April 2009 General Conference
Sunday Morning Session
**President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Today is palm Sunday.
This is a race of endurance, we need to apply and reapply the principles every day of our life.
Discipleship is not a spectator sport. We need to get off the sidelines, and practice what we preach.
Now is the time…
To be worthy to hold a temple recommend and use it.
To hold weekly Family Home Evenings.
The church needs you, we need you!
The seed grows into a fruit-bearing tree gradually.
This along with many other talks given at this session are focusing on a sense of urgency. We can’t just sit back and observe anymore. We have to do our part and participate.
The Atonement has the power to…
heal any wound.
bridge any gap.
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**Elder Neil L. Andersen (Quorum of the Twelve)
No man with more love than Pres. Monson.
It has to be overwhelming to stand and do talk after being called as an apostle.
The Lord will shape the back to fit the burden placed upon it.
Wives of the apostles are often talked about as angels (See Elder Holland’s talk from the last conference.) Do you view your wife as an angel?
Do you seek for influence or power? Be like King Benjamin. Just work and help out others and you’ll be ok.
Our responsibility is not trivial.
We must remember who we are and what we have in our hands. It is not by chance that we are who we are.
We are not alone.
Only here…
is the Priesthood of God restored.
is the Book of Mormon Available
We seek for so many things for happiness. Aligning our life with the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to find true and lasting happiness
This is my church and nothing shall overturn it
He lives!!!!
His servant is President Thomas Monson.
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**Steven E. Snow (Seventy)
What challenges are you reluctant to take on? Is there a class you are putting off? Do you pick the easy route?
How can we prepare for changes in life?
1) listen to the prophet
– prophets often raise a voice of warning
– prophets help us face the challenges that often face us in life
– follow what they say
“Whether by mine own voice, or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.”
2) KEEP AN ETERNAL PESPECTIVE
3) HAVE FAITH
doubt, fear, dread
Faith and doubt: Common theme this conference!
4) BE OF GOOD CHEER
– I have not forsaken you.
– Laugh instead of groaning – it will make life better.
Change is part of God’s Plan!
(For more info along these lines read the talk “Inconvenient Messiah” by Elder Holland – BYU Devotional Address.
“Come what may and love it” –Elder Worthlin Oct 2008 Conf.
The book of Job)
How do we manage changes that are out of our control? The Answer is the Same!
Get on with your life! Guess what, life is hard, get over it. 🙂
Faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other.
Be obedient, faithful, and cheerful.
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**Barbara Thompson (RS Second Counselor)
What ever happens in life, Jesus Christ has the power to save.
3 things to help us in our goal for eternal life
In order for faith to increase, we need to pray everyday (always!).
Good instructions given here for what things we need to teach our children.
Again, we must do these things throughout our lives (Elder Uchtdorf mentioned the same thing)
Basic principles apply to families of all kinds. We need to help in strengthen on others.
Fun FHE activity, I think I’ll try it with my 5 and 2 yr old 🙂
Scriptures, FHE, Prayer will strengthen families. This was also said in the priesthood session last night.
We should pray for our ward leaders.
We must serve each other
(This is your Phone Call! -Bishop Edgely Get out and look for opportunities to serve)
We must be fixed in our purpose! No lolligagging!
Atonement enables us to do his will. (great talk given by Elder Bednar in a BYU Devotional about this.)
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**Elder Jeffery R. Holland (Quorum of the Twelve)
Meant for everyone, but directed in a special way, to those who are ALONE or those who feel abandoned. Those who have lost or have never had a companion.
Elder Holland is talking about me–singles
In short, all of us in different parts of our lives.
The lonliest journey ever made:
Savior’s task of trodding the wine press alone.
Eagerness to walk with him would quickly begin to wane. How many times have I done this?
Pilot’s newly washed hands could never have been so stained or unclean.
Irony of Barabas. Very interesting and touching irony. Son of the Father.
It is wrenching to think that one of his special witnessess who sat at his feet, heard him speak and watched him heal, could betray him and all that he was for 30 pieces of silver
Never in the history of the world has so little money purchased so much infamy.
These are troubled times. What great examples Elder Holland is giving us to reflect upon ourselves. The savior is the ultimate example.
The savior, this perfect son
Christ had to know how the rest of us would fe el when we commit sin. He had to know what it was like to feel dejected and hopelessly alone.
Devine compassion is never with out reach…
–Summary–no matter who we are or what our position in life is, we can find comfort and strength through the Savior–
Truth, we will never be left alone, even if we feel that we are. The spirit will always be there to give comfort.
Christ had to not only die physically but also spirtually.
Christ will never again have to combat sin without aid and assistance.
This is a holy week! May we declare ourselves more fully disciples of Jesus Christ, even when our path is lonely, and our cross is difficult to bear.
This will go down as one of Elder Holland’s great talks on the atonement and how it applies to us in our life’s troubles — in particular as it relates to our loneliest times. Are there those we know that we could share this message with? Do we home teach anyone that could use this message? How can we apply this message to us in our times of loneliness?
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**President Thomas S. Monson
Global economy has taken a nosedive.
Turn thoughts and attitudes on our blessings as members of the church!
3 Examples (Parables):
1. Family: migration to Zion. Witnessing the death of your child must be excrutiating. I hope I never have to experience that.
2. Faith Filled Man.
3. Elder Benson. Post WWII Tour (When you thought your life was tough… wow!) Get down on your knees and pray! Despite your worst trial, you can be the happiest in the land! Because of the knowledge of a living God and the atonement of Christ.
Be of good cheer. (Steven Snow mentioned this as well) I have overcome the world.
He always has the greatest stories to share in conference.
There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us! Fear not (a theme throughout the conference), be of good cheer! The future is as bright as your faith!
Our love for the gospel will comfort and sustain us. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us.