Week 6 - General Conference

It's quite amazing to live across the street from the Conference Center and be able to walk to General Conference. I must admit to getting teary-eyed as I walked in and heard the Tabernacle Choir warming up. As wonderful as it was to be in the Choir during General Conference, it's so much nicer in front of the podium. My tickets were for Saturday morning and Saturday evening for the Women's Session. Both meetings were wonderful. A theme I recognized Saturday morning was a focus on Jesus Christ. I particularly loved Elder Holland's message - "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." He told us to find Christ at the center of General Conference and to set Christ at the center of our lives. I was so grateful to be at the session of Conference where the song we sang together was "How Firm A Foundation." It has become one of my favorite hymns, not only because we sang it at Doug's funeral, but because it reminds me that we will be sustained and upheld through all of our trials when we build upon that firm foundation of the Savior and His gospel. I felt like I was meant to be there. 

It was also wonderful to be at the Women's session Saturday night. I loved hearing my friend Reyna Aburto speak. I know that she would have prayed and labored over that talk and that it was very difficult for her to give. She's such a sweet and devoted sister, and I was so blessed to learn from her example as I served as her counselor in our Stake Relief Society presidency. It was also great to be a witness to the changes announced for the Young Women of the Church. I love the new theme and emphasis on building youth leaders (and also for the changes for the Aaronic Priesthood). AND A TEMPLE IN OREM!!!! AMAZING! I wonder where it will be. Some are speculating west of I-15 in the Vineyard area. Maybe. Or how about on the hill up by the cemetery? Wonder if Alan Ashton would donate the old Word Perfect campus? Anyway, it will be fun to watch that progress in my home town!

What is my take-away from General Conference? A few weeks ago I heard a message from Elder Bednar as he spoke to the students at BYU-Idaho. He told them not to take notes and try to remember every word he said, but to listen to what the Spirit tells them. Here's what the Spirit spoke to me today - "My mother took me to church." It must have been so very difficult for her as she took her daughters to church without the support of my father. And when it was just her with me at home, we still continued to go to church. That's why I'm here today serving a mission and enjoying every blessing of the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. My mother took me to church. And I'm so very grateful she did!