conference

My favorite visual memory of conference weekend was looking into the faces of Jonah, Carter, Courtney and Brianna as they were sitting on the family room floor eating cinnamon rolls and watching the broadcast.

On Saturday morning when Elder Scott announced that he was going to talk about abuse, I thought that I did not want to listen to that talk. Then I chided myself and decided to pay attention. Can I just say that I thought it was remarkable. Most things he had to say are true about any kind of sin. I've pondered about what he had to say since then and I am glad that his talk is now available online. I also think he is amazing for taking on such an incredibly difficult subject in general conference.

Last Saturday night was the YW portion of General Conference. I thought the talk that Elder Eyring gave that night was beautiful and inspiring for all women in the church. He said,

"That enemy of your soul knows you and your goodness. He knows that if he can turn you away from walking in the light, he can both capture you and stop you from helping others along the journey. He knows how good you are and your power to teach and influence hundreds of Heavenly Father's children in this life—and thousands over the generations that will follow your path. If he can get you to wander away from the light on your journey, he can do harm and bring misery to many.

"The fact that you are listening now is evidence that God recognizes your great importance and that you have chosen to walk in the light He offers you. Such choices are not always easy to see clearly. You make choices every day and almost every hour that keep you walking in the light or moving away toward darkness. Some of the most important choices are about what you set your heart upon...

"It is by faith that you can lay hold upon every good thing. I pray with all my heart that your faith will be increased that you are a daughter of a loving God. I testify to you that you have been one of the valiant ones to reach the point where you now are in this journey of life. Just as you are marked as a target by the enemy of righteousness, you have been protected and watched over by your Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. They know you. They know all of the forces and individuals around you. They know what is ahead of you. And so They know which of the choices you make, which of the desires you decide to satisfy, and which of the circumstances around you will make the most difference in keeping you walking in the light. I testify that by the Spirit of Christ and by the Holy Ghost, you may walk confidently in whatever difficulties will come. Because you are so valuable, some of your trials may be severe. You need never be discouraged or afraid. The way through difficulties has always been prepared for you, and you will find it if you exercise faith.

"You must have faith to pray. You must have faith to ponder the word of God. You must have faith to do those things and go to those places which invite the Spirit of Christ and the Holy Ghost.

"I promise you that within the next few days you will feel the illumination of the Spirit of Christ and the Holy Ghost in your everyday life. When you walk in the light, you will feel at that moment some of the warmth and the happiness that will finally be yours when you are welcomed home again with the hundreds and perhaps thousands of others whom you will bring with you, who have walked in the light because you did...

"...there are both true servants and angels to help you along the lighted path. I so testify in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."