General Conference Countdown: Days 20-2

2551
Mormon General Conference

2 Days Left!

M. Russell Ballard spoke of the importance of sharing the gospel, and some of the reasons we don’t, even when we want to. He spoke powerfully about the fear that we will fail when we try to share the gospel, and left us with a powerful word of comfort.

It is impossible for us to fail when we do our best M. Russell Ballard

3 Days Left!

Elder Robert D. Hales was the opening speaker of last October’s General Conference. He primed all those listening for a bountiful conference by giving  counsel on how to make the most out of your conference experience. In conclusion, he nearly burst, “Oh, how we need conference!”

Oh how we need Conference Robert D. Hales

4 Days Left!

Through a series of stories about those who faced trials, and who also had special gifts and strengths, Carole M. Stephens of the Relief Society General Presidency demonstrated the great need that each of us in the Church have for one another, and that we should both reach out in help, and for help.

5 Days Left!

Elder Holland demonstrated the below quote from the life of Stephanie Clark Nielsen. Stephanie and her husband were in a horrific plane crash that scarred her beyond recognition. She stayed in a coma for three months. Stephanie felt at times that her and her family’s life would be better if she simply died. But instead she turned outward, found ways to raise her children, and share her story. She now blogs with more than four million followers. “We are infinitely more than our limitations.”

6 Days Left!

Elder Richard G. Scott spoke of the power of faith. Faith when applied to a life over a long time has a transformative effect on our character, our character in turn then reinforces our faith. Looking at the way these two principles reinforce one another, Elder Scott compared it to a weave.

7 Days Left!

Linda S. Reeves, of the Relief Society General Presidency spoke about the importance of covenants, particularly the sacrament. She powerfully challenged us about the strength of our testimonies.

Do we recognize the ability of the Savior to completely cleanse us? - Linda S. Reeves

8 Days Left!

You’ve probably heard missionary choirs perform at conference before, but this is a missionary choir unlike anything you’ve ever heard.

9 Days Left!

In his address at the General Relief Society Meeting, President Thomas S. Monson spoke about our trials. He told the moving story of a women named Tiffany whose life had been overcome with trials. Between her husband’s busy schedule, a long train of house guests, and a recent friend coming down with a serious illness, Tiffany felt overwhelmed. That day, a virtual stranger drove thirty minutes across town to deliver a loaf of bread she had been inspired to bake that morning. President Monson gave this advice, “There will be times when you will walk a path strewn with thorns . . . remember prayer.”

Thorns

10 Days Left!

There may be ten days left until the start of general conference, but the first ever combined general women’s meeting is in three days. So to get excited, for the next three days we’re going to walk down the memory lane of last October’s general Relief Society meeting.

11 Days Left!

Elder Terence Vinson told the story of his six year old grandson going out to the car. His car uses a tool to lock the doors remotely. So he both unlocked and relocked the door without the child knowing what happened. He returned confused, but concluded that everything worked out because his “Poppy” loves him. He concluded that we should develop this same kind of relationship with God, and then proceed to have the faith of that six year old. “God should be the center of our universe—our literal focal point.”

Universe

12 Days Left!

Elder Neal A. Anderson spoke about the universal nature of the priesthood. He compared priesthood holders to someone who simply opens the drapes and allows the beautiful sunlight to shine through. He took a moment for a powerful aside. He recognized that the relationship between the priesthood and priesthood holders could be difficult to understand and made the promise, “With time and eternal perspective, we will sing things as they really are.”

13 Days Left!

That hymn from yesterday left me so excited, I wanted to leave you with another musical number. This musical number closed conference last year. It closed the conference with peace and resonance. “Oh Savior stay this night with me.”

14 Days Left!

Don’t waste a second, just watch this and get excited that in only 14 days we may get to enjoy a musical performance so sublime once again. The yearning in the song is palpable as they sing, “O divine Redeemer! I pray Thee, grant me pardon. And remember not, remember not, O Lord, my sins!”

15 Days Left!

Elder Richard J. Maynes talked about preparing spiritually for the trials of life. He likened poor spiritual preparation to watching a basketball game to get ready to play. This spiritual stamina allows us to survive difficult times. To highlight the type of endurance we need he exhorted, “You must become the rock the river cannot wash away.”

16 Days Left!

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke about how we can endure difficulties. He lists several ways including, ” never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you more than you can comprehend,” bring the spirit into your life, take the sacrament, and in a climactic plea he tells us to “Believe in Miracles!”

(From LDSMediaTalk.com)

17 Days Left!

Elder Richard G. Scott remembered telling a youth that the most important thing she could do is learn the power of the atonement. He uses this memory as a springboard for explaining the powerful daily power that comes from the atonement. He goes into depth about the repentance process of the Anti-nephi Lehis and the decision to not retrieve their weapons. As he closes, he makes a strict distinction between weakness and rebellion, and encourages all with personal weaknesses to know the power of the Lord.

18 Days Left!

During the priesthood session, which for the first time was available live online, an Aaronic Priesthood choir sang. No one would confuse them for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. But their earnest, optimistic nature was most on display during this number. Listen to them sing, “‘Tis the time of Christ’s return . . . Let his light within you burn” as the song comes to the close, and I dare you not to feel a little excited for the future.

19 Days Left!

Young Women’s General President, Bonnie L. Oscarson, began her talk by calling many of the men and women who have given talks from the Conference Center her personal heroes. She went on to retell the riveting experience of her great-grandmother, Isabelle, whom a wealthy family offered to adopt. The financial rewards would have substantial for Isabelle’s mother, but she refused anyway, because she did not want her daughter to grow up without the gospel. President Oscarson concludes that in a world where so many decisions of such consequence must be made, making a choice with the Lord in mind is of utmost importance.

20 Days Left!

Elder Kevin S. Hamilton told the story of when his father was a deacon. The question was posed to the family, “Do you think we should go to sacrament meeting this afternoon or take a ride in the country?” Elder Hamilton’s father had always assumed that sacrament meeting was a given, but the family decided instead to take a ride. Many in his family never attended church again. Elder Hamilton reminds us that regularly partaking of the sacrament is the key to renewing our covenants, retaining a remission of sins, and staying on the straight and narrow path back to God.

Read the rest of the countdown HERE

Christopher D. Cunningham is the managing editor for Public Square Magazine and contributor to Third Hour. He loves emphatically celebrating the normal healthy development of his sons Albus and Whitman, writing about the Church of Jesus Christ, finding the middle ground on most controversies, and using Western Family generic brand lip balm. Christopher is a proud graduate of Brigham Young University-Idaho, and a resident of San Antonio, Texas.