General Conference

Fact about me: I love General Conference!!
I had such a wonderful day today. My really great friend from my ward had a few extra tickets for General Conference at the conference center this morning, so my roommate and I were able to attend at the Conference center with her! We were so blessed, I love going to at least one session at the Conference center. What an amazing opportunity! We had such great seats too, we sat up on the balcony and to the far right; we were right up front!
Such amazing speakers today too.
After Conference was over, I met up with my mom who flew into town this week for her mission reunion. It was great to see her! We took the trax to my apartment and then took a Sandy train to close by where my sister lives. My sister came and picked us up and we went over to her home. I love watching Conference with my family! I was with my two older sisters and their husbands, my mom, and my sister's brother-in-law. (My sister's brother-in-law is in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. How cool is that?)
I love the Spirit in her home, especially while watching Conference. I love being with my family, especially because I don't see them as often. I miss them, and every time I see them they bring such a sweet, sweet Spirit into my heart, and I love them so very much. They have great peace in their homes and I can feel their love for me, which brings me peace and uplifts me when I'm with them.
They also understand my humor and it makes me feel better that I can make them laugh :) For example, I like to quote movies all the time, and I suppose because we have all seen the same movies, they understand where I'm coming from. However, when I'm around some of my friends and I quote a movie they sometimes don't quite understand what I'm talking about, ha! :)
Anyways, the second session of Conference especially 'hit home' for me, (for lack of a better phrase.) I found a common theme of faith and following the Prophet in most of the talks given.
It's really hard for me to choose one particular favorite talk from today, but I did enjoy Elder David M. McConkie's talk in the morning session about how to learn and how to teach.
He asked us to think of a teacher that was memorable. How did that teacher help me learn? What was it that set that teacher apart form other teachers? He talked about how learning was about the teacher having the right attitude. If the teacher does not have the Spirit and the right attitude, he may be teaching correct principles and lessons, but he will not be successful without the Spirit. Successful teachers also need a pure love of the gospel and enthusiasm.
They need to: 1. Immerse in the daily scriptures study, for they cannot teach what they do not know. They need to become acquainted with the Spirit. They need to read the handbook of instructions and seek out answers. 2. Apply the things that they learn into their lives and keep the commandments. 3. Seek Heaven's help; take responsibility to learn. Pray for the class. 4. Importance of using agency to act on spiritual promptings, they need to submit to the will of the Lord, which will strengthen faith.
Such an amazing talk!
Some of my other favorites form the morning were Elder D. Todd Christofferson and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.
Wow!
From the afternoon session, one of my particular favorites was Elder Robert D. Hales. He spoke about agency and obedience. It made me think of my favorite hymn, hymn number 113: Our Savior's Love. There is a line in that hymn that says: "We love thy law, we will obey." I love that.
He talked about using our agency wisely, and the importance of being obedient always. I love the theme of obedience.
He told the story of Saul the king, who when the Prophet Samuel found out that he had not done what the Lord had commanded him in exactness, Saul first began to make excuses. He tried to deny it, then blamed the people and said he was going to use the animals they kept for a sacrifice to the Lord. However: "To obey is better than to sacrifice."
So powerful to me.
Some of my other favorites were Elder Quentin L. Cook and Elder Gong.
Wow, what a day. So, so good.
My brothers-in-law later went to the Priesthood session and I was able to spend time with my dear, dear sisters and my mom :)
I'm excited for tomorrow!