Alison's Favorite Quote from Each April 2020 General Conference Talk

Me and one of my Tabernacle Choir name badges.
Maybe next Conference I'll finally be able to wear it again for real, eh?

 

2020: Turbulent year, man! Makes me appreciate the words of living prophets and other inspired leaders called of God all the more! If it was ever on 2020's mind to stop me from holding onto one of my favorite General Conference traditions, it FAILED! I'm continuing onward with it. Behold, my fav quote from each talk from six months ago (in chronological order):

SATURDAY MORNING SESSION

"This year will be extraordinary as we focus intently on the Savior and His restored gospel. The most important lasting effects of this historic conference will be as our hearts change and we commence a lifelong quest to hear Him."

President Russell M. Nelson

("Opening Message")

"...consider what offering you will present to the Lord in righteousness in the coming days. Be courageous—share it with someone you trust, and most important, please take the time to do it!"

President M. Russell Ballard

("Shall We Not Go On in So Great a Cause?")

"Not only does the Savior heal and restore those who sin in ignorance, but also, for those who sin against the light, the Savior offers healing on the condition of repentance and faith in Him."

Elder James R. Rasband

("Ensuring a Righteous Judgment")

"Our continuing role is to receive continuing revelation."

Sister Joy D. Jones

("An Especially Noble Calling")

"And when someone sets their defining memories aside and is lost or confused, we turn them toward the Savior as we share our faith and memories with them, helping them rediscover those precious spiritual moments they once treasured."

Elder Neil L. Andersen

("Spiritually Defining Memories")

"Seeing others as God does is a gift. I invite all of us to seek for this gift. As our eyes are opened to see, we will also be able to help others see themselves as God does."

Brother Douglas D. Holmes

("Deep in Our Heart")

"Throughout his prophetic ministry, Joseph Smith used prayers of faith to obtain continuous revelation. As we face today's challenges and those yet to come, we too will need to practice the same pattern."

President Henry B. Eyring

("Prayers of Faith")

SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION

"In March 1830 the first 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon were published, and today more than 180 million copies have been printed in over a hundred languages."

Elder Ulisses Soares

("The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon")

"Our ability to help others come unto Christ or return to Christ will largely be determined by the example we set through our own personal commitment to stay on the covenant path."

Elder John A. McCune

("Come unto Christ—Living as Latter-day Saints")

"Because of Christ, all of God's children....regardless of their righteousness, will experience the reuniting of their spirits and bodies through the power of the Resurrection and return to Him to 'be judged.…according to [their] works.'"

Bishop Gérald Caussé

("A Living Witness of the Living Christ")

"In the exuberance of knowing that we can be saved and exalted, we need to remember that salvation and exaltation came at a great cost."

Elder Dale G. Renlund

("Consider the Goodness and Greatness of God")

"Jesus Christ is the Master Physician. Through His Atonement, He binds up our wounds, takes upon Himself our infirmities, and heals our broken hearts. Through His grace our weakness can become strong."

Elder Benjamin M. Z. Tai

("The Power of the Book of Mormon in Conversion")

"In a similar way, we might ask ourselves, 'How could this extensive renewal of the Salt Lake Temple inspire us to undergo our own spiritual renewal, reconstruction, rebirth, revitalization, or restoration?'"

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

("A Good Foundation against the Time to Come")

SATURDAY EVENING SESSION

"Hosanna is our plea for God to save. Hallelujah expresses our praise to the Lord for the hope of salvation and exaltation. In hosanna and hallelujah we recognize the living Jesus Christ as the heart of Easter and latter-day restoration."

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

("Hosanna and Hallelujah—The Living Jesus Christ: The Heart of Restoration and Easter")

"These are not messages from fortune-tellers; these blessings tell us what we need to hear. They are like a Liahona for each one of us. When we put God first and have faith in Him, He will lead us through our own wilderness."

Sister Laudy Ruth Kaouk

("How the Priesthood Blesses Youth")

"Along with our friends and family, the Holy Ghost is one of our most loyal and reliable companions. But in order to invite His constant companionship, we must place ourselves in situations and places where He will want to be present."

Brother Enzo Serge Petelo

("How the Priesthood Blesses Youth")

"Satan incites comparison as a tool to create feelings of being superior or inferior, hiding the eternal truth that men's and women's innate differences are God given and equally valued."

Sister Jean B. Bingham

("United in Accomplishing God's Work")

"...between 7,500 and 8,000 were baptized during the two missions of the Twelve to the British Isles... By the end of the 19th century, some 90,000 had gathered to America, with the most of these coming from the British Isles and Scandinavia."

President Henry B. Eyring

("He Goes before Us")

"...when a father is absent and a mother is the family leader. She presides in her home and is instrumental in bringing the power and blessings of the priesthood into her family through her endowment and sealing in the temple."

President Dallin H. Oaks

("The Melchizedek Priesthood and the Keys")

"...living in a day when the COVID-19 pandemic has put the whole world in commotion, let us not just talk of Christ or preach of Christ or employ a symbol representing Christ... Let us put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ into action!"

President Russell M. Nelson

("Opening the Heavens for Help")

SUNDAY MORNING SESSION

"We do not know when the Savior will return, but this we do know. We must be prepared in heart and mind, worthy to receive Him, and honored to be part of all that was prophesied so long ago."

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

("Fulfillment of Prophecy")

"Now, in case you are thinking, 'These are great 1,000-watt examples, but I'm a 20-watt bulb,' remember that the Savior testified, 'I am the light which ye shall hold up.' He reminds us that He will bring the light if we will just point others to Him."

Sister Bonnie H. Cordon

("That They May See")

"Because the Restoration reaffirmed the foundational truth that God does work in this world, we can hope, we should hope, even when facing the most insurmountable odds."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

("A Perfect Brightness of Hope")

"We do not come to the temple to hide from or escape the evils of the world. Rather, we come to the temple to conquer the world of evil."

Elder David A. Bednar

("'Let This House Be Built unto My Name'")

"It has never been more imperative to know how the Spirit speaks to you than right now. In the Godhead, the Holy Ghost is the messenger. He will bring thoughts to your mind which the Father and Son want you to receive."

President Russell M. Nelson

("Hear Him")

SUNDAY AFTERNOON SESSION

"In ways that have not been revealed, our actions in the spirit world have influenced our circumstances in mortality."

President Dallin H. Oaks

("The Great Plan")

"Personal revelation is available to all those who humbly seek guidance from the Lord. It is as important as prophetic revelation."

Elder Quentin L. Cook

("The Blessing of Continuing Revelation to Prophets and Personal Revelation to Guide Our Lives")

"...I have concluded that no matter what kind of storm is battering us—regardless of whether there is a solution to it or whether there is an end in sight—there is only one refuge, and it is the same for all types of storms."

Elder Ricardo P. Giménez

("Finding Refuge from the Storms of Life")

"If Jesus spent His mortal life ministering to 'the least of these,' would He not love them today? Is there not a place in His Church for all of God’s children? Even for those who feel unworthy, forgotten, or alone?"

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

("Come and Belong")

"Mortality always brings challenges, but time after time I have seen that those who strive to obey the commandments are blessed to find their way forward with peace and hope. Those blessings are available to everyone."

Elder L. Whitney Clayton

("The Finest Homes")

"If the light of the Holy Spirit burns within us, it will rekindle the Light of Christ within them. What you are lends authenticity to your invitation to come experience the joy of the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

("Sharing the Message of the Restoration and the Resurrection")

"...you can still draw upon the power of your temple covenants and endowment as you honor your covenants. Please use this time when temples are closed to continue to live a temple-worthy life or to become temple worthy."

President Russell M. Nelson

("Go Forward with Faith")

Alison's Favorite Quote from Each October 2019 General Conference Talk

Life got a little interestingly wild over the past month or two, as we all well know. But I forcefully kept my tradition alive to tweet out one favorite quote from each of last General Conference's talks (Oct. 2019), according to the order in which they were given, and then throwing them all into one place in a blog post. Here goes:

SATURDAY MORNING

"To grasp the vision we are seeking, the healing that He promises, the significance we somehow know is here, we must cut through the commotion—joyful as it is—and fix our attention on Him."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

("The Message, the Meaning, and the Multitude")

"There is no treasure, nor any hobby, nor any status, nor any social media, nor any video games, nor any sport, nor any association with a celebrity, nor anything on earth that is more precious than eternal life."

Elder Terence M. Vinson
("True Disciples of the Savior")

"The adversary will try to persuade you that spiritual nourishment isn't necessary or, more cunningly, that it can wait. He is the master of distraction and author of procrastination."

Brother Stephen W. Owen

("Be Faithful, Not Faithless")

"In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were 'in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery.' Now, as accountable beings, we find joy in overcoming misery in whatever form...."

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

("The Joy of the Saints")

"As you use your agency to carve out time every day to draw close to God's voice, especially in the Book of Mormon, over time His voice will become clearer and more familiar to you."

Sister Michelle Craig

("Spiritual Capacity")

"I invite you to commit to a lifelong process of discipleship. Make and keep covenants. Throw your old ways into deep, churning waterfalls. Completely bury your weapons of rebellion with no handles sticking out."

Elder Dale G. Renlund

("Unwavering Commitment to Jesus Christ")

"There is so much we do not know that our only sure reliance is to trust in the Lord and His love for His children."

President Dallin H. Oaks

("Trust in the Lord")

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

"....spiritual complacency and casualness make us vulnerable to the advances of the adversary. Spiritual thoughtlessness invites great danger into our lives."

Elder David A. Bednar

("Watchful unto Prayer Continually")

"Jesus Christ Himself is the Lord of lost things. He cares for lost things."

Elder Rubén V. Alliaud

("Found through the Power of the Book of Mormon")

"....our youth....they are unusually gifted in reaching out to others and sharing what they believe in a convincing fashion."

President Russell M. Nelson

("Witnesses, Aaronic Priesthood Quorums, and Young Women Classes")

"Our youth are being asked to take more individual responsibility at younger ages—without parents and leaders taking over what youth can do for themselves."

Elder Quentin L. Cook

("Adjustments to Strengthen Youth")

"Gratefully, we live in a time when prophets and apostles teach us of the Savior Jesus Christ. Following their counsel helps us establish a firm foundation in Christ."

Brother Mark L. Pace

("Come Follow Me—the Lord's Counterstrategy and Proactive Plan")

"We knew that the happiness he described was not simply pleasure or an elevated mood but a peace and joy that come when we surrender ourselves to God and put our trust in Him in all things."

Elder L. Todd Budge

("Consistent and Resilient Trust")

"We cannot assume that our children will learn to love the gospel on their own; it is our responsibility to teach them."

Elder Jorge M. Alvarado

("After the Trial of Our Faith")

"How important is it to you to keep your word? to be trusted? to do what you say you will do? to strive to honor your sacred covenants?"

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

("Standing by Our Promises and Covenants")

WOMEN'S SESSION

"Even if we do not know how to relate to what others are going through, validating that their pain is real can be an important first step in finding understanding and healing."

Sister Reyna I. Aburto

("Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me!")

"The name we were given at birth reflects our individual identity and gives us belonging within our earthly families. However, when we were 'born again' at baptism, our understanding of who we are was enlarged."

Sister Lisa L. Harkness

("Honoring His Name")

"With a prayer in your heart, continue to reach out and be that force for good. As you do so, your life will be filled with kindness. You will have a better feeling toward others and will begin to see their goodness in return."

Sister Bonnie H. Cordon

("Beloved Daughters")

"Becoming a covenant woman in partnership with God is how great and good daughters of God have always mothered, led, and ministered, serving in whatever way and place He has prepared for them."

President Henry B. Eyring

("Covenant Women in Partnership with God")

"Regretfully, some persons facing these issues continue to feel marginalized and rejected by some members and leaders in our families, wards, and stakes. We must all strive to be kinder and more civil."

President Dallin H. Oaks

("Two Great Commandments")

"Let me be very clear about this: if the world loses the moral rectitude of its women, the world will never recover."

President Russell M. Nelson

("Spiritual Treasures")

SUNDAY MORNING

"Along life's path, we may lose faith in God, but He never loses faith in us. As it were, His porch light is always on."

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

("Covenant Belonging")

"Can we be more like our Savior, Jesus Christ, and share with others what brings us joy to our lives?"

Sister Cristina B. Franco

("Finding Joy in Sharing the Gospel")

"By the gift and power of moral agency, we determined that the potential of what we could learn and eternally become was well worth the risk.... And so, trusting the promises and power of God and His Beloved Son, we accepted the challenge."

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

("Your Great Adventure")

"If you feel that in any way you are not clean, if you feel broken, please know that you can be made clean, you can be mended, because He loves you. Trust that nothing bad can come from Him."

Elder Walter F. González

("The Savior's Touch")

"Command the enemy of your soul by saying: 'Go away! You have no glory. Do not tempt or lie to me! For I know I am a child of God. And I will always call upon my God for His help.'"

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

("Deceive Me Not")

"When we love God with all our hearts, He turns our hearts to the well-being of others in a beautiful, virtuous cycle."

President Russell M. Nelson

("The Second Great Commandment")

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

"Greater holiness will not come simply by asking for it. It will come by doing what is needed for God to change us."

President Henry B. Eyring

("Holiness and the Plan of Happiness")

"We all know where we can do better. There is no need to repeatedly remind each other, but there is a need to love and minister to each other and, in doing so, provide a climate of willingness to change."

Elder Hans T. Boom

("Knowing, Loving, and Growing")

"Brothers and sisters, please do not miss an opportunity to look into the eyes of your family members with love. Children and parents, reach out to each other and express your love and appreciation."

President M. Russell Ballard

("Giving Our Spirits Control over Our Bodies")

"My dear friends, please do not let anyone steal your happiness. Do not compare yourself to others."

Elder Peter M. Johnson

("Power to Overcome the Adversary")

"Please never give up after subsequent failures and consider yourself incapable of abandoning sins and overcoming addiction. You cannot afford to stop trying and thereafter continue in weakness and sin!"

Elder Ulisses Soares

("Take Up Our Cross")

"Please don't allow your questions, the insults of others, faithless friends, or unfortunate mistakes and disappointments to turn you away from the sweet, pure, and soul-satisfying blessings that come from the precious fruit of the tree."

Elder Neil L. Andersen

("Fruit")

"General conference next April will be different from any previous conference. In the next six months, I hope that every member and every family will prepare for a unique conference that will commemorate the very foundations of the restored gospel."

President Russell M. Nelson

("Closing Remarks")

2019 in Review: Greatest Hits, from Month to Month

 Not going to get wordy here. Just some pictures/videos with brief captions. The year 2019 had its definite downs with the ups, but the ups were incredible. In chronological order:

JANUARY

Alison gets a journal edition of the Book of Mormon, and has enjoyed it thoroughly ever since.

FEBRUARY

Alison's uncle marries her childhood friend's grandma!

MARCH


Alison spends a weekend with her nephew at his house. So fun to get to know him even better than I did before, on a one-on-one basis!

APRIL






This month gets three pictures, because it was extra-ridiculously good. My friend Nancy and I met some characters from "The Office" (i.e. Kevin, Oscar, and Angela). THEN I had a birthday, shout hoo-ray. And THEN my darling youngest brother Austin graduated from college and became a professional engineer.

MAY


Some of my amazing Tabernacle Choir friends and I performed a song I wrote (arranged) for a worldwide, live-streamed broadcast. "It Is Well with My Soul."

JUNE


Wrote an original hymn (music and lyrics) to be considered to be put into the upcoming new hymnal for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I wrote it because I want to be able to tell my future children that, when the opportunity arose, I did not throw away my chance.

JULY


My favorite podcast hosts in the whole wide world READ MY EMAIL for their regular "Listener Mail" segment. SYSK forever, baby!

AUGUST

I attended the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom for a week, studying under and singing with the magnificent King's Singers! Made dozens and dozens of new, fantastic friends from across the globe. Making music with them constantly for seven straight days was unforgettable and precious.

SEPTEMBER

Totally ran a full, 26-mile marathon for the first time and it was exhausting as heck but I enjoyed it a lot. Planning to do another one, probably in 2021 (if not sooner)!

OCTOBER

Ran some more! This time, my parents joined me for a race! I had never run with the both of them before! A great 5k, for which I actually sang the National Anthem! And then I brought Mom and Dad with me to my favorite spot in the city: the local silent movie theatre!

NOVEMBER

I expanded my horizons and I actually PAINTED a thing! Never had really done that before. This is a representation of me and the way I live with my synesthetic neurological condition. (Look it up if you don't know what that is.)

DECEMBER

Spent some very sweet time with my friends from the FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention and the beloved, classic children's television program "Animaniacs." Complete with Pinky, The Brain, and Wakko Warner.