My Conference Notebook

April 2018 General Conference

Priesthood vs. Priesthood Holders

“The Melchizedek Priesthood is not a status or a label. It is a divine power held in trust to use for the benefit of God’s work for His children. We should always remember that men who hold the priesthood are not ‘the priesthood.’ It is not appropriate to refer to ‘the priesthood and the women.’ We should refer to ‘the holders of the priesthood and the women.’”

President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, “The Powers of the Priesthood,” Ensign, May 2018, 65.

Diving Deeper

Ministering

In general conference many of our leaders talked about ministering. As you study the most recent messages, see if you can identify ministering traits. Here are a few talks to get you started:

• Henry B. Eyring, “His Spirit to Be with You,” Ensign, May 2018, 86–89.

• Henry B. Eyring, “Inspired Ministering,” Ensign, May 2018, 61–64.

• Jeffrey R. Holland, “Be With and Strengthen Them,” Ensign, May 2018, 101–3.

• Jean B. Bingham, “Ministering as the Savior Does,” Ensign, May 2018, 104–7.

A prophet does not stand between you and the Savior. Rather, he stands beside you and points the way to the Savior.

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Prophet of God,” Ensign, May 2018, 27.

Answers to Questions

Can I really put my sins behind me and be forgiven?

“[The Savior] laid down His life and took it up again.

“He did this for all who believe in Him.

“He did this for all who do not believe in Him.

“He did this even for those who mock, revile, and curse His name. …

“Because of Jesus Christ, we will rise from the despair of death. …

“Because of Jesus Christ, our sins can not only be erased; they can be forgotten.”

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Behold the Man!” Ensign, May 2018, 108, 109.

What questions did you have that were answered by something you heard at conference? Share your experience on our Facebook page: facebook.com/ensign.magazine.

What Will I Do?

Trying the Prophet’s Teachings

I was touched by President Nelson’s message in conference that God wants to speak with me and tell me what He wants me to do. Today I thought I would try that out. I prayed that I could be of help to someone today. After lunch I needed to fill my car up with gas. I had the thought that I needed to buy someone gas. Somewhat skeptically, I thought, “We’ll see.” I began pumping my gas. A minivan pulled up next to me, and a lady got out with her son. She got her purse out and fumbled through it.

I was finishing pumping when I heard her say somewhat timidly, “Excuse me.” I turned to see a worried look on her face.

I told her I was supposed to buy someone gas today. “Is that someone you?” Surprised, she began to tear up. “Someone’s watching out for you today,” I said. I walked around the pump and inserted my credit card. Then I got in my car and drove away with the absolute assurance that someone is up there watching out for me too. Thank God for a prophet!

—Jonathan Benson, story shared on the Liahona Facebook page.

Have an experience you would like to share? Submit your story at ensign.lds.org, or share it on our Facebook page.

Ponder This …

What would I do if I knew I had one more day to live?

See Elder Taylor G. Godoy of the Seventy, “One More Day,” Ensign, May 2018, 34–36.

Share your thoughts on the Ensign Facebook page, or record your thoughts in your journal.

Conference Numbers!

• 103,221 missionaries currently serving:

  67,049 full-time

  36,172 Church-service

• 

  Image of earth from Getty Images

  7 new temples were announced to be built in Salta, Argentina; Bengaluru, India; Managua, Nicaragua; Cagayan de Oro, Philippines; Layton, Utah, USA; Richmond, Virginia, USA; and a city yet to be determined in Russia. See map above.