We Thank Thee, Oh God, For a Prophet . . .

It's been two whole weeks since the LDS church had its semi-annual general conference. Every April and October we're able to gather together around the world and watch messages from our leaders over satellite. It is fun for Darik and I because our very first date was after the Sunday afternoon session of Conference in October 2000. So it was fun to celebrate the 6 year anniversary of our first date this year. I just wanted to give a quick highlight of what I liked most. When I was good at keeping a hard copy journal I always kept the notes I took right in the middle of the journal so I knew where they were . . . since this is my main thought recorder at the moment -- I wanted to keep up the tradition.

There were SO many good talks this time!! I loved it. Usually just a few of them stand out to me, but I have several to list:

• The Power of the Atonement to Heal Every Burden [Oaks, Bowen, Scott]
  
• How to be a True Disciple [Baxter, Faust]
  
• Service in the Church [Ballard]
  
• A Foundation in Christ [Monson]
  
• Honesty & Integrity [Edgley]
  
• Feeling the Lord's Love [Perkins]
  
• The Doctrine of Receiving, i.e. Knock and it shall be given, ask and ye shall receive. How many gifts surround me that I do not receive? [Merrill]
  
• Commandments and Standards in our Day [Gibbons]
• To Not Be Offended [Bednar -- Yay! My Old Boss Rocks!]
  
• The Sacred Trust to Raise and Teach Children in our Homes [Sis. Lifferth]
  
• Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice -- There is a Living Prophet [Holland]

I thought having Elder Monson close with his talk about a living prophet was the perfect ending to a great conference. It was so powerful and the Spirit was so strong. These men who spoke to us have sacrificed so much -- just like Peter, James, and John they have been asked to cast away their nets (professional lives) and become fishers of men (apostles and prophets). How grateful I am to know that God lives; that He loves me. That this truly is the same organization that existed in the primitive Church -- that the power of the Priesthood has been restored on the earth and that we have a living prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley to guide us in these latter-days.