come listen to a prophet's voice.

this weekend, i spent eight hours on the couch.

(actually, more, but the eight hours were the best hours.)

i listened to the voice of the prophets and felt the Spirit of the Lord enter my heart, comfort me, and answer questions i'm not sure that i had even articulated. stephanie, over at diapers and divinity, sponsored a blog meme about conference. i was so glad to have read the questions before conference because it helped me pay attention to a few really important things (like ties! i'm joking...they're only sort of important).

here are my reflections:

1. Who were your three favorite speakers?

Elder Holland, President Uchtdorf, and probably President Ballard.  The talks given by Elder Holland and President Uchtdorf were like two tandem answers to the same prinicpal question I've had for ages.

2. Favorite talk?

Elder Holland, by far.  He made me cry, pretty much from the beginning, because I felt like the Spirit was telling me that he was talking to me. 

3. Favorite hymn sung during Conference?

The Tabernacle Choir singing "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet." Seriously moving. "Lead Kindly Light" was a serious contender as well.

4. Who wore the best tie?

Mad props to Elder Gong for his slammin' maroon patterned tie. I think a close second goes to Elder Bednar's blue striped tie.

5. Do you think conference had a “theme”?

Unlike last year, I am not sure that I really saw one, though my husband and I saw some repetition: the power of agency and the need to use it wisely, the importance of being diligent in the simple things, and the eternal significance of heeding the prophets.

6. Share a few of your favorite quotes (paraphrasing is fine).

I loved President Uchtdorf's connection between ambitions and albatrosses. I loved most everything Elder Holland said. I especially loved Elder Scott's quote: "we become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day." like, wow.

7. Something that made you smile during conference.

President Uchtdorf, upon losing his voice, riffing that "it's a fundamental thing that I need."  Awesome.  I love that man.

8. Any evidence that your children paid attention?

Well, I only have a fetus, but I was much less sleepy than normal--I don't think I drifted off once, though I wanted to. Good job, fetus! :)

9. If you had to give a talk in General Conference (don’t faint, this is hypothetical), what do you think you’d speak about?

Enduring well.  That small things really do make up great things. That everybody can do small things.  That we are better at what we do than we think.

10. What are some of your post-conference goals?

Oh my gosh.  Two words, really: simplification and focus.  I've been lost in a sea of crazy chaos for the past few months, and I'm just done with it.  I'm ready to turn off the noise in my life, focus on the most important things, and diligently try to do my best in them.  I won't be perfect, but I know I'll be blessed.

those of you who watched--what did you love? what did you notice?