It’s General Conference time once again! If you’ve been reading for awhile now you may be familiar with this semiannual conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, if not you can read a description of General Conference here.

Throughout the weekend I’ll be tweeting my thoughts, and doing a bit of live blogging, updating this post during each session throughout the weekend. If you’re curious, I encourage you to tune in to the live video stream, broadcasting at 10 am and 2 pm MST on both Saturday and Sunday of this weekend.

Saturday AM Session

President Monson opened up the session and spent a few moments speaking “off the cuff” about his relationship with his wife. I admit I teared up a bit as I think my favorite moments in conferences past are when these great men speak of their spouses in such respectful and loving tones.

Boyd K. Packer devoted his talk to the subject of Priesthood power, and how we can strengthen the home and family by utilizing this great Power of God. I grew up receiving blessings from my father before each school year, when I was ill, or during times of great stress or trial. I am so grateful that I chose to marry a man who possesses that priesthood power and will be able to administer to our family in time of need.

Two talks in a row with the message that the genders need to step forward and embrace their roles and callings. I loved Sister Beck’s quote from Eliza R. Snow: “Women should be women and not babies that need petting and correction all the time.” Sister Beck’s comfort was a talk to me, especially at this time in my life where I frequently feel so frustrated at how little I am able to accomplish each day. Sister Beck assured us that we all struggle to accomplish all that our heart yearns to do, and I”ll be keeping that message in mind as I struggle to learn to care for a newborn for the first time.

Hope, happiness and joy are not products of circumstance, but of faith in the Lord.- Wilford W. Andersen. I also have a perfect trust in the Plan of Salvation. It is my faith in the reality of this Plan of Happiness that buoys me up during times of trial.

A talk specifically geared toward the women of the Church by M. Russel Ballard! The ability to nurture is part of our divine nature, we do no have to have children to exercise this gift from God. Elder Ballard spoke of popular culture’s tendency to make women look silly, objectifies them, makes it seem like the only way to leave our mark on mankind is through seduction. How I hope my daughters will never buy into this! President Harold B. Lee told mothers stated “The most important work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home. ” Elder Ballard is urging us to have frequent, open discussions about sexuality with our daughters and sons. That Husband and I don’t yet know exactly how we will do this, but we plan on making it a priority in our home.

Saturday PM Session

Elder Perry’s reference to his mother’s notebooks is a lesson to me on the importance of keeping a written record of impressions and insights. For me, the message of this conference so far has revolved around the importance of raising up righteous children, and making the rearing of our posterity the central focus of our lives. It is my belief that one of the most effective thing we can do to improve teaching in the Church is to improve teachings in the home. - Elder L. Tom Perry. Father and Mother are to be equal partners in the work of raising children, but it is primarily the mother’s responsibility to nurture and teach children. As parents we partner to bring to pass God’s work among His children… what a great responsibility I have to care for and teach this little baby of mine!

Elder Bednar urges us to find ways to bear our testimony regarding day-to-day experiences. Around the dinner table or driving in the car, these are the times to help my children see how the Gospel plays a regular and important role in my everyday life. I need to work toward being both a parent and a gospel instructor in the home.

I wanted to write about Elder Holland’s talk as he gave it, but I was far too overwhelmed by how powerful it was. Pornography and other such filth must be eliminated from our lives. TV show indecent? Turn it off! Movie inappropriate? Walk out! Relationship growing inappropriate? Get out! There is no doubt in my mind that Elder Holland is a man called by God.

Sunday AM Session

Source

I woke up 4 hours later than I usually do on a Sunday because we aren’t driving in to the chapel for 8:30 church like we usually do. I think we are going to hear several talks on the atonement and finding ways to appreciate the sacrifice of the Savior, something I always need to hear. I have felt the power of Christ’s atonement countless times and I know that He lives! He lives, and his atonement has made all the difference in my life.

Sunday PM Session

I admit I didn’t once take the time to reach over and type what I was thinking and hearing as I was so enjoying what I was hearing. I wonder what direction my thoughts used to take while listening to conference, as at this point in my life I feel like all the messages speak of the importance of parenthood and raising up children in the Gospel. I think that’s the beauty of conference; over the span of 4 different 2 hour sessions each listener around the world, no matter their circumstances, is able to walk away feeling like the words that were spoken apply directly to their life.

“It is appropriate to disagree, but it is not appropriate to be disagreeable.” - Elder Cook. The more time I spend on the internet the harder I find I have to work to follow this counsel.

I absolutely loved Elder Schwitzer’s talk on judging, and his example of how we often misjudge Martha, sister of Mary. It is true, when the whole person is evaluated, we find that Martha is indeed a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.