Gods Love and Laws

October 2009
General Conference: Saturday Afternoon
Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Nothng can separate us from the love of god. God instituted laws so that we can advance like himself. He wants us to obey his commandments because it is only through these commandments can we learn to be like him. (Alma 42, mercy and justice) The blessings we receive are because of the commandments, or laws that we keep.

He will not prevent the choices of others.....even if their choices effect us....but he will strengthen us to overcome the effects. The kingdom of glory that will be blessed with isn't given by love but law. If we do not live the laws of the celestial kingdom, we will not be given a celestial glory, and so on.

Devine Love

October 3 2009
General Conference:Saturday Morning Session
Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf, 2nd Counselor of the First Presidency


How do we become true disciples of Jesus Christ?
The lord said "If you love me keep my commandments." The first great commandment is Love. Love should be at the center of everything we do....not only in our church live but in our family and daily life. Love is a defining character of being a disciples of Jesus Christ.

God loves us perfectly because we are his children. Our infinitely compassionate Eternal Father loves us all the same...no respecter of persons. He offers hope to everyone. We show our love to God by keeping his commandments. We increase that love by aligning our lives with the lord. The first step to walking in righteousness is to try...we do not have to be perfect at first, but as we consistently try it will become second nature. Listen for the Voice of the Lord.

More Dilligant and Concerned In Homes

October 3 2009
General Conference:Saturday Morning Session
Elder David A. Bednar; Apostle of Jesus Christ

-Express love and show it!
Tell the people we love that we love them....it doesn't have to be long and drawn out. Saying I love you is only the beginning. We need to feel it, say it, and show it. We should never assume that they now...regrets will come if those things are omitted. Show love through our regularly daily living....not just on special occasions.

-Bare testimony and live it
Need not be long or just on Sunday. We should bare pure testimony of Jesus Christ, the plan of happiness, the Restoration at home and to the people that we love the most. We are not merely striving to know more but to be more. Bare it, mean it, declare it, live it! We should try to overcome any embarrassment, or hesitancy to share our testimony with our family. It gives the Holy Ghost and opportunity to bare witness our the truths we speak.

-Be consistent
Have regular family pray, scripture study, and family home evening. Sometimes these important acts do not create the instantaneous results. But when consistent with intent and work is sometimes more the greater lesson the the individual lessons, prayers, and scripture reading. It is like many brush strokes in a painting.....one by it self might not be impressive or memorable but when put together it creates something beautiful. Children are very aware of hipocracy. Be and Become more consistent.

Teach Key Doctrine

October 3 2009
General Conference:Saturday Morning Session
brother Russel T. Osguthorpe, Sunday school general president

We will be saved by the truth because we receive it and act on it. The goal of gospel teaching is not to fill others with facts but to encourage to study, ponder, and act on the teachings. We as teachers are on the errand. A good teacher will help others think about, feel about, and do something about the teachings of the gospel. Teach with the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Help others feel confidence in themselves through showing love, patience, kindness. Learn the principles for ourselves then teach.

Teach key doctrine
Give invitation to action
Receive promised blessing

Burdens of Life

October 3 2009
General Conference:Saturday Morning Session
Elder Whitney Clayton-president of the seventy

Our burdens come from three sources.
-No fault of our own....natural circumstances sickness, natural disasters
-Imposed by others....abuse, repression, crime, sin, gossip, unkindness
-Those that we impose upon our self.....through sin

We must do everything we can to endure our burdens well. They give us opportunities to lean principles of the gospel, to exercise patients, faith, charity. Blessing will come from enduring those burdens well. They are not always apparent at the time but they do come.

Apostle paul taught to help bare one another burdens. When we bare others burdens we are in the service of our lord.

Keeping our baptismal covenants help us overcome our burdens. The lord will strengthen us and deliver us when we keep our covenants. Christ suffered these things for all so we wouldn't suffer if we would repent. When we repent he blesses us and will give us peace.

Blessings of Eternity

President Hinkley said this about temples...
"Those who enter the temple gain blessing there that are not found anywhere else on the face of the whole earth. the temple stands as a monument for all to see. It stands as a statement that we as a people believe in the immortality of the human soul. Everything that occurs in the temple is uplifting and speaks of life here and life beyond the grave. It speaks of the importance of the individual as a child of god. It speaks of the importance of the family as a creation of the almighty. It speaks of the eternity of the marriage relationship. It speaks of going on the greater glory. It is a place of light, a place of peace, a place of love, where we deal with the things of eternity."

Today in church we talked all about temples. I absolutely love this quote by President Hinkley....It is at the end of the movie Nauvoo: A Temple Reborn. On my mission I loved to listen to the end of the film over and over again to hear the testimony of the prophet on the blessings that come from the temple. The Saints in Nauvoo knew the importance of the temple, they, even after knowing that there were going to leave that beautiful city, finished building the temple to their God! They left it behind when they were forced out of Nauvoo but they blessings they received within the walls of the temple....they took with them. I am grateful for their faith and sacrifice...I have felt and witnessed the blessings of the temple in my life and am so grateful to know of the importance of temples. It has been a strength and a light among the storms in life.

Faith as a Principle of Power

"And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever." -Moroni 10:7

-Am I functioning properly in terms of being worthy; having proper motives, being obedient, making constructive use of my time, avoiding inappropriate conversation, and directing all my thoughts to the work?
-Do I understand the Process Necessary to draw on the powers of heaven?
-Do I always seek inspiration in selecting righteous desires?
-Do I set goals that require the lords help to be achieved?
-Do I approach everything I desire to achieve with faith as a principle of power in mind?
-When I plead my case before the lord, do I explain my particular desire and rationale in selecting it?
-Are my daily prayers earnest and sincere?
-Am I conscious of my thoughts?
-When I pray or meditate, can I keep my mind from wandering?
-Do I devote certain periods of time each day to meditate?
-To what degree do I allow Doubt and fear to occupy my mind?
-Am I controlled by my circumstances?