General Conference highlights
Compiled by Reed Noble
Saturday morning session
Ezra Taft Benson’s: 14 Fundamentals in Following the Prophet (from a talk given at a Devotional at BYU)
1. The Prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the Standard Works.
3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
4. The prophet will never lead the Church astray.
5. The prophet is not required to have any earthly training or diplomas to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
6. The prophet does not have to say “Thus saith the Lord” to give us scripture.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
10. The prophet may well advise on civic matters.
11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or worldly
13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency, the highest Quorum in the Church.
14. The Living Prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed; reject them and suffer.
—Claudio R. M. Costa of the Seventy
“The world will teach our children if we do not!”
—Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary general president
“Slow down a little, steady the course and focus while experiencing hard times.”
—President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency
“Our relationship with our families is important. Do simple things together. Love is really spelled T-I-M-E. We talk with and not about each other.”
—President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency
“What matters most in learning is attitude!”
—David M. McConkie, first counselor in the Sunday School Presidency
“Exercise our agency and act without delay in accordance with the promptings we receive. Promptings of the Spirit are not to be postponed.”
—David M. McConkie, first counselor in the Sunday School Presidency
Saturday afternoon session
“The only sure and secure road comes from trusting in and obeying the prophets of God.”
—Kevin R. Duncan of the Seventy
“The Lord has not left us alone in our quest to return to Him. … How do we develop the faith and strength to never leave the Savior? We need the believing heart of a child. Submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father. (Mosiah 3: 19)”
—Neil L. Andersen, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“The more your character is fortified, the more you can exercise the power of faith.”
—Richard G. Scott, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day. Righteous character is more valuable than any material object you own. Satan cannot destroy your growing character. Only you can do that.”
—Richard G. Scott, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Sunday morning session
“Our agency is more powerful than the adversary and his will. We can foolishly or blindly give it away but it cannot be forcibly taken from us. He can tempt us and deceive us though.”
—Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“The personal line of communication with our Father in Heaven does not function independent of the Priesthood line of communication to our Father in Heaven. If we are disobedient to or out of harmony with the Priesthood line, we cannot communicate in our personal line.”
—Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve
“Satan tries to pull us away from God’s ways. We cannot have one hand on the rod of iron and one hand in the world.”
—Mary N. Cook , first counselor of the Young Women General Presidency
“Live in thanksgiving daily. Pause and contemplate our blessings. While there is much wrong in the world today, there is much that is right!”
—Thomas S. Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
“Refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought.”
—Thomas S. Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
“Gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues. To live with gratitude in our hearts is to touch heaven.”
—Thomas S. Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
“Jesus Christ is the son of God and asks us to follow Him and keep His commandments. When we do we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude.”
—Thomas S. Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Sunday afternoon session
“These four words: ‘Receive the holy ghost’ is not a passive statement. It requires action. For what doth it profit a man…
1. Sincerely desire to receive the Holy Ghost
2. Appropriately invite the Holy Ghost into our lives
3. Obey the commandments”
—David A. Bednar, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“I taught my grandson 4 things he could learn from Daniel in the Old Testament.
1. Keep your body healthy and clean
2. Develop his mind and become wise
3. Be strong and resist temptation
4. Trust in the Lord”
—L. Tom Perry, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“We can grow step by step in our capacity to be solid and filled inside and out. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can have the strength to grow.”
—L. Tom Perry, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“Beware of things that will destroy from the inside out whether small or big. Focus on the things that will sustain a lasting peace of mind and heart.”
—L. Tom Perry, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“There is safety in the commandments of the Lord. … Nourish your testimony to protect you from the buffetings of Satan.”
—Thomas S. Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints