So he could join it.
Action alone is not faith in Jesus Christ, but acting with correct principles.
Faith in Jesus Christ leads to righteous action.
Meaningful prayer requires holy communication and consecrated work.
Asking in faith requires honest and a real intent.
Example: Praying for the missionaries to find people who are prepared to hear the message.
Full time missionaries are teachers, WE are full time finders. That's like praying for them to do our job.
We should pray for courage to open our mouths, promptings of who to share the gospel with, etc.
Blessings come after faith - exercise faith.
We need to accept the will of God - Let Thy will be done.
We need God's hlep to surrender our will to Him.
Humble and consistent prayer is necessary.
Prayers should not be a wishlist. Pray to obtain the blessings He wants to bless us with.
Summary: Ask in prayer and act. Patiently persevere. Humbly acknowledge "not my will, but Thine".
*Elder W. Craig Zwick
That which is wrong is made to appear right.
Are we lowering our standards so we can "fit in"?
Stand up for what you believe in - even if it means standing alone.
Look for people and friends who have the same standards. Thank those who are good examples to you.
Pray for guidance from the Lord.
Neil A. Maxwell said, "The laughter of the world is just loneliness trying to convince itself."
Nephi said, "But we heeded them not."
President Packer said, "We will not yield; we cannot yield."
Be firm in our testimony. Teach the gospel in our homes.
Mosiah 17:19
Fortify ourselves in Jesus Christ
Elder Robert R. Steuer
Spiritual light and truth.
To prosper in these times, spiritual light must burn within us.
Learn true doctrine, gain pure testimony, live the gospel courageously.
The light of Christ inspires us for the good of all mankind.
Light is a carrier, a messenger, a mediator.
Seek truth with real intent.
Spiritual knowledge is not available merely for the asking, it takes diligence and sincere effort on our part.
Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander
Story of the woman with an issue of blood.
She pressed forward, with a single purpose in mind, toward the Savior, having faith that He would heal her.
The crowd came to see, she came to be healed.
We are like individuals in a crowd.
New members often are the only one in a crowd (of family and friends), the only one to join the church.
Christ was one among a crowd - He was dismissed by many.
Pres forward to the Savior, having faith.
Elder Lance B. Wickman
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Death comes to each of us and no one knows when it will.
This life is the time to preprare to meet God - this day is the day to perform our labors.
Do not procrastinate!
Thankfully, we do have today.
Christ conquered death - we have the Atonement.
This life is not for getting and accumulating but for giving and becoming.
Today is the day to repent and extend charity, to forgive and to be merciful.
Elder Craig C. Christensen
Whatever the prophet speaks when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, is scripture.
Written scriptures bring us to believe in God.
The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. It's a book with a promise. It should and must be received and read with the influence of the Holy Ghost.
Pray to know if it's true. The Holy Ghost will witness of the truth.
The Book of Mormon teaches the Plan of Happiness, the Atonement, the Holy Ghost, Baptism, etc.
We gain perfect brightness of hope to help us endure to the end.
The Book of Mormon witnesses that Jesus is the Christ and we gain a better understanding of His love.
*Elder M. Russell Ballard
God has a plan for His daughters to receive highest degree in His kingdom.
Young mothers - no role in life is more essential and eternal.
There is no one perfect way to be a mom.
The choices are unique and different for each mom and each family.
Some are Full time moms, some work from home, some go to part time or full time work. What matters is that mothers love their children deeply.
It is crucial for us to focus on our children for the short time that we have them with us.
Today more fathers are involved, that's good. But the mother's involvement is major to a child's well being.
Putting children first can be difficult.
The church respects and has gratitude for mothers of young children.
Joy of motherhood comes in moments.
Treasure "doing" a little more and "getting it done" a little less.
Don't overschedule. Families need unstructured time together.
Mothers - find time for yourself. Cultivate your interests. Water cannot be drawn from an empty well.
Pray, study, and teach the gospel.
Pray to the Eternal parent of us all. Our children are on loan from Him, they are His. He will guide us and help us to raise them.
How can husbands help? Show appreciation, talk with mother about each child's needs, give wife a day away once in awhile while you take over the house and kids, take an active role with your family when you arrive home from work.
How can children help? Help pick up toys, make your bed, and do other chores without being asked, say "Thank you" for meals, stories, and clean clothes, hug your mom and say "I love you".
How can the church help? Ward leaders should be watchful and considerate of the demands on young mothers.
Young mothers - never wonder if you have worth in the sight of the Lord or the church.
President Thomas S. Monson
Closing remarks: We've had a smorgasbord today of faith, love, and counsel.
Show love to your children, make sure they know that you love them.
Call upon Heavenly Father for help. Go to the temple often. Be kind to one another.
Our prophet prays for us, please pray for him and together we will reap the blessings that Heavenly Father has in store for each of us.
