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Recent essays published by the Church addressing various topics have caused quite a stir here and also among some of the general Church membership. The essays of interest (priesthood and race, polygamy in Utah, BofM and DNA evidence, BofM translation, First Vision accounts, becoming like God) have all been published on lds.org since the last General Conference. Because we are about to have the first GC ever since these articles were published, it’s interesting to wonder if any of them will be mentioned in this GC. It seems like Elder Uchtdorf paved the way for these articles with his talk last conference. He had to know that this series of articles was in production phase, and it just makes me wonder if that’s the end of it, or if the trajectory will continue.
I think it’s great the church is publishing these articles and it would be great to hear about those articles in General Conference. 🙂 I know a high councilman from another stake, an EQ president and a former bishopric member from my stake who have basically left the church because of these articles. To them it’s the church admitting it’s not divinely led. I personally doubt that the articles will come up at all.
I guess I’m not seeing what people are hopeful of them saying about the articles in GC. The articles are on lds.org, quietly posting them is probably as much fanfare as they will receive. I do expect at least one talk aimed at extending love to people that have left the church or are on the fence. I think those types of talks will be a new conference staple. I guess it all depends on how many long time members are leaving. I’m sure the brethren have the numbers.
We should just go ahead and create a GC April 2014 thread.
I am waiting anxiously to hear what is said this go around. Part of me hopes that they talk about the essays and address some of the issue but the disappointment I will feel when they don’t discuss those things important to me will be hard for me. It really is a love/hate relationship for me right now. I personally believe that things will be just like always. Really what else can they do? The articles were published without fanfare. If they had wanted fanfare, they would have done a press release or something. I doubt the articles will be called out during general conference, either. That being said, maybe there will be a talk that covers some of the material from one or more of the articles. Since talk subjects are not assigned, any GA could pick one of those topics.
church0333 wrote:I am waiting anxiously to hear what is said this go around. Part of me hopes that they talk about the essays and address some of the issue but the disappointment I will feel when they don’t discuss those things important to me will be hard for me. It really is a love/hate relationship for me right now. I personally believe that things will be just like always. Really what else can they do?
I feel I need to see substantial evidence of change and progress. I’m become impatient. I fear that there will be further entrenchment rather than expansiveness. Like you, that would be a disappointment.
We’re moving into our new house on Saturday. Might just skip the whole thing and watch selected highlights based on some of the live bloggers/comments on this forum.
mackay11 wrote:I fear that there will be further entrenchment rather than expansiveness. Like you, that would be a disappointment.
I fully expect to hear messages of both flavors, some hope and some disappointment. Pres. Uchtdorf’s talk of last conference will be hard to top!
I’d very much like to hear some of those issues related to the essays brought up, but I doubt it will happen. I guess I agree with those that are saying that if more fanfare was desired it would have already happened. It is a bit like airing dirty laundry, though, so I understand the lack of fanfare. If it happens at all, I would guess it will likely come from a Q15 member and will be vague – like Pres. Uchtdorf’s paving of the way. Like many have said, I would be surprised if there were a direct reference to the polygamy, BofM translation, or multiple First Vision accounts articles. I believe those exist solely to move away from the practices and perceptions of earlier times, when the Church hid this kind of thing. In other words, I think those articles are more for the non-LDS audience. But the Priesthood and Race essay is one that comes to mind as almost exactly matching the Elder Uchtdorf talk. It also matches the introductory information for OD2 that is now included in the latest version of the D&C. I guess I wouldn’t be totally shocked, though I would be very pleased, for someone to make a comment that part of what makes our Church great is that, just like each of us individually, the Church can overcome mistakes, as illustrated by the revelation on the priesthood in 1978. The article that I most think could be mentioned is the one on Becoming Like God. It is a very good article that takes the concept out of the murky past and at the same time defends the Church’s position against outside ridicule. The article was very effective and well written… little in it is controversial. But as I have said about that article before, it is expansive of what we accept as actual doctrine on the topic. Doctrinally, I think it is the most striking development in the Church since the 1978 OD2, because it declares that it is doctrine of the Church that we have “heavenly parents” and that we can “become like God”. It wasn’t that long ago that these concepts were the realm of speculation more than doctrine; accepted by many, but not declared by the Church.
I won’t be watching. Yes some good comments and talks happen, and I rejoice in them, but it seems that once they leave the speakers mouth the words become transformed. What began as uplifting to those who ache get turned into judgement sticks. “Fan the flame of faith” and “Doubt your doubts, before you doubt your faith” become the cultural take-aways. I don’t doubt that the speaker intended something else, but he has no control over the message after he says it. As to the Essays or even the direction the conference could go – I have a wish – a wish I have no expectation of happening. I would love though if our leaders took us back to Jesus Christ. We have 4 books that claim a direct knowledge of Christ (yes we can get lost in the semantics later), but among his recorded words and deeds lie a life of talks and sermons that could go immeasurable miles to healing the cavernous crevices that divide wards, homes, friends, families. Beyond GC the Q15 and others could devote their addresses and responses to life using Christ suggested methods. Remind us to read those 5 books – a lot. Then go beyond reading and apply.
General Conference gets harder year after year, not because it means to be, but because I miss what I thought it was. I desperately miss Jesus Christ at church.
mom3 wrote:I desperately miss Jesus Christ at church.
You and me both, sister!Expectations kill and distort. That’s all.
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