Elder ChristoffersonBefore he came President Beesley, our stake president that was just released, suggested that we prepare ourselves for his visit, and that we invite others to attend. I am glad he suggested that, I am not sure I would have thought to do that myself. I invited some of my co-workers. One of them, Hannah, came. I have brought Hannah to a lot of church activities, and to a lot of activities with people from church, but this was the first time I actually took her to church. She came not only to the full stake conference on Sunday, but also to the Saturday night adult session. She really enjoyed it and even took notes. After the Friday night session I asked Hannah if she would like to shake his hand. She said we did so we did. It was a pretty neat experience, I had the feeling they could tell that Hannah was not a member of our church, not in a bad way, just that they could feel she was a little different than most of the congregation. They paid her special attention. It made me want to cultivate that same spirit of discernment so that I can better reach out to those in need.
The conference really was quite fantastic. Some of the most important things I learned/ was reminded of were (these are not quotes, just what I learned while listening):
Brother Betts ( a member of our Stake)
-I should speak more frequently about Jesus Christ
-I need to cultivate an attitude of service
-We need to understand our relationship to God - the pedigree of our spirits can be written on a single line - I am a child of God
-No other doctrine will change behavior more than an understanding of the doctrine of the atonement
President Beesley (exiting Stake president)
-As you go on the Lord's errand He will send the Holy Ghost, and He will tell you what you need to say
-Take notice of how you feel - if you feel the promptings you should go
-You can desire the atonement, and that is sufficient (none of us actually deserve it)
-The great joy in your life will be from brining someone to the feet of the Savior and He will heal them
President Wilden (exiting 1st counselor)
-Mosiah 18:9 defines home and visiting teaching - reach out to bless the members of the church
President Stancliff (exiting 2nd counselor)
-There are only a few callings in the church that are life-long callings - we are called and we serve - we are never elft alone to know what to do - if we pray and ask how we can best represent Heavenly Father and magnify our callings we will be prompted to know how
President Rhodes ( new stake president - was our patriarch)
-If you don't step out of your comfort zone you will never learn, if you never learn you won't grow, if you don't grow you will not have joy
-We are all living well below the blessings Heavenly Father has for us
-Heavenly Father is far more concerned with who we are becoming that with what we are doing - He's not concerned with the little boxes we check
President Sagers (Ft. Worth Texas Mission President)
-It is not so much who the apostle is, but the office he holds
Elder RIght
-Ponder anew what the Almighty can do, who with His great love doth befriend us - try to be more charitable and kind, don't estimate the power of love
-Ponder what gifts Heavenly Father has in store for me that I am not claiming
-We can't be healed without the atonement
-We individually choose to apply the healing powers of the atonement - no one can choose it for you
-Physical death and suffering pales in comparison to spiritual death and suffering
-The atonement can heal all suffering - it is not just specific to one kind
-The atonement will not run out - it is eternal
-In order for this meeting (as well as regular church meetings, temple attendance, etc.) to have an impact we must change, we must leave a little different than we came - apply the words of Elder Chrsitofferson
Elder Christofferson
-The Lord's acceptance of my offering is the highest honor that could come to anyone
-Don't snack on the gospel
-Keeping the commandments is the key to success in every meaningful sense
-It's not the thing that happens that makes the difference but how we face it - whether we turn to God or away from Him
-There is no suffering we can face that the Savior cannot convert into a blessing for our benefit if we will turn to HIm
-If you want everything He can give you, give Him everything you are
-The Savior must be at the very center of my life
-Take advantage of every opportunity to being the temple
-Learn another language
-It is a great privilege that the Lord lets us assist Him in HIs work - the desire to bless the lives of others in ways with eternal significance is innate - we are so blessed as members of the church to have the opportunity to serve - through this service we are permitted to give His children we learn, we grow, and become more as He is
-Pray that the new stake president will be blessed and that the windows of heaven will be opened for them - the Lord has blessings for you individually and for the stake if you will do so
-If you haven't received a patriarchal blessing yet, do so
-The ultimate gift of service is in receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood
-Don't compare yourself to others in a way that makes you feel discouraged and want to give up - If you do look at others do so only to see them as an example and mentor of what you could become - learn all you can, take advantage of help and the examples of those around you
-It doesn't matter how many talents we have, we just need to be diligent with what we have and we will all receive the same blessing
-If you will be diligent it is enough - it is not requisite that a man run faster than he has strength - if he will be diligent he will win the prize (D&C 123:17) - cheerfully do what you can and be assured the Lord will do the rest
-We must be careful as we seek to become more Christlike that we con't become discouraged - becoming Christlike is a lifelong pursuit
-What a tragedy it would be to not take advantage of the blessing it is to be alive at this time with the gospel on the earth - lay claim on the blessings the Lord has provided for us
-There is no stronger witness of Christ than the Book of Mormon
In addition to all these great lessons Elder Christofferson also left us with tons of apostolic blessings. I feel that such blessings are a little personal, but if you would like to know more about them leave a message and I will send you an eamil about them.
Anyway, it was a fantastic conference and I felt blessed to be able to be there.
-No other doctrine will change behavior more than an understanding of the doctrine of the atonement
President Beesley (exiting Stake president)
-As you go on the Lord's errand He will send the Holy Ghost, and He will tell you what you need to say
-Take notice of how you feel - if you feel the promptings you should go
-You can desire the atonement, and that is sufficient (none of us actually deserve it)
-The great joy in your life will be from brining someone to the feet of the Savior and He will heal them
President Wilden (exiting 1st counselor)
-Mosiah 18:9 defines home and visiting teaching - reach out to bless the members of the church
President Stancliff (exiting 2nd counselor)
-There are only a few callings in the church that are life-long callings - we are called and we serve - we are never elft alone to know what to do - if we pray and ask how we can best represent Heavenly Father and magnify our callings we will be prompted to know how
President Rhodes ( new stake president - was our patriarch)
-If you don't step out of your comfort zone you will never learn, if you never learn you won't grow, if you don't grow you will not have joy
-We are all living well below the blessings Heavenly Father has for us
-Heavenly Father is far more concerned with who we are becoming that with what we are doing - He's not concerned with the little boxes we check
President Sagers (Ft. Worth Texas Mission President)
-It is not so much who the apostle is, but the office he holds
Elder RIght
-Ponder anew what the Almighty can do, who with His great love doth befriend us - try to be more charitable and kind, don't estimate the power of love
-Ponder what gifts Heavenly Father has in store for me that I am not claiming
-We can't be healed without the atonement
-We individually choose to apply the healing powers of the atonement - no one can choose it for you
-Physical death and suffering pales in comparison to spiritual death and suffering
-The atonement can heal all suffering - it is not just specific to one kind
-The atonement will not run out - it is eternal
-In order for this meeting (as well as regular church meetings, temple attendance, etc.) to have an impact we must change, we must leave a little different than we came - apply the words of Elder Chrsitofferson
Elder Christofferson
-The Lord's acceptance of my offering is the highest honor that could come to anyone
-Don't snack on the gospel
-Keeping the commandments is the key to success in every meaningful sense
-It's not the thing that happens that makes the difference but how we face it - whether we turn to God or away from Him
-There is no suffering we can face that the Savior cannot convert into a blessing for our benefit if we will turn to HIm
-If you want everything He can give you, give Him everything you are
-The Savior must be at the very center of my life
-Take advantage of every opportunity to being the temple
-Learn another language
-It is a great privilege that the Lord lets us assist Him in HIs work - the desire to bless the lives of others in ways with eternal significance is innate - we are so blessed as members of the church to have the opportunity to serve - through this service we are permitted to give His children we learn, we grow, and become more as He is
-Pray that the new stake president will be blessed and that the windows of heaven will be opened for them - the Lord has blessings for you individually and for the stake if you will do so
-If you haven't received a patriarchal blessing yet, do so
-The ultimate gift of service is in receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood
-Don't compare yourself to others in a way that makes you feel discouraged and want to give up - If you do look at others do so only to see them as an example and mentor of what you could become - learn all you can, take advantage of help and the examples of those around you
-It doesn't matter how many talents we have, we just need to be diligent with what we have and we will all receive the same blessing
-If you will be diligent it is enough - it is not requisite that a man run faster than he has strength - if he will be diligent he will win the prize (D&C 123:17) - cheerfully do what you can and be assured the Lord will do the rest
-We must be careful as we seek to become more Christlike that we con't become discouraged - becoming Christlike is a lifelong pursuit
-What a tragedy it would be to not take advantage of the blessing it is to be alive at this time with the gospel on the earth - lay claim on the blessings the Lord has provided for us
-There is no stronger witness of Christ than the Book of Mormon
In addition to all these great lessons Elder Christofferson also left us with tons of apostolic blessings. I feel that such blessings are a little personal, but if you would like to know more about them leave a message and I will send you an eamil about them.
Anyway, it was a fantastic conference and I felt blessed to be able to be there.
