General Conference is coming!

Quote: "The ability to receive and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill we can acquire in this life." Julie B. Beck.

This quote. I love it. As a missionary, we seek for our own personal revelation, EVERY SINGLE DAY. And it makes me realize that I should have been doing that every day back home. Instead of being discouraged about the past, look forward to the future. That is what I am trying to do. How you can receive revelation for yourself? Well, that is a great question... ONE WAY... to listen and watch General Conference! Luckily, it is this weekend! Wooooooo!

People in the NCRM sometimes refer to conference weekend and Fall (or Spring) Break. We get to go to the temple on Friday and have preparation day, visit and watch with less-active members on Saturday and Sunday, and then Monday is our Preparation Day (AGAIN!!!!) So.... yeah, we are very very excited for the weekend. 

Sister B and I gave a lesson to the youth about preparing for conference and it was so fun! We first had them do a something missionaries love doing best.... DRUMROLL... ROLE PLAYS! We had the youth practice inviting their friends over to watch with them. I hope that they really do invite their friends! We asked them about their conference "traditions" and I shared that we always blow up a big air mattress and put it in front of our TV. So fun. I am going to miss being in my PJs for conference, but that's okay, this will be better.

So, brief summary how to prepare. (Based on the First Presidency Message by President Uchtdorf September 2011)

1. Pray and ponder about a question you want revelation for.

2. Write that question down.

3. During conference, have a note pad out and record things that the Spirit tells you. Don't worry about writing down amazing and complete quotes... that is what LDS.org is for! You can get the transcripts later. Focus on what the Spirit wants you to learn from that talk.

4. Don't discount a message because it sounds familiar. These things are not being repeated because the speakers aren't creative or original. Faith, repentance, forgiveness, and testimony (and other common talks) and the FOUNDATION of it all! Focus on these talks and learn from the leaders of our amazing Church.

5. Pay attention to all the different parts of conference. Your answer may come in a seemingly unrelated talk, phrase, or even song. 

6. After you receive an answer to your question, (AND I KNOW YOU WILL), write down that answer. Respect God by showing him you are so grateful for the blessings and revelation that you have just received. In my opinion, this will let God know you are willing to receive more revelation in the future!

7. ACT ON IT. NOW! Put whatever you learned into practice. NOW. Evaluate your life and how you can improve it.

"Appraise your interests, evaluate your activities, and simplify your lives, thus riding yourselves of less rewarding activities." (sorry, I should have a reference and I forgot to have one)

Read Matthew 25:16. When we lose our life, we will find it. What are you willing to give up and sacrifice to show the Lord that your truly LOVE him? Decide now, and do it!

Another non-sourced quote (sorry): "Everyday we are given the opportunity to make choices that will increase our faith and strengthen our families."

See what you can do to make your families stronger. You can make choices to help and uplift them. I thought about how I could do that, all the way in the North Carolina. I know that as I pray for my family, God will hear my prayers. If all you can do to strengthen your relationship with your family right now is to pray for them, do that. If you can do more, please do more. Our families are the most important people in our mortal lives. I love and admire my family so much and the examples they are all to me (esp. my brother in law- shout-out... I heard he got an award at work).

This week we have also talked about forgiving yourself. I'm not sure why I have gone on this kick about this topic, but I feel it is necessary to share with my family and friends what I have learned about it.

"The Holy Ghost operating again in your life is the surest indicator of forgiveness by the Lord because 'the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples.'" (finally a reference) -Elder Bednar and Helaman 4:24.

If you have gone through the necessary steps to be forgiven, please forgive yourself. Don't beat yourself up over the past you have already overcome.

Read Mosiah 26:30! How beautiful. The Lord will always "frankly forgive" you (just as Nephi does to his brothers in 1 Nephi 7:21)!

Okay, I know that I haven't written about my "week" but that is what I studied this week and that is what I wanted to share!

I love youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu all!