My Thoughts on General Conference

I was very impressed about the specific description about prophets. Claudio M. R. Costa broke it down into 14 points about what a prophet is and what he does. He said that it is more important for us to listen to the living prophet than one from the past. It made me wonder what the prophet was going to say after such council. It also made me want to listen and follow more closely to what he will say in the future. We haven't found the scriptures associated with the points given about prophets but we plan to follow Costa's challenge in the near future.

I was also very impressed with David M. McConkie's comments on teaching by the Holy Ghost. Teaching is something I have learned to enjoy doing, mostly because I've been assigned to do it frequently. It is amazing to me how someone can get up and teach terribly but have the Holy Ghost and the entire class can be uplifted and inspired to do God's will. It teaches us to rely on God because no amount of eloquent reason or teaching methods will do what one sincere testimony of God's truth will do.

D Todd Christofferson's talk was an eye opener to me. I hadn't really thought about the two main gifts we have received in this life are time and the ability to choose how to use it. Our choices are so valuable because they affect everything around us. The smallest thing can make somebody's day better or worse like returning the cheerful hello the cashier gave you or ignoring them and frowning while worrying about all the negative aspects of the day.

The last talk I want to mention here was Richard G. Scott's teachings on character. Character is very misunderstood today, like the true meaning of the word charity. How it would change the world if people really understood how their choices affect them. Choosing self and wants over others and needs cause a person to shrink. They loose the ability to do good and to contribute, instead becoming a vacuum that is never full. The person who cuts others down to get money or power or the person who spends too much of their time seeking entertainment in TV, music, or video games will never feel satisfied with what they receive. If they really stopped and looked inside themselves they would find they are empty. When we learn to make good choices, like seeking others' well being, that is what fills us up and makes us strong.

I am very grateful that the technology exists to allow us to listen to the words of the prophet. To hear the scripture the Lord has for us today. To be taught what is right so we can then practice choosing what is right. If you didn't listen to the general conference, please make some time to go to the website where all of the talks can be found.