Welcome.

Last General Conference was exceptional for me, especially the Sunday morning session. I felt it was a smorgasbord of revelatory goodness. One personally tailored heavenly communication I received has been especially soul soothing, and I am so grateful.

A bit of background is needful.

As the world in which we live continues a downward spiral in morality and decency, I have become increasingly concerned and at times, even felt panicked about what lies ahead for those of us who lean conservatively or who want to unashamedly practice Christian living. Seeing wickedness increase, innocent people being plunged into jail and prison, watching patriotism decline, and seeing corruption seep into seemingly every part of our society from our food to our healthcare, I have become alarmed. I’ve felt fear. I’ve felt anger and sadness and sorrow.

I’ve tried to increase my faith in Christ and put my trust in Him alone.

And so I came to this last General Conference needing something to help ease my worry and increase my sureness that God is in control. I recently listened to The Seven Miracles That Saved America, and that did a lot to quiet the internal pandemonium, but it was starting to gain some ground again (and I am not one who has ever had a struggle with anxiety).

And so I watched and listened to our prophet and apostles, and as I did, I had this personally tailored revelation come: “Read three general conference talks per day, and you will be more at peace.”

For years, I’ve read one/day. That no longer is cutting it for me. So I began. Three/day. You know what? It’s been incredible! I am still aware of the crazy that is our world, of the turmoil out there, of the uncertainties, of the wicked advances, of the mess and mayhem, of the confusion and chaos. But it is no longer inside me. It is outside – in the realm where I live but of which I don’t have to internally partake.

I have found more stillness, more soul peace, more rest from the cares and bedlam of the world.

These words – and the apostolic and prophetic figures that spoke them – are pointing me more fully towards Jesus Christ, and He is infusing me with his grace to overcome as I become.

It’s awesome. He’s awesome.

Be reminded of some of them, as follows:

“…I wonder, if Jesus were to choose a place where you and He could meet, a private place where you would be able to have a singular focus on Him, might He choose your unique place of personal suffering, the place of your deepest need, where no one else can go?…a place to which perhaps only He has travelled but actually has already prepared to meet you there when you arrive? If you are waiting for Him to come, might He already be there and within reach?…” (Karl Hirst, “God’s Favourite”)

“Therefore, be not afraid of your enemies [or your problems, challenges, or the tests of this life], for I have decreed…, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant…that you may be found worthy.” (Brook P. Hales, Mortality Works!)

“…So, through abundance as well as poverty, through private acclaim as well as public criticism, through the divine elements of the Restoration as well as the human foibles that will inevitably be part of it, we stay the course with the true Church of Christ. Why? Because as with our Redeemer, we signed on for the whole term – not ending with the first short introductory quiz but through to the final exam. The joy in this is that the Headmaster gave us all open-book answers before the course began…” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “I Am He”)

“…when praying, what if we were to spend less time talking and more time just being with God; and when we were to speak, to give more heartfelt and specific expressions of gratitude and love…During our temple worship, what if we were to make a more disciplined effort to pay attention or lingered a little longer in the celestial room in quiet reflection? When our focus is less on doing and more on strengthening our covenant connection with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, I testify that each of these sacred moments will be enriched, and we will receive the guidance needed in our personal lives…” (Bishop L. Todd Budge, “Seek Him With All Your Heart”)

“…Brothers and sisters, now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ…Every sincere seeker of Jesus Christ will find Him in the temple…the Lord will comfort you…He will strengthen you. He will bless you with peace, even amidst chaos…There is no limit to the Savior’s capacity to help you…” (President Russell M. Nelson, “The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again”)

“…The swords and other weapons that the Lamanite converts buried were weapons of rebellion because of how they had used them. Those same kinds of weapons in the hands of their sons, being used in defense of family and freedom, were not weapons of rebellion against God at all…” (Todd Christofferson, “Burying Our Weapons of Rebellion”)

“…you are not an ordinary passenger. You are a member of the crew…And before you become discouraged by all the extra obligations, please remember that crew members receive something the other passengers do not: compensation…’There is a compensatory spiritual power for the righteous,’ including ‘greater assurance, greater confirmation, and greater confidence.’ Like Abraham of old, you receive greater happiness and peace, greater righteousness, and greater knowledge…your commitments demand more of you because that is how God is making more of you…Don’t trade everything for nothing. Don’t let the world change you when you were born to change the world…” (Bradley R. Wilcox, “O Youth of the Noble Birthright”)

“…So I prayed and pled for help and painted through the night to repair things. And I remember looking at the painting in the morning – it looked better than it did before. How was that possible? What I thought was a mistake without mend was an opportunity for His merciful hand to be manifest…He was not done with the painting, and He was not done with me…If you are struggling with a situation you think you should have overcome by now, don’t give up. Be patient with yourself, keep your covenants, repent often, seek the help of your leaders if needed, and go to the house of the Lord as regularly as you can. Listen for and heed the promptings He sends you. He will not abandon His covenant relationship with you…” (Kristin M. Yee, “The Joy of Our Redemption”)

Because I have to end this somewhere so some few of you will read it, I’ll stop there, but there were so many more words from God to us through these imperfect yet called and striving servants of His.

I had an experience in the temple a couple weeks ago. I was in a sealing session with my husband. The sealer was not having an easy time with the names on the cards. Perhaps reading was not his favorite of subjects. It seemed pronunciation was often difficult for him. As he stumbled his way through the names and pronounced these beautiful blessings upon those for whom we were doing the work and as we ourselves were reminded of such heavenly bestowals, I found myself feeling a bit sorry for the sealer. I wanted to ease his burden and curb his embarrassment. Into my mind came these lovely words: “He is my servant, and I will back him.”

Of course. It was his best, and it was acceptable before God.

I witness that it is so of those who are called to the holy apostleship and prophetic callings. They are God’s servants, and He will back their words in these General Conference meetings.

For me, reading three talks/day was an invitation from God through his mailman, the Holy Ghost, to be more at peace, more comforted, more sure of God’s omnipotence and omniscience, more still in the confusion.

I am not asking that of you. I have no right to do so. I’m just sharing what these words have done for me as they have been fresh in my mind and upon my heart.

They have stilled me, centered me more fully on Christ, quieted my soul, rested my fears.

Thank you, kind Father, for personal revelation through thy servants.

Unto all the world: “Be still and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46:10) Yes. Even in today’s world.