Conference Talks

It is here once again and we got to see/hear most of the first session this morning.  The kiddos are getting older now so they are learning to play quietly in another room, as well as not getting into too much trouble.

If you click on this link you can already go back and listen to the talks given to us today.  There was lots of talk about family and our responsibilities.  Wehn you get there below the screen there are little squares that you can click on to hear individual talks versus the whole conference at once.

From that AM session the talk that stood out the most was the talk given by Boyd K. Packer.  He talked about responsibilities of the priesthood.  He also pointed out that as a priesthood holder you have to take care of your wife to recieve the whole power of the priesthood.  This doesn't mean that you have to give her everything she wants but you need to provide and respect her (this is according to my understanding).  It was neat how he pointed out how many worthy fathers and husbands who have the ability to give their family blessings but are too afraid because of their lack of experience.  He shared a couple of stories where the fahters were not going to participate in blessings.  In both stories he insisted that they participate.  In both instances both the father and the recipient were edified from the experience.  It goes to show that woman are not the only ones who suffer from the "I could never be good enough" syndrom and that we need to have faith in our Heavenly Father, that we know we have what it takes to do what is required of us!

As for the afternoon session, I really enjoyed Jeffrey R. Holland's comments on true and pure love.   He talked about love, the kind that lasts forever, that you will shout from the roof tops for all to hear, the kind that you KNOW is FOREVER. Versus lust, the kind that is wishy washy and it comes and oes and leaves you looking for more after the initial onset has worn off.  It is dangerous and a home wrecker.

David A. Bednar gave a great talk for parents raising their kids with advice fora all ages.  His three main points were 1) read and study the Book of Mormon; 2) bear your testimony spontaneously...at the dinner table, when ever you can share a truth that you know.  Being spontaneous is sometimes the most effective and memorable. and 3)Teach your children to act not be acted upon.  teach them to use their agency.  He likened it to the addage "If you give a man a fish he will be fed for one meal, but if you teach a man to fish he will be fed for all meals" (I think I muttled that but you get the idea!)  What great advice!

There were so many good talks.  I look forward to listening ot them again really soon to get the full messages without the interuptions and distractions of our little ones!