2 Apr 2022, Saturday

 2 Apr 2022, Saturday

Prioritized Daily Task

Kate Johnson's 17 Birthday

General Conference 

I slept in, still have this cold in my chest and sinuses.  I called Debbie and we had prayer together.  Afterward, I had my personal prayer and sent Kate a happy birthday text. 

 I listened to the Saturday morning session of the 192nd session of the Annual General Conference.  President Dallin H. Oaks conducted, President Russell M. Nelson spoke first and then President M. Russell Ballard spoke.  The theme was serving and missionary work.  President Henry B. Eyring was the concluding speaker.  I quote him, "Lord please tell me what you want and I will do it."  This I want to do and hope I will always have the faith and courage to do so.  After the first 2 hour session, I watched the Church's World Report.  There was a short clip on a bee project in Jordan.  I emailed and told President David Grant, Alexandra Zardic, and the Jelicics about it.

The afternoon session was conducted by President Henry B. Eyring.  After the sustaining and the annual audit report, President Russell M. Nelson Spoke then President M. Russell Nelson, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve, spoke.  Both talks focused on missions as well as *Elder Marcos A. Aiducaitis of the Seventy's Quorum, and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve.   Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles told us that everyone who comes to this earth is born with the light of Christ even before they are baptized and receive the Holy Ghost.  I enjoy stories and one I remember was Elder Aiducaitis experiences as a young man deciding to go on a mission.  He was in school in Brazil and the school would only give him a one-year deferment, he was interested in a young lady as were 3 of his friends.  He also mention other things but he was persistent and the school finally gave him his two-year deferment.  When he came home the girl he liked had married one of his friends.  “The Lord’s invitation to “Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come” (Doctrine and Covenants 31:3) can serve as inspiration to all Latter-day Saints, not just in the mission of gathering Israel on both sides of the veil but particularly in full-time missionary service.                                                                                                    Serving a full-time mission may seem difficult to us. Perhaps it requires that we give up important things for a moment. The Lord certainly knows this, and He will always be by our side.”                                                 Rich blessings afforded those who serve Him, and missions help prepare for adult life, possible marriage and parenthood, Church service, and professional and community life.  My mission completely shaped my life. I learned it is worth the effort to trust in God, to trust in His wisdom and mercy, and His promises. After all, He is our Father, and without any doubt, He wants the best for us.”                                                                          Elder Cook told about the experience his brother Joe had.  This was in the early 1950s when the US Army gave only one deferment per year for each ward of the Church.  There were not that many wards in the church then so there were very few missionaries called.  That is why Joe was surprised when his bishop called him into his office and asked Joe to talk it over with his dad.  Their father was not active and had made financial preparations for Joe to go to medical school as they had planned.  Quentin was 15 and his brother Joe was 20, the age then that young men were called to serve a mission.  Their dad said Joe could do more good by going to medical school.  This became a source of contention in the family.  In discussion with his older brother the question as to whether he should serve a mission and delay his plans to become a doctor depended on three questions; is Jesus Christ divine, is the Book of Mormon the word of God, and was Joseph Smith a prophet?  They concluded that the answer to all three of these questions was yes.  Joe went on a mission and later Quentin L. Cook went on a mission. 

 I listened to the Saturday evening session of General Conference which was primarily for the women of the Church ages 12 and older.  President Dallin H. Oaks gave the introductory Message from the First Presidency.  Sister President Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society General President conducted and spoke.   Sister Rebecca L. Craven, Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency was the second speaker.  Her physical features reminded me a lot of Lorie Boice Eaker, Bishop Greg Eaker's wife, back in Rome, GA.  She told that conversion does not come. without doing something.  Do what matters most.  Be the boss of your brain.  Find joy in doing your best in keeping the commandments of God.  In a video shown in the middle of the evening session, President Nelson said the culmination of all God's creation was woman.  Elder Dale G. Renlund was the concluding speaker.  It is so important to listen to General Conferences and study the scriptures, no matter your age, young or old.