General Conference Saturday Afternoon Session, 3-31-12

3-31-12 General Conference Saturday Afternoon Session

Unedited Notes:

Sustainings and releases.
Audit report
Statistical report—14,441,346 members at the end of2011.

Elder Holland

Householder went out early in the morning to hire laborers. About the 11th hour, 5 p.m, he hired a concluding number of workers. Everyone received the same wage. No one was treated unfairly. The first workers agreed to the wages of the day, and they received it. They were grateful to get the work. The first men chosen were the most fortunate because they were assured to have work for the day. The last of the workers accept the work without knowing what they will receive. They’ve only been told that they would be treated fairly. Why should you be jealous because I choose to be kind? There will be times when someone else gets an unexpected blessing. Let us not be jealous when good fortune comes to someone else.

The race we are in is against sin. Envy is truly in there. Get a quart of pickle juice every time someone around you has a happy moment. Coveting, pouting, or tearing someone else down does not improve your understanding.

The formula of faith is to hold on, work on, and see it through. Don’t dwell on old grievances. Don’t hyperventilate because of something that happened at 9 o’clock in the morning, when you are getting paid at the end of the day. Even if a grievance did not start with you, it can end with you.

This is a story about the goodness of God, His patience and forgiveness, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. God most enjoys being God because of the thrill of being merciful. Even if you feel like a lost servant of the 11th hour, the Lord is still standing there beckoning for you to Come unto Him. Men: come join the ranks. His concern is for the faith at which you finally arrive, not at which hour you go there. It is never too late if the Master of the vineyard tells you there is time.

Elder Hales

Son who went to a far country and wasted his inheritance. He ate the husks of the pigs’ food. In his poor conditions, he remembered he was.
To worthily partake of the sacrament, we remember that we are renewing our baptism covenant. Make covenant to follow the Savior during the coming week. Provide special opportunities for young to understand sacrament. The sacrament gives us an opportunity to come to ourselves and remember who we are. Worthiness to hold a temple recommend gives us the strength to keep our covenants. Sustain our leaders, treat our family with kindness, etc., makes us worthy to go to the temple. Faithfully live the gospel and follow the prophets. Christ-like living—obedience, sacrifice, chaste in thought and action. We receive power from on high to face challenges in life.
The temple and self-reliance’s purpose is to get us on higher ground so that we can be of service to others.

The father ran and kissed his son, gave him a nice robe, and killed the fatted calf to give a party for his son. Follow our spiritual desires and come to ourselves. I worthily take the sacrament; I am worthy of a temple recommend; I sacrifice for others. We will be encircled in the arms of His love and welcomed home.

Elder Baxter

We cannot do all the sums or make it all add up, because we do not have all the numbers. We might have the ability to do the math if it were available for us to do!
Your journey has had bumps, detours, etc., because we live in a fallen world. Every single one of your children’s achievements will stand as a tribute to you. “No, little one, you cannot come to me now, but I can come to you.” When you lift the burdens of others, your own burdens become lighter. Your circumstances may not have changed, but your attitude has. Single parents, as you do your very best, heaven will smile upon you. Consider the present with fortitude, and look to the future with confidence.

Elder Soares

Whatsoever a man soweth, that also shall he reap. Be not weary in well doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. Line clearly defined between the Lord’s territory and the devil’s territory. Do my actions place me in the Lord’s or the devil’s territory?

The African people have touched his heart because of their diligence in staying in the Lord’s territory. The serve and invite others to come to Christ.
Humble ourselves before God, witness we have broken hearts and contrite spirits, confess sins, etc. Our disposition to live our covenants prepares us to live in His presence. The Savior banished from His life any influence that would take Him away from His divine mission. You can’t be right by doing wrong; you can’t by wrong by doing right. (Monson)

Elder Cook

Lehi’s dream. Lay ministry extends to entire membership who serves one another. The Savior’s gift of the atonement is for everyone. We recognize and respect all those who Lehi saw in his dream. We need to reach out to those who have fallen away and those who haven’t come to the iron rod yet. Avoid being overly judgmental about conduct that is foolish or unwise, but not sinful.

A great peace came over him when he saw his mother in prayer. (This was her response when she heard of her brother’s death.) 2 Nephi 25:26. We talk of Christ….
Essential for member’s to read, study, and ponder the scriptures. “And it came to pass” actually confirms the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. “If I immerse myself in the scriptures, the distance narrows.” Temporary setbacks are overshadowed by persistence. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and keeping His commandments is the defining test of this life. Our doctrine is clear: we are to be positive and of good cheer.

Elder Scott

He is thankful to feel Jeanine’s presence from the other side of the veil. We move and have our presence in the presence of heavenly messengers. We always hold them in our hearts, in memory; we are lifted and held to them in ties that we cannot break. Those who are faithful, who have gone beyond, know us and are solicitous for our welfare. Our relationships with those who have gone ahead can be strengthened as we keep our covenants. We need to learn to ask! If we pray to our Father and ask, that is how revelation is received. Fast; pray to find and understand scripture that will help. Pray to know if I’ve captured all the Lord wants me to do. We need to let go of hurts and be forgiving if we want revelation; also, we need to be quiet and avoid loud laughter. Spiritual education can be enhanced by good health practices. Our daily activities should not prevent us from listening to the Spirit. Pay attention to revelation given between sleep and wakefulness. Write it down. When it is for the Lord’s purposes, He can bring anything to our remembrance.

Live a clean life and be obedient to the Lord’s commandments to obtain the Lord’s trust. Plant ourselves in a righteous environment. Humility is a fertile soil. Our Heavenly Father did not put us on earth to fail, but to succeed gloriously. Ponder the scriptures; look for evidence in your lives that God has already answered you. Peace in your hearts and quiet in your life. More abundant your progress and capacity to serve. The Lord’s guidance in your life does not take away your agency. Choosing the right brings peace of mind and happiness. Communication with our Heavenly Father is not a trivial matter; it is a sacred privilege.