General Conference April 2011

First off I need to say something to my children.

Lydia, I am amazed at you every day. I don't know many little kids that can just sit there either, playing, coloring, drawing or actually listening to the prophets voice for eight hours over a two day period. You sat there listening to the words of prophets for the last two hours of conference. You are such an example of a sweet, kind hearted, obedient child who has the spirit of Christ in them. We pray as your parents, that Jake and I can nurture you and help you grow into that beautiful young woman that we and our Heavenly Father know you are destined to be. We are always told to be as a child; to see the world through child's eyes because of their sweet innocence. We are so blessed to have that sweet innocence in our home as we look at life through your eyes!

Nate, how lucky we are to have a baby that slept 7 of the 8 hours of conference so that Daddy and I could listen to the messages that were conveyed over this conference weekend! We are so grateful for the innocence that an infant brings into family life.

I've decided that since this is our family journal that I would start documenting more spiritual things since we are trying our hardest to be a spiritual family living in a Christ centered home. I have never felt the spirit more strong as I did this conference weekend. I feel so blessed that I was filled with Christ's spirit and felt that burning desire to be a good human being.  Here are the things I want to remember and work on every day until next conference when I'll gain a new list of ways to improve our life here on earth! The following are my favorite things that touched me and/or make me want to work harder at being a better person, wife and mother.

Dallin H. Oaks

Desires

Eternal beings must:

*Forgive all who have wronged them

*Put the welfare of others ahead of themselves

*Love all of God's children

Ask for God's help to accomplish these goals.

“We need righteous desires that will lead to Eternal Life”

“When we have a vision of what we can become, our desire and our power to act increase enormously”

Random quotes/thoughts

Everyone has worth. We are all children of God.

Don't be afraid of death. We die so that we may continue to live.

Be a person of honesty and integrity.

Always pray using an eternal perspective

Hold FHE. Children may not remember the lesson but they will remember that FHE was held.

President Thomas S. Monson

Temples

“Each of our temples is an expression of our testimony. Life beyond the grave is as certain as is our life here on earth.” -President Monson

“Temples are more than stone and morter. They are filled with faith and fasting. They are built of trials and testimonies. They are sanctified by sacrifice and service.” -President Monson

Teach children the importance of temples. It would be a fine thing to have a picture of the temple in every room.

Make whatever sacrifices are necessary to attend the temple, to have the spirit of the temple in our hearts and in our homes. Follow in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior that we may have eternal life.

Service

Charity begins at home. Also do everything you can to serve in the church, serve your community and also doing missionary service.

“There is little purpose to our own lives if we don't lose ourselves in serving others.”

-President Monson

I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who gives us all the guidance we need to return successfully to Him.  This conference was the most spirit felt one I have ever listened to and I'm so grateful to our latter day prophets and their words.  I pray that our family can work on each of these aspects so that we may continue to strive to be an eternal family!