Saturday October 6, 2007 - Priesthood Session of General Conference

General Priesthood Session of the 177th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
L. Tom Perry - Apostle
Raising the Bar (Text, Video)
He talked about how when his son was in high school he was a high jumper. He said that his son was practicing high jumping against the minimum height to qualify. He suggested to his son that he raise it higher. His son said that he might miss. He told his son that if he just did the minimum he would never know what he was capable of.

He talked about potential missionaries should extend themselves above the minimum standards required to serve a mission. He counseled to study before going on a mission and to have a clean appearance even before you go on your mission.

Donald L. Hallstrom - Seventy
Do It Now (Text, Video)
He talked of the mentallity that many of us slip into with zoning out when we read or when lessons are giving because it feels like we have heard it all before. This can block the spirit's access to our minds.

He also talked about being slothful and procrastinating those things that are important.

“For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.

“And now, . . . as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end” (Alma 34:32–33).

Quoted President Spencer W. Kimball on procrastination. "President Kimball also taught the profound principle that procrastination leads to the loss of exaltation. He said: “One of the most serious human defects in all ages is procrastination, an unwillingness to accept personal responsibilities now. . . . Many have allowed themselves to be diverted and have become . . . addicts to mental and spiritual indolence and to the pursuit of worldly pleasure” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 4–5)."

L. Whitney Clayton - Seventy
Blessed Are the Pure in Heart (Text, Video)
He described fishing traps where fish can squeeze in, but was much more difficult to get out. He then talked about King David and how David got caught in a trap that was easy to get into, but impossible to get out of. He saw the bait and did not turn away from it.

He talked about how pornography is like this. Like David those that view pornography gradually get into more and trouble. Soon more explicit pictures are desired and the problem grows and becomes more addictive.

Walter F. Gonzalez - Member of the Presidency of the Seventy
Today is the Time (Text, Video)
"What are we doing today to engraven in our souls the gospel principles that will uphold us in times of adversity?"

President Henry B. Eyring - 2nd Counselor in the First Presidency
God Helps the Faithful Priesthood Holder (Text, Video)
He talked about how he now feels like he did when he was a young man and moved from a small ward to a large ward. The large ward had a complicated pattern for passing the sacrament efficiently to a large congregation. Even though he had passed the sacrament many times before he was scared that he would make a mistake in the new pattern.

He talked about giving a talk at a convention of churches where people were to decide which church to go to or at least which talk to go to on subsequent days. He said that preachers and people came up to him related how they had known members that had served not just their church, but the community. He said that he had been concerned about people not liking his message, but each day more and more people came. They came not because the talk was good, but because they had seen the impact of the message on lives of members of the Church.

President Thomas S. Monson - 1st Counselor in the First Presidency
A Royal Priesthood (Text, Video)
He spoke about the characteristics of a true priesthood holder.
Vision, effort, faith, prayer, and virtue.

President Gordon B. Hinckley - Prophet
Slow to Anger (Text, Video)
"A proverb in the Old Testament states: “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Proverbs 16:32)."

He said that many of the inmates in prison are probably there because they did something in anger.

"Divorce too often is the bitter fruit of anger."

Sunday April 1, 2007 - Morning Session of General Conference

President James E. Faust - 2nd Counselor to the Prophet ( Audio, Text)
The Healing Power of Forgiveness
He talked about killing of five girls in an Amish community recently. He talked about how quickly the Amish forgave the man that killed them. The healing that came from that was substantial.

He noted experts that had commented on the effect. He also talked of another tragedy that happen in UT in the 80s.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks - Apostle ( Audio, Text)
Divorce
Some place have laws where it is easier to sever a relationship with a spouse than it is to sever a relationship with an employee.

The best way to avoid a divorce from an undesirable person is not to marry one.

Elder Neil L. Andersen - Seventy ( Audio, Text)
It's true isn't it? Then what else matters?
He related a story that he heard President Hinckley give in 1973. There was a naval officer from Asia that converted to the Church. Elder Hinckley asked about how he would be received by his people when he returned home since his people were not Christian. The man said that his family would be disappointed and many of his opportunities would be closed.

"President Hinckley asked, 'Are you willing to pay so great a price for the gospel?'"

"With his dark eyes moistened by tears, he answered with a question: 'It's true, isn't it?'"

"President Hinckley responded, 'Yes, it is true.'

"To which the officer replied, 'Then what else matters?'"

Vicki F. Matsumori - Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency (Audio, Text)
A Lesson from the Book of Mormon
The army of Helaman was comprised of young men who had been taught by their mothers to obey God and to have faith in Him. Many were not raised to know God and have faith, so we may be more like the parents of the army of Helaman who started as nonbelievers and now have the responsibility to raise righteous children.

Some of the tools that we have to teach these children are scriptures, prayer, and covenants.

When we read our scriptures, pray, and keep our covenants our children will see that and also see the effects on us and also feel the spirit more because we will be doing things that invite the spirit in more frequently.

Elder Glenn L. Pace - Seventy (Audio, Text)
Do You Know?
"Some time ago I had a delightful conversation with an impressive 16-year-old young woman. I discovered she was the only member of the Church in her high school. I asked her, "What is the most difficult challenge you face being the only member?"

She was thoughtful and gave a very astute answer: "It is believing something is true when everyone else believes it is false, and believing something is wrong when everyone else believes it's all right.""

Elder M. Russle Ballard - Apostle ( Audio, Text)
The Miracle of the Holy Bible
"My brothers and sisters, the Holy Bible is a miracle! It is a miracle that the Bible's 4,000 years of sacred and secular history were recorded and preserved by the prophets, apostles, and inspired churchmen.

"It is a miracle that we have the Bible's powerful doctrine, principles, poetry, and stories. But most of all, it is a wonderful miracle that we have the account of the life, ministry, and words of Jesus, which was protected through the Dark Ages and through the conflicts of countless generations so that we may have it today.

"It is a miracle that the Bible literally contains within its pages the converting, healing Spirit of Christ, which has turned men's hearts for centuries, leading them to pray, to choose right paths, and to search to find their Savior."



President Gordon B. Hinckley - Prophet (Audio, Text)
He said that the wind is blowing and he feels like the last leaf on the tree, but he said that his health is quite good even though he is now 96.

The Nicaean Creed was a man made statement resulting from a compromise of not being able to come to an agreement on the nature of God. It was made between the various Christian leaders of the time.

President Hinckley testified of things that he knows that have been revealed from God and not through a consensus of men. God is our Father in Heaven. Jesus lives. Jesus is the Jehovah of the Old Testament and the Messiah of the New.

Marriage is not intended to be "Till death do you part", but it is intended to be for all eternity.