Prepare A Way: General Conference

You Are Wanted

Monday, April 4, 2022

It was 2013.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave a talk on MDD.

I had prayed for those words for 3 very long years.

And then one conference they finally came.

Today Elder Holland, again, reiterated what he said almost 10 years ago.

You are wanted.

You are needed.

You are loved.

Suicide is not the answer.

The despair you feel…. God sees it.

God sees you.

And you are wanted.

You are wanted here on Earth.

You are wanted at church.

You are wanted at home…

at school, at work, at the temple, at Christmas, at that baptism, at that birthday party, at that bunco night.

You are wanted here.

God wants you here, as much as He wants you back home in Heaven.

He wants you here. Because maybe…

Maybe you can help someone else feel the love and wanting He so desperately needs them to feel.

Please stay.

General Conference 04/2020 - Sunday Afternoon Session

Saturday, April 18, 2020

I'm always so sad when general conference is over. I never want it to end! As a kid, it took forever to get through one session and as an adult, I'm always catching myself thinking, "That was it? The last session already!?" So much goodness packed in such a short amount of time!!

Also, 8 new temples!?!?! I cannot believe it!!!! So amazing and exciting and of course, my home state (Utah) got another temple added to our list. I keep wondering why we get a new one each time but I have to say.... there are big plans in the making that need these new and smaller temples to be built. Such as closing the Salt Lake Temple... we needed to have newer, updated, and more temples to help with the amount of those that attend that temple while it is closed for four years.

Also, can we just talk about how President Nelson choked up after saying that China was getting another temple!?!?!!!!! I totally started crying when he choked up. The work is moving forward and the Lord knows what he is doing. It is amazing and I'm so excited for China!! Oh and Dubai!?!? Isn't that so cool!? Gosh. I love the temple!!!!

I always love making quote pictures from General Conference highlighting some of my favorite quotes. Please feel free to share or pin on Pinterest! That would make me so happy :) I used the Rhonna Farrer Designs app (with my in-app purchases) to make these graphics as well as a font by Amy Groesbeck that I purchased.

General Conference 04/2020 - Sunday Morning Session

Thursday, April 16, 2020

I could not wait for this session!! After President Nelson made all these comments here and there about the surprises coming, I almost couldn't sleep!! Man, what a magnificent time to be alive!!! I love our prophet and not only his fun side to keep us on the edge of our seats, but being able to bring us back down to respect and reverence when needed. I love our prophet!!

My husband and I just moved to a new city and are still in the middle of unpacking so we didn't have our white handkerchiefs but still being able to participate was so amazing!! And that proclamation!?! So neat and amazing!!!! I love how far the church has come in such a short period of time.

General Conference 04/2020 - Saturday Evening Session

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Okay, how cool was it to have YOUTH SPEAKERS!?!?! I mean, can you imagine!?! They both did a fabulous job!! I spoke at my seminary graduation and I thought that was nerve-wracking.... also, they didn't have to speak in front of 21,000 people so maybe that helped?? Still, I think even speaking in front of the prophet alone would be nerve-wracking!!! Man, what an experience they'll never forget. It was so wonderful to hear from the youth!!

I just realized I never made one for President Nelson from this session. I'll be adding that soon!

General Conference 04/2020 - Saturday Afternoon Session

Friday, April 10, 2020

Growing up, I never used to watch the Saturday sessions let alone the afternoon sessions. As kids, we were only "required" to watch the Sunday morning session as a family and my mom would leave conference playing for the rest of the day. Now I love watching all of them and I will definitely encourage my kids to watch them all too!

General Conference 04/2020 - Saturday Morning Session

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

You guys!!! I can't believe General Conference for April 2020 is over!! I feel like it took so long to get here and it was over in a matter of minutes. Maybe it went by fast because I had a new baby to take care of who may or may not have cried during some talks but man... I get so sad when conference is over!

Preparing for General Conference

Saturday, March 21, 2020

Does anyone remember President Russell M. Nelson's call to prepare for April 2020 General Conference?

You may wish to begin your preparation by reading afresh Joseph Smith’s account of the First Vision as recorded in the Pearl of Great Price.

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A post shared by @marycox.art on Jan 12, 2020 at 9:30pm PST

This image was entered into the Work + Wonder Co's workbook submission for April 2020. It's probably one of my very favorites I've seen. I have been giving it a lot of thought, what President Nelson said.

I have read the First Vision in the Pearl of Great price what feels like a million times. I have marked up my scriptures with so much insight I'm not sure I could mark anymore! But that's not the point. I'm not going to lie. I definitely slacked when it came to studying the Restoration and here we are, only 2 weeks until General Conference.

One thing I have done is watch the YouTube videos that Dave Butler did on the Restoration. They are so amazing and have been a light in my life these past couple of weeks. I absolutely loved Seminary and Institute and it felt like I was in a class again watching his videos. I also love the podcast he does with Emily Belle Freeman. This video, in particular, is my favorite for many reasons but one of them is that there are actual books that were owned by church leaders in the glass case he's standing by. In fact, he even gets to hold one with his bare hands.

I have dreamed many times of holding actual church artifacts with my own hands. I know many people who have had the opportunity, Elder Holland being one of them. But as I experience those feelings and the excitement I would expect to feel while holding those items, I am reminded of my love for the Book of Mormon. I am reminded of my love for Joseph Smith and the sacrifices he made so that I can hold this book of scripture in my hands today, by my own free will.

I am so excited about this upcoming General Conference and I have absolutely no idea what it will be like but I can say this... preparing for it (or the lack of preparation) has brought back so much strength to my testimony of Joseph Smith and the Restoration. It has brought back a motivation and inspiration to study my scriptures more and to dedicate time to the word of God. I hope you have found the same in your preparation (or the lack thereof).

General Conference 10/19 - Sunday Afternoon Session

Sunday, October 13, 2019

I always get sad when it's the last session of the day because I hate that conference is over! I love this time of year and it goes by way too fast. Do you feel that way too? I feel like when I was a kid, conference was the longest weekend of my life but now that I'm an adult it flies by! Haha, funny how that works out.

I really loved President Ballard's talk about his sweet wife. It must be hard for them (or anyone) to continue without their loved one but I love hearing them talk about their love for them. It's so sweet!!

Until next time, which is supposed to be a GRAND experience. I'm excited to see what is in store for general conference and the special occasion that it is!

General Conference 10/19 - Sunday Morning Session

Saturday, October 12, 2019

I love the Sunday sessions of General Conference. There is just something special about Sundays and listening to our Prophet and church leaders speak. Maybe it's because I grew up with my family in one room while watching conference that just makes it feel magical to me!

My husband and I watched together and it was really good. So many talks about joy in the gospel and God's love for us. Even if they sound repetitive, we really need those talks and those reminders!

I made two graphics from Elder Uchtdorf's talk because I just couldn't pick one!!! I made these with an app on my phone called WordSwag! Feel free to save/share these :)