#LDSConference

Wow conference was wonderful! I loved it dearly! What a wonderful
opportunity that was to listen to a Prophet's voice. I also loved how
that was a big theme for this conference! We must follow the Prophet,
don't go astray. Follow the Prophet, He knows the way! :) But anyway I
loved Elder Robbins talk on saturday morning! That was so powerful! I
liked how he said, "Pilate was merciful until it got risky." It got me
thinking about how sometimes we are like that! We live the gospel
until it gets risky or threatens our social status or something like
that! As Heavenly Father watches that He is probably just like
"Serious?" We can all do better with that!
Also Grantley had a set back so his baptism is getting moved back but
we will work to get over that!
This transfer I have been really focusing on using scriptures more and
have seen many blessings come from it. I remember hearing Elder Hatch
say "When we use the scriptures we don't have to say, 'Now don't take
my word for it'. Because we are not using our words but we are using
the Lord's." That stuck with me and has helped me a lot. The other day
we were teaching a first lesson and got talking about baptism and the
lady at first felt like she didn't need to be baptized. I then quoted
some scriptures and talked about those and she asked, "So what you're
saying is i need to be baptized to enter heaven." Then this was my
favorite part! I was able to tell her that because I quoted Christ, I
wasn't the one telling her. The Lord was. So that just really opened
my eyes to see the power of scriptures and it was a really neat
experience.
Oh I also loved Elder Bednar's talk to finish it off! Wow! That was so
powerful! Now I am going to ask are we sharing our "band-aids and
neosporin"? (I hope that's spelled right) We have something that
brings so much comfort and peace but we don't share it with others!
There are people out their that are spiritually wounded yet we keep
our medicine to ourselves! That cannot happen. We can do better!
Something that President Mehr says is "I love it when people get up in
testimony meeting and say, 'The Gospel blesses me so much' He said his
response to this is, 'That's great! When's the last time you shared it
with someone?' " We can do better at sharing it! So please share your
band aids! We all need them! I love you all! Let us all have the
attitude of Khalil. He says in every one of his prayers, "Help
everyone to get to the Celestial Kingdom together." I love you! Share
your band aids! :)
With Love,
Elder Smith

ps. President Mehr shared this quote by Gordon B Hinckley and I loved it!
"The Church has a host of critics and an army of enemies. They mock
that which is sacred. They demean and belittle that which has come
from God. They pander to the desires of others who evidently enjoy
seeing that which is sacred made to look funny. I cannot think of
anything less in harmony with the spirit of Christ than this kind of
activity.
"We are pained by the desecration of that which to us is holy. But we
need not fear. This cause is greater than any man. It will outlast all
its enemies. We need only go forward, without fear, by the power of
faith. Said the Lord in an early season of this work: 'Therefore, fear
not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you,
for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. . . . Look unto
me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. Behold the wounds which
pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and
feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the
kingdom of heaven.' (D&C 6:34, 36-37.)" (Faith, The Essence of True
Religion, p. 16)

Here is a pic of the Zone at our activity!