Note: These are the instant, post-conference, 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.
• Looks like a nice day in SLC. Haven’t attended in-person for over a decade.
Elder Soares conducted the meeting. Youth choir this session.
Elder Neil A. Anderson started his timely talk about abortion with the story of a young woman who slid away from the church, but then decided to come back and started with the repentance process – then found out she was pregnant. She felt love and support from the bishop and ward members.
“When a woman and a man are in such a fragile time facing a crucial choice, our words, our hands, our hearts—spiritually, emotionally, and financially—can bless them to feel the Savior’s love, and bring understanding to their spiritual eye.”
“The word of the Lord concerning the unborn, given voice through the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has never varied and echoes the words of prophets through the ages, giving divine clarity to what the Lord has asked of us.”
“We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.”
Detailed the exemptions to no abortion policy – life of mother, rape and incest.
“Nurturing and protecting life that is yet unborn is not a political position. It is a moral law confirmed by the Lord through His prophets.”
“Life is a most precious part of our Father’s perfect plan and by His decree we cherish and preserve life.”
Spoke to the beauty of adoption.
“Life is a most precious part of our Father’s perfect plan and by His decree we cherish and preserve life; and we choose the continuation of life once conceived. We also treasure the gift of choice, of moral agency—helping to strengthen righteous choices approved by God that bring eternal happiness.”
Told of a couple that welcomed a baby girl with Downs syndrome into their home just a few weeks ago. “Undaunted faith and courage are hallmarks of disciples of Jesus Christ.”
“The diminishing love for unborn children is a growing problem worldwide.”
Stephen L. Lund (YM President) spoke about the ordination of new Aaronic priesthood holders all over the world. “Seeing this rolling thunder of newly ordained priesthood holders spreading across the earth, I wondered—in a “Church of joy” kind of way—if it shouldn’t be shouted from the rooftops.”
Referred to John the Baptist appearing to Joseph & Oliver and giving them the Aaronic priesthood.
“The Lord entrusts today’s bearers of the priesthood of Aaron to do very much the same things they did anciently: to teach and to administer ordinances, all to remind us of His Atonement.”
“The Aaronic Priesthood is called the preparatory priesthood partly because its ordinances allow them to experience the weight and the joy of being on the Lord’s errand, preparing them for future priesthood service.”
“Serious expectations require serious preparation.”
Told a sweet story about a group of stubborn deacons who served a man that ended up getting baptised.
—> Too busy crying to type the story of the bishop who lost a daughter. Sorry.
I’m back.
Elder S. Mark Palmer told about how they had a willow tree that fell over. They were able to prune it and bring it back to help. It served as a metaphor for an invitation for those who have left the church to come back.
“To those who recognize what you have lost, We invite you to come back so you can once again taste the joyous fruit of the gospel.”
“Every week many are responding to the Savior’s invitation by returning to discipleship and Church activity, quietly and humbly seeking the healing Jesus promises.”
“Contrary to narratives that sometimes circulate, record numbers of young people are choosing to stay strong.”
- After focusing your faith on Jesus Christ and his Gospel (the trunk and the roots), then you can focus on taking the first steps back.
- “Be patient as your faith and testimony grow. This includes not taking offense to thoughtless comments.”
- “You will nourish your faith and testimony as you feast at the Sacrament table each week and as you worship in the house of the Lord.”
- “Your testimony will grow as you stay sensitive to the feelings and witness of the spirit.”
- “The Lord knows your divine potential and what your faith and testimony can become. He will never give up on you.”
“There is rejoicing in heaven at those who return.”
“He will never give up on you. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ all that is broken can be healed.”
Elder Sandino Roman. Trust and Faith in Christ
“When we have faith in Christ, we recognize His blessings and develop a relationship of trust with Him.”
“Make a record of the spiritually defining memories where God has been there for you, your loved ones, and for the people in the scripture.” (YES! I’ve been pushing this for decades – like this recent post.)
“If you are sincere and humble, you will hear His answer and begin a personal and lasting relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.”
“Do you understand why faith is a principle of action and that without faith it is impossible to please God?”
“So, faith in Jesus Christ is a bond of trust, forged in loyalty and love. In other words, in gratitude for God’s merciful love, we show our loyal love by keeping His commandments.”
“Challenges are inevitable and sometimes frightening. Simply walk undaunted towards Him.”
“When you encounter dark and perilous situations instead of walking towards them blindly, you will turn on your lamp filled with the oil of faith in Christ to shed glimmers of hope on the uncertain path.”
“I invite you to begin today to nurture your relationship with Jesus Christ. Make a commitment to never forsake Him. Your loyalty, love, and trust in Christ will shape your character and identity after His.”
• I gotta admit, when someone in Conference teaches something I’ve been saying, and people point it out to me, it feels good – like maybe I’m on the right track sometimes.
• Elder Soares’ voice just cracked like a teenage boy. Loved it!
Elder Dale G. Renlund talked about preparing to meet the Savior – either in the second coming or when we leave this world. “Whenever President Nelson speaks about the second coming, it is always with joyous optimism.”
Three parables that the Savior taught about this:
1) 10 virgins: “The essential lesson of this parable of the ten virgins is that we are wise when we accept the gospel, seek to have the Holy Ghost with us, and avoid deception.”
“We are wise when we accept the gospel, seek to have the Holy Ghost with us, and avoid deception. No one can accept the gospel, take the Holy Ghost as a guide, and avoid deception on our behalf. We have to do this for ourselves.”
Don’t be duped. “Disciples always promote believing in God, serving Him, and doing Good.” “We can also avoid deception by worshipping regularly in the temple. This helps us maintain an eternal perspective.”
2) Parable of the talents. “God expects us to magnify the abilities we have been given, but He does not want us to compare our abilities to those of others.”
“When we serve others we serve God. He expects us to use our gifts, talents, and abilities to serve his children. It is a divine impulse.”
“God expects us to be the best version of ourselves. That we may start with differing abilities is irrelevant to him. And it should be to us.”
3) Sheep and Goats
“Follow Jesus Christ, and treat the Holy Ghost as you would a cherished friend, serve others especially the most vulnerable. Doing so prepares us for the second coming of the Savior.”
“He expects us to use our gifts, talents, and abilities, to bless the lives of His children.”
“Indeed, God will be disappointed if we don’t rely upon the merits, mercy, and grace of the Savior to magnify the God-given talents we have received. With His loving assistance, He expects us to become the best version of ourselves.”
“My invitation … to each of you, is to follow Jesus Christ and to trust the Holy Ghost as you would a cherished friend.”
“Rely on those who love you and who love the Savior. Seek God’s guidance to develop your unique abilities, and help others, even when it isn’t easy. You will be ready to meet the Savior.”
Elder Hans T. Boom.
Talked about his parents’ hardships during WWII.
“Why is it that some of us take for granted the faith and testimonies of our parents who through all their hardships have remained faithful? Do we think that they do not have a clear understanding of things? They were not and are not deceived.”
“What could have been my parents’ breaking point became a means of building strength and conviction.”
“What do we feel when we sing the hymn ‘True to the Faith’: ‘Shall the youth of Zion falter in defending truth, and right? While the enemy assaileth, shall we shrink or shun the fight? No! True to the faith that our parents have cherished.’”
“To those of the rising generation—wherever you are and in whatever situation you may find yourself—please learn and receive strength from the faith and testimonies of those who came before you.”
—> Even if you weren’t born of “goodly parents,” you can become a goodly parent.
“Please learn and receive strength from the faith and testimonies of those who came before you.”
“Let us all continue in our efforts to get to know our Savior Jesus Christ better and to make Him the center of our lives.”
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf is the concluding speaker. (He was sorely missed during the reading of the sustainings.) He spoke about unity and common purpose.
He took a friend to a small branch and was nervous as to what she would think. The meeting was bad, Sunday School worse.
Before he could apologize, she said, “I’m so impressed by how people treated each other in your church.” “It’s clear that they genuinely love each other. I imagine that is what Christ wants his church to be.”
He was speechless.
We notice things at church to make us cringe and we worry about what our friends may think. Our friends may not see the same thing and will be impressed by what really matters. How we love each other.
“What most people experience in the church for the first time is how they feel and how we treat each other.”
“Inviting them to our meetings can be as normal and as natural as inviting them into our homes.”
“We are one, not because of where we have been but where we are striving to go. Not because of who we are, but who we seek to become.”
“The unity we seek is not to have everyone stand in the same place. It is to have everyone face in the same direction; towards Jesus Christ. We are one, not because of where we have been, but because of where we are striving to go.”
“To be of one heart, we must seek pure hearts, and that requires a mighty change of heart… It means that we all change our hearts to align with the Savior.”
“God does not view things the way people do – the outward appearance versus the heart. What should come first? Child of God, and we all fit that perfectly.”
“We invite you to join us as we rejoice in the Savior’s ‘song of redeeming love.’ We need you. We love you. The Church will be better with your efforts to serve the Lord and His children.”
“The unity we seek is not to have everyone stand in the same place but to have everyone face the same direction.”
“Our love for God and His children is a powerful testimony to the world that this is truly the Savior’s Church.”
• Great session – but I am ready for a break after this one.
• Off to Costco!
• See you this evening!
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