Notes from conference...

Before I move on in blogging I want to journal a little bit on the messages that touched me most from the conference.

I was touched by a prayer, I believe it was at the end of the morning session on Saturday, when the man asked for blessings upon those with special needs.

I was uplifted by the beautiful choirs and the hymns that were sung, especially the children's choir. A song of the heart is a prayer unto God and we KNOW that Heavenly Father hears the prayers of children.

By way of direction, we were asked to pray for the countries that do not yet allow missionaries, that their leaders will soften their hearts and open their doors. We were asked to return to virtue and to have hope.

Needing encouragement with all of my many responsibilities, I felt hope when a Sister quoted from the scripture found in Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." I want to paint that one over a doorway!

I loved the talk about prayer by David Bednar... and how if the people we love most do not see and hear us pray or if we do not pray for them, then we need to repent and remember to "pray always"-- even for those who spitefully use us. This talk also emphasized that we should try expressing only gratitude in some of our prayers,instead of always asking for blessings; in this way allowing the Holy Spirit to answer questions we have in our hearts.

Tears flowed listening to the story of the 7-year-old boy who disobeyed his parents and crossed a river on horseback to go after a stray cow in a storm. All alone, he knelt and cried out to Heavenly Father, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Suddenly he saw a figure approaching him-- which he thought was an angel. His own father called him by name and had gone in search of him, bringing him safely home. This talk told of how angels help us and often the people around us serve as angels. I know this is true.

I was also moved while watching a segment in between the conference sessions about the life of President Thomas S. Monson. He spoke of a time he was impressed to make a special trip to visit a little girl with cancer who had prayed for him to come give her a blessing. He said that although his schedule of meetings seemed to make the trip impossible, during one of the meetings, he heard the words: "Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God." He testified of how he knows these words are true because Jesus spoke them, and then the scripture passage was highlighted, Matthew 9:14, and he added "and because I heard these words spoken to me." President Monson visited and blessed that little girl and felt the spirit of the Lord very strong in the child's room where she lay on her bed, sweetly thanking him and saying "I knew you would come". Although she died a few days later, the experience added to the testimony of all involved, and the point was made that we should listen to the promptings of the spirit and promptly obey.

I am thankful for the pure love of Christ and all He has done and continues to do for us!