Conference and Confidence

Hello all!

First off I hope you were all able to watch General Conference this week. I absolutely loved it! It always is amazing to learn not only from the leaders of the church, but also from the Prophets and apostles of the Lord. It is wonderful. The revelation that comes to those individuals is directed to all those in the world. It brings direction and guidance to life, and peace as we follow their counsel.

I wanted to say a little bit about some of the things that stood out to me:

1) We need to prepare ourselves now. I could sense the urgency in many talks, and especially in President Nelson's Sunday morning address, to walk the path of personal purity and apply the atonement in our lives now. Many ask how they can know if they actually have been forgiven, and an answer is given in Conference. I felt that we need to push forward, walk in faith, repent (change for the better) daily, and look toward Christ in every thought. Our personal purity will play a large role in our happiness and confidence now and in the future. 

2) To help us on our path to purity, I noticed several mention the booklet For the Strength of Youth. This booklet states in a very clear manner many of the virtues and moral principles that we should abide and live by. Despite the name of the booklet, it is not just for youth! It is for all generations. Just because we grow older, and hopefully mature, does not mean that God's standards lessen because we have simply increased in years. I invite all to join with me in studying the standards in For the Strength of Youth, and prayerfully seek guidance from our Heavenly Father as to what we need to change or do better at, and then seek the strength to do so. I know as we do this, we will see an increase of God's light in our lives, and a greater ability to receive personal revelation (and for parents, more ability to receive revelation for your family). 

3) We need to help lead others on this path. The gospel is the key to have joy, not only in this life, but in the eternities. Isn't that a message worth sharing?? It doesn't have to be something so big as asking to baptism the first day (although it could be). Simply sharing principles and living principles that you know is sharing the gospel. Do you know someone who is having a difficult time? Share a scripture, invite them to pray, or simply show Christlike love by being at their side. Example is the greatest form of missionary work. Live what you know, and sharing will become natural and easy. 

For those of you who know me, you all know how quickly, naturally, and easily I can refer to lighting, theatre, and music. I love those, and they are a large part of my life. It is easy for me to talk about it with people, and often, those I speak with are interested and engaged in the conversation. The same thing can happen with the gospel. I've noticed this in my life. It starts with having a personal testimony and then growing your knowledge of the gospel. As my knowledge and testimony have grown it has been tremendously easier to share the message of the gospel, just as it's easy to share about lighting. 

I invite all to thoroughly study the General Conference addresses these next six months. Read them, and then read them again. Know what they say. Live the principles taught in them. Study the promised blessings and then reflect on how God is and continues to bless your life, because of your obedience to His laws. https://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng

I know that God is our Heavenly Father and that His Son, Jesus Christ, is the Lamb of God. He was the pure and eternal sacrifice that satisfied the demands of justice in our stead. Because of Him, we can return to God again, and be together in our families. I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is lead by of prophet, called of God, to lead and direct the church in this day. That prophet is Russell M. Nelson. He is Christ's servant. It is Jesus Christ who is at the head of the church. 

I love you all, and I hope that your week brings you much joy and happiness! 

Elder Burns