Recently I took some morning pictures of the Fall Colors. We generally have a short and sweet blast of color here in Colorado. I just went up to my favorite park to take these pictures. It was so serene and beautiful to walk among the trees with the fall morning sunshine shining on my face.
Right now I am listening to General Conference. I thought it would be a good idea to live blog President Hinckleys talk, which is always the highlight of conference on sunday morning.

I can’t believe what I am hearing! The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is singing movement four from Brahms Requiem right now! My blog readers will understand what an impact this music is having on me right now. I have just immersed my life in this music for the past few months, and received my CD of the performance on thursday. I have been listening to it on and off for the past few hours, and I am just so happy to have had the chance to participate in that glorious music.
How Lovely are thy dwellings! What a perfect introduction to the prophets talk:

Brothers and Sisters – A Personal Matter – 96th birthday last june.
Speculation concerning the Prophets health. If he lives a few months older, he will live to be the oldest prophet in the modern church.
Miserable surgery – never been a patient in the hospital. Miraculous 2nd surgery. Does not know for how long he will live. Not an easy thing to preside over the church. Stress and responsibility are great.
Trasition to new Prophet will be smooth. Go forward in Faith.
Faith is theme he wishes to discuss this morning.

Faith of Joseph Smith – to translate, to pray, to restore the priesthood, organized the church. Thanks Joseph for the gift of his life.
Faith was the moving power behind Brigham Young. He knew nothing about the soil, water, or climate, and yet he set out without hesitation. And so it has been with each of the presidents of the church. They moved forward with faith. Despite crickets, persecution from the federal government, etc…etc..it has all been the same. Move forward with Faith.
150th Anniversay of the coming of the Hand Cart companies to the Salt Lake Valley. Willie and Martin companies struggled through the tedious journey. Up the valley of the sweetwater, food rationed, oxen died, carts broke down, inadequate clothing and bedding. Starved to death. Scores died. Franklin D Richards passed them by and came to the valley in the fall of the year, general conference was in session. Brigham Young was given a note during conference telling of the company. 5th of October 1856, our brethren must be brought here. Text is the people on the plains. Bring them in before the weather sets in. 60 good mule teams, 12 good wagons, good horses and mules. 12 tons of flour, 40 good teamsters.
I will tell you, said he, your faith, your profession, nothing will save you in the kingdom of god will save you as what I am teaching you right now. Clothing, bedding, food, supplies were gathered and within a day or so, the wagons were rolling. The handcart people were transferred to the wagons. 200 people died, but 1000 were saved.
Among those who were saved were his wives great grandmother.

His wifes gravesite looks down on Mary’s grave, who was saved in the company. Her three children died on the trail. Freezing winter, howling blizzards, slow climb up rocky ridge.
Faith of the pioneers is a reminder to us of the faith of our fathers.
Small and significant events also prove faith.
Manti Temple – George Paxman was a carpenter. He and his wife had one child and were expecting another. George suffered a strangulated hernia from hanging the door of the temple. He died. Martha was a widow for 62 years. Martha lost her ring when she was house cleaning. She prayed to find the ring. Found the ring after praying, gave it to her grandaughter.

Faith – Jesus Christ is the strength of our faith.

I’m really grateful to have had the chance to hear the Prophet speak on faith. I want to testify in the name of Jesus Christ that this Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is Heavenly Fathers Kingdom on the earth. Gordon B. Hinckley is his living prophet, and Joseph Smith was the prophet who restored the church on the earth in Modern Times. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ…AMEN.

Jenny Hatch