I can’t believe how fast Conference is going. Not just the whole event, but each session. Only one more session left.
Here are a few thoughts:
I was hoping for the intro music before the broadcast started, they would use Black-eyed Peas “Let’s Get it Started.”
In my opinion, Let Us All Press On should never, ever be sung as a gentle sissy song. Bleck!
President Uchtdorf has an advantage – his cool accent makes me pay better attention to his talks. This one was good as usual.
I appreciated his perspective that we shouldn’t focus on being grateful FOR things, rather fostering an “attitude of gratitude” that stands independent of our current circumstances. That is some serious truth right there.
Being grateful in our circumstance is a demonstration of faith in God, and shows hope and testimony. Good stuff.
Elder M. Russell Ballard returned to his previous comments about how we use the name of the church. It is a tough transition he asks of us – to not use Mormon or LDS. I need to do a better job not defaulting to LDS, and spell it out.
I was glad that he said we could use ‘Mormon’ in referring to people and things. I was relieved. (He didn’t specifically mention my blog, but I think I saw him wink. It was really, really subtle.)
The Preach My Gospel is available for free online, or if you stop by my house, we seem to have dozens.
Sister Jean Stevens from the Primary Presidency sure nailed it with this quote:
“The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not a checklist of things to do.” (So glad to be able to take that off my checklist.)
Bishop Gary Stevenson caught the attention of flagging men and youth with his Olympic themed talk. I appreciate his sense of urgency, “Your four minutes will pass quickly, and you’ll have eternity to think about what you did in this life,” and that it is never too late.
Her referenced the following scripture – which is always a good thing: D&C 84:20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
Elder David A. Bednar also cited that same scripture in his terrific talk. Anyone that has read my blog knows that I love finding Gospel principles in everyday life. His story of his friend being saved by adding a load to his truck was spectacular. It will stick in all of our minds.
I appreciated his thoughts about how we sometimes short-change the power of the Atonement in strengthening, and healing us. We often look at it merely as a vehicle for forgiveness.
There were echoes of President Uchtdorf’s talk on gratitude when he mentioned that we should stop praying to God to change our circumstances.
President Monson is all about love. And so was his talk. Favorite part: The story of the injured boy and the plane flight to Seattle.
Favorite quotes: “Forgiveness should go hand in hand with love,” and “Blame keeps wounds open – only forgiveness heals.”
He also referenced one of the great ironies in family life – that sometimes we treat those we love much worse that total strangers.
I didn’t catch who offered the closing prayer, but she sounded like Paula Dean.
Have a great Sabbath!
I think you are wrong about “Let Us All Press On”. Try this: put earphones on, queue up the song, close your eyes and listen carefully. Now imagine the Saints stealthily surrounding Satan’s boardroom while singing this battle hymn. Listen to the bass lines, and the organ accompaniment, especially the “marching” you can hear in the foot pedals. Really think about the words. Notice how the intensity increases as the song progresses. This arrangement of this song is pure genius. Give my method a try and see if it changes your opinion.
Gotta agree with the song. What is it with the choir singing soooo ssslllooowww? I’ll be doing fine then their rest hymn puts me to sleep. Pick up the pace, put some joy into that music, the choir needs to put some soul into it! Conference is a good time, make some joyful noise to show it…
Exactamundo
are you kidding me. 🙂
the song was beautiful.
never heard a better rendition and for me, it was more moving than a lot of the talks – the MESSAGE was so clear —
loved it so much!
however, since you were hoping for a black eyed peas song, this commentary of yours does not surprise me. 😉
You are spot on with “Let Us All Press On”… I couldn’t listen to all the verses. I wonder if someone “checks” their music before performing????
Yeah, I saw that wink from Ballard. So that was meant for you, huh? And I’ll be stopping by later this week because I lost my copy of Preach My Gospel…
Paula Dean! No you didn’t!! Actually my daughter and I were having a hard time not laughing. I need to grow up..
Another analogy popped into my head re our 4 minutes here on earth: the end of the life run goes MUCH faster than the top half because you’ve been picking up speed the whole way. Now that I’ve rounded out another decade, I’ve really got to hustle to accomplish all that I’m supposed to!
Interesting.I love the way they did “Let Us all Press on”(although I’ll give it to you,it sounded a little like it should be on the “It’s a Small World Ride”.) I thought it was a refreshing take on it..that we should be cheery while we are pressing forward.I didn’t get funeral dirge in the least bit.I guess that’s why we all have opinions, and there are many different ways to appreciate music.Like Ann Landers said..”If you and I were exactly the same..then one of us wouldn’t be necessary.”
On Elder Uchtdorf’s comment about being grateful “in” whatever circumstance, rather than “for” it. I recently figured that out during a bout of cancer. I was not particularly grateful for the cancer, but their were many things I was grateful for during that time. It turned out to be a wonderful experience as I discovered anew how thoughtful and wonderful my friends could be, what a great doctor I have, and how the Lord blessed me to heal quickly to be able to continue with responsibilities that there was no one else to handle.Life is good if you look for that good.
Same here.
It has been such a glorious Conference! Just a note, in case you’re interested:-). I can’t believe you have finally said something I can’t agree with. “Let Us All Press On” was exquisite! Maybe my favorite arrangement of a hymn ever. Can we talk about it? 🙂
You can talk about it, but I thought it took a great anthem, full of energy and conviction, and turned it into a simpering funeral dirge.
I know where you are coming from…but I have to agree with Larrie. I personally think it can go either way…just has different meanings… 🙂
Normally, I would agree with you on “Let Us All Press On.” As an organist, I’d rather miss half the notes in a hymn in order to play it at the correct tempo. But as the hours have passed since conference, I’ve noticed that this arrangement has stuck in my head more than some of the other songs they sang.
I had a bad attitude going into conference this morning and was delighted that my absolute favorite hymn (On This Day of Joy and Gladness) was played right at the very beginning. It just was the encouragement I needed from Heavenly Father to keep going and have an open mind even though life is tough at the moment. Then President Uchtdorf seemed to gently chastise me and tell me to have an attitude of gratitude. I loved every speaker and all of the messages shared. I’m glad God is patient with me.
I really loved the end of Music And The Spoken Word, where they talked about meekness and strength.
As conference began with I Believe in Christ (Text: Bruce R. McConkie, 1915-1985. © 1972 IRI/Music: John Longhurst, b. 1940. © 1985 IRI/2 Nephi 25:23, 26, 29/Mormon 7:5-7) I was about in the mood to protest how they sang it.
To Me (ever since I first learned it when we, as a young single/single adult choir, sang it for our Gilmer, Tx. stake conference way back yonder), this is a Very powerful, vigorous and strong song. To be sung with verve and emotion.
But Then, I started listening to the words and Music And The Spoken Word’s reference to Meekness and Strength came pouring back to my mind.
Did they co-ordinate this??
The song was Still Powerful to me, but in a Meeker way than I’d ever heard it sung before!
I LOVE Conference!
xoDaleB.xo
The big thing I have been getting for myself is that there is true REST when you live the gospel. When you know you are doing your best, when your focus is where is should be, and you have the friendship of the Lord. All things are possible. *sigh* everything will work out, and isn’t it wonderful? I love the Gospel so much. I am so grateful. For everything. I am going to go take a nap…with my sweetheart.
amen!
I loved this mornings session as I have all the others. I love conference, I love t
The closing prayer was given by my friend Neill Marriott. Funny story – I went to Education Week with her and my mom a few years ago. Traffic was gnarly (as it tends to be there) and we had to make a lane change. Neill leaned out of the window and in her best southern belle voice hollered to the car next to us, “pahrdon us Brother, can we squeeze in raight here?” Mom and I have laughed about it for years. She’s a darling, fantastic lady!
My wife thought the same thing about the closing prayer. She’s pleased that she wasn’t the only one.
Hymns have been on my mind lately, and I must say that I really liked that arrangement of “Let Us All Press On.” Also, President Monson’s talk brought to mind the text of a (non-LDS) hymn that has recently become on of my favorites:
“Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the sky of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry,
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure –
The saints’ and angels’ song.”