Priesthood Session Notes, April 2006 General Conference
Posted on April 2nd, 2006 by Bryce Inouye
In case you missed it, here are my notes from priesthood session. It was an excellent meeting.
Elder Uchtdorf
If you will listen to the Lord and obey Him, He will look after you.
My family had a laundry business. I had to deliver laundry. I wanted a nice bike, but had an big, ugly black one that was hard to pedal. Still he was glad to do his part. Later as I embarked on military service, I wanted to be a pilot. During the physical, I found out I had lung scarring from my teen years. The doctors wondered what kind of treatement I had been given. I didn’t know that I had had any disease. My work as a laundry delivery boy had helped me to recover, and I was able to become a jet fighter pilot, 747 captain because of my work as a delivery boy
We live in a world of uncertainty. Discouragement can creep in. We can doubt the value of our work. Satan whispers that we will not be able to succeed, the price too great, our work will not make a difference. He wants us to not see the end from the beginning.
Heavenly Father wants you to be joyful and return to his presence. Your decisions now will follow you throughout your life and eternity. Do your best to follow His will.
Pres. Hinckley and the apostles’ prophetic view help you to see the end from the beginning.
Look at For the Strength of Youth. Out of small things proceedeth that which is great. The pamphlet is small and is of little material value, but the doctrines and principles therein are an invaluable treasure. Those who are 18 and older who do not have it, get it.
Notice that For the Strength of Youth, the accompanying guidebook, and the temple preparation manual all have a picture of the Salt Lake temple. The temple is the binding link between this life and eternity.
The House of the Lord helps you see the end from the beginning.
Your temporal bodies are temples as well. Use your thoughts, minds, hearts, and bodies with the respect and dignity worthy of a sacred temple given to us by our Father. You will be able to do your life’s work with greater wisdom, with the help of the Holy Ghost, to go to the temple to receive ordinances if you do so. God keeps his promises. We must do our part to receive His blessings. When we obtain any blessing from the Lord, it is by obedience to the law upon which it is predicated.
Everyone who goes to the temple must be judged by those holding keys and authority. Are you honest? Are you morally clean? Do you keep the Word of Wisdom? Do you obey the law of tithing? Do you sustain the leaders of the church?
The standards for the temple recommend questions are similar to those in For the Strength of Youth.
The guidance of the Holy Ghost can guide you in decisions about all aspects of your life. How you apply these standards will say much about who you are and what you seek to become.
Your life’s road will lead you to the house of the Lord first, then on a full-time mission, then you will organize and plan your life based upon the same standards. Eternal marriage and family. Your priorities in life will change to match those given to us by the Savior. Living the standards set in For the Strength of Youth will make you feel good about your self. Write them in your hearts and minds and live accordingly.
If you recognize the need for a change, make the change. Don’t procrastinate. The gift and power of the Atonement will help you clear up those things that are keeping you from reaching your true potential. If the process is tough, hang in there. It is worth it. Know thou that all these things shall be for thy experience and for thy good.
We older men can be of great help. King Benjamin taught that the parents will teach their children to love and serve one another. Teaching by example is the best way to teach. Please teach our young people by being an example of a temple worthy priesthood holder. Your example will be of convincing power to our youth and it will help them to see the end from the beginning.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband.
122 temples now accessible to the Lord’s covenant people for their own ordinances and their ancestors. Thanks to Pres. Hinckley for his inspired leadership.
In an early Book of Mormon time, members gathered near a temple to hear King Benjamin, who called upon fathers to bring their families together.
And it came to pass that when they came up to the temple, they pitched their tents round about, every man according to his family, consisting of his wife, and his sons, and his daughters, and their sons, and their daughters, from the eldest down to the youngest, every family being separate one from another.
And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them;
Mosiah 2:5-6
The imagery is great. Are the doors of our home pitched towards the temple? Do we show our children by our example the importance of these sacred and holy places?
The people were so moved by King Benjamin’s teachings, they entered into a covenant to follow Jesus Christ. However, there is a sad epilogue.
NOW it came to pass that there were many of the rising generation that could not understand the awords• of king Benjamin, being little children at the time he spake unto his people; and they did bnot believe the tradition of their fathers.
Mosiah 26:1
What happened to that rising generation? Why did they reject the traditions of their fathers? In our day, we have many temples and constant prophetic guidance. Do we have cause for concern? We do.
Pres. Hinckley has spoken highly of the younger generation. All of us who are involved with these youth know the truth of his words. Elder Eyring’s warning: Speaking of the youth, many of them are remarkable in their spiritual maturity and faith, but they are tested, and the tests will become more severe.
As our youth are faced with increased adversity, look to others for guidance. All navies have a call for distress — “All hands on deck.” Many battles have been won and lost by the response to this call. We as leaders, family members, must all respond to the call All hands on deck as pertains to youth and young single adults, whether or not we are currently closely associated with them. We must fortify mothers in their divinely appointed roles in raising their children. Are our own extra familial activities worth the time away from home?
In our own family, we have had an experience with wonderful, watchful priesthood leaders. We were called to serve in England as a Seventy. Our daughter was a young single adult, our son was a 17 yr. old American football player. I worried about them. Would this be a serious trial?
I was assigned to speak at the MTC in Preston, England. The MTC President suggested we include the children in the trip, asking them to speak to the missionaries. When finished, we visited the Preston temple close to the MTC. The temple president and matron invited the family in to perform baptisms for the dead. After, his son asked, “Dad, why haven’t we ever done this before?” We had had lots of football games, movies, and other fun times together, creating happy memories. But we have an opportunity to build more meaningful spiritual experiences with our children, like what happened in Preston that day.
From the Book of Mormon: Nephi’s family struggled with obedience, harmony and faithfulness. He understood the need to work with children.
And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
2 Ne. 25:26
Elder Richard Hinckley
Speaks about his call. I’m grateful for my family, my parents. Mother passed away two years ago. She was small in stature, but her influence will ever be with me. I can honor her by how I live. I love and sustain my father. I recall playing on the floor with my father as a child. Memories of laughter and love.
Elder Douglas Collister spoke of his grandfather Legrand Richards in a recent meeting. As a bishop, he visited the less active and invited them to speak in Sacrament meeting to speak on the topic of “What my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints means to me” Several responded and ended up coming back to church.
I invite you to do the same. Write it down in a notebook. Over time, you will develop a growing list of things that will fill you with gratitude for your membership. It can become a resource for talks. My list is long. Here is a single topic from that list for this evening. Repentance.
It is not a harsh principle. It is kind and merciful. The Hebrew root means “to turn” or “to return to God” Jehovah pled
Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.
Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God,
Jer. 3:12-13
When we confess and forsake our sins and turn to God, he will forgive us.
A meeting with an investigator scheduled for baptism. A widow in late 20s with a child. Her husband had been killed in an accident. She wanted to speak alone with me. She began to cry, speaking of the lonlieness of her time alone. She had known better, but had not chosen well. She had plead with the Lord to forgive her. Through repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost she can be cleasned of her sins.
After her bapitism, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for repentance, the atonement, and the miracle of conversion. What does my membership mean to me? It means everything. It permeates and gives purpose and meaning to everything in life that is important to me. I will find peace and happiness in this life and in the life to come, for Christ’s mercy will satisfy the demands of justice.
Pres. Faust
Possibly this is the largest gathering of the priesthood in the history of the world. To the young men of the Aaronic Priesthood. It is known as the lesser priesthood, but nothing small about it. Recall your excitement the first time you passed the sacrament. You help all members to recommit themselves to the Lord and to renew their faith in the Savior’s atonement. Each person who partakes is reminded to take upon themselves the name of the Son, to keep his commandments and to always remember him.
In a particular ward some deacons were careless in their attitude towards passing the sacrament. They looked upon it as a chore, came late, and didn’t dress appropriately. One Sunday, their advisors told them not to worry, it’s been taken care of. The deacons came in late as usual. Their advisor and the High Priests were sitting in the deacons’ benches. They were dressed appropriately, and their reverent attitude was evident. Those deacons learned by example that passing the sacrament was a sacred trust and honor.
The priesthood is a royal priesthood. Generally the Aaronic Priesthood have the responsibility to administer and pass the sacrament. In Salt Lake City, there are several wards with many older members, with few Aaronic Priesthood age youth. Older men reverently and humbly pass the sacrament. A gubernatorial candiate, federal judge and other prominent men in one ward were honored to perform this duty.
The Aaronic Priesthood holds the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel and the gospel of repentance and baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.
Regarding ministering of angels. In ancient and modern times, ministering angels have appeared. We do not realize the extent to which this happens. Our ancestors and family members may have a mission given to them to visit their friends and relatives on the earth bringing messages of warning or reproof. Many of us feel we have had this experience. Joseph Smith had this experience.
Alma the Younger had a personal experience as an unbeliever who led many to do after the manner of his iniquities with the sons of Mosiah. An angel appeared to him, speaking with a voice of thunder.
Alma, arise and stand forth, for why persecutest thou the church of God? For the Lord hath said: This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people.
Mosiah 27:13
Alma fainted and was carried to his fatther. After two days of fasting, he was restored to heatlh and declared,
I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit.
Mosiah 27:24
He went on to become a great missionary, yet in his preaching he never spoke of the angel’s visit. Instead he testified that the truth had been made known to him by the Spirit of God. His final and lasting conversion came by fasting and prayer over many days, given by the Holy Ghost, to which we are all entitled if we are worthy.
An angel appeared to Laman and Lemuel to tell them to stop hurting Nephi, and that Laban would be delivered up to them. Nephi believed, but Laman and Lemuel did not.
How is it that you have forgottten that ye have seen an angel of the Lord?
1 Ne. 7:10
You young men recive confirmation through the ordinary experiences of life. Some have dramatic experiences, but many don’t.
All priesthood holders must magnify thier callings. Preparing, administering, passing the sacrament. Also cleaning church houses, setting up chairs and other duties as assigned.
Aaronic Priesthood holders are obligated to qualify to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. Be a good example with clean thoughts and proper behavior. You will be associated with young men with the same standards as you. You can strengthen each other. Study the scriptures. Pray and recognize answers. The Doctrine and Covenants describes the authority of the priesthood. Ordination gives one authority to perform some ordinances. The bishopric is the presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood in the ward.
Within the Aaronic Priesthood there are different offices. Deacons watch over the church as a standing minister. Teachers are to be with and strengthen the church. Priests are to teach, preach, baptize, administer the sacrament, visit the house of each member. Bishop is president of priests quorum.
As you progress, you retain the authority of the previous office. Even when you are ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood, you will retain and act the offices of the Aaronic Priesthood. Legrand Richards used to say, “I’m just a grown up deacon.”
Teaching is an important duty, often performed as a home teaching companion to your father or other Melchizedek Priesthood holder. This is a significant part of “watching over the church”. Joseph Smith gave high priority to home teaching. His home teacher reports that he called his family together to listen to him.
You must have the Spirit with you in your personal lives. You will need to avoid stumbling blocks. Addiction. Avoid every kind of addiction. Satan and his followers are enslaving young men with alcohol, drugs, pornography, gambling, and others. Some are actually mind altering. They destroy the lives of themselves and those around them.
The Lord has warned us that substances that are not good for us should be totally avoided. Curiosity and peer pressure are selfish reasons to try these substances. Consequences are both physical, and loss of the Spirit.
I have lived under the influence of the priesthood for my entire life. It is humbling to use this transending power to heal and bless others.
Pres. Monson
Bryce’s note: Pres. Monson was in fine form tonight. My notes capture the substance of the talk, but not the style. He was humorous, yet earnest throughout. It was as good a talk as I’ve ever heard him give.
One day at the Church Office Building, Pres. Harold B. Lee greeted me and my son Clark. Clark would soon be 12. President Lee asked, “What happens to you when you turn 12?” Clark: “I will ordained a deacon.” Pres. Lee’s counsel: “Remember, it is a great blessing to hold the priesthood.”
I hope every young man who holds the priesthood will honor the priesthood. Know what you believe. May we ever be ready to give an answer. There will be occasions when we are called upon to explain or defend our beliefs. At that time, the time for preparation has already passed. Prepare now for a full-time mission.
21 years ago, before East Germany was free from Communism, I was visiting with the secretary of state. The temple in Freiburg was under construction. We talked of the church’s worldwide building program. He asked, “Why is your church so wealthy, that you build so many buildings?” My answer: The church is not wealthy, but we follow the principle of tithing. Also, we have no paid ministry. I was grateful to be able to answer his questions.
Opportunity may come when you least expect it. Pres. David O. Mckay was asked by a non-member what belief set the church apart from any other faith. He answered, “That which differentiates the beliefs of my church from those of others is divine authority by direct revelation.”
Early spring 1820, Joseph Smith’s First Vision is an example of that.
I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
JS-H 1:17
John the Baptist on May 15, 1829 on the banks of the Susquehanna River ordained Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic Priesthood.
UPON you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins;
D&C 13:1
He stated that he was acting under the direction of Peter, James and John. Divine authority by direct revelation.
Peter, James and John were sent to bestow the Melchizedek Priesthood. They were sent by the Lord, and they ordained and confirmed Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to be special witnesses of His name. Divine authority by direct revelation.
As a result, all of us carry the requirement, opportunity and duty to be true to the trust we have received.
Brigham Young: “the priesthood of the Lord is the law by which the worlds are, were, and will continue for ever and ever”
Joseph F. Smith: “[The priesthood] is nothing more nor less than the power of God delegated to man by which man can act in the earth for the salvation of the human family”
The authority has been given in this day in which we live by the ministering of angels.
(here Pres. Monson tells the story of his interview with his stake president before receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood. Perhaps the message of the story is that the worth of a sould is its capacity to become as God. You had to be there.)
The oath and covenant of the priesthood is a declaration of our requirement to be faithful and obedient to the laws of God and to magnify the callings that come to us.
To the Aaronic Priesthood, it details your future duty and responsibility, that you may prepare themselves.
For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.
They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God.And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;
For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;
And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;
And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.
D&C 84 33-38
Elder Delbert L. Stapley: There are two main requirements. 1) Faithfulness = obedience to the laws of god.
2) Magnify one’s calling. To magnify is to honor, exalt, and glorify and cause to be held in greater esteem or respect. To increase the importance of, enlarge, and make greater.
Joseph Smith was asked, what does it mean to magnify one’s calling. Reply: It means to build it up in dignity and importance, to make it honorable and commendable in the eyes of all men, to enlarge and strengthen it, to let the light of heaven shine through it to the view of other men.
Members of the Aaronic Priesthood should be given opportunities to magnify their callings in that priesthood. In my home ward, three priests were at the sacrament table to bless the sacrament. One was handicapped in speech. He tried twice to bless the bread, but stumbled badly. Embarassed, one of the other priests took over. I thought — I just can’t let that young man experience failure at the sacrament table. If I did not doubt, he would be able to bless the water effectively. I leaned over, and said, “Let him bless the water — it’s a shorter prayer.” We should not doubt, but believe. He blessed the water haltingly, but well.
The priesthood is not a gift. It is a commision to serve, an opportunity to bless the lives of others.
The story of Isaac Rider, a deacon. He was a cancer patient until his death at age 13. He and his family moved to a home near a hospital to receive medical attention. The Aaronic Priesthood were asked to provide sacrament to them. It became a favorite duty. They gathered around his bed, sang, shared testmiony, and blessed the sacrament. Isaac always requested that he be allowed to pass the sacrament to his family. Nurses and other staff began to participate in the meeting.
Isaac was a great example. They saw his desire to fulfill his duties even on his deathbed, and began to view those duties as privileges.
Melchizedek Priesthood holders, our privilege to magnify our callings is ever present. Are we prepared as shepherds to feed the flock of God? It is imperative that we recognize the worth of a soul. If you have fear of failure remember that there is no more comforting assurance to be had than this:
my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
Ether 12:27
Miracles are everywhere to be found when priesthood callings are magnified. For whom God calls, God qualifies.
Pres. Hinckley
Note: after announcing Pres. Hinckley as the final speaker, Pres. Monson admonished us: “Listen carefully bretheren, to the prophet speak.”
Thank you for your faith and prayers. As a man grows old, he develops a softer touch, a kindlier manner. A question I have been pondering: Why so much hatred in the world? Wars, jealaousy, anger. Racial tension even within the chruch. There was rejoicing in the 1978 revelation in the temple. I was there. There was no doubt that it was inspired.
No man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ or in harmony with the teachings of the church of Christ.
Throughout my service as a member of the 1st Presidency, I have spoken a number of times about the diversity in the world. Let us all recognize that each of us is a son or daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves each of his children. If you hold hatred and prejudice, repent.
I receive many letters concerning topics that should be addressed in conference. Here is one.
A letter from a woman who was divorced. She met a nice man, but found after marriage that his finances were in disarray. She was forced to go to work to provide for the family. He is still unemployed. She speaks of two other men she knows who refuse to work while their wives provide.
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
1 Tim 5:8
Women have claim on their husbands for their maintenance, until their husbands are taken;
…
All children have claim upon their parents for their maintenance until they are of age.
D&C 83:2, 4
Husbands have been considered the breadwinners of the family since the early days of the church. No man can be considered a member in good standing if he is able but refuses to do so.
Why so much strife in the world? It is the work of the adversary. Pres Wilford Woodruff said: I have seen Oliver Cowdery when it seemed as thought the earth trembled under his feet. I never heard a mean bear a stronger testimony. But the moment he left the kingdom of God, he lost the power and testimony he enjoyed, and never recovered it again in its fulness.
Story of a young man. He was not a member as a child. He and his parents were active in another faith. When growing up, some LDS children he associated with belitted him and made fun of him. He came to hate the church and its people.
His father lost his job, and they had to move. At 17, he was able to enroll in college. He felt the warmth of friends. One, named Richard, asked him to join a club. “For the first time, someone wanted me around. I didn’t know how to react. I joined. I loved the feeling of having a friend.”
At 19 he was a roommate with Richard during the summer. Richard was reading the Book of Mormon every night. “That was the book that ruined my childhood.” But why was Richard reading it every night? What is so important about it? He gave it to me, but I didn’t want it. Richard read to him of Christ’s visit to the Americas. He hadn’t realized that the Mormons believed in Jesus.
Richard asked him to sing in stake conference with him. Elder Gary Coleman was speaking. He spoke with him and told Elder Coleman that he was not a member, but had come to sing in the choir. He asked Elder Coleman, “How do you know the church is true?” Elder Coleman bore testimony, and asked if he had read the Book of Mormon, and promised he would feel the Spirit if he would read it.
He was later baptized, against his parents’ wishes. His testimony continues to grow. A few weeks ago he was married in the Salt Lake temple. Elder Coleman performed the sealing.
The sorry manner of his early LDS acquiatinates contrasts with that of his friend Richard.
This kind of miracle can happen when there is kindness and love. Why so much bitterness and animosity? We all stumble occasionally. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
William W. Phelps betrayed Joseph Smith, leading to his imprisonment. After recognizing his error, he asked for Joseph Smith’s forgiveness. Joseph Smith gave it.
We are members of the church of our Lord. We have an obligation to Him. We must be willing to forgive and to forget.
Fortunately, these actions and attitudes in these examples are not representative of the great majority of our people.
Last week the Young Women were in this building. Think of their good example. Think of the good done by the Relief Society. Think of the welfare program. Think of the far reach of our humanitarian program. Observe the workings of the Perpetual Education Fund. There are other efforts of the good people of this church in blessing the lives of one another across the world. There is no end to the good we can do. Let us not dwell on the critical or the negative.
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14 Responses to “Priesthood Session Notes, April 2006 General Conference”
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Guy Murray also has some excellent notes from this session.
Thank you Bryce, as always. Both my husband and I appreciate your summary.
Thanks for posting these. Very interesting to ponder what prompted President Hinckley’s chosen topics.
Wow, between you and Guy, it’s almost as good as getting to be there, First class job & much appreciated. Thanks for taking the time!
Elder Hinckley also quipped:
“I am probably the only general authority in the history of the Church to be sustained by the general membership in spite of a disclaimer by the Prophet.”
The reference was, of course to Pres. Hinckley’s assurance that he wasn’t responsible for the calling of his son.
Thanks, Bryce, we don’t get conference until next week since it happens at night in Russia so they tape it and we will have conference weekend next weekend. I was glad to have this little bit of inspiration today. Since I don’t go to Priesthood anyway, a preview is fine. Thanks again.
Aren’t the full talks released (in print) on the internet on Thursday?
Thanks, Bryce, I was very interested to read this.
Except Sidney Rigdon? :-p
President Hinkley criticism of the racially intolerant and men who shirk their responsibilities made me think. He phrased it in terms of whether these could consider themselves disciples of Jesus-Christ. My mind lept to those who call us non-Christians because they don’t agree with the way we live or believe. The answer I found to why this is different was valuable to me.
On the first level, President Hinckley has unique authority to speak for God, where those who want to draw the lines on who is following Jesus for their own reasons can have no authority but their reading of the scriptures according to how much they let in the Light of Christ.
But the second level gets to the substance of his criticism. When I think of those who want to exclude LDS as unChristian, I think of Jesus’ test: By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, that ye show love one unto another. I think of it as an opt-in standard not one that can be wielded against those in disfavor or given as a badge to those one likes. President Hinkley’s criticism goes directly to the Lord’s test, doesn’t it. Those who do not show love in the way appointed can not be considered to be sincerely pursuing the Lord’s opt-in standard. And that is the role of a prophet, to issue the word or warning, so that those on the wrong side of the line can choose whether to embody the love that meet the Lord’s standard.
Although the way the prophet phrased his admoniition hit a nerve for me, thinking about it will make me try to determine if there are other lines I have drifted across.
The problem is that the media, the president, politicians of all political stripes, and pundits have all been encouraging a society motivated by paranoia and fear ever since September of 2001.
In this kind of atmosphere, the old hatreds will thrive. Proper Christians do not fear. They do not obsess about security while glaring at all outsiders from behind their iron gates.
And Elder Wood’s talk is a case in point.
#9, Grasshopper, I can’t believe you would say such a thing about one of the greatest leaders in the history of the church as we know it! NOT! JS simply had enough integrity and maturity not to say anything at the pulpit!
I watched the ASL archive of the Priesthood session today.
I agree with you, Bryce. President Monson was in fine form!
Who knew he could do stand-up comedy???
As this is the first Priesthood meeting I have ever witnessed I have to ask:
Are Priesthood meetings always like this one?