I love General Conference!

We just had general conference and I love General Conference. It is a forum where church leaders give talks and words of inspiration and instruction. One of my favorite talks was given by a woman who I'm not as familiar with. I believe her name is Jean Kent, but I could have that wrong. Her talk was about children and how the Savior used them as the example of who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. At one point she said, if life and pain have dimmed your faith and testimony, look to your children and their example for strength. I thought of my children, and tears came to my eyes.

Just the other day I was reading some illustrated bible stories to them and we were reading about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. When Jesus finally arrived at Lazarus's house he had been dead 4 days. His sister Mary was so distraught at his death, and knowing that Jesus could have saved him from his sickness, fell at Jesus feet weeping. Jesus, so overcome with her emotions started crying himself. At this point Belle jumped up and ran to get her stuffed dog which she put on top of the picture of Mary. Confused I asked her what she was doing. She said she was giving her puppy to Mary because she was so sad. I would love to feel that kind of empathy for people.

Another night we read about Satan and people who listened to him and about why God gives us commandments. We talked about how commandments are meant to help people feel happy because then they won't listen to Satan, who wants us to be sad and angry. In their innocence and sincerity the girls said, "I will Not Ever listen to Satan. I will Always follow Heavenly Father." I smiled as I reminisced about 30 years ago when I had the same conviction. While I have tried to live the best life I know how, no one is perfect! I thought of their future and how much more secure and confident their attitude right now is compared to mine. I long for that conviction again. Children truly can give us strength through example when life has dimmed our faith.

I love catching Brian listening to conference in his car. I'll use his car to run a quick errand, and conference will be sounding from the radio. Inevitably I listen to it and come away feeling a little more inspired and peaceful in my heart. I like that feeling. Makes me wonder why I don't do it myself! :)