180th General Conference Part I

I was baptised into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seven years ago and apart from Christian celebrations of Christmas and Easter (because we all know how the world has managed to commercialise these sacred festivals beyond recognition), General Conference is my favourite Church event.  Broadcast live worldwide, we receive spiritual and temporal teachings from Church leaders including the prophet and First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and other Church leaders.

In the fortnight leading up to conference, I like to pray about one or a few things where I'd like guidance.  I've only done this in the past couple of years, but it's uncanny the personal manner in which my questions are always answered - during a conference that is broadcast to millions.

Here are some thoughts from talks given during the Saturday morning session:

• Satan is persistent in attacking the home and the family - these being the basic foundation of society.
• You can trust that the Lord will guide you.
• Doing one's duty (to God, to our Saviour Jesus Christ and to our families) is a manifestation of one's faith.
• Through prayer we can know our personal path of duty even in the midst of crisis.
• Hope, peace and joy do not depend upon circumstance - rather they are products of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Through keeping the commandments of God, we gain confidence to go forward in faith
• Build your life on the sure foundation of Jesus Christ.
• Children and youth are learning from you and watching your example even when you think they aren't.