Words of Advice

It's that time of the year again.  At the end of the 182nd Semiannual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, good stories were exchanged, words of counsel were offered, and new policies were put in place for future operations.

Many of you may or may not know, but the conference can be streamed live, or on your own time, at the main LDS website.  It is also translated in many different languages.  You don't have to believe in God or sustain the speakers as inspired to listen to some words of wisdom.

Yeah, the Conference Center

There have been some interesting changes announced this conference.  The most prominent change had to be the lowering of age for young men and young women to be eligible to serve a mission.  Watch out world!  There will be more LDS missionaries knocking at your door.  On a side note, I think this will be good for many young people, especially those who still act like they are in middle school in college.

I admit, I don't quite act like my age at 23, but I certainly don't go around doing "tool-ish" things or speak childish things.  Most of all, instigating drama that affects everyone is definitely not what I intent to do.  You'd be surprised how many young people purposely do these things.  Whether it's for attention or just plain meanness is probably debate for a another day.

The MTC expansion needs to come sooner with the influx of missionaries that will come along due to the new age requirement.  In addition, in a press conference, the Church announced that missionary stay at the MTC will be cut for one-third.  I could imagine the panic of missionaries learning a difficult language that used to be a 12-week program to making it in 9.  I should apply to be a MTC teacher.  lol

You gotta love this man!

Besides my nonsensical outlook on the inevitable change and impact the new age will affect missionary work, I did pick up a few things I thought was relevant to my life.  I generally don't write down who said what during conference because I believe that if they are all speaking through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, we all know who the true author is and I don't think anyone would want to argue with me on that one.  Anyways, here are the thoughts I gathered throughout the conference.

• Ask a missionary - well, this is probably more for those of you out there than me chilling in Mormon circle in Provo.  You'd be surprised what these young folks can pull out of their mouths at the right moment.  I've been on both the giving and receiving end of this over the years.
• Spending time with those you love - it's not about finishing something together, but the journey itself.  Why do we do things with the anticipation of things ending?  When we do that, we miss the point and forget the reasons why we chose to take the journey together.
• Larry Echo Hawk -  is an awesome name.
• Robert C. Gay - is also an awesome name.
• On the Lord's timetable - this has been spoken so many times, but it's something we all struggle with, especially when we are at the crossroads of life.  Have a goal, and live a day at a time while you inch towards that goal.
• Never forget the Atonement - The Lord went through loads of crap just so you could still change without suffering 100% of the penalties.  Make sure you know that it's never too late until you decide it or have sealed your own fate.
• Service - gotta observe and serve.  You can't really help someone when you have no idea what the person needs.
• Hispanic accent - it's always there and they always have heart-felt stories, and of sacrifices, etc.  The members they mentioned in the talks are the type of members we should be, but for whatever reason, we aren't.
• Non-canonical segway -  ever wondered what happened in between scriptural passages or what went through peoples' minds when there were dialogues and holes in the timeline?  Are we true to our faith?  Are we dedicated to our beliefs?  You gotta love the Holland narratives.
• Story time - listen closely to the life stories of Thomas S. Monson, there are lessons to be learned there. 
•  What it is to be Christian? - no, it's not a rhetorical question.  It has everything to do with choices in life.
• Any time spent in the temple is time well-spent.  Be sure to not neglect your other duties in your life.
• You can be inactive for 50 years - and still come back to the fold.  Never give up.  It's not over until it's all over.
• Seek learning by study and also by faith - do not have fear as well.
• Why do we do things for others when we are struggling? - what does it mean to be a disciple?  It's the doing and becoming.
• Testimonies alone will not be able to protect us - it is necessary for true conversion, but not the oil to our lamps.  Refer to the parable of the ten virgins.

This may seem like a crazy wall of text, but they are fairly easy to understand if you already have substantial background.  At any rate, it's been a good weekend.  I worked, went on a date, and enjoyed company of friends and roommates.  I shall write more, but this will have to do for now.