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.
• Good morning. This ALMOST didn’t happen this year. Yesterday I hurt my wrist moving some furniture and when I went to bed last night it looked like typing was not going to happen today. Alas, I woke up feeling fine, and here we are…
President Dallin H. Oaks was asked to be the first speaker by President Nelson. Talking about what the Church does regarding giving to those in need.
“Our 2021 expenditures for those in need in 188 countries worldwide was $906 million, almost a billion dollars. In addition, our members volunteered over 6 million hours of labor in the same cause.”
We should have to be “compelled in all things.” We should serve others.
Explains the principles behind fasting.
“God is using more than one people for the accomplishment of his great and marvelous work. The Latter-day Saints cannot do it all. It is too vast, too arduous, for any one people.” -Orson F Whitney
“We need to be more aware and more appreciative of the service of others.”
Making the case for the Church’s charity and cooperation with other charity and humanitarian groups. God is moving professional groups to help. He highlighted several people and groups of people who are helping. “God inspires many organizations and individuals todo good.” We should recognize and support it.
Things the Church supports:
- Religious Freedom
- School and Universities
- Natural disaster relief
- Others too numerous to list
• The Choir sisters’ purple dresses are helping me wake up.
• It’s fun knowing someone in the choir so I can search for her. Go Riley!
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf felt strong promptings to address the young women and men. “If the Savior were here right now, what would he say to you?” First, He would express his deep love for you.
“I don’t think he’d make excuses for you mistakes, rather he would ask you to repent.”
Jesus wants to be our strength and for us to see ourselves the way he sees us – daughters and sons of God.
Basic instruction about Christ’s role. “At the heart of the plan of happiness is your ability to choose. He wants us to choose Him, but will not force us to.”
Current world: “There is a lot of confusion in the world about right and wrong. Truth gets twisted to make evil seem good, and good seem evil…but when you earnestly seek eternal truths, things will become clearer.”
Church has prepared a new version of For the Strength of Youth. “A Guide for Making Choices.” (Here’s a link to the new version” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/for-the-strength-of-youth/06-body?lang=eng
(A quick look is that they took out specifics and are teaching principals. Ex: No grooming or dress instruction, rather counsel to ask yourself, “Am I honoring my body as a sacred gift from God?”
Higher standard is now to seek inspiration “Come follow me.” Live in a holier, higher way. Understand the why and how and put your trust in Christ. Then you can make choices based on those principals.
“The Strength of Youth does not make decisions for you. It focuses on values and principles instead of every specific behavior.”
Sister Tracy Y. Browning talked about wearing glasses: “ike prescription glasses, our relationship with Christ can help us to clarify, focus and ground the world around us.”
Talked about Law of Moses and how it was a list, replaced by Christ’s law – follows nicely with the FSOY changes.
(Sister Browning is the first Black woman to speak in General Conference.)
“Through rigorous effort to look to and for Jesus Christ in my every thought and deed, my eyes were enlightened, and my understanding quickened to recognize that Jesus Christ was calling for me to ‘come unto Him.'”
“As covenant children of God, we have been uniquely blessed with a rich supply of divinely appointed tools to improve our spiritual vision.”
Elder Dale G. Renlund apologized to Elder Uchtdorf and then began talking about airplane pilots. “When we operate within the framework, the Holy Ghost can unleash astonishing insight, direction, and comfort. Outside of this framework, no matter our brilliance or talent, we can be deceived and crash and burn.”
“When we try to stay on the covenant path, the Holy Ghost will show us all things we should do.”
“With the help of the Holy Ghost we can transform our divine nature into our eternal destiny.”
1) “Feasting on the words of Christ, as found in the scriptures, stimulates personal revelation.”
2) “We only receive revelation within our purview.” “Only the prophet receives for the whole church.”
3) Revelation will be in harmony with the revelations and commandments that we already have. “You’ve already revealed my will…”
“When we ask for revelation about something God has already given clear direction, we open ourselves up to misinterpreting our feelings and hearing what we want to hear.”
“For nothing is a greater injury to the children of men than to be under the influence of a false spirit when they think they have the Spirit of God” Joseph Smith
THIS IS GOOD STUFF
4) Recognize what you’ve received – you don’t need to ask again. “If God has answered a question and the circumstances haven’t changed, why would we expect the answer to be different?”
“Seek not to counsel the Lord…”
“If we’ve repented and…received a remission of our sins, we don’t need to ask again.”
“Have the confidence to claim personal revelation for yourself!”
(Favorite talk so far.)
Elder Rafael E. Pino on customs and traditions. The ones that help us along the covenant path, we need to embrace. The things that pull us away, we need to reject.
Sugar on avocados, chili on coconut Is normal is some places. What’s normal for some…
Which customs and traditions are normal in your lives?
“We all have customs and traditions that are personal, from our family, or come from the community in which we live, and we hope to keep all those that align with the principles of the gospel.”
Quoted President Nelson on “New Normal.” Today we often hear about “a new normal.” If you really want to embrace “a new normal,” I invite you to turn your heart, mind, and soul increasingly to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Let that be your “new normal.”
Habits that should be normal for us in the church.
- Personal and family study of the scriptures.
- Personal and family prayer.
- Attend sacrament meeting weekly.
- Participate in frequently in temple work and family history
“Are those 4 things part of our normal lives?”
“If we are steadfast and immovable in doing good, our customs will be in accordance with the principles of the gospel, and they will help us to stay on the covenant path.”
Elder Hugo Montoya. (No relation to Inigo)
“The eternal principle of love is manifested by living the two great commandments: Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.”
“No matter what language my brother speaks or what country he comes from, we love each other because we are brothers, children of the same Father.”
“Let us take advantage of every opportunity to help our neighbor, even if it is the first and only time we meet him in this life.”
“When circumstances change from good and positive to bad and negative, we can still be happy because happiness does not depend on the circumstances but on our attitude towards the circumstances.”
“Adversity in our lives can cause doubt about the fulfillment of the promises that have been made to us. Please trust in our Father. He always keeps His promises and we can learn what He wants to teach us.”
Nice –> “Bless your children whether they are five or fifty years old.”
“Our Heavenly Father’s love for each of His children is real; He is there for each one. I don’t know how He does it, but He does.”
“I have noticed that the small portion that I can understand of the Atonement of Jesus Christ increases my love for the Father and His Son, decreases my desire to sin and to be disobedient, and increases my willingness to be better and do better.”
• #tabcats interlude, “Brightly beams”
• Choir members used to look a lot older to me….
• Focus on personal revelation and moving the youth away from “list mentality” continues the trend of President Nelson’s tenure. Four of the first talks dealt with that.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband “THIS day.”
We come to conference to hear counsel for THIS day.
Speaking on renewing our commitment to the Book of Mormon. (Held up his 1970s blue “Moroni” copy.)
Challenged on his mission to read the BofM twice, “There was much more to my reading than just marking scriptures. With each reading of the Book of Mormon, front to back, I was filled with a profound love for the Lord.”
Pres Nelson sharing the Book of Mormon: “You could have given me diamonds or rubies, but nothing is more precious to me than this additional knowledge about Jesus Christ.”
Met with the Pres. of Mozambique. Gave him a copy of BofM. Met with King and Queen of Lesoto. Gave them copies, too. So cool to see him hanging with Kings and Queens in their homes. Has shared book with lots of important folks and born witness of the book and the Savior.
“I invite you, ‘this day,’ to give a Book of Mormon to your friends and family, associates at work, your soccer coach, or the produce man at your market.”
You can share it digitally, too- from the library app. “When you hand them a Book of Mormon you are opening their minds and hearts to the word of God”
I enjoyed how he made it so clear that he truly loves the Book of Mormon.
President Russell M. Nelson
“Abuse constitutes the influence of the adversary.”
“Let me be perfectly clear: any kind of abuse of women, children or anyone is an abomination to the Lord. He grieves, and I grieve, whenever anyone is harmed.”
“The Savior will not tolerate abuse, and as His disciples, neither can we.”
Be aware of abuse and act promptly. “Those who perpetrate abuse are subject to laws of man and the wrath of THE ALMIGHTY GOD.”
“Disturbing tactic of the adversary is to blur the lines between what is true and not true.”
“God is the source of all truth. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints embraces all truth that God conveys to His children, whether learned in a scientific laboratory or received by direct revelation from Him.”
Take notes this weekend and listen for things that come into your mind.
Wants Conference to be a spiritual feast.
Main point was the statement condemning abuse and that the Church is working against it.
• “All Creatures of Our God and King.” I really enjoy singing this song – it has a fun bass line. Alleluia!
• No breakfast, no snacks, and I’m not even fasting. My tummy is ready for the break.
I hope you saw the really cool meme going around: My name is Hugo Montoya, I bring the Spirit; prepare to cry. I hope he has a good sense of humor!
It appears that Pres. Nelson was sitting down. If I were 98 years old I would be sitting down also!
Thanks! I am ALWAYS amazed at how much detail you can capture while not losing your place in listening to the message.