General Conference

This weekend is general conference for our Church. We are so blessed to be able to hear from our leaders, our prophet and his counselors, and the General Authorities. As Eric and I listened to Conference yesterday, we noticed that almost every talk given was about being prepared spiritually. Each speaker made mention of the horrible times we live in; but they didn't talk about being prepared temporally. The message was to prepare ourselves spiritually for the days and years ahead. Because of my testimony of Thomas S. Monson being our prophet, and the General Authorities being able to teach by the spirit and tell us what needs to be said by the Lord, I realize that the times we live in are not going to get any better. If we want to endure them and endure them well, then we need to prepare ourselves spiritually. Being prepared was likened to the parable of the 10 virgins. In order to endure, we need to be as the 5 virgins who had oil in their lamps. Our oil is our testimony of the gospel and of our Savior Jesus Christ. There are many things that I need to do to make sure my lamp is full. I think the scary part is for those who are like the other 5 virgins and are not prepared. Maybe they have their 72 hour kit and some of their food storage. Maybe they are out of debt. But, spiritually where are they?

We were encouraged to fill those lamps by reading our scriptures daily, having daily prayer morning and night and more meaningful prayers, having a heart that is more ready to render service. We definitely live in scary times. I am grateful for my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which allows me to listen to counsel from my leaders and then to go forth and do something about it. It's time for me to "purchase some oil".