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.
• President Oaks stands up to conduct. My son comments that it is weird because usually Elder Oaks comes in, drops some truth bombs, then goes back to his seat.
• Both invocations today mentioned taking care of widows. The Monson legacy is intact.
• Some leadership changes which I’m not writing down. Sad to see Lynn G. Robbins released.
• “Elder Motswaggo-ta-ta” is my favorite new Area Seventy. I think they just called half the population of the church to be Area Seventies. 116 G.A.s with 40% of them being born outside the USA.
• Sister Corden replaced Sister Oscarson as General YW President: From Bonnie to Bonnie.
• Aaaaand some knucklehead decided to start shouting, and they cut the sound. Might explain why President Oaks looked flustered during the votes. There is a correct way to communicate a dissenting voice. Shouting from the congregation and disrupting conference is not that way. I don’t know what he meant by “Stop respecting contextual errors,” but he must feel strongly about it.
• And back to sobriety: Elder David Bednar, who seems very emotional from the get-go. I think he reflected what a lot of us were feeling. Speaking about Christ’s divine nature, he used the followings as examples of meekness:
- The story of the Rich Young Man vs. Amulek
- Moroni vs. Pahoran
- President Eyring and Nelson’s responses to President Monson’s call to reading The Book of Mormon.
“The trait inherent in the Savior and these three examples is meekness. A defining attribute of the Savior. Meekness is a defining attribute of the Redeemer and is distinguished by righteous responsiveness, willing submissiveness, and strong self-restraint.”
Meekness is misunderstood in todays world. It is:
• Strong, not weak
• Active, not passive
• Courageous, not timid
• Restrained, not excessive
• Modest, not self-aggrandizing
• Gracious, not brash.
— too much in this talk to quote —
“Meekness is an attribute developed through desire, the righteous exercise of moral agency, and striving always to retain a remission of our sins.”
POWERQUOTE: “Meekness is the principle protection from the prideful blindness that often arises from prominence, position, power, wealth, and adulation.”
“The consistency of the Lord’s willing submission and strong self-restraint is both awe inspiring and instructive for us all.”
Great talk. Interesting to hear meekness being taught as a way of empowerment. Cuts across the grain of today’s culture.
• Elder Taylor G. Godoy asks the question, If today was your last day, what would you do with it?
My first thought was that I would max out my credit cards, but that is yet another reason I am listening right now instead of speaking.
“I think in one way or another we all, at some point, will have a ‘one more day’ realization — a realization that we must use wisely the time we have.”
“Sacrifice we make for others, and that others make for us, results in blessings for all.”
• To give us all hope, one of the smartest men in the world just stood up and corrected an oversight he made in the sustainings.
• I need some new ties.
• Outgoing President Bonnie Oscarson spoke about the Young Women of the church. Serving as a chorister as a youth anchored her in a life of service.
“Our young women can be called upon to provide service and to minister to the needs of ward members with their mothers or other exemplary sisters.”
“Every young woman in the church should feel valued, have opportunities to serve, and feel that she has something of worth to contribute to this work.”
“Each person has something important to contribute and has unique talents and abilities that help move this important work along.”
“Together, these beautiful, strong, faithful young women and young men are preparing to be wives and husbands, and mothers and fathers who will raise families worthy of the celestial kingdom of God.”
As she spoke about the need to have young women serving in the church, she reinforced to me, that callings are one way to serve, but helping find things outside of the normal “calling” structure is just as valuable. I believe that some of the most important ways I have been used in the Lord’s service were not found on a church calling chart.
• Elder Taniela Wakolo spoke to the ordinances of the gospel. In case you wondered, his accent is Fijian.
“Like two sides to a coin, all the saving ordinances are accompanied by covenants with God. God promised us blessings if we faithfully honor those covenants”
POWERQUOTE: “Casualness leads to casualties.”
(Original quote: “Don’t take the casual approach to life. Casualness leads to casualties.: Jim Rohn.)
“I promise that participating in ordinances and honoring the associated covenants will bring you marvelous light and protection in this ever-darkening world.”
• Just now realizing I ate my Taco Bell too quickly before the session started.
• Elder Devin Durant spoke to parents. “We are never released from being parents.”
Best Opprutintes of Parental Teaching::
- Make FHE better and more regular – “and make fun a key ingredient.”
- Family prayer is also important. “When families gather in humble prayer, powerful and lasting lessons are taught.” “There is no better time to communicate love to our children than when praying with them or blessing them.”
- Family scripture study as well. When he was young, they actually read the Book of Mormon in Spanish, and everyone got called to Spanish speaking missions.
I know that those 3 things – FHE, prayer and scriptures cannot be under-emphasized. I am always glad to hear them taught. I am also sad at how often we fail at it.
And item #4: “Our most impactful parental teaching is our example.”
True, dat.
• Elder Dale G. Renlund is the concluding speaker.
I wasn’t aware of a rift between Orson and Parley Pratt., but “Despite their unshakable testimonies, their love for their ancestors was the catalyst to heal a rift, mend a hurt, and seek and extend forgiveness.”
In speaking of Family History, Elder Renlund said, “When God directs us to do one thing, He often has many purposes in mind.”
“Meaningful growth occurs going backward and forward through the generations as sealing ordinances weld families together.”
“We do have a divinely appointed responsibility to seek out our ancestors and compile family histories. This is far more than an encouraged hobby because the ordinances of salvation are necessary for all of God’s children.”
Family history and temple work bring blessings. Lots and lots of blessing. (I didn’t write them all down.)
Organ Donor? Check.
• Really weird that no members of the First Presidency have spoken yet. Looking forward to hearing from them. (Probably in a couple hours.)
” Elder Taylor G. Godoy asks the question, If today was your last day, what would you do with it?
My first thought was that I would max out my credit cards, but that is yet another reason I am listening right now instead of speaking.”
LOL!!!
Thank you for your write ups. I enjoy them and your perspective. And your random donut and Taco Bell inserts too. ?
I was in the Conference Center for this session. The shouting came from off to the far right of the top balcony not too too far from where I was sitting, though from behind since I was in the front row. It was during the pause immediately after Elder Oakes invited the newly called to their seats on the rostrum. Two things worth noting are that the acoustics are excellent. There is no doubt that everyone heard him. And as far as I can tell he was completely ignored and the moment passed. There were ushers milling about, but they were still making sure that every seat was filled so I think that’s it. Other than wondering how I would react if I were sitting next to the knucklehead, once he was done shouting it was a nonevent. We simply carried on and didn’t let it detract from the Spirit.
I think the person was yelling out to stop protecting sexual predators. One thing that struck me was the hymn that was immediately afterwards sung: Where Can I Turn for Peace. The truth of that song can apply to any and all touched by such things. It can apply to he who was angered enough to shout. It can apply to those hurt by the evils of sexual abuse. It can apply to leaders who struggle to know what to do in those situations. It can apply to those who are caught in the awful grip of sin and do such heinous acts.
“Where, when my aching grows,
Where, when I languish,
Where, in my need to know, where can I run?
Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?
Who, who can understand?
He, only One.”
Beautiful comment.
I heard someone’s name and then “is a sexual predator”. I had visions of Church Security doing a flying tackle, but probably not.