Cornucopia

Sunday Afternoon General Conference Open Thread

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As is tradition here at Times and Seasons, please feel free to post your comments, thoughts, insights and inspirations regarding the Sunday afternoon session of General Conference here.

278 comments for “Sunday Afternoon General Conference Open Thread”

  7. The MoTab has improved SO much in the last few years since the new directors came in. Their phrases are so beautifully shaped and their diction is much better. Their unisons are much more beautiful and they’re using more interesting arrangements. I’m really enjoying the music!

  8. I must concur on how much the MoTab has improved since the new directors came. Love ’em.

    And a solo!

  12. anyone remember the lovely “oh lord most holy” from a year or so ago? I kept waiting for the latin…(panis angelicus)

  13. Aaaaaaaand, my husband is now sleeping. I liked the closing song in morning session – strong and fierce. This is nice, but, you know, snooze-worthy.

  14. This is the first time in five years that I’ve watched both sessions of general conference and actually, you know, tried to learn something. Do I get a prize or something?

  19. #14, Elder Bednar would say that the record of what you learned is a inestimable prize, I’d suppose.

  24. Why was Lorenzo Snow baptized if he received a witness of the truth three weeks later? Just curious; I’ll get back to the talk now.

  26. 24 – “Why was Lorenzo Snow baptized if he received a witness of the truth three weeks later?” Sometimes you know its right, and you just go forward. You don’t get the proof until after the fact.

  29. David,
    You seem like a nice enough fellow. Please remember that it is the job of people with ecclesiastical authority to call saints to repentance; not yours (unless you happen to be my bishop or some such). Please drop it.

  30. Sue said her husband was alseep already. I told what mine was doing. And as a daddy that doesn’t have a lot of time during the week for his kids, I think it’s a-ok that he’s outside tossing the ball with them right now. Conference is on in the house, and what’s he is doing is just as important.

  31. I’ll always cherish my memories of sitting next to my dad watching conference. He was such a great example.

  33. Elder Hale’s description of President Hinckley’s prayer concerning who to call as the new Apostle and new FP member is interesting.

  35. My dad taught me that if you put the hymn book perpendicular to the arm rest you can place your elbow there and not have to worry about your arm falling into the crack between the arm rest and the wall :)

  36. Darn. I was hoping he’d stick with “repeat our sins.” Much easier than repenting.

  42. lol… I figured as much. That hymn book comment wasn’t inspired,… well… not from the right source at least.

  44. As for Hymnbooks, remember…This web site expresses the opinions of its authors, and is not an official statement by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

  46. Uh-oh, it sounds like my parents might use this talk against my participating in the Bloggernacle! “ultra-inertconnected world, carefully crafted ideas…”

  48. John C.

    I am sorry you were offended by my comments. I was simply trying to make a point. We do not always have tomorrow to do what we should do today. Elder Eyring made that point last conference.

    I obviously do not know anyone here. I don’t know where you are getting that I have to be someone’s bishop to call that person to repentance. But, that is not what I am doing. Certainly we all have matters for which we need repentance.

    I simply hope that we do not take these words too lightly. They are meant for us to help us. Clearly, how to apply these words in our lives is between us, individually, after pondering them, and God in prayer.

  51. I like how he’s pulling in the scientific method into this. If anyone caught the press conference yesterday between sessions President Eyring did the same thing when asked what his Harvard/Standford background brought to the table. Interesting to hear them both say that its a good start, but since we don’t have all knowledge the world’s logic won’t get us everything we need to know. We can start trying to figure things out on our own, but when we are ready for the answers we need to go to the source.

  54. Does this mean I can show “Powers of 10” in EQ when we cover this talk in Teachings of Our Time?

  57. So evidently the FP/Q12 book club list recently included something about the background of Olympic athletes as well as Carl Sagan.

  58. Oh how fun–physics and biology! Yay! He once waxed lengthy when i was in the MTC, all about electrons. It was fun.

    My SIL came by after the morning session and managed to mention thrice, in a 15 minute visit, how much she liked Sister Beck’s talk. The “hit” on my feminist self didn’t really register–our baby started screeching at the top of his lungs one minute into her talk and didn’t hush until she was wrapping it up. Did she really talk about keeping your house as tidy as the temple? Wouldn’t that necessitate childlessness?

    AT any rate, I’ll take theology married to physics over housekeeping tips.

  60. I remember racing Elder Eyrings father on the lawn to the east of the Chemistry building…. ah college days.

  62. Elder Scott was a nuclear physicist, so I’m sure he knows a thing or two about quantum mechanics.

  64. I’m in a room with three napping people right now while the TV is playing Elder Scott’s talk… I guess this blog is helping me stay awake.

  66. David, the problem is that you seem to be chastising people who you do not know.. Since I have struggled with my feelings about the church for the last few years, the fact that I am watching conference, and genuinely trying to listen and learn, is for me, a big step. Not necessary for you to tell me I’m not quite doing enough yet – I already know. I’m working on it. Sorry for the distraction from the point of the thread.

  67. Ooh, astronomy galore, added to my favorite scripture of all time (Moses 7). AND he’s quit his old habit of staring bore-holes at the camera the whole talk. Scientist DH is going to regret the nap he’s taking.

  69. This talk is sweet. Can’t wait to read it. Hope he puts some Elder Nelson like foot notes in there…

  72. The only thing this talk is missing is some graphs, and maybe some of those hubble photos.

  75. Nate, my connection is stalling out, plus I’ve got a bunch of kids here this session (another husbandless friend and I swapped ’em out). Whom should I go back to listen to for the “real” revelation?

  78. As we sit here eating the giant plate of vanilla pudding cinnamon rolls I just pulled from the oven… Yes, he IS talking to me.

  79. Double D–wanna vacuum at my house, too? Gotta admit since I actually **became** a mother the much less important task of housekeeping has taken a backseat to mothering! Not that I was Ms. Tidypants before.

  80. Sue,

    Point taken. I do get a bit anxious. Please do not take my comments as chastisement. Any distraction I’ve caused to this conference experience was unintended and I apologize.

  82. “He’s still staring down the camera. ”

    So it wasn’t just my guilt forcing me not to watch the TV?

  84. Janet,

    Why don’t you have your husband do that for you?
    I’ll be doing it for my wife.

    :0)

  85. Well, that was quite fun! And now we’re onto ranching. My dad is probably doing a jig, all his little worlds converging on GC.

  86. This is the first conference where my wife didn’t fall asleep during Elder Scott’s talk……He has such a soothing voice. He keeps me awake with his doctrine.

  87. Daniel judd used to be in charge of Ancient Scripture at BYU a few years ago, until he got this calling. He was a good guy, and not always correlated :)

  90. Double D–my husband works as much as Rosalynd’s; they’re both medical residents. Plus his response to such a request would be, “why? The dust will just come back?” On the plus side, he’s installing bamboo floors!

  91. #66 – you bring up a good point. We each have to decide where we’re at in our spiritual progression and how much “meat” we can handle. The challenge to giving a talk in GC (or sac mtg, etc.), is that it’s hard to address each individual’s specific situation. Hopefully, some part of a person’s talk will appeal to each of us. We must each determine if we’re ready to move up, or raise the bar, as Pres. Beck suggests, or if we simply need to find something to help us hang on and continue to try to find something in the gospel that helps us.

    So, David’s comments are not really unlike Pres. Beck’s, in that they’re not necessarily helpful, in their entirety, to each and every individual who reads (or hears) them.

    It is completely appropriate that a person who genuinely struggles with how to progress spiritually to pick and choose what they incorporate by way of counsel. Most of us are guilty of this with regards to doing family history research.

    Each of us must ask ourselves (not each other): Am I genuinely looking for ways to progress, or are we looking for ways to be offended?

  92. Anybody know what the vetting process is for individual talks? Do they get “pre-read” by a committee? If so, who is on the committee?

    My rancher cousins are probably taking notes and hoping to trick their horsies.

  93. Sister, you haven’t seen dust until you have wood floors. On the plus side, the muffin is almost big enough to have dust cloths attached to his knees and be told to crawl in an organized pattern across the floor :)

  94. The international translators for area’s without any experience with horses will again have to be creative…

  95. Zarahelma was right across the river from Nauvoo… why the need for discussion?

  96. Does anybody know if the Elder Judd speaking right now is married to a woman named Jill?

  98. So this Elder Judd can shoot someone done in a Bible Bash as easily as he ropes calves?

  99. whoa, guess i have a satellite delay…everyone;s comments are preceding the points in the talks by 5-10 seconds…weird…

  104. Yes, the talks get pre-read; I’m not sure by whom. I have a family member who spoke recently and she was asked to rewrite her talk because it was too close to a GA’s talk. Something like that. She only had a few days to rewrite the talk, which she had worked on for a long time! I don’t think the First Presidency reviews the talks, I think there is someone else that reviews all the talks beforehand. I wonder if they do this for President Hinckley’s? Probably not!

  109. Elder Octaviano Tenorio, 64, served as an Area Seventy in the México South Area and as second counselor in the México South Area Presidency.

    Prior to his call as a General Authority, Elder Tenorio served as stake mission president, stake president’s counselor, stake president, president of the México Tuxtla Gutierrez Mission and Regional Representative.

    Elder Tenorio was educated in México, earning a certificate in accounting and business from the Academia Practica de Comercio. He worked in the petroleum and publishing industries before joining Church employment, where he served in a number of management assignments, including twice as recorder of the México City México Temple.

    He was born in Tilapan, Veracruz, México and is married to Ross Elva Valenzuela Gonzalez. They are the parents of five children.

  118. Apparently, Brad, Meridian Magazine hasn’t written up a bio about you for me to steal without citing…

  124. Oh . . . the baby and mother picture in the hospital was beautiful! What a nice personal touch!

  127. Another random inquiry: does the MoTab endlessly recycle the same dresses? Becuase today’s are just…..especially awful. During the morning session I listened to the songs while baking and enjoyed it more. Now my eyes are all tealified.

  130. Julie, that WAS a cute photo, wasn’t it? Too bad it wasn’t a photo of her breastfeeding (she says, totally tongue-in-cheek and not wanting to offend anyone).

    Why did they only sing one verse??? Did somebody read and take to heart the lyrics thread you guys had??

    Dang, this open thread thing is way too fun.

  131. I think this is the first time I’ve remembered seeing a pink tie in General Conference

  133. HAH! I had an almost identical paranoid conversation with my older sister 10 minutes after my own baptism! Dejavu!

  134. Things are running a little late, thus one verse. Maybe even why the previous talk ended so quickly.

  137. Janet,

    Believe it or not; these are actually brand new dresses for the choir women…

  140. ahh, we are behind, DVR is great if you have kids.

    I wish Elder Tenorio would have spoken in Spanish w/ subtitles. Viva Mexico!

  143. Elder Claudio D. Zivic, 58, served previously as an Area Seventy in the South America South Area and as second counselor in the South America South Area Presidency.

    Elder Zivic also served as elders quorum president, institute teacher, bishop’s counselor, bishop, stake high councilor, stake president’s counselor, temple ordinance worker, Regional Representative and as president of the Spain Bilbao Mission.

    Elder Zivic is a certified public accountant. He received an accounting degree from the University of Buenos Aires and worked in the manufacturing and marketing fields. He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and is married to Dina Noemí Alvarez. They are the parents of five children.

    -from Meridian Magazine (got it this time)

  145. It’s Not Me (#68): Oh, she was. She’s trying to, er, gently convince me that my worldview is satanic. With the worst timing possible my neighbor popped by during SIL’s visit to drop off her copy of the trib, which had a photo of me and a thing about being “feminist and faithful.” It was almost funny.

  151. I’m not sure how to take Tad Callister’s story about Heber J. Grant “knowing” vs. “believing.”

  154. What a great story! I can totally see Joseph F. talking like this and seeing President Taylor responding.

  155. Julie, Mctopher is a guy, and as such Lilac is a flower. Some of us really do see in 16 colors, and lilac isn’t one of those. :)

  156. Julie, we’ve got wood in the downstairs. I like the dustbunnies (quite literal since we have two rabbits) since I can PROVE that the house needs cleaning. Carpets just suck up the dust and hide it until we all wheeze….

    Oh dear. Apparently I really do value housekeeping! ;)

    Muffin loves the wood floors because nobody freaks out when he pees on them. He’s always immediately diapered when he pees on the rugs upstairs.

  157. Mas Latinos, what at least 4 this conference? fantastic. perhaps some of my kids will join that list!

  159. Janet, is he crawling yet? All my joking aside: this will be our first baby with wood floors, and I’m worried about permanently deforming her or his little knees.

  161. I hope you people all know how hard it is to find not only a color that looks decent on all the women in a choir, but also a pattern that looks decent on all the different body types. It’s a catch-22. There is no good option. The dresses will always be ugly. It’s literally impossible for it to be otherwise.

    Now stop griping about it. It can’t be helped.

  166. Moi, j’attends les francais. One inch pieces? That was a morbid mental vision I didn’t need. He’s interesting . . .

  173. Seth–I wasn’t griping so much as feeling sorry for the women. I knew a woman in the MoTab once who was sartorially obsessed. While she LOVED singing for the choir (who wouldn’t?) she always felt vaguely embarrassed by what she had to wear. She had a gunnysack analogy. But you’re right–what choice is there when people can only sing in the choir for 5 years (??) and everyone has a different body shape. Tailored pieces would break the bank.

    I will say—–this is the only situation in which I envy men their suits. They always look uber-suave.

    Oooh!! Steven Snow is a smiler with dimples! How refreshing!

  175. “Does he sound like Clint Eastwood to anyone else?” I had the same thought– he also looked like him somewhat, with less hair of course.

  177. I just grabbed the bios for the two newbies.

    Sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy March 31, 2001, at age 51. Former Area Authority Seventy in the Utah South Area, president of the California San Fernando Mission, stake president, and bishop. Received bachelor’s degree in accounting from Utah State University and juris doctorate from Brigham Young University. Was senior partner in law firm of Snow Nuffer and formerly deputy county attorney for Washington County, Utah. Born Nov. 23, 1949, in St. George, Utah, to Gregg E. and Viola Jean Goates Snow. Wife, Phyllis Squire Snow; parents of four sons. –Deseret News

  180. I just grabbed the bios for the two newbies.

    Steven Snow. Sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy March 31, 2001, at age 51. Former Area Authority Seventy in the Utah South Area, president of the California San Fernando Mission, stake president, and bishop. Received bachelor’s degree in accounting from Utah State University and juris doctorate from Brigham Young University. Was senior partner in law firm of Snow Nuffer and formerly deputy county attorney for Washington County, Utah. Born Nov. 23, 1949, in St. George, Utah, to Gregg E. and Viola Jean Goates Snow. Wife, Phyllis Squire Snow; parents of four sons. –Deseret News

  182. Yes, the dresses are horrid. I just remind myself that choir robes are more of a backdrop than a fashion statement. It is just that the dresses AND the bad hair and make-up all join forces to be terribly distracting. Being from Europe, I have always known that Utah women have overly coiffed hair, but they look like they are wearing helmets.

  184. Elder Callister is a brilliant man, as is his “little” brother Tad. Both are grandsons of Elder LeGrand Richards and gospel scholars. Tad’s Infinite Atonement is my favorite gospel book.

  185. mmiles–I’m going to buy some of those! Thanks! I’ve been worried the baby’s knees and the wood floors would result in delayed motor development.

  186. Hey Tom, would you grab a bio for the Frank Judd who spoke earlier? You’ve clearly got the search algorithm mastered.

  187. If his mom was the travel agent for guilt trips, mine was the on-flight stewardess. But she offered lots of snacks, so it’s ok.

  195. All I could find on Frank Judd was at the Maxwell Institute:
    Frank F. Judd Jr.
    Assistant Professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University. He holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in ancient Near Eastern studies from BYU. He also has an M.A. and a PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in New Testament and early Christianity.

    I don’t even know if its the same Frank Judd. :-(

  199. I once heard Elder Oaks give a talk to a stake youth conference. He was like a stand-up comedian. Apparently one GC a little girl’s note made it all the way up to him in the red chairs. It said, “I can tell you are a prophet because your head is shiny.”

  205. That’s Frank Judd, this was Daniel Judd. Not the same person. I can confirm that Daniel Judd used to be in charge of Ancient Scripture in the BYU Religion Dept., because I talked to him in his office several times while he was there.

  206. “I can only hope I look good like that when I am bald in 5 years”

    The key is to forsake the comb-over. Just buzz what little hair is left on the side. Instead of hiding baldness, embrace it.

  207. Wait wait! It was Daniel Judd of the Sunday School, right?

    Daniel K. Judd was sustained as first counselor in the Sunday School presidency on April 3, 2004. Born in Kanab, Utah, to LeRoy P. and Phyllis Farnsworth Judd; served as stake president, bishop, ward mission leader and Young Men president; chairman of the Department of Ancient Scripture at BYU; received B.S. degree in zoology from Southern Utah University, M.S. degree in family science and Ph.D. in counseling psychology from BYU; wife, Kaye Seegmiller Judd; parents of four children.

  210. Despite the cliche punchline, it’s soooo nice to hear someone acknowledge that breadwinners and not just primary caregivers sacrifice, and that they sacrifice being able to see their kids. Hallelujah. I often wonder why we don’t hear the GAs offer consolatory words to fathers who feel like *they* are missing out on something important in their lives by being away from home so much. Woohoo for balance, I say.

  211. “Where would Halo 3 rate on “Good, Better, Best”
    Probably good. It trumped Saturday sessions, including priesthood, but not today’s.

  212. Julie, I think he may have just made that over-scheduling thread we chatted about redundant ;)

  213. Oh wow, he is definitely responding to Julie Beck’s talk. Make the “best” choices. This is well-needed.

  214. Ohhh, okay, I get it. Daniel Judd, not Frank Judd. Thanks for clearing that up, guys! And thanks for hunting down both bios.

  215. So does this mean that when I am away from home for the evening due to work, that my children will suffer terribly for it?

  216. I hope my son has no Hannible Lector tendencies. I think the “last meal” thread skewed my comprehension of that joke….

  217. Dallin H. Oaks

    Philippines area president. Sustained to Quorum of the Twelve April 7, 1984, and ordained apostle on May 3, 1984, at age 51. Graduate of BYU in accounting; received juris doctorate cum laude from University of Chicago; was law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren, practiced law in Chicago, and was professor of law at University of Chicago for 10 years, and was executive director of the American Bar Foundation for a year. Served nine years as president of BYU, and three years as Utah Supreme Court justice. Former regional representative and counselor in stake presidency. Born Aug. 12, 1932, in Provo, Utah, a son of Dr. Lloyd E. and Stella Harris Oaks. Wife June Dixon Oaks, parents of six children. June died July 21, 1998. Married Kristen Meredith McMain Aug. 25, 2000.

  218. To borrow a phrase, causality goes in a corner and cries. (re: family dinner and smoking) Nice thoughts, though.

  222. Eric E–I’m sure you’ll find time when you are home. My dad had a weird schedule but pretty much split the child-rearing halfsies with Mama. It was cool, even though I never saw him at all in the mornings.

    This talk is so very scrumpdilicious. And now we’ve got a theoretical shortening of the 3-hour block. Hmm.

  223. WOW! I have been complaining for a while about how much time is “required” to be an “active member.” This is a great talk!

  224. #220 that quote didn’t even get my attention. Thanks for pointing it out. I hit rewind on the tiVo so I could see/hear it again.

  225. I dunno, RW, to the extent that smoking by teens is often an indicator of rebellion, then it makes sense that stronger family bonds might limit that.

  226. “Please say something worth saying or don’t say it at all.”

    Who is going to decide if something is worth saying?

  227. Anonymous (218)

    You should have signed your name so we can give you credit for the comments you make. Don’t be so modest.

  229. “Amusing themselves to death” is a book title–Neal Postman, I believe.

    This talk rocks. Even tho it makes me feel guilty.

  230. Thank you Elder Oaks. Keeping a perfect house does not help me magnify my calling as a mother. I love clarifications.

  231. fMhLisa – If a women was saying it, I am sure that we would be seeing the same backlash as Sister Beck’s talk.

  232. Anonymous, to some is given the gift of witty-ness, to others is given the gift of good spelling, while to others is given the gift to treasure up comments of witty-ness in times of abundance to hold in store for a time when witty-ness faileth.

    Not that I noted any particular lack of wit…

  233. “Who is going to decide if something is worth saying?”
    People with the courage to reveal their identities.

  234. That was one of the best I have heard in a while. Elder Oaks is right up there with Elder E as my favorite.
    /I hope this was worthy of saying it.

  236. In all candor, I think that anonymous is being generous in her/his memory of the loftiness of previous conference threads.

  237. Costanza–hmm, maybe not. Some talks really do have an impact. I can list off the top of my head my favorites and how they’ve effected me.

    Anonymous shall be happy to know that my baby is waking and I shall thus desist my maniacal posting…..but I’m going to miss the prophet ;(. Baby moniter calling….

  238. #229–but I would classify it as a “motivating guilt” rather than a “useless guilt” that I felt earlier. It makes me want to do more and better (and best!). Maybe it’s just his style?

  239. thank you Elder Oaks for saying BREIF HOME TEACHING VISITS. I have a 15 minute rule

  240. I’d give a bio for President Hinckely, but it’d be so huge that you miss everything he said while you read it.

    I’m not certain if it’d be worth posting, either. :-\

  242. Fair enough Janet. If the meetings my wife and I attend are shorter, better organized, and redesigned according to the instructions in Elder Oaks’s talk, I will recant.

  244. Great closing hymn… with Elder Faust absent, and then I believe this was also the name of the last book that Elder Maxwell wrote before he passed away.

  247. Well, that part might not be as impactual, I admit. But he covered a lot. Tping with one hand = hard. Great sesson overall, I thought.

  248. “Don’t deviate from the lesson manual, you teachers.” Or at least, parsing his words like a lawyer, Priesthood/RS Teachers.

  249. Elder Oaks’s statement about not using extra-curricular materials when teaching the JS manual seemed like a non-sequitur to me.

  250. 246- moving in his majesty and power…his son mentions in the foreward that working on the manuscript and blessing grandchildren took his last living moments

  253. Regarding Elder Oaks talk: ” fMhLisa- If a women was saying it, I am sure that we would be seeing the same backlash as Sister Beck’s talk. ”

    Not on your life. What on earth makes you say that??

  254. Since it’s over I just wanted to take some time to say to “Anonymous” — I’m both sorry for boring you and am curious as to what exactly was the problem. I’m rather new to participating in these blogs and I’m not certain that I’m doing it right. That kinda hurt to hear, so I’m sorry if I’m being rude.

  255. ““Please say something worth saying or don’t say it at all.”

    Who is going to decide if something is worth saying?”

    I will gladly volunteer

  257. As a Conference Wrap up, any true feminist has to be pleased that Julie Beck has been the most spoken about Speaker. I do have to admit the talk I am most looking forward to returning to is Elder Oaks.

  259. Was a great conf, kinda feel alittle guilty flipping over to see how Carolina did, oh they won, it was a great weekend

  260. Austin, I can remember some women’s talks I completely loved! i think a lot of the complaints to which you allude have to do as much with delivery/style as they do with content. From what I’ve read regarding Sister Beck’s talk (having only heard a smidgeon of it due to crying baby) her case was the opposite. Good speaking style, poise, but facile conflation of housekeeping with homemaking.

    My two faves this time ’round were offered by men. I thought the concluding session offered plenty to reflect upon while I finish those sinful pastries in the kitchen ;0

  262. Janet – It is a like the Bushies vs the Clintonians. Everything Hillary does is evil to a Bushie, while everything Bush does is evil to a Clintonian.

    Some on here posted that Elder Oaks talk was in response to Sister Becks talk. I assume that you meant that Elder Oaks talk was more inline with your beliefs and not an actual response to Sister Beck.

  264. Someone asked at some point how many lawyers were there on the 12. Looking at all 15 apostles, including the FP, I count only 2 lawyers:

    Hinckley – Education in journalism, profession life in publishing, PR, etc.
    Monson – Military, Publishing – MBA
    Eyring – Military, Physics, Business, University President – MBA, PhD
    Packer – Military, Church education – EdD
    Perry – Finance/Business
    Nelson – Surgeon – MD, PhD
    Oaks – Judge, university president – JD
    Ballard – Business
    Wirthlin – Business
    Scott – Nuclear Engineer – PhD equivalent (I think it was an unpublished thesis, due to classified material)
    Hales – Military, Business – MBA
    Holland – Educator, University President – PhD
    Uchtdorf – Pilot – Engineering and International business – MBA equivalent? (bio isn’t clear, but it sounds like it was an MBA equivalent)
    Bednar – Educator/Business, university president – PhD
    Cook – Law, business – JD

    I count 2 JDs, 3 or 4 MBAs, 1 MD, and 5 or 6 PhD/EdD degrees. Of the PhDs, 1 was education, 2 were business, 1 was medicine, 1 was american studies, and 1 may or may not have been engineering (classified).

    So it seems law is not the most valuable skill – business management is. Of the four apostles without any graduate degrees (or five, depending on whether or not Uchtdorf has an MBA), three were businessmen and the fourth was Hinckley.

  265. Actually, I do think, just on memory recollection alone, that Elder Oaks’ in places contradicted some of what Sister Beck said.

  267. NoCoolName_Tom,

    Glad to have you. Welcome.

    Sorry your first outing was less than inviting. Just realize this is the nature of the beast. Everyone has their own opinion round here, and they aren’t shy about sharing it. Anonymity also means they aren’t shy about saying things they wouldn’t dare say to your face. It helps to have a thick skin and not take things too personally if you want to thrive here.

    For the record, your comments didn’t bother me in the slightest.

  268. Well, all, thanks for allowing a newbie. It was fun to post and even more fun to “listen”. Although I can’t get past the feeling that I have been whispering in Sacrament meeting… ;-)

  270. I see no contradiction between Oak’s talk and Beck’s talk.

    If anything, they are perfect complements to each others talks.

  274. My summary of how Sister Beck’s and Elder Oaks’ talks hit me:

    Sister Beck’s talk was exactly what MANY women needed to hear; Elder Oaks’ talk probably was what the other MANY women needed to hear. It probably was best that the order occur as it did, so that those who cried over Sister Beck’s words could find solace in Elder Oaks’ words – rather than those who needed Elder Oaks’ talk would leave feeling crushed by Sister Beck’s. Personally, I like what I perceive to be the inspiration in the combination of talks. But, then, I’m not a woman, so what so I know? *grin*

  275. This is the first time in five years that I’ve watched both sessions of general conference and actually, you know, tried to learn something. Do I get a prize or something?

    Call to claim your free Book of Mormon! :)

  276. I do not think that playing outside with the kids during conference is just as important as watching conference. If that offends you, don’t bring it up in the future.

  277. Does anybody know if the Elder Judd speaking right now is married to a woman named Jill?
    Coming in late….
    No, different Brother Judd.

    Sister Beck’s talk was exactly what MANY women needed to hear; Elder Oaks’ talk probably was what the other MANY women needed to hear. It probably was best that the order occur as it did, so that those who cried over Sister Beck’s words could find solace in Elder Oaks’ words – rather than those who needed Elder Oaks’ talk would leave feeling crushed by Sister Beck’s. Personally, I like what I perceive to be the inspiration in the combination of talks. But, then, I’m not a woman, so what so I know? *grin*

    Well said. I think we have to process the counsel as a whole, not parse the talks out and assume that they aren’t interrelated. It’s all part of the same whole.

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