LDS General Conference (my favorite parts...)

We have a Bayles family tradition to eat waffles and whipped cream on conference Sunday.

From Mormon.org: Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worldwide gather twice yearly for what they call general conference. This is in addition to their weekly worship services each Sunday. General conferences are conducted each April and October and comprise five two-hour meetings held over two days.

In Utah, conference is broadcast over network t.v. Here in South Carolina, we watched conference through the internet. Here are some of my favorite quotes from conference. (As the talks are not yet printed, these are paraphrased as I remember them.)

President Boyd K. Packer: It is the challenge of mortality to be a worthy and responsible parent.

One of the great discoveries of parenthood is that we learn far more about what really matters from our children than we ever did from our parents.

Elder Paul E. Koelliker: It is possible to be active in the Church while being inactive in the gospel.

President Henry B. Eyring: If the foundation of faith is not laid in our hearts, our ability to endure will crumble.

That solid basis for a foundation of faith is personal integrity.

The metal framework around which the substance of our faith is poured is the gospel of Jesus Christ, with all its covenants, ordinances and principles.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you have made, or talents you think you don’t have, or distance from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines. 

Coveting, pouting, or tearing others down does not elevate your standing, nor does demeaning someone else improve your self-image.

Do it now, there isn't much time.

Elder Quentin L Cook: What we are speaks so loudly that our children may not hear what we say.

We know that family scripture study and Family Home Evenings are not always perfect. Regardless of the challenges you face, do not become discouraged.

Elder Richard G. Scott: Exercise, reasonable amounts of sleep and good eating habits increase our ability to receive and understand revelation.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: Forgiveness of our sins comes with conditions. We must repent and we must forgive others.

The moment we judge another, we condemn ourselves.

Stop it!

From a bumper sticker: "Do not judge me because I sin differently from you."

Do you gossip, even if it is true?

Elder Russel M. Nelson: Could an explosion in a printing shop produce a dictionary? (referring to the big bang theory)

A perfect body is not required for eternal salvation. In fact some of the most noble spirits are housed in frail frames.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband: Trusting in God is central to our mortality.

If you come across a person who is drowning, would you ask if he needs help or would you just jump in and save him?

Elder D. Todd Christopherson: It should be remembered that not every statement made by a Church leader, past or present, necessarily constitutes doctrine. The prophet Joseph Smith taught that a prophet is a prophet only when acting as such. (particularly interesting to me based on THIS post)

Elder M. Russel Ballard: Do some sectors of our society have stronger values and families because they are more educated and prosperous, or are they more educated and prosperous because they have values and strong families. In this worldwide Church, we know it is the latter. When people make the family and religious commitments to gospel principles ... they begin to do better spiritually and often temporally as well.

No career can bring you as much fulfillment as rearing a family.

Elder O. Vincent Halek: If we are to prosper rather than perish, we must see ourselves as the Savior sees us.

Elder Larry Y. Wilson: If we wait until children are old enough to walk out the door before we let them exercise their moral agency, we've waited too long.

Wise parents prepare their children to get on without them.

Elder David F. Evans: It is the worth of souls that is great to our Heavenly Father, whatever their condition.

Sharing the gospel in a way that's "natural and normal."

Elder Neal L. Anderson: Wherever you find yourself on the road of discipleship, you are on the right road.

(I bawled through the story of the little boy who sang "I Am a Child of God" from under the rubble of a crushed building in Haiti.)

"Do others think I'm a Christian?" vs. "What does Christ think of me?"


President Thomas S. Monson: Come back. Come in. Come home. Come unto me.

May your homes be full of love, courage and courtesy.


(There was also a good comment regarding youth and distinguishing between youthful lack of judgement and sin. I can't remember who said it or exactly what they said, but I liked it.)