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.
• Summary: Nelson, Ballard, Robbins: KA-BOOM!
• President Monson shared a brief, sweet message on the purpose of life. It was good to see him, even briefly.
• Elder Russell M. Nelson spoke about joy, and that saints can find happiness in every circumstance. We can find joy even if our circumstances are bad if we focus on the Plan of Salvation. Christ is the source of all joy. Claim the joy by looking unto Jesus, giving thanks and keeping covenants.
I love it when people talk about Korihor. So many lessons in is story. Philosophies of men – online and in the blogosphere – are the same thing as Korihor.
This is one of those talks that every sentence could go in my notes, so I quit typing.
• Choir bursts into a song about “Joy and Gladness.” Perfect!
• It is raining outside my window.. Beautiful.
• Elder Peter Meurs. Gotta love the Australian accent! How to get the most out of the Sacrament. (One of my favorite topics!)
1) Prep for Sacrament on Saturday.
2) Show up to Sacrament meeting early and use it for quiet meditation
3) Sing and learn from the sacrament hymn.
4) Participate in the sacrament prayers.
5) Ponder and remember Christ when the sacrament emblems are passed.
(I’m gonna add one that comes before any of these: Every night, before going to bed, we should say our prayers and repent for that day. Then we are ready to roll come Sunday.)
• Sister Linda Reeves (RS) Repentance. (Two in a row…) Audio problems, had to reset, so I missed some. I miss my house.
A great reassurance that we can always come back, no matter how far away, or how long we have been gone. A hopeful message.
• Elder M. Russell Ballard opened by talking about his visit to the Holy Land. Being One. This is a BIG talk to those desiring to leave the church. (A great follow-up to his ‘Stay in the Boat’ talk.) I appreciate that he also included those who are “weary in well-doing.”
“Will ye also go away?” Talked about those who struggle and “vacillate in their faith” and “walk no more with Jesus.” He asked, “Where will you go?”
“”If you live as long as I have, you will come to know that things have a way of resolving themselves. An inspired insight or revelation may shed new light on an issue. Remember, the Restoration is not an event, but it continues to unfold.” “Stop and think carefully before giving up whatever it was that brought you to your testimony of the restored Church of Jesus Christ in the first place.”
He then went through a list and asked “Where will you go?” to find all the things that the Church and gospel provide.
“It is natural to stop and catch our breath on the path when our circumstances require.” “The danger comes when someone chooses to wander away from the path that leads to eternal life.”
We’ve gotta love those who are struggling with the faith -““We are all at different places on the path and we need to minister to one another accordingly.”
A sweet and true thought: “I don’t pretend to know why faith to believe comes easier for some than for others.”
Powerful testimony of the restored church and prophets and apostles.
• Dean Davies (OPB) Talked about what it means to worship. “Sometimes we go about our work (callings) routinely, but lack the holy element of worship.”
True worship transforms us into disciples of Christ. “When we worship in spirit, we invite light and truth into our souls, which strengthens our faith.”
(Gotta admit, I wasn’t paying as much attention to Bishop Davies as I should have because I was thinking about Elder Ballard’s talk.)
• Elder Lynn G. Robbins. Judging righteously. (What? That sounds so judgmental!!!!)
Bishops should leave people feeling loved, not call down lighting bolts for punishment. (Paraphrasing) “The proceedings of a righteous judge are merciful, loving and redemptive, not condemning.” To discipline the Lord’s way is to lovingly teach. Chasten means to purify.
“An unwillingness to sacrifice as part of our penitence, mocks or belittles His greater sacrifice for the same sin.”
And as expected…D&C 121:41-43
No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—
Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy.
“The Holy Ghost and anger are incompatible.”
To judge righteously, we need to be like the Savior.
A long time ago, Elder Robbins gave a remarkable talk along these lines called “Agency and Anger.” It was an eye and heart opening experience for me.
• No doubt that this is a “meaty” session.
• Choir singing, “My Heavenly Father Loves Me.” I sure could go for an energetic, dynamic, raise-the-roof, classic church anthem about now. But that was pretty, in a nap time sort of way.
• I appreciate that the Brethren do not feel compelled to pass out cookies after they teach.
• President Henry B. Eyring. Gratitude, particularly on the Sabbath day.
“And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.” (D&C 59:21)
—- This is a perfect moment to plug Sunday Night Check-in. Every Sunday evening, you are invited to come to my Facebook page and share what you are grateful for. — Back to President Eyring:
“One blessing for which we can be grateful is that we are there in that sacrament meeting at all.”
“Of all the blessings we can count, the greatest is the feeling of forgiveness as we partake of the sacrament”
I like the emphasis on linking gratitude and the Sabbath. A great day to show it, and a way to find joy in the Sabbath.
• That went crazy fast. And I didn’t even notice anyone’s ties. I must be super in tune.
Enjoy the break – come on back for the big finish. (Warning to the sisters: Elder Holland spoke last night at Priesthood, so don’t get your hopes up.)
Elder Ballard’s talk reminded me of a remark I made to my struggling son, “Since your way isn’t working are you ready to try the Lord’s way?” Sitting in Conference I also started to nod out during Elder Davies talk. You were not alone. I think it’s those comfy chairs.
I loved all of it and did notice the men’s ties in the morning were tied in a particularly fancy way. One I had never seen before and thought was very intricate and beautiful. Nice touch!
Speaking of ties…I think the men of the MoTab Choir wore different ties this afternoon than this morning. Morning was purple and white stripe, afternoon, solid purple. I would have like some better uniformity in the placement of the pocket (what DO you call that handkerchief like thing in the suit pockets?). None of that matters a hill of beans…just an observation.
The whole conference was remarkable!
Did Sister Reeves’ talk sound familiar to anyone else? I could swear she gave the same talk (or a similar one) in the last 2 years. Anyone remember it?
I don’t know, but it mattered so much. She conveyed that it’s about the deep emotional and spiritual truth of humility in going through the process of repentance in the Lord’s way so that it will bring you to joy–the Savior’s love will reach out to us no matter who far away or lost we feel, and we don’t face correction so that he can call us up short, but so that he can heal us. We have a hard struggle going on, in our family, with a lot of pain, and her message is that our hope and help are real. I know that already, but I was grateful to hear her.
I loved Elder Nelson’s talk! I am paraphrasing probably..but I liked how he said, “Our happiness has very little to do with the circumstances of our lives..but rather the focus of our lives”. Even though I already know this..it still brought me up short..as I needed to be reminded of that.
I will have to read the rest of Elder Ballard’s talk in the Ensign..as after a bit, it got too painful for me, as all my four children have left the Church,and my husband is not a member..and I found myself having suffering feelings, and thinking of how hard it is to be the only active member in my family,and worry for my children and their choices,and my grandchildren who have not been brought up in the Gospel,nor have much exposure to it..except what little I can give them. I fear the Gospel in my family will die with me.
I had to kinda tune out a little,as it was overwhelming me.I know I will need to hear the rest of it,and it will probably comfort me..but today I felt too emotional.
I don’t why I noticed this..but I was tickled by how the organist was wearing a CTR ring.
And I don’t know why I got teary at this..but seeing the Pacific Islander brother in his native dress touched me.I guess it was a confirmation to me that the Gospel is for all nations and all people..and it made me happy.
Great,great conference so far!
One of the things that amazed me in this session was how Pres. Nelson and Bishop Davies said almost the same words about 2 different topics. And it is one that I recognize that I need to hear so maybe that is why I noticed it. Joy (P. Nelson) or spiritual experiences (B. Davies) has little to do with what is going on around us and more to do with the focus and state of our heart.
Thanks for the “heads up” on Elder Holland. I didn’t notice the ties today either. Way to make us both feel good about ourselves! (Although, my 16 year old daughter mentioned that the brothers in the MoTab tied their ties fancy. I didn’t notice so I don’t know about that.)
As soon as President Nelson started talking about joy, I thought of one of the first talks he gave as an apostle, “Joy Cometh in the Morning,” back in 1986. That talk was followed up with the choir singing, “Joy Cometh in the Morning.” The man clearly feels joy is important, and he knows how to plan ahead and coordinate with the choir. Pretty impressive!
I have had three desperate prayers answered by three different speakers in three entirely different ways this morning. For Sunday night check-in, I am grateful for Sister Reeves, Elder Ballard, and President Eyring.
But the rest were no slouches either.
I watched the Priesthood session last night, I had a feeling Elder Holkand would be speaking and I didn’t want to miss it.
I’m loving all the messages this Conference!