Here are my notes on two of the talks from the Saturday Morning session of the 183rd semi-annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints:
David A. Bednar
"As we live the law of tithing, we often receive significant but subtle blessings that are not always what we expect and easily can be overlooked. ...Often as we teach and testify about the law of tithing we emphasize the immediate, dramatic, and readily recognizable temperable blessings we receive. And surely such blessings do occur. Yet some of the diverse blessings we obtain as we're obedient to this commandment are significant but subtle. Such blessings can only be discerned if we are both spiritually attentive and observant."
"A subtle yet significant blessing we receive is the spiritual gift of gratitude that enables our appreciation for what we have, and to constrain desires for what we want. A grateful person is rich in contentment, an ungrateful person suffers in the poverty of endless discontentment."
David A. Bednar
"In the financial operations of the church, two basic and fixed principles are observed. First, the church lives within its means and does not spend more than it receives. Second, a portion if the annual income is set aside as a reserve for contingencies and unanticipated needs. For decades the church had taught its membership the principle of setting aside additional food, fuel, and money to take care of emergencies that night arise. The church as an institution simply follows the same principles that are taught repeatedly to the members."
David A. Bednar
"... Your faith strengthens my faith. Your devotion makes me more devoted. And your goodness and willing obedience to the law of tithing inspires me to be a better man, husband, father, and church leader. Thank you for your goodness and faithfulness as you honor your covenants."
David A. Bednar
The Widows Might:
"...She in her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."
"The honest payment of thing is much more than a duty, it is an important step in the process of personal sanctification. To those of you who pay your tithing, I commend you. To those of you who presently are not obeying the law of tithing, I invite you to consider your ways and repent. I testify that by your obedience to this law of The Lord the windows of heaven will be opened to you. Please do not procrastinate the day of your repentance."
David A. Bednar
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Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"The search for truth has led millions of people to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. However, there are some who leave the church they once loved.
One might ask, "If the gospel is so wonderful why would anyone leave?"
Sometimes we assume it is because they have been offended or lazy or sinful. Actually, it is not that simple.
In fact, there is not just one reason that applies to the variety of situations. Some of our dear members struggle for years with a question whether they should separate themselves from the church. In this church that honors personal agency so strongly, that was restored by a young man who asked questions, and sought answers, we respect those who honestly search for truth. It may break our hearts when their journey takes them away from the church we love, and the truth we have found, but we honor their right to worship almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience, just as we claim the privilege for ourselves."
"...to those who have separated themselves from the church I say, ' my dear friends there is yet a place for you here. Come and add your talents, gifts, and energies to ours. We will all become better as a result."
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"One of the purposes of the church is to nurture and cultivate the seed of faith, even in the sometimes sandy soil of doubt and uncertainty. Faith is to hope for things which and not seen but which are true. Therefore, please, my dear brothers and sister, my dear friends, first doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.
We must never allow doubt to hold us prisoner and keep us from the divine love, peace, and gifts that come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."
"Some might say,"I just don't fit in with you people in the Church." If you could see into our hearts you will probably find that you fit in better than you suppose. You might be surprised to find that we have yearnings, and struggles, and hopes similar to yours. Your background or upbringing might seem different from what you perceive in many Latter-day Saints, but that could be a blessing! Brothers and sisters, dear friends, we need your unique talents and perspectives. The diversity of persons and people's around the globe is a strength of this church. Some might say," I don't think I could live up to your standards." All the more reason to come! The church is designed to nourish the imperfect, struggling and exhausted. It is filled with people who desire with all their heart to keep the commandments even if they haven't mastered them yet.
Some might say," I know a member of your church who is a hypocrite. I could never join a church that makes someone like him a member."
If you define hypocrites as someone who fails to live up perfectly to what he or she believes, then we're all hypocrites. None of us is quite as Christ-like as we know we should be. But we earnestly desire to overcome our faults and the desire to sin, and to become better with the help of the atonement if Jesus Christ. If these are your desires, then regardless of your circumstances, your personal history, or the strength of your testimony, there is room for you in this church. Come, join with us."
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
