My Summary of Sat. afternoon session of General Conference - October 2011

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles
Elder Bednar spoke about the need for family history and Temple work. He began his talk speaking of spiritual priorities as seen in the restoration. And demonstrated how this made it clear that family history was to be a priority in our lives. He then focuses attention on to the youth. He explained that family history was not restricted to a specific age and that in fact, given that family history is now centered around information technology, and that social networking has prepared the use to be the leaders in family history.

The most impactful part of his talk was the story of two Aaronic Priesthood young men who were assigned to teach a family history course in their Ward. He explained how they both became interested in family history and diligent in performing it. He also explained how this example and others show that the youth can be leaders in doing family history and even teaching older people how to do family history and how to handle the new technologies surrounding it. He encouraged leaders to help teach you the importance of family history. He also cautioned leaders to not over program this or make the teaching over detailed. Showing the use the tools found at LDS.org should be sufficient.

Elder Bednar are reinforced the need for family history as a vital part of our exaltation. It's not just an interesting program created by the church. It is a critical part of the plan of salvation.

Neil L. Anderson of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles
Elder Anderson directed his talks on the importance of family and specifically the importance of having children. He made it clear that these commandments to be fruitful and multiply are not forgotten. It is part of the plan for us in our lives and marriage and child-rearing is an important part of that plan. He stated that motherhood is not a hobby like stamp collecting. It's not something that you do if you have some extra time, it is the reason God gave you time. He emphasized that the decision on the number of children to have is a matter between the couple and the Lord. It should be discussed and taken seriously and the decision should be made prayerfully.

He also cautioned members about judging others who do not have children or large families. He especially gave comfort to those who want to have families but cannot. He told the story of a couple who were unable to have children for 25 years until they were able to adopt two children.

Elder Ian Arderm of the Seventy
Elder Arderm taught us on the importance of making good use of time. He focused his talk on using time to give service and to not waste time. He especially put emphasis on new technologies such as social networking and texting that may seem like we are being busy but in fact become an addictive habit that is unproductive. He stressed that we should not let these things replace real relationships and serving our fellow man. He discussed taking our time wasting habits and learning to grind them to dust. He concluded with a charge to balance our time between serving the Lord, our family, work, and wholesome recreational activities.

Elder Carl B. Cook of the Seventy
Elder Cook began by recounting an experience as a Seventy and looking at the floor while in an elevator only to have Pres. Monson entering and tell him it's better to look up. He used this to express Pres. Monson's commitment to always look to God and that we should take this lesson and follow it. He addressed the question as to why is it so hard to look to God and answer it by explaining that at times we may not believe that the answer can be found simply by looking to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He recounted the story of Moses and the serpents and Alma's retelling of the story and how many perished simply because they would not look at the staff. He so mentioned that looking up is not a one-time experience and that we have to have both a hearing ear and a seeing eye to look to the Lord.

Elder LeGrand Curtis of the Seventy
Elder Curtis focused on the role of Jesus Christ and his title as Redeemer. He spoke about redemption as a way of purchasing us from the bondage of sin and mentioned the effect of redemption including overcoming physical death, and spiritual death. He told us that not only do those who have committed serious sin need the redemption, but those who have always strived to live a good life also need it.

Elder D. Todd Christoffersen of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles
Elder Christoffersen reviewed Book of Mormon stories about Nehor and Korihor and their relevance in our day. He talked about the deception of these two individuals. One taught that because God created all of us he will redeem all of us regardless of our actions. The other taught that there was no sin and that we relied only on our own selves and our own intelligence. He likened this to the teachings in our day and how these falsehoods can be appealing because they allow us to justify anything, but are not the teachings of the Lord. He stressed that repentance is crucial and that we need to both repent and preach repentance.

He talked about repentance being a joyful doctrine and that we should teach it with a smile and that it should be received with joy. He explained that repentance was both refraining from sin and turning to the Lord through obedience. He declared that those who believe that salvation requires no effort on our part make a mockery of all of the suffering the Savior endured. If he was going to do so much can we not do what little we can do to show our devotion to him? He also explained that repentance is not superficial; that is not simply a matter of saying I admit I did that and I'm sorry. He said that repentance causes deep emotional desires to change and that confessing and forsaking sins are powerful and sometimes agonizing concepts. He gave words of comfort that the despair of sin repentance brings redemption, and that despair becomes hope.

Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles
Elder Perry spoke about how much information about the church is being spread in the media today. How many people are writing and talking about our faith. He stated that we are receiving more attention than ever and that with the Internet, we are able to reach more people than ever and share the message of who we are. He spoke about how there are changes in the way we communicate and how these changes can be used to spread the message about the church.

He explained that while there is much good being written about us, there is still much misinformation out there. He mentioned that many people have been raised with negative preconceptions about the church. He said that we can do much to help dispel these faults perceptions. He said that we must be bold in our testimony of Jesus Christ; that we need to let others know that he is our Savior and our redeemer and the son of God and that the   gospel is centered around him. He said that we must be righteous examples to others; that we need to engage in doing good and by doing so let our light so shine. He said that we must speak up about the church; that our speech the should be a two-way conversation. We should speak about our faith but also question others about theirs. We do not need to put some sort of spin on our faith but speak clearly and honestly and directly.

You can view a collection of tweets relating to conference here

http://storify.com/swiftj/saturday-afternoon-session

My Summary of Sat. morning session of General Conference, October 2011

Elder Richard G. Scott, of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles

Elder Scott spoke about the importance of the scriptures, both reading and memorizing them. He pointed out all scriptures are important to study, including the Old Testament.  He likened the studying to having a filing cabinet full of friends and advice.

He also spoke about Charity, quoting Paul (Moroni 7 if you choose).

 

Sister Barbara Thompson, RS Counselor
Sister Thompson themed her words around revelation and testimony.  She talked about how it can bless you during times of trial.  Her retelling of a captive who when asked how she kept her testimony stated, "I didn't keep my testimony during those times, my testimony kept me."  She spoke about revelation being mainly about impressions and not about audible speech, a message that would be reiterated by Elder Packer. She also stressed that just because you have a strong testimony now does not mean it will always be so.  We must continue to nourish it and keep it strong and growing.

   

 Elder L. W. Clayton, of the Seventy

 Recounted the amazing growth of the church and offered explanations that were centered in prophecy.  He quoted Daniel 2 and Joseph Smith - History.   He explained that this work is not the work of man but the work of God.  While we recognize and honor Joseph Smith as the prophet who restored the gospel, it is not about him or any one person.  It is the fact that this work is the work of the almighty God and his Son.  He paraphrased a quote about the once all emcompassing British empire and likened it to the work of the lord saying, that the sun never sets on the work of the Lord or his people.

Pres. Monson

The President gave a relatively short talk.  He spoke about the busy nature of their work and where they have been. It had been centered around temple dedications and redidications. He then stressed the importance of Temples and the Sacredness.  He announced new temples South Africa, Columbia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Star Valley Wyoming.  The later in the list generated a laugh likely from the fact it seemed odd having it juxtaposed next to so many exotic locations.  He reitreated that progress was being many for a temple in France.  The biggest stir came when he announced that the destroyed Provo Tabernacle will be rebuild as a second temple in Provo.

He also announced the Temple Patron Assistance Fund as a way of getting impoverished members or those who live great distances from temples to the temple for the first time.  Donations can be made on your standard donation form by checking "Other" and specifying this fund.

Jose Alonzo, of the Seventy

Elder  AlonzoStarted about how happiness was found in the teachings of the Savior.  He spoke of how many have lost much joy in life and how they can get it back.  He moved into service and how it brings happiness.  He spoke of how they once almost lost their son and the search for him.  He likened this to non-members or non-active members.  He told how they didn't make a committee or a process to find their son, they just went and did what they knew.  He mentioned how he found his son who had no idea he was lost.  Then he turned this back to our fellow man.  We need to plan less and do more. Was a key element in how to help your fellow man in both temporal and spiritual need.  He stressed that we do not delay giving service.

   

Elder Boyd K. Packer, of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles

Elder Packer gave perhaps the most widely varied talk, touching on many subjects as hedirected his words to the youth of the church. He explained the value of the wisdom of his age for the youth by quoting a poem by John Ciardi titled "About Crows."

ABOUT CROWS
by John Ciardi
The old crow is getting slow;
the young crow is not.
Of what the young crow does not know,
the old crow knows a lot.
At knowing things, the old crow is still
the young crow's master.
What does the old crow not know?
How to go faster.
The young crow flies above, below, and rings
around the slow old crow.
What does the fast young crow not know?
WHERE TO GO.

He then made it clear that the youth in this day are growing up in enemy territory, referencing the decaying morality that is all around us in our day. He reiterated that the family is central to the Lord's plan and referenced the Proclamation on the Family. He stressed that sexual relations are still strictly between husband and wife. He also stressed that even in the greatest of sins, repentance is always available.

He recalled his earlier days when entering the military. He spoke about how he did not have a strong testimony at this time, but that he relied on the testimony of others. Even if he did not know for certain, he knew that they knew that the Gospel was true. He consciously relied on their testimonies to carry him through until he gave his own strong testimony. He used this to demonstrate how relying on our elders and their strength can help the youth.

He pleaded with the youth to follow the leaders of this church. He quoted Amos 3:7 and explained that the leadership of this church is inspired by God and design to bless them to follow the Lord.

He also gave great comfort to the youth by recounting his own thoughts in his younger days when he felt that given the wickedness in the world, that the end must be soon. He told the youth that they can look forward to "doing it right." That they can have children and grandchildren and perhaps even great-grandchildren. That they are not to despair and look forward to the future with hope and faith.

Personal Note: After hearing his talk, I found myself a little sad. I am not making any predictions, but it did feel to me as though he were giving some of those final words that one gives towards the end of their ministry. Perhaps I shouldn't suggest such things as it focuses more on dramatic elements and less on these actual words. 

Pres. Uchtdorf

Pres. Uchtdorf began his remarks by stressing that we heed Elder Packer's guidance as given in his talk. He also gave gratitude for having Pres. Monson as a living prophet.

He then spoke about what he called "the paradox of man." He recounted Moses story in the Pearl of Great Price and how after seeing all of God's creations how Moses realized something he had never realized before; that man was nothing. He then used the Scriptures to demonstrate how God created all these things for us and explained this paradox being that we are nothing compared to God and yet we are everything to God. He explained two different ways that same deceives us. One is by allowing us to use our own wisdom and inventions to believe that we are all there is and that we and our own intellect are great enough that we don't need to believe in God and that in all of the cosmos we are the only thing that matters and our actions carry little impact and so righteousness has no value. The other is by making us believe that we are so meaningless so useless so insignificant that he discourages us into thinking that there is no hope or joy or love for us. He recounted his stories in flight school and the things he did in that small area and how they seem so meaningless and yet now he realizes they were great. He said he knew that if he did the best he could, inclined his heart towards God, and serve his fellow man that God would be there for him.

He stated whether it be marble halls or stable walls, that God knows us, loves us and watches us. That the souls that are gray in the eyes of God will very often be those unknown in history. He then gave us four things to remember. One, God loves the humble and meek. Two, the Lord and trust the fullness of the gospel to the week and simple (quoting D&C 1:19). Three that we are not invisible to our Heavenly Father. Four, our feelings of loneliness or discouragement will not be forever. We should have faith in the Lord and in his promises.


A collection of tweets relating to these talks can be found here.

http://storify.com/swiftj/lds-general-conference-saturday-morning