March 15, 2009--We took part in an area conference that originated from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah and was transmitted by satellite to stakes in southern Mexico. The new Centro Stake center was packed when we arrived 15 minutes early, so we sat in the cultural hall, although the session was also being shown on TV sets in classrooms. A Primary children's choir directed by Alicia Acosta was providing the prelude music. Pres. Jasper Lira asked us to make the effort to "apartarnos del mundo" as we listened to the leaders of the Church for this spiritual feast.
Elder Craig C. Christensen of the Second Quorum of the Seventy opened the meeting by congratulating the early pioneers of the church in Mexico and welcoming new members who are today's pioneers. He used Alma 32:28 as a text for "daily renewing exercise"--1-trust in the power of prayer, 2-study the scriptures daily for protecting power, 3-follow the guidance of the prophet, 4-trust in the mercy of God and the grace found in the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Sister Ann M. Dibb, 2nd counselor in the Young Women general presidency, spoke on Virtue, a quality recently added to the young Women motto. She encouraged us to think about its meaning in a broad sense, to strive to gain the qualities related through twice daily prayer, at least 5 minutes of scripture study daily and service with a smile.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson spoke to the Priesthood brethren, especially those who are married, but any who want to have families in the future. They are the ones who will realize the blessing of liberty and salvation that ancient prophets left upon this land as they exercise their priethood righteously. They will lead their families in harmony with the principles of the Gospel, give blessings when indicated, obey the law of tithing and offerings so that they and their neighbors will receive the blessings associated, and will receive the temple ordinances with the endowment of power.
Pres. Eyring gave sweet counsel as he spoke of the love the Lord has for this land, and the protection we will receive if we keep His commandments. He warned that if we forget and ignore Him, we will lose our blessings and be separated from him, which is Eternal suffering. He spoke emotionally of hard times being a blessing and told of the faith of his daughter and son-in-law who has lost his job, yet they are active and are participating in missionary experiences. One night Pres. Eyring was awakened thinking to send them an exact sum of money--which turned out to be the amount of their home payment that month.
His counsel of things to do today (stop doing what is wrong and start doing what is right) included forgiving, not scolding, and understanding the Atonement better.
For those who feel alone in their work or school, he spoke of conference as a time to see that we are surrounded by friends and to remember that the disciples of the Lord, the First Presidency offers prayers that He will watch over us.
Pres. Lira closed the conference with the usual admonition to drive courteously, and then added--"and stay a moment to pick up the chairs and put them along the walls." That little touch brought us back to the real world and reminded us that after all, we are in Mérida.