GENERAL CONFERENCE

I love General Conference and especially being able to experience it during the Easter weekend. The talks were marvelous! Sunday morning was directed to the Savior, all He does for us, His example, and His resurrection. Saturday and then Sunday afternoon were directed mostly on how we can enjoy peace and stand strong in a troubled world today. These can be heard and seen on lds.org and printed copies will be available end of this week. And as always the music was wonderful.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf began his Sunday morning conference address by relating the story of a large statue of Jesus that was severely damaged during a World War II bombing of a city. Experts were able to repair most of the statue, but the hands had been damaged so severely that they could not be restored. The statue remained without hands. The people of the city added to the base of the statue of Jesus Christ a sign: "You are my hands."
'We are the hands of Christ'
President Uchtdorf continued, "When I think of the Savior, I often picture Him with hands outstretched; reaching out to comfort, heal, bless, and love. And He always talked with — never down to — people. He loved the humble and the meek and walked among them, ministering to them and offering hope and salvation.
"This is what He did during His mortal life; it is what He would be doing if He were living among us today; and it is what we should be doing as His disciples and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. … As we emulate His perfect example we can become His hands; our eyes, His eyes; our heart, His heart."





Sister Cheryl C. Lant has served as our Primary General Board President for the past five years. She shared an experience she had in the nursery when she held up a picture of Jesus and asked: "Who is this?" The toddler answered, "Jesus." Sister Lant said, "This child was not old enough to really even say his own name, but he recognized the image and knew the name of the Savior. As I watched this sweet response, I thought of the words of the Savior when He said: " 'Seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls and, ye shall have eternal life.'" (Doctrine and Covenants 101:38).

She said, "It is our sacred responsibility as parents and leaders of this rising generation of children to bring them to the Savior so that they might see His face and the face of our Father in Heaven as well. As we do, we also bring ourselves." For a pattern of doing so, Sister Lant referred to the account of the Savior's visit to the Nephites recorded in 3 Nephi.

"First, we must learn how to love the Lord and our families. …
"Second, we must become worthy examples. … Now remember, none of us will be the perfect example for our children, but we all can become worthy parents and leaders. Our striving to be worthy is an example in itself. …
"Third, we have the process of bringing our children to the Savior by teaching them the truths of the gospel from the scriptures and the prophets, and helping them to feel and recognize the spirit."

She noted, "Now, all of this does not come easy. … It takes a lot of hard work and patience and faith, but nothing is more important or rewarding. And, the Lord will help us, for He loves these children even more than we do. He loves them and He will bless them."

Sister Lant spoke of the angels who encircled the Nephite children as the Savior blessed them. She said, "Brothers and Sisters, we are the angels that Heavenly Father has sent today to bless the children, and we can help them to one day see the face of the Savior as we teach the principles of the gospel and fill our homes with the joy of loving them."