"Come What May and Love It!"

This quote came from Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin's talk during the Saturday session of conference. I am trying to make this one of my new themes in life along with that a quote given by our dear prophet, Thomas S. Monson to "Find Joy in the Journey."

General Conference was so uplifting and inspiring. This was the first time that I ever watched the entire conference in real time. I usually watch both the morning and afternoon session on Sunday, but have never done that with the Saturday session. Usually on Saturday, I will catch the morning session or the afternoon, but never both. I usually will get on the internet at another time and watch the one I missed, or just wait for the Ensign.

However, this past weekend, the girls went to visit Mike's mom with Mike, and I stayed home. I really needed to hear this conference, every word of it. Also, there is really something to say about watching the entire thing in real time, and by myself. It was exactly what I needed. It was nice to "sit at the feet" of prophets and apostles and listen to their inspiring words.

Although I used the quote above for my post title, I can not pick a favorite talk this conference. They were all so good. I have to agree with President Monson, the spirit was very strong at this conference. For me, it was one of the best.

Every single talk spoke to my spirit and changed my heart.

Perhaps it's because it is what I needed at this time. I felt like those talks answered so many prayers and that each of them were talking to me personally.

Perhaps it's because conference led me to remember a First Presidency message that was written by the late President James E. Faust in Feb. 2006 entitled "Refined by Our Trials" Here is the little piece that kept coming to my mind, which led me to a greater source of peace and comfort.

"Into every life there come the painful, despairing days of adversity and buffeting. There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow, and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who earnestly seek to do right and be faithful. The Apostle Paul referred to his own challenge: “And lest I should be exalted above measure … , there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the
messenger of Satan to buffet me.”
The thorns that prick, that stick in the flesh, that hurt, often change lives which seem robbed of significance and hope. This change comes about through a refining process which often seems cruel and hard. In this way the soul can become like soft clay in the hands of the Master in building lives of faith, usefulness, beauty, and strength. For some, the refiner’s fire causes a
loss of belief and faith in God, but those with eternal perspective understand that such refining is part of the perfection process."

The last sentence made such an impact on me. Something that I needed to remember. The eternal perspective.

The Lord truly is good. I love Him. I love Jesus Christ and again I am so grateful to my friends who loved me so much that they were willing to share the gospel with me. There has been no greater gift ever given to me by a friend, or in this case friends.

I'm grateful to have the knowledge that the Lord still speaks through prophets today, in what often seems like troubled times, just as He did in the days of the Old and New Testament. The gospel gives me hope and joy.

This conference left me with a new sense of hope and joy. To be kinder, more forgiving, more understanding, to be grateful, love my family more, to be a friend (especially to those who are in need of a friend), to have a greater desire to share my joy and knowledge with others, to be of worth in the life of others and so many more things. I'm sure many of you left with the same feelings.

Another great experience was having the opportunity to talk about conference when my family returned home and hearing what their favorite talks were and why. My heart is full of joy that I just can not properly express.

I can't wait to get the November Ensign and get out my highlighter and re-read those addresses. I hope you will too. Or better yet, click here to listen to those inspiring words now. You won't be sorry.

To reiterate the words of President Thomas S. Monson, I hope we will all take time to "Find joy in the Journey". Even if you are not a member of our church, I encourage you to take the time to listen to it here.

P.S. If you missed "On the Lords Errand: The Life of Thomas S. Monson" which was shown in between conference session, you really missed out on a great thing. We watched it as a family during Family Home Evening and all I can say is , "WOW, what an amazing man who truly is on the Lord's Errand!"