Instant Post-Conference Thoughts: Saturday A.M. (April ’16)

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.

• When I as a 14 year-old Teacher, the first family I ever home taught with my father was Spencer Kinnard. He did Music and the Spoken Word, from 1972-1990. Everytime I hear each conference session announced on TV, I think of him.

• Surprised to see they are using green onions as a backdrop. Perhaps there will be a welfare/self-sufficiency theme this year?   Then I got this text from my friend Steve: “…and we’d like to thank Jamba Juice for sponsoring the wheat grass this General Conference…” Yeah, he won.

• President Henry B Eyring started things perfectly by speaking about the value of conference to help us draw closer to the Savior, and what we can do to have it be more valuable to us. It was basically a primer for “Why we have Conference.”

He taught that conference represents, “A precious opportunity over the next few days to have our hearts softened.”

This was the right talk to have first, because if it had been the last talk, we would have all been saying “Now you tell me!”

 

• Sister Mary Durham told a dramatic story about a (dumb) father who tried to swim across a lake with his daughter on his back, and his shoes on. (Hint: Don’t swim with shoes..)   But the analogy worked as she tied it in to being weighed down by the world.

I’m so glad she focused on the importance of teaching our kids to feel and recognize the Spirit before they enter the big, bad world. Can’t be over-emphasized.

 

• Elder Donald Hallstrom took great pains to distance himself from Halloween, but told a sweet Halloween story about kids’ desire to return to their Heavenly Father.

“When difficult things appear, what is our immediate response? Is our first response to remember who we are? Children of God.”

Quoted Elder Holland: “You can have what you want or you can have something better.”

 

• I look at the choir and am always amazed at how radiant they are. I attribute it to the Spirit and good exfoliation.

 

• Elder Gary E. Stevenson. (Embarrassed to admit, I forgot he was a new Apostle.)

He told a story about losing his keys at a ski resort made for a great analogy about importance of keys in the Church.

“Never, ever again, do we have to question, ‘Where are the keys?'”

This talk is a very good explanation of what keys are, and how they work, and the history of keys in the Restoration.

“Without keys, there is no exaltation. Without keys, this church is just another organization. Keys make this church God’s church.”

3 ways to find the keys:

1. Prepare for missionary service.
2. Attend the temple
3. Go forward with faith

(I also need to go back to Harmony, PA and see the new stuff that has been built at the Aaronic Priesthood Commemoration site. Last time I was there it was under construction.)

 

• Elder Keith R. Duncan told about a sliver that hurt him for a long time, until he put ointment on it – and the sliver worked its way out. Used this as a metaphor of forgiving others by applying the healing Atonement of the Savior.

(This would have been the perfect time for Elder Duncan to bust out MMM’s Tarzan Principle.)

“At times, God may part the curtain and allow us to see into the heart and soul and spirit of the person who has offended us. This insight may even lead to an overwhelming love towards that person.” (As close as I could get it on-the-fly)

First political reference – expecting more.

“The Savior’s Atonement is not only for those who need to repent, but also for those who need to forgive.”

(Really good talk)

 

• Elder Steven E. Snow spoke about being humble.

“Unnecessary pride can dissolve family relationships, break up marriages and destroy friendships.”

He told the story of his son’s brain injury, and trying to sort out why it happened. I(t brought back a lot of memories for my family.)

“What If we could be humble before we walk through that Valley of Humility?” Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; (Alma 32:16)

 

*** Chugs a bunch of soda because I’m flagging***

 

• Concluding speaker: Elder Dale G.Renlund. Taught by Elder Wilford Anderson that “The greater the distance between the giver and the receiver, the more the receiver develops a sense of entitlement.” (Wow – I wish the political world got this)

The greater the distance between us and God, the more entitled we feel and the more we tend to focus on inequities, we are more impatient.

He used Laman & Lemuel as an example of this idea. “Murmuring is the scriptural equivalent of childish whining.”

“The closer we are to Jesus Christ, the more we appreciate his innocent suffering and are grateful for grace.”

“God is more pleased sinners who are trying to get closer to him than the self-righteous who don’t recognize their flaws.”

You all know by now that I love a good sacrament shout-out. Here is Elder Renlund’s: “The best way I know to draw closer to God is to prepare conscientiously and partake worthily of the sacrament each week.”

…I am SO glad that life is not fair.

 

• Must admit that the new Apostles, (Renlund and Stevenson) did a super job. The Lord’s Kingdom moves forward, even though I miss our recently departed icons.

• “Come Thou Fount?” Yes. Please.

Have a nice break! Taco Bell anyone?

 

• 
• 
•