Elder Ballard speaks in conference about the blessings that come into our lives as we listen and apply the teachings of the living prophets.  He starts by sharing that it is a blessing and priveledge to have a prophet in our day and we need to listen to his guidance.

• To have a prophet of God in our midst. Great and wonderful are the blessings that come into our lives as we listen to the word of the Lord given to us through him. When we hear the counsel of the Lord expressed through the words of the President of the Church, our response should be positive and prompt. History has shown that there is safety, peace, prosperity, and happiness in responding to prophetic counsel.
  

He shares with parents that our children's desire to follow the prophet will be strengthened as they see us follow his counsel and advice in our own lives.

• As parents and adult leaders of youth, we cannot expect our young people to take to heart the things the prophet says to them if we show a complacent attitude toward his counsel in our own lives.

He shares a story of a young girls who applied the teachings of the prophet in her life.  This might seem small and trivial but her desire to follow the prophet will result in great blessings now and throughout her life.

• I know a 17-year-old who, just prior to the prophet’s talk, had pierced her ears a second time. She came home from the fireside, took off the second set of earrings, and simply said to her parents, “If President Hinckley says we should only wear one set of earrings, that’s good enough for me.”
• Wearing two pair of earrings may or may not have eternal consequences for this young woman, but her willingness to obey the prophet will. And if she will obey him now, on something relatively simple, how much easier it will be to follow him when greater issues are at stake.

Elder Ballard provides us a prophetic promise if we will follow the guidance of our living prophet.

• Today I make you a promise. It’s a simple one, but it is true. If you will listen to the living prophet and the apostles and heed our counsel, you will not go astray.

He concludes with assurance that the spirit will guide us more in our lives as we listen to the prophets counsel.  Listening to the prophet will result in peace and joy in our lives.

• The Spirit will prompt you to know what you should do as individuals and as families in order to follow our counsel, that your testimonies might be strengthened and that you might have peace and joy.
  

I have found great joy and happiness in my life as I have studied and applied the teachings of the living prophets.  I know the advice from Elder Ballard, if applied, will bring additional blessings including peace and joy.  As I have studied the words of our living prophets through this blog, I have found that my life has a blighter outlook.  I have a clear understanding of the things that I need to do to keep eternally minded.  I have been able to see God's children in a new light.  Join me in studying the words of the living prophets and we will all be blessed with the peace and joy that Elder Ballard promises.

Elder Hales speaks about the need for more couples to enter the mission field.  He speaks of the concerns, the worries, and trials that this causes when a couple does but assures them that the blessings far outweigh the difficulties.  He starts by giving assurances that answering a call to serve beings blessings to us and our posterity.

• If we are willing to leave our loved ones for service in the mission field, we will bless them with a heritage that will teach and inspire them for generations to come.
  
• As we serve in the mission field, our children and grandchildren will be blessed in ways that would not have been possible had we stayed at home. Talk to couples who have served missions and they will tell you of blessings poured out: inactive children activated, family members baptized, and testimonies strengthened because of their service.

He speaks of some specific areas of concern.  The first one is the fear of what to expect or what will be asked of the couple.

• Fear of the unknown or fear that we don’t have the scriptural skills or language required can cause reluctance to serve. But the Lord has said, “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” Your life is your preparation. You have valuable experience. You have raised a family and served in the Church. Just go and be yourselves. You are the testimony, and you will touch the lives of those with whom you come in contact.

He assures us that couples can make a difference where others cannot.

• The service that couples provide is essential to the work of the Lord. Couples can make a difference. Couples can accomplish remarkable things no one else can do.
  

Another concern he addresses is that grandparents will miss out on important family events.

• Couples are sometimes concerned that in their absence they will miss weddings, births, family reunions, and other family events. We have learned that the impact on families while grandparents are on missions is worth a thousand sermons. Families are greatly strengthened as they pray for their parents and grandparents and read letters sent home which share their testimonies and the contribution they are making in the mission field.
  

Elder Hales shares that sacrifice is required.  Families of these couples needs to help support them through the many trials that they will face.  But just as anything that the Lord asks of us, we will be tested and sacrifices will need to be made.

• Missionary work has always involved sacrifice. If some sacrifices are necessary, then the blessings will be all the more abundant. Children, encourage your parents to serve and assist them with financial support if necessary. You may lose a baby-sitter for a short time, but the eternal rewards you and your family receive will more than compensate for the brief sacrifice. To younger couples with children still at home, I urge you now to decide to serve in your later years and to plan and prepare so you are financially, physically, and spiritually able. Make certain that the great example of missionary service is a heritage you will leave your posterity.

The blessings of serving are great.  Individual growth and growth with your companion are achieved in this setting like no other experience we will go through.

• The blessings of serving with your eternal companion are priceless and can only be understood by those who have experienced it. My wife and I have had that privilege in the mission field. Each day is a special day with daily rewards that cause personal growth and development in the Lord’s time and in the Lord’s way. The fulfillment that comes from this kind of service will bless you, your marriage, and your family for eternity.
  

A final concern that he addresses is that the older generation will be required to have a set schedule, memorize discussions, or do assignments that they might not be able to physically accomplish.  He assures us that there are many opportunities to serve and that we the schedule is completely different and what is expected is completely different from the young group of missionaries.

• The ways in which couples can serve are virtually limitless. From mission office support and leadership training to family history, temple work, and humanitarian service—there is an opportunity to use almost any skill or talent with which the Lord has blessed you.
  

He closes with these words of encouragement.

• Where much is given, much is expected. You have received much in your life; go forth and freely give in the service of our Lord and Savior. Have faith; the Lord knows where you are needed. The need is so great, brothers and sisters, and the laborers are so few.
  

I remember when I served a mission that the senior couples were such a highlight to have around.  Elder and Sister Brammel were such a light to whoever they visited.  They were so loving and caring and truly understood the need that the Lord had for them in the mission field.  If you are thinking about serving a mission soon or later in life, begin to prepare now.  If you will not be able to serve, plan to help support a couple that can and live through their experiences as you support their efforts.  Great blessings come from missionary service.

Elder Holland speaks about missionary work and specifically, what members of the church can to do to help in the effort.  Several key points are highlighted as Elder Holland provides guidance on making our efforts meaningful.  He begins by talking about why member involvement is so important.

• Initial investigators may come from many different sources, but those who are actually baptized and who are firmly retained in activity in the Church come overwhelmingly from friends and acquaintances known to members of the Church.

He speaks of the value of our example to those that are interested in the church.  People see things in others that they want in their lives.

• Above all else we can live the gospel. Surely there is no more powerful missionary message we can send to this world than the example of a loving and happy Latter-day Saint life.
  
• People do not join the Church because of what they know. They join because of what they feel, what they see and want spiritually. Our spirit of testimony and happiness in that regard will come through to others if we let it.
  
• Asking every member to be a missionary is not nearly as crucial as asking every member to be a member! Thank you for living the gospel.
  

He speaks of the importance of prayer.  Praying for the missionaries is important, but so is praying for those that are meeting with the missionaries.  We should also include ourselves in our prayers.  We can pray that experiences will come to us and that we will be ready when they do to share the gospel with others.

• Thank you also for praying for the missionaries. Everyone prays for the missionaries. May it ever be so. In that same spirit, we should also pray for those who are (or who need to be) meeting the missionaries.
  
• We can also pray daily for our own personal missionary experiences. Pray that under the divine management of such things, the missionary opportunity you want is already being prepared in the heart of someone who longs for and looks for what you have.

He provides simple guidance on what we should do when the Lord brings someone into our lives that is interested in hearing a little about the church.

• When the Lord delivers this person to your view, just chat—about anything. You can’t miss. You don’t have to have a prescribed missionary message. Your faith, your happiness, the very look on your face is enough to quicken the honest in heart. Haven’t you ever heard a grandmother talk about her grandchildren? That’s what I mean—minus the photographs! The gospel will just tumble out. You won’t be able to contain yourself!
  
• But perhaps even more important than speaking is listening. These people are not lifeless objects disguised as a baptismal statistic. They are children of God, our brothers and sisters, and they need what we have. Be genuine. Reach out sincerely. Ask these friends what matters most to them. What do they cherish, and what do they hold dear? And then listen. If the setting is right you might ask what their fears are, what they yearn for, or what they feel is missing in their lives. I promise you that something in what they say will always highlight a truth of the gospel about which you can bear testimony and about which you can then offer more.

Finally, he speaks about the new program the church has created making pass-along cards available.  What a simple way to share our basic beliefs with others.

• For those who find it difficult to initiate missionary conversations—and many do—the Church’s newly produced pass-along cards are a lovely, effortless way to let others know some of your basic beliefs and how they may learn more.

Elder Holland provides simple words of wisdom about how to be a member missionary.  I love that the examples he uses are part of our everyday lives.  There is nothing difficult about bringing up a gospel discussion, living our lives in a way that projects the light of Christ, and have a genuine conversation with someone about things they value most in their lives.  I am going to challenge myself to step up a little more and share a little more each week with someone.  I am going to take his advice and use the pass-along cards more.  I find that if it doesn't change the lives of the people that I talk with, it sure has an effect on my commitment to live my life better.