Conference notes... Precious Gifts from God

The talks from conference are now online. I took notes during conference but I'm excited to listen, and read them again. I have always done this, but for some reason I feel an urgency to make a greater effort to study the talks and make changes in my life. The prophet and other Church leaders shared inspired messages. Some of these messages were exactly what I needed to hear. It's time to reflect on the messages and what I will do about them. I have started asking myself everyday, "What will I change because of Him."

Elder M. Russell Ballard
Precious Gifts From God

The Lord has called a new Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson - In an orderly way we have now begin a new chapter in our Church history. This is a precious gift from God.

Given the reality of our human weaknesses and shortcomings, how do we move forward in supporting and sustaining each other? It begins with faith—real, sincere faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith in the Savior is the first principle of the doctrine and gospel of Christ. If we have faith as small as a mustard seed, the Lord can help us remove the mountains of discouragement and doubt in the tasks ahead of us as we serve with God’s children... life can be filled with faith, joy, happiness, hope, and love when we exercise the smallest amount of real faith in Christ—even a mustard seed of faith. We should remember Paul’s declaration: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Knowing this is another precious gift from God.
 
Additional gifts:
The Sabbath day
The sacrament
Service to others
The matchless gift from God of our Savior

Too many allow themselves to almost live online with their smart devices—screens illuminating their faces day and night and earbuds in their ears blocking out the still, small voice of the Spirit. If we do not find time to unplug, we may miss opportunities to hear the voice of Him who said, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Now, there is nothing wrong with taking advantage of the advances in the technologies inspired by the Lord, but we must be wise in their use. Remember the gift of the Sabbath day.

The blessing of receiving the sacrament in sacrament meeting must never become routine or just something we do. It is only 70 minutes in a whole week when we can pause and find more peace, joy, and happiness in our lives.

Service opens a window by which we understand the life and ministry of Christ. He came to serve, as the scriptures teach, “even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Peter may have given the best description of the Savior’s mortal ministry in five words when he referred to Jesus, “who went about doing good.”

The Lord Jesus Christ is our most precious of all gifts from God. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” He is indeed a very precious gift to us from our Father.

May the Lord help and bless us to treasure our many precious gifts from God, including our membership in His restored Church.

• Follow the Prophet
• Have real, sincere faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
• Unplug, keep the Sabbath day Holy, listen to the still small voice of the Spirit
• Serve others
• Follow the Savior's example, He is the way...

#BecauseofHim