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The 179th Semiannual General Conference: H. David Burton Talk

Sunday Session 4, Talk 3 – H. David Burton, Presiding Bishop

My Notes:

  • Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly, then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God.
  • 13th Article of Faith
  • Civility
  • Stand tall and be firmly fixed in perpetuating Christ like virtues, even the “ity” virtues.
  • Teaching virtuous traits begins in the home with parents who care and set the example. A good parent example encourages emulation. A poor example give license to disregard and even expand. An hypocritical example destroys credibility.
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The 179th Semiannual General Conference: Neil L. Anderson Talk

Saturday Session 2, Talk 6- Neil L. Anderson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

My Notes:

  • Repentance and the invitation is not chastisement, it is a loving appeal to turn around and return to God.
  • It is a beckoning of a Loving Father and Son to be more than we are.
  • Repentance is for all of us, no matter how righteous we are.
  • The Savior is able and eager to forgive our sins.
  • Except for those few who choose perdition after having known a fullness, there is no sin that cannot be forgiven.
  • To Change, petition the Father for what to do. He tells us in our mind and in our heart. Then we can choose to repent or we can pull the shades down over our open window into heaven.
  • Alma warned “Do not endeavour to excuse yourself in the least part.”
  • Realize where you need to change. Have sincere and heartfelt confession to the lord and when needed, to others. When possible, restore what was wrongfully harmed or partaken.
  • Weekly taken of Sacrament is so important. To come humbly, meekly before the lord, acknowledging our dependence on him, asking him to forgive and to renew us. And promising to always remember him.
  • The scriptures do not say that we will forget our forsaken sins in mortality, rather they declare that the lord will forget. The forsaking means “never returning.” This requires time.
  • Bishop has the power of discernment to help us repent.
  • Do not procrastinate the date of your repentance, but in this life, it is never too late to repent.
  • Story of a married couple who left the church 50 years ago, comes back and was sorry their children do not have the gospel.
  • Repentance always mean that there is greater happiness ahead.
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The 179th Semiannual General Conference: Jorge F. Zeballos

Saturday Session 2, Talk 3 – Jorge F. Zeballos, of the Seventy
– Salvation and Eternal live is brought by the atonement.
– It is by Grace, we are saved after all we can do.
– Do all what is in our reach to achieve what is impossible.
– Partake Worthily the Sacrament and receive the ordinances of the restored gospel.
– Do the best you can in the role as spouses, children, brothers and sisters in our callings in sharing the gospel and rescuing those who has drifted.
– Be like the Apostle Paul “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” – If we do so, we will be fulling the requirements of our Father in Heaven to bless us in this life and our life in eternity.
– Heavenly Father yearns to give us all that we have.
Saturday Session 2, Talk 3 – Jorge F. Zeballos, of the Seventy
My Notes:
  • Salvation and Eternal live is brought by the atonement.
  • It is by Grace, we are saved after all we can do.
  • Do all what is in our reach to achieve what is impossible.
  • Partake Worthily the Sacrament and receive the ordinances of the restored gospel.
  • Do the best you can in the role as spouses, children, brothers and sisters in our callings in sharing the gospel and rescuing those who has drifted.
  • Be like the Apostle Paul “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” – If we do so, we will be fulling the requirements of our Father in Heaven to bless us in this life and our life in eternity.
  • Heavenly Father yearns to give us all that we have.
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The 179th Semiannual General Conference: President Deter F. Uchtdorf

Saturday Session 1, Talk 6 – President Deter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor, First Presidency.
– Church is growing around the world.
– Most think of us as honest, helpful and hard working.
– Some have images of clean cut missionaries, loving fa miles and friendly neighbors who don’t smoke or drink.
– People who attend church every Sunday for 3 hours.  Where everyone is a brother or a sister.  Where the children sing songs about streams that talk, trees that produce popcorn and every child that wants to become sun beams.
– Of all the things we want to be known for? Disciples of Jesus Christ.
– How do we become true disciples of Jesus Christ?
– If ye love me, keep my commandments.
– Keep it simple.
– When asked the greatest commandment? Jesus said to “thou shalt love the lord thy god with all thy heart, all thy soul and all thy might.”
– When we truly understand what it is to love as Jesus Christ love us, our confusion clears and our priorities align.  Our walk as disciples of Christ becomes more Joyful.  Our lives take on new meaning.  Our relationship with Heavenly Father becomes more profound. Obedience becomes a joy, rather than a burden.
– Why should we love God?  God does not need us to love him, but, O, how we need to love God.  For what we love determines what we seek, what we seek determines what we think and do.  What we think and do determines who we are and who we will become.  We are created in the image of our Heavenly Parents, we are God’s spirit children.
Therefore, we have a vast capacity of love.  It is part of our spiritual heritage.  What and how we love not only defines us as individuals, it also defines us as a Church.
– Love truly is a defining characteristic of a disciple of Jesus Christ.
– We are important to God not because of our resume but because we are His children.
– How can we increase our love for God? Because he is love, the closer we get to him, the more profoundly we experience love.
– What attribute should define us as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints. Let us be known as a people who love God with all our heart, soul and mind.  And who love our neighbors as ourselves.
Saturday Session 1, Talk 6 – President Deter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor, First Presidency
This was one of my favorite talks for the morning!  I love hearing from Uchtdorf!  Always!
My Notes:
  • Church is growing around the world.
  • Most think of us as honest, helpful and hard working.
  • Some have images of clean cut missionaries, loving fa miles and friendly neighbors who don’t smoke or drink.
  • People who attend church every Sunday for 3 hours.  Where everyone is a brother or a sister.  Where the children sing songs about streams that talk, trees that produce popcorn and every child that wants to become sun beams.
  • Of all the things we want to be known for? Disciples of Jesus Christ.
  • How do we become true disciples of Jesus Christ?
  • If ye love me, keep my commandments.
  • Keep it simple.
  • When asked the greatest commandment? Jesus said to “thou shalt love the lord thy god with all thy heart, all thy soul and all thy might.”
  • When we truly understand what it is to love as Jesus Christ love us, our confusion clears and our priorities align.  Our walk as disciples of Christ becomes more Joyful.  Our lives take on new meaning.  Our relationship with Heavenly Father becomes more profound. Obedience becomes a joy, rather than a burden.
  • Why should we love God?  God does not need us to love him, but, O, how we need to love God.  For what we love determines what we seek, what we seek determines what we think and do.  What we think and do determines who we are and who we will become.  We are created in the image of our Heavenly Parents, we are God’s spirit children.
  • Therefore, we have a vast capacity of love.  It is part of our spiritual heritage.  What and how we love not only defines us as individuals, it also defines us as a Church.
  • Love truly is a defining characteristic of a disciple of Jesus Christ.
  • We are important to God not because of our resume but because we are His children.
  • How can we increase our love for God? Because he is love, the closer we get to him, the more profoundly we experience love.
  • What attribute should define us as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints. Let us be known as a people who love God with all our heart, soul and mind.  And who love our neighbors as ourselves.
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The 179th Semiannual General Conference: Elder David A. Bednar

Saturday Session 1, Talk 5 – Elder David A. Bednar, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
-Joseph Smith – “More diligent and concerned at home”
Suggestion 1: Express love and show it.  Do it often.
-“I love you” From Spouse, Parent or Child is a rich blessing.
-Do it, even if you feel “unsure, awkward or embarrassed.”
Suggestion 2: Bare testimony and live it. Do it often.  Testimony is truth, witnessed by the Holy Ghost.
-Testimony From Spouse, Parent or Child is a rich blessing.
-Do it, even if you feel “unsure, awkward or embarrassed.”
Suggestion 3: Be consistent.
Scriptures read among outburst such as:
– He’s touching me!
– Make him stop looking at me!
– Mom he’s breathing my air!
Compares Family Home Evening, Scripture Study and Prayer as a brush strokes on the canvas of our souls…like his painting of a wheat field in his office.  Close up you only see individual brush strokes, but step back and you can see a beautiful painting.

Saturday Session 1, Talk 5 – Elder David A. Bednar, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

My Notes:

  • -Joseph Smith – “More diligent and concerned at home”
  • Suggestion 1: Express love and show it.  Do it often.
    • -“I love you” From Spouse, Parent or Child is a rich blessing.
    • -Do it, even if you feel “unsure, awkward or embarrassed.”
  • Suggestion 2: Bare testimony and live it. Do it often.  Testimony is truth, witnessed by the Holy Ghost.
    • -Testimony From Spouse, Parent or Child is a rich blessing.
    • -Do it, even if you feel “unsure, awkward or embarrassed.”
  • Suggestion 3: Be consistent.
  • Scriptures at his home read among outburst such as:
    • He’s touching me!
    • Make him stop looking at me!
    • Mom he’s breathing my air!
  • Compares Family Home Evening, Scripture Study and Prayer as a brush strokes on the canvas of our souls…like his painting of a wheat field in his office.  Close up you only see individual brush strokes, but step back and you can see a beautiful painting.

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The 179th Semiannual General Conference: L. Whitney Clayton

Saturday Session 1, Talk 3 – L. Whitney Clayton, Presidency of the Seventy
-How long can we carry burdens?
-Burdens form three sources:
– Natural product of the world we live in (illness, earthquakes, etc.) that we cannot control.
– Imposed upon us by the misconduct of others.  Abuse, additions, sin, incorrect traditions, repression, crime.  Gossip, unkindness can cause others genuine suffering.
– Our own mistakes and shortcomings produce many of problems and the most burden is sin.  Pain from keeping commandments.
-No matter our burdens, we are children of god who sent us to earth for growth and progress. our experiences prepare us to return him.
-Diversity and afflictions last (from heavens perspective) for a small moment, if we do bear it well, we will be exalted.
-Burdens provide opportunities to practice virtues of perfection, invite us to yield to the Holy Spirit and put of the natural man and become a saint through atonement of  Christ.  Become a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things that the lord see fit to afflict to us, even as a child to the father.
-Burdens become blessings.  Need time, effort and faith to understand.
Adam told:
-Cursed by be the ground for thy sake.
-By the sweat of thy face thou shall eat bread.
-Work is a continual burden, but a blessing for our sake.  It teaches us lessons we can only learn by the sweat of our face.
Alma observed poverty and afflictions of the Zoromites humbled them to prepare them to hear the word.
-“because ye are compelled to be humbled, blessed are ye.”
-economic challenges can bless us to hear the word.
Because of the length of the way between Laminites and Nephites, were softened because of their inflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before god.
– political unrest, social disorder and modern Gadianton Robbers may humble us and motivate us to seek shelter from societal storms.
Joseph Smith was told that the terrible things he suffered for years from his enemies would give him experience and be for his good.
– the suffering we experience from the offences of others is a valuable and painful school to improving our own behavior.
– Bearing our burdens will develop a reservoir of empathy for the problems of others.
– Bear one an other’s burdens that they me light.
– Keeping baptismal covenants help us with our burdens and others.
– Matthew Quote (When did we clothe thee, etc…) ye have done it on my brethren, you have done it unto me.

Saturday Session 1, Talk 3 – L. Whitney Clayton, Presidency of the Seventy

My Notes:

  • How long can we carry burdens?
  • Burdens form three sources:
  1. Natural product of the world we live in (illness, earthquakes, etc.) that we cannot control.
  2. Imposed upon us by the misconduct of others.  Abuse, additions, sin, incorrect traditions, repression, crime.  Gossip, unkindness can cause others genuine suffering.
  3. Our own mistakes and shortcomings produce many of problems and the most burden is sin.  Pain from keeping commandments.
  • No matter our burdens, we are children of god who sent us to earth for growth and progress. our experiences prepare us to return him.
  • Diversity and afflictions last (from heavens perspective) for a small moment, if we do bear it well, we will be exalted.
  • Burdens provide opportunities to practice virtues of perfection, invite us to yield to the Holy Spirit and put of the natural man and become a saint through atonement of  Christ.  Become a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things that the lord see fit to afflict to us, even as a child to the father.
  • Burdens become blessings.  Need time, effort and faith to understand.

Adam told:

  • Cursed by be the ground for thy sake.
  • By the sweat of thy face thou shall eat bread.
  • Work is a continual burden, but a blessing for our sake.  It teaches us lessons we can only learn by the sweat of our face.

Alma observed poverty and afflictions of the Zoromites humbled them to prepare them to hear the word.

  • “Because ye are compelled to be humbled, blessed are ye.”
  • Economic challenges can bless us to hear the word.

Because of the length of the way between Laminites and Nephites, were softened because of their inflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before god.

  • Political unrest, social disorder and modern Gadianton Robbers may humble us and motivate us to seek shelter from societal storms.

Joseph Smith was told that the terrible things he suffered for years from his enemies would give him experience and be for his good.

  • The suffering we experience from the offences of others is a valuable and painful school to improving our own behavior.
  • Bearing our burdens will develop a reservoir of empathy for the problems of others.
  • Bear one an other’s burdens that they me light.
  • Keeping baptismal covenants help us with our burdens and others.
  • Matthew Quote (When did we clothe thee, etc…) ye have done it on my brethren, you have done it unto me.
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The 179th Semiannual General Conference: Vicky F. Matsumoni

Saturday Session 1, Talk 2 – Vicky F. Matsumoni, Second Counselor, Primary General Presidency
– Missionaries feel prompted to visit one last place, home teacher prompted to call one of his families he visited a few days before, a young women going to a party to stay home.
– How did this happen?  They were guided by the influence of the Holy Ghost.
– To learn about the HG, we are affected by others when they help us and share their testimonies and provide an environment where the spirit can be felt.
– Spirit given to everyman, but the right comes by the gift of the holy ghost and the laying on of hands by the proper authority.
– Scriptures teach and bring constant companionship – “i will tell you in your heart and your mind by the holy ghost which shall come upon you and which shall well in your heart.” –
– Joseph Smith says you feel pure intelligence in you, it will give you sudden strokes of ideas.
– Henry B Eyring, says “it is peace, hope and joy.  Almost always I have felt also felt a sensation of light”.
– 8 year old boy says “it felt like sunshine!”
– it is not always easy to discern sunshine feelings at first.  Book of Mormon tells of Laminites who were baptised with fire and the holy ghost and knew it not.
– we can help other become more familiar with the promptings of the spirit when we share the influence of the HG in our lives.
– Some experiences are too sacred to relate, however by sharing testimony of the spirit in our lives those who are unfamiliar with the promptings are more likely to recognize when they have similar feelings.
– When she was baptised, she felt nothing but wet.  When she got the HG, she felt happy but not the HG.  The next day in F&T Meeting she felt the holy ghost.  She felt a cloud of warmth flood over her.  even as an 8 year old. She felt it was different.  She had a peace with her and a feeling that HF was pleased with her.  Places to feel the spirit, Fast & Testimony, General Conference, The Temple.
– The challenge for all of us is to have an environment where the spirit can be felt daily in our homes and weekly at church.  Reasons to pray and read scriptures every day because these activities invite the spirit into our homes and lives of our family members.
– Still small voice means it’s important to have quiet time in our lives.
– “Be still and know that I am god”  if we have a still time every day, we allow the still small voice an opportunity to provide personal revelation, reassurance and comfort to us.
– Spirit at church can give divine confirmation on what is being taught.
– Elder Richard G. Scott said – “If you accomplish nothing else in your relationship with your students than to help them recognize and follow the promptings of the spirit you will bless their lives immeasurably and eternally”
– Sunday school teacher wrapped each child in a blanket to teach how the spirit felt (comfort and security).  Mother heard of the lesson and thanked the teacher.  Mother had a miscarriage and she was grieving.  She was suddenly felt great warmth and peace, like someone covered her with a warm blanket.  That was the spirit and she knew HF was aware of her and that he loved her.
– The spirit will help us recognize the answers to our prayers and know how to live the gospel more fully each day.  We will have witness of the father and the son.

Saturday Session 1, Talk 2 – Vicky F. Matsumoni, Second Counselor, Primary General Presidency

My Notes:

  • Missionaries feel prompted to visit one last place, home teacher prompted to call one of his families he visited a few days before, a young women going to a party to stay home.
  • How did this happen?  They were guided by the influence of the Holy Ghost.
  • To learn about the Holy Ghost, we are affected by others when they help us and share their testimonies and provide an environment where the spirit can be felt.
  • Spirit given to everyman, but the right comes by the gift of the holy ghost and the laying on of hands by the proper authority.
  • Scriptures teach and bring constant companionship – “i will tell you in your heart and your mind by the holy ghost which shall come upon you and which shall well in your heart.” –
  • Joseph Smith says you feel pure intelligence in you, it will give you sudden strokes of ideas.
  • Henry B Eyring, says “it is peace, hope and joy.  Almost always I have felt also felt a sensation of light”.
  • 8 year old boy says “it felt like sunshine!”
  • it is not always easy to discern sunshine feelings at first.  Book of Mormon tells of Laminites who were baptised with fire and the holy ghost and knew it not.
  • We can help other become more familiar with the promptings of the spirit when we share the influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives.
  • Some experiences are too sacred to relate, however by sharing testimony of the spirit in our lives those who are unfamiliar with the promptings are more likely to recognize when they have similar feelings.
  • When she was baptised, she felt nothing but wet.  When she got the Holy Ghost, she felt happy but not the Holy Ghost.  The next day in F&T Meeting she felt the holy ghost.  She felt a cloud of warmth flood over her.  even as an 8 year old. She felt it was different.  She had a peace with her and a feeling that HF was pleased with her.  Places to feel the spirit, Fast & Testimony, General Conference, The Temple.
  • The challenge for all of us is to have an environment where the spirit can be felt daily in our homes and weekly at church.  Reasons to pray and read scriptures every day because these activities invite the spirit into our homes and lives of our family members.
  • Still small voice means it’s important to have quiet time in our lives.
  • “Be still and know that I am god”  if we have a still time every day, we allow the still small voice an opportunity to provide personal revelation, reassurance and comfort to us.
  • Spirit at church can give divine confirmation on what is being taught.
  • Elder Richard G. Scott said – “If you accomplish nothing else in your relationship with your students than to help them recognize and follow the promptings of the spirit you will bless their lives immeasurably and eternally”
  • Sunday school teacher wrapped each child in a blanket to teach how the spirit felt (comfort and security).  Mother heard of the lesson and thanked the teacher.  Mother had a miscarriage and she was grieving.  She was suddenly felt great warmth and peace, like someone covered her with a warm blanket.  That was the spirit and she knew Heavenly Father was aware of her and that he loved her.
  • The spirit will help us recognize the answers to our prayers and know how to live the gospel more fully each day.  We will have witness of the father and the son.
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The 179th Semiannual General Conference: Richard G. Scott Talk

Saturday Session 1, Talk 1 – Richard G Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Holy Ghost
– Learn to use the Holy Ghost by faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
– We become weaker as we learn to use the Holy Ghost.
– They want us to learn to use the Holy Ghost.
– Our Confidence will grow in using the Holy Ghost with practice.
– Holy Ghost Teaches Us in all situations.
– Sunday School Class – Writing Down Feelings, Review by Reading, Prayed about it, Received confirmation, received more information.
– If he had not prayed about it on the first impression, he would not have had the most precious last piece of information that he has received.
– Impression can come to pray at any time, we must exercise our agency to exercises the spirit to guide us.
– Strong emotions can overwhelm the spirit.  “Trying to save the delicate flavor of a grape, while eating a jalapeno pepper.  Both flavors are present, but one overpowers the others.” – strong emotions overcome the delicate promptings of the holy spirit.
– Satan tries to limit our ability to use the Holy Ghost.  Making us feel we can’t use the spirit or by doing other things – pornography.  Pornography is selfishness.
– If you pray with all your fever of your soul and with gratitude, you can learn to be consistently guided by the holy spirit in all aspects of our life.
– We can personally learn to be guided by the Spirit.

Saturday Session 1, Talk 1 – Richard G Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

My Notes:

  • Topic was on the Holy Ghost
  • Learn to use the Holy Ghost by faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
  • We become weaker as we learn to use the Holy Ghost.
  • They want us to learn to use the Holy Ghost.
  • Our Confidence will grow in using the Holy Ghost with practice.
  • Holy Ghost Teaches Us in all situations.
  • Sunday School Class – Writing Down Feelings, Review by Reading, Prayed about it, Received confirmation, received more information.
  • If he had not prayed about it on the first impression, he would not have had the most precious last piece of information that he has received.
  • Impression can come to pray at any time, we must exercise our agency to exercises the spirit to guide us.
  • Strong emotions can overwhelm the spirit.  “Trying to save the delicate flavor of a grape, while eating a jalapeno pepper.  Both flavors are present, but one overpowers the others.” – strong emotions overcome the delicate promptings of the holy spirit.
  • Satan tries to limit our ability to use the Holy Ghost.  Making us feel we can’t use the spirit or by doing other things – pornography.  Pornography is selfishness.
  • If you pray with all your fever of your soul and with gratitude, you can learn to be consistently guided by the holy spirit in all aspects of our life.
  • We can personally learn to be guided by the Spirit.
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Anointing and Blessing with Consecrated Oil

In the Epistle of James, we read: “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14). In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we use pure olive oil to anoint and bless the sick. This function is performed by males who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood.

The oil that is used in the anointing must have been consecrated at some point prior to the time of the blessing. To consecrate means “to declare sacred.”  The LDS Church website (www.lds.org) gives the following instructions for consecrating oil:

One or more Melchizedek Priesthood holders may consecrate pure olive oil and set it apart for the purpose of anointing the sick. No other oil may be used.

To consecrate oil, a priesthood bearer:

  1. Holds an open container of olive oil.
  2. Addresses our Heavenly Father.
  3. States that the ordinance is performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
  4. Consecrates the oil for the blessing and anointing of the sick.
  5. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

After oil is consecrated, it can be used at any point in the future for the anointing and blessing of the sick.  Administering to the sick is also performed by Melchizedek Priesthood holders. Usually two bearers of the Melchizedek priesthood perform the ordinance. One will anoint the head of the sick person with the consecrated oil. The other will then seal the anointing and give a blessing. Again, the LDS Church website contains instructions on how this is done.

Anointing:

  1. Puts a small amount of oil on the person’s head.
  2. Places his hands on the person’s head and calls the person by name.
  3. States that the ordinance is performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
  4. States that he is anointing with consecrated oil.
  5. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

Sealing the Anointing:

  1. Calls the sick person by name.
  2. States that the ordinance is performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
  3. Seals the anointing.
  4. Pronounces a priesthood blessing as the Spirit directs.
  5. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

Source: http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,13-1-1-7,00.html

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Father’s Day Move

There is a woman in our ward whose husband died a few months ago, leaving behind his wife and two young daughters. The family had additional changes in circumstances after the death of the father that necessitated a move to another state. Unfortunately, the only day on which they could move was a Sunday and not just any Sunday, but Father’s Day.

I will always remember the first counselor in our bishopric standing up in priesthood meeting and saying that there was nothing better we could be doing on Father’s Day than helping a family who has just lost their father. These inspired words touched the hearts of the men in our ward. The evening of Father’s Day found 21 of us at the home of this dear family who were still grieving for their father. There were so many of us that we formed an assembly line and routed boxes and furniture out of the house and into the truck, filling the moving truck in less than a half hour.

Isaiah 1:17 -> “Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.”

I pray that the Lord will bless and comfort this family.