179th General Conference: October 2009

In our church, they hold a conference two times a year that is broadcast to all of the members of the church, all over the world. We hear from our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, his counselors, the apostles of the church and other leaders in the church. I LOVE General Conference and really look forward to it each April and October. It is a time where I am able to receive personal guidance from our Prophet and from the Lord's leaders and it is a time for me to feel refreshed and refueled. I was ESPECIALLY looking forward to it this time. Yesterday and today were the days that the conference was held. Last Saturday was the General Relief Society Broadcast.

This year I decided to ask 3 questions that I wanted answered during the course of the Conference. I wasn't sure what type of answers I would get but, I was amazed at the exactness of the answers I received - they were exactly the things that I needed to hear.

1) Why must I go through this trial of losing my husband?

Elder L. Whitney Clayton said:
"Our trials are only a small moment. If we endure them well, we will be exalted above."
"Our burdens help us develop empathy for others....We must mourn with those who mourn, comfort those in need of comfort."

2) How can I still be a good mom to Kason?

Elder David Bednar gave the following guidelines of what we need to be consistent with in our homes:

1. Express love and SHOW it: sincerely and frequently express love. Say I love you often, mean it when you say it and consistently show it.
2. Bear testimony and LIVE it: Bear your testimony to your children OFTEN, set an EXAMPLE
3. Be consistent: Consistently have family prayer, family scripture and Family Home Evening. "Each prayer, scripture study and Family Home Evening are individual "brush strokes" that develop our life"

3) What place do I, as young widow and young single mother, have in the church?

I go back to the Relief Society Broadcast for this answer when Sister Silvia H. Allred said:

"Whether you are young or old, single or married, widowed or living in a family, we want you to bless your life and home with the influence and power of Relief Society. There is a great need to rally the women of the Church to move the work forward. We invite you to minister with your powerful influence for good in strengthening our families, our church and our communities. You are a much needed force for love, truth and righteousness in this world. We need you to nurture families, friends and neighbors. It is through you that God's perfect love for each and all of his children is made manifest."

She went on to say that "Relief Society needs you, and you need Relief Society"

I feel SO blessed to have been able to receive these answers - it proves to me that the Lord knew my concerns and he opened my heart to be able to hear these answers. I am SO grateful for the blessing of General Conference. I am amazed at the difference it makes in my life. When I was younger I could have cared less about conference and took it as an opportunity to take an uninterrupted nap. But, now, I realize the importance of it and the blessing that it is for us to hear from the Prophet of the Lord and receive the counsel that he has been inspired to share!!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is such an amazing blessing in my life!!