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.
• Last session? Already? This morning is gonna be tough to beat.
• My mouth is burning from my “Gringo Bandito” hot sauce.
President Dallin H. Oaks. “We believe in Christ.”
“Selection of words of our Savior – things He said – not the things He did.” (I’m not gonna quote them, but I’ll hit the topics.)
Baptism
Holy Ghost
Peacemakers
Adultery in your heart
Love your enemies
You must forgive to be forgiven
Seek ye first to build up the Kingdom of God
Golden Rule
Beware of false prophets
By their fruits ye shall know them
We must do God’s will
My load is easy, my burden is light
Take up your cross and follow me
Deny yourself all ungodliness and worldly lust
Forsake the world – what profit gain the world/lose soul
To know the doctrine, do it
Ask and it shall be given you – he that asketh receiveth
Other sheep
I am the resurrection and the life
Great commandment – love God heart/might/mind/soul
2nd: Love thy neighbor as thyself
Who keep the commandments loves God, and God loves him
My peace I give unto you
Love one another as I have loved you
Behold my hands and my feet. -a spirit hath not flesh and bones
Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing.
(Glad that’s over! -oops Book of Mormon time.)
I am Jesus Christ – created all things – I am in the Father, Father in me
I am light and life of the world
Sacrifices and burnt offerings done away
Broken heart, contrite spirit – baptize with fire and Holy Ghost
Come to bring redemption to the world
Repent & be baptized – become like a little child
Be ye therefore perfect
Watch and pray always lest you be led away by the devil
Pray to Father in my name. Do things in my name. Call the Church in my name.
Came to do the will of the Father
Repent and be baptized and receive Holy Ghost
“We believe in Christ.
Comforter shall teach you all things.
DONE (Huzzah!)
- and that’s it. Alrightythen.
• I LOVE Dallin Oaks. Glad President Nelson gave his talk first.
President M. Russel Ballard spoke about how he misses his wife – four years now. Quoted Family Proclamation.
“What matters most lasts longest.”
- Relationship with Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ is most important. “This relationship matters most now and in eternity.”
- Family relationships. (Included extended family, friends and ward members) “Nurturing these important relationships is a choice. A choice to be part of a family requires commitment, love, patience, communication, and forgiveness.”
- “I testify that following the promptings of the Spirit is one of the things that matters most in all our relationships.” Told a story about missing an opportunity because he ‘reasoned away’ the gentle prompting of the Spirit.
A testimony of Jesus Christ, born of and strengthened by the Spirit, changes lives—it changes the way we think and how we live. A testimony turns us toward our Heavenly Father and His divine Son.
During testimony meeting, bear testimony of Jesus Christ – stop with the “thankyoumonies.” (He’s been teaching this for 30+ years.) “I invite you to bear your testimony of Jesus Christ more often. Bear testimony of what you know and what you believe – not just of what you’re thankful for.”
• #TabCats – I Stand All Amazed. Lovely, very gentle. (Hope there’s a crescendo. Nope, but sweet.)
Elder Ronald A. Rasband. “Nearly two thousand years ago Palm Sunday marked the beginning of the last week of the mortal ministry of Jesus Christ. It was the most important week in human history.”
(I love how he pronounces “Sundy.”)
The King of Ghana is in the house!
“President Russell M. Nelson has admonished us to make Palm Sunday ‘truly holy by remembering, not just the palms that were waved to honor the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem, but by remembering the palms of His hands.'” (Never thought of this – love it.)
Touched on 4 points of Eternal Doctrine taught during Christ’s last week:
- Prophesy foretelling His Resurrection
- Companionship of the Holy Ghost
- Discipleship
- Atonement
“True discipleship is unfailing commitment, obedience to eternal laws and love of God, first and foremost. Nothing wavering.”
“Are we continually grateful for the incomparable Atonement of Jesus Christ? Do we feel its purifying power right now?
Reviewed parable of the Ten Virgins.
“We, like the ten virgins, have lamps; but do we have oil? I fear there are some who are just getting by on a thin skiff of oil, too busy with worldly pressures to properly prepare.”
Oil comes from believing and acting upon prophecy and the words of our prophets, following the Holy Ghost, become a true disciple and repenting.
Our “Bucket Lists” need some adjusting – filling our lamps should be on it. “If some of you are looking to fill, what some call ‘a bucket list,’ this is it: Fill your bucket with oil in the form of the living water of Jesus Christ, which is a representation of His life and teachings.” (Directed at me.)
Elder Vern Stanfill. (Knowhatimean?)
Family were farmers and worried often about things they could not control. They couldn’t harvest all the grain, but then migrating geese ate the leftover grain.
Social media, unrealistic expectations, and often our own self criticism create feelings of inadequacy that we are not good enough and never will be. Some even misunderstand the invitation of the Savior to “be ye therefore perfect.”
“Remember that perfectionism is not the same as being perfected in Christ.”
“Becoming perfected in Christ is another matter. It is the process, lovingly guided by the Holy Ghost, of becoming more like the Savior.”
(This is really good for me to hear because being perfect has been exhausting for me.)
“As we accept the Savior’s invitation to come unto him, we soon realize that our best is good enough and that the grace of a loving Savior will make up the difference in ways we cannot imagine.” (Our Best is the tricky part)
Praises Peter for getting out of the boat – I love Peter.
“We must remember that whatever our best but imperfect offering is, the Savior can make it perfect. No matter how insignificant our efforts may seem, we must never underestimate the Savior’s power.”
“Our clumsy efforts can lead to miracles, and in the process, we can participate in a perfect harvest.”
“I have learned, however, that just as perfectionism is not the same as being perfected in Christ, self-comparison is not the same as emulation.”
“Self-comparison isn’t the same as emulation. When we compare ourselves there’s only two results. We’ll see ourselves as better and feel judgmental or see ourselves as worse off and become discouraged.”
“Emulating those we respect who demonstrate Christ-like attributes can be instructive, uplifting, and can help us become better disciples of Jesus Christ.”
“The Lord loves effort.”
“If we simply do the best we can and trust Him to make up the difference, we can become part of the miracles that surround us.”
(Loved this talk.)
• A rousing “Called to Serve” is always good for the soul.
Elder W. Mark Bassett. Lazarus.
“The story of Lazarus teaches us principles that can be applied to our own lives as we face our individual challenges.”
New to me: Lazarus was 4 days old, which is one more than the traditional view that the spirit resides for three days.
“We might feel like Christ is too late, and our hope and faith might even be challenged. . . . but He will always come to our aid.”
“My witness and testimony is that as we move forward with faith in Jesus Christ, the fourth day will always come”
Jesus could have moved the stone himself, which would have been impressive, but he had servants do it. It didn’t require His power.
“My impression is that the Savior expects us to do all we can do, and He will do what only He can do.” (Nice callback to the previous talk.)
“How can we, with the Lord’s help, loose ourselves of all that binds us? We can intentionally bind ourselves first and foremost to our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ through covenants.”
“How can we figuratively arise and come forth? We can choose to repent and obey the commandments.”
Repent daily.
Elder Ahmad S. Corbett. “Why did Jesus have to die?”
Christian woman on the bus. Told her about Plan of Happiness/Justice/Mercy. “I testified to my friend, and I witness to you, that Jesus Christ is that Savior, that He had to suffer, die and rise again — His infinite atonement — to redeem all humanity from physical death and to give eternal life.”
“How can we, with the Lord’s help, loose ourselves of all that binds us? We can intentionally bind ourselves first and foremost to our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ through covenants.”
How the Doctrine of Christ can help all people. “The steps God revealed we must take to follow Jesus and receive eternal life are called the doctrine of Christ.”
“The doctrine of Christ empowers those who are struggling or feel they don’t belong in the Church because it helps them, as Elder D. Todd Christofferson stated, ‘affirm Jesus Christ died for me and loves me.’”
“Parents, if your child struggles with a gospel principle or prophetic teaching, please resist any type of evil speaking or activism toward the Church or its leaders.” (This is a real and natural instinct to bridge the divide.)
“This is the way.”
Elder David A. Bednar. Told the story of Enoch’s calling to teach, and how the Lord supported him
“My beloved brothers and sisters, is the word in us? Are the truths of the Savior’s gospel written in the fleshy tables of our hearts? Are we coming unto and gradually becoming more like Him?”
Defined “abide” and talked about how we can abide in Christ. Sacrament/Serving God/Keep the Commandments
“The Savior’s promise to his followers is twofold: if we abide in Him, He will abide in us. But is it indeed possible for Christ to abide in you and me, individually and personally? The answer to this question is a resounding yes.”
“We should always remember the Lord’s instruction to Enoch, ‘Thou shalt abide in me, and I in you.’ And I testify the Savior’s promise to abide in us is true and available to every covenant-keeping member of His restored Church.”
“If we abide in Him, He will abide in us. And as we walk in and with Him, we will be blessed to bring forth much fruit.”
“I emphasize the absolute comprehensiveness of the Savior’s plea. He yearns to bless with His grace and mercy every single person who now lives, who has ever lived and who will yet live upon the earth.”
“I testify that as we press forward in faith and walk in the meekness of the Lord’s spirit, we are blessed with power, guidance, protection and peace.”
President Russell M. Nelson:
“I pray you will seek the Holy Ghost to guide you in your study as you contemplate the truths taught from this pulpit.”
“One week from today is Easter Sunday. It is the most important religious observation for followers of Jesus Christ. The reason we celebrate Christmas is because of Easter.”
“I invite you to study again the Savior’s appearance to the Nephites as recorded in 3 Nephi.”
“I plead with you to come unto Him so that He can heal you. He will heal you from sin as you repent. He will heal you from sadness and fear. He will heal you from the wounds of this world.”
New Temples: “Jesus Christ is the reason we build temples. Each is His holy house. Making covenants and receiving essential ordinances in the temple, as well as seeking to draw closer to Him there, will bless your life in ways no other kind of worship can.”
Guatemala
Peru
Brazil x2
Philipines x2
Indonesia
Germany
Alberta, Canada
California (San Jose & Bakersfield)
Missouri (Springfield)
North Carolina (Charlotte)
Virginia (Springfield)
Pennsylvania (Harrisburg)
• Awesome close-out session for this conference. I keep saying it, but it flew by.
• Bassett and Stanfill were my standouts.
• Take care of yourselves, and thanks for checking out these notes. Hope they are helpful to you. I have to go ice my finders and give the “pause” button on my remote a much needed rest.
• Glory be to closed-captioning.
Thank you, Thus We See, for your AWESOME notes. I look forward to them each April and October. I’m a note-taker also, but I go back through each speaker with you and supplement my notes with your notes added (your’s are in red in my notebooks-very special). Thank you!
This year we watched Conference with our oldest daughter and her family. Very special. We all paid rapt attention for all 5 sessions (well, you know, the best humans of young and old can do). It was WONDERFUL!!!
I probably shouldn’t comment again but I so loved the closing prayer in this session. It was so powerful that I felt personally “prayed for” if that’s possible.
My best pal from Peru (and her mother and brothers still there) so thrilled that there will now be 7 temples in Peru! 15 more temples announced, wow! I was just reading that with today’s announcement 133 have been announced in the last 5 years. I knew it was a lot but…again, WOW
Thank you for sharing your insights!
The pause button . . . so THAT’s your secret! I was thinking you were a super super fast typist!
Happy Easter.
BTW I got the “Vern” joke.
Thank you for your notes! I am always amazed at just how much you capture without losing track of where you are in the talk! (I noticed the lips, too…)
The Virginia Temple is in Winchester. (Our nephew lives near there.)