Sunday morning, we headed to Matt's parents' to watch conference with them (and to do our laundry). Due to our oh-so-timely nature, we listened to the first part of conference in the car on our way to Payson :)
Love was definitely a continuing theme this conference. Along with reiterating what had already been said on the topic, Elder Eyring also taught how spouses should love each other and how children should love their parents. Very helpful advice he gave (which also echoes the advice my dad gave me once) is to make the wellfare and happiness of the other central to our lives. It's hard to be selfish or to get angry when you're trying to make the other person happy. You also don't have to worry about looking out for your needs because your spouse is doing the same thing for you :) Elder Eyring advised us to pray for the love to see the good in our companions and make their weaknesses seem small.
Elder Perry talked a little about our pioneer heritage, and how the same principles of the past apply today. We should contribute to the edification of others by sharing. We have an obligation to share the gospel. He also posed the question, "How prepared am I to give witness of the Restoration, Plan of Salvation, and the gospel of Jesus Christ?" A very important thing to ask ourselves if we are to bear witness of these things :) I also liked that the Plan of Happiness is a plan for us to live, again, going back to the idea that we each have our own parts to play.
Bishop Burton talked about virtues, especially the '-ity' virtues (ie. humility, charity, integrity, etc.). He talked about how integrity is like the mother of many virtues because someone with integrity has a firm adherence to moral values. He cautioned that virtues must not be forgotten or set aside, or else we are weakened. When we adhear to virtues, we break Satan's holds.
Sister Dibb told a scary story about some people working on a bridge. Since it's short, I'm copying it here:
“Four people were killed and seven workers were rescued after clinging for more than an hour to the underside of a 125-foot-high [38-m] bridge in St. Catharines, Ontario, [Canada,] after the scaffolding they were working on collapsed” (“News Capsules,” Deseret News, June 9, 1993, A2).
She talked about how later she found out that they had safety equipment, but chose not to use it. She then likened this to our times now - we all deal with some pretty scary stuff, whether it be financially or otherwise. However, we all have safety equipment that it is up to us to choose, like prayer, scriptures, and prophets.
Elder Nelson talked about personal revelation, which is available to everyone. Aside from a firm faith, deep desire, and a sincere heart, he taught that we must really intend to follow the direction given, which can be a hard thing, I think. He also taught that personal revelation will never contradict God's doctrine.
President Monson talked about service. I liked the father who always asked his kids at dinner, "What did you do for someone today?" He talked about how we often get lost in the day-to-day living or we lose ourselves in the "thick of thin things." We are surrounded by those who need us. The Savior promised us that those who lose their lives will find it, and those who seek after their lives will find it. In my philosophy class many moons ago, we called this the paradox of happiness. When you stop worrying about yourself and start worrying about others, you become a lot happier. Pres. Monson taught that it is a mandate to serve and lift up others. It was way cute how he recounted that for his birthday last year, he had said he wanted everyone to help someone and serve someone. This year, he received tons of letters and such of people fulfilling his birthday wish. My absolute favorite was the jar of warm fuzzies sent by one primary.
