It's become a bit of a tradition now, that I write up these super short summaries of the General Conference talks for each session. It gives me a purpose to my note-taking and provides a good exercise for me to really try to understand the main message of each talk, in addition to being a helpful summary for looking back. The titles listed are my own, however when the written versions of the talks are released I will add in the actual titles and links. Hope these are helpful to someone else besides me. Enjoy the rest of Conference weekend and check back to this post tomorrow for the remaining sessions to be added.
Saturday Morning
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
THE BEAUTY OF THE PLAN OF HAPPINESS WILL CHANGE LIVES
We have been surrounded by so much light and truth. Think of the joy at understanding that you are truly a child of God and that Christ's atonement is for you individually. We should be enthusiastic about the gospel. Don't be distracted by the imperfections of our fellow members; look to the perfection of our Master, Jesus Christ. We are eternal beings, without beginning or end. What shall we give, for the flood of light and truth that the Father has poured out to us? Let us share, in word and deed, the beautiful plan of happiness with others.
Robert D. Hales
COME, FOLLOW ME
Following the Savior does not relieve us from trial and tribulations, but we will suffer less spiritually and be strengthened with peace in our trials when we rely on the Savior. Bring love to your family and listen to the spirit as you teach your children. By loving and serving others, we are God's disciples. We must support others on their journeys.
Carol F. McConkie
BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD
We need to sincerely pray to open the way to blessings from God. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. We pray to the Father, with the power of the Holy Ghost, in Christ's name; meaning that our prayers involve all three members of the Godhead. Through the Holy Ghost we can align our wills with God's.
Craig C. Christensen
JOSEPH SMITH WAS A TRUE PROPHET OF GOD
When you lack wisdom, exercise simple faith and listen to the Holy Ghost. There is much false, misleading, and out-of-context information about Joseph Smith. Don't trust erroneous sources. Look at his fruits. Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God.
Juan Uceda
ARE YOU REALLY PRAYING? OR JUST SAYING PRAYERS?
Story when he was a missionary visiting Machu Picchu and did not hearken to the voice of the spirit. When we pray, are we sincerely praying and feeling a connection with heaven? Or just saying prayers to say them? He wants to shower us with His love and mercy.
J. Devn Cornish
GOD LOVES US AND WANTS US TO SUCCEED
Am I good enough for the Lord? Don't be discouraged, try to improve. Don't compare ourselves to others, only to where we have been in the past. God wants us to succeed; it is His work and His glory. Premeditated sin is a solemn mockery and sin always has consequences.
Neil Andersen
SHARE OUR LOVE OF THE SAVIOR WITH OTHERS
We need to work together--missionaries and members--to put the pieces of the puzzle together. When we share our love of the Savior with others, we always get an A+. A car battery is not sufficient to power a car, it also needs fuel.
battery=guilt, fuel=standing as a witness at all times and places
Saturday Afternoon
Quentin L. Cook
BEWARE STUMBLING BLOCKS AND THE PHILOSOPHIES OF MEN
We are in a great sifting time. Beware the philosophies of men being valued over God's ways. Acknowledge that sin is sin and repent. Beware of gospel extremism and looking beyond the mark of what's important. Stumbling blocks can become stepping stones when we stay focused on the Savior.
Gary Stevenson
MAKE THE BOOK OF MORMON THE KEYSTONE OF YOUR TESTIMONY
You are never too young to seek and receive a testimony of the Book of Mormon. Book of Mormon is written for us in this day/time. Young people spend an average of 7+ hours looking at screens each day. We can replace part of that time with reading the Book of Mormon. Make the Book of Mormon the keystone of your testimony.
D. Todd Christofferson
ABIDE IN GOD'S LOVE
God's love is there for you, whether you feel worthy of it or not. Don't confuse the term "unconditional love" with love without expectations. God does bless all, but he saves he greater blessings for those who are obedient. Divine love can transform a willing soul.
W. Mark Bassett
TREASURE THE PLAIN AND PRECIOUS TRUTHS
Don't focus on the unknowns and seeking out the "mysteries", cling to the plain and precious truths. We need to choose faith over having a perfect understanding. God reveals his truths in His own time and by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Kuzuhiko Yamashita
BE AMBITIOUS FOR CHRIST
Put your faith/trust in God and you will be supported in your trials. Serve faithfully, accept humbly, endure nobly, pray fervently, partake worthily. Missionaries and members can be ambitious for Christ!
Dallin H. Oaks
SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH ALL THE WORLD
We have so many resources in this day and time--let's use them wisely to share the gospel. Sharing the gospel is our lifelong Christian duty. 1. Pray for the desire to share the gospel 2. Keep the commandments and live the gospel 3. Pray for specific inspiration about what we can do, then be prepared to act on that inspiration.
Saturday Morning
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
THE BEAUTY OF THE PLAN OF HAPPINESS WILL CHANGE LIVES
We have been surrounded by so much light and truth. Think of the joy at understanding that you are truly a child of God and that Christ's atonement is for you individually. We should be enthusiastic about the gospel. Don't be distracted by the imperfections of our fellow members; look to the perfection of our Master, Jesus Christ. We are eternal beings, without beginning or end. What shall we give, for the flood of light and truth that the Father has poured out to us? Let us share, in word and deed, the beautiful plan of happiness with others.
Robert D. Hales
COME, FOLLOW ME
Following the Savior does not relieve us from trial and tribulations, but we will suffer less spiritually and be strengthened with peace in our trials when we rely on the Savior. Bring love to your family and listen to the spirit as you teach your children. By loving and serving others, we are God's disciples. We must support others on their journeys.
Carol F. McConkie
BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD
We need to sincerely pray to open the way to blessings from God. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. We pray to the Father, with the power of the Holy Ghost, in Christ's name; meaning that our prayers involve all three members of the Godhead. Through the Holy Ghost we can align our wills with God's.
Craig C. Christensen
JOSEPH SMITH WAS A TRUE PROPHET OF GOD
When you lack wisdom, exercise simple faith and listen to the Holy Ghost. There is much false, misleading, and out-of-context information about Joseph Smith. Don't trust erroneous sources. Look at his fruits. Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God.
Juan Uceda
ARE YOU REALLY PRAYING? OR JUST SAYING PRAYERS?
Story when he was a missionary visiting Machu Picchu and did not hearken to the voice of the spirit. When we pray, are we sincerely praying and feeling a connection with heaven? Or just saying prayers to say them? He wants to shower us with His love and mercy.
J. Devn Cornish
GOD LOVES US AND WANTS US TO SUCCEED
Am I good enough for the Lord? Don't be discouraged, try to improve. Don't compare ourselves to others, only to where we have been in the past. God wants us to succeed; it is His work and His glory. Premeditated sin is a solemn mockery and sin always has consequences.
Neil Andersen
SHARE OUR LOVE OF THE SAVIOR WITH OTHERS
We need to work together--missionaries and members--to put the pieces of the puzzle together. When we share our love of the Savior with others, we always get an A+. A car battery is not sufficient to power a car, it also needs fuel.
battery=guilt, fuel=standing as a witness at all times and places
Saturday Afternoon
Quentin L. Cook
BEWARE STUMBLING BLOCKS AND THE PHILOSOPHIES OF MEN
We are in a great sifting time. Beware the philosophies of men being valued over God's ways. Acknowledge that sin is sin and repent. Beware of gospel extremism and looking beyond the mark of what's important. Stumbling blocks can become stepping stones when we stay focused on the Savior.
Gary Stevenson
MAKE THE BOOK OF MORMON THE KEYSTONE OF YOUR TESTIMONY
You are never too young to seek and receive a testimony of the Book of Mormon. Book of Mormon is written for us in this day/time. Young people spend an average of 7+ hours looking at screens each day. We can replace part of that time with reading the Book of Mormon. Make the Book of Mormon the keystone of your testimony.
D. Todd Christofferson
ABIDE IN GOD'S LOVE
God's love is there for you, whether you feel worthy of it or not. Don't confuse the term "unconditional love" with love without expectations. God does bless all, but he saves he greater blessings for those who are obedient. Divine love can transform a willing soul.
W. Mark Bassett
TREASURE THE PLAIN AND PRECIOUS TRUTHS
Don't focus on the unknowns and seeking out the "mysteries", cling to the plain and precious truths. We need to choose faith over having a perfect understanding. God reveals his truths in His own time and by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Kuzuhiko Yamashita
BE AMBITIOUS FOR CHRIST
Put your faith/trust in God and you will be supported in your trials. Serve faithfully, accept humbly, endure nobly, pray fervently, partake worthily. Missionaries and members can be ambitious for Christ!
Dallin H. Oaks
SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH ALL THE WORLD
We have so many resources in this day and time--let's use them wisely to share the gospel. Sharing the gospel is our lifelong Christian duty. 1. Pray for the desire to share the gospel 2. Keep the commandments and live the gospel 3. Pray for specific inspiration about what we can do, then be prepared to act on that inspiration.
With my daughter on a mission now, the MTC choir singing in the second session completely melted my heart. They sang, "Called to Serve," "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go," and "Hope of Israel". I was especially touched by them singing, "Hope of Israel." Something about them singing about being "Zion's army" really touched me and made me think all the more of my daughter and the work she and her fellow missionaries doing there in France and all around the world.
Hope of Israel, Zion’s army,
Children of the promised day,
See, the Chieftain signals onward,
And the battle’s in array!
(Chorus)
Hope of Israel, rise in might
With the sword of truth and right;
Sound the war-cry, “Watch and pray!”
Vanquish ev’ry foe today.
2. See the foe in countless numbers,
Marshaled in the ranks of sin.
Hope of Israel, on to battle;
Now the vict’ry we must win!
3. Strike for Zion, down with error;
Flash the sword above the foe!
Ev’ry stroke disarms a foeman;
Ev’ry step we conq’ring go.
4. Soon the battle will be over;
Ev’ry foe of truth be down.
Onward, onward, youth of Zion;
Thy reward the victor’s crown.
