I absolutely loved General Conference and I didn't fall asleep during any of the sessions! A miracle for me. Many of us were awaiting the announcement of the three new apostles. I felt such peace when their names were announced.
I've been feasting on the conference talks little by little. In the wee hours of my morning, I turn on my Roku and watch 8 or 10 minutes of a talk, and I don't want them to end. Or I've listened on my cell phone at the gym.
Here is a collection of my favorite quotes from the October 2015 General Conference. Sorry if my quotes are long, but they are worth reading and will bring back memories of conference for you. They've been taken from LDS.org so they will be accurate. But first you might want to see this chart. I love to look at the ages of the LDS General Authorities, and I've added the newest apostles.
The order in seniority, and ages of the LDS apostles and prophets.
Thomas S. Monson, 88 (8/21/27)
Russell M. Nelson, 91 (9/9/24)
Dallin H. Oaks, 83 (8/12/32)
M. Russell Ballard, 86 (10/8/28)
Robert D. Hales, 83 (8/24/32)
Jeffrey R. Holland, 74 (12/3/40)
Henry B. Eyring, 82 (5/31/33)
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 74 (11/6/40)
David A. Bednar, 63 (6/15/52)
Quentin L. Cook, 75 (9/8/40)
D. Todd Christofferson, 70 (1/24/45)
Neil L. Andersen, 64 (8/9/51)
Ronald A. Rasband 64 (2/6/51)
Gary E. Stevenson 60 (8/5/55)
Dale G. Renlund 62 (11/13/52)
SATURDAY MORNING SESSION
~ President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"When it comes to spiritual truth, how can we know that we are on the right path? One way is by asking the right questions—the kind that help us ponder our progress and evaluate how things are working for us. Questions like:
"Does my life have meaning?"
"Do I believe in God?"
"Do I believe that God knows and loves me?"
"Do I believe that God hears and answers my prayers?"
"Am I truly happy?"
"Are my efforts leading me to the highest spiritual goals and values in life?"
"Brothers and sisters, if you ever think that the gospel isn’t working so well for you, I invite you to step back, look at your life from a higher plane, and simplify your approach to discipleship. Focus on the basic doctrines, principles, and applications of the gospel. I promise that God will guide and bless you on your path to a fulfilling life, and the gospel will definitely work better for you."
~ Elder M. Russell Ballard
"God’s plan is in place. He is at the helm, and His great and powerful ship flows toward salvation and exaltation. Remember that we cannot get there by jumping out of the boat and trying to swim there by ourselves."
~ Elder Richard J. Maynes
"The world in which we live is similar to the potter’s spinning wheel, and the speed of that wheel is increasing. Like the clay on the potter’s wheel, we must be centered as well. Our core, the center of our lives, must be Jesus Christ and His gospel. Living a Christ-centered life means we learn about Jesus Christ and His gospel and then we follow His example and keep His commandments with exactness."
~ Sister Neill F. Marriott
"family motto: “It will all work out.”
"Some may think they have failed too many times and feel too weak to change sinful acts or worldly desires of the heart. However, as covenant Israel, we don’t just try and try on our own to change. If we earnestly appeal to God, He takes us as we are—and makes us more than we ever imagined."
~ Elder Larry R. Lawrence
"The Holy Ghost makes an ideal traveling companion. If we are humble and teachable, He will take us by the hand and lead us home."
"The Holy Ghost really does give customized counsel. He is a completely honest companion and will tell us things that no one else knows or has the courage to say."
~ Elder Francisco J. Vinas
"The moment we begin to remember Him and keep His commandments every day—and not just on the Sabbath day—is when the remission of our sins begins to gradually take effect and His promise of having His Spirit with us begins to be fulfilled."
~ Elder Quentin L. Cook
"I would describe being "shipshape and Bristol fashion" as being temple worthy—in good times and in bad times."
SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION
~ Elder Robert D. Hales
"We need to tighten our grip on the rod that leads us back to Him. Now is the “day of choosing”1 for all of us."
"none of us marry perfection; we marry potential. The right marriage is not only about what I want; it’s also about what she—who’s going to be my companion—wants and needs me to be."
~ Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
"no love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love a devoted mother has for her child.
"it is not only that they bear us, but they continue bearing with us. It is not only the prenatal carrying but the lifelong carrying that makes mothering such a staggering feat."
"To all mothers in every circumstance, including those who struggle—and all will—I say, “Be peaceful. Believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are. In fact, you are saviors on Mount Zion, and like the Master you follow, your love ‘never faileth.’”
~ Elder Bradley D. Foster
"we are engaged in a battle with the world. In the past, the world competed for our children’s energy and time. Today, it fights for their identity and mind. Many loud and prominent voices are trying to define who our children are and what they should believe. We cannot let society give our family a makeover in the image of the world. We must win this battle. Everything depends on it."
~ Elder Hugo Montoya
"First—go the second mile. Second—please smile. Your smile will help others. Third—express compassion. Fourth—invite others to come to church.
~ Elder Vern P. Stanfill
"Our quest for light will be enhanced by our willingness to recognize when it shines in our lives. Modern scripture defines light and gives a promise to those who accept it: 'That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.' Just as when we kept pedaling toward the light, the more we persist, the brighter His influence becomes in our lives. Like the light at the end of the tunnel, His influence will bring us confidence, determination, comfort, and—most important—the power to know that He lives."
~ Elder James B. Martino
"I know some returned missionaries who have had undeniable spiritual experiences, but the lack of certain spiritual habits seems to have caused them to forget the times when God has spoken to them. To those returned missionaries and to all of us, if you 'have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?' If you do not feel it now, you can feel it again, but consider Nephi’s counsel. Be obedient, remember the times when you have felt the Spirit in the past, and ask in faith. Your answer will come, and you will feel the love and peace of the Savior. It may not come as quickly or in the format you desire, but the answer will come. Do not give up! Never give up!"
~ Elder Dallin H. Oaks
"Our Savior experienced and suffered the fulness of all mortal challenges 'according to the flesh' so He could know 'according to the flesh' how to 'succor [which means to give relief or aid to] his people according to their infirmities.' He therefore knows our struggles, our heartaches, our temptations, and our suffering, for He willingly experienced them all as an essential part of His Atonement. And because of this, His Atonement empowers Him to succor us—to give us the strength to bear it all."
SUNDAY MORNING SESSION
~ President Thomas S. Monson
"Life is perfect for none of us, and at times the challenges and difficulties we face may become overwhelming, causing our light to dim. However, with help from our Heavenly Father, coupled with support from others, we can regain that light which will illuminate our own path once again and provide the light others may need. To illustrate, I share with you the touching words of a favorite poem I first read many years ago:
I met a stranger in the night
Whose lamp had ceased to shine.
I paused and let him light
His lamp from mine.
A tempest sprang up later on
And shook the world about.
And when the wind was gone
My lamp was out!
But back to me the stranger came—
His lamp was glowing fine!
He held the precious flame
And lighted mine!"
~ Elder Ronald A. Rasband
"I’m confident that there is no choice, sin, or mistake that you or anyone else can make that will change His love for you or for them. That does not mean He excuses or condones sinful conduct—I’m sure He does not—but it does mean we are to reach out to our fellowman in love to invite, persuade, serve, and rescue. Jesus Christ looked past people’s ethnicity, rank, and circumstances in order to teach them this profound truth."
~ Elder Gary E. Stevenson
"focus not on what I can’t do but rather on what I can do."
~ Elder Dale G. Renlund
"to effectively serve others we must see them through a parent’s eyes, through Heavenly Father’s eyes. Only then can we begin to comprehend the true worth of a soul. Only then can we sense the love that Heavenly Father has for all of His children. Only then can we sense the Savior’s caring concern for them. We cannot completely fulfill our covenant obligation to mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort unless we see them through God’s eyes."
~ President Russell M. Nelson
"We, your brethren, need your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom, and your voices. The kingdom of God is not and cannot be complete without women who make sacred covenants and then keep them, women who can speak with the power and authority of God!"
"So today I plead with my sisters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to step forward! Take your rightful and needful place in your home, in your community, and in the kingdom of God—more than you ever have before."
~ Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer
"one man or woman who is willing to testify when the world seems to be going in the opposite direction can make a difference."
"True disciples of Christ are not looking to make excuses for the doctrine when it doesn’t fit the world’s current concepts.... True disciples represent the Lord when it may not be convenient to do so. True disciples desire to inspire the hearts of men, not just impress them."
~ Elder Cladio R. M. Costa
"meditating on the sacrament prayers and the very special and meaningful words of the prayers reminds me how wonderful it is to receive the promise, during the blessing of the sacrament, that as we always remember Him, we will always have His Spirit with us."
~ President Henry B. Eyring
"For those who are struggling with the high standard needed to qualify for the gift of the Spirit’s companionship, I offer this encouragement. You have had times when you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost. It may have happened for you today. You can treat those moments of inspiration like the seed of faith that Alma described (see Alma 32:28). Plant each one. You can do that by acting on the prompting you felt. The most valuable inspiration will be for you to know what God would have you do. If it is to pay tithing or to visit a grieving friend, you should do it. Whatever it is, do it."
SUNDAY AFTERNOON SESSION
~ Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Regarding the Church: "Its destiny is to establish Zion in preparation for the return and millennial rule of Jesus Christ. Before that day, it will not be a kingdom in any political sense—as the Savior said, 'My kingdom is not of this world.' Rather, it is the repository of His authority in the earth, the administrator of His holy covenants, the custodian of His temples, the protector and proclaimer of His truth, the gathering place for scattered Israel, and 'a defense, and … a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth.'"
~ Elder Devin G. Durrant
"Small efforts sustained over time can produce significant results."
"The first invitation is simple: I invite you to save money each week."
"My second invitation is quite different from and much more important than the first. It is this: I invite you to 'ponderize' one verse of scripture each week. The word ponderize is not found in the dictionary, but it has found a place in my heart. So what does it mean to ponderize? I like to say it’s a combination of 80 percent extended pondering and 20 percent memorization."
~ Elder Von G. Keetch
"As we trust in the Lord, exercise our faith, obey His commandments, and follow the course He has charted for us, we become more the person the Lord wants us to become. It is this 'becoming'—this conversion of the heart—that is all-important."
~ Sister Carole M. Stephens
"His commandments are a manifestation of His love for us and obedience to His commandments is an expression of our love for Him."
~ Elder Allan D. Haynie
"Repentance is real and it works. It is not a fictional experience or the product 'of a frenzied mind.' It has the power to lift burdens and replace them with hope."
~ Elder Kim B. Clark
"We do not have to be perfect, but we need to be good and getting better."
~ Elder Koichi Aoyagi
After a difficult trial, "I went and talked with a trusted Church leader. As we were talking, with love in his voice, he said, 'Brother Aoyagi, isn’t your purpose for being on this earth to experience this trial? Isn’t it to accept all the trials of this life for what they are and then leave the rest up to the Lord? Don’t you think that this problem will be resolved when we are resurrected?'
When I heard these words, I felt the Spirit of the Lord very strongly. I had heard this doctrine countless times, but the eyes of my understanding had never been opened to the extent they were at this time. I understood this was the answer that I had been seeking from the Lord in my prayers. I was able to clearly comprehend our Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation and understand anew this important principle."
~ Elder David A. Bednar
"Quoting Elder Hales, “When you cannot do what you have always done, then you only do what matters most."
