Okay, people, only one more week until General Conference. (yay!!) This week we will study our final talk and then we start all over again. Please join us.
General Conference Book Club Week 23:
I saved President Monson’s talk for last. We kind of skipped over it a while back when I was in the middle of my move, and it certainly deserves time to be considered. He spoke at the Sunday morning session, sharing his testimony of the living Savior in “He is Risen!”
“To understand the meaning of death, we must appreciate the purpose of life. The dim light of belief must yield to the noonday sun of revelation, by which we know that we lived before our birth into mortality. In our premortal state, we were doubtless among the sons and daughters of God who shouted for joy because of the opportunity to come to this challenging yet necessary mortal existence. We knew that our purpose was to gain a physical body, to overcome trials, and to prove that we would keep the commandments of God. Our Father knew that because of the nature of mortality, we would be tempted, would sin, and would fall short. So that we might have every chance of success, He provided a Savior, who would suffer and die for us. Not only would He atone for our sins, but as a part of that Atonement, He would also overcome the physical death to which we would be subject because of the Fall of Adam.”
In the comments, please share your thoughts about this talk, your feelings about President Monson, or what you’re most looking forward to in Conference next week.
Go here to find the media versions of the talk (audio, video, mp3, etc.). If this is your first visit to the General Conference Book Club, click here to learn more about it. Next week will begin a whole new round of GCBC; please consider joining us again. Invite friends, neighbors, your readers etc. to join us in pondering and discussing the words of God as spoken through our living prophets.
Diapers and Divinity 
I love President Monson! I love listening to him tell stories, I love the expression and love that you feel when he speaks. Listening to him talk makes we want to do better, to feel of his spirit and share in his joys of the gospel. I especially love hearing him speak of the Savior. When listening to this talk I could feel the love that President Monson has for the Savior, and the relationship he shares, with him. A beautiful talk and testimony from our prophet.
I loved the way Pres. Monson laid out this talk. How all the events from before the creation to the Savior’s death were all ordered to bring about this wonderful gift.
I was also reminded of the day my older brother buried his 9 week-old infant. Our family was gathered at the grave site and he reminded us that these were the experiences where we learn whether or not we really believe in the plan of salvation. Like the scripture in Job Pres. Monson quoted–If a man dies, will he live again? I knew then and I know now how grateful I am to have not only been taught these principles but to have gained a testimony that they are true. Life would be unbearable without it.
I too thoroughly enjoyed listening to President Monson give this address. To me, one of the most touching scriptures is one where he quoted the angels at Christ’s tomb–“Why seek ye the living among the dead”. I gave birth to a stillborn child some years ago and struggled with the loss for quite some time. His story reminded me of a friend who was and is a true friend that reminded me what a gift and how privileged I am to be chosen as the earthly parent of such a remarkable spirit. Because of temple covenants and blessings, he belongs to me still. Many touching memories came to me during this address. Thanks for the invitation to study it again!
I’m late in the game here, but I love Pres. Monson’s testimony of the Savior. I had a slow transition from President Hinckley to President Monson, I guess just because I didn’t feel the same personal connection. Then I saw him speak at Women’s Conference, and something about being there in person made me feel of his great Spirit and I just KNEW he is a prophet of God. I loved his counsel at last week’s RS broadcast and can’t wait to hear him teach us again this weekend at General Conference. Sometimes I fail to value the magnitude of the blessing that it is to have a living prophet, but it’s huge.