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I clumped around the kitchen last night cleaning and making things ready for breakfast. I was tired. I straightened the house for the quasi-Sabbath of General Conference Saturday and said my prayers. I was pessimistic. I listened to Pres. Uchtdorf. I am happy. I had planned not to listen to the first session of GC. I am very glad that I listened. There was a lot for me to chew on. Many things were said that were at least partial answers to the questions of my heart. And I felt inspired to be a better follower of Christ. Especially touching to me so far: -talk of meekness
-the man who attended church through the window
-explicit discussion of the council on the disposition of tithes
-E Uchtdorf’s hand reaching out to the disaffected, and recognition of the agency of all God’s children in worshipping according to the dictates of their own consciences
I had a thought as I was reading the comments over at BCC. I think part of truly accepting Pres. Uchtdorf’s message is that it’s important also to hear Elder Bednar’s perspective and recognize that many members need that perspective just as much as we need Pres. Uchtdorf’s.
Diversity isn’t just other people accepting us; it’s we accepting other people, as well.Overall, this morning was an exceptional session. It would have been very good even without Pres. Uchtdorf’s talk.
Saturday Afternoon Session:Pres. Uchtdorf is conducting, ladies. Enjoy!
I like the opening song. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen children that young in a General Conference choir.
Another short prayer. They’re getting the message.
🙂 Pres. Eyring does the sustaining of church officers. Pres. Packer is in attendance at this session.
I really like the family choir – especially the part when the children sang alone.
Pres. Packer: I shouldn’t be snarky and say, “
Buckle up, boys and girls” – but I can’t help it. Now, I will repent and hope the message resonates with me. Starts with a reference to eternal marriage and living moral standards. Family focus, again. Quoting Paul about evils of the last days.
I think most of you probably will want to skip this one.I love so much of what he has said over the years, but I would love it if he dropped this theme in every talk he gives lately. I will come back to this if it changes, but, otherwise, I’m not going to comment on it. Okay, I’m back.
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When I think of the future, I am overwhelmed by a feeling of positive optimism.” That is a good quote. Maybe the tone of the opening won’t run through the entire talk. Focus on learning through the scriptures. Simply tell them to read the scriptures. Which scriptures? It doesn’t really matter. (I like that last part – that we don’t have to obsess over the Book of Mormon or read it only.)
Quoting Paul – and bordering on infallibility in applying that verse in that way. I don’t agree with that interpretation, fwiw.
Returning involves repentance. (Yes, it does, sometimes, but I FAR prefer the way Pres. Uchtdorf framed returning.) He seems to be saying that leaving is a sign of a need to repent – and he mentions specifically the breaking of moral laws. It is an important message for lots of people, but I think it’s not something I need to summarize here right now.
I bear witness of the healing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Elder Christofferson: “I wish to express gratitude for the influence of good women.”
This is going to be a controversial talk, and I think I’m not going to agree with a lot of it. It’s going to rub a lot of women wrong, since it says, in essence, that women are more special and good and innately righteous and on and on and on than men. It’s stereotypical, and it’s going to get a lot of emotional backlash. They are going to see it as condescending and pigeon-holing.
Frankly, this is another one I think many of you will want to skip – and I’m going to stop here, unless he says something that I want to highlight. (The last part of the talk is better than the start, but it still is going to be very controversial.)
There are few talks where I didn’t feel comfortable saying, “Amen.” This was one of them.
I’m glad we had this morning’s session first.Elder Nielson (former BYU football quarterback): What would you do if the prophet called you? He has, asking us to work together with the missionaries to preach the Gospel.
Lavell Edwards said, “I didn’t care what play we ran, as long as we scored a touchdown.”
1) Pray to bring someone closer to the Savior and his Gospel every day. (I actually like that wording.)
2) Pray for the missionaries in your area and their investigators, by name. “Until you know someone’s face, you cannot know their heart.”
3) Invite a friend to an activity. Listen to the Spirit in who to invite to what.
This is a basic, every-member-a-missionary pep talk. It’s pretty neutral for me – not negative in any way, really, but it just doesn’t do much for me, even though I appreciate his enthusiasm.
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2013/10?lang=eng&vid=2717004184001 1:33:17
I bawled my eyes out watching this. It’s such a relief and a blessing to have such a senior member of the church speak in this way.
Elder Valenzuela: We are able through our small and simple things to help bring others to a knowledge of their God. “All I needed was an embrace – a hug.” Visiting teachers sang with someone, instead of arguing or trying to convince.
It’s interesting when a message like this is delivered in a spirit of such obvious humility – rather than as a sermon. There is a real difference in how the message feels. I don’t mind a “rescue” message at all, when it is defined, framed and phrased this way.
Sincere expressions of love – reaching out with faith and love.
Elder Dyches (pronounced “Dikes”): Talked about the healing pool and the impotent man. “Rise, take up thy bed and walk.” The ten lepers. “Have mercy on us.” “Go show yourselves unto the priest.” As they went in faith, the miracle occurred. One glorified, worshiped and thanked.
As a former physician, he healed the physical; Jesus heals the soul. Do you remember when you felt whole and healed?
Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and hare heavy laden.” “Come follow me.” “Draw near unto me, and I will draw near unto you.” “Seek me diligently, and you shall find me.”
Opposition is an indispensable element of mortality. It helps shape us into what God wants us to be. “The Hiding Place” (I absolutely LOVE that book, btw, and the reference he gave is one of the most powerful in the book.)
Quoting Pres. Monson: “There is one life that sustains those who are beset by sorrow and grief – that of Jesus Christ.” He waits at the door and knocks. He can make us whole. His grace is sufficient, and you will not walk alone. He loves us for who we are AND who we can become.
Elder Holland: This talk is personal, given my family history. I did the best I could, but
everyone needs to read this talk, as well. Disciples of Jesus Christ are to have compassion. I wish to speak to those who suffer from some kind of mental illness or depression. There should be no more shame in acknowledging them than with high blood pressure or any other physical ailment. Of greatest assurance is that a Savior would be provided in our difficulties. That divine love makes our own suffering bearable. Focuses on MDD – or, simply, depression – not discouragement we all face, but clinical depression.
Depression robs a portion of agency.
No one ever should say that more faith can cure it.It is a dark night of the mind I have seen afflict sweet and angelic people. (Lost my feed for a moment.) I experienced it to a degree in the past, with an explanation of the situation that caused it. I got through it, but I feel for those who suffer more than I did. Mention of Winston Churchill and Pres. George Albert Smith and their struggles with depression.
Never lose faith in Heavenly Father. His love is there for you when you are sad or happy. It is simply, always, there. Seek the counsel of spiritual leaders. Ask for blessings. Take the sacrament. Believe in miracles. I have seen so many, when hope seemed lost. Remember the Savior’s own, anguished example. If the bitter cup does not pass, drink it. Watch for stress indicators. Make adjustments when you are fatigued. Slow down; rest up.
Seek the advice of reputable people with certified skills and training.Be honest about your history and struggles. Reference to appendicitis – and the need to get ALL help available. Try not to be overwhelmed. Don’t assume you can fix everything. Be patient. Sometimes, all you can do is stand still – or be still – and wait. Caregivers, don’t destroy you own health as you provide for others.
“We are infinitely more than our limitations and complications.”
“Though we may feel we are like a broken vessel, we must remember that vessel is in the hands of the divine potter.”
I need to stop. My emotions are too strong.
Please read and watch the talk.Elder Ballard: I met with missionaries in Europe recently. I’ve meet with over 3,000 since the ages were lowered. Another talk about members working with missionaries in sharing the Gospel. (Elder Ballard was called as a Mission President in 1974.) It’s a good, traditional, basic, no frills talk.
We know many members hesitate for two basic reasons: 1) Fear; 2) Misunderstanding of what missionary work is.
We know that people tune out in Sacrament Meeting and even in General Conference when someone says, “I’m going to talk about missionary work.”
Make the decision to do what Jesus asked his followers to do. “Ask . . . seek . . . knock . . .” Ask God what you can do, and then do whatever you can do. Ask for opportunities, and then look for them. They will not require a forced or contrived approach. People will feel your love, if you act in love. Sharing is out responsibility; the outcome is out of our hands. We are the Lord’s voice in this regard. You don’t have to be out-going or eloquent. “Speak the thoughts that he shall put into your hearts.”
Talk with as many people as you can each day. Follow your feelings and see what happens.
Reach out in normal, pleasant ways. The key is asking God for direction and doing as prompted.
We’re not asking everyone to do everything. We just are asking everyone to pray and do what you can do.
(He just mentioned my former Mission President – Elder Munns – and his family. He was a good MP – a good man.)
This session was a mixed bag, but there were some really good moments – and Elder Holland’s message is needed badly, even desperately, by many members. I will be attending the Priesthood session at church. I don’t take good written notes. If anyone else wants to try to watch or listen and provide summary notes, have at it.
I’ll try to pick up the batton Ray. It’s 1am here in UK, but I don’t want to miss this first ever live broadcast of Priesthood conference. And I’m still buzzing in the emotional delight of Elder Uchtdorf’s monumental talk. Elder Eyring conducting.
Ray — thanks for the Cliff notes version of the GC talk – -must take a lot of time and effort, I appreciate it as it will likely be the only thing I experience from GC. Except, I walked through the living room when Elder Uchtdorf was talking and heard him quote our right to “worship according to the dictates of our own conscience”. He addressed not fitting in, etcetera, and made an interest comment “Doubt your Doubt and not your faith”, which was an interesting perspective.
His comment that all are welcome and we are all most similar than we think was nice, but it has not yet trickled to the general membership. I feel his comments at the end should have been directed to the general membership and not to us — as we don’t believe that press yet — it’s nice to hear it come from the top, but it needs to exist at the local level.
I felt his comment that we don’t have all the facts was an obfuscatory approach to addressing historical problems with our religion. Also, his statement that the mistakes of leaders don’t tarnish the church. (if that is exactly how he put it). It DOES tarnish the church’s image, and his comments might have been more effective if he addressed embracing our church experience IN SPITE of the blighted spots in the experience.
When he outright admitted leaders have made mistakes I felt a huge weight lift off my chest. My whole family stopped and stared at me as they know this is something I acknowlege, embrace, and also, feel some angst about (the fact taht we tend to deify our leaders as people who can do no wrong).
Anyway, I liked Uchdorf’s talk. It will likely be the only one I experience this session, but it’s nice to see there is an advocate for diversity, tolerance, and acceptance of doubters and the people on the fringe like many of us here.
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