Greetings friends! General Conference is off to a spiritual and exciting start. If you did not have a chance to listen to the Saturday morning session, please go back and listen to Pres. Nelson’s opening remarks. They are important! He let it be known that the Sunday Morning session of Conference will be a Solemn Assembly and that we will have the great opportunity to participate in the Hosanna Shout.
Here are some links to refresh your mind on what these are:
Viewpoint: Why We Shout “Hosanna” for Holy Temples
From the Deseret News: What a solemn assembly is and why President Nelson said the church will hold a Hosanna Shout on Sunday
This link gives some history on why we do the Hosanna Shout and when it has been done in times past, Temple Dedications and Dedicatory Prayers.
Some historical context and history about Solemn Assemblies.
A video of the most recent Solemn Assembly which was in 2018, when Pres. Nelson was sustained as the prophet.
It should also be noted that tomorrow is Palm Sunday — the day of Christ’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem for the last week of his mortal life — the start of Holy Week. When He entered the people shouted:
“And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest” (Matthew 21: 9).
Traditionally for the Hosanna Shout you wave a white handkerchief, but if you don’t have one you can wave your hand instead. I’m scouring the drawers this afternoon. I know we have a stash of Grandpa’s handkerchiefs somewhere.
I hope you and your family enjoy Conference and that you will leave your thoughts with us here.