Conference Thoughts: Saturday Afternoon

Fortunately, I had time to do some carb-loading between Conference sessions, and I needed it to keep up those last two hours.

I really, really love sitting with my family and raising my arm to sustain our leaders. As I get older, the more I love it. I don’t recall dong that when I was young, but I sure enjoy watching my kids participate.

Elder Dallin Oaks’ talk flowed so seamlessly into Elder Neal A. Anderson’s, that I wonder if they didn’t plan it that way. Elder Oaks spoke about being in the world, but not of it. (Made me think that it is time for a remake of the song, “We are the World” Mormon style, “We AREN’T the World.”

Elder Oaks spoke of how we need to love one another, and practice the Golden Rule, including those who don’t like us, or disagree with us. He spoke out against contention, but made it clear that we should be meek, but shouldn’t surrender, because there is no middle ground.

He then went into some practical applications of the principles he taught. My favorite was watching how incredulous he seemed when he discussed parents not allowing their children to play with non-memner kids. What?

The counsel to love without condemning, yet not condoning, is becoming more frequent, and we will probably hear more about this conundrum.  (At least I hope so.)

 

Elder Neil A. Anderson followed up with a wonderful talk about opposition towards Joseph Smith through the ages, and today.  (If you don’t know me, know this: I love Joseph Smith and have a burning testimony of his prophetic calling.)

Elder Anderson spent a lot of time discussing ways that we can respond to critics. My favorite quote was a line he borrowed from Elder Neal A. Maxwell. “Studying the Church through the eyes of its detractors is like interviewing Judas to understand Jesus.”

A brilliant concept in today’s internet era, when it is so easy to find untruth and opposition, even when you aren’t looking for it. I especially appreciate the challenge he extended to our youth to obtain their own personal witness of Joseph Smith, with some tips on how to get there.

 

Elder Tad Callister‘s talk could have been titled “OK Parents: Step It Up.” I enjoy the way he teaches, and his counsel regarding how we can help our kids was wonderful. The part that I took note of mostly was regarding making sure our kids are saying their morning prayers. I am usually so concerned about family prayers and scripture study, that I don’t even think about their personal morning prayers.

Any time a leader stand up and puts the burden of Gospel teaching firmly on the shoulders of the parents, rather than the Bishops, teachers, Seminary, leaders, etc., I want to take that leader out for ice cream.

 

I’m not familiar with Elder Jörg Klebingat, but I am impressed. His talk was meaty, clever and very, very direct. His counsel to take responsibility for our physical well-being almost made me put down the snacks. Almost.

It was tough to keep up – he mashed a 20 minutes of information into a 10 minute talk. I managed to catch five of the six points to increase spiritual confidence. Very good stuff, for later reading.

 

Elder Eduardo Gavarret spoke in Spanish, which was cool for me, but the voiceover made it so I couldn’t hear the Spanish. I think I would prefer subtitles.  This is gonna take some getting used to. The irony was not lost on me, as his talk was about being careful to pay attention to the “right” voice.

I appreciated the reinforcement of the counsel that knowledge isn;t worth much unless we turn it into action. (Which is a very nice set-up for Elder Holland’s teachings on caring for the poor.)

 

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke on poverty, and our responsibility to do what we can to fight it. What was interesting is that, rather than micromanage it, he counseled us to pray and look for opportunities to help. One thing he was absolute on was the importance of fast offerings. He is so right. I was surprised to hear him announce that over 750,000 members of the Church received assistance through fast offerings last year.

Personally, this talk was riveting for me. I have worked in humanitarian poverty relief in Third World countries, and also had the privilege of dispersing sacred fast offering funds as a bishop. I have thought a lot about this stuff, and Elder Holland’s talk was wonderful to me.

He pulled no punches about the need for individual industry, thrift, self-reliance and ambition, but also held out much kindness and sympathy who suffer. I found it especially poignant that he offered that he had never personally experienced poverty – “there but for the grace of God, go I.”

 

Elder L. Tom Perry opened his talk by speaking of Christ’s teachings regarding the Wheat and the Tares. It took me a minute to realize where he was going as he transitioned into our roles as parents in raising up wheat that is strong enough to co-exist with the tares n the world. I appreciate his appreciation for how difficult the world has become.

As he discussed the different roles between mothers and fathers, I had a happy moment when he said that fathers plan vacations.  Hooray! I am actually very good at that one.  There were some other things, too, but you’ll need to read it later.

It was kind of an All-Star session of Conference to me, and I loved all of it.

Break time.  I’ll check in tonight with a Priesthood report.

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