{"id":33163,"date":"2015-04-04T17:48:23","date_gmt":"2015-04-04T22:48:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/?p=33163"},"modified":"2015-04-04T17:56:48","modified_gmt":"2015-04-04T22:56:48","slug":"gen-conf-sat-afternoon-notes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/2015\/04\/gen-conf-sat-afternoon-notes\/","title":{"rendered":"Gen Conf: Sat Afternoon Notes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Conducting: Pres Eyring<\/li>\n<li>Opening Song: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty[oddly, I have had this song running through my head continuously since yesterday. Maybe I\u2019m inspired?]<\/li>\n<li>Music by Young Single Adult Choir from Davis and Weber Counties, Utah [Wearing \u201cEaster egg colored clothing,\u201d according to the people sitting in my front room with me]<\/li>\n<li>Prayer: Sister Stevens<\/li>\n<li>President Uctdorf: Sustaining<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><strong>[If I feel like commenting, I will put it in brackets. Assume words\/sentences are not word-for-word quotations unless I put them in quote marks.]<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>[Someone yells \u201cno\u201d for first presidency. Someone yells \u201cno\u201d for Twelve. Pres Uctdorf calmly says, \u201cvote has been noted\u201d both times.]<\/li>\n<li>[As usual, Pres Uctdorf is wearing a nice tie \u2013 yellow with blue and white stripes. My husband once wore a yellow tie in the MTC. The MTC president\u2019s wife saw him, pulled out a pair of scissors and snipped it off. Yellow ties and pink ties were a big no-no in the late 1980s.]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Release: tons of seventies, YM General Presidency and Board; 1<sup>st<\/sup> and 2<sup>nd<\/sup> Counselors in Primary Gen Presidency<\/p>\n<p>Sustain: [***got this from lds.newsroom*** ]<\/p>\n<p>First Quorum of the Seventy:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Elder Kim B. Clark, Rexburg, ID;<\/li>\n<li>Elder Allen D. Haynie, San Diego, CA;<\/li>\n<li>Elder Von G. Keetch, Salt Lake City, UT;<\/li>\n<li>Elder Hugo Montoya, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico;<\/li>\n<li>Elder Vern P. Stanfill, Kalispell, MT.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Young Men general presidency:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Stephen W. Owen, president;<\/li>\n<li>Douglas D. Holmes, first counselor;<\/li>\n<li>M. Joseph Brough, second counselor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Primary general presidency<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>replace Sister Jean A. Stevens, who will serve with her husband in the England London Mission.<\/li>\n<li>Sister Rosemary M. Wixom will continue to serve as president,<\/li>\n<li>Sister Cheryl A. Esplin, first counselor<\/li>\n<li>Sister Mary R. Durham has been called as second counselor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Audit report: Kevin Jergensen<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Statistical report \u2013 Brooks<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>See<a title=\"Statistical Report\" href=\"http:\/\/www.mormonnewsroom.org\/article\/2014-statistical-report-for-2015-april-general-conference\" target=\"_blank\"> LDS newsroom<\/a> for more information: total members: 15,372,33; new children: 116,409; converts baptized: 296,803; three temples dedicated \u2013 Gilbert Arizona, Fort Lauderdale, Phoenix Arizona \u2013 Ogden rededicated. Total temples 144<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Song: I Stand All Amazed<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Speaker: David A. Bednar<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>He broke a window in the store. Thought he was going to jail. Fear he felt was \u201coverwhelming and real.\u201d \u201cDistressing emotion of fear arises because of impending danger, uncertainty, or pain and through experiences that are unexpected, sometimes sudden, and likely to produce a negative outcome.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>We live in hard time \u2013 time when \u201cmen\u2019s hearts shall fail them\u201d (D&amp;C 45:26).<\/p>\n<p>One of first effects of the Fall is that Adam and Eve experience fear.<\/p>\n<p>How to deal with fear? Learn from Alma. People were fearing. Alma \u201ccounseled.\u201d Then \u201cthe people hush their own fears.\u201d Correct knowledge of and faith in the Lord empower us to hush our fears because Jesus Christ is the only source of enduring peace.<\/p>\n<p>Trust and confidence in Christ and a ready reliance on His merits, mercy, and grace lead to hope through His Atonement in the Resurrection and eternal life.<\/p>\n<p>We need the peace of Christ \u2013 we can have \u201cspiritual settledness\u201d [cool word, I think. Is it a word?]<\/p>\n<p>Can we hush the fears in our time? Unequivocal yes!<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Look to Christ \u2013 consider Alma\u2019s counsel to son, Helaman. Also consider story of Peter walking on water. Peter gets out and walks while his focus is fixed on Savior. But he fears and starts to sink. Jesus catches him immediately.<\/li>\n<li>Build on the foundation of Christ \u2013 Helaman counsels his sons. Hel 5:12. \u201cOrdinances and covenants are the building blocks we use to construct our lives upon the foundation of Christ and His Atonement.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Press forward with faith in Christ \u2013 2 Ne 31:20. Disciplined endurance. Press forward comes as \u201cresult of spiritual understanding and vision, persistence, patience, and God\u2019s grace.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Godly fear v. Worldly fear.<\/p>\n<p>Godly\/Righteous fear is<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u201creverence, respect and awe for Jesus Christ.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Need to have obedience, final judgment and justice, correct understanding of Christ\u2019s nature and mission<\/li>\n<li>willingness to submit our will to His will<\/li>\n<li>knowledge that all our accountable for own sins<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>On judgment day, we will \u201cnot afraid of Him at all.\u201d We will fear \u201cfacing things as they really are about ourselves\u201d\u2014 we will fear \u201call our rationalizations, pretenses, and self-deceptions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Godly fear dispels mortal fears.<\/p>\n<p>We cannot be good enough or measure up relying solely upon our own capacity and performance.<\/p>\n<p>Godly fear is loving and trusting in [God]. Perfect love casts out all fear.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Speaker: D. Todd Christofferson<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Dietrich Bonhoeffer\u2014German, opposed Nazi and killed in concentration camp. Quote from Bonhoeffer\u2019s letter to niece about marriage and love.<\/p>\n<p>Referring to quote, \u201cIn what way does marriage between a man and a woman transcend their love for one another and their own happiness?\u201d We have to \u201cgo back to the beginning\u201d to understand. Pre-mortal life. Plan of Salvation. Keep first estate, go to second. If we do what\u2019s right here, then we \u201ckeep our second estate.\u201d \u201cCan we bridle the flesh?\u201d Can we \u201cbe trusted both in time and eternity with godly powers, including power to create life?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>4 things needed:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Creation of earth. Do not know everything, but we do know that creation is not \u201caccidental.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Condition of mortality. Fall necessary. Good and evil. Physical death.<\/li>\n<li>Redemption from Fall. Thus, a Redeemer. Death and sin must be overcome. Then we \u201ccan be spiritually born again.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cSetting\u201d for physical birth. Setting for spiritual birth. This setting is the home, marriage, family. Parents teach children the Plan. \u201cA family built on the marriage of a man and woman supplies the best setting for God\u2019s plan to thrive\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Marriage \u2013 \u201cIt has never been just about the love and happiness of adults.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cImpressive social science\u201d agrees family is good, but that\u2019s not why we believe this doctrine. \u201cIt is in the matrimonial union of male and female as one that we attain perhaps the most complete meaning of our having been made in the image of God\u2014male and female.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Satan\u2014attacking family. Seeks to convince us that \u201cmarriage and family priorities can be ignored or abandoned\u201d or at least put off.<\/p>\n<p>Some are denied blessing of marriage. No prospects, same-sex attraction, impairments, fear, etc. Some married, then divorced. \u201cWhen you who bear the heaviest burdens of mortality stand up in defense of God\u2019s plan to exalt His children, we are all ready to march.\u201d We all need Atonement of Jesus Christ. It \u201cwill compensate all deprivation and loss for those who turn to Him.\u201d \u201cNo one is predestined\u201d to fail.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Song: We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Speaker: Wilford W. Andersen<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>story \u2013 young doctor asks old Navajo how he can help. Doesn\u2019t answer. Asks again. Old man says, \u201cCan you dance?\u201d Doctor realizes it is a medicine man. Doctor asks if he could teach. Old Medicine Man says, \u201cI can teach you to dance, but you have to hear the music.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>D&amp;C 8&#8211; tell you in mind and heart by Holy Ghost<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe learn that dance steps in our minds, but we hear the music with our hearts.\u201d [I am loving this.]<\/p>\n<p>Those who dance look \u201cpeculiar\u201d to those who do not hear the music.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf our children learn the dance steps without learning to hear and feel the music,\u201d they might become uncomfortable and might quit. Or, almost as bad, might keep dancing only because of the pressure from those around them.<\/p>\n<p>The challenge\u2014\u201cexpand the curriculum beyond just the dance steps\u201d<\/p>\n<p>How?<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Keep own life attuned to correct frequency. Be filled with Holy Ghost. Unkindness, pride, or envy causes loss of Spirit. Ponder the path of our feet&#8211; walk the same path than we first heard strain of gospel music. Basics.<\/li>\n<li>When we hear the music ourselves, try best to perform. \u201c\u2019No influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood\u2019 or by virtue of being the dad or the mom or the biggest or the loudest.\u201d Perform music joyfully and without threats or intimidation. Sing children the \u201clullaby of love unfeigned.\u201d When teenagers, tune out arguments and instead perform music of \u201cpersuasion.\u201d Invite our children to sing along us&#8211; in kindness for neighbor in need. Dissonance in home is like darkness. \u201cIt does little good to scold the darkness.\u201d Be patient.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>\u201cIf you are not hearing the music of the gospel in your home, please remember these two words: keep practicing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>[You know that idea that some leaders challenge us to do? The thing where you have a question in mind and pray about it before general conference? I did that \u2013 started praying a month ago. This talk is the answer to one of those questions. It is so clearly the answer that I am stunned&#8211; obviously the words tell me what I need to do about the problem in my life, but it is also the answer in a way that only I understand. Cool. Very cool. Let&#8217;s see of my second question is answered.]<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Speaker: Dale G. Renlund<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Nelson Mandela \u2013 great story of forgiveness. Mandela deflected accolades. \u201cI\u2019m no saint unless you think a saint is a sinner keeps on trying.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSaints\u201d \u2013 an elevated state of perfection. You might flinch a little at this term. Our theology teaches us we can be perfected.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGod cares a lot more about who we are and what we are becoming than about who we once were.\u201d He cares that we keep on trying.<\/p>\n<p>Shakespeare\u2019s \u201cAs you like it\u201d\u2013 older brother receives undeserved compassion from younger brother that he tried to kill. [What can we say? It\u2019s Shakespeare! Though the story sounds familiar . . .] Older brother has \u201cconversion.\u201d When questioned if he was the wicked one who tried to kill his younger brother, he says \u201cTwas I, but \u2018tis not I.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Joy of repentance. \u201cone of God\u2019s greatest gifts is the joy of trying again.\u201d Pres Monson<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe moment we decide to try again, the atonement can help us.\u201d God\u2019s desire that we keep on trying extends beyond sin \u2013 Savior\u2019s atonement can heal all. With his help, God expects Latter-day Saints to keep on trying. Must recognize that others are trying, too.<\/p>\n<p>Story about African women. One offended, but other replies, \u201cThe church is like a big hospital. We are all sick.\u201d All of us are in need of the same infinite atonement.<\/p>\n<p>Curtis complaining about mission companion. God says, \u201cTo me, you aren\u2019t that much different.\u201d [Ouch!]<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf we don\u2019t try, we are latter-day sinners.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf we don\u2019t persevere, we are latter-day quitters.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf we don\u2019t allow others to try, we are just latter-day hypocrites.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Speaker: Michael T. Ringwood<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Elder Ringwood says he used to be motivated by titles and position&#8211; before his mission. Reminded of this in last general conference by Pres Uctdorf&#8211; who said he also used to be impressed by other things, but now finds those people most impressive who are \u201cgood and without guile.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Shiblon is one of those people. Only got 15 verses from Dad, Alma. But they are great verses.<\/p>\n<p>Also, Alma spoke to Corianton about his brother, Shiblon. Surely Helaman trusted his brother \u2013 he gave him the plates. Not much recorded about Shiblon. But he is a great guy.<\/p>\n<p>Today, some say position and power gives you relevance. No \u2013 relevance is for those who selflessly serve in callings. Even more impressive \u2013 those who serve without callings. Look in your Ward \u2013 there are always members who know who needs help.<\/p>\n<p>Story \u2013 with Elder who never had callings, etc. Others talk about him. But very obedient. Elder Ringwood wants to correct false impression. Wise mission president says \u201cHeavenly Father knows this young man is a successful missionary, and so do I.\u201d He added, \u201cAnd now you know too, so who else really matters?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cService that counts most is usually recognized by God alone.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Too hard? The desires of our heart can be transformed, can be educated . . . Enter into and endure in covenants. Find grace.<\/p>\n<p>[My TV just skipped. Hopefully y\u2019all heard the rest of this.]<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Speaker: Quentin L Cook<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Impact of iniquity, inequality, injustice&#8211; leave many feeling that life is very unfair. But we still need to \u201crejoice\u201d in Savior. So, \u201cHow then do we deal with the harsh realities that surround us?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Sunflowers\u2014follow the sun across sky. When we follow Son of God, . . . He can be our light and life.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur ability to stand firm and true and follow the Savior despite the vicissitudes of life is greatly strengthened by righteous families and Christ-centered unity in our wards and branches.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cute story written by his Uncle. Published. About a sailor who kept his watch set to Mountain standard Time and thought about his family. On May 11, 1945, the Uncle\u2019s ship was bombed. He died. Pres Kimball comforted family. 28 years later, Kimball spoke about Uncle, using his example to challenge every family to be on their knees daily. \u201cIf we faithfully have family prayer, scripture study, Family Home Evening, priesthood blessings, and Sabbath day observance our children will know what time it is at home.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is vitally important that our children know they are loved and safe at home.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Home \u2013 husbands and wives are equal partners. Wife has children for family. Husband holds priesthood for family. [Uh, hmm\u2026 One of these things really hurts a lot more than the other&#8211;from the woman who has five children and only made it to the hospital with enough time for an epidural on the last one. Just saying . . .]<\/p>\n<p>Role of church\u2014 organization, teachings, priesthood for the ordinances. We need \u201cchurch culture\u201d to be like the people in 4<sup>th<\/sup> Nephi. No contention. Happiest people. This is the culture to which we aspire.<\/p>\n<p>Important part of culture is language. D&amp;C 90:11&#8211; hear gospel in own tongue. \u201cWhen God\u2019s children pray to him in their native language, that is the language of their heart.\u201d [Nice.]<\/p>\n<p>Even with this diversity, must have heart knit together in love. United in culture and traditions of gospel of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe should be careful not to be critical or judgmental of those with concerns \u2013 great or small. \u201d<\/p>\n<p>Is there more doubt and unbelief than in the past? No. We have never been stronger. The number of people who are removing their names from church is \u201cdemonstrably less\u201d than in the past. But worth of souls is great \u2013 reach out to everyone.<\/p>\n<p>If struggling, remember Savior \u201caccomplished the atonement.\u201d [I have been hearing this a lot lately. Have we been saying something wrong? What is the philosophy behind the word, \u201caccomplish\u201d?]<\/p>\n<p>Refuge from the storm \u2013 \u201cOur protections in this life and for eternity will be in individual and family righteousness, Church ordinances and following the Savior.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Song: Let Us All Press On<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Closing prayer: Randy D. Funk<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; Conducting: Pres Eyring Opening Song: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty[oddly, I have had this song running through my head continuously since yesterday. Maybe I\u2019m inspired?] Music by Young Single Adult Choir from Davis and Weber Counties, Utah [Wearing \u201cEaster egg colored clothing,\u201d according to the people sitting in my front room with me] Prayer: Sister Stevens President Uctdorf: Sustaining<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":109,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[55],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33163","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news-politics"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33163","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/109"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33163"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33163\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33171,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33163\/revisions\/33171"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33163"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33163"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33163"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}