Regional Conference Sunday

We had regional conference today and a few notes:

Pres. Costa conducted and spoke about a living prophet, that he gained his testimony as an investigator over 14 hours of reading from the JS pamphlet one paragraph at a time, pondering that paragraph and praying, then moving on to the next paragraph. Note to self: Occasionally take time to savor the scriptures/Ensign. From my patriarchal blessing: "Spend time in sincere meditation that proper interpretation will come unto thee in answer to thy prayers." I hustle through church reading assignments to get them done, frequently in record time, but what do I get from the reading when I rush? I'm just trying to get a tally mark in my to-do list.

Sister Matsumori: Having grown up here in the valley, she has members living in the "mission field" who remark how easy we have it here, close to many temples, w/i walking distance to the church building, can walk to do VTing.... However, Sister Matsumori said that not all is easy being in this valley. In fact, it's easy to get lost in the midst of Mormonism, easy to not create a personal testimony because the Gospel is everywhere prevalent here. The examples set by parents in the home will benefit our children and their direction. Note to self: Don't give up.

President Chamberlain, Jordan River Temple President: He talked about his 33-year-old mission president who was the most vibrant person he'd met. This was back in 1958. This president taught him how to be a missionary. The president interviewed him and gave him a temple recommend stating that this recommend would be his most important possession and to use it regularly. He then turned and reported to his former mission president, Pres. Monson, that he has gone monthly and even more often lately to the temple and testified of the blessings received. Note to self: Schedule regular temple visits (waiting for an open time just doesn't happen). I went yesterday morning and that was a good time--was alert and the temple session at 8 a.m. was full, even w/two new temples in the valley.

President Child, President of the Salt Lake Temple: Didn't write anything down (lights were off and I could put down scribbles in my notebook, but couldn't really see what I was writing), but I remember Pres. Child stating that my love for my children would increase w/temple attendance.

Elder Robert D. Hales: Testified that President Monson is caring and loving. He also emphasized that obedience is not limiting like the world thinks but allows for freedom.

President Monson: The prophet, in his gentle manner of stories and poems, taught of rescue and saving. He said that an inactive soul needs to have his fear taken away and to be shown the way to return. That is accomplished when eternal possibilities are explained and shown in such a way that desire is ignited and that ignition comes from a neighbor/friend. The catalyst is genuine love. Note to self: The sister missionaries want a list of my nonmember friends. I truly can't think of any nonmember "friends." I have acquaintances, but I don't know that they would classify me as a friend. They wouldn't classify me as a friend because I wave in their direction, but don't take the time to visit and socialize. I suck (hate that word so why did I use it?) as a friend.