Highlights from Thomas S. Monson of the October 2012 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

1. General
Conference
is for you
LOVE, JOY, AND
INSPIRATION
President Thomas S. Monson
Missionary Announcement be willing to make the effort to share
“We affirm that missionary work is ours and to help them change. In
a priesthood duty—and we encour- some instances we can provide the
age all young men who are worthy incentive for change. . . .
and who are physically able and “. . . For those members who have
mentally capable to respond to the slipped from activity or who hold their shortcomings. We must develop
call to serve.” back and remain noncommittal, we the capacity to see men not as
can prayerfully seek for some way they are at present but as they may
Read the announcement President Monson
made about the lowered age requirement for to reach them. Asking them to serve become when they receive testimo-
full-time missionary service on page 6. in some capacity may just be the nies of the gospel of Christ. . . .
“The same principle . . . applies
A Testimony of the Truth “My seminary teacher gave my to those who are not yet members.
“There is absolutely nothing in this class the challenge to write down We should develop the capacity
world that will provide more comfort questions that we had and to to see men not as they are but as
and happiness than a testimony of listen to general conference to they can become when they are
find the answers to our questions.
the truth. . . . If you feel that you do members of the Church, when they
The result was astounding! My
not yet have the depth of testimony questions were answered, and I have a testimony of the gospel, and
you would wish, I admonish you to was given a better understanding when their lives are in harmony with
work to achieve such a testimony. If of the love the Savior has for me.” its teachings.”
it is strong and deep, labor to keep it Shanalee W., 15, Utah, USA
that way. How blessed we are to have Courage Needed
a knowledge of the truth.” incentive they need to return to full “Courage is the word we
PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHURCH PUBLISHING SERVICES
activity. . . . We need to bear in mind need to hear and hold near our
Seeing Others as They that people can change. They can put hearts—courage to turn our backs
May Become
behind them bad habits. They can on temptation, courage to lift
“There are countless individuals repent from transgressions. They can up our voices in testimony to all
who have little or no testimony right bear the priesthood worthily. And whom we meet, remembering
now, those who could and would they can serve the Lord diligently. . . . that everyone must have an
receive such a testimony if we would “We can help them to overcome opportunity to hear the message.”
2 New Era

2. General
Conference
is for you
Blessings and Happiness when we expected they would be “I have learned, as I have men-
“We are blessed with so very answered, but they will be answered tioned in previous messages, never
much. And yet it is sometimes difficult and by a Heavenly Father who knows to postpone a prompting. . . .
to view the problems and permis- and loves us perfectly and who “The opportunity to be a blessing
siveness around us and not become desires our happiness. Hasn’t He in the life of another often comes
discouraged. I have found that, rather promised us, ‘Be thou humble; and unexpectedly.”
than dwelling on the negative, if we the Lord thy God shall lead thee by
will take a step back and consider the hand, and give thee answer to thy Loving Kindness
the blessings in our lives, includ- prayers’ (D&C 112:10)? . . . “May we ever watch over one
ing seemingly small, sometimes “. . . Our Heavenly Father is aware another, assisting in times of need. Let
overlooked blessings, we can find of our needs and will help us as we us not be critical and judgmental, but
greater happiness.” call upon Him for assistance. I believe let us be tolerant, ever emulating the
that no concern of ours is too small Savior’s example of loving-kindness.
Prayers Heard and Answered or insignificant. The Lord is in the In that vein, may we willingly serve
“Our prayers are heard and details of our lives.” one another. May we pray for the
answered. We are familiar with the inspiration to know of the needs of
truth found in 2 Nephi in the Book Guidance of the Spirit those around us, and then may we go
of Mormon: ‘Men are, that they might “The Lord’s purposes are often forward and provide assistance.”
have joy’ (2 Nephi 2:25). I testify that accomplished as we pay heed to the
much of that joy comes as we recog- guidance of the Spirit. I believe that Short Videos
Watch short video highlights
nize that we can communicate with the more we act upon the inspira-
from President Monson’s confer-
our Heavenly Father through prayer tion and impressions which come to ence addresses at lds​.org/​go/​112A,
lds​.org/​go/​112B, lds​.org/​go/​112C,
and that those prayers will be heard us, the more the Lord will entrust to
and lds​.org/​go/​112D.
and answered—perhaps not how and us His errands.
N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 2 3