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 Henry B. Eyring spoke about families and the Plan of Salvation then morphed it into a lesson on Family History.
I always enjoy talks that link the development of computer technology to the need for family history research. Glad there is a greater purpose than cat videos.
He’s excited about how much the youth are involved in FH, but pointed out that it is everyone’s job.
Upbeat and energetic
Joseph Brough of the YM Presidency (Great last name for these time.)
Shout-out to grandparents – hooray! I’m one of those.
Disclaimer: My notes were a little sloppy because I was eating cinnamon orange rolls. (Or is that orange cinnamon rolls?)
“Even more powerful than using words to teach the doctrine will be living the doctrine.”
Never disregard the counsel of your bishop…
Tips for Bishops:
1) Be with the youth
2) Connect them with heaven.
3) Let youth lead.
Favorite quote of the talk: “Tolerating improper behavior without loving correction is false compassion.”
Weatherford T. Clayton. (I don’t know if any of you read the children’s book Robert Francis Weatherby, but there you go)
He’s a doctor, so when he started talking about birth and death, I perked up.
-Talk #2 founded in the Plan of Salvation-
Straightforward talk about the Plan and the Savior’s role. “Even in our moments of deepest grief … we can find comfort in our Savior because He suffered as well.”
Most touching part was when he talked about sitting at the bedside of a woman who was dying of cancer. “The room was filled with peace.”
“The World sees birth and death as the beginning and the end, God’s plan sees them as only milestones on eternal journey.”
• Three talks so far, 2 quoted John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave his Only Begotten son.”
Elder Dale Renlund spoke to judging others, which was extra fun for me because of my post last Wednesday (link)
Gotta love this idea: Church leaders cannot and will not change doctrine to be popular or to be politically correct. And, that god is empathetic, but that doesn’t mean he is open-minded towards sin.
Regarding judging others:
“Appreciate the distinction He makes between sin and those who sin.”
“The guiding principle for latter-day saints is the same. We must not be guilty of persecuting anyone inside or outside the Church.”
This was a perfect talk for our day. I hope it resonates because world has become a pretty nasty place and we need to rise above it. It was remarkable to note that people on Twitter were already weaponizing this talk to push their personal political agendas. This is more of a “Lord is it I?” kind of talk.
• The draw to watch the Twitter feed rather than focus on the talks is a siren song to me. I..must…resist.
Elder Ulisses Soares bore a lovely testimony about the Savior, but I didn’t really take any notes. I do love his accent!
“If we are steadfast and do not waver…the Lord will increase our capacity to raise ourselves above the challenges of life.”
Elder Mark A. Bragg. Man, he looks young, or I am getting old. Or both.
Whoa! He is teaching about “heliotropic effect.” How cool is that?
“Seeking the light is in our spiritual DNA.”
“We are surrounded by such an astonishing wealth of light & truth that I wonder if we truly appreciate what we have.” (Quoting President Uchtdof)
Three places to find light:
1) The light of the Church
2) The light of the Gospel, included family and home.
3) The light of Christ
(Sad confession: Every time he says “Perfect Day” it makes me think of the TV Show Colony and the “Greatest Day.”)
“In a darkening world, the light of Christ will shine brighter and brighter until a perfect day.”
• Choir sang “Teach me to walk in the light.” Coincidence? I think not.
• I think this was the third talk that spoke to the Light of Christ already today.
President Russell M. Nelson finished up with a bang. He looks pretty great for 92.
He spoke about how studying the scriptures about the Savior changed his life “I’m a new man.” – I guess we are never too old to change.
He challenged us to study The Living Christ. (Here’s the link)
“Faith in Jesus Christ propels us to do things we otherwise would not do.” Ain’t that the truth! I could make a list of things that I need more faith to get done!
On discipleship: “Nothing easy of automatic about becoming such strong disciples.” “True disciples of Jesus Christ are willing to stand out, speak up, and be different from the people of the world.”
“When you spiritually stretch beyond anything you have ever done before, then His power will flow into you.”
• Talks from this session that I want to review most: Renlund and Nelson.
• I should probably go outside and do some yardwork, but I probably won’t.
See you again in a few hours!
Discover more from Thus We See...
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Your notes will bless the lives of countless teenaged seminary students around the country…..probably not till Sunday evening tho 🙂
The beginning of Pres. Eyring’s talk was straight out the first discussion from my old mission days! Back in the 70’s. Brought make so many memories. That stuff sticks with you!!
Loved how he morphed from a spiritual DNA lesson to earthly DNA …Family history!
Thank you for your notes! I love conference as it is another chance at renewal and reflection as is every Sacrament meeting. The talks on light were especially noteworthy as I am weaning myself from social media. Snarky remarks were beginning to take over and I decided that having Christ in my life allows no room for other unworthy distractions. I guess this form of media has its place but at my age–it’s not for me to have it front and center. Habits are hard to break but I’m almost there. Lol
I love your post-conference posts! Thanks for all you do.
Did anyone notice the seating arrangement? The First Presidency and senior Apostles have switched with the junior Apostles.
I noticed that last week at Women’s Conference. But it might be so President Monson does not have to walk so far
That happened at the last General Conference and we were told by a member of the Seventy that the reason was so President Monson did not have to walk as far.
Another great spiritual feast in the books! I really liked Elder Bragg’s talk.