all these things shall give thee experience and shall be for thy good

I am little late with the conference post, but better late than never. This past weekend was General Conference. I love how April conference is always right before finals because I always feel like I get a pep talk before the hellish week commences. Actually, I don't think finals this semester will be that bad. I'm trying this new thing where I've already been studying a little bit every day so that I don't have to swear off sleep during actual finals week.

I had the chance to attend the Saturday afternoon session. It was a perfect, sunny Saturday. Also, isn't Preston just a dream? :]

I titled this post after my favorite scripture in D&C 122:7-9. President Eyring quoted it in his talk, which was also one of my favorites. I've used it in a few talks before and probably for a seminary devotional once or twice, and I get emotional every time I read it. My favorite part: "All these things shall give thee experience and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?" I just think it's so incredibly humbling. 20somethings are probably the most selfish age group, maybe tied with angsty teens. But I think 20somethings are even more so because we're a little bit old enough to be kind of independent and definitely old enough to think that we know absolutely everything. I mean, we're like in COLLEGE and stuff and getting degrees and internships.We're used to getting things instantly and it takes a lot to hold our attention. When we're faced with difficulties and trials, we are DRAMATIC. I am dramatic. Maybe you're not dramatic, but I am sOoO mUcH dRaMa. Every time I read this scripture I am reminded that all of the difficulties I am facing have been planned for me and there's a reason for all of it. I am also reminded that the Savior has suffered my pains and sorrows a billion times over. Am I really greater than the most perfect being to ever walk the planet? I think not.

Above is not from conference, but from a picnic in front of the temple two days ago.

Another favorite was from Elder Holland about patience. One of my favorite quotes from this was, "Surely the the God most enjoys about being God is being merciful- especially to those who don't think they deserve it." He used the parable of the laborers in the vineyard and reminded us that others may be blessed before us and it may be unfair. Why should we be jealous that the Lord chose to be kind? He also taught that our good deeds and righteousness don't go unnoticed. "Don't hyperventilate over something that happened at 9 AM when the Lord is trying to reward you at 6 PM."

Finally, I really loved this quote from Elder Rasband: "'Let me know if I can help!' is really not help at all." Ah! I am so guilty of this. Instead of actually offering a specific service, I am always saying, "Let me know if you need anything!" Which is good. Really, it's great to let people know that you're around to help. But how often do you take them up when the offer is so broad? I know I am very hesitant to ask for help and even more so when I am told, "Let me know if I can help!" If we take the time to really see what our peers need from us and specifically offer to help with these specific things, I think we are doing a lot more good than simply putting it out there that we're around.

I am so thankful for our prophet and his counselors. I'm thankful for their wisdom, advice and guidance. I know that when we take the time to prayerfully ponder the words of our leaders and choose to apply them in our lives, we will be so blessed. I love this gospel and I know it is true. I love my Savior and know he is truly the Son of God. I hope everyone enjoys this Easter holiday. If you missed any of the talks or would just like to listen, they are available HERE to read, watch and listen to :]

man is nothing

Conference weekend could not have come at a more perfect time. This past week was terrible. I've been sick with a cold, had 3 exams and was feeling sorry for myself again, but although I still have the sniffles, I feel re-energized, calm and renewed.

On Saturday I had the opportunity to attend the afternoon session with all of my best friends :) I really love this picture, even though we are all looking different directions. Don't I have the most beautiful friends? I love them with all my heart.

Saturday was also Kaile's 21st birthday. My very first memory of Kaile was at EFY in Buena Vista, VA. I remember seeing her and thinking she was one of the prettiest girls I've ever encountered. I still think this. I adore Kaile Knell. It sounds cheesy, but I feel like I've watched Kaile grow since I met her in high school to now, into this beautiful and kind woman that genuinely cares about everyone around her. Kaile is an amazing listener and does her best to offer advice and a positive perspective. Kaile is also hilarious and I laugh a lot when I'm with her. We are both tiny humans, revel in the fact that moms and the elderly are our biggest fans and share an affinity for Asian babies and babies in general. I can't wait until Kaile and I are both moms and can obsess over each other's children. Happy birthday Kaile! I love you.

Today, Jenny and I tried to watch the morning session, but didn't get tickets so we ended up watching it in the tabernacle. Somehow, we both managed to get tickets for the afternoon session. What a fiasco. But so worth it. I got to sit closer than I ever have and just bask in the wonder that is General Conference. By the way, the picture below was taken yesterday. And I look SUPER azn. I think I was giggling at something.

My favorite talk this General Conference was by Elder Uchtdorf and what I entitled this post. Elder Uchtdorf is an amazing storyteller and has a fantastic sense of humor. I always look forward to his remarks and I've grown to love him even more after his "Forget Me Not" talk at the Relief Society broadcast. I am paraphrasing from my notes, so some of these quotes might be a little off, but these were my favorite parts:

Compared to God man is nothing, yet to God we are everything: Wow. We are nothing. Man is nothing without God and we owe everything to him. And yet, despite our shortcomings, we mean the world to God. And not just a select group of us. Each and every single soul that is living, gone and yet to be born. I think about how much my parents love me and I don't think I even grasp that concept fully. The thought of God having that much love for every human being in the world is incomprehensible. I can't fathom any one being having the capacity to love that much, but He does.

The Lord doesn't care if you're working in marble halls or stable stalls: Great rhyming and beautiful concept. Our Lord is no respecter of persons.

The Lord uses a very different scale than the world to measure the worth of a soul: This might be my favorite quote after the first one I shared. It is so hard to be a young adult in the world we live in today. I don't think a day goes by where I don't compare myself to someone else. That's a very sad thing, but it's the truth and I don't think I'm the only one that does it. Can you imagine if the Lord measured our worth the way the world did? But he doesn't, because he is perfect and loves each and every one of us with a perfect love and measures our worth by the things that truly matter in this life.

I felt so good about myself after hearing this talk. I felt loved and important. I feel and know that I matter in this world and despite my inadequacy and all the times I've felt small or insignificant, the master of the universe and mankind knows me and loves me and wants what's best for me. And He feels the exact same way about you, and every living soul.

Sorry this was so long. I still have so many favorite moments/quotes/talks to share so I'm going to try and include one in every post or try and focus on a talk each time I post.

I love this gospel. It is perfect. It is true. I am thankful for the inspired leaders of the church and the wisdom of our prophet and his counselors. Prayers were answered this weekend. I am so happy and so blessed.

Listen/watch this October's conference HERE