183rd Semi Annual General Conference Highlights Part 1

Well, this will be an interesting conference.
Why?
Because it's my first one I have to work through. :( Boo.
Soo these highlights come to you after the fact!
Yay for technology. :) It helps to rewind time and let me pretend it's still early in the day. lol :)

Without further ado! Here are my notes on Saturday's Morning and Afternoon sessions. :)

Saturday Morning

President Thomas S. Monson

• Two weeks ago we reached 15 million members in the Church.
• Since the mission age change last year the missionaries numbers have swelled from 58,500 in October 2012 to 80,333 Today. (including my Brother!)
• Every member a missionary!
• Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together, to work together, to labor in the Lord's vineyard to bring souls unto Him.
• He will assist us if we ask in faith.

Elder Robert D. Hales

• You must study it out in your mind and then ask if it is right.
• This principle is true of all members of the church.
• We make a serious mistake if we believe Conference is above children's intellect and understanding.
• If we listen, during conference, the Lord will tell you what He wants you to do in your life.
• Listen with the spirit.
• When taking notes during conference, it's not necessary to write down notes exactly as they're spoken. You can have the spirit direct your thoughts and give you impressions that aren't said specifically during the talk.
• The world is moving faster and farther away from the Lord.
• The Lord will tell us in advance what we should do in order to prepare for future events not yet seen.
• Heed the prophets.
• They may contradict what you believe, think, feel, but following their counsel will make you a better person and live a better life.
•  We will be strengthened and protected by following the Prophet's counsel
• Ponder upon the things that are taught during Conference and try to apply them in your life.
• Read the talks when they come out. Study them, you can get more from them.
• At this conference 97% of the church can hear this conference in their own language. This conference can be heard in 95 different languages.
• Within days we can now read/listen/watch/share the teachings of the prophets. Anytime. Anywhere.
• Things learned from this conference can help protect your family.

Elder Ulisses Soares

• Meekness is a good quality.
• Temperament is calm, docile, temperate, and submissive.
• Meekness is the fruit of the Spirit.
• It can be easily obtain if we live in the Spirit.
• Christ like attributes are gifts from God.
• We need to recognize our weakness and find ways to make them a strength.
• Meekness is not Weakness.
• Do things better today then we did yesterday.
• Control your temper.
• What is your response when someone offends you, critiques you or is simply in a bad mood?
• Be gentle unto all men.
• Be thou humble, and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand.
• Remain faithful. Even during difficult circumstance.
• Influence lives for good.
• It is possible to reject the evil influences in our lives.

Sister Carole M. Stephens

• The Holy Ghost belongs to every faithful man, woman, and child old enough to receive the gospel of Christ.
• Revelation can come to any faithful person.
• Priesthood Authority has been restored so that families can be sealed together for eternity.
• Choose the Right.
• Cultivate respect for each other as sons and daughters of God.
• Sisters who don't have Priesthood holders in their home should not fear. Through their covenants they are protected and the sister can rely on Priesthood brethren in the ward (Bishop, Home teacher. Sunday School president etc.) to come in and help them in times of need.
• God is generous with his power and everyone who honor's their covenants can access his power.
• We all need each other.
• Sons of God need Daughters of God and Daughters of God need Sons of God.
• We each have our unique strengths.
• Embrace our roles and responsibilities.
• Show respect for Manhood and Fatherhood, Show respect for Womanhood and Motherhood.
• God will keep his promises to you as you honor your covenants to Him.

Elder Edward Dube

• Stand as Witnesses of God at all Times, in all Places.
• Accept callings with Total Commitment 
• In the Service of the Lord it's not Where you serve but How.
• Do not be weary in well doing.
• The past is to be learned from, but not lived in.
• Claim the Embers of past experiences, but don't collect the Ashes.
• Faith is always pointing towards the future.
• Look ahead and Believe.
• Stand close together. Lift where we stand. We can tip our full potential. Our strengths can subliment other's weakness's, while Their strengths can subliment our own weaknesses.

Elder David A. Bednar

• As we live the law of tithing, we often receive significant but subtle blessings that are not what we expect and can be often overlooked.
• A grateful person is rich in contentment.
• We can receive a greater capacity to change our own circumstances rather then expect others to change them for us by paying the law of tithing.
• Live within your means, don't spend more then you earn.
• Set aside part of your income for a 'rainy day.'
• Care for the widow's mite.
• Pay your tithing, and the windows of heaven will be open to you.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

• Other churches are experiencing decreases in numbers, while ours is increasing.
• This Church was restored in our day by Jesus Christ, Himself. Here you find the authority to act in his name.
• Those who join this church love the Savior Jesus Christ and wish to follow him.
• They can feel God's power in their lives.
• The church provides opportunities for doing good.
• Most people want to do more then listen to inspirational talks or dream of their mansions above. They want to do something.
• In this church members have opportunities to develop their talents while serving others.
• Assignments aren't burdens, but opportunities.
• If the gospel is so wonderful, why would anyone leave? It's not a simple answer, there isn't just one reason that applies to everyone.
• This church honors personal agency.
• We respect those who honestly search for truth, even if it takes them away from the church we love.
• God is perfect. His doctrine is pure. But he works through us, his imperfect children, and imperfect children make mistakes.
• If there are faults, they are mistakes of men, condemn not the works of God because of the acts of his imperfect children.
• This IS the Church of Jesus Christ. God won't allow this church to drift or fail in it's divine destiny.
• To those who have separated from the Church...there is yet a place for you. Come. Add in your gifts and talents to help us become better as a whole.
• It is natural to have questions.
• The Acorn of Honest Inquiry, has often sprouted and matured into a Great Oak of Understanding.
• Doubt your Doubts before you Doubt your Faith.
• Never let Doubt keep you from being Happy.
• We need your UNIQUE talents, gifts, and blessings.
• The uniqueness of this church is a Strength!
• There is room for you in this Church.
• In spite of our human imperfections, I'm confident you'll find in this church some of the finest souls this world has to offer.
• The church seems to attract the kind, the caring, the honest, and the industrious.
• Here you will find a people who yearn to learn and draw closer to their Savior, just like you.
• Come Join.
• Hold fast to the words of Eternal Life.
• Transform Faith into Action.
• Come Join With Us.

Saturday Afternoon

President Henry B. Eyring -Sustaining of Church Officers

President Boyd K. Packer

• The scriptures hold the keys to spiritual protection.
• Make scripture reading a part of your regular routine, and the blessings will follow.
• All scripture is given by inspiration from God.
• We can find hope and peace for ourselves and our families even when we're living in perilous times.
• Be not Afraid. Only Believe.
• Righteousness is more Powerful than Wickedness.
• The Gospel teachers us to be Happy. To have Faith instead of Fear.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

• The moral foundation provided by women has been an influence for good upon the rising generation.
• Cultivate the innate moral power within you.
• Women bring to the world a certain virtue.
• Most sacred is the woman's role in the creation of life.
• Women have been the guardians of the well spring of life.
• They can bring out the best in men.
• You don't have to be perfect.
• Your Moral Authority if Vital. Don't let it be taken for Granted.
• Do not ridicule the "Mommy-tract."
• There is no higher good then Motherhood/Fatherhood and Marriage.
• Why try to 'equalize' the Masculine and Feminine? Each has a unique role in God's plan.
• The World has enough women who are Tough, we Need women who are Tender.
• In blurring the Feminine and Masculine differences we lose the complimentary gifts that together create a whole.
• Do good and be good. Follow intuition.
• Put your relationship with God first in your life.
• Your influence will never fade if you strive to follow the Lord's standard.
• Bring up your children in light and truth.
• Men are not Less then women. Stand With them. Share their burdens.

Elder S. Gifford Nielson

• Have we been listening?
• A new level of energy is taking place throughout the world.
• A simple philosophy can often bring more joy and less stress.
• Are we ready to play?
• We need to be engaged as never before.
• This work will not move forward without US.
• Whatever our age, capacity, calling, or location, we are as one, called to the work.
• Until you know a person's name and face, the Lord can't help you know his heart.
• Exclamation Point! -Show joy. Happiness.
• Make an Effort, Regardless of our Circumstances.
• Thy God Reigneth!

Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela

• By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.
• Small things in many instances doth confound the wise.
• Reach out to others with faith and love.

Elder Timothy J. Dyches

• Christ can heal body, mind, and spirit.
• Opposition is the indispensable element of mortality and strengthens us and increases our relationship with God.
• When we lay down our weapons of rebellion we become agents unto ourselves, no longer influenced by Satan/the world.
• Stand in Holy Places.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

• There should be no shame in acknowledging a mental illness, then when one acknowledges a physical one.  
• Think positive. Square your shoulders...when you can.
• Take courage from those who search and contemplated the dark abyss and moved past it.
• Joseph Smith battled with depression.
• Never lose faith in your Father in Heaven. He loves you more then you can comprehend.
• That love never changes. It is there for you. Simply. Always. Never changingly there.
• Believe in Miracles.
• Hope is NEVER Lost.
• If the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead.
• Watch for stress indicators in yourself and others.
• Be alert.
• Make the requisite adjustments.
• Take time to be well, because if we don't we're assuredly going to take the time to be ill.
• Use all the marvelous gifts the Lord has provided.
• Try not to be overwhelmed with the size of the task.
• Fix what you can. Don't assume you can fix everything.
• Patiently enduring some things is part of our mortal education.
• Don't destroy your own health in trying to help others get back to health.
• Offer prayers.
• Give love unfeigned.
• Charity Never Faileth.
• Despite the challenges there's infinitely more to be hopeful about.
• Whatever your struggle, mental or emotional, or physical or otherwise. Do not vote against the preciousness of life by ending it.
• Broken minds can be healed just like broken bones and broken hearts can be healed.
• Be merciful and non judgmental and kind to those who are struggling.
• Live by Faith. Hold fast to hope. Show compassion to each other.

Elder M. Russell Ballard

• The greatest and most important duty is to teach the gospel.
• Perhaps the greatest reason for missionary work is to give the world it's chance to hear and accept the gospel. 
• Are we doing all we can?
• Are we prepared to lengthen our stride? To enlarge our vision? To quicken our pace?
• The lord will assist us in our labors if we will act in faith to fulfill his work.
• Be anxiously engaged.
• We need to work together.
• No one likes feeling guilty.
• Fear will be replaced by faith and confidence one you kneel down and ask in prayer for missionary opportunities. Then we must demonstrate faith and lookout for those opportunities. These opportunities will never require a force or contrived response. They will flow as a natural response for our love for our brothers and sisters. Just be positive and they will feel your love. They won't forget that, even if the time for them now is not right. They will remember when circumstances in their life change.
• Trust the Lord. He is the good shepherd. he knows his sheep, and the sheep know his voice.
• Today the voice is our voice and your voice.
• It's a matter of faith and action to get the sheep to the shepherd.
• Many have been kept from the truth because they don't know where to find it.
• You don't have to be outgoing to talk about the gospel.
• Reach out in normal pleasant ways.
• There is no greater joy in life then being anxiously engaged in the service of God.
• Go and do as the spirit prompts you.
• If you try to do it alone, it can be intimidating. Always involve the Spirit of God. 
• We're not asking you to do everything. But try to do something.
• If ye shall have faith in me, ye shall have power to accomplish what is good in my sight.
• The Lord will hear your prayers. You'll have many opportunities to act upon your impressions received.

To watch/listen/read the talks for yourself just click on the link here:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch?cid=HPFR100413105&lang=eng

:)
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi