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.
• Ah, lovely nap. Where were we? Right Conference. Evening session, no less. I wish that since it can’t be a Priesthood session, they would do something different make it stand out. Funnier? Skits? Stand-up Comedy? Non-choir musical numbers? I dunno, but it is Saturday night.
• Youth choir is fun. Festive fall colors for the girls. The boys? White shirts and whatever ties they could grab.
• The flower arrangers were on their game this year.
Bishop Gerald Causse. (Presiding Bishop) started describing Monet’s gardens at Giverny, France.
“Our interactions with the beauties of nature around us can produce some of the most inspiring and delightful experiences in life. The emotions we feel kindle within us a deep sense of gratitude for Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.” (Yes. I have felt this a lot lately.)
“The work of Creation is not an end in itself. It is an integral part of God’s plan for His children. Its purpose is to provide the setting in which men and women may be tested, exercise their agency, find joy, and learn and progress, so that they may one day return to the presence of their Creator and inherit eternal life.”
Earthly stewardship to take care of the earth. “In gospel terms, the word stewardship designates a sacred spiritual or temporal responsibility to take care of something that belongs to God, for which we are accountable.”
“As God’s children, we have received the charge to be stewards, caretakers and guardians of His divine creations.”(I don’t think many people would disagree with that- but what that means in application is where the problems come.)
“The care of the earth and of our natural environment is a sacred responsibility entrusted to us by God, which should fill us with a deep sense of duty and humility.”
And we have to love all the people on the earth.
“As disciples of Christ we have a solemn duty to work tirelessly for peace and harmony among all nations of the earth. We must do our very best to protect and bring solace and relief to the week and needy and all who suffer or are oppressed”
We should be creative and share this co-creation responsibility with God.
Pro-creation is important.
All things are spiritual to the Lord.
Michelle D. Craig. (YW Presidency)
“Be disciples of strength who ‘keep pulling.'”
Three Truths:
- We can keep our covenants even when it’s not easy.
“I am learning that Heavenly Father is more interested in my growth as a disciple of Jesus Christ than He is with my comfort.” - We can act in faith. Sometimes you just need to do something – or open the door. Lepers went to priests acting as if they had already been healed.
Reach out for help if you need it. Spiritual or professional. “I also want to say if the thought of taking action amid your pain feels impossible, please let your action be to reach out for help.” - We can be wholehearted and joyful in our devotion. “Trials do not mean that the plan is failing; they are PART of the plan meant to help me seek God,”
“The point of walking the covenant path is to approach the Savior. He is the point, not our perfect progress. It is not a race, and we must not compare our journey to others.”
“Living in convenience does not bring power.” <— Nice!
Elder Kevin W. Pearson spoke on the sacrament. (Huzzah!)
Social cost benefit analysis…something…something…
“We should not expect the principle of willingness to trend positively with social media influencers or TikTok enthusiasts. The precepts of men rarely align with divine truth.”
“Heavenly Father loves us perfectly, but that love comes with great expectations. He expects us to willingly place the Savior at the very center of our lives.”
“The Church is a gathering place for imperfect individuals who love God and who are willing to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. That willingness is rooted in the reality that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
“Are we willing to pay the price for discipleship?” “Discipleship is not cheap, because the companionship of the Holy Ghost is priceless.”
(2nd talk in a row that makes it clear that comfort isn’t considered important.)
“The Book of Mormon is our most powerful resource for growing and nourishing our faith.”
“Many leave the Savior and covenants long before they leave the Church.”
“The most powerful spiritual influence in the life of a child is the righteous example of loving parents and grandparents who faithfully keep their own sacred covenants.” “Parents and grandparents – are we still willing?”
“Casual and inconsistent covenant keeping leads to spiritual casualty.”
“The covenant path is not a simple checklist, it is process of spiritual growth and deepening commitment to Jesus Christ.”
• Elder Pearson turned out to have quite a powerful talk.
• Looking like my hope for skits or stand-up routines isn’t going to happen.
Elder DeNelson Silva. (He’s from Angola)
Converted by reading Book of Mormon, but saw how important the sequence of events were for his conversion.
“I learned that when I decided to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, I had accepted the task of not only defending the truth, but also of proclaiming it.”
“The opportunity for missionary service in our youth is unique. Please, young men, do not postpone your preparation to serve the Lord as missionary.”
“We have a guarantee that we will never be alone when we go through afflictions, for God visits His people in the midst of their afflictions.”
(I missed a bunch because I got in a chat conversation. Sorry!)
Elder Neil L. Anderson. We live in increasing perilous times.
“We realize that as evil increases in the world, our spiritual survival, and the spiritual survival of those we love, will require that we more fully nurture, fortify, and strengthen the roots of our faith in Jesus Christ.”
Here’s a bunch of scary stuff….but we need not fear. “Even with the increasing worldly influences around us, we need not fear. The Lord will never desert His covenant people.”
3 Ways to Deal with Today’s crap. (He didn’t say crap)
- More immerse ourselves more completely in Jesus’ life.
- Go to the temple more often.
- Treasure, protect and safeguard the Gift of the Holy Ghost. “It will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting influence of the Holy Ghost.” <— THIS.
“We realize that as evil increases in the world, our spiritual survival, and the spiritual survival of those we love, will require that we more fully nurture, fortify and strengthen the roots of our faith in Jesus Christ.”
“As you allow your love for the Savior and his love for you to sink deep into your heart, I promise you added confidence, peace and joy in meeting the challenges of your life.”
So much to process. Gone need to reread that talk.
• Well, that session was not very comedic, but it was good. Lots of meat to chew on
Have a great night!
Elder Silva is from Brazil, he served as a mission president in Angola, where Portuguese is spoken.
It was encouraging in a real life way. And, Elder Silva gave a great, personal talk! Always enjoy your thoughts 🙂
Thanks muchly for your summaries!