“October 2017 Conference Notebook,” Liahona, February 2018
October 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 October 2017 general conference, you can use these pages (and Conference Notebooks in past and future issues) to help you study and apply the recent teachings of the living prophets and apostles and other Church leaders.
“I believe that most members consider service to be at the heart of their covenants and discipleship. But I also think that sometimes it’s easy to miss some of the greatest opportunities to serve others because we are distracted or because we are looking for ambitious ways to change the world and we don’t see that some of the significant needs we can meet are within our own families, among our friends, in our wards, and in our communities. We are touched when we see the suffering and great needs of those halfway around the world, but we may fail to see there is a person who needs our friendship sitting next to us in class. …
“… Heavenly Father may have placed those who need us closest to us, knowing that we are best suited to meet their needs.”
Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women General President, “The Needs before Us Liahona, Nov. 2017, 25–26.
“When and how does the inspiration for general conference talks come?
“With no topics assigned, we see heaven beautifully coordinating the subjects and themes of eternal truths each and every conference.”
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Voice of the Lord Liahona, Nov. 2017, 123.
“I believe in [God’s] perfection, and I know we are His spiritual sons and daughters with divine potential to become as He is. I also know that, as children of God, we should not demean or vilify ourselves, as if beating up on ourselves is somehow going to make us the person God wants us to become. No! With a willingness to repent and a desire for increased righteousness always in our hearts, I would hope we could pursue personal improvement in a way that doesn’t include getting ulcers or anorexia, feeling depressed or demolishing our self-esteem. …
“‘Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him … ,’ Moroni pleads. ‘Love God with all your might, mind and strength, then … by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ ‘ [Moroni 10:32 ; emphasis added]. Our only hope for true perfection is in receiving it as a gift from heaven. We can’t ‘earn’ it. Thus, the grace of Christ offers us not only salvation from sorrow and sin and death but also salvation from our own persistent self-criticism.”
“Since President Monson’s challenge [to stoudy and ponder the Book of Mormon], I have tried to follow his counsel. Among other things, I’ve made lists of what the Book of Mormon is, what it affirms, what it refutes, what it fulfills, what it clarifies, and what it reveals . Looking at the Book of Mormon through these lenses has been an insightful and inspiring exercise! I recommend it to each of you. [See the end of President Nelson’s talk for the lists he compiled.] …
“[Consider these questions:] First, what would your life be like without the Book of Mormon? Second, what would you not know ? And third, what would you not have ? …
“I know that President Thomas S. Monson is the prophet of God on the earth today. I love him and sustain him with all of my heart.”