Empyrean Conscience and General Conference

My mind is blank, my bed is made,

My hopes are dashed, my faith doth fade.

But when I knock on heaven's door,

I am renewed; my prayers are heard.

                          -Extemporaneous poem by Elder Gideon Walker Benge

Last week was packed with meetings, prominent dates, and a fantastic General Conference.

Before I begin my breathtaking account of my near-death experience that happened on Friday, I would like to quickly express my personal and fervent opinion that General Conference is awesome. I personally found Elder Dale G. Renlund's insights to be profound and meaningful to me. I will probably expound upon such ponderances at the conclusion of my thoughts. (Also, in case you haven't noticed, I do include made up words in my letters, and I am totally okay with it.)

So, on Friday, I was strolling nonchalantly down the street, when all of a sudden, a meteor of overly exaggerated proportions the size of John Hancock's signature on the Declaration of Independence whizzed inches from my pretentious and oversized cranium and slammed into the sidewalk in front of me in a burst of flames that caused a nearby parked vehicle to explode, sending crude shrapnel hurtling through the air, narrowly missing my companion and me. Good thing we were protected, right? 

Anyway, happy late April Fool's Day everyone!

Now, I don't have much time left, so I guess I should say that nothing as crazy as my aforementioned fable has actually happened this week. There has been some sorrow in relation to investigators we have been teaching, but there is still hope, and there will always be hope for them. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf's superb conference address comes to mind)

I also loved Elder Renlund's insight about how the greater the distance between the giver and the receiver is, the more the receiver feels entitled.

Folks, please don't feel like you are entitled. Frankly, it's rather obnoxious and completely disrespectful when we act as if God "owes" us something. He has given us much more than we have ever deserved already. Focus more on doing your best than on what you feel God is obligated to bless you with, and be grateful no matter what.

I love the Lord. 

Here is a scripture for those of you who want to know what can be done to magnify our callings and responsibilities:

Jacob 1:19

I love you all! Have a good week!

--

Elder Benge