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.
• I sit here having absolutely no idea what to expect for a session like this. So weird to go YEARS without a Priesthood Session. (I miss it.)
• Oh, regarding my comment last session. I have been told by multiple friends that several Apostles have said that this was the first time they had been assigned a topic for Conference, and that talks were done months ago – so the flow was orchestrated.
Let’s get the party started…
Elder Gerrit W.Gong. My grandson kept calling for “Prayer” for his family to fold their arms, because Elder Gong’s voice sounds like he’s praying.
Wow – Theophany is not a word you hear every day. (a visible manifestation to humankind of God or a god)
Speaking to the times divine messengers appeared in the restoration to restore knowledge and keys. (Continuing the progression from earlier sessions.)
Speaking about Elijah restoring the keys and how it correlated with Passover. Not a lightweight talk.
“The atoning blood of the Lamb of God gives our Good Shepherd power to gather His people in all places and circumstances into the safety of His fold on both sides of the veil.”
“Today we celebrate Restoration and resurrection. With you, I rejoice in the ongoing Restoration of the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
“Unitedly we know, amidst our loads and cares, we can count our many blessings. In the daily details of small and simple things, we can see great things brought to pass in our lives.”
(I need to reread this talk. It is meaty.)
Youth speaker were sweet.
• Sorry, family text thread went crazy…
Jean Bingham, Relief Society President, jumped right in and started talking about Adam and Eve, then about Men & Women.
“Because they understood that their earthly purpose and eternal goal were identical, they found satisfaction and success in learning to labor in love and righteousness together.”
“The adversary had been quite successful in his goal to divide men and women in his attempts to conquer our souls.”
“Satan incites comparison as a tool to create feelings of being superior or inferior, hiding the eternal truth that men’s and women’s innate differences are God given and equally valued.”
(This is good stuff)
“One of the keys is to understand that when women and men work together, we accomplish a great deal more than we do working separately.”
Video of President Nelson talking about women in the restoration. (Emma and Lucy Mack Smith)
“One of the keys is to understand that when women and men work together we accomplish a great deal more than we do working separately. Our roles are complementary rather than competitive.”
“Becoming more in tune with the divine pattern of working together in unity is critical in this day of ‘me-first’ messages that surround us.”
(This sounds so much better coming from the RS President, than from a Brother. Just my opinion)
She spoke to overcoming “cultural bias” which has a lot of implication in the USA, but even in some countries/cultures in a worldwide church.
• Singing and Snack Time! (Chips and Salsa and “I am a Child of God.” Both excellent)
President Henry B. Eyring.
“The experience of preparing for this conference has changed me in a way that I want to last.”
Conference has already been memorable, but whether it is unforgettable is up to us.
Told the story of the appearance of the Savior to Joseph and Oliver at the Kirtland temple. (D&C 110)
(Keep getting sidetracked – sorry!)
“I testify that the Lord saw far into the future and he saw how He would lead us to help Him accomplish His purposes in the last days.”
Nice note: The temples will reopen – the Lord planned for it – he saw it coming.
The Lord “has raised up and prepared faithful people who choose to do hard things well.”
“He is firm in the timing and the sequence of His intentions, yet He ensures that sacrifice often brings continued blessings that we did not foresee.”
“Even as you sacrifice, you will feel joy as you help others rise to be ready for His coming.”
President Dallin Oaks on the Priesthood.
“The family organization and the Church of Jesus Christ have a mutually reinforcing relation.“
He is also speaking of the restoration of the Priesthood keys. “The Melchizedek Priesthood keys of the kingdom were conferred by Peter, James and John, but that did not complete the restoration of priesthood keys. Some keys of the priesthood came later.” (That would be what President Eyring just spoke about)
“Though women do not hold an office in the priesthood, they perform sacred temple ordinances under the authorization of the president of the temple, who holds the keys for the ordinances of the temple.”
“The Church exists to provide the doctrine, the authority and the ordinances necessary to perpetuate family relationships into the eternities.” This has never been more apparent since we’ve started having church at home.
Ouch! “If fathers would magnify their priesthood in their own family, it would further the mission of the Church as much as anything else they might do.”
“Satan is anxious to confuse our thinking or to lead us astray on important matters like the operations of the priesthood of God.”
“Look at the fruits, at the results,” of those that teach truth vs those who don’t.
President Nelson to wrap things up…. (I’m giddy)
Purpose of the Church “is to help men, women and children follow the Lord Jesus Christ, keep His commandments, and qualify for the greatest of all blessings — that of eternal life with God and their loved ones.”
“It is important to remember that while we revere Joseph Smith as a prophet of God, this is not the church of Joseph Smith, nor is it the church of Mormon. This is the Church of Jesus Christ.”
ANNOUNCEMENT: (Prefaced by talking about the progress in using Christ’s name instead of Mormon.) Promises that blessings will follow.
Looks like they are announcing a new logo:
Now he is discussing the history and importance of fasting.
“I know that God has all power and all understanding, even unto all those that repent and believe on His name.”
President Nelson called for another worldwide fast. “… let us fast, pray and unite our faith once again. Let us prayerfully plead for relief from this global pandemic.”
“Good Friday would be the perfect day for Heavenly Father and His Son to hear us.”
• I loved the sister’s closing prayer. Her arms folded tight (I peaked), focusing on her words. Seemed so sincere and humble.
• Personal note: When I served as bishop, I found it easy and helpful to fast every Sunday. It was good for my soul, and not really that hard. I was thinking that might be the request. But I am up for Good Friday, too!
• Have a lovely evening. Thanks for reading, and I’ll be back in the morning.
I was worried he was going to ask us to fast the next day and I’d have to hide all the conference goodies! ha ha ha!
My daughter had a wonderful experience doing a 3 day fast recently. I’m considering attempting that starting Friday (this is a food free, but not water free fast btw).
So much for thinking I was unique for fasting every Sunday at various times in my life….
I was expecting president Nelson to announce that they were going to remove all of the Angel Moroni on the temple and replace them with statues of Christ!! But not so.
Thank you for these terrific summaries. I find it interesting that those of us in the western world are still so abundantly blessed materially. And yet we still feel so vulnerable.
Also, since everyone’s talking about the second coming so much these days, when it happens it probably won’t be as much of a surprise. ???? I guess, as “children of light”, that’s the point, eh?
I totally thought he was going to ask us to fast every Sunday. I have done it before during very difficult times in my life. I remember hearing a sister talk about fasting every Sunday for 3 years that her husband would accept the gospel… (when she shared the story he was serving as the Patriarch of our stake).
I think it’s pretty interesting that so many of us were sure that we were going to be asked to fast every Sunday. Of course, we can do it without the Prophet suggesting it. My brother-in-law worked for awhile on a 14 day straight schedule and then 14 days off. He always fasted so he could remember it was Sunday even though he had to work. I guess if you’re working and you get hungry, you’d certainly remember it was Sunday!
I felt this touch my soul before Pres. Nelson gave the specifics of this upcoming fast: He said:
“As President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, I know that God has all power, He comprehendeth all things. He is a merciful being. We call upon Heavenly Father and His Son to bless the earth.”
I felt I could see the weight of his mantle of being the true and living Prophet on earth today dealing with this worldwide struggle. A worldwide fast is so appropriate. I pray everyone will participate.
My parents in their later years fasted every Sunday for their family members. I can’t imagine the blessings that would come to the Saints if we all fasted and prayed more like Alma and the sons of Mosiah. I am ready to do the same for my own family.
Like you, when President Nelson began discussing fasting, I felt like he might ask us to fast each week. Great minds… I appreciate what you said about the impact of fasting weekly when you were bishop. I have to confess that fasting has not been my best strength, and I recognize that by not being careful about observing this law I often cut myself off from greater blessings which I could receive. Maybe my anticipation of what I thought he might say is a whispering and reminder that I personally need to incorporate this into my own life more effectively.