“April 2017 Conference Notebook,” Ensign, July 2017
April 2017 Conference Notebook
“What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken; … whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (D&C 1:38 ).
As you review the April 2017 general conference , you can use these pages (and Conference Notebooks in future issues) to help you study and apply the recent teachings of the living prophets and apostles and other Church leaders.
“It is doctrinally incomplete to speak of the Lord’s atoning sacrifice by shortcut phrases, such as ‘the Atonement’ or ‘the enabling power of the Atonement’ or ‘applying the Atonement’ or ‘being strengthened by the Atonement.’ These expressions present a real risk of misdirecting faith by treating the event as if it had living existence and capabilities independent of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
“Under the Father’s great eternal plan, it is the Savior who suffered. It is the Savior who broke the bands of death. It is the Savior who paid the price for our sins and transgressions and blots them out on condition of our repentance. It is the Savior who delivers us from physical and spiritual death.”
Prophetic Promise
Study the Book of Mormon
“If you are not reading the Book of Mormon each day, please do so. If you will read it prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, the Holy Ghost will manifest its truth to you. If it is true—and I solemnly testify that it is —then Joseph Smith was a prophet who saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
“Because the Book of Mormon is true, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s Church on the earth, and the holy priesthood of God has been restored for the benefit and blessing of His children. …
“… I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day. As we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives.”
Each conference prophets and apostles give inspired answers to questions Church member may have. Use your May 2017 issue or visit conference.lds.org to find answers to these questions.
How can we hold on in hard times? “Look up to Christ for strength, balance, and healing.” —See Yoon Hwan Choi, “Don’t Look Around, Look Up! ” 92.
How can we keep progressing in the gospel? “Prayerfully think about what adjustments are needed to help you keep your ‘eye single to the glory of God’ [D&C 4:5 ].” —See M. Russell Ballard, “Return and Receive ,” 64.
What are the blessings of faith? “Our sins can be forgiven. … Prayers are answered according to faith.” —See Quentin L. Cook, “Foundations of Faith ,” 130, 131.
How can we keep the gift of the Holy Ghost? “By … seeking loving and forgiving relationships with family and loved ones. We should keep our thoughts, actions, and language virtuous.” —See Gary E. Stevenson, “How Does the Holy Ghost Help You? ” 120.
“Our hope for holiness is centered in Christ, in His mercy and His grace. With faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, we may become clean, without spot, when we deny ourselves of ungodliness [see Moroni 10:32–33 ] and sincerely repent. We are baptized by water for the remission of sins. Our souls are sanctified when we receive the Holy Ghost with open hearts. Weekly, we partake of the ordinance of the sacrament. … Over time, as we continually strive to become one with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, we become partakers of Their divine nature [see 2 Peter 1:4 ].”
Carol F. McConkie, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, “The Beauty of Holiness ,” Ensign, May 2017, 10.
Match the following quotes to the conference speaker.
“‘Come as you are,’ a loving Father says to each of us, but He adds, ‘Don’t plan to stay as you are.’” ______________________
“Each of us can trust in the Lord and lean not. ” ______________________
“When we ‘inhale’ the praise of others, that praise will be our compensation.” ______________________
“Out of the well of integrity springs an empowered, sin-resistant generation.” ______________________