For me, conference was amazing. It hasn’t always been like this. There were times I would go to sleep during the talks, and worse, never read them in the Ensign. That story Pres. Uchtdorf told about the guy who asked his Mormon friend what the prophet had recently said, and the Mormon friend had no answer weighs on me still. So, I ask myself, and you who might be reading this—How will conference change me?

Do I know what the prophet has asked me to do? And am I making an attempt to do it?

I’ve learned that it’s important to know, because whether I act on it, or not, I will be accountable some day. It’s like knowing I have an important event in the future, knowing I have to lose weight for it, and waiting till the last minute to start my diet. Sometimes, you just can’t fake things, or make them look different by doing nothing. And helplessly standing there unprepared or looking like I ate the farm doesn’t help my case.

I heard some pretty amazing things this last weekend. And I heard some things I’ve known for a long time, but never acted on. I also was reminded that the Lord loves me the way I am, but remains hopeful that I’ll continually strive to draw closer toward Him.

We’d have to be living under a rock to not realize, or notice, that the family is under attack. Or rather, “the family” is being redefined. My feeling is that there are so many opinions in the world that everyone is entitled to believe what they want to, but “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). That means where others think to destroy traditional marriage, I still believe this is the only kind of marriage. As Pres. Packer said, “The power of procreation is not an incidental part of the plan…it is the key to happiness.” This is a principle that is paramount to the eternal life of happiness I have been promised, and I have no desire to be a part of something that works against that personal goal.

I was also struck at the boldness of our leaders in reminding us that there are still more people on the earth today who believe in right over wrong, which upon hearing brought to me immediate peace. Sometimes, the minority voice speaks so loudly we feel overwhelmed, confused, and anxious. Conference comes alive for me when I see our leaders speak with such conviction that all is well IF we stay on the path, and IF we do our part, and IF we trust in the Lord completely.

Bishop Gerald Causse asked a very cut-throat kind of question. “Is the gospel still wonderful to you?” What an interesting question to ponder. Because if I say yes, I would have to answer “why”, which would require me to bring up all the things I am doing to promote the gospel in my life—assuming I am actually doing things to promote the gospel in my life. If I say no, I would have to admit to myself that I have stopped doing the basics, which leaves my testimony shaky, and allows destructive thoughts and ideas to enter my personal choices and desires. It’s better to be safe and continue searching the scriptures, praying, and believing on a daily basis, so I can say with all certainty, “Yes, the gospel is still most wonderful to me.”

Elder Holland did not disappoint. He told the story of the two brothers climbing the mountain. When they find that they are stuck, the one brother boosts the other over the top and resigns to falling with a last ditch effort to save himself. But when he jumps, his brother has been waiting all along to save Him and pull Him to safety. Of course, this is what Jesus has done for each one of us. He is always waiting for us and He is always willing to pull us to safety. But, what further touched me is the responsibility we have for our brothers and sisters. We need to live the gospel in such a way that we are in tune to save our brothers and sisters through example, boldness, patience, and genuine love.

Another prevalent thought was the importance of living the gospel to the best of our ability. Elder Pearson boldly stated, “Apostasy is the reverse of conversion.” While living the gospel on a day-to-day basis we need to continue to actively grow our faith. Hanging in there is not a principle of the gospel. Enduring to the end is total commitment and daily effort in REALLY praying, studying, serving, and living. “There is no room for complacent disciples.” We must work at living the gospel every day, every day, every day.

There were other great talks that I look forward to listening to, reading, and studying when they come out in print. No longer will I be caught not knowing what our prophets have asked us to do for the next six months, and longer, as I stick to the covenants I’ve made with my Heavenly Father. And what an extra joy to celebrate the glorious promises of the atonement performed by our ever-loving Redeemer, Jesus Christ on that Easter Sabbath Day. May our Sabbath be a holy day as we use it to strengthen our faith, our conviction, our families, and our love and belief in our Savior. Elder Nelson reminded us that “true believers keep the Sabbath day holy” and he offered us wonderful suggestions in doing so.

We all heard the dissenting votes when the prophet was sustained. It is their right and choice to do that, but what are they really saying? Do they want to stop being members? Do they want to pick and choose how they will obey and sustain? Do they want the prophet to change? Do they want others to see their example and feel inspired to follow them? What was their rational in this action? I wasn’t there in person, but the audience who sang—with exuberance—their conviction gave voice to their answers.

How will conference change me? It will prepare me better. It will help me endure through difficulty. It will inspire me to choose the will of the Lord over my own will. I add my own voice to those who sang with full testimony, power, and assurance, “We Thank Thee, O God, For A Prophet to guide us in these latter-days.”

Here are more helps to study the conference talks.