October 2005 General Conference - Priesthood Session

David A. Bednar -Becoming a Missionary

• It is possible for a young man to go on a mission and not become a missionary, and this is not what the Lord requires or what the Church needs.
• My earnest hope for each of you young men is that you will not simply go on a mission--but that you will become missionaries long before you submit your mission papers, long before you receive a call to serve, long before you are set apart by your stake president, and long before you enter the MTC.
• "... It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account."
• You will not suddenly or magically be transformed into a prepared and obedient missionary on the day you walk through the front door of the Missionary Training Center. What you have become in the days and months and years prior to your missionary service is what you will be in the MTC. In fact, the nature of the transition through which you will pass in the MTC will be a strong indicator of your progress in becoming a missionary.

Elder Charles Didier -Man's Search for Divine Truth

• First, hear the voice of the Lord.
• "Without revelation, all would be guesswork, darkness, and confusion."
• Second, hear the voice of His servants.
• Third, give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles.
• It is going to be a lifetime challenge to first hear and then heed the voice of the Lord and His servants. Why? "For the natural man is an enemy of God ... and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit. "
• Why would we need to grow a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God as found in the Book of Mormon? Today there is much confusion in the Christian world about the doctrine of Christ--not only about His divine nature but even about His Atonement and Resurrection, His gospel, and especially the commandments related to it. The result is a belief in a self-made-man Christ, a popular Christ, and a silent, crucified Christ. Wrong religious beliefs lead to wrong religious behaviors.
• Reason does not and cannot replace revelation.
• "Do not let your private doubts separate you from the divine source of knowledge."
• Test, ask and receive in faith, then give heed to the words of prophets and apostles, and you will "receive a crown of eternal life."

Paul V. Johnson -The Blessings of General Conference

• There is so much guidance and direction available that you won't make major mistakes in your life unless you consciously ignore the guidance you receive.
• Every time we are obedient to the words of the prophets and apostles we reap great blessings. We receive more blessings than we can understand at the time, and we continue to receive blessings long after our initial decision to be obedient.

James E. Faust -Called and Chosen

• All of us may expect some challenges to our faith. These challenges may come in different ways. You may not always like the counsel that the Church leaders give you. They are not trying to be popular. They are trying to help us avoid the calamities and disappointments that come through disobedience to God's laws.
• The priesthood of God is a shield. It is a shield against the evils of the world. That shield needs to be kept clean; otherwise, our vision of our purpose and the dangers around us will be limited. The cleansing agent is personal righteousness, but not all will pay the price to keep their shields clean.

Thomas S. Monson -Do Your Duty-- That Is Best

• A young man will automatically turn from concern for self when he is assigned to "watch over" others.
• Some of you young men here tonight may be shy by nature or might consider yourselves inadequate to respond to a calling. Remember that this work is not yours and mine alone. We can look up and reach out for divine help.
• Never give up.
• "If we don't try, then we don't do; and if we don't do, then why are we here?"
• Magnify your calling in the presence of your fellows in such a way that the people will be glad to follow you.
• Is it in doing--not just dreaming--that lives are blessed, others are guided, and souls are saved.
• "Do [your] duty; that is best; Leave unto [the] Lord the rest!"

Gordon B. Hinckley -If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear

• Someone has said it was not raining when Noah built the ark. But he built it, and the rains came.
• The Lord has said, "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear."
• The rain falls on the just as well as the unjust.

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

-Sarnic Dirchi