You can say that again!

On my mission, I was really impressed by a talk given in a zone conference by Elder Theodore M. Burton of the Seventy. (Regular readers will know I’ve referenced this talk before.)

One of the concepts he taught was that when we find repeated messages in the scriptures, it’s worth sitting up and taking notice. He suggested that when the Lord repeats himself through his prophets, the result is something that probably more important an obscure part of a verse in Habakkuk.

There’s another scripture study tool I learned before my mission. My Book of Mormon instructor my freshman year (a Brother Anderson, but I don’t know more than that, except that he had been my sister’s bishop and later served as president of the Tokyo Temple) taught us to write personal applications for what we’ve read.

I thought about both of those things as I listened to General Conference this past weekend. Here are a few of the repeat messages I heard. I’m sure there are more, and I invite you to share some of your own in the comments if you like.

1. I should stop judging others (period) – Both President Uchtdorf and Elder Cook taught this.

2. I will understand the blessings of holding the priesthood by serving others – Elder Bednar, President Uchtdorf and President Monson taught me this.

3. The Lord understands the burdens I carry and he can make them lighter – President Eyring, Elder Rasband, Elder Baxter and Elder Perry.

4. I can prepare myself better to receive personal revelation; I can listen more carefully and record the inspiration I receive – Elder Pieper and Elder Scott.

5. And, related to #4, I can improve my personal scripture study – Elder Scott, Elder Cook, Elder Christofferson.

There’s another very large theme that I took away from conference, but I’ll do a post on that one separately.

Conference is, as I suggested in Monday’s post, a wonderful thing to me. But I also feel like I’ve been handed a mountain. Thankfully, President Eyring reminded me that’s ok. I’m grateful for repeated messages that speak to my own needs.

When I begin to feel a little overwhelmed by my new “to be” list as a result of conference, I’m heartened by what Elder Anderson taught: Discipleship is a lifelong migration. Wherever I am on the road to discipleship, it is good to be on that road.