General Conference Gems

The last event of New York was watching General Conference with my family. Before Conference is too far in the past, I wanted to share a couple quotes from the different talks shared that really stuck out to me.

“As disciples of the Savior, we are not merely striving to know more, rather we need to consistently do more of what we know is right and become better.” -Elder David A. Bednar

“What we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are and who we will become.” -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely.” -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“Prayer is your personal key to heaven. The lock is on your side of the veil.” -Elder Boyd K. Packer

“Virtue traits form the foundation of a Christian life and are the outward manifestation of the inner man.” -Bishop H. David Burton

“Unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively, lose their life. While those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish and in effect, save their life.” -President Thomas S. Monson

“I testify that one cannot come to full faith in this latter-day work and thereby find the fullness measure of peace and comfort in these our times, until he or she embraces the divinity of The Book of Mormon and the Lord, Jesus Christ of whom it testifies.” –Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
(One of the most powerful testimonies of The Book of Mormon I have ever heard. This whole talk was amazing.)

Now for a tender story, during conference my mom had a bowl of M&M’s for my nephews. It was the last session and my nearly 2-year-old nephew, Ryan, was across the room enjoying what was left of the M&M’s. I made the small request of him to bring me one. He tottered over to me with the candy in his hand. He laughed with delight when I popped it in my mouth and gave him a hug of gratitude. He ran back to the M&M bowl to get me another piece of candy and brought it to me. I ate it as well and made sure to thank him graciously, which he received with joy. He ran back and this pattern of giving me chocolate and I, in return, thanking him continued for the next 10 or 15 minutes. After the 4th or 5th time, I asked, “Ryan, don’t you want one?” He pushed my palm with the M&M in it back towards me and replied, “You.” Every time I tried to share the M&M’s with him, he wouldn’t accept them but was simply pleased that he was giving me this simple gift. He did this until all the M&M’s were gone and I was full of chocolate.

During this whole chocolate sharing extravaganza, I pondered on the messages shared during conference. For me, there was a major theme of love and service weaved throughout many of the talks. I then looked at my sweet, little nephew and recognized that he was an example to me of how I should be. This little boy, who doesn’t even speak in full sentences yet, taught me the simple joy of service. Not once was he worried if there would be any M&M’s left for him, but instead he found happiness in seeing others (me) finding joy in his little act of love. Needless to say I was touched and a little humbled. I think after this experience I understand a little better the commandment to become like a little child.

My little M&M sharing nephew, Ryan