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.
• The opening prayer contained the words, “We are thankful for the words of happiness” that we have heard.” Man, I like that a lot.
• I love my brothers and sisters that are dumb enough to show up to conference just to shout out an opposing viewpoint.
• Someone was sustained whose first name “Uberman.” How cool is that?!
• 15.6 million members.
• Elder Ronald Rasband. Began by talking about visiting Pakistan as a newly called Apostle. Pakistan? Crazy!
Talked about the Face-to-Face event recently held with youth around the world. (I missed that one…) I like his assurance that youth who ask questions are engaged, and that’s exactly what got things rolling with the restoration.
“We need to help each other find Heavenly Father’s answers through the guidance of the Spirit.”
Told the story of Jesus walking on the water, tying it in to the importance of Jesus being there to rescue us when we need help. (I love the story for a different reason: Why? Because PETER WALKED ON THE WATER! Who else does that? Sure he couldn’t sustain it very long, but can you name anyone else who has pulled that off? Some treat it as a failure of faith – I think it is miraculous.)
…then I started talking with my kids about how cool Peter was, and missed the rest of the talk. Apologies.
• Elder Neil Andersen. Speaking of what children are entitled to, he went straight to the “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” Then he pivoted and began addressing all of those children who do not come from “traditional” families, or those who don’t have the gospel in their homes.
“We will continue to teach the Lord’s pattern for families, but now with millions of members and the diversity of the church, we need to be more thoughtful, and sensitive. Our church culture and vernacular are, at times, unique.”
It is a different world – I appreciate this Apostles acknowledgment that we consider those that don’t fit the “mold,” yet still preach the Lord’s pattern unapologetically.
“While a child’s earthly situation might not be ideal, a child’s spiritual DNA is perfect.”
“The greatest influence in helping youth feel welcome is other righteous youth.”
(Super talk – really needs to be discussed and implemented at the Ward Council level.)
• Not sure, but I think that 3 or 4 speakers have already mentioned being in Africa.
• I checked Twitter #ldsconf during halftime. Remarkable how many people are tweeting just to try and be funny, and how most of them fail.
• Elder Mervyn B. Arnold talked about lost sheep, but quickly caught my attention by saying, “What a marvelous role grandparents can play in the lives of their own grandchildren.” (See, now I pay closer attention to the “grandparent talks)
Told a story of a sinking ship – Interesting to hear a story that doesn’t end well.
Spoke of the importance of rescuing the lost sheep,
1) We must not delay in going to the rescue.
2) We must never give up.
3) How great shall be your joy if ye shall bring but one soul unto Christ!
4) No matter our age, we are all called to go to the rescue.
“The Lord has provided all of the tools necessary for us to go to the rescue of our less-active and non-member friends.”
I am sure that President Monson gave this talk two BIG Thumbs Up.
• Elder Arnold and President Eyring are the most emotional speakers I can recall. It is sweet.
Elder Jairo Mazzagardi asked an interesting question: Why did the Restoration have to happen in the Untied States, and in the lands of his ancestors in Italy or Brazil?
He then went on to tell of his experience in visiting Church history sites and what he learned. How he understood God’s hand in bringing Joseph Smith to the right place at the right time.
“At that moment, I understood how the hand of God, our Father, in His immense wisdom had prepared in his plan a place to bring young Joseph Smith, putting him in the midst of that religious confusion.”
“If you who hear me have any questions in your heart, do not give up!”
• Elder David Bednar jumped right in with King Benjamin – this is gonna be good.
He presented this scripture:
And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true. (Mosiah 4:12)
His focus is on retaining a remission of our sins. Two key parts: The Holy Ghost, and Ordinances. (BooYah!!)
There is an inseparable relationship between three ordinances:
1) Baptism: The essential preparation to receive the authorized opportunity to receive the constant companionship of the third member of the Godhead.
2) Laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost: The Baptism of water without the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost attending it is of no use.
3) Sacrament: As members of the Lord’s restored church, we are blessed…with the potential of an ongoing cleansing of our souls.
Taking of the sacrament by itself does not remit sins – it is our preparation to take the sacrament and receipt of the Spirit that does.
(I also appreciate that he made the point that the Holy Ghost is what cleanses us from sin – so many think it is the atonement that cleanses us. Nope.)
• OK: That was a PERFECT talk about the interrelations between the doctrines of repentance, baptism, the Holy Ghost and the sacrament. It was brilliant. Go back and read it – it is so clear, and so easy to understand.
• Elder M. Russell Ballard. In all his talks about “councils” Elder Ballard has never talked about Family Councils in General Conference. (Until now)
“The irony of being parents is that we tend to really get good at it after our children are grown.”
(Probably needed this more about 20 years ago, but still applicable.)
“Combined with prayer, a family counsel will in invite the spirit of the Lord.”
“We can become more patient, thoughtful, helpful, forgiving, and understanding as we pray for help.”
No more notes on this one: I have to sit back and process this…OK. Makes more sense now – rather than have a “formal” meeting, he is saying that just a drive in the car or doing chores can be considered a “family council.” I guess what really matters is that there is an actual conversation about actual important topics. Still need to go back and read this more like an instruction manual.
It seems (to me) to be a call to spend more quality time with each other and communicate about important things. I appreciate that he said we don’t even need to call it a ‘Family Council.” Calling it a “Family Council makes me think – “oh no, another meeting.”
• Bummer to not hear from President Monson today Hope to hear from him at Priesthood tonight.
Thank you for sending the email to remind me of the feelings and the literal knowledge input of Conference and the Holy Ghost. Has me in the right mood and mode for today.
Thanks – it wasn’t supposed to go out, since it was last spring’s conference.
Coincidence. All is coincidence. (snicker)
Only just started reading your recaps today as we had our video conference today. My (first) favourite moment… sustaining a friend from my youth back home in Norway as an area authority. I didn’t know he’d been called and had to admit I squealed when I heard his name. Sustained him (and the others) joyfully.
Elder Bednar’s talk. Wow.
The fisherman story was sad and very sobering when seen in light of rescuing souls.
I loved elder Ballards talk too. So many ideas, and I had never seen family councils in that light before. Think I felt the Spirit giving me a poke in the ribs telling me to sit up and pay attention.
Elder Mazzogardo’s talk reminded me of your blog post on “lining up the dominos” (btw, I used dominos as an object lesson in my RS lesson last month about Joseph Smith…. thank you for your post that inspired it)
Loved the rebel male choir member who had his suit jacket unbuttoned.
Can’t wait until tomorrow and the Sunday sessions!
I was touched during that “rest” hymn also. I live in a stake which hosts a regional group of deaf members. We usually have a stake conference in late November. One of the hymns during the meetings is often a song of thanksgiving, and as I glance over to the group deaf members enthusiastically signing, I am soon humbled about my surroundings and situation.
I loved both sessions of conference, and was touched many times. I wish I would have taken notes, as there were several things that were said I thought I would remember..but my old brain isn’t as reliable as it used to be! Luckily I can recap it all in the Ensign next month.
One of the things that made me cry unexpectedly,though,was when we were singing the “rest” hymn,and the camera panned to where some of our wonderful deaf brothers and sisters were enthusiastically signing the song.They did it with such spirit and gusto..it just super touched me and made me cry.
How great it is that we all are children of God,and because of that,no matter what our differences and/or challenges, we all have a place in the Gospel where we can worship and belong.
Quote from my daughter (after I read her a few of your thoughts from conference) ‘does he get paid to do this? He should !!!’
In these trying times, Conference is an island of comfort filled with instruction and guidance that if followed will definitely help us weather the adversities. I love the way I feel when I listen to the talks.
Still wish there were a “LIKE” button on some of the comments… Thank you, Mindy. Thank you, Norma Pellett. LOVED Elder Bednar’s talk! And, I really liked Elder Ballard’s discussion of several kinds of family councils. I, also, was impressed that Mazzagardi continued to serve faithfully while seeking an answer to something that bothered him, and that he was a counselor in a stake presidency when he finally gained that particular understanding.
I so love General Conference. What a gift and a blessing!
Thank you for the recap. I started to doze during Bednar and didn’t catch all of his talk or the one after.
Mervyn B Arnold — next apostle! … inspiring, woke me up {i was not sleeping, *resting* would be a better description} and i sat up straight, got that notebook and pen out so i would not miss a word … the Spirit moved through him and my heart was touched … it *was* interesting to have a story that did not have that happy ending; i don’t remember anything like this … and his points to come to the rescue, succinct, clear and, again, the Spirit touched my heart and i felt very, literally, moved to do *something,* on which i will pray …
i agree about the opposing votes — why the heck do they come anyway – to hear their voices when they listen to the video? my husband and i are always *astonished* that people would even stand in line to get in, find the seat, then wait …. wait ….. wait for the sustaining of officers {notice it was only the main leadership not Seventies/YM/Primary/YW/etc,they opposed! } … stay home, write a letter, be don ewith it or see the stake president, which, of course, they will not do b/c they already know the response they will receive to their demands ….. thank goodness for a constant, consistent church … bunch of great old men!!!
thank you for your pieces today; i’m always enlightened by your observations, however i see i need to read more often … LOL … this feels like a fan letter and i, literally, never write fan letters, ever … you think a lot like we and it’s good to read someone who is *crazy* like me n hubbs …
keep it up, middleagedmormonman … you do good!!!
I agree re: Peter. I always wondered if the Savior’s “prediction” that Peter would deny Him was more an instruction for Peter to keep his mouth shut during the trials and execution. Peter was courageous to a fault (consider the lopped ear) – had he not denied being an associate of Jesus, he would have joined Him on Golgotha. Knowing Peter as He did, it seems to me it was more a case of the Savior preserving Peter to lead the Church.
Peter was not guilty of cowardice… he was guilty of obedience in spite of his personality.
As you say, my two cents.
I agree with that theory.
Your recap…on point. I was listening hard as the YW president in my ward. Much of it I felt was counsel I needed to hear and act on. Love your idea of dispersing some of this information in Ward Council. I also LOVED the question: WHy did the Restoration have to happen here and not Brazil or someplace else? I loved the question (since I have had that cross my mind as well) and I love how he explained how he gained his answers.
Loved the whole session. I too, am sad we haven’t heard from President Monson, but in the few glimpses I have caught of him on screen….he doesn’t look good 🙁
Took 2 pennies out of my jar. Just wanted to say, that yes the glimpses (which were few and i was straining too with my newly removed Cataracts too.) Maybe that was why they weren’t showing him like they usually do. He may be saving his energy/health to Sunday Session. But at least he was there. He looked a lot thinner than he did in October. His “Mission” may soon end and be with his lovely EC. Each Prophet called you can really said that God called them because each President brings his greatest asset which is needed for the time. Pres. Monson was great in getting us progressing with the Gospel and Tech use, you know the strengths he developed during his life to be what the Lord eventually calls. Study each Prophet, and you’ll see the pattern…..We truly have Prophets called from God…. opps Priesthood Session starting, time to Spy on the guys now we women are allowed 😉 Course, I’m divorced,(not my fault, but Porn DOES destroy families.He was in to far.) so i just want to know they give good counsel.(sure they will, duh)
What is even more ridiculous, is they who opposed to go tell the Stake President but the person who opposed, probably isn’t a member and doesn’t know who or what a Stake President is. Kind of takes the wind out of their yelling out “NO”. Thank you for your thoughts. i’m a fan.
My favorite thing about Elder Jairo Mazzagardi’s talk was that he was serving as a counselor to a Stake President when he got his answers. He continued to faithfully serve even though he had questions. He didn’t fall away when he didn’t get his answers right away. HE KEPT FAITHFULLY SERVING!
I loved that same thing!!! made note of it… questions will be answered in time – keep trusting what you DO know until the time the answers come!!! LOVED IT!
Elder Bednar. Wow.