By Small and Simple Things

Talks from the 2011 BYU Women's Conference - About seventy-five years before the advent of Jesus Christ, the prophet Alma met with his son Helaman to give him counsel. The theme of the 2011 BYU Women's Conference focuses on one facet of that advice, that "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise" (Alma 37:6). The talks compiled here reflect that wise yet seemingly contradictory statement: Small and simple doctrines, acts, and thoughts are the basis of the great things that are accomplished through the gospel of Jesus Christ: from consistent daily prayer comes the faith and direction needed for a family to realize their dreams of living together forever; from monthly visits comes enduring friendship and inspired help; from steady scripture reading and pondering comes deep and abiding faith and insight. "Vital spiritual patterns are evident in the life of the Savior, in the scriptures, and in the teachings of living prophets and apostles. These spiritual patterns are now and always have been important aids to discernment and sources of direction and protection for faithful Latter-day Saints."—Elder David A. Bednar "The first great decision made on earth was Adam's decision to leave the Garden of Eden. In doing so he essentially left his Father to cleave to his wife. Given the choice of Eden or Eve, the paradise or the person, he chose Eve. He chose the person."—S. Michael Wilcox "The purposes of Relief Society, as determined by the Lord, are to help us increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help those who are in need. That's why Relief Society exists. The outcome is that we will improve women individually and as a whole and thus prepare for eternal life."—Julie B. Beck "May each of us live our life in such a way so as to be known for tender, kind, refined, faithful, good, virtuous, and pure. In this way we will have demonstrated that choice to forgo being considered women of the world."—Ann M. Dibb "Even though we may not see from minute to minute that we are moving forward and making progress, I believe we will be able to one day look back at our lives and see that we were, in fact, doing just what we needed to be doing at just the right time in just the right place."—Virginia H. Pearce The talks contained in this treasury show the benefit of taking Alma's advice and focusing on the "small and simple things" of the gospel; steady, daily progress through small and simple acts of faith that garner great rewards in our Father's kingdom.