November 3

There were a couple of wonderful one liners at stake conference today.

"You can shoot the messenger, but never ever shoot the message."
      The story behind it was that President Seru called Principal Salomone and asked him to do a really hard task.  Brother Salomone had had a really bad day at work; he just felt that he could not do one more thing.  But as soon as he said yes, his spirit became calm and prepared.  He could have shot President Seru, but because he did not shoot the message he was blessed.

"Personal preparation for conference determines what one will get out of it."
      As this talk was going on, I was reminded of the story of Joseph Smith in the School of the Prophets. It was at that time being held upstairs in the Whitney Store.  Joseph had asked the brethren to spend time thoroughly preparing for the next session. All the men came washed, and dressed in their Sunday best.  During the meeting a man, the Savior, came in and sat with the class.  Afterward Joseph asked who had seen the man.  Not all had seen him.  As I sat contemplating this event, I realized that those who had not seen the Savior had come physically prepared, but had not prepared spiritually. Therefore they had not seen the Savior.
      I wonder how many times I have missed wonderful, spiritual experiences, because I had not come spiritually prepared.