Yes, my hand is still up. I am so honored and willing to be able to sustain our Church leaders. I am so grateful to live in a time and place where we have the blessings of the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, complete with the keys of the Holy Priesthood. I love the men who hold those keys and direct the Church. I testify to all of you that they are called of God, and the Priesthood keys and authority that they hold are very real, and crucial for our eternal happiness.
Now on to more things that might make me teary:
If you have served as an Apostle for 40+ years, and wanted to share the single most important thing you could with the church, what would you share?
President Boyd K. Packer chose this: “One great truth that I would share: My witness of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
His talk was essentially an apostolic witness of the 1st Article of Faith. There is great beauty and power in the simplicity.
Also, when an apostle offers a promise, you listen. Here is what he said to those of us who are trying: “That there be nothing essential to your salvation and exaltation that in shall not, in due time rest upon you.”
I love President Packer, and it will be a sad, sad day when his time with us is over. (Sad for us, but the Devil will have a party)
Elder William Walker’s talk reminded me of how grateful I am for my ancestors that were early members of the church, as well as those who protected their link in the chain.
True to the Faith. Makes me want to burst out in song.
As Elder L. Tom Perry described the close-living situation with his extended family, it made me nostalgic for something I never actually experienced. I wish I had grandparents around when I was growing up, and I wish my kids had living grandparents now. I just need to be ready pick up that mantle when the time comes…
I have always loved the metaphor of a horse’s bit turning the animal as the master directs. Elder Perry said, “With the slightest tug from the Master, we must be willing to change our entire course.”
His views on modern life are stunning, and counter-intuitive in today’s world: “I am of the frame of mind that today’s complexity demands greater simplicity.”
Bwahaha!: “Someone who is wrapped up in himself/herself, makes a very small package.”
Another stirring apostolic promise: “I promise you that the blessings of Eternal Life are available to everyone who is faithful and obedient.”
Taking notes during Elder Lawrence Corbridge’s talk was almost futile. Almost every sentence was quotable, and I realized I was writing most of it down. Overall, it was a great discussion of the Restoration, from the First Vision, to today, and to the eternities, and a testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Four great quotes:
“Opposition, criticism, antagonism are companions to the truth. Whenever the truth is revealed, there will be a force to oppose it.”
“Look for the biggest dust cloud, and there you will find the truth.”
“Which is more likely? That Joseph Smith dreamed it up on his own, or that he had the help of God?”
“There are not many options. Either he was pretender, or prophet.”
That’s the big dollar question, right?
Elder Michael John U. Teh Does anyone besides me start getting a little uncomfortable anytime someone starts talking about materialism, and laying up treasures on earth?
“How do we recognize when we have ‘enough?’”
Fortunately Elder Teh focused more on how to lay up treasures in heaven, dealing with Christ-like attributes, family relationships, service, and testimony.
Elder Marcus A. Aidukaitis is from Brazil, but his dad is Scottish. He has a great accent – but I’m not sure what kind of accent it is. It does make me smile.
“Satan uses the internet to destroy faith and hope.” So true!
“In the kingdom of God, the search for truth is encouraged, and in no way repressed or feared.”
Elder Aidukaitis reviewed the principles of seeking for truth through study, prayer, faith, obedience, and the Spirit. Good stuff, very familiar, but still good.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson concluded the Conference with a classic Easter sermon, testifying of the resurrection and divinity of the Savior – as it really ought to be.
“Faith is more than imagination or psychological invention.”
President Thomas S. Monson let us with the admonition to “Be kind and loving to those who do not share our beliefs.” And the reassurance that, “We face many serious challenges in the world today, but I assure you that our Heavenly Father is mindful of us.”
We have been tasked with careful review and study of the talks when then come out in print. Fine by me.
———-
I felt that this last session was far more fundamental in message – but maybe that is exactly what we need to hear again, and again.
It is remarkable how fast ten hours of broadcast seems to pass now. I think it is an age thing.
Have a wonderful Sabbath, and join in at 9:00pm MDT on Facebook for the Sunday Night Check-in. For those who don’t know, it is our weekly opportunity to share with each other the single best thing that happened to each of us today. (Food, and naps are excluded.) It is uplifting and a great way to end the day.
Oh, and here are the links to the other sessions:
Until we meet again…
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Showing my age…I remember when Elder Perry was called to the 12. That being said, nostalgia for family is something near and dear to my heart. I was lucky enough to have two of my Great-Grandparents until they saw their second great-great grand daughter (both FOML). In fact, my first daughter had 21 living grandparents when she was born!!! The majority all lived within 50 miles of us. My EC’s great grandmother lived to 101, and had 2 great-great-great grand children!!! Now, unfortunately, even the number of parent’s is dwindling.
Due to my career, our children have not had the benefit of being around their extended family much until relatively recently. We think the Lord wants us where we are now because we have been unable to sell our home and for some reason have moved back into it 3 times. A new job or opportunity keeps bringing us back. When we lived in AZ, my oldest daughter was called to the “land of her father’s” on her mission, where she would do splits with her aunts and got special permission to have dinner with her grandparents once per month. (Kind of odd to have to get permission because your family signed up on the ward meal roster).
Being the oldest of my generation has a few perks. One: my mother’s youngest brothers are closer in age to me than my youngest brothers; so it was almost like having big brothers which is both good and bad. Two: when somebody doesn’t make it home for Thanksgiving, and the kids table is crowded, you get to move to the big table. Three: Every priesthood ordination from Deacon to High Priest was a patriarchal blessing. And Four: you get so many more memories of what grandma & grandpa used to do, smelled like, talked like and get first hand accounts of the pioneer stories that their parents told them, that you get to tell to your kids and the younger members of your generation.
MMM, I’m sorry that so many miss out on that extended family, and am eternally greatful that I got to know them in this life, not just through geneology. I could drone on and on, but I will turn the time back over to you.
I admit that the one time I used the iPad for not good reason (good reason being looking up what scripture they were talking about because I don’t have them memorized, yet), was when I looked up where Elder Aidukaitis was from. We guessed Ukrainian. Off by a long shot! His accent was intriguing.
And, I didn’t fall asleep once, this conference! I can’t express how happy this makes me. 🙂
I appreciated Elder Bednar, soft, yet stark reminder {Sunday morning session} of what day it was. A sacred and special date for two reasons. April 6th. I hadn’t even thought once about the date till he said something. Awesome. I had a chance to make amends for the remainder of the day and think about how special yesterday was.
I will admit though…I also thought about those in different parts of the world, who may be watching…..and it wasn’t April the 6th for them. Weird.
I think the conference talks today were arming us for hastening the work.
President Packer was inspiring to me.
He’s what, 90 years old? He’s in failing health. He can barely stand on his own. He likely hurts in places none of knew could hurt. He can barely even breathe at times. However, he still goes to conference, and he still speaks.
What manner of man is he? If I’m tired, my neck hurts (car accident), or I have a hangnail I do everything in my power to get out of church. Ok, the hangnail is an exaggeration, but the point is, if I were in Elder Packer’s position I would have asked if I could remote this one in, or prerecord it just in case I fell asleep, was in the ER, or keeled over mid sentence. I would have been whining the whole time about how horrible I felt, and that nobody was bringing me a croisanwich.
Elder Packer is the manner of man that puts his big boy pants on, gets out the door, and sits through 8 hours of conference before taking his turn. That’s comparable to me getting up right now, running 26.1 miles, and ending it with the Gettysburg address.
I think his seat was empty during the other sessions, he only had strength for one but he pushed forward for the one he HAD to be part of. I had the same feeling that he might not be with us by October. This was his simple, pivotal, direct witness. If it was also his final witness, it would be a fitting one.
LOLOL! I really like your comment. I hadn’t thought of it that way. Great reminder to be better!
Elder A’s father was born in scotland of Lithuanian parents…add that into the mix, lol
THANK YOU, Shel! I couldn’t figure out how on earth Elder A could have an accent like that. He sounds more Lithuanian than Brazilian, so maybe he picked up a lot of his accent from his parents.
Elder Corbridge’s talk BLEW ME AWAY! THe Spirit was SO intense!! What an amazing testimony! He covered everything with power and strength!! I loved it!
Yes, that’s one that you need to hear (online if needs be) and not just read. It was powerful.
Pres. Packer’s talk seemed to me to be a final testimony, but I hope not.
I said the same thing to my husband. It sounded like a farewell.
Exactly what I said
I thought that last time, but yet here he still is. Kinda makes me appreciate his talks even more..
We had the same thought here. I kept hearing reflections of Elder McKonkie, “And I shall not know any better then than I do now…”
I was waiting on my mission call well Elder McConkie gave his last testimony. At dinner Sunday afternoon we discussed how similar Elder Packer’s was…..but like Virginia, I thought the same thing at last conference.
These brethern never cease to amaze me with their stamina, they keep going until they have nothing left. It says a lot about their love for the Lord and their love for their charges.