April 2009 General Conference

Afternoon session
Song: Oh My Father

**Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Matthew 16:24-25 – 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Church Service: Temple, Missionary work,

Church volunteers are sought for their expertise.

No outside copying of the church organization and no blind following can duplicate the results of the church.

Some latter-day saints forego serving others to focus on the world.

Satan desires to sift us like wheat (didn’t catch the last part)

We do not serve God well if we fear man and not God.

Serving others to be seen of others is a form of Priestcraft ”
2 Ne. 26:29 He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.”

Those seeking the praise of the world are working against God.

“If you want to be a lifeguard, you can’t look like all the others on the beach” (Correct me if I’m wrong)

Sacrifice is out of fasion? Entitlement is a big problem — even among the saints. What things do I think I’m entitled to? Am I being obedient to the law for which that blessing is predicated?

BAM! Take that AIG! – It’s obvious that the Apostles and Prophets are always up to date (and inspired) with what we need to hear, now.

Dallin H Oaks for President! Amen! 🙂

This life is all about what we can become!

Think of it, do we ever remember (positivily) in history that wasn’t a giver of themselves?

Have a more positive attitude while attending church.

Self-centeredness retards spiritual growth! Is it self-centered when I keep my comments to myself? When I don’t go out of my way to talk to others?

Be active, not passive in participation in church and your callings.

Bottom line: Lose yourself in the service of others. Forget yourself, and help others.

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**Elder David A. Bednar – The blessings of the Temple
If I were called today to be a stake president I would [focus on the temple and get members to the temple]
Every member of the stake to receive the blessings of the temple and go often.

The purpose of the gathering is to build temples.

Alma 26:5-6 – 5 Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all the day long did ye labor; and behold the number of your sheaves! And they shall be gathered into the garners, that they are not wasted.
6 Yea, they shall not be beaten down by the storm at the last day; yea, neither shall they be harrowed up by the whirlwinds; but when the storm cometh they shall be gathered together in their place, that the storm cannot penetrate to them; yea, neither shall they be driven with fierce winds whithersoever the enemy listeth to carry them.

Sheaves: Newly Baptized
Garners: Temples
Why should they be brought to the temple? (see vs. 6)

Baptismal covenant looks forward to the temple.

Servents will go forth from the temple armed with the lords power.

In the temple we more completely take His (Christ’s) name upon us.

We never built a temple without the bells of hell beginning to ring. I want to hear the bells again!

We are recipients of the Lord’s tender mercies. (tender mercies = blessings of the temple)

Doctrine and Covenant 10:43 – I will not suffer that they shall destroy my work; yea, I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil.

Notice the theme of asking good questions? From temple presidents and stake presidents? Hint: Ask around and remember the answers.

Protecting power of the ordinances of the house of the Lord (In particular, The initiatory outlines the protective power)

Protection is promised to those who have a NAME and STANDING in the temple.

The devil despises the purity of the Lord’s house

This life is a battle. The temple provides us with our armor and the weapons we need to fight against Satan and his angels. The covenants made in the temple give us the FIRE OF THE COVENANT (motivation) and protection we need.

Doctrine and Covenant 101:65 – Therefore, I must gather together my people, according to the parable of the wheat and the tares, that the wheat may be secured in the garners to possess eternal life, and be crowned with celestial glory, when I shall come in the kingdom of my Father to reward every man according as his work shall be;

Be worthy to be steadfast and look to the temple. Do whatever it takes to go to the temple. (I would add, do all you can to help others go to the temple as well.)

Cast away the things in your life that stand in the way.

The Fire of the Covenant will burn in the heart of every faithful member who frequents the Lord’s house.

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**Elder Gary E. Stevenson (Seventy) Michael Grace’s Mission President!!!!!!

Are we lost? Look, you are never lost when you can see the temple.

Eternal guide post for helping you have guidance in the mist of darkness

hmmm, temple recommend? Where did I hear that before?

As we touch the temple, the temple will touch us.

There is a temple here in Rexburg. Am I going enough?
What things can I do to make my home a temple? What can I do to reflect the feelings of the temple in my home? GRR, that TV (or anything that offends the spirit) is a menace. It must go!

What standards do I need to establish in our home? Fasting, Faith, Learning, Glory, Order => A house of God.

Say the word “Temple” reverently quietly, repeated.

Holy Temple = Home => House of the Lord.

I need to do better to make my dorm room reflect the feelings of the temple. Cleaner, more spiritual imagery, etc.

Home, family and the temple are so interconnected!

“I love to see the Temple” (primary song)

Families where the mom and dad frequent the temple bring the spirit and the FIRE OF THE COVENANT into the home where the children can feel it and be blessed by it.

We go to the temple to make covenants…We go home to keep them

We couldn’t have temples without prophets and Priesthood keys! (see Elder Neil L. Andersen’s talk – Sunday Morning)

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** Elder Jose A. Teixeira

Some of the greatest experiences of my life were declaring the spiritual gifts of my children during their blessing.

Our heavenly Father respects our will to choose. But you still can’t do anything you want. It must be in harmony with his will.

God’s work is stated in Moses 1:39. Our work is in D&C 11:20

“Lost satalite reception” – That’s similar to us losing the Holy Ghost’s guidance. (Spiritual Death)

I’ve noticed that I have become very sensitized — especially when it comes to TV programs. Try staying away from it for a while and you’ll be shocked when you go back. Even commercials. (The same thing applies to video games) They also get worse as they bring out new ones.

Those who follow the prophets receive the blessings of God.

“Follow the Prophet” – Primary songs are being mentioned a lot. Is that similar to the fact that we need to become as little children? and also how powerful the simple truths of the gospel are.

We need to remember the basic prinicples of the gospel and not get caught up in the things we don’t know.

Great talk on direction. Personal/spiritual.

Take time in your personal study to review the conference talks and seek inspiration on how you can use your spiritual gifts to bless others.

AMEN

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** Elder F. Michael Watson (Seventy) (former secretary of the 1st Presidency)

(story) give the reins back to the horse (Again, a parody on the Spirit?) 🙂

Wisdom of those who have gone before (Remember Pres. Packer’s talk from last night?) yep.

Search the commandments. They are written by those who have gone before. They are the words of God.

Joseph Fielding Smith – Where a question is asked, an answer is given.

Harold B.Lee – You may not like what comes from the prophet. But if we listen to these things the promise is it will be for our own good.
If it contradicts what you do or like to do, then you need to make some changes in your life.
Are there things I do that are contrary to words of the prophets? What are they? Get rid of them!

Spencer W. Kimball – The Book of Mormon is the most correct book on earth.
Ezra Taft Benson – Prayers of President Benson were always full of gratitude. Mentions of Joseph Smith.
Howard W. Hunter – More attention to the life of Jesus Christ. Every member temple worthy

Gordon B. Hinckley – I don’t have to talk to all the Prophets before me to know what they said is true. (?)

Thomas S. Monson –

Great reminder of how true the church is and how inspired the previous leaders have been.

The point of this talk, I believe, was to remind us of the importance of going back and studying the words of all the prophets. I have learned a great deal from listening to their words in a podcast http://ldsvoices.com/

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**Elder L. Tom Perry

— Member missionary work —
(story of lost sheep)
Where is the shepherd?

There is no substitute for a member-oriented missionary program

3 objectives for member missionary work so we are not “the missing shepherd”
1) Help the missionaries focus on teaching, by finding people for them to teach
2)
3) Open your mouth

How do you do missionary work in Rexburg? (Something to ponder) What golden opportunities are before me?
–for myself, I should be a better example. I need to be a better leader is gospel things.
–I think it is important to learn how to live the best we can so when we leave we can do missionary work… also stay in contact to people not from Rexburg
–Put your testimony on your blog so that others can read it. – That’s a good one, I’ll have to do that after conference.

Big one for me. “Open your mouth”

There is some work to do in Rexburg. Doubt me? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-_EvIHjSFU (Watch after conference 🙂 –better yet, make sure the sound is off when you watch. The music is very irreverent )When did that happen? I have no idea.

Bringing souls unto Christ brings great joy!

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**President Thomas S. Monson

I have been richly blessed by your notes! Thanks!

“I urge you to study the messages, and ponder their teachings, and apply them” – Great counsel.

It is so important to study the conference talks. It is the way we can know the modern day revelation meant for us!

Conference is over now. Now the hard part is up to me. Take what has been said, remember what I have felt, and use what I have learned in my everyday life.

A word of caution to all: Adversary is using every means possible to take us down with him.

Internet!!! Use it for good. Stay away from Internet Pornography. (I would add that I’ve seen people addicted to Video Games (computer games) are easily led down to internet pornography issues) (Video games can also lead to glorifying violence, which was talked about at a prior conference, I can’t find the quote)

Temple is where we gain the strength to resist temptation both online and off.

Direct connection between temple attendance and combating the evil and trials of our day.

Constantly nourish testimony to be a protection to you against the adversary. (Rev. 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.)

AMEN!!!

“Till we tweet again… God be with you….”