Watching Music and the Spoken Word.

“Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel.”

Nice.

This post will update the Sunday morning session after each talk…if the kids allow me.

President Eyring is conducting.

Opening Hymn: “Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise”

Didn’t catch who gave the opening prayer, but he was definitely male.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Mentioned a painting in his office. Light from a door only illuminates a small area, the rest in darkness. This is a metaphor. We may be surrounded by darkness through tribulation, but God promises the hope of his light.

Mentioned a woman who was beaten and abused as a child. The woman learned to stop feeling. She had no hope of rescue. She hardened herself to the horror of her reality. She became resigned to the darkness. At age 18 she discovered the Church. The hope of the restored gospel penetrated her heart. For the first time light entered her life. She went to a school far from her abuser. Her abuser died. She was still troubled by the events of her youth. If she allowed the darkness to consume her, her tormenter would win. She sought counseling. She learned that darkness exists, but you shouldn’t dwell there. Light also exists. She held fast to the hope that with God’s help she could be healed. She chose to radiate light and devote her life to helping others. She became a school teacher, and her love has influenced the lives of hundreds of children. She has become a defender of the weak, the victimized and the discouraged.
Continue reading →

Yes, that is Sugarloaf, and yes that is a joke.

The exact location of the new Rio temple has not been announced yet. My speculation (as somebody who lived in Rio for four years) is that the only places with enough space are the Barra da Tijuca/Jacarepagua areas of the city. Until this announcement, by the way, Rio was by far the largest metropolitan area of South America without a temple. Church members have to travel about 300 miles to the Campinas temple.

More information on the Rio temple here.

This post will be updated as the session continues.

Hymn: “Nearer My God to Thee.”

First speaker: Elder Robert D. Hales

Bearers of the priesthood have the responsibility to stand strong. We must protect God-given inalienable rights and freedoms.

Elder Hales’ father drew a picture of a knight with the armor, shield, sword, etc. Loins: truth, breastplate of righteousness. Shield of faith. Helmet of salvation. Sword of the Spirit.

If we are faithful in the priesthood, this armor will be given to us as a gift from God. Young men face more temptations now. You are living in the last days. If your father wanted to get in trouble, he had to go searching for it. Not anymore. Temptation finds you. The way to resist is to put on the whole armor of God.

What we and our children and our grandchildren have to remember is that the Church will remain constant. The world will keep moving. Therefore, be very careful. If you judge your actions and the standards of the Church on the basis of where the world is and where the world is going, you will be lost.

The standards of the Church have not moved. The truth abideth forever and ever. We are prepared to face the social pressure, ridicule and discrimination that will come from the world.
Continue reading →

This post will be updated during this session.

President Eyring conducting.

Choir sings “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee.”

Did not catch who did the opening prayer, but it was a man-type guy.

Choir sings “Did You Think to Pray?”

President Uchtdorf presents authorities. I love his accent when he pronounces Spanish and Portuguese names. Lots of good hard “RRRRRs.”

Statistical report:

Total stakes: 3005

14,782,473 members

new baptisms: 122,273

272,330 converts

Four new temples dedicated in 2012. 140 total temples.

Elder Richard G. Scott

Where is the place of refuge, away from the frantic pace of modern-day life? The ideal place is in our own homes, where we have done all we can to make Jesus Christ the centerpiece.
Continue reading →

JOKE!

The real news is that Sister Jean A. Stevens, First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, gave the closing prayer in the Saturday morning session of General Conference. I am pretty sure she was not wearing protest pants.

It should be noted that women have been praying at General Conference for a long time: they pray regularly at the Relief Society sessions of General Conference.

But the fact that a woman gave a prayer during General Conference weekend is a first and is noteworthy.

My personal feeling is that it is positive thing for women to pray during General Conference weekend. If this small change makes women feel more included then, I say “great.”

I am skeptical that it is more than a vocal minority of women and men who actually care about these types of things. I also feel that vocal activism for change within the Church is a dangerous road to head down. The purpose of our journey on this planet is to draw closer to God and become more like Him, and that means we show humility and meekness, rather than being prideful and strident. Feeling that you know better than modern-day prophets does not show humility but instead indicates pride. Remember, Satan felt he knew better than Heavenly Father.

But if people would like to celebrate this small step, no problem at all.