My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.
President Russell M. Nelson, "Joy and Spiritual Survival", General Conference, October 2016
Do you think this exact quote by President Nelson is important? It was mentioned this weekend many times by different speakers. So, the Lord is telling us something important.
At least He is telling me....maybe this wasn't in several addresses, like I thought, but the Lord made it so that is what I was hearing anyway. 😁
Regardless, this conference weekend, there was an emphasis on Christ Himself. From withstanding the perils of today with a solid spiritual foundation in Christ, as President Nelson implores... to putting our love of Christ above all else to be at peace, as Elder Renlund testifies.... to sacrificing by giving to the Lord instead of giving up something, as Elder Budge says...to withstanding spiritual hurricanes with Christ as anchor, as Elder Douglas teaches.
Of course the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, even a disciple of Christ, but with the emphasis on Christ this weekend tells me a lot. It tells me a lot about what's coming in the future. It tells me a lot about replenishing my lamp oil. It tells me a lot about how to survive spiritually in the coming days.
Christ, Himself, is telling me to focus on Him more, through His servants.
I can either listen and put my focus on Christ and make it to eternal life, or I don't listen and I don't make it in the end. Either way, the choice is mine.