The Mondays after General Conference are two of my favorite days of every school year. Traditionally we’ve taken those days in seminary to share our thoughts and impressions with each other about Conference. I love to hear the talks, stories, and statements that impacted the youth. So many of the young people are devoted to the prophets and so careful to listen to their council. I’m always impressed and blessed by their insight. This year I’m teaching at a school with a fall break that extends well past General Conference, so I wasn’t able to have that experience with my students so I’ve decided to share my conference highlights here, not because my highlights will mean anything to you, but perhaps a few of you would be willing to share yours in return. Aside from acting on the impressions we had, reviewing and processing what we heard in General Conference is the most important thing we can do now. I’ve narrowed my highlights down to my top six:
1. Elder Lawrence’s invitation to ask, “what lack I yet?”
I’ve long known that the Spirit really will tell us what we need to change if we will ask, but the way he explained it and the examples he gave drove it home with so much power for me. You could say that learning to heed the Spirit’s invitations to change is the key to obtaining Eternal Life.
2. Sister Marriott’s statement that, “The sacrament is the heart of the Sabbath.”
It’s so obvious and yet I’ve never thought of it that way. I’m going to hang onto this for the rest of my life. Bonus points for an accent we don’t often hear in G.C.
3. Elder Holland’s and Elder Nelson’s “One-two punch” for womanhood.
Honestly, I’d expect these talks to be given in the General Women’s meeting, but I’m glad they weren’t. They brought voice to something I’ve long noticed: The crucial role of women in the kingdom of God in the Latter-Days. I first noticed this in my mission where far more women than men accepted the Gospel. I continue to see it today, when in so many ways the sisters are the bedrock of our ward; demonstrating the lion’s share of the commitment, and doing so much of the heavy lifting. (Young women also consistently make up the best of the best Seminary students.) As a man, I’m ashamed that this is true, but not surprised or jealous or bitter.
4. The testimonies of the new Apostles.
I was especially touched by Elder Renlund’s account of the time he was comforted by the parents of the young man who had died under his care as a heart surgeon.
5. Elder Andersen’s testimony of Joseph Smith in Priesthood session.
First was this simple piece of advice regarding the Prophet Joseph: “Give him a break.” That request resonated with me, given the current trend of picking through every detail of his life with a fine tooth comb. The simple testimony that followed, while nothing extraordinary on the surface, resulted in one of the strongest spiritual witnesses I’ve received in years; and the second strongest witness I’ve ever received regarding the prophet Joseph. I have had a firm testimony of the Prophet for many years, but it turned out I needed that experience. I’d dare say all my General Conference preparation may have been just so I could be ready to receive the Spirit at that moment during the Priesthood session.
6. President Monson’s “shrinking” at the pulpit Sunday morning.
I don’t mean to say that seeing President Monson’s frailness was a highlight, in fact it was quite sad. But a scripture immediately came to mind:
“12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—
13 Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven—”
There was President Monson, demonstrating how he is perhaps the greatest living example of “wasting” and “wearing out” your life in service. Such an inspiring example. When I ponder what he has done as a bishop, mission president, and apostle (for 52 years!) I scarce can take it in. Those who raised their hands in opposition during the sustaining? I wish they could see and feel what I saw and felt.
…
It will be a few days before the text of General Conference is up on LDS.org. For now, the talks are available in video and audio here, and there are some nice talk summaries available here. I trust there are many more highlights I missed during the times I was distracted by toddlers, food, or my phone (I confess), so I have some reviewing to do. Meanwhile, I testify that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is in fact God’s church on earth, and it is in fact led by Prophets and Apostles, chosen vessels called of him to share the word and will of God with the world. I hope I will listen and obey.
Brigham Rupp 
I never thought there would come a time when I wasn’t able to hear every word of conference at the time it was being broadcast. Well, that time has come and I missed a good portion of the talks. I blame most of it on the kids, but I am equally to blame. Thankfully, I’ve been able to listen to 2 or 3 talks yesterday and today. Soon I will be caught up. Even then, I will continue to listen to these talks over and over again. Conference talks are the perfect back drop to mopping floors and folding clothes. The two talks about mothers were a direct answer to my prayers. I needed to hear a thank you and to be reminded just how important mothers are. I was beginning to lose faith in my role, but those messages made all the difference. I loved Sister Marriot’s talk in regards to "everything will be ok" and it got me thinking quite a bit about our family’s motto. Every family should have a motto. We have one and I’m going to make a large board with the motto on it to hang in our home.
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So do you have a motto already or are you trying to decide on one? I’d like to hear it.
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Thanks for the wise words, Brigham! Julie and I talked at length about our feelings during the testimonies of the new Apostles. I remember hearing at least two of the three speak in the recent past, but I felt like I could sense their apostleship during their testimonies. I was on the verge of tears for most of the Sunday morning session; it was super powerful. It seemed very fitting to end that session with The Spirit of God. -Nate bro
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Thanks for sharing Nate!
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I too loved the talk about asking the Lord, "What lack I yet." I had never considered actually asking the Lord what he wants me to work on. I know the list of things I need to improve is tremendous, but with his help, I can discover what he would have me work on right now. What an inspirational talk.
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Hey Jeran, good to see you!
I haven’t heard all of conference either, but of what I have heard, here are my two favorites. While l really liked Elder Andersen’s comment on giving Brother Joseph a break, what I liked more was his point about faith being a choice. Too often I think of faith as something you have or you don’t have. I like the idea that I can simply choose to have faith. To me it brings great clarity to the issue of faith by making it a conscious decision instead of a nebulous character trait. I already had a chance to use this concept with an inactive sister in our ward by simply telling her that she should choose to have faith. It is a powerful concept and a good way to encourage people. What are they going to say, "I choose not to have faith"? There is a great difference between asking someone to have faith as compared to asking them to choose faith.
My second favorite is Elder Renlund’s comment about seeing people as their parents see them. As a member of the bishopric for a mid-single adult ward (31-45), it seems like I am always trying to find the one "key" that will solve all the problems and everyone will get married and the ward can be dissolved. But, it turns out there is no one "key" and that every member has a very unique situation. That being said it is easy to lump them into categories of ‘active’, ‘inactive’, ‘self-reliant’, ‘needy’, etc. Taking Elder Renlund’s counsel and looking at each of them as their parents would has already made a huge difference in my attitude and ability to serve.
Well, Brig, there you go. Not as eloquent as you, but a comment none the less!
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Thanks Dad! The "choose to have faith" concept is really powerful, and one I’ve bene thinking a lot about. Since faith is demonstrated by action, it really is in making choices that we have faith. This is jarring a lot of people who have never had to demonstrate their faith with real courageous decisions. But the stakes are getting higher and choosing faith is taking more and more courage.
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I was determined to be a better listener this conference and I was able to listen carefully all day Saturday. I have also listened to them again while doing chores today. I am positive that my heart is full to bursting with gratitude for these servants of God on earth. They teach by example as well as by fine words. They serve tirelessly.
I noticed that even their adjectives are high class. They never use slang or common terms. Their words are proper and fine. I am prompted to raise my speaking and writing standards. I love to listen to President Uchtdorf because he sounds like my grandma (not a very lofty reason )but my favorite talk is President Eyring’s about listening to the spirit. I love that his father prayed at every corner to find his way to a sacrament meeting. I have had many experiences being prompted by the Holy Ghost, but now I have more respect for the 3rd member of the Godhead who is constantly able to guide EVERY living soul if they (and I) live worthily and desire it. Now I am looking forward to reading the printed word so I can mark them with all my colored pencils!PS Ty is witness to how emotional I was.
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Thanks for sharing mom! It’s awesome how tailor-made general conference is for each of us. I didn’t really notice anything you mentioned, but it’s all true!
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