General Conference Report, Day 1

I love General Conference. When I was little, my mom used to make little conference packets for us, with pictures of the General Authorities, crayons, stickers, and a little candy. We had to go to the Stake Center to watch because it wasn't on TV in Connecticut, where I grew up. So, we had to dress up and sit in the chapel quietly. I loved it, though. I think that's where my love began. Now I actually love to listen and take notes.''

Here were some of the highlights for me.

Saturday Morning Session

>>I loved how Elder Perry got the base of his talk from Henry David Thoreau's experience on Walden Pond. It's great to hear insights from books outside the LDS faith. I didn't know a lot about Thoreau, and I found it really interesting. I liked how when asked, "Have you made your peace with God?", Thoreau answered, "I was not aware we ever quarreled."
>>I liked the story Elder Andersen told about the little girl who was born deaf, how she told a handicapped boy in the grocery store that Jesus will make everything all right.
>>Elder Oaks is great. He's no nonsense. There are something that are very cut and dry. Do thing the right way, no excuses.
>>Matt said that Elder Uchtdorf is now his favorite speaker. He is completely wonderful, I agree. I loved his topic as well. Hope. I liked the lines, "In the deepest winter, we find within us an invincible summer" and "Never give in, never surrender!" (to despair). I also like how he pointed out the opposites of faith, hope and charity--fear, despair, and failure to care for our fellowmen.

Between sessions, Matt and I took a drive up Provo Canyon. My brother-in-law went with my sister last week and told me I had to go soon. It was raining hard today which gave us dark tree trunks, and pretty good lighting. Photos never do the colors justic, so I admit that I did a little tweaking on my pictures, but Matt says they're still not as bright as they were in real life. So, I hope you can believe that my pictures aren't too doctored. I'm sorry I'm posting so many, I had a hard time deciding.

This is from our balcony before we left.


We went down a little street off University Avenue and took a few shots.

I really liked this grass in front for some reason.

We ended our drive at Bridal Veil Falls and turned around so we could eat before the next session began.

Saturday Afternoon Session

>>Elder Wirthlin's story about his daughter's blind date was hilarious.

>>Elder Holland is so awesome. I love to hear him speak. I want to be more angelic now.

>>Elder Corbridge really impressed me. He's a new Seventy and I have never heard him speak before. He was so great! I think he was called to speak to the logical thinkers in the Church. He made so much sense and the combination of scriptures he used were linked together so beautifully. I never thought of things quite as he put it, but it's true--through Jesus Christ we can never thirst, never hunger, never walk in darkness, never die. Believing in Him, remembering Him, keeping the commandments--it's the only intelligent thing to do!

>>I liked Elder Bednar's challenge to say prayers solely of gratitude sometimes. I'm definitely going to try that.

Well, it was a good day. I hope it was enjoyed by all who were able to listen. For my friends out there who are not LDS, if any of this seems interesting, please read or listen to some of the talks at lds.org