Category Archives: General Conference Book Club

General Conference Book Club Week 23: Elder Pino

Posted in General Conference Book Club by

02_07_pinoElder Rafael E. Pino gave a talk at the Saturday afternoon session of conference entitled “Faith in Adversity.”  Don’t you think it’s interesting that so many talks at the last conference focused on adversity?  I wonder if there is an increase in adversity?  Or a decrease in our resolve to resist it?  Or a general misunderstanding of the purpose of adversity?  Or a lot more on the way?  Or all of the above?

Whatever the case, I’m sure it’s no accident that the Lord chose to speak to His people quite extensively about adversity.  As I skimmed this talk, this is the phrase (where he quotes President Hunter) that stood out to me as a testimony of my need for patience and an eternal perspective:

“If our lives and our faith are centered on Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong.”

Only one talk left.  And then we get the blessing of starting again.

(Click here for a description of the General Conference Book Club.)

General Conference Book Club Week 22: Elder Pearson

Posted in General Conference Book Club by

02_06_pearsWell, blog book club friends, we only have two more weeks left.  Then the following week will be the General Relief Society Broadcast followed by General Conference Weekend again. I’m quite proud (or “pleased,” as my mother would say) that we’ve been able to study almost all of the talks from the last conference.  It’s not often that I set a goal and stick with it for this long.  Cyber high fives.

This particular talk, “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ” by Elder Kevin W. Pearson of the Quorum of the Seventy, was given during the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference.  I skimmed over it today, and this phrase caught my eye:

“Challenging times require greater spiritual power.”

That concept has been on my mind lately:  the whole idea that what used to be good enough is no longer enough– we have to try harder to be better.  I’m looking forward to reading more about it.

(Are you wondering what General Conference Book Club is?  Click here to figure it out.  Then join us!)

General Conference Book Club Week 21: Elder Stevenson

Posted in General Conference Book Club by

05_03_steveI have to admit that I’ve been avoiding this talk on purpose.  This was the talk that pushed my guilt buttons at General Conference and I have not felt “ready” to study it quite yet.  (I even posted about it back in May, with a few insights that helped me to understand better my role in an organized temple-home.) But, it’s time.  I need to embrace it, make goals, and reap the blessings.  I’m rambling and I haven’t even told you what the talk is.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Seventy, gave a talk called “Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples” in the Sunday Afternoon session of the most recent General Conference.

I knew it was time to study this more carefully when I, myself, taught a family home evening lesson this week about this topic.  I need the kids’ help to make our home more like what it should be.

DSCF0080

Then today, at church, all the talks were about making a Heavenly Home, and I was reminded — by the speakers and the whisperings of the Holy Ghost — how important this is.  One speaker quoted often from this talk by Elder Douglas L. Callister, called “Your Refined Heavenly Home.”  I think it makes an excellent companion study to Elder Stevenson’s GCBC talk for this week.  (There is also an abridged version of Elder Callister’s talk recently printed in the Ensign here.)

I, personally, am going to try really hard this week to focus on this topic… plant the seed, so to speak.  I’ll come back and comment at the end of the week how my experiment goes.  Can’t wait to hear what you have to say, too.

(Are you wondering what General Conference Book Club is?  Click here to figure it out.  Then join us!)

General Conference Book Club Week 20: Elder Scott

Posted in General Conference Book Club by

We only have four talks left from the last General Conference; can you believe it?  This week, we’re going to study the talk by Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Temple Worship:  The Source of Strength and Power in Times of Need.” 02_08_scott

“When we keep the temple covenants we have made and when we live righteously . . . , we have no reason to worry or to feel despondent.”

I’ve only glanced at it so far, but I’m curious about the list of things we can learn as we worship at the temple.  I look forward, as always, to your insights, too.

If you’re new to GCBC, click here to find out what it’s all about.  Jump in now; we’d love to hear from you.

General Conference Book Club Week 19: Elder Watson

Posted in General Conference Book Club by

Elder F. Michael Watson was the Secretary to the First Presidency for many, many years.  I love how he shares his experiences and favorite teachings from them in his talk, “His Servants, the Prophets.”

This is our talk selection for Week 19 of GCBC; I look forward to “discussing” it with you.  Maybe it would be fun to share some of your favorite teachings from beloved prophets from your lifetime.

(First time to GCBC?  Click here to get the scoop.)

Here is a classic video of President Ezra Taft Benson teaching a devotional in 1980 about the 14 fundamentals of following the prophet.