Conference weekend is the best weekend.

When I was little, conference weekend seemed to stretch on forever. But now, I can hardly believe it when the final session has ended. I would happily sit through another day or two. The peaceful feeling in my home and the absence of outside distractions during this weekend make it so special. On Saturday, I looked around the room, at my little family, with the spirit so palpable from the words being spoken on the tv, and I thought my heart would burst. Oh, it was just what I needed! It always is.

I've been mulling the talks over in my mind, and I listened again to my favorites as I went about my housework this morning. These are the ones that really stuck out to me:

Elder Holland always bears such a powerful witness. My favorite quote: "Defend your beliefs with courtesy and with compassion, but defend them." Also, "Pure Christlike love, flowing from true righteousness, can change the world."

In one of my favorite talks, Elder Uchtdorf spoke about gratitude. "Gratitude is a disposition, a way of life, that stands independent of our current situation," he said. Instead of being thankful for things, we should focus on being thankful in our circumstances. Another good quote: "How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain."

Perhaps my most favorite of all, though, was Elder Bednar's talk on how it is our "load" or our burdens, or what we choose to burden ourselves with, that bring us back to Christ. "Sometimes we mistakenly may believe that happiness is the absence of a load. But bearing a load is a necessary and essential part of the plan of happiness." Am I burdening myself with a load that will increase my spirituality, or is it simply distracting me from the things that matter most? He went on to speak about the Savior and His atonement. It was really wonderful.

Some honorable mentions:

Elder Packer said, "The ultimate end of all activity in the church is that a man and his wife and their children can be happy at home." Sometimes I feel like as a member of the church, so much is required of me, at times maybe too much. But really, everything that I do for the church is so that my family can be happy at home. I know this is true. He also spoke to those who have yearned for marriage and family and whose dreams haven't yet been realized.

Elder Perry said, "The time in which my grandfather lived was a simpler time, especially regarding the choices between right and wrong. . . I am of the frame of mind that today's complexity demands greater simplicity." Yes! Despite how complex the world might be now, what we need are simple, solid truths. He focused on listening to the holy ghost, faith, and obedience. "Our faithfulness through obedience will ultimately rescue us." Another great quote: "Someone who is all wrapped up in himself makes a very small package." Loved that one.

And if you've ever been curious about how our church began, Elder Corbridge gave a great summary. He spoke about the restoration of the Gospel, and the organization of the church in these latter days. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this one, especially if you are not a member of our church.

It was a really nice, slow, quiet kind of weekend. And I have a renewed desire to hold fast to the covenants I have made with my Father in Heaven, to be the wife, mother, and woman that He knows I can be.