General Conference is always highly anticipated at our house. There is always speculation to guess what some of the main themes will be. Will there be any new announcements, releasings, or sustainings? There is always something to look forward to when we listen for the most recent guidance, prophecy, and testimony of our prophet and leaders.

The age requirement for missionaries was exciting and interesting. I have three fairly resent returned missionaries who are trying to get married, get through school, and decide on their futures. Each one of them commented that they would have liked to go on their mission before starting college, because the mission is where they learned how to really study. Often the language a missionary learns ends up being a major or minor in school and that valuable time in the mission field helps young boys focus and face the future with conviction. Getting girls out at a younger age frankly helps them as well. My boys date girls that are still thinking of serving a mission, which kind of spoils the evening. Even though I was surprised at this announcement, I believe it was completely inspired of the Lord.

Many of the talks reminded us that no sin is too unforgiveable. The Lord knows we are imperfect and He still wants us. We have been asked, once again, to search our hearts, repent of the obvious sins, and cleanse ourselves of the hidden sins. Guilt should have no place in our hearts as we move forward into the path of salvation. Our motivation should come from our desire to please God, to be truly converted, and to bring others unto Him.

I also heard repeatedly that when we were baptized we made a commitment to covenant. As we live our life, we have a daily commitment to covenant, an obligation to perform our duty. Our duty is to live a righteous life, to teach righteousness to our children that they may feel happy, and to invite our friends to enjoy this righteous happiness. The world is in turmoil because of wickedness, yet by speaking up we can bring peace and joy into someone’s life.

How blessed we are to hear from our spiritual leaders. We hear them with spiritual ears the things our spirit craves most. We have been asked to live the gospel of Jesus Christ, to know that it’s true, and to love it in every action we perform.

I hope you’ll share with me some of the talks that inspired you…