We are so grateful for the opportunity we will have to hear from prophets, apostles, and Church leaders again this weekend.
We have the glorious opportunity to listen to another general conference of the Church this weekend. Have we prepared ourselves to receive the word of the Lord? Are we in tune so that we can have our own questions answered? A quick review of some of President Monson’s words will help us prepare.
The Lord Himself gave us the pattern for receiving His words through His ordained servants—and especially listening to a prophet’s voice:
“Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; for his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith” (D&C 21:4-5).
And this commandment, given on the day the Church was organized, comes with an amazing promise—one that we truly need today:
“For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory” (D&C 21:6).
We took a few minutes and gathered 12 admonitions that President Monson has given us in the last five years. There are many more. Are we following them?
1. Be of good cheer.
October 2012
“Let us be of good cheer as we go about our lives. Although we live in increasingly perilous times, the Lord loves us and is mindful of us. He is always on our side as we do what is right. He will help us in time of need. Difficulties come into our lives, problems we do not anticipate and which we would never choose. None of us is immune. The purpose of mortality is to learn and to grow to be more like our Father, and it is often during the difficult times that we learn the most, as painful as the lessons may be. Our lives can also be filled with joy as we follow the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
2. Attend the Temple
April 2015
“My brothers and sisters, in our lives we will have temptations; we will have trials and challenges. As we go to the temple, as we remember the covenants we make there, we will be better able to overcome those temptations and to bear our trials. In the temple we can find peace.”
3. See Men as they May Become
October 2012
“Sometimes letting our brethren know they are needed and valued can help them take that step into commitment and full activity. This can be true of priesthood holders regardless of age. It is our responsibility to give them opportunities to live as they should. We can help them to overcome their shortcomings. We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are at present but as they may become when they receive testimonies of the gospel of Christ.”