Instant Post-Conference Thoughts: Saturday A.M.

Note:  These are the instant, mildly-filtered things that ran through my brain and heart as I watched this session of General Conference. If you are looking for deep, spiritual analysis, this is not the place. Drive on. Please check back later for that, after I have had some time to process.

 

• The opening hymn “Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah” was sung so crazy fast I got nervous and ate three extra donuts.

 

• Right off the bat, President Uchtdorf asked a great question: Why does the gospel work for some and others not?  He goes on to tell us how to get it to work. Perfect for our times. So many are struggling with that question.

He had a wonderful take on chasing spiritual truths on the internet – compared it to ignoring doctors orders because of online opinions. People chase the “outlandish claims of internet lore. Sometimes truth is too plain, too simple.”

Two key points:

1) Are we making our discipleship too complicated? Focus on the simplicity that is in Christ.

2) As leaders we must protect the church and avoid putting too much burden on our members. As members we need to make a conscientious effort to devote our energies and time to the things that really matter in uplifting our fellow man and building the kingdom.

Other key point: Don’t make quilts for Relief Society lessons.

• I hope my hair goes white, instead of just gray. It looks cool.

 

• M. Russell Ballard followed up to his previous talk about holding onto the Ol’ Ship Zion by discussing what is in the Ship that we need to hold onto.

1) Living Prophets. We cannot separate Christ from his servants.

2) Doctrine of the Plan of Salvation. (Note: He didn’t say Plan of Happiness.)

3) Sabbath Day. Shout out to Sacrament Meetings.

Testimony meeting key word? “BRIEF.” He said it twice. Not a time to give a speech. (Can I hear an Amen?) And keep the little kids off the stand.

 

• Does it make me a bad person that when Elder Ballard said “Sail On,” I thought of the Commodores? (link here)

 

* Elder Richard J. Maynes brings some more meat by talking about living a Christ-centered life. I loe the reference to Nephi and his people “Living after the manner of happiness” even through affliction.

 

* Does it make me a bad person when someone talks about potters and clay I think of the movie Ghost?

 

• Sister Neill Marriott – what a sweet, powerful lady, with wonderful insight into the gospel. A most excellent talk.

Has a great southern accent. I wonder if she ever gave tours at the Alamo. I also love that she is a convert and that she has a family motto. “It will all work out.” It doesn’t say, “It will all work out now.”

Shout-out to the Sacrament. She calls the sacrament, “The heart of the Sabbath.”  I LOVE that.

Key quotes – almost Maxwellian: “ Yielding to the Lord is the ONLY way to lasting happiness.” “The healing of our hearts begins when we submit to and worship God.”

Speaking of broken hearts made me think of the saying, “A broken heart is an open heart.”

She, too, referred to potters and clay. (Not to be confused with Patrick and Demi)

 

• Elder Larry Lawrence. (I could see him being called to be an apostle)  Neat to hear that he, too, is a convert.

We need to be willing to ask ourselves the question, “What lack I yet?” (This is one of those dangerous questions…)

Elder Lawrence some great examples about how the Holy Ghost will prompt us in making small adjustments to help us on our path to perfection. Some were surprisingly specific – even to the simplicity of cleaning your room.

Another shout-out to the Sacrament. (Three in a row)

Challenged us to ask in prayer, “What is keeping me from progressing?” Listen for a personal answer – “the possibilities are endless.”

Likely Meme: “Our direction is ever more important than our speed.”

 

• Elder Francisco Viñas has a sa-weet accent. He is from Uruguay and was a basketball coach there.

Key quotes: “Repentance is a process, and not something that happens at one particular moment.”

Meanwhile, “Remission of sins takes immediate affect the minute we remember Him and keep his commandment.”

(Gonna have to watch this one again.)

He nailed the point that we need to repent in order to keep the Holy Ghost with us in our daily lives – and that is how we become better people. Nice!

Shout out to the Sacrament. (Four in a row)

 

• Wow!  The Church already has some of the quotes from this session posted as memes to share – and the session isn’t even over yet. Link here.

 

• Elder Quentin L. Cook wrapped up the first session by talking about being ship shape. (He uses ‘Plan of Happiness.”)

He showed a cool animated demonstrating how the ships in Bristol port needed to be “Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion.”

How are we supposed to be ship-shape?  Being temple worthy at all times. More important than ever because the world is getting really messed up. (Too much detail, too fast to takes notes.)

Be prepared with these three principles:

1) Righteous self-control. (Referenced Uchtdorf’s marshmallow experiment.)

It’s like a muscle, and needs to be continually exercised to remain strong.

2) Honoring the Sabbath will increase righteousness and protect the family. (I love that almost every talk has referenced the importance of keeping the Sabbath holy.)

3) Divine protections are provide when we are righteous – especially the companionship of the Holy Ghost for cleansing and protection.

 

• I gotta say, this was a meaty session. Every talk was about happiness and striving to be better. Lots of opportunities for personal reflection and application.

• Nobody quoted me yet, but there are still 4 more sessions to go.