General Conference October 2012

Of course the big news from this conference was lowering the missionary age-- to 18 years old for male High School graduates and 19 years old for women.  I heard rumors beforehand that President Monson was going to announce something, so of course speculation went flying.  But these sorts of things happen all the time, so I wasn't expecting anything huge.  All the same, this is pretty huge.

I remember that it was during the October conference 2002--exactly 10 years ago--that they raised the bar for missionaries.  Because of this, it made me think about how you can really think of this as a bar being raised for the young adult members of the church.  Of course, you can still go at the old ages--the upper age limit did not change.  But having that earlier time available, I think a lot of members are going to see that as a more convenient time, especially women, and will prepare for their missions that much earlier.

As far as the rest of conference goes, I only take enough notes to remind me what they talked about--specifically the things that stuck out to me.

President Monson also announced temples to be built in Tucson and Peru.  Elder Cook taught parents that bringing children to church is not enough--they need to see spiritual maturity at home.  Everyone seemed to like Ann M. Dibb's "I'm a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it." talk.  Elder Nelson had great advice for if you have problems or questions: "Ask the missionaries.  They can help you."  President Uchtdorf taught that we should live without regret, that we should cherish those we love by spending time together.  Find joy in the journey, not the destination.  We can't just have good intentions, we need to actually improve ourselves.

Elder Perry warned that Satan is trying to destroy the sanctity of marriage.  This and missionary work seemed to be a theme this conference.  Elder Ballard compared us with honey bees, saying that great things come from many hands.  We should ask Heavenly Father for an opportunity to serve.  Larry Echo Hawk, a Native American, spoke about how the Book of Mormon is written for his people by his ancestors.  Robert C. Gay told a story about how he went into a theater after he turned 12 or 13 and was no longer a child, but only paid for a child's ticket so that he could still get the two extra candy bars with the two nickels he would save.  When he bragged to his father afterwards, his father simply said, "Would you sell your soul for a nickel?"  Scott D. Whitting described the exacting standards temples have when they are being built, and compared that with the standards we should have in our own lives, since our bodies are also temples.  Elder Anderson spoke about the Law of Chastity and Trials of Faith.  Remember that the Lord's way is higher than our ways.  Elder Oaks spoke about protecting the well-being of the children, and specifically about the evils of abortion, abuse, and exploitation.

In Priesthood session, Elder Christofferson spoke about how men are complacent in today's society.  We need to be men and prepare to be a good father, citizen and priesthood leader.  Bishop Gary E. Stevenson taught that we need to demonstrate righteous courage.  Anthony D. Perkins told us to "beware of falling rocks."  I'm not sure if he meant it this way, but I took it to mean even the "rocks" of the church can become weak in their testimonies.  To prevent falling away, he taught that we should pray ("A man stands the tallest when he is on his knees.") study scriptures, worthily participate in ordinances, show genuine love, pay tithing, and fully live the law of chastity.  President Uchtdorf said that even though priesthood service is different based on the different circumstances of our ward or whatever else, but we are all called to serve.  President Eyring talked about how when his children were young, he spent time trying to understand them to help them see their future abilities in life.  President Monson talked about how men need to serve--we need to be needed.  Men can change.  We need to see people not as they are, but as they could become.

President Eyring spoke on the pavilion that covers the Lord's hiding place, referencing Doctrine and Covenants 121.  In reality, it is we who put up barrios to knowing God's will.  We need to remember that we need to live by His timetable, not ours.  Elder Packer spoke on the Atonement.  Linda K. Burton talked about service saying "First observe, then serve" and also talked about how we need to serve how is needed, not how you want to serve."  Elder Holland told the story of Jesus asking Peter to Feed His Sheep, but in Elder Holland's words.  President Monson mentioned that we should look for the blessings that we have received, and that we should never postpone a prompting.

Sunday afternoon session was filled with talks.  Elder Hales also talked about Jesus and the Fishermen.  He taught that to be a Christian, we must forsake our "nets" and forsake our sins.  Elder Scott spoke on Family History and Temple work.  Russel T. Osguthorpe said we need to learn how to teach for conversion.  Know, do, become, which is also what President Uchtdorf mentioned Saturday morning.  Marcus B. Nash spoke on faith.  Unbelief, fear, and sin cause us to lose the spirit and undermines faith in the Savior.  He taught that Faith and Reason are like two wings of an airplane.  Daniel L. Johnson asked us to covenant to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  Discipleship is developed not by the type of trials, but how we endure them.  Don R. Clarke spoke on the blessings of the sacrament:  Feeling of gratitude, renew baptismal covenant, forgiven of sins, receive inspiration for solutions to our problems, and help us be filled with the Holy Ghost.  Elder Bednar spoke on testimony and conversion.  Testimony is not enough, and that conversion is the offering we give for the gift of testimony.  President Monson in his conclusion talk mentioned that we should study conference when it is available.  Believe me, I will!