Christ at the Center - General Conference October 2019

What a wonderful weekend filled with 10 hours of Gospel strength and counsel from our Prophet, apostles, and brother and sister leaders of the restored Church.  It was a rough week leading up to conference and just the boost I needed. I got chills so many times and the Spirit testified of the truth of their words. Christ is at the head. We need to center our lives on Him. He brings true joy that we can't find anywhere else. If I had to sum Conference up in one word it would be commitment. The Lord needs me. He needs you. He loves me. He loves you. That's why we conference. We had football games before and during a little bit Saturday so we missed a few talks but listened to them in the car in the parking lot and as we ate lunch at Wendys.  ;)  But I am so glad they put it up instantly where you can go back and watch and read them again.  Then we went home to enjoy the Saturday session and we loved coloring this giant poster from Cherry Creek Lane also, fun way to spend Conference! It really kept us all busy.  This was Lucy's first Women's Session!  It was fun to have her join us.  We watched at home since I had a Kid's Club fundraiser to help with.  I did back massages and feet and hand massages.  I love how Lucy said "Mom!  She just said 'we are engraven upon His palms!' and you are massaging my palms right now.  We ate raw cookie dough.  And we enjoyed the words of the Prophet and other leaders that helped us learn and grow and understand the power that is available to us.  It was also pretty special that President Nelson announced the new temples at a women's session for the first time.  The work is moving forward, am I?  Sunday, we woke up and ate pumpkin donuts for breakfast, watched the morning session, world report, and afternoon session, did lots of coloring and ate lots of snacks.  I loved it because the next day, Covey reminded us "Remember!  Less wi-fi, more Nephi!"  And then as Cal and I were preparing his Come, Follow Me and we were talking about prophets and being the watchmen on the tower, Cal brought up Elder Bednar's story of the cheetahs and topis and talked about how the cheetahs tried to sneak over to the topis but there were two that watched and communicated to the group.  He remembered it! and applied it!  It was so sweet because so often everything feels like commotion while we are watching and I feel like no one is listening and I hardly get to listen half the time.  But I am so thankful for this time of year!  We also got the introduction last week to the new Children and Youth program of the church.  I felt the Spirit testify so strongly that this is what we need for our time.  I was inspired by our kids and their participation in the meeting.  I am thankful for the spirit they are feeling to recognize and respond to through this.  So many changes, they are exciting.  I am so grateful to be a part of it all!

Elder Holland - in matters of faith and conviction, it helps to go to those who have some.  Don't let blind lead the blind. "Our lives mean little unless Jesus is in the center of it."  Cut the commotion. //  Elder Vincent - Consider your ways. Make the Gospel the centerpiece.  Less Wifi more Nephi. Fair dinkum.  Be committed! Don't be half hearted.  // President Owen - Christ first.  Don't let technology get in the way.  We need to feed our Spirit to keep it going.  Each generation has had challenges. CThese are OUR days and we need to be faithful, not faithless." Take responsibility for own growth and learning.  Don't procrastinate or get distracted.  Children need more of our time, not less. Make connections with other disciples. Elder Christofferson - Joy comes from and because of Him.  Christ is joy!  The joy of the saints comes from being Christ like. // Sister  Craig- The new children and youth program is to help kids and listen to the Spirit and learn to act.  Elder Renlund - Be committed to Christ. // President Oaks - Trust the Lord.  His ways are higher. We don't need to worry about the details and circumstances. 

Elder Bednar - The two cheetahs and topies.  Cheetahs - Distraction and diversion, never stopped. Beware of evils beguiling disguises.  Stay awake and be alert - to the Spirit and the watchmen on the tower. Focusing on the Savior and the Gospel, we increase our capacity to look and listen. The adversary is relentless in his attacks. We need protection.  Put on the armor of God.  //  Elder Alliud - Moronis promise.  Live it. Share it.  Never get over it.  Power of the BofM.  //  President Nelson - "Listen up, guys!"  New witnesses revelation. Baptisms, sealings.   Make families stronger.  Enlist in the Lord's Youth Batallion - gather Israel.  Unusually gifted in sharing.  Youth should get greatest attention. Oh how we love them and pray for them. Hope of Israel!  Complete confidence. // Elder Cook - Curriculum expanded and strengthened, new children and youth program, YM and YW lead more.  Integral part of an interlocking pattern to prepare to meet God.  Take on more responsibility at younger ages.  The Bishops/branch president are in charge of kids and youth. This will help them prepare and meet challenges of their day. //  Elder Budge - Jaredites saw the tender mercies even through and after their affliction.  Look for the good. Elder Alvarado - Make the temple your priotrity!  Commitment. Exactness and uprightness. //  Elder Rasband - Renew our promise to Christ.  Treasure up these truths.  Integrity!  Do we stand by our promises and commitments?  Gathering is most important thing.  My word is my bond.  

Sister Abuerto - Dark clouds always come but so does the sun.  Depression. Help those in need. Find resources. "Your struggles don't define you but they can refine you."  //  Sister Harkness - covenant identity and belonging by taking upon ourselves the name of Jesus.  "With our eyes on the Savior, we see ourselves for who we are. Beloved children of God." Honor his name with love, devotion and good works. // Sister Cordon - we are all beloved daughters of God. Increase righteous influence.  4 areas of adjustment - 1. New theme.  I instead of we. Study and ponder.  2. Classes - Better unity and belonging. No more classes.  YW vital in building unity.  "Be the source of love you hope to recieve for others." "Be that source for good." 3. No more class names. 4. Class presidencies . Support them but don't take over. The Spirit will guide you as you guide them.  Strengthen our resolve to follow Jesus Christ and help others come to Him. // President Eyring - Your call came before this earth. Women, mothers, leaders, wives and ministering sisters.  Molds living clay to the shape of her hopes.  With the help of God she helps spirits love and spirits to be lifted. Make it my mission. // Elder Oaks - I am a guardian of the family.  Love all Gods children. There is a close connection between God's love and His laws. Reemphasized the prophecies of Spencer W. Kimball . Most of the growth in the last days will come because the women of the church live the Gospel and seen as distinct and different from the world. The day has come.  //  President Nelson - God's power of the Priesthood is available to you.  Spiritual treasures await.  Know how to access power of the Priesthood by studying about the Priesthood in the scriptures. Attend the temple more.  Live covenants. New temples announced.  Wowee!  I just love President Nelson.  Truly he was reserved for our day to help us get ready for that Great day!

Elder Gong - "Heavenly Father beckons us to believe and belong through covenants."  Covenant help us love him and we can feel his love for us.  Me becomes we in marriage.  Do all we can, the best we can, seek His help along the way, our marriages will be happy and we can receive exaltation. // Sister Franco -  Pray to ask HF to direct us to someone who needs the Gospel.  Live share. Have courage. // Elder Uctdorf - Bilbo Baggins and the great adventure.  We are on an adventure.  Don't get distracted on the way to your destination.  Gospel is simple but complex.  Discipleship is not about doing things perfectly, but intentionally. Help others along their journeys. Take Christ's name on journey. Compassionate, courageous discipleship - Invite!  Come and see!  Now is the time. // Elder Gonzales - The Savior's touch.  //  Elder Stevenson- don't let Satan's lies overcome.  "Get thee hence, Satan!" Righteousness brings blessings and blessings bring happiness and joy.  // President Nelson - thank you!  Be a disciple. Always look for ways to help, lift, comfort, love, turn your heart!  Give more to the fast. //  

President Eyring - Trials.  Job. Joseph. Jesus. "For a small moment".  Trials help mold us into who He wants us to become.  // Elder Boom - That perfect love.We need it!  Homes, neighborhood, church. There is no bandaid too big the atonement won't cover.  Ponder and pray over your role in these days. // President Ballard - don't raise your voice.  Don't let those daunting tasks overcome you.  Do not miss an opportunity to reach out to family members in love and appreciation.  Marry right and live right. Empower your Spiritual nature.   We need to control our evil desires.  Choose things over spirit over things over flesh.  This is why we are here.  Repent each day.  Sacred sacrament.  Slow down a bit.  Evaluate.  // Elder Johnson - Satan employs the 3 ds - deception, distraction, discouragement. Technology can bring forth the blessings.  Be careful in use of.  Accomplish his work or ignore it? Pray every day. Study the BofM. Read and study with a question. Sacrament. Every day, every day, every day/week. // Elder Soares - Wait on the Lord. Pass over will to his.  Overcome natural man.  He will heal us. He will make our burdens easy and light. // Elder Anderson- It's not easy to keep faith in this world. Do not stop eating that fruit.  "Keep your eyes and hearts centered on the Lord Jesus Christ and the joy that come only through him."  Focus on the Savior.  // President Nelson - temple focus. Be prepared to answer family and friends questions.  Holiness to the Lord. The house of the Lord. All questions asked in temple recommend questions have to do with our holiness. A few new temple recommend questions-  Moral cleanliness. Do you live the Gospel in private and public behavior?  Sabbath day observance. Honest in all that you do?  Understand or obey the w of w?  Do you keep the covenants you've made.  Garments an outer sign of our inner commitment to follow the Savior's example. Easier to build the temples than the worthiness of people to enter the temple.  Coming up on 200th anniversary of the First Vision next spring.  Next conference will commemorate that.  Ponder questions.  Study. Design plan and immerse self in the light of the Gospel. Will be not just memorable but unforgettable.  The work moves forward. Revelation continues.