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.
• This afternoon’s theme – to me: As the world gets more complex, we push back to simplicity.
• I’m thinking Elder Holland was in a deep meditative state during the sustainings. It must be exhausting being that smart.
• Elder Quentin L. Cook. Stumbling blocks that can hold us back. “A stumbling block can be anything that distracts us from achieving spiritual goals.”
Philosophies of Men – Addressed those who overcomplicate the gospel seeking more sophisticated stuff. (He didn’t say “stuff.”) But he did point out that “there is a test coming.” He talked about the sifting that will occur.
Refusing to See Sin in it’s True Light – “One of the unique & troubling aspects of our day is that many people engage in sinful conduct, but refuse to consider it sinful.”
Looking Beyond the Mark – As significant example is ‘Gospel Extremism,” When one lobbies for changes in doctrines, such as Word of Wisdom or over-emphasizes preparation for end-of-days. you are entering the world of “Religious fanaticism.” If we take a position that is contrary or exceeds the Church’s stance, that is looking beyond the mark. “If we elevate anything above our devotion to the Savior…we are looking beyond the mark. Jesus Christ is the mark.”
Okay, so there was so much packed into that talk that I’ve got to read it. It hit on a whole slew of hot-topic issues with opponents both inside and outside of the church without really tackling those topics individually. This talk was more important than it might appear on the surface.
• Elder Gary Stevenson. A slam dunk testimony of the Book of Mormon, and a call to find your own. It is the keystone to our religion and testimonies.
President Benson taught the Book of Mormon is a keystone in three ways: Witness of Christ, Keystone of Doctrine, Keystone of our testimonies.
Challenge: Some youth spend an average of 7 hours a day looking at screens: Replace some of that time with reading the Book of Mormon. (Seven hours a day in front of a screen? That’s all? Pffft. Lightweights.)
I am not sure, but I think somewhere in that talk, Elder Stevenson gave us permission to skip lots of 2 Nephi.
• Hope a song is next. My feet are falling asleep. Nothing better than a missionary choir singing Called to Serve.
• Elder D. Todd Christofferson takes on the myths surrounding “unconditional love.” Awesome! Infinite, enduring, divine, everlasting? YES. Unconditional? Not so much. (Elder Russell M. Nelson tackled this back in 2003, but I don’t recall it getting much attention. Divine Love.) “God will always love us, but He cannot save us in our sins.”
“God’s greater blessings are conditioned on obedience.” Not entitlements.
“We may be quite content with what we have done in our lives…our Savior comprehends a glorious potential.” Illustrated by telling the story of Helen Keller. Then spent time discussing the cost of the Savior’s divine love. Humbling.
• Elder W. Mark Bassett: Don’t be chasing mysteries and ignore beautiful truths that are meant for us.
“Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God.” (Jacob 4:8)
Cautioned against “prying at the plates” or trying to force new information, rather than focusing on the plain and precious truths. In our day, information is so ready available that some would rather trust info from an unknown source, rather than what God has provided.
Super topical for many who struggle today.
-Some things can only be learned by faith. (Oaks) 2nd witness to Elder Cook’s comments about looking beyond the mark.
• I can’t help but feel that this session is going to upset a lot of people…
• Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita: (And they left it on the screen for like 3 seconds) Being “ambitious for Christ.” “Being ambitious for Christ will seldom mean that we are singled out for public honor.”
—streaming problems. I feel like a Third World member. Right when we were finding out about Elder Cowan and the bike. (And when I say “streaming problems,” I do not mean that I fell asleep.)
…aaand we’e back.
“In our lives we experience trials, but if we are ambitious for Christ we can focus on Him, and feel joy even in the midst of them”
• Watching a missionary chorus is extra-beautiful. I’ve also notices that if there is a non-caucasion person in any conference choir, it is 100% guaranteed that the cameraman will find them for a long close-up.
• Elder Dallin Oaks: Sharing the gospel is a “vital part of what it means to be a Latter-day Saint.”
Speaking to ideas that will work to share the gospel everywhere – including countries that are hostile to religion.
1) We should pray for what we can do, personally.
2) Keep the commandments.
3) Pray for inspiration on what we can do in our individual circumstances in sharing the gospel
“With faith in the Lord’s help we will be guided, inspired & find great joy in this eternally important work of love.”
Success is in the invitation – no matter what their response.
“People learn when they are ready to learn – not when we are ready to teach them.”
Invite people to learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ – not the church. Gospel testimony precedes Church testimony.
Keep it real.
• I noticed a lot of red ties today. I think it is a gentle way to reach out to those Utah fans who will be watching the game instead of attending Priesthood conference this evening. #lostsheep
Quick break and then priesthood with my boys.
I just read Elder Bassett’s talk for the first time. The thought that came into my mind was, “I have got to master the commandments, scriptures and way to live that God has already revealed”. I have not done so yet, therefore I do not get to know the mysteries of God yet.
I was at conference (Sat PM and Sun AM). So outstanding!!! I love your comments and the others too. I still think Womens Session was the bomb!!!!
I vaguely remember years ago one of the apostles (McConkie? Nelson?) Speaking about “gospel hobbies”. Same idea.
I heard a lot of messages about sharing the gospel today. That would be my pick for a theme.
Gospel hobbies could be Joseph F. Smith, Dallin Oaks, or Bruce R. McConkie.
Over the years I have seen members who became fixated on parts of the Gospel. When I was still a teen, the Gospel Doctrine teacher fixated on polygamy. He soon was living polygamy in Mexico. While i was living in North Carolina, one of the brothers was an expert on the Second Coming scriptures, teaching firesides and special lessons to groups in the Stake. He believed that with all the Second Coming scriptures, it must be the most important thing to study. He is now out of the church. I read on the internet of a sister who desperately wanted to know what was in the sealed portion of the plates. She believed that the Brethren were withholding the information from the Saints. She found an answer from someone on the internet who said they had writings from the sealed portions. And yes, she is out of the church now. For some reason, reaching beyond the mark sends people out of the Church. I will continue trying my best to live the Gospel, listen and follow the Prophets. In them there is safety and peace.
I have a favorite Book of Mormon geography theory. I researched it thoroughly (I thought) and decided to take it to the Lord in prayer. As soon as I opened my prayer I heard the words in my mind, as distinctly as I have ever heard His voice, “Don’t ask.” I realized that it is not yet time for that to be revealed, so I decided I needed to research all theories until He reveals that information to His servants the prophets. I have received a lot of peace and joy from doing just that.
Good choice – because we know that Book of Mormon geography is unimportant to God.
Thanks for your thoughts–both deep and humorous:-) I, too, wondered how many people would get defensive about some of these talks. Elder Oaks’ reminder that lots of people who mistrust organized religion often do still love the savior made me think of several people who might fit into that category. A good reminder to me. And I loved the youth on social media thought about how they should “loose their thumbs.”
Thanks for the quick instant post conference thoughts. BTW — I am a Diet Dr. Pepper junkie, too. It is one of those things that I find hard to find moderation in.
Re Elder Cook’s Looking Beyond the Mark comment, referencing the Word of Wisdom, my thoughts turned directly to one of my siblings, who I love and admire lots, who has a PASSIONATE opinion regarding the WofW meaning NO meat. She has a tendency to really hammer that, from her soapbox, whenever a lesson in RS or Sunday School addresses Section 89, and has been known to intensely express her opinion on that on her social media. page. I readily admit that she is healthier (fitness and weight wise) than I am. But I don’t remember this interpretation regarding meat being addressed from the General Authorities in decades. I DO think we need to be sparing in our use of meat, and add many more vegetables, grains, legumes/beans, herbs, etc. Oops — have gone on longer than I intended. But, that was my first thought when he addressed beyond the mark and the W of W.
Looking forward to your recap of priesthood meeting…
Thanks for the quick summaries. Something whispered to me from the get-go that the session would piss me off (as you surmised it might do to some of us), so I turned it off and caught up on other stuff and maintained serenity. Thus your run-down is super helpful. Now I can at least talk to well-meaning others about the messages they heard–and will read them quietly on my own later. Much appreciated.
Would have been better to humbly watch and figure out the source of the conflict.