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We’re less than a week out now. I can’t get into the subjects that weigh on me personally but there are two very specific things I’ll be looking for from leaders during general conference. I know it’s unfair to put expectations on leaders like that and I know that I’m only setting myself up for disappointment but I need to hear a few specific things to make me feel like I belong at church.
Without getting into it too much, I’d like to see a half dozen or more talks that are similar to (but much more specific) the peacemaker talk Nelson gave a few years ago. I feel antagonism winning in the world at large and more especially among active members of the church. I see antagonism in the church’s own actions; like with their aggression in circumventing zoning laws in small towns to push grandiose temples.
A lot of it hurts and a lot of it has gone unchecked in church. Worse yet, quite a lot of it has
originatedat church. I’m hoping for some spiritual humility to shine through. I’m looking for some calls to repentance, no matter how hard some active members might take it. I’m looking for signs that this can still be my spiritual community.
I’m far from perfect and I understand the need to reframe things as, “Lord, is it I?” But I also need a glimmer of hope.
I love the first song. I wish we lived its message better. Elder Holland: “Except ye become as little children.” “The natural man is an enemy to God, unless . . . become as a little child.” Not infantile actions. Hilarious story of his grandkids biting each other.
Children have “in-born humility” compared to “vain imaginations” and “pride of the children of men” and “self-serving prayer”.
We too often “profess to be Christians but don’t take him seriously” and “quote his sayings but don’t live his teachings”.
Children “love so easily, laugh so naturally”.
A very touching story about his grandson passing the sacrament.
This was a touching, moving, excellent talk focused on an important principle.
Sister Johnson: ten lepers story (“Thy faith had made thee whole.”) Healing and wholeness are the not the same. Learning from our experiences in life, we can be whole while waiting to be healed fully.
Spiritual wholeness can occur even as we wait for physical and emotional healing. (anxiety and depression mentioned specifically – no hint, even, of faithlessness or negativity about these kind of conditions/struggles)
Sharing our lamps, supporting each other.
Paul’s thorn of the flesh example – God: “my strength is made perfect in afflictions”.
Perfect defined as “wholeness” NOT flawless, sinless, mistake-free, etc.
Example of Mary Magdalene “first witness” – “wipe away tears”
Another talk I really liked.
Elder Rasband: “hastening His work” Kirkland school of the prophets. “Church will fill the world.”
“disciples of Jesus Christ” – first reference to “the covenant path”
“naysayers will be mere footnotes in history”
temple building; missionary success; educational expansion
“hastening our holiness” “temple on a regular basis”
Expansion of church in South America and the islands of the see. 36 new missions.
“Give equal time, not spare time, to the Lord and the Church.”
BYU Pathways (75,00 students – one-third in Africa) – That is a very good thing.
“I recognize there are people with faith challenges. Focus on Jesus.” (I like that focus, even if it doesn’t address most faith crisis issues directly.)
Most people here probably will see this talk as standard cheerleading.
Thanks for the summaries. I lack the energy. Elder Cook: “Atonement provides rescue from life’s trials.” Focus on temples.
Handcart companies – mostly successful, with few deaths, but Willie and Martin Companies exception. Casper temple has handcart company picture. Painting is correct, but not accurate for all companies. Other picture of beautiful landscape. Third of Jesus. Life holds great beauty AND terrible tragedy.
Pioneer history can be great analogy for modern members all across the spectrum. The Willie and Martin Companies ignored advice that it was too late and they should wait. (I like that he said this explicitly and clearly. I know the reason it is hard to “criticize” faithful members, but I would love to hear a talk about this as a morality tale about ignoring important advice due to misguided over-confidence and unrealistic faith.)
“Do what we can to rescue others. Live optimistically. Set aside consistent time to contemplate the Atonement. Attend the temple.”
“Adulation should be centered only on the Savior.” (I really like that statement, especially right now.)
Standard conference talk.
Elder Gimenez: Trying to do essential things because we love the Savior. Link all we do to our love for the Savior. Sometimes our traditions dictate our efforts, just because we have done them for a long time. We need to understand why we do what we do, and the best reason is love for the Savior. Accomplish a task, or strengthen love? Why we do things is even more important than what we do.
Every answer to every core question is found in the life and teachings of Jesus.
Our actions should not be merely or primarily a check list. We all are between checklist actions and the ideal.
I really like the overall point he is making, especially as a gentle statement about how our culture can get caught up in checklist obedience as a sign of righteousness.
Elder Eyring (seated): A testimony of Jesus. “come closer to him” “Draw near unto me, and I will draw near unto you. Seek and find; ask and receive; knock and opened” “Sometimes feel close to him, sometimes feel separated.”
What would we do if separated for a time from dear friends to connect to with them? Do the same with Jesus.
If you feel someone you love is separating from God and you can’t help, leave it to Jesus.
Story from his youth about “simple acts of obedience” (the sacrament and reading the scriptures).
Story of post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to disciples as they walked.
“Bind up the wounds of those in need.”
Good, solid, standard Easter talk.
Not sure if I will be able to do live comments in the second session. It’s fine if they don’t happen. Elder Andersen is using his Easter platform to talk about abortion. Again. Need more women speakers The Saturday afternoon session is just a bad session. I’d recommend skipping it entirely. Edit: Uchtdorf gave a talk during the Saturday afternoon session that’s worth listening to. I’d skip the rest though.
My wife said she loved Elder Uchtdorf’s talk. She didn’t talk enthusiastically about any of the other ones. My wife just mentioned that one thing she really liked about one talk was the constant use of the word “immigrants” instead of “pioneers”. She couldn’t remember which talk but thinks it was Elder Cook this morning. I missed that completely, but I really like that choice.
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