Some notes from the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference. They are very incomplete, because as it always happens Mom, that’s me, was on duty most part of the time.
For a better summary follow the link to the Conference summary provided by the Church, HERE.
In this session the statistical reports and sustaining of Church officers were taken care of.
The General Young Men’s presidency was released and a new presidency was called. The new Presidency is:
Steven W. Owen, President
Douglas D. Holmes, 1st Councilor
Monte J. Brough, 2nd Councilor
There was also a change in the General Primary Presidency. Sister Jean Stevens was released in anticipation for going to serve with her husband as a mission president. Sister Cheryl Esplin was also released. Sister Esplin was then called to be the new first councilor, and Sister Mary L. Durham is the new second councilor.
Elder Uchtdorf conducted the sustaining of the Church officers. Sadly, there were those that dissented when Pres. Monson and the Quorum of the 12 were presented. I won’t link to the website, but it looks like this might have been a “planned action”. These people have stated they wish to remain anonymous, but also state they want to have more of a voice in the councils of the church. Personal observation: you’ve defeated your purpose then. Put your name on your dissent, and wear your opposition publicly. If you are going to disrupt and upset Conference, we ought to know who you are.
The Statistical Report:
Stakes: 3000+
Missions: 406
Temples: 144, and 3 dedicated in 2014.
Full Time Missionaries: 85,147
New Converts: 260K+
8 year old baptisms: 116K+
Church Membership: 15,372,337
Elder Bednar:
Dispelling fear thru faith in Christ. The Atonement makes repentance possible. Alma: look to God and live. Peter sank on the water when he lost focus on Christ and focused on the chaos around him. Helaman 5: 12, build on the rock of Christ. Ordinances & covenants are our building blocks of faith to overcome fear. Nephi: press forward with a steadfastness in Christ. We need to submit cheerfully to the will and timing of the Lord. We need consecrated commitment, and the mercy and grace of God. Godly fear = reverence, which grows from faith in Christ.
Elder Christofferson:
Quoted from a letter Dietrich Boenhoeffer wrote from prison. Sidebar: if you have not read Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas, do it! Bonhoeffer was executed for his faith by the Nazis. Letter to his niece re: marriage, it’s the link in the chain of generations, it’s a post of responsibility. The Plan of Salvation was planned before we came here and included: creation, motality, redemption from the fall & sanctification of the soul, and marriage. In marriage we become life partners with God as we create bodies for His children. Marriage is the order of heaven and cannot be changed by man. It is not social science. Satan attacks sexuality and families because of jealousy. The Atonement anticipates and compensates for the inadequacies of life.
Elder Wilford Anderson:
Teache the steps hear the music. DC 8.
Elder Renilund:
A saint is a sinner who keeps on trying. The Lord cares that we keep on trying. Once we decide to try again, the Atonement kicks in. The Atonement covers more than just our sins. It covers the consequences that we experiences from the sins of others, our failed relationships, economics and suffering. God will give us Beauty for Ashes, the oil of joy for mourning. God expects us to keep on trying and is disaapoined when we do not realize that others are trying as well. We have to be kind and tolerant with others as they try. “If we don’t try we’re latter-day sinners. If we don’t preserver we’re latter-day quitters. If we don’t allow others to try we’re latter-day hypocrites.”
Elder Ringwood:
Doing right for right’s sake. Shiblon-like souls. Be good without guile.
Elder Cook:
Rejoice and celebrate the Atonement. Sunflowers follow the sun, so we should follow God. When we follow Christ we flourish despite bad circumstances. Wheat & tares: the faithful shall shine forth as the sun. We can thrive and bloom if we are rooted in the love our Savior. The role of the family is to bring happiness and teach truth. When we have prayers, FHE, scripture study and priesthood blessings our families will thrive. “What time is at home?”…his Uncle who died in WW2, would wear a watch set to home time. Husbands and wives have different, but complementary roles. Hearing the gospel in our native language: D&C 90: 11. Unite in the gospel, build faith, don’t be critical of others. The Church has never been stronger. Those how leave voluntarily, has grown smaller. There has been an increase in endowments, missionary service, service. A personal note about that: I am glad that Elder Cook said that. It’s good to remember that those are faithful are many … reach out and let’s find each other.
That’s all for this session, please check back for notes on the Priesthood Session tonight and the sessions tomorrow. We want to hear what you learned, tell us in the comments! Please feel free to like and share this, and make sure to like us on Facebook.