Here’s the talk this week. I’ll update the post later with a video and a little more embellishment:
by Neil L. Andersen
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
In the meantime, please have a wonderful Christmas. May the whole week point you to Christ and the joy that comes with both His coming and our coming to Him.
(Announcement: 12 days of Christmas challenge starts today! Random acts of kindness daily until Christmas. Click here or on the button on the sidebar for more information.)
“Temple Mirrors of Eternity: A Testimony of Family”
Elder Gerrit W. Gong
Of the Seventy
“An eternal perspective of gospel conversion and temple covenants can help us see rich blessings in each generation of our forever families.”
I haven’t read this one yet, so I’ll save my thoughts for the comment thread, but I did go to the temple last week and have to confirm that the temple actually does solidify our love for our family: current, past and future family.
What are your favorite principles or quotes from this talk? Is there anything you learned here that you had not considered before? What stood out to you as you studied it? And, most importantly, what did it make you feel or want to do?
Please share your thoughts in the comments below. (If this is your first time to General Conference Book Club, click here to learn more about it.)
by Richard C. Edgely
First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
One of the main messages that seemed to be a recurring theme throughout the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference was: Satan is active, and we must be active in defending ourselves and our families. Bishop Edgely’s comments confirmed this message and highlighted the power we have as we make the choice to be faithful.
I really liked how he stated that we do not have to understand all things to have a solid faith about matters of salvation. I try to not get hung up on the unanswered questions and do what he said: “bridge the gap with my faith and move on.” No matter where we are in our testimonies, we can make choices to act in accordance to the faith we have already acquired and prepare our testimonies to grow.
“Yes, faith is a choice, and it must be sought after and developed. Thus, we are responsible for our own faith. We are also responsible for our lack of faith. The choice is yours.”
How about you? What are your favorite principles or quotes from this talk? Is there anything you learned here that you had not considered before? What stood out to you as you studied it? And, most importantly, what did it make you feel or want to do?
Please share your thoughts in the comments below. (If this is your first time to General Conference Book Club, click here to learn more about it.)
“Let There Be Light!”
Elder Quentin L. Cook
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Elder Cook’s talk is a call to action. He wants us to be more proactive against the forces of evil.
“If we do not black out evil from our homes and lives, do not be surprised if devastating moral explosions shatter the peace which is the reward for righteous living. Our responsibility is to be in the world but not of the world.”
For me, personally, I took away three action items:
How about you? What are your favorite principles or quotes from Elder Cook’s talk? Is there anything you learned here that you had not considered before? What stood out to you as you studied it? And, most importantly, what did it make you feel or want to do?
Please share your thoughts in the comments below. Participation kind of dropped off a little last week. I know it was a crazy holiday and all, so jump back on board and be an active participant. I’ll be sad if you start falling off the GCBC wagon. I love your contributions. (If this is your first time to General Conference Book Club, click here to learn more about it.)
p.s. Thanks for your patience with the delay and your sweet comments about Clark. He is doing fine, and I’ll post more about him tomorrow.
“Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life”
Elder Robert D. Hales
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
As I listened to this talk, I thought about how much power we have been given by a trusting Heavenly Father. Our ability to choose and put into effect the consequences of those choices is truly a great power with long-term, even eternal influence. As I thought more about that power that we have, I felt a greater sense of responsibility, and a greater desire to be more deliberate in my choices. Even the “small” ones.
“Throughout His life our Savior showed us how to use our agency. As a boy in Jerusalem, He deliberately chose to ‘be about [His] Father’s business.’ . . . And by His perfect life, He taught us that when we choose to do the will of our Heavenly Father, our agency is preserved, our opportunities increase, and we progress.”
How about you? What are your favorite principles or quotes from Elder Hales’s talk? Is there anything you learned here that you had not considered before? What stood out to you as you studied it? And, most importantly, what did it make you feel or want to do?
Please share your thoughts in the comments below. (If this is your first time to General Conference Book Club, click here to learn more about it.)
Diapers and Divinity 