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This thread is for any discussion of generic General Conference topics. I will reference a few things from each talk that strike me, but none of them will be a very good summary. Feel free to comment on anything from GC here.
Elder Perry said at the beginning of the first real talk that the Bible (especially the New Testament) is the centerpiece of our religious history, as is Jesus Christ. Pretty blunt – and interesting as the first doctrinal talk. Good to hear it said so plainly and directly.
Quote:
“It may not be necessary for our children to wear Sunday attire until the sun goes down.”Yeah!! It’s been said explicitly.
Quote:“in the New Testament . . . and other scriptures.”
I’ve never heard the Book of Mormon skipped over as a disclaimer – but I really like it in the context of this talk.
Sister Stevens (Primary Presidency): VERY normal speaking voice, fwiw. Quote:(Children) often are the first to love and the first to forgive.
Meet adversity with hope – and even happiness.
Beholding our little children is more than just seeing them.
Quote:“Have some of life’s experiences taken away the childlike faith you used to have?”
Elder Gonzalez: Quote:“Millions of people all over the world have a desire to follow Christ – and it is a good thing.”
This is a GREAT talk so far about others having good things already in their faith – even though the message is about sharing the Restored Gospel.
Quote:1) Followers of Christ are loving people.
YEAH!!
No matter if someone agrees with the covenant part of this talk, I think it’s obvious that he is sincere and loving – and that’s really cool.
Elder Richards: In my profession as a surgeon, I caused pain almost daily. Pain is a gauge of the healing process. There is a lot of application for those who are struggling with a crisis of faith, I think.
Quote:The Savior is not a silent observer.
That is one of the reasons I like the concept of a Savior, no matter how it is interpreted.
Quote:Opposition and pain are necessary to know Jesus.
That’s a very interesting idea.
Elder Cook: Quote:“Wives are equal to their husbands.” “Marriage is a full partnership, with men and women working side by side.”
I think this is a wonderful talk so far, but I think it’s going to be misrepresented in lots of places.While the leaders worked on the new Church Handbook, the role of women was a primary discussion point – and many of the changes are a result of that focus.
Bishops should delegate more responsibilities to ALL unit leaders, especially the women more than previously.
If a woman is given a calling with lots of responsibility, her husband should be given a less demanding calling to maintain the balance that should exist in a family.
Quote:Those who don’t serve missions often feel like second-class citizens.
No woman should feel the need to apologize for raising children, but
we should all be careful not to be judgmental if women choose to work outside the home. Pres. Eyring: Jesus will help those who suffer in the way he can, but we need to do so in the ways we can.
We covenant to help those in need.
“Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?”
I REALLY love this talk.
Quote:“Someone who needed to work to support his or HER family.”
Quote:Bishops, involve the Relief Society President in finding those who need help. She might get revelation before you do.
Give assistance to those inside the Church AND in the community.
I love listening to Pres. Uchtdorf say the “foreign” names. That’s all. Pres. Packer: Referencing William Tindell again. I really like that. He also called Tindell’s statement “prophecy” – which I also really like.
Pretty generic discussion of what we should call ourselves, but I actually like the justification for it – to focus on our belief in Christ.
Quote:“men and women, called to preside and preach and administer”
Quote:Marriage is an equal partnership; BOTH parents nurture the spiritual health of their children.
Some people spend their whole lives offended over the mistakes of leaders of the past. I like the straightforward acknowledgment that leaders make mistakes.
Elder Nelson: Quote:Death is part of life. We live to die, and we die to live again.
He’s not a fan of Cafeteria Mormonism when it comes to following commandments – but that leaves different doctrinal interpretations untouched and unaddressed.
Audible murmuring among the congregation at Elder Nelson comment about “cafeteria approach”… Anyone else hear that?
Elder Maynes: First pornography reference, just in case someone wants to know – but it was only a mention in passing.
Very generic family talk so far.
Frankly, I’ve never liked guilt-based talks, even though I agree with the points he is making.
“Parents preside . . .” – That’s at least the fourth or fifth time “preside” has been used in connection with husbands AND wives.
Elder Samuelson: A direct reference to those who struggle to maintain a testimony.
Suggestions from young adults shared.
1) Everyone has worth. 2) Often, a change of heart happens gradually. 3) Testing is a fundamental purpose of life. 4) Trust what we believe or know. 5) Testimony acquisition is a process. 6) Share your testimony to strengthen it. 7) It is important to do the little things. (interesting list of “little” things – things that many would call “big” things)
Don’t have higher standards of others than we do of ourselves, including leaders. 9) Don’t be to hard on yourself when you make a mistake. 10) The Atonement of Christ is offered continuously for all of us, even as we struggle with details.Elder Oaks: Search our hearts for what we really desire. The desires we act on determine everything about us.
We have some very basic physical desires (needs) that must be met, but sometimes we override them.
Sometimes even sleep is overridden by other desires. (I looked at my oldest daughter and said, “Sex?” She had to whisper it to my wife, since there are little kids all around her.)
Our works are a result of the desire of our hearts.
Four things we should avoid making our ultimate priorities: Property, prominence, pride and power.
His example is from the movie “127 Hours” – well, actually, probably the book, since the movie is R-rated. (Everyone here might want to take that reference as being about the movie and implicit permission to watch R-rated movies.
😆 😈 )What we become is a result of what we desire.
He quoted a letter that referred to men as a helpmeet to women.How awesome is that to all of you?! Elder Ballard: We live in a very complex, busy, demanding world that can wear us down.
Flakes/flecks are much more common than nuggets. Don’t miss the small flecks by searching only for large nuggets. By small and simple things are great blessings brought to pass.
We should strive to keep our lives simple, focused on the things that matter most. One principle encompasses all the Gospel: LOVE. Love and serve as Jesus would if he were here among us.
Some of his fondest memories are of the service rendered at the ward level.
We should serve in our communities as a pure expression of our love of others.
Quote:Kindness is an essence of greatness. – Elder Wirthlin
Quote:Each of us can do something to help someone. Unless we lose ourselves in the service of others, there ultimately is little purpose in our lives. – Pres. Monson
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