6 Apr 2024, Saturday

 6 Apr 2024, Saturday

Prioritized Daily Task

Ava Reese McAlpin's 9th Birthday

General Conference

I was up early, had prayer, showered, shaved, and got dressed for conference this morning.  I sent Ava a happy birthday wish on a thread to all the family.  Alex and Carter arrived just before the first session of General Conference.  The 1st session was conducted by President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency,  President Russell M. Nelson attended Conference from his home.  President Jeffrey R. Holland: ‘Motions of a Hidden Fire’. He told about his near-death experience and how he was sent back to bear testimony of Jesus Christ.  He warned us to be thoroughly committed and that our prayers are heard and answered in the Lord's way.

Sister J. Anette Dennis: Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency; ‘Put Ye On the Lord Jesus Christ’

Elder Alexander Dushku: ‘Pillars and Rays’. He said he had not seen a pillar of light but many rays of light that filled him with love, joy, and happiness and he testified of the divinity of Jesus Christ and His work on this earth.

Elder Ulisses Soares: ‘Covenant Confidence through Jesus Christ’

Elder Jack N. Gerard: ‘Integrity: A Christlike Attribute’

President Henry B. Eyring: ‘All Will Be Well Because of Temple Covenants’The third speaker was Elder Alexander Dushka for the Quorum of Seventy.  He spoke about his testimony not coming as a pillow of light but one ray of light at a time over his life.  Elder Ulisses Sorrs of the Quorum of the Twelve spoke about overcoming seeds of doubt and the curriculum of the Church emphasizes scripture study as individuals and families in a home centered, church supported, and temple bound program.  Elder Jack N. Gerald told the story of Daniel in the lion's den and the King of Babalon coming to know God through Daniel's integrity.  As we exercise integrity in our choices we demonstrate an outward expression of our inner commitment to do God's will.  The concluding speaker of the first session was President Henry B. Eyring, 2nd Counselor told the story about him and his wife being in Idaho Falls and their small children at home in Rexburg with a babysitter when the Teton Dam broke.   The valley was flooded with billions of gallons of water, and the roads were closed.  He and his wife had peace that whatever the outcome would be they knew all would work out and now a lifetime of love and devotion to the Savior testify to this.  

After Conference Alex and Carter drove up to the SLC Airport to meet Carter's parents.  They had lunch with Carter's parents, Brad and Becky, and came back to Lehi.  The Stake Presidnet in New Port Beach had got them two tickets to the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference.  They flew to SLC the Lunds private jet.  Alex and Carter came back to Lehi to watch the second session with me.  President Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attended the Saturday afternoon session of general conference today, along with his two counselors in the First Presidency, President Dallin H. Oaks, and President Henry B. Eyring. The 99-year-old Church President had watched the morning session from home.

Elder E Stevenson, Quorum of 12, conducted the second session. Elder David A. Bednar: ‘Be Still, and Know That I Am God’

Elder Massimo De Feo: ‘Rise! He Calleth Thee’

Elder Brent H. Nielson: ‘A Record of What I Have Both Seen and Heard’

Elder Jose L. Alonso: ‘Jesus Christ at the Center of Our Lives’

Elder Gerrit W. Gong: ‘All Things for Your Good’

Brother Michael T. Nelson: ‘Relationships Influence Choices’

Elder Quentin L. Cook: ‘Be One With Christ’

Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles conducted the evening session. *The first speaker, Elder Shayne M. Bowen, spoke about Miracles, Angels, and Priesthood Power.  He shared personal stories in his family of raising the dead back to life in this world from the spirit world.

Elder Steven R. Bangerter: ‘Foreordained To Serve’ shared what his father told him as a young boy, "Protect the private times in your life."

Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus: Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency ‘Faithful to the End’

Elder Matthew L. Carpenter, Seventy, talked about ‘Fruit That Remains’. A father and mother's goal is to live with their family in God's presence.  To accomplish this there has to be a vertical and horizontal connection.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the 12 was the concluding speaker in the evening session.  He talked about the father of the Wright Brothers and ‘A Higher Joy’ even with mental illness. 

After conference Alex, Carter, his brother, Preston, and his wife, Mac, came over for dessert.  I had baked an apple pie and had vanilla ice cream.  We visited and I told them a little about my life and conversion to the Church. When they left I turned the dishwasher on, watched a little TV, and read scriptures before going to bed.

   R-L Ava (birthday today), Maggie (cousin), Madeline and Bella (sisters)