Notes from General Conference Sunday afternoon session

Pres. Eyring conducts.

Choir: “They, the Builders of the Nation.”

Invocation: David L. Beck, president of the Young Men

Choir: “When He Comes Again.”

Elder Quentin L. Cook

Tries to attend activities together. For all sporting events they attended, they would attend two musical events.

Guiseppe Verde. Operas. “Nabucco.” Based on Nebuchadnezzar from the Bible. About people in bondage and subjugation. Read Jeremiah in the Bible.

The Book of Mormon starts with this timeframe. When evil choices become dominant, there are serious consequences. People can become enslaved to harmful, addictive drugs but also to harmful, addictive philosophies.

Those who are righteous must help the Church gather his kingdom and gather scattered Israel. Gathering is not a physical gathering but is a spiritual commitment. They were scattered because of unrighteousness and rebellion, but also used the scattering to bless other nations.

Problems today.

1)Addictions. Bad habits.

2)Addictions use up our time. Too much social media (!!!!) How do we preserve time for family?

3)Ideology or political beliefs inconsistent with the Gospel. Gospel truths are rejected or distorted to make them more appealing or compatible with current intellectual trends. We can place ourselves in bondage. Philosophies that criticize or diminish respect for mothers. If we allow our culture to reduce the special relationship that children have with mothers and grandmothers, we will regret it. Health providers being forced to assist in abortions. We must work to improve the moral culture that surrounds us.

Elder Neil L. Andersen

The Priesthood is the power of God. A man may open the drapes, but the man does not own the sun or the light that comes in. The blessings are greater than the person asked to administer the gift. The ordinances enrich our lives on Earth.

If the priesthood is for all, why is it administered by men? We do not know all things. But we do know some things about the priesthood. We know God loves all his children and is no respecter of persons. Adam, Abraham, Moses administered the priesthood. John the Baptist, Peter, James and John restored the priesthood. This is the way Father in Heaven has administered the priesthood. Worthiness is central to receiving priesthood. No allowance for pornography. There are priesthood blessings in families where mother and father raise their children. But God provides this blessings to other families. A woman calling her home teachers requires her humility, but it also requires humility on the part of the home teachers.

We do not determine the callings we receive. His wife was called as Seminary teacher. He was released in his calling and his wife went to work.

The power of the priesthood is found in the Church.

David M. McConkie, Sunday School general presidency

Secret to becoming a successful Gospel teacher. First, understand the First Vision of Joseph Smith. God speaks, his spoke anciently, he spoke to Joseph Smith, and he speaks to you as a teacher.

You are on the Lord’s errand. You are His agent. You are entitled to His help. Ask yourself: what would the Savior say if He were teaching my class today?

You are called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Don’t teach your own ideas, even mingled with scriptures.

You are commanded to teach the standard works and with the power of the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost must be our companion. Keep the commandments. This is the starting point. Daily spiritual preparation.

Must search the scriptures, get sound understanding. Will have the power of God unto the convincing of men. You must study and have the word and power of the Gospel in your life.

Then, let go. Let the Holy Ghost take you. The lesson you deliver is no longer your lesson but is the Savior’s lesson.

You must stand as an independent witness of the things you teach. The Holy Ghost will manifest that the things you are teaching are true.

Choir: “Called to Serve.”

Elder Kevin S. Hamilton of the Seventy

His father’s family left the Church. The family decided not to go to Sacrament meeting but to go on a Sunday afternoon ride. The family left the Church and on to a different path.

Lesson for our day: Lehi and the iron rod. People lost their way in the mists of darkness. There were others who got to the tree but then became ashamed and fell away. There was a third group. Reached the tree and then did not fall away. Continually holding fast to the rod of iron. The rod of iron was the only safety and security they could find. They would not let go, even for a Sunday afternoon ride in the country.

Going to Church meetings will help you understand why you should hold onto the iron rod. Attend all Sunday meetings.

Elder Adrian Ochoa of the Seventy

As a child, he got caught up in a game of marbles with his cousins. Family worried. Played into the night. Got caught in a storm. Stayed at a strange home of a friendly neighbor, but his family did not know where he was.

Don’t forget to look up. This would have helped him see the storm.

Warning about one trend: the internet is filled with things that are filthy and wrong. Don’t view filthy images or give your attention to the false accusers of the prophet or Joseph Smith. You will lose the Holy Ghost.

If you come across something that causes you to question your testimony, look up. People will mix lies with half-truths. You must remain constantly worthy of the Spirit.

The good fruits of the Gospel. A good fruit cannot grow from a bad tree.

A lot of people had been searching for the boys. The people were relieved and loved them. His grandmother and uncle and aunt found them. Heavenly Father is mindful of us and is anxiously awaiting our return home.

Terence M. Vinson of the Seventy

(An Australian!!)

Some people move toward the Lord, and others move away. God should be out central focal point.

How would you feel if somebody promised you something every week and never kept the promise?

Ask Heavenly Father for help. An out of control fire. He prayed. The storm stopped the fire, but the storm only rained on the fire. The Lord is always near. I can return the Savior’s love by giving him my heart.

Elder Russell M. Nelson

Each day is a day of decision. Wise use of your decisions.

Your body is a marvelous machine. The body repairs itself.

Even so, it seems that in every family and person some physical conditions exist that require special care.

Weakness makes men humble.

The aging process is a gift, as is death. Death will allow your spirit to return home to Him. Death is only premature for those who are not prepared to meet God.

Your body is a temple of God. See your body as your temple.

Your spirit is an eternal entity. Your Heavenly Father has known you for a very long time. You as His son or daughter were chosen to come to Earth to become leaders. You were chosen for your spiritual attributes. Bravery, courage, hunger for wisdom, thirst for truth.

Some attributes are premortal, others are developed here on Earth.

Self-mastery. Reason over appetite. Conscience. Fasting helps your Spirit to develop dominance over physical appetites. Why self-mastery? We have strong appetites within us. When we master our appetites, we can enjoy longer life, greater love and consummate joy.

If we misuse our God-given appetites. Mistakes happen, sins are committed. We can learn from the mistakes and repent. We can change our behavior and our desires. True change can come only through the Atonement.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a Gospel of change. Become a master of passions, not a slave to your passions. Freedom from self-slavery is true liberation. We can choose liberty and eternal life or slavery and death.

Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. Gender is an essential characteristic. This is fundamental to the Lord’s doctrine. God’s marriage pattern cannot be abused or misconstrued. This protects the sacred power of procreation. Civil governments have a vested interest in protecting marriage. Regardless of what civil legislation may be enacted, the doctrine of marriage cannot be changed. Sin, even if legalized by man, is still sin in the eyes of God.

We cannot change His doctrine. It is not ours to change. We will each have a personal interview with Jesus Christ. We will account for decisions we made about our bodies and how we honored God’s patterns for marriage and the family.

President Monson

Unprecedented coverage of the conference. We feel your Spirit. Thanks to those who have served. May your homes be filled with love and courtesy. Nourish your testimonies of the Gospel.

Choir: “Abide With Me, it is Eventide.”

Benediction: Elder Claudio R. M. Costa of the Seventy

This entry was posted in General by Geoff B.. Bookmark the permalink.

About Geoff B.

Geoff B graduated from Stanford University (class of 1985) and worked in journalism for several years until about 1992, when he took up his second career in telecommunications sales. He has held many callings in the Church, but his favorite calling is father and husband. Geoff is active in martial arts and loves hiking and skiing. Geoff has five children and lives in Colorado.

3 thoughts on “Notes from General Conference Sunday afternoon session

  1. Pingback: Junior Ganymede

Comments are closed.