President Oaks talks about the pioneers and how we have modern pioneers that are doing noble and great things just as in the days of old.

• The days of the pioneers are not past. There are modern pioneers whose achievements are an inspiration to all of us.
  
• In every nation, in every worthy occupation and activity, members of this church face hardships, overcome obstacles, and follow the servants of the Lord Jesus Christ as valiantly as the pioneers of any age. They pay their tithes and offerings. They serve as missionaries or as Church Service volunteers, or they support others who do so. Like the noble young mothers who postpone the pursuit of their personal goals in order to provide the needs of their children, they sacrifice immediate pleasures to keep commitments that are eternal. They accept callings and, in the service of others, they willingly give their time and sometimes their lives. They do as the Savior taught: They deny themselves; they take up their crosses daily; they follow Him.
  

He speaks about a wagon train and how the lead wagon is the one with the vision, the direction, the understanding of where to lead the people to safety.  He says that those behind the leader are valiant and hard working, made to support the mission and to move the team forward.  He speaks about those in the "last wagon" and necessary for the work to progress.

• There are hidden heroines and heroes among the Latter-day Saints—“those of the last wagon” whose fidelity to duty and devotion to righteousness go unnoticed by anyone except the One whose notice really matters.

President Oaks uses a little humor to speak about those in prominent positions in the church and how they are held to a high standard due to the responsibilities that they have.

• At a public occasion a mother introduced me to her teenage son. “Do you know who this is?” she asked him. “Sure,” the boy replied. “He’s one of those guys who hangs on the wall at seminary.” Prominent position—“hanging on the wall at seminary”—does not put anyone on a fast-track to exaltation.

He shares an experience of a discussion that President Boyd K. Packer had with a newly released Stake President.

• A member of the Church in Great Britain said it best. He had served as stake president. As that period of prominence came to an end, he told Elder Boyd K. Packer why it did not bother him to be released: “I served because I am under covenant. And I can keep my covenants quite as well as a home teacher as I can serving as stake president.”

President Oaks discusses the need to improve our lives and the role that forgiveness can play in making our lives better.

• One of the best qualities in any of the sons and daughters of God, whatever their circumstance, is a determination to become better. Since we all have a need to improve, we should always be willing to recognize goodness and encourage improvement in everyone.
• One of the most Godlike expressions of the human soul is the act of forgiveness. Everyone is wronged at some point by someone, and many suffer serious wrongs. Christians everywhere stand in awe of those pioneers who have climbed that steep slope to the spiritual summit attained by those who have heeded the Savior’s command to forgive all men. Forgiveness is mortality’s mirror image of the mercy of God.
• The path of modern pioneers is not easy. Burdens carried in the heart can be just as heavy as those pulled in a handcart. And just as some early pioneers struggled for the benefit of others, so some modern pioneers carry burdens imposed by the transgressions or thoughtlessness of others.

President Oaks reminds us that stories of modern pioneers are written in the church publications and we are encouraged to have these publications in our homes to remind us of the great modern pioneers all around us.

• Our faith and resolve are strengthened by the spiritual achievements and service of ordinary Latter-day Saints. There are thousands of such inspirational examples, but they are rarely published except on the pages of the Church News and the Church magazines--Ensign, New Era and Friend. I encourage everyone to have these unique publications in their home.

I know several people in my life that could be considered modern pioneers.  I know of people who have forsaken their families to join the church because they know it to be true.  I know of people who have changed their family for the better by following the Savior's direction to honor their priesthood.  People that take difficult and extraordinary steps to follow the Savior at all costs are inspirations to me.  These folks show what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and to follow His ways.  I am grateful for these people that show me how I need to live my life so I can follow the Savior more faithfully.

Elder Ballard speaks in conference following a terrible incident in the country of Bolivia where two mormon missionaries were murdered by a terrorist group thinking they were operatives of the Bolivian government.  The church mourned for the death of these two young missionaries and continued fear and concern about terror attacks were a real concern in the country.  Elder Ballard addresses this subject head on.  He first speaks to parent that have lost loved ones while serving missions around the world.

• To all parents, family members, and friends of missionaries who have lost their lives while in the service of the Master, we extend to you our love, gratitude, and prayers for comfort and peace.
  

He speaks about terrorism and how bad it is.

• Terrorism has many victims. They include the innocent and law-abiding people residing in a troubled region who are striving to provide for their families and to do what is right. Missionaries live among the peoples of the world; and even with the protection of the members, they also can become innocent victims of acts of violence. We must not judge the people of any nation or region because of the irresponsible, cowardly acts of terrorism perpetrated by a few.
  
• Sometimes terrorists attack Church members or Church property because they believe, mistakenly, that the Church represents the interests of a country. Contrary to such misguided beliefs, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has no past or present affiliation with any government agency of any country, including the United States of America. In genuine Christian kindness and loving concern, missionaries and other Church members offer to all sincere and law-abiding peoples nothing more or less than the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Sad experience has taught us that not all people accept these assurances of fact. Therefore, leaders and members must be prepared for any event that may occur in the future.

Elder Ballard talks about the future and the cloud that this experience will have over the church and people fear for their future missionaries.

• Preparing ourselves and our families for the challenges of the coming years will require us to replace fear with faith. We must be able to overcome the fear of enemies who oppose and threaten us. The Lord has said, “Fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.”

He speaks to parents about the role that they can play in helping prepare their children for future missionary service.  Faith and a strong testimony will enhance their courage to serve.

• We parents need to begin early to prepare our children to have a strong, fervent testimony of the gospel. We must possess the faith, the courage, and the commitment that our pioneer forefathers had if we are to continue building up the kingdom of God on the earth.

Elder Ballard assures us that the work will move forward as the Lord still has work that needs to be done.

• The Lord has not yet said the work is done, so we must continue moving forward.

The work requires all of us to demonstrate our faith.

• The work of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ in all the world will require knowledge, faith, sacrifice, and the best efforts of every member of the Church.
  

Elder Ballard concludes with a plea that we pray for the missionaries around the world for safety and protection as they share the gospel.

• Brothers and sisters, the missionaries need our faith and prayers. Pray fervently every day for their safety and protection, for this is one very important way we all can support them in accomplishing their essential assignment of proclaiming the gospel to all the world.
  

There is a Wikipedia page (click here) that talks about this incident, the churches response, and the effects it had on families, the church, and future missionary service.  It talks about these two missionaries being officially listed as martyrs for Christ upon the church records.  This was a terrible time for the church but it shows the faith of the leaders of the church to boldly declare that Christ's work with move forward and that we will continue to move forward in faith.  This is a interesting chapter in the history of the church and an incident that brings terrorism to the minds of members of the church.  But we move forward with faith, love, and hope that the Lord will continue to bless those that are in his service.

Elder Holland speaks as a newly called Seventy about what it means to sustain someone.  He talks about the meaning of sustain is to hold up or to provide help.  He talks about Christ being our ultimate example of what it means to sustain through the pressures of life.

• As with all else in our experience, the Lord Jesus Christ is our exemplar and ideal in this very important matter of providing sustenance. His is the ultimate arm of strength and his the endurance which endures all things. At no time did he demonstrate that unfailing devotion more clearly than during the final moments of his earthly life, hours when he might well have wished that others could have been sustaining him.

He talks about various points in the Saviors last days where he overcame the world and fulfilled his earthly mission.  He talks about the weary apostles falling asleep as He suffered in the Garden.  He talks about how in the hardest and most unimaginable pain of His suffering, he reached out for the Father and asked why hast thou forsaken me?  This sustaining support was taken from Christ in His ultimate need but it gave Him a clear knowledge and understanding of all of us and the pains we feel when we feel abandoned, alone, and unsupported in our lives.

• We do not know how such great sorrow can be borne, but it is no wonder the sun hid its face in shame. No wonder the veil of the temple was rent. No wonder the very earth convulsed at the plight of this perfect child. And at least one Roman centurion who saw all of this sensed something of what it had meant. In awe, he uttered the declaration for all eternity, “Truly this was the Son of God.”
  

Elder Holland provides encouragement that Christ has suffered for each of us.  He knows our pains, loneliness, and need for sustaining power from Him and He will not leave us alone.  Ever.

• Life has its share of some fear and some failure. Sometimes things fall short, don’t quite measure up. Sometimes in both personal and public life, we are seemingly left without strength to go on. Sometimes people fail us, or economies and circumstance fail us, and life with its hardship and heartache can leave us feeling very alone. But when such difficult moments come to us, I testify that there is one thing which will never, ever fail us. One thing alone will stand the test of all time, of all tribulation, all trouble, and all transgression. One thing only never faileth—and that is the pure love of Christ.
  
• Only the pure love of Christ will see us through. It is Christ’s love which suffereth long, and is kind. It is Christ’s love which is not puffed up nor easily provoked. Only his pure love enables him—and us—to bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things.

He ends with his testimony of the love that Savior has for each of us.

• I testify that having loved us who are in the world, Christ loves us to the end. His pure love never fails us. Not now. Not ever. Not ever.
  

Elder Holland has a way of making the Atonement of Jesus Christ seem personal to me.  His understanding of Christ's sacrifice becomes real to me as he describes His last days, the suffering, and the ultimate triumph that He achieved for you and me.  It gives me hope that no matter what my issue are, no matter what comes at me in life, I am a child of God and Christ made His sacrifice for me.  The atonement is real, Christ understands all my issues in life, and He has provided a way for me to live and prosper in all circumstances.