2006
They Spoke to Us
June 2006

“They Spoke to Us,” Friend, June 2006, 42–43

They Spoke to Us

As you make the April 2006 general conference a part of your own and your family’s life, you might consider using the following ideas for personal study and family home evening. Or you may wish to create your own questions, activities, and discussion ideas. (Page numbers refer to the beginning of the talks in the May 2006 Ensign.)

Search the Words Activity

  1. How long ago was President Gordon B. Hinckley sustained as a General Authority? About how many general conference talks has he given? (Clue: Search President Gordon B. Hinckley’s talk on p. 81.)

  2. The Liahona served two main purposes for Lehi and his family. What were they? (Clue: Search Elder David A. Bednar’s talk on p. 28.)

  3. There have been many major disasters in the world recently. Where has the Church sent humanitarian aid? (Clue: Search Bishop H. David Burton’s talk on p. 8.) Find a world map or a globe, and point out the places he talked about.

  4. What are three stepping stones that can help lead us back to Heavenly Father? (Clue: Search Elder H. Bruce Stucki’s talk on p. 96.)

  5. When an institute building was being remodeled, what old objects did the workers find? (Clue: Search Elder L. Tom Perry’s talk on p. 39.)

  6. What does Elder Richard G. Scott say is the most exciting thing for a young person or married couple to do? (Clue: Search Elder Scott’s talk on p. 87.)

  7. Who is John Lathrop? What did he do? Who was one of his descendants? (Clue: Search President James E. Faust’s talk on p. 61.)

Quotes and Activities

  1. Speaking in the priesthood session of conference, President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “There is no end to the good we can do, to the influence we can have with others. Let us not dwell on the critical or the negative. Let us pray for strength; let us pray for capacity and desire to assist others. Let us radiate the light of the gospel at all times and all places, that the Spirit of the Redeemer may radiate from us.” Think of some of the things you can do each day at home, at school, at church, and at play that will show other people that you are a Latter-day Saint, that you follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. Write them down. Add to them from time to time. Live them every day.

  2. Elder L. Tom Perry reminded us that “when we partake of the sacrament worthily, we remember the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, that He gave up His life and took upon Himself the sins of the world that we may have the blessing of immortality. We take upon ourselves the name of our Savior and promise to always remember Him and to keep His commandments—that is, to ‘live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God’ (D&C 84:44).” Draw some pictures of the Savior’s life that will remind you of all that He did and does for you. Ask Heavenly Father to help you keep the promises you make when you take the sacrament.

  3. Elder Richard G. Hinckley suggested that each of us do the following: “I invite each of you, young or old,” he said, “to [get] a small notebook. … Write at the top of the first page the words ‘What my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints means to me.’ Then briefly list those things that come to mind. Over time, additional thoughts will come, which you can add to your list. Soon you will have a growing booklet that will fill you with gratitude and appreciation for your membership in the Lord’s Church.” Make this activity part of a family home evening, and then share with each other from time to time the things you have written down.

  4. “In these perilous times,” said Elder Ronald A. Rasband, “our youth are faced with … increased adversity. … In the armed forces, particularly in all the navies throughout the world, every seaman understands one phrase that is a clarion call for immediate help, no matter what he is doing or where he is on the ship. The call is ‘All hands on deck.’ Many a battle at sea has been won or lost by the response to this call.” When the prophet asks us to live the gospel, to honor our parents, to be kind to one another, he is calling to us, “All hands on deck” in the service of the Lord. How do you respond? How do you respond when your parents counsel you? What are you doing to make sure we win the battle?

  5. Elder Robert D. Hales spoke about the important principle of agency: “Today I want to convey, in absolutely certain terms, that the adversary [Satan] cannot make us do anything. He does lie at our door, as the scriptures say, and he follows us each day. Every time we go out, every decision we make, we are either choosing to move in his direction or in the direction of our Savior. But the adversary must depart if we tell him to depart. He cannot influence us unless we allow him to do so, and he knows that! The only time he can affect our minds and bodies—our very spirits—is when we allow him to do so.” Wear your CTR ring every day. It will remind you to make good choices. At family home evening, teach your family the song “Choose the Right Way” (Children’s Songbook, 160–61).

Stories to Read and Share

Are you preparing a talk or lesson? In the conference talks beginning on the pages listed below, you’ll find stories you can tell.

  • Tongan teacher explains an octopus trap, 18

  • Joseph Smith instructs Brigham Young in a dream, 28

  • Vacationers honor the Sabbath, 39

  • Young Dieter F. Uchtdorf delivers laundry on an ugly bike, 42

  • Deacons learn of the sacredness of the sacrament, 50

  • Priest struggles to bless the sacrament, 54

  • Deacon passes the sacrament from his deathbed, 54

  • Young Thomas S. Monson has a long interview before receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood, 54

  • Young man is treated poorly by Church members but is converted later, 58

  • Joseph Smith forgives W. W. Phelps, 58

  • Sin is like picking up rocks and carrying them in a bag, 72

  • Nigerian doctor dreams of his friend speaking to a congregation, 77

  • Cambodian boy testifies of Christ, 77

  • Quiet in the Manhattan New York Temple, 90

  • Young H. Bruce Stucki prays to find a lost arrow, 96

  • Inexperienced doctor performs brain surgery, 96

  • Horse bought at auction becomes a champion, 99

  • Susan W. Tanner apologizes to her mother, 103

  • Young woman in Romania sets an example for her family, 103

  • Mary Goble’s frozen feet finally heal, 109

  • Rollins sisters save the printed pages of early revelations, 111

  • Young woman’s example helps a family join the Church, 111

Photography by Christina Smith and Les Nilsson