$\"\"$ <\/a><\/div>\n

As I have gotten older, General Conference<\/a> weekend has become a lot like Christmas for me.\u00a0 I look forward to it for weeks in advance, our whole family comes together, and\u2013 if we do it right\u2013 it is a profound spiritually enriching experience.<\/p>\n

I am always a little sad when President Monson delivers his closing remarks in the Sunday afternoon session.\u00a0 After two days of hearing inspired and inspiring teachings from men and women of God, I just want to keep on going for another few days.\u00a0 Thankfully, unlike the Christmas holidays, Conference comes around twice a year!\u00a0 I am also grateful for the personal opportunity I have to teach a class for the women in my church once a month from the teachings of these inspired men and women.<\/p>\n

I love this time of year.\u00a0 After Conference I feel energized, and ready to tackle the world.\u00a0 It becomes the motivation to engage in, as one writer<\/a> has termed it, a kind of 4th quarter comeback. \u00a0 If you\u2019ve ever wondered what it is that Latter-Day Saints truly believe\u2013 because there are so many misconceptions and untruths out there\u2013 watching or listening to General Conference is a fantastic place to satisfy any curiosity you might have. You can check it out here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

One of the newer (to me) blogs I\u2019ve been reading lately hosts a General Conference book club each week, and I\u2019ve decided to join in this time around rather than just lurking in the shadows like I have the last couple of months.\u00a0 Steph at Diapers & Divinity<\/a> does a fantastic job; if you\u2019re so inclined you can check it out here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As part of the General Conference Meme hosted by Steph, here are my answers to the questions posed:<\/p>\n

General Conference Highlights:\u00a0 October 2011<\/b><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 Who were your three favorite speakers?\u00a0<\/i> (Just three!?!)<\/p>\n

Elder Neil L. Andersen<\/a><\/li>\n
President Thomas S. Monson<\/a><\/li>\n
President Henry B. Eyring<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
(And my \u201csecond place\u201d round would have to go to Elder D. Todd Christofferson<\/a>, Elder Carl B. Cook<\/a>, and Sister Elaine S. Dalton<\/a>\u2014 and I still feel like I\u2019m leaving out some favorites!)<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0 Which talk spoke to you the most?<\/i><\/p>\n
\n
Elder Andersen\u2019s talk was the one I needed to hear the most this session.\u00a0 His quotation of President Kimball, \u201cWhere is your faith?\u201d will stick with me for many months to come, I am certain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
3.\u00a0 What was your favorite hymn and why did it move you?<\/i><\/p>\n
\n
Every time I hear \u201cConsider the Lilies,\u201d I am moved.\u00a0 I always picture the Savior teaching His beautiful Sermon on the Mount and imagine myself learning at His feet.\u00a0 It lifts my soul.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
4.\u00a0 Which speaker was the best dressed?<\/i>\u00a0 (Haha, c\u2019mon we can have a bit of fun\u2026)<\/i><\/p>\n
\n
I agree with Steph, President Uchtdorf\u2019s stylin\u2019 purple striped tie just suits his buoyant personality.\u00a0 Plus, he has great hair.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
5.\u00a0 Were there any topics that you felt were repeated often?\u00a0 Any Conference \u201cthemes\u201d?<\/i><\/p>\n
\n
The importance of scripture study, declaring our testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with boldness, increasing our faith in our Savior.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
6.\u00a0 Share a few of your favorite quotes from any of the talks. (Paraphrasing is fine)<\/i><\/p>\n
\n
Elder Andersen\u2019s reaffirmation of the importance of the family and his quotation from President Kimball, \u201cWhere is your faith?\u201d<\/li>\n
President Eyring\u2019s story about bearing testimony of the Savior at the university graduation ceremony.<\/li>\n
Elder Carl Cook\u2019s quote from President Monson, \u201cIt\u2019s better to look up.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
7.\u00a0 Name something(s) that made you smile or laugh during Conference.<\/i><\/p>\n
\n
President Eyring\u2019s remembrance of what happened to Abinadi after he bore his testimony; Elder Carl Cook\u2019s story about running into President Monson on a rough day; President Monson\u2019s story about the five dollar bill\u2013 but my absolute favorite was President Monson\u2019s story about the dedication of the Frankfurt Germany temple and trusting the promptings of the Spirit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
8.\u00a0 Was there any evidence that your children paid attention?<\/i><\/p>\n
\n
My kids are still pretty young, but the older two did give intermittent attention\u2013 especially when President Monson spoke.\u00a0 During family prayer Taylor, my eldest (6), gave thanks that we could listen to Conference.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
9.\u00a0 What doctrine did you learn as you listened to the choir(s) sing?<\/i><\/p>\n
\n
As I listened to the children\u2019s choir sing I was reminded of just how precious these little ones truly are.\u00a0 And when the Tabernacle Choir sang \u201cConsider the Lilies,\u201d I was reminded that the Lord is mindful of each of us and holds us in the hollow of His hand.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
10.\u00a0 Did the music enhance your General Conference experience?\u00a0 How?<\/i><\/p>\n
\n
It always does.\u00a0 I am enormously moved by music on a fundamental level.\u00a0 It always brings the Spirit.\u00a0 Plus, my 18 month old little boy would sing along with the Tabernacle Choir\u2013 seeing the music touch his little heart was extremely gratifying.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
11.\u00a0 What are some of your post-Conference goals?<\/i><\/p>\n
\n
To engage in deeper and more meaningful prayer.\u00a0 That is definitely number one.\u00a0 Also to be less fearful in bearing my testimony, learning the language of the Holy Ghost better, and to continue making scripture study a priority.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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