Conference Memories

We were in Utah in April 2014.  Our sister in law had some tickets, so Seth and I were able to go to the Saturday morning session.  The first speaker after President Monson was Elder Holland.  His talk was titled "The Cost - and Blessings of Discipleship." 

At the end of the session, we made our way to the exit.  It had begun to rain lightly, so people were bundling up and walking quickly.  As we crossed the street, we heard some protesters yelling at us.  It was such a contrast to the happiness we were feeling after the conference.  I said to Seth, "Look at his eyes!"  It was the strangest thing.  There was no light there.  It felt like there was no color there.  Like the beginning of The Wizard of Oz.

When I looked back to the crowd that was coming from the Conference Center, everything seemed to be in light and color!

Like this except there was a light rain.

There has been so much protesting the past year.  Millions of people have been in the streets in Seoul.  We have heard them every weekend for several months.  And back in the US, there have been lots of protests too.

Protests in Seoul, South Korea



Protesters in USA

After watching conference, it is so reassuring that as long as we follow the teachings of the Savior, we can be in the light.

Here's some of my favorites from conferences.



There is safety in holding on to the iron rod



Stay by the tree




Stay in the good ship Zion



We are that we might have Joy!

Look up!



I am going to look for more sunshine and avoid the contention, complaining and bickering.  We will no doubt have to see and hear it, but we can "Let it Go" and turn towards the light.

Here are some connections to our missions from this conference.



This is Elder Alexandr Drachyov with our mission president from the Russia Novosibirsk Mission, President Daniel Gibbons.  Elder Drachyov was sustained on Saturday as an Area Seventy.

Elder Stevenson spoke about the missionaries in the Japan Sendai Mission when the earthquake and tsunami hit the Fukushima area in 2011.

Another Sendai connection:  The Rasmussens were presiding in Sendai when we first arrived in Japan.  The Sekiguchis will be the new president and wife starting in July when the Smiths are released.

Elder Choi spoke Sunday Morning.  He is in the Asia North Area presidency and spoke about his family's conversion to the gospel in Korea.  When we had our mission conference in February, Elder Holland teased Elder Choi about having to speak in conference on Sunday morning after the prophet.  We thought he was kidding!