"Come, Listen to a Prophet's Voice"

Come, listen to a prophet's voice,
And hear the word of God,
And in the way of truth rejoice,
And sing for joy aloud.
We've found the way the prophets went
Who lived in days of yore.
Another prophet now is sent
This knowledge to restore.
(Hymn No. 21)

This song came to my mind as I was thinking about General Conference this past weekend. What an amazing opportunity we have to listen to the prophet and his apostles, and to learn of them. Just a few things (of the many!) that stood out to me:

"True religion should not originate from what pleases men or the traditions of ancestors but rather from what pleases God, our Eternal Father." (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf)

The Savior "went about doing good...for God was with Him. May we follow that perfect example." (President Thomas S. Monson)

"The world in which we live is filled with diversity. We can and should demonstrate respect toward those whose beliefs differ from ours." (President Thomas S. Monson)

To parents: "Take time to listen, to laugh and to play together." (Elder M. Russell Ballard)

"To delight in Him is to acknowledge His hand in our lives. Our gospel duty is to do what is right and to love what is right. When we delight to serve Him, our Father in Heaven delights to bless us." (Sister Susan W. Tanner)

"Brethren, treat your wives with dignity and respect...Sisters, honor your husbands...Parents, show love to your children...." (President Thomas S. Monson)

"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each has different challenges, different skills and abilities and certainly different children....What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else..." (Elder M. Russell Ballard)

"It is crucial to focus on our children for the short time we have them with us and to seek, with the Lord's help, to teach them all we can before they leave our homes....I believe that the instincts and intense nurturing involvement of the mothers with their children will always be the major key to their well-being." (Elder M. Russell Ballard)

"Struggling through the crowds of the world can be lonely and hard...Who can reach, support and ultimately rescue the one among the crowd better than the Savior? He understands what it is to persevere among a disrespectful crowd and still remain true." (Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander)

"It takes real effort and sacrifice to live the gospel courageously." (Elder Robert R. Steuer)

"This life is not so much a time for getting and accumulating as it is a time for giving and becoming." (Elder Lance B. Wickman)

"It requires courage to make good choices, even when others around us choose differently. As we make the righteous choices day by day in little things, the Lord will strengthen us and help us choose the right during more difficult times..." (Elder W. Craig Zwick)

"The home is God's laboratory of love and service..." (Elder Russell M. Nelson)

"In God's orchestra, every instrument is precious and adds to the complex beauty of the symphony..." (Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin)

"As we become steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord, we will secure the blessings of heaven for ourselves and for our families." (Sister Cheryl C. Lant)

A testimony should be a personal witness of eternal truths, "borne to our souls by the Holy Ghost, not a travelogue, health log or an expression of love to family members." (Elder Dallin H. Oaks)

"Service gives us a purpose and courage in life. It brings us closer to God and helps us refine our divine nature....Kindness, love, patience, understanding and unity will increase as we serve, while intolerance, jealousy, envy, greed and selfishness decrease or disappear." (Elder Carlos H. Amado)

"Christ cannot help us if we do not trust Him; he cannot teach us if we do not serve Him." (Elder Carlos H. Amado)

And finally, probably my absolutely favorite quote from President Monson, "Children, don't let Daddy touch the microwave...."

I especially enjoyed Elder Ballard's talk on mothers. Being a mother is by far the hardest thing I have ever done, yet it is also the most rewarding. Some days it's very overwhelming, as I'm sure you all can understand, and I very much appreciated his counsel.

I think the Primary song says it best: "Follow the prophet, don't go astray. Follow the prophet; he knows the way."