April Conference 2009

Conference was pretty amazing and extremely pointed.  I love how the brethren speak in specifics.  Saturday afternoon Elder Cook had a great talk about standing as a witness of Christ.  We need show people what our church stands for.  

"When members don't live the teachings it can be a stumbling block for those who are not members of the church." 

He touched on how doctrines of other churches confuse and are discouraging to people.

-no modern day revelation

-only a few will be saved and the rest will be damned.

Most people want to believe in a more liberal God.  Our church teaches of a Father in heaven that loves us.  It teaches that we will all have a chance to live with him again.  That was what Jesus Christ died for: our resurrection. Our gift from his sacrifice is the body and spirit coming together again.  How we live our lives will dictate whether or not we are worthy to abide in God's presence.  We most certainly will not be damned to everlasting torment and hell for not knowing of Jesus Christ's teachings or not living a perfect life.  There are many good people in the world who are not members of the church or christian at all.  Are they lost because of this? No,  the Lord loves his children too much.  He will give all a chance, even after death, to learn of Christ and accept or reject his gospel.  What a comfort that is to me to know that those who never knew will not be punished.

The other talk that really touched me was Dallin H. Oaks

He spoke of selflessness.  We all have a tendency to be self-centered but as we look beyond ourselves we can find more to live for.  You can never love the Lord until you learn to love his people.  Parents sacrifice often and we were commended for that sacrifice.  How nice it was to be reminded about how important my current job is:)  We were counseled to sacrifice and not grasp for the instant gratification that the world tries to sell.  Our willingness to sacrifice is part of the covenants we make with the Lord.  

We should stand out and be different... that's what being followers of Christ is all about.

"We cannot walk as other men, talk as other men, or do as other men For we have a different destiny, obligation and responsibility placed upon us and we must fit ourselves to it."  -John A Widtsoe.

We must loose our lives in service.

At the very end he turned his talk to self centered-ness at church.  Some feel the church should fulfill their needs, give spiritual uplift, and produce friends just by showing up.  We can gain nothing by sitting on the sidelines.  We must look outward: welcome others, talk to those sitting by themselves, volunteer for anything needed.  Then will we feel the love and fulfilment of church attendance.  Everyone needs to be carried once in a while.  Who know who you might help.

I hope everyone else loved listening to the wonderful counsel given.  I know I have plenty to work on:)