Conference talks filled with love

Wordle provided by Connor Boyack @ http://connorboyack.com/ldsconf/apr13.html

For my conference talk report, instead of focusing on just one talk, I decided to focus on an overarching connection in all of the talks. The first theme I tried worked wonderfully as it was mentioned in every talk and, in some cases, captured that talk’s pure essence quite beautifully.

The theme: Love.

Saturday Morning

“My beloved brothers and sisters, how pleased I am to welcome you to the 183rd Annual General Conference of the Church.” –”Welcome to Conference” by President Thomas S. Monson

“The father has the authority and responsibility to teach his children and to bless and to provide for them the ordinances of the gospel and every other priesthood protection necessary. He is to demonstrate love and fidelity and honor to the mother so that their children can see that love.” –”These Things I Know” by President Boyd K. Packer

“Prayer is one of the most basic and important foundational building blocks of our faith and character. Through prayer we are able to express our gratitude, love, and devotion to God.” –”A Sure Foundation” by Bishop Dean M. Davies

“Mothers, your relationship with your daughter is of paramount importance, and so is your example. How you love and honor her father, his priesthood, and his divine role will be reflected and perhaps amplified in your daughter’s attitudes and behavior.” –”We Are Daughters of Our Heavenly Father” by Elaine S. Dalton

“The Lord loves us and wants us to understand His willingness to forgive.” –”The Savior Wants To Forgive” by Elder Craig A. Cardon

“…as husband and wife, a man and a woman should strive to follow our Heavenly Father. The Christian virtues of love, humility, and patience should be their focus as they seek the blessings of the priesthood in their lives and for their family.” –”‘This Is My Work and Glory‘” by Elder M. Russell Ballard

“We are under covenant both to lift up those in need and to be witnesses of the Savior as long as we live. We will be able to do it without fail only as we feel love for the Savior and His love for us. As we are faithful to the promises we have made, we will feel our love for Him.” –”‘Come Unto Me‘” by President Henry B. Eyring

Saturday Afternoon

“One of the greatest blessings we can offer to the world is the power of a Christ-centered home where the gospel is taught, covenants are kept, and love abounds.” –”For Peace at Home” by Elder Richard G. Scott

“Peace comes from knowing that the Savior knows who we are and knows that we have faith in Him, love Him, and keep His commandments, even and especially amid life’s devastating trials and tragedies.”–”Personal Peace: The Reward of Righteousness” by Elder Quentin L. Cook

“The Lord has His way, or the way, to love. Those of the world say that what really matters is that two people love each other. Our Father in Heaven teaches that this is important, but He teaches us more: that there is an authorized way and time to express that love.” –”The Lord’s Way” by Elder Stanley G. Ellis

“I testify that our Heavenly Father loves all of His children, that Jesus is the Christ, and that the gospel is available to all, both the living and the dead.” –”The Gospel to All the World” by Elder John B. Dickson

“Love increases through righteous restraint and decreases through impulsive indulgence.” –”We Believe in Being Chaste” by Elder David A. Bednar

“This wave is empowered by a divine announcement made 193 years ago. It consisted of only seven words: ‘This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!'” –”Catch the Wave” by Elder Russell M. Nelson

Priesthood Session

“My beloved priesthood brethren young and old, let us glorify God’s name by standing strong with our Savior, Jesus Christ.” –”Stand Strong in Holy Places” by Elder Robert D. Hales

“One young man who was visited by his quorum members said: ‘It was surprising today when … 30 people just came up to my house. … It makes me want to go to church now.’ How can a youth resist love and attention like that?” –”The Power of the Priesthood in the Boy” by Elder Tad R. Callister

“To minister means to love and care for others. It means to attend to their physical and spiritual needs. Put simply, it means to do what the Savior would do if He were here.” –”Your Sacred Duty to Minister” by Elder David L. Beck

“My dear brethren, my dear friends, you are important. You are loved. You are needed. This work is true. The priesthood you are privileged to bear is indeed of God.” –”Four Titles” by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“For generations the prophets have told us that we must help the missionaries find and teach the honest in heart and then love those who come into the kingdom.” –”We Are One” by President Henry B. Eyring

“The final point in our formula is to serve the Lord with love. There is no substitute for love. Successful missionaries love their companions, their mission leaders, and the precious persons whom they teach.” –”Come, All Ye Sons of God” by President Thomas S. Monson

Sunday Morning

“…as we seek to increase our love for God and strive to love our neighbor, the light of the gospel will surround and uplift us. The darkness will surely fade, because it cannot exist in the presence of light.” –”The Hope of God’s Light” by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“We respect each person’s choice and timing. The Lord said, ‘Let every man choose for himself.” A person’s lack of interest need not diminish our bonds of friendship and love.'” –”It’s a Miracle” by Elder Neil L. Anderson

“She may have taught me spelling, grammar, and math, but far more importantly she taught me to love being a child. In her classroom, it was OK to spell a word wrong here and there.” –”The Words We Speak” by Rosemary M. Wixom

“Fifth, love. The happiest marriages I have seen radiate obedience to one of the happiest commandments—that we ‘live together in love.'” –”Marriage: Watch and Learn” by Elder L. Whitney Clayton

“The final words of the note focus on obedience to God’s law: ‘If you wish to return to your loved ones with head erect, … if you would be a man and live abundantly—then observe God’s law. In so doing you can add to those priceless freedoms which you are struggling to preserve, another on which the others may well depend, freedom from sin; for truly ‘obedience to law is liberty.’” –”Obedience to Law is Liberty” by Elder L. Tom Perry

“The Savior demonstrated genuine love of God by living the perfect life, by honoring the sacred mission that was His. Never was He haughty. Never was He puffed up with pride. Never was He disloyal. Ever was He humble. Ever was He sincere. Ever was He obedient.” –”Obedience Brings Blessings” by President Thomas S. Monson

Sunday Afternoon

“I also know that in doing so—particularly through translating the Book of Mormon—(Joseph Smith) has taught me more of God’s love, of Christ’s divinity, and of priesthood power than any other prophet of whom I have ever read, known, or heard in a lifetime of seeking.” –”Lord, I Believe” by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

“In our efforts to rescue and serve, we follow our Savior’s unique example and tender teachings about love: ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself’ (Matthew 22:39). He even commanded us to love our enemies (see Luke 6:27–28). And in His great teachings at the end of His mortal ministry, He said: ‘A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another’ (John 13:34–35).” –”Followers of Christ” by Elder Dallin H. Oaks

“The Book of Mormon records the visitation of our Savior to the Nephites, in which the voice of the Father, in the presence of some 2,500 Nephites, introduces the risen Christ: ‘Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.'” –”The Father and the Son” by Elder Christoffel Golden Jr.

“The words ‘I love you,’ ‘Thank you very much,’ and ‘Forgive me’ are like a balm for the soul. They transform tears into happiness. They provide comfort to the weighed-down soul, and they confirm the tender feelings of our heart.” –”The Home: The School of Life” by Elder Enrique R. Falabella

“Even when I ‘messed up,’ I always felt his love and confidence in me. He passed away more than 10 years ago, but I can still hear his voice, sense his love, enjoy his encouragement, and feel his acceptance.” –”Being Accepted of the Lord” by Elder Erich W. Kopischke

“Of the merciful plan of our Eternal Father and His everlasting love, I testify. As we rise up each morning, may we look to heaven in faith and say, “Oh, what a beautiful morning.” –”Beautiful Mornings” by Elder Bruce D. Porter

“The work of our missionaries is a magnificent expression of the Lord’s redeeming love.” –”Redemption” by Elder D. Todd Christofferson

“As this conference now concludes, I invoke the blessings of heaven upon each of you. May your homes be filled with peace, harmony, courtesy, and love.” –”Until We Meet Again” by President Thomas S. Monson

Cooh, huh? I gotta say, I love it.