A colleague suggested a great idea during a Friday meeting last week. The idea was to do a Throwback Thursday with some really great Conference Addresses. It captured me! So, I’ll start with one of my favorites, President Dallin H. Oaks’ inspired October 2000 talk, The Challenge to Become.

This talk firmly cemented some ideas for me about the point and purpose of this life. It changed my beliefs about God’s Final Judgment. Before, I saw it as transactional, based on minute sums and totals, including deficits and surpluses. Now, I see it as a greater whole. That is, all of our life’s efforts shape us into someone. The challenge is to become the person of greatest worth through this mortal experience.

So, please read with me and tell me your thoughts and favorite quotes from the talk!

Here is the LINK one more time.

ALSO, General Conference is this weekend. I invite you to listen and enjoy some rest and inspiration. When I was a young seminary teacher in the early 2000s, I felt inspired. I invited my students to write down questions they had for the Lord. Then, I asked them to pray over these questions. They would then watch the conference, seeking answers. At first, I was shocked by the thought, wondering how I could fulfill on the promise. However, the immediate thought that came after that was, “You’re not the one inviting them, Laryssa, I am.”

And then I remembered that I have no real power 🤪🤣 and that I’m just working for God. It has been a challenge. I have continued to invite my students, family, and friends to do this. So, I invite you now. Write down your questions and then listen with a desire to know, do, and to become.