Lawrence Mbaki(DRC): I feel really well taught, edified and inspired. I learnt to always pay attention to Heavenly Father's voice because He always pays attention to my voice (Elder Uceda). My testimony of Joseph Smith was strengthened by Elder Christensen's talk: To not let questions paralyze my faith.
Lawrence Mbaki
(DRC)
Clyde Govender
(
Cape Town, South Africa
): From Elder D. Todd Christofferson’s April 2016 talk, '
Fathers
' I learned that even though I grew up without a father in my home, and so did not have an example to pattern my fatherhood after, the Lord is providing ways for me to become the type of father that our Heavenly Father is. From the talk I learned about the many things I was doing right already and the many things I still need to be doing. I learned that I'm not expected to be a perfect father now, but that this very experience of fatherhood is what will help me become perfect in the eternities. I learned about the vital role I have in the lives of my family, especially my children and that there is no substitute for me. I ultimately learned to be patient with myself in becoming a better father and not look to the world’s view on fatherhood and feel inadequate, but that I might be doing better than I have given myself credit for.
Clyde Govender
Cape Town, South Africa
Warner Molema(Johannesburg, South Africa): General Conference is a spiritual feast which I approach with thankful heart and a desire to be taught from on high. This conference did not disappoint. For each talk, I am taught twice. The obvious learning comes as I hearken to the content of the talk. The more transcendent learning comes by the Holy Spirit as the talk is personalised to my circumstance and need. The Spirit’s teaching may emphasise a teaching in a talk. It may even bring to my mind those things that I need to know that are not contained in the talk. This teaching is the more challenging to learn as I need to be prepared to receive it.
Warner Molema
(Johannesburg, South Africa)
Conference helps me in to evaluate my discipleship, encouraging me to make changes in my life that will bring me closer to Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I feel gratitude for the great plan of our Father. I am reminded of the importance of basic practices of faith in my home. I appreciate the guidance the gospel provides me as I confront my challenges. The gospel is a gospel of joy… I will live my life so as to show that joy.
Catherine Lawrence(Somerset West, South Africa)
: The last few weeks most of the talks I hear or lessons I participate in involve topics like opposition, trials and endurance. I remember making a comment in class saying that it feels like I am always in a constant turbulence of trials. Then I watched Elder Cornish’s talk,
Am I good enough? Will I make it?
His words rang true to me. Amidst all my afflictions I cannot help but wonder if I will ever be good enough if I keep making the same mistakes? Then the silent whisper came, that in Heavenly Father's eyes I am good enough as long as I keep repenting and striving to Choose the Right. The vision that Lehi had of the tree crept into my mind. We are constantly surrounded with the mists of darkness, with the large and spacious buildings and the road to the tree can seem long and tireless, but the fruit is desirable. It is my testimony that keeps my hand firmly on the rod. “However many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made … , I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.” This provides me with a great deal of hope!
Catherine Lawrence
(Somerset West, South Africa)
Martha Gladden
:
President Nelson
always emotes such a personal feeling in each message, and has taught that each person living on this earth needs our love as fellow travellers seeking the same path of love shown by Jesus the Christ, and it always gives me a warm feeling - even for some who walk another way - like never give up, for nothing is impossible for the Lord.
Martha Gladden
Tarryn Power (Johannesburg, South Africa): With the troubled world we live in, this one from Elder Russell M. Nelson speaks to my heart: 'When the focus of our lives is on Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening, or not happening, in our lives.'
Tarryn Power
Johannesburg, South Africa
Keletso Terrence Obonye(Botswana): 'Focus on the joy on having specific blessings that are promised as we keep commandments. This will give us the joy of Christ' (President Russell M. Nelson). The Prophet Joseph Smith outlines the way we are blessed - we keep a commandment and our Father rewards us so gladly. It is the law of heaven. But what was refreshing also was Elder Nelson saying that what motivates us to live is joy. It explains why I feel more excited to be a better me each time I study the Book of Mormon, pray, serve someone else and yes, keep the Sabbath day holy. My goal is to focus on joy, what I can do to give me joy. And like he said, 'If we follow the teachings of men we will miss out on the opportunity to experience joy.'
Keletso Terrence Obonye
(Botswana)
Diana Munden(Cape Town, South Africa)
: My whole life I have striven to draw closer to the Saviour and my Heavenly Father, and as I grow older the desire grows stronger for me to know the Saviour and to understand Him better. I have often felt the Saviour’s love and concern for me.
Elder David A. Bednar’s
talk stood out for me. 'Do we only know about the Savior, or are we increasingly coming to know Him?' he asked. Believing Him with our whole soul comes as we press forward along the covenant pathway, surrender our will to His, and submit to His priorities and timing for us. Believing Him — accepting as true His power and promises — invites perspective, peace and joy into our lives.”
Diana Munden
(Cape Town, South Africa)
Dorothy Noble and her children (Namibia): 'Conference was indeed very inspiring and edifying. The gospel of Jesus Christ is about joy, love and happiness, and that's what stood out throughout this conference.”
Dorothy Noble
(Namibia)
Zhanè: Elder J. Devn Cornish, Am I good enough? Will I make it? Sometimes we ask ourselves if we are good enough as a person or if we will make it to the celestial kingdom... We face difficulties and trials every day and want to give up but our Heavenly Father is there to give us strength. His opinion of us matters the most. He will always love us and will correct us. He will never discourage us, because we are His children.......and this touched my heart so much.'
Zhanè
Hyrum: 'The conference was a great experience for me. The things that stood out for me were - How to recognise the Holy Spirit’s promptings; How to sincerely repent of our sins; What the sacrament should mean to us.'
Hyrum
Luenzil
: “What I liked most about the conference were the talks given by
President Uchtdorf
and
Elder Renlund
. They reminded me of how we take the gospel and the power of the atonement for granted, especially when we walk with our heads down and heavy hearts due to the consequences of our sins. The atonement is a great blessing we need to always appreciate as we strive to become perfected through our Lord Jesus Christ. Forgiveness is what we seek and can obtain only through Christ’s Atonement...that’s what I believe to be the miracle of forgiveness. 'The Atonement...can wash clean every stain no matter how difficult or how long or how many times repeated.'
