LDS General Conference October 2014 Sunday Afternoon Session

Elder Ballard

This entire talk was based on the metaphor of river rapids as life experiences. Elder Ballard counseled that God has given us tools to get through trials.

1."Stay in the boat"
The old ship Zion is a metaphor for the church. If we stay with the church we will be carried safely into the harbor because the Lord is at the helm. I think this tells us that even if we may have little doubts our disagreements, it's important to always hold onto church.

How do we stay in the boat? Continuous conversion. Increasing our faithfulness. The leaders of the church cannot and will not lead us astray. When the apostles and prophets speak, it is with a united voice. Church leaders are not out of touch. 

I feel like this is preparing us for times when it is crucial to stand firm wit hour beliefs and follow the prophet. 

2. Always wear a life jacket

This symbolizes the council of the prophets. We should search the scriptures diligently and focus on studying, living, and loving the doctrine of Christ. We also need much prayer and fasting. The fundamental principles are the apostles' testimonies of Christ.

This talk made it clear how important it is to stick with the church and our beliefs.

Richard G. Scott

The easiest way to fast find peace is to make gospel tools habits. We should ask the Lord how we can make better use of these tools.

1. Prayer
Peace through prayer will help you through trials. Tell Him everything that concerns you. Family prayer is a non-negotiable priority.

2. Scriptures
This is how the Lord communicates. This made me think of how important it is to pair prayer with scriptures especially in times of trials.

3. FHE
We teach the gospel formally and informally. This is a special time to bear testimonies, strengthen family bonds and have a marvelous time together.

4. Go to the temple
There is no more peaceful place on Earth than the temple. We can go there to listen, ponder, and pray about our ordinances.

We can endure everything as we come unto Him.

LDS General Conference October 2014 Sunday Morning Session

Russell M. Nelson

Do we really understand what it means to have a prophet?

We should sustain the prophet in deed and in thought. What don't elect or remove prophets through the ways of man. The dealing of the prophet are purely through God. We should do all we can to uphold their calling.

It is our sacred obligation to sustain the prophet. The living Lord leads his living church. We have no need to hear because He is always at the helm.

Many of the speakers at conference spoke about following the prophet. This is clearly an important message for our time.

James Hamula

The sacrament needs to become more holy and sacred to us.

The bread symbolizes personal resurrection and the restored presence of God. The water symbolizes how we are made clean and Jesus' atonement.

We will be clean if we have faith sufficient unto repentance. We must declare that we are willing to take His name upon us. The ordinance of the sacrament helps us to endure to the end.

This wasn't the only talk about sacrament. It definitely made me think about how I can focus more on the sacredness of the sacrament.

Thomas S. Monson

The purpose of our life on Earth is to obtain a body, gain experience, and keep the commandments to return to Heavenly Father. We brought our agency will us when we came to Earth. We have been given the tools we need to endure: the council and teachings of the prophets and the example of Christ. We should walk"as" Jesus walked.

The prophet clearly laid out what we are to do in order to be successful in this life. It's nice to have a reminder that everything we need to endure has been provided to us.

LDS General Conference October 2014 Saturday Afternoon Session

Elder Oaks

It's hard to always live with Christ-like love when we are not all worthy disciples. Nevertheless, Jesus gave us the great commandment to love one another. We must look to his example to emulate this. We are to live in the world, not of the world.

"He that hath a spirit of contention is not of me" This warning against contention applies to all aspects of our lives.

While we should be kind and tolerant to others, we should not dilute our values. We should be firm with loving kindness.

Todd R. Callister

Parents are to be the prime gospel teachers in their children's lives. Teach them to pray about things that are of eternal importance. Help your children master morning prayer. Restrict TV time and redirect into gospel efforts. Make sure your children always receive your best efforts.

Elder Klebingat

How confident are you in your faith? The adversary tries to distance us from the Lord and make us lose confidence.

6 ways to grow spiritual confidence

• Take responsibility for own spiritual well-being
• Take responsibility for physical well-being
• Embrace voluntary, whole-hearted obedience
• do the right things, for the right reasons
• make the church your whole life
• Repent thoroughly and quickly
• welcome and apply repentance daily
• be joyful in repentance
• Be good at forgiving
• we are never exempt for forgiving
• Accept trials and surprises as experiences
• don't be immobilized by weakness

Elder Holland

Jesus' great duty was to bless the poor. He had no more persistent call than to help them.

Do whatever you can. Don't withhold charity because you don't think the poor are worthy of your gift. Are we not all beggars? We should pray for people in need as well as give all we can. Fasting at least once a month is also of critical importance.

LDS General Conference October 2014 Saturday Morning Session

Lynn G Robbins

Do we fear God over men? "I do only those things which please my Father" This should be our goal in all things. Jesus is the only one who didn't forget the Father. We should always look to him as an example. Jesus followed in His Father's way so perfectly that he became "indistinguishable" from the Father. We should strive to be one with Jesus and our Heavenly Father as Jesus did.

Cheryl A. Esplin

Sacrament should be a truly spiritual experience.

How?
-Listen to the sacrament prayers and recommit to covenants.
-Put Him first. Always remember Him.

We will constantly look to the savior to guide our thoughts, actions, and choices. We should think about him more in our daily life.

Remember the enabling power of the atonement. The Spirit heals and renews our souls. The sacrament gives us this spirit.

The more we ponder the sacrament, the more sacred it becomes.

**Action: Make sacrament a spiritual experience**

Dieter Uchtdorf

Learn to listen to the Savior's voice. The Savior is the way back to Heavenly Father.

1.Search the Word of God
2.Consider, ponder, and be grateful
3. Ask Heavenly Father to manifest truth
4.Live the principles

And after doing all this, pray to know it is true. When we seek the light, we show God that we are ready for more.

LDS General Conference April 2014 Sunday Afternoon Session

Boyd K. Packer

Times of war have a way of making us focus on the things that really matter. Knowledge comes only through personal prayer and pondering. Joined with fasting and scripture study provides us with instruction from on high. This knowledge is of eternal importance. Knowledge and intelligence are gained from diligence and obedience.

Packer's Knowledge
1. Our Heavenly Father Lives
2. The Holy Ghost is Real
His mission is to testify of truth. He manifests himself in many ways including a feeling of peace and reassurance.
3. In Christ's Name
There is no other name whereby we must be saved.

One great truth-Christ lives.

William R. Walker

Commit to live true to the faith. It would be wonderful if we all knew the conversion stories of our family members. When we get inspiration from the Holy Spirit we must follow it immediately.

Stay true to the faith even through persecution. We must not forget the experiences we've had in the temple and that we are led by a prophet of God. We should honor our pioneer forefathers who sacrificed so much to practice the religion we have today.

L. Tom Perry

Always be ready to receive the gentle tugging of the Spirit. You will never go off course if you allow the Spirit to guide you. We must be willing to completely alter our course. We must teach our spirit and body to work together.

Obedience is an emblem of our faith. Our obedience through faithfulness will save us.

Lawrence E. Corbridge

IF any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God...and it shall be given him. This is the scripture that led Joseph Smith to change the world. In his haste to know, he is not hasty. He prepares to talk to God.

The truth is always opposed. Christ was persecuted. Joseph Smith was persecuted. What is more likely? That Joseph Smith dreamed it up on his own or that it is the work of heaven? Look at all the evidence. Not one piece, but the entire mosaic of his life. Most importantly, ask God to find out for yourself.

The family is the pattern of heaven.

Michael John U. Teh

If we are not careful, we will begin to chase after the temporal more than the spiritual. How do we do this? Feast upon that which does not perish.

Instead of pursuing Earthly goods, pursue eternal gifts. Grow characteristics of Christ. Strengthen your family. Grow your testimony.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

LDS General Conference April 2014 Sunday Morning Session

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

There is something that will take away the bitterness of sorrow. To make life sweeter and joyous-we can be grateful. One who is full of sorrow should give thanks to God. We are commanded to thank the Lord in all things. To let our heart be full of thanks to God. All of his commandments are given to make blessings available to us. Heavenly Father knows that choosing to develop an attitude of gratitude will bring us great happiness.

We should be equally grateful in times of trial. We don't have to be grateful for things, but have an overall attitude of gratitude. See gratitude as a disposition and way of life. Focus on being thankful in our circumstances. We can choose to limit our gratitude based on the blessings we feel we lack or always feel gratitude regardless of our circumstances.

We shouldn't just be grateful after our problems our solved, but always. This is a gratitude of the soul. By being grateful we follow the example of the Savior. Gratitude comes from acknowledging that we don't always understand our trials, but we have faith in Heavenly Father.

"Ending are not our destiny....they are not endings at all, they are merely interruptions"

M. Russell Ballard

We must refer to the church as the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-Day Saints. Ask the Lord for missionary opportunities. We must follow up on these invitations. These are both things he's talked about before that he wanted to reiterate.

We can all be more consistent with missionary work be replacing fear with faith. We should all study the Preach My Gospel manual. If we follow up the Lord will not let us down.

Gary E. Stevenson

We are in our critical years that will set the course for our life as young adults. Olympians prepare diligently for minutes of action. Earth is our brief performance. This life is the time to prepare to meet God.

Certain steps are necessary. Baptism, Holy Ghost, Temple Ordinances, Sacrament. In these ordinances the power of God is manifest. Keeping the commandments will qualify us for eternal life.

What do I need to do next? Do what the Spirit has whispered to you. Daily scripture, prayer, and church attendance is a necessary foundation.

The miracle of the atonement can make up for imperfections. It is never too late. Is there someone who needs our encouragement?

Thomas S. Monson

Love is the very essence of the gospel. Some of our greatest opportunities to demonstrate love will be within our own homes.Why is it that the ones we love are the targets of harsh words? We must treat each other with kindness to keep the commandment love one another.

LDS General Conference April 2014 Saturday Afternoon Session

Russell M. Nelson

Our faith will be tested and challenged. Sometimes in life or death moments. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ can be bolstering. Are we securely tied to God or something else? Is our faith in a team or a brand? Only in Christ is our faith safe. So many people look only to their bank balance for peace. All truth emanates from God and is inseparable from our careers.

The scriptures are one of the best ways to find and stay on the course. Danger lurks when we try to divide ourselves. Even if everyone is doing it, wrong is never right.

Increase your faith. Proclaim your faith. Let your faith show.

Richard G. Scott

Righteous individuals have an incredible impact in the lives of those around them. Serve the Lord first. Share your conviction to the gospel with the ones you love and let them make the decision to follow the word of God. We can become a significant influence by sincerely loving people, so they develop confidence in God's love. Giving them confidence in your love gives them confidence in God's love. Share your interest in their well being and then share your testimony.

Ask them questions that make them think and then give them time to ponder for themselves. Help them know how to pray and how to recognize answers to their prayers. You will help your loved ones to want to commit to the gospel.

Always seek to strengthen families. Keep your sharing of the gospel simple. Accompanying resources are prayer and the scriptures. Rely on the Spirit. That is crucial. At every opportunity testify of the Savior and his atoning sacrifice. You will need to study diligently. With a solid, personal doctrinal foundation you will be a source of truth.

Robert D. Hales

The lesson of obedience is clear and powerful. Be careful who you follow. Those that followed Satan in the pre-mortal life suffer endlessly. Heavenly Father knew we would make mistakes in mortality. When we are baptized we take on the name of Christ.

Some may participate in selective obedience. Obedience is motivated by true love to our Heavenly Father. Remember the consequences of our choices.Why do we choose to be disobedient when we know the consequences of sin?

Obedience is taught be example. It makes us faithfully stronger and capable of handling trials in the future.