I loved conference. It was amazing. I learned soooo much, and I am excited that the texts of the talks are online now. I am excited for the conference issue of the Ensign to come out next month, so I can review the words and insights learned, as well as receive new insights.
I can testify that the prayers of the saints are truly answered during conference. Before conference, I had prayed to know more concerning what I can be doing to prepare for my future role as wife and mother, also what these responsibilities entail. I expected to hear something in maybe one or two talks, but I was definitely not expecting what would happen that weekend. The theme of the whole conference was about families, their importance, ways to help the rising generation, ways to pull through trials as a family. WOW!!!! I was extremely surprised that the whole conference was focused upon the things that I had prayed for. I learned that Heavenly Father loves me enough to tell me the things I desire, and He does it in the way He feels best. He knew that I needed the truths shared in conference as I look toward the future responsibilities I will share with my husband when I marry. My testimony of the sacredness of motherhood was strengthened. It is truly a noble calling, and I can only hope to measure up when the time is come for me to be a wife and mother. It made me realize how important the family is, and how I can be preparing now: by being a good example to my younger siblings, to share my testimony with them, to discuss gospel truths with them. Families are important. They teach us to love others, to be unselfish, to put God's will first, to be more Christlike. The home is the most important school, for both temporal and spiritual things.
I know that Heavenly Father answers the prayers of everyone, and provides comfort to those who seek it, through the conference addresses. Last night at Institute, one of the young men shared an experience: on Saturday, he felt impressed to visit an inactive friend and talk to them about conference. The friend did not answer the door, but the young man was able to reach him by phone and have a conversation. He felt inspired to say that the church leaders would have a message for the inactive friend. One of the talks at conference was about death and trials, and how Christ gives us hope through our trials. The inactive friend had just lost a very good friend, and the young man who shared this testified that the conference talks really are for those who need them, that Heavenly Father is mindful of His children's needs.
Another experience that I had: This morning, my mom was taking Denali and I to the bus so we could go into town. She got a newspaper, and she read in the obituary section about a woman who used to be in their family ward a few years before. Their family had moved with the Air Force, and had ended up in Singapore. The family is active members of the church. The woman died suddenly on Saturday; the article did not specify what time she died, but it was the Saturday of conference weekend. I remembered the talks about death and trials, and I thought about how Heavenly Father knew of their needs, and how Jesus Christ had suffered all manner of affliction. It made realize that the talks were for that family in the time of great tragedy. It confirmed again that Heavenly Father loves all of His children and knows our needs. His son, Jesus Christ suffered that He may know how we feel, and died that we might live again.
I know these things are true. I know that Heavenly Father loves us, and He has a plan for each of us. I know that Christ knows what we are going through, He is our rock, He is the greatest source of strength. I am truly grateful for this knowledge.
