General Conference.

As many of you know, this has been the weekend of LDS General Conference. I remember when I was younger how much I looked forward to all of the yummy snacks, but how much I dreaded having to watch 8 hours of old men speak, especially while my friends were out playing. Today, I still look forward to the food, but I love listening to those old men. The love and spirit that they convey simply through their presence, is unbelievable.

As I was listening to them speak and internalizing their tokens of wisdom and direction, I realized, "how could anyone think that this is a bad religion?!" I completely recognize where there are aspects of what we believe and the acts that we perform that may appear to be peculiar; even being raised in the gospel there are still things that I don't understand. But when you listen to what they are really instructing us to do it all comes down to being a better person, helping others, loving your family, being prepared for life's experiences, being healthy, responsibility, kindness, gratitude... really all very basic and GOOD things! And if any of those concepts are too difficult to grasp, it is simply because we have allowed ourselves to be too weathered and worn down by the world. But that is the point of these men in their position and these conferences. To bring us back to the basics. To help us remember whose we really are and what it is that we truly need and how to obtain it.

I just wanted to say that I am grateful to be a part of this restored church and that I am especially grateful to my parents for their love, sacrifice and most importantly, their never ending example to me. I also want to thank them for getting the tickets for us so that Hillary and I could enjoy the experience. It was crowded, I was sleepy, hungry and cranky (it was the adversary, I know it!) but I know what I felt when I was there and what I feel now when I think about it. It feels… good :)