#generalconference

Learn without limits Start,switch,or advance your career with more than 6,900 courses, Professional Certificates, and degrees from world-class universities and companies.

I hate my patriarchal blessing. It feels like it's about someone else, not me. In particular, there is a specific caution I'm given to stay true to a principle that I have NEVER struggled with. I have other struggles and shortcomings, just not THAT one. It has always struck me as odd that it was even brought up in my very own, super special, all about me, once in a lifetime blessing.

Interestingly, I kind of look like someone who might not follow this commandment, and I definitely had friends who didn't follow it at the time I received my blessing. I'm sure there were adults in my life who either thought I was participating, or at least that I was tempted to do so. Birds of a feather. However, the Lord and I have always known otherwise.

President Russell M Nelson

Unusual times can bring unusual rewards

Opened ground for 20 new temples in 2020

     David A Bednar

 Periodic tests are essential

Prove, Examine, and Try

1 Preparation

We are commanded to prepare every needful thing

If we are prepared, we shall not fear

These scriptures provide a framework^

D&C109:8 D&C132:8

Wise and Foolish virgins

Effective and timely preparation succeed successful proving

2 Pressing Forward

God knows the reasons and timing of everything

Press forward and will be blessed with eternal vision

Faithfulness is not foolishness or fanaticism. Rather, it is placing our trust in Jesus Christ

Choices have to be made, not making a choice is a choice – learn to choose now – Elder Holland

We cannot have one foot in the gospel and one foot in the world.

As we follow 1 & 2 we will all be with Heavenly Father

Elder Scott D. Whiting – Seventy

We constantly choose the path of least resistance, burning less calories of change

The problem isn’t always outright wickedness, but complacency

We extoll but seldom emulate the Savior – Neal A Maxwell

I may not soon make it to the top, but I can make this next step right now.

The first step of emulating the Savior is to have the desire to become like Jesus Christ

We need to yearn to transform ourselves

Need to know what he is, learn of his character and attributes.

Even friends and family, as loving as they would like to be, can see imperfectly. HE has a perfect view of us (1 Sam. 16:7)

The choice of Redemption

Self-evaluate – He will lovingly show us our weakness

Preparation before and endurance and diligence during

Our entire mortal progression is about trying, failing, and succeeding . . You are good enough, you are loved, but that does not mean you are yet complete.

The commandment to be like him is not intended to make you feel unworthy or unloved.

Sister Michelle D. Craig – YW Presidency

The more you understand your eternal identity the better you will understand how the Lord sees you

You can pray for the Lord to open your eyes and see things you do not normally see.

What am I doing that I should stop doing, and what am I not doing that I should start doing?

I see you have a cat – awwwwwww

It is so hard to be seen – even by God. (When He Sees Me from Waitress is how a feel a lot of the time haha)

Press on with faith in Christ, despite the circumstances.

See ourselves and others as He does

We will see deeply

 Come Ye Children of the Lord

 Quentin L. Cook

We are all children of our father in heaven

Unity is strengthened when people are treated with respect and dignity, even though they are different in outward characteristics

Committed to achieve righteousness and unity

Lift and bless society as a WHOLE

Unity and diversity are not opposites. We can achieve greater unity as we foster an atmosphere of inclusion and diversity.

Race is not identified on membership records

ALL are alike unto God.

All races and colors are children of God

It is not right for any man to be in bondage one to another

We can be united by our love of and faith in Jesus Christ

Oneness with the Savior make them one with each other

Ronald A. Rasband

Attending the temple increases our understanding of the gospel

HE sets the standards by which we enter as His guests

“I want to go Recommended to the Lord”

 A recommend is not a checklist, a hall pass, or a ticket for better seating

Bedrock principals of a life of Jesus Christ in His Church

Having a recommend is an invaluable step in preparation of meeting the Lord

Body is a temple for your spirit and should be treated with reverence.

Need a temple recommend, to stay firmly on the covenant path.

Even when you can’t go to the temple and can’t present the recommend there – you can present them to the Lord

Persevere in our attention to our temple covenants

 Have I Done Any Good

 President Dallin H. Oaks

As followers of Christ we must forgo the anger and hatred that are typical in political settings

Love thy neighbor. Love your enemies, pray for them that hate you, help those who despitefully use you

Love the Lord thy God and love thy neighbor as thyself.

How do we keep eternal laws and laws of the land?

How do we follow God to our eternal destination

Do not contend with Anger – tis of the devil

Anger is the way to division and enmity

Seek to understand the power of love

Joseph smith taught love begets love

World would benefit greatly if everyone everywhere would use the pure love of Christ

Keep the laws of the countries (render to ceaser what is ceasers etc.)

If you keep the laws of God you have no need to break the laws of the land

Obey the current law and use peaceful ways to change it.

Do not join in anger and hate if election doesn’t go the way you would prefer

As latter-day Saints we must work to root out racism

This nations history of racism is not a happy one, and we must do better

Protest peacefully.

We have no eternal allies or perpetual enemies

Seek unity in diversity

Rise above prejudice and racism

It is possible to obey and seek to improve this nations laws and love our enemies – it is not easy but with His help we can do it.