Instant Post-Conference Thoughts: Saturday P.M. (April ’17)

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.

Hang on. (Wipes BBQ sauce off face) Okay, ready.

• The awesome pastel colors of the choir make me think of the paint sample board at Home Depot.

• I guess rudely shouting “No” somehow means more than just raising the right hand. Following simple instruction is not some people’s forte. (Perhaps it was just a bad taste April Fools joke.)

• Happy to raise my hand for new folks that I have never heard of. #faith Women’s Auxiliaries sure seem to like playing musical chairs.

• I wonder what will happen to the lengthy sustaining process when the Church is 10x larger.

• 15,882,417 – closing in on 16.

 

Elder Robert D. Hales: “Genuine discipleship is a state of being…woven into the fiber of their beings.” (He could have sat down after that and given us years of pondering.)

“Selective obedience.” I love it when that phrase is used.

“We embody Christ not only in what we say or do, but in who we are.”

….yeah, I’ find myself typing every single line. This one is going to take some studying.

 

Elder Jeffry R. Holland took one line of the hymn There is Sunshine in My Soul. “Jesus, listening can hear the songs you cannot sing.”

Somedays are difficult. (Not Sundays, SOMEdays.)

What do we do in such times? “Embrace Paul’s counsel and “hope for that which we see not, and with patience wait for it.”

(2 talks in a row mentioning patience.)

“It is by divine design that all the voices in God’s choir are not the same.” (He mentioned Sopranos, bases, altos – My tenor son said, What? No tenors?)

“DIVERSITY IS NOT CACOPHONY and choirs do require discipline.”

“Economic deprivation is a curse.” (MMM opinion: I don’t think anyone argues with this – the problem is how many want to solve the problems in ways other than ways the Lord has endorsed.)

“Guns and slurs and vitriol are not the way to deal with human conflict.” “The more excellent way will always be the gospel of Jesus Christ “ (Basically, the gospel is the answer to the problems.)

Extending love to those who struggle with emotional or mental issues has become a hallmark of Elder Holland’s talks.

“Stay permanently and faithfully in the choir… so that we can sing the song of redeeming love.”

Come as you are…but don’t plan to stay as you are. God plans to make you more than you thought you could be.” That is huge. The Church is for all of us, but we should all be working to change ourselves.

Phew! That talk was brilliant – and exhausting.

 

• I was weak and checked Twitter during the song, only to find out how quickly people are weaponizing Elder Holland’s brilliant talk to justify their political views and condemn others. You would think I’d learn.

 

Elder Gary Sabin: a.k.a. “The Man Who Gets to Follow Elder Holland.”

(Note: I used to have a GPS voice that would yell at me in a ‘Mr. T’ voice and say, “Turn around fool!”)

“The Lord requires a heart and a willing mind, the whole heart.”

“When we are lukewarm or only partially committed, we lose out on some of heaven’s choicest blessings.”

Very profound: “When we are complacent in our covenants, we are complicit in the consequences.”

“There is a lot of vain jangling in the world today.” (Can’t wait to read the next paragraph again.)

Let me rephrase: Elder Gary Sabin: a.k.a. “The Man Who Followed Elder Holland With a Tremendous Talk.)

 

• Weird to think that there are people who actually had their testimonies strengthened because Elder Sabin made a Star Wars reference.

 

Elder Valeri V. Cordon made the connection to preserving the language of his fathers to preserving the language of the gospel.

How to preserve gospel language:

1) “Be more diligent and concerned at home.”

“It is not enough to merely speak the language in the home; if parents desire to preserve the language it must be taught.”

He made a nice pitch for family scripture study. Huzzah!

2) Strong modeling in the home – bring the language alive for the children.

“It is not enough just to talk to our children about the importance of temple marriage, fasting, & keeping the Sabbath day holy.”

3) Traditions: “We must avoid any tradition that will prevent us from keeping the Sabbath holy or having daily scripture study and prayer at home.”

“No achievement in this life, important as it may be, will be relevant if we lose the language of the gospel in our homes.”

 

• Nice to hear BYU finally mentioned in a real Conference.

 

Elder Neil L. Andersen spoke about overcoming the world.

“Is it possible to overcome the world and receive these blessings? Yes, it is.”

“Overcoming the world is not one defining moment in a lifetime, but a lifetime of moments that define an eternity.”

“Overcoming the world is not a global invasion, but a private, personal battle, requiring hand-to-hand combat with our own internal foes.” (Great imagery)

(I am using the pause button too much – we are falling way behind.)

Two talks in a row about keeping the Sabbath day holy. Seems to be a trend of 2^nd witnesses this Conference.

“Happiness of a spouse is more important than our own pleasure.”

Uh-oh. Elder Andersen is talking about Social Media…I guess it’s time to pack in the blog:

“A disciple of Christ is not alarmed if her post about Christ does not receive 1,000 likes.” I totally agree, and I am so glad he was referring to women.

A very nice tribute to Elder Bruce Porter.

 

• Seriously a GREAT session. Seems that Saturday P.M. consistently rocks.

 

Elder M. Russell Ballard: Those who accomplish the most in this world are those with a vision for their lives.”

“A goal is a destination or an end, while a plan is the route by which you get there.”

(A lot of this sounds vaguely like the chapter in Preach My Gospel on goal setting.)

“Our greatest and most overriding goals should fit into our Heavenly Father’s eternal plan. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.”

“The simpler and more straightforward a goal is, the more power it will have.” Reduce a goal to a single image or just a few words. (Memes? Emojis?)

His choice: Return and Receive.

Have regular PPI’s with yourself. “Who knows you better than you know yourself?” (Question: Do I have to get dressed up?)

Quotes Alma 5:14, “And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?”

Assignment: “Over the coming weeks, take time to review your life goals and your plans and make sure they align with our Heavenly Father’s plans.”

Make adjustments as needed.

Elder Ballard is the second apostle (witness) to encourage us to study “The Living Christ.”

I also might want to take a harder look at recognizing Palm Sunday.

“Let us remember Him and renew our lifelong commitment to keep His commandments.”

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• A Child’s Prayer – a beautiful way to wrap up a perfect session. Seriously – I went back through my notes and every.single.talk. was powerful.

• Have a great afternoon. Priesthood session notes will be later tonight after we tackle some Mexican Food.