Well it's time for General Conference again. I look forward to April and October General Conference with great anticipation, for they are always very spiritually fulfilling. How quickly the last six months have passed.

In October, my friend Jason and I drove to Salt Lake City on Saturday morning, listening to the morning session as we drove, where we attended the Saturday afternoon session. That was the session where Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Elder David A. Bednar were sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. It was a special privilege to be present there and to participate as we and all the other members of the Church raised their right hands to sustain these two newly called Apostles.

We were seated in the bottom few rows of the upper balcony at the westernmost end, looking down upon the stand where the various General Authorities sit. Before the session began, we watched the two new members of the Quorum of the Twelve standing at the end of the row where the Twelve sit, the end nearest to us. It was marvelous to see the friendship and welcome extended to these two new members by the others. They came over and stood next to them, shook their hands, and even warmly hugged them. It was heartwarming.

This conference, I decided to watch and listen with a goal in mind, to pick out five things that spoke powerfully to me, things that I can then apply to my life over the upcoming next six months. I may or may not share them here, depending on what they are and how personal they are.

Saturday Morning Session:

The Saturday Morning session has another 30 minutes left. It has been good to see President Faust conducting this session. It opened with a marvelous state-of-the-Church talk by President Hinckley, which he began by expressing concern for the Pope who is gravely ill.

Elder Boyd K. Packer, who I've always respected for his doctrinal understanding, spoke of how testimonies are found, nourished, and grow, sharing some of his personal stories about his own testimony. One thing that really stood out to me that I can apply to my life, is how essential it is to daily partake of the truths found in the Book of Mormon. I want to renew my committment to study daily, to read daily, and I need to develop a habit of doing it at a set time each day instead of whenever I get around to it.

I was really touched by Elder Russell M. Nelson's talk in the Saturday Morning session of General Conference. He told with great tenderness of the recent passing of his beloved wife, then went on to deliver a powerful sermon. A few items that spoke to me include that I need to not procrastinate the day of my repentance, and that I need to bridle my physical appetites better in accordance with the Lord's laws. He said, "Physical appetites are to be controlled by the will of one's Spirit," then went on to quote the scripture about denying one's self of all ungodliness.

President Thomas S. Monson had lots of good things on a variety of topics. He moves so quickly and has so much to say I'll definitely have to read his talk again when the Conference edition of the Ensign is published. He touched on the perilous times in which we live, and addressed the topic of debt, quoting J. Reuben Clark, Jr. about how interest is a constant companion of every minute of every day and night. He also mentioned how all to often yesterday's luxuries are considered today's necessities, how this fallacy is dangerous, how we need to avoid debt in particular when we seek things the generation before worked so hard for right away, right now. I liked also what he said to mothers and fathers, to be good listeners, to take time to listen, and what he said to children, to talk to their mothers, answer their fathers. He said a lot more on many other topics as well.

As the Mormon Tabernacle Choir concluded the session singing "How Firm A Foundation", I couldn't help but sing along, harmonizing here and there. I love singing hymns!