Sunday Afternoon General Conference Open Thread

As has become tradition around here, Times and Seasons is opening up a thread for comments and discussion, insights and observations, thoughts and questions, arising from Sunday afternoon’s General Conference session. Enjoy!

156 comments for “Sunday Afternoon General Conference Open Thread

  1. Ivan Wolfe
    April 6, 2008 at 4:01 pm

    Nice ad when I turned on the TV. For Mormons who think “The Secret” is too secular or new-agey – here’s “The HOLY Secret.”

  2. Mack
    April 6, 2008 at 4:03 pm

    I’m finding the best part of being out of the US during General Conference is not having to deal with those commercials. :-)

  3. April 6, 2008 at 4:03 pm

    I love C. Scott Grow–giving the opening prayer–the only General Authority whose name is a complete sentence.

  4. April 6, 2008 at 4:04 pm

    Has Elder Eyring conducted any conference sessions this time around? It seems like President Uchtdorf is getting his English practice!

  5. sasha
    April 6, 2008 at 4:10 pm

    No, he hasn’t, possibly due to his leg injury. Frequent standing up and sitting down must be painful.

  6. dan
    April 6, 2008 at 4:10 pm

    I would imagine they’re letting him rest his broken ankle.

  7. sasha
    April 6, 2008 at 4:12 pm

    No he has not. Possibly due to his recent leg injury. Frequent standing up and sitting down must be very painful for a fresh fracture.

  8. April 6, 2008 at 4:13 pm

    Elder Holland’s tribute to Pres. Monson is touching. The love the apostles have for one another is great.

  9. mctopher
    April 6, 2008 at 4:14 pm

    I was so hoping for a continuation of Holland’s last talk, glad to hear he’s continuing it!

  10. April 6, 2008 at 4:14 pm

    I’ve always loved Elder Holland – I really think he is one of the most articulate of the 12 in public speaking

  11. Brad Kramer
    April 6, 2008 at 4:16 pm

    Oh boy… nevermind — I thought he was going to get into the issue of theosis.

  12. Brad Kramer
    April 6, 2008 at 4:17 pm

    Another appeal to biblical scholars. Nice.

  13. California Condor
    April 6, 2008 at 4:18 pm

    Every missionary should keep a photocopy of this talk in their knap-sack.

  14. April 6, 2008 at 4:19 pm

    Conversation on the new YW presidency and their news conference here.

  15. J.A.T.
    April 6, 2008 at 4:19 pm

    Did anyone see the commercials online in between sessions?

    There was a PR press event introducting the new YW presidency. Elaine S.Dalton is Monson’s daughter and new YW Gen Pres. They emphasized that their work would center around teaching divine nature and individual worth. However, they stumbled on q’s from the Trib and Examiner asking about what their plans are to help teen mothers and then what they would do to stop the clique-i-ness that pushes some YW away from church attendance & fellowship.

  16. Eric
    April 6, 2008 at 4:20 pm

    I absolutely love Elder Holland…I just barely started watching the talk, but it sounds like it was a doozy based on your comments. Can anyone quickly fill me in?

  17. April 6, 2008 at 4:20 pm

    I wish this talk had been available when I was on my mission in the Bible Belt.

  18. California Condor
    April 6, 2008 at 4:21 pm

    JAT,

    Actually, Ann Dibb is Elder Monson’s daughter, not Elaine Dalton.

  19. J.A.T.
    April 6, 2008 at 4:21 pm

    #14,
    Thanks, we posted at the same time.

  20. April 6, 2008 at 4:22 pm

    Elaine Dalton is not Monson’s daughter, but her new 2nd counselor, Anne Dibb, is.

  21. mctopher
    April 6, 2008 at 4:24 pm

    16 – He’s continuing his thoughts from last conference about Mormon’s being Christian’s. He’s addressing the question of if our belief in the Bible contradicts our belief in a living prophet.

  22. Brad Kramer
    April 6, 2008 at 4:24 pm

    Quoting N. T. Wright, no less!

  23. April 6, 2008 at 4:24 pm

    NT Wright in General Conference! Holland is hte man :)

  24. Brad Kramer
    April 6, 2008 at 4:25 pm

    This is very bold stuff.

  25. Eric
    April 6, 2008 at 4:25 pm

    21- thanks.

  26. April 6, 2008 at 4:27 pm

    Love that we answer Emerson’s question. Go, Holland.

  27. April 6, 2008 at 4:30 pm

    Just a quick fact – Elder Bednar (when he was president of BYU-Idaho) used to run the stairs at the stadium every morning at 5am, and taught a religon class at 7:45 am every morning

  28. Ray
    April 6, 2008 at 4:30 pm

    Elder Bednar looks like a kid compared to everyone else.

  29. Eric
    April 6, 2008 at 4:34 pm

    Uh oh

  30. California Condor
    April 6, 2008 at 4:35 pm

    “Elder Bednar (when he was president of BYU-Idaho) used to run the stairs at the stadium every morning at 5am”

    Even in January?

  31. Ray
    April 6, 2008 at 4:36 pm

    but he is speaking bluntly as a prophet

  32. April 6, 2008 at 4:37 pm

    Even in January?

    Well seeing that winter here goes from November till April, he probably was in the weight room, but any time he could, he would be out there. I was there before his time, so it might be apocryphal, but many many have related seeing him out there on the track or running the stairs

  33. April 6, 2008 at 4:38 pm

    Someone on the bloggernacle really ought to check out N.T. Wright sometime. The guy is doing a lot of interesting stuff and shaking things up in orthodox Christian circles in ways that would really resonate with a lot of LDS I think.

    Wonder what Elder Holland is going to tackle next conference? The future godhood of mankind?

  34. April 6, 2008 at 4:40 pm

    Female faith turns the key on a priesthood healing blessing. Interesting.

  35. Joe Johnson
    April 6, 2008 at 4:41 pm

    I liked Elder Bednars lines about how Missionaries are FT Teachers and the rest of us are full time finders, and we need to stop praying for others to do our work for us.

  36. April 6, 2008 at 4:42 pm

    Routine and checklist prayers – I’ve never heard it put that way

  37. rowish
    April 6, 2008 at 4:42 pm

    However, they stumbled on q’s from the Trib and Examiner asking about what their plans are to help teen mothers and then what they would do to stop the clique-i-ness that pushes some YW away from church attendance & fellowship.

    Actually, I think that if you listen closely, she nailed the question about “no one likes me”. It was basically an answer of “you have to teach them to find ways to serve and let acceptance find you.”

    What answer were you hoping she’d give?

    They also pretty bluntly described how education would continue to be an emphasis.

  38. mctopher
    April 6, 2008 at 4:46 pm

    “that which is wrong is often made to look right” – Elder Zwick’s talk about lowering standards seems to go along with the other line thrown out earlier about evil “hiding behind the Halloween mask of tolerance”.

  39. CTW
    April 6, 2008 at 4:46 pm

    I can’t imagine any teenager asking their mother if they should lower their standards to keep their friends. Just an observation.

  40. Aaron Brown
    April 6, 2008 at 4:47 pm

    If I had a dollar for every time an LDS woman tells me how gorgeous Elder Uchtdorf is, I’d have enough loot to but a new flatscreen to watch conference on…

    AB

  41. KerBearRN
    April 6, 2008 at 4:48 pm

    well as an lds woman, i have to admit, elder u has a real “rock star” quality… :)

  42. California Condor
    April 6, 2008 at 4:49 pm

    Elder Zwick is pushing the envelope with that purple silk tie, but I like it.

  43. April 6, 2008 at 4:50 pm

    Back to necktie talk?

    I’m all in!

  44. Joe Johnson
    April 6, 2008 at 4:50 pm

    AB–I did just what you mention Friday Night….42″ HD Plasma…..Too bad BYUTV isn’t broadcast in HD.

    OK, I admit it. It just happened to coincide with getting paid for a season of refereeing I did, and the Final Four in college basketball being this weekend.

    But I must say, the GAs look great on the 42″ Plasma.

  45. Ray
    April 6, 2008 at 4:50 pm

    CTW, do you have teeangers? I do, and mine have cried over similar frustrations.

  46. Ray
    April 6, 2008 at 4:52 pm

    Sorry, “teenagers” not “teeangers”.

  47. California Condor
    April 6, 2008 at 4:52 pm

    FYI: Elder Zwick had a son who worked on Romney’s campaign.

  48. Eric
    April 6, 2008 at 4:52 pm

    Nice pocket square too.

  49. J.A.T.
    April 6, 2008 at 4:53 pm

    Rowish,
    We have a difference of opinion, and I still don’t agree with you. (Perhaps we’ll just have to leave it at that.) Why is there an assumption of whining on the part of the victims instead of an understanding that this is a valid complaint about an epidemic problem? What specifically should be part of the interventions and ‘education’? What education should take place to help local leaders deal with these situations? Individual girls (victims and aggressors)?

  50. April 6, 2008 at 4:53 pm

    CTW – I can’t see them outright saying “Mom, should I lower my standards to keep my friends” but more a matter of specific situations where they would choose a different path

    I think E. Zwick used that statement as a broad example

  51. Eric
    April 6, 2008 at 4:54 pm

    46 – actually “teenangers” may not be so far off

  52. CTW
    April 6, 2008 at 4:54 pm

    Well they are past teenage years. I meant I don’t think they would seriously consider their mother to give them any other answer than “of course not.’ I wasn’t assuming teenagers don’t have such frustrations.

  53. KerBearRN
    April 6, 2008 at 4:54 pm

    46–somehow “anger” seems appropriate!

  54. Joe Johnson
    April 6, 2008 at 4:54 pm

    Feed us til the savior comes….TIme to get a sandwich

  55. April 6, 2008 at 4:55 pm

    Too bad we didn’t get all the verses for the congregational hymn. It’s one of my favorites.

  56. J.A.T.
    April 6, 2008 at 4:55 pm

    Also, the adverb I’d use to describe the forthcoming “education” is ‘nebulous” or “general”, not “blatant”.

  57. April 6, 2008 at 4:55 pm

    Short congregational hymn!!

  58. Eric
    April 6, 2008 at 4:56 pm

    “Jesus Christ”, with that hand gesture…very powerful.

  59. Jacob F
    April 6, 2008 at 4:56 pm

    Shortened to one verse likely due to E. Holland’s ad lib.

  60. Ray
    April 6, 2008 at 4:57 pm

    Some questions are asked simply for reassurance and a listening ear. Some profound discussions in our house have started with rhetorical questions.

  61. Brad Kramer
    April 6, 2008 at 5:02 pm

    Okay, okay — I know this is a tired topic and I don’t want to start a big thing here, but what the heck is “moral agency” and how is it different from “free agency”?

  62. rowish
    April 6, 2008 at 5:02 pm

    J.A.T. – Actually, I agree that it’s a problem. A huge problem! The last thing I want to do is blame the victim.

    I have a daughter about to go into YW, and I foresee a problem with this sort of thing next year. DW and I are trying to prepare ourselves for the first time our daughter comes home from Church shell-shocked and says “I don’t think I fit in here…”.

    I just don’t know what anyone could have expected the YW general presidency to say? What were you hoping for? A public denunciation? That, I’d expect from Oaks.

    At a certain level, though, isn’t the only answer “screw them and go make yourself happy”?

    To really “fix” some of these problems requires blowing up the YW program as we recognize it, I think.

    Perhaps, though, a discussion of remediation of cliques wasn’t really an appropriate tack to take during that news conference.

  63. mctopher
    April 6, 2008 at 5:07 pm

    62 – I’m a little lost on the young women comments since I didn’t see the news conference… perhaps a separate thread would be a good idea so someone coming in later doesn’t get confused with the comments related to Sunday afternoon session.

    Back to the comment in 61 – There seems to be less talk about “free” agency, because “free” can be interpreted a few different ways, but basically the same thing. Anyone have more insight to contribute?

  64. April 6, 2008 at 5:08 pm

    Is this the second mention of the great and spacious building, in two consecutive talks?

  65. KerBearRN
    April 6, 2008 at 5:08 pm

    62 et al–my observation is that more parents should be concerned about the clicquishness (sp?) than what I currently see. My observation is that where parents more or less insist on inclusiveness and kindness from their own daughters, less of this seems to come up. Our ward seems to have a pretty good balance of girls, the older ones actually being tolerant and reasonably kind to the younger ones. I know what sticklers most of these parents are. However, within my own family, I see some of the teenage cousins who are VERY clicquish–and this seems to correspond to the parents who take the attitude that everyone else’s child has the problem… just a very personal observation. I’m just not sure how much all the institutionalized “inclusiveness” in the world will help if it is not being really pushed in the home.

  66. April 6, 2008 at 5:08 pm

    Ok how come they are not being called from the first or second quorum of the seventy. They are just “of the seventy.”

  67. April 6, 2008 at 5:09 pm

    From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_agency_%28Mormonism%29

    “The term free agency is commonly used, and has traditionally been interpreted as meaning that individuals have the ability to choose their actions freely. Many leaders of the LDS Church have pointed out that the term “free agency” should not be interpreted to mean that agency does not have consequences, but rather that agency is fraught with risk and choices (the result of the exercise of agency) determine eternal destination. Some church manuals avoid the term “free agency” and instead say simply “agency.”[15] Some church leaders favor the term moral agency.[16]”

  68. Mephibosheth
    April 6, 2008 at 5:09 pm

    The term “free agency” never occurs in the scriptures, however, the term “moral agency” does.

  69. Brad Kramer
    April 6, 2008 at 5:10 pm

    #66 — It’s a bold, new, and radical innovation of the Monson presidency.

  70. J.A.T.
    April 6, 2008 at 5:11 pm

    Mctopher and Rowish,
    I’m heading over to Beginings New (see the link in #14) to continue instead of threadjacking T&S.

  71. Ray
    April 6, 2008 at 5:11 pm

    Jon, the Church doesn’t distinguish a hierarchy among the quorums of the seventy, so they no longer refer to each quorum numerically in conference. (i.e., Someone in the 1st Quorum has no more authority or high standing than someone in another quorum.)

  72. Matt Evans
    April 6, 2008 at 5:11 pm

    This Dana Carvey impersonation is spot-on.

  73. SteveA
    April 6, 2008 at 5:12 pm

    “Many came to see, one came to be healed.” Powerful.

  74. Brad Kramer
    April 6, 2008 at 5:13 pm

    Matt,
    Best comment on any open naccle thread of this entire conference. Bravo.

  75. It's Not Me
    April 6, 2008 at 5:13 pm

    Dana Carvey – you beat me to it.

  76. mctopher
    April 6, 2008 at 5:13 pm

    70 – J.A.T. – Sorry, I didn’t mean to threadjack in my comment in 63, rather turn it back to the question posed.

  77. KerBearRN
    April 6, 2008 at 5:13 pm

    72–isn’t that spe-shul!…. :)

  78. Matt Evans
    April 6, 2008 at 5:15 pm

    Ray, how do they now distinguish the quorums with general authority (full-time) seventies from those with area authority (part-time) seventies?

  79. California Condor
    April 6, 2008 at 5:15 pm

    This GA does look like Dana Carvey.

  80. Joe Johnson
    April 6, 2008 at 5:16 pm

    Good call Matt. I’ve now got my family trying to come up with his name.

  81. Brad Kramer
    April 6, 2008 at 5:16 pm

    “Flesh-wound” — channeling Dana Carvey and Monty Python. Classic.

  82. Ray
    April 6, 2008 at 5:16 pm

    What a powerful story.

  83. Jacob F
    April 6, 2008 at 5:19 pm

    Craig Christensen played for LaVell Edwards at BYU.

  84. California Condor
    April 6, 2008 at 5:21 pm

    “Craig Christensen played for LaVell Edwards at BYU.”

    Let’s hope he uses a sports analogy, then.

  85. Bob Cook
    April 6, 2008 at 5:24 pm

    The last speaker didn’t look like Dana Carvey as much as Father Mulcahy in the TV series M*A*S*H*

  86. SteveA
    April 6, 2008 at 5:26 pm

    With the success of BYU athletes, free agency took on new meaning, so the definition in the church had to change. ;)

  87. Brad Kramer
    April 6, 2008 at 5:27 pm

    Wasn’t Father Mulcahy played by Dana Carvey? :)

  88. April 6, 2008 at 5:28 pm

    California Condor –

    Elder Ballard has a blue/purple tie – is that OK?

  89. California Condor
    April 6, 2008 at 5:29 pm

    Here comes another Beck talk.

  90. Brad Kramer
    April 6, 2008 at 5:31 pm

    Here we go — “Young Mothers who Know.”

  91. Ben
    April 6, 2008 at 5:31 pm

    hand puppets and Cheerios. Classic.

  92. Ben
    April 6, 2008 at 5:33 pm

    “There is no one perfect way to be a mother.” Circumstances are different.

  93. Ray
    April 6, 2008 at 5:34 pm

    #89 & #90 – Not at all.

  94. KerBearRN
    April 6, 2008 at 5:34 pm

    father mulcahey was played by william christopher

  95. California Condor
    April 6, 2008 at 5:35 pm

    brandt,

    It looks like a nice shade of blue with a white pattern on it. Not bad.

  96. April 6, 2008 at 5:35 pm

    #90 – no. Great talk about lifestages for parents. Loving it.

  97. April 6, 2008 at 5:37 pm

    This is no “Women Who Know.” Elder Ballard’s sermon thusfar is only about 10 times superior to Sister Beck’s. He is being careful, thoughtful, and sensitive.

  98. April 6, 2008 at 5:37 pm

    So far, this seems to be the antithesis of Sister Beck’s talk of last conference. It seems to be more like the one Elder Oaks gave on “Good, Better, Best”.

  99. It's Not Me
    April 6, 2008 at 5:37 pm

    Isn’t there a country song “You’re Gonna Miss This” that ties in with this?

  100. mctopher
    April 6, 2008 at 5:37 pm

    “Don’t overschedule yourself or your children” – a good message to a lot of parents – you don’t have to do it all.

  101. KerBearRN
    April 6, 2008 at 5:37 pm

    absolutely brilliant Anna Quindlen quote!

  102. Jeremy
    April 6, 2008 at 5:38 pm

    Did Elder Ballard just quote Anna Quindlen?! Yowza.

    And now he’s hitting prescription drug abuse.

  103. April 6, 2008 at 5:38 pm

    Great talk about lifestages for parents. Loving it. I agree with Ray, this is a different message than #89 and #90 feared. No eye-rolling needed. It’s sweet. It’s a mature perspective, wisdom talking to young parents.

  104. California Condor
    April 6, 2008 at 5:38 pm

    Actually, this might be the anti-Beck talk.

  105. Joe Johnson
    April 6, 2008 at 5:39 pm

    As a newbie to this conference blogging, what is the Sister Beck talk that is so often referenced here?

  106. April 6, 2008 at 5:39 pm

    “there is no calling more important and more eternal than motherhood.”

    Umm… what about fatherhood?

  107. Macy
    April 6, 2008 at 5:39 pm

    “…Each situation is unique… Many are able to be full-time moms, … and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part or full-time…”

    Thank you, Elder Ballard.

  108. April 6, 2008 at 5:39 pm

    The admonition against substance abuse is very interesting.

  109. Ben
    April 6, 2008 at 5:40 pm

    Internet surfing= soap opera watchin? Prhaps if it’s undirected and a timewaster.

  110. Joe Johnson
    April 6, 2008 at 5:41 pm

    My wife just declared that Elder Ballard is her new favorite Apostle.

  111. anonymous
    April 6, 2008 at 5:41 pm

    This isn’t an anti-Beck talk. This is just a different talk about a slightly different subject. Why every talk about mothers has to be compared to Sis. Beck’s is beyond me.

  112. April 6, 2008 at 5:41 pm

    108: I’m surprised we haven’t had a talk against it in RS.

  113. KerBearRN
    April 6, 2008 at 5:42 pm

    “Children who know” maybe?

  114. Tanya Spackman
    April 6, 2008 at 5:44 pm

    I love Elder Ballard. This is a great talk, and I’m not even a mother.

  115. April 6, 2008 at 5:44 pm

    Men: give your wives evenings and days off! Bishops: don’t call young mothers to busy, burdensome callings! Everyone: this is how we’re supposed to talk to the often overwhelmed, struggling, faithful mothers in the church!

  116. April 6, 2008 at 5:45 pm

    109. I know. I find that I learn so much as I surf the internet. So I’m not sure what he’s referring to as time-wasting.

  117. California Condor
    April 6, 2008 at 5:47 pm

    Elder Uchtdorf stole the show this weekend.

  118. April 6, 2008 at 5:48 pm

    This is a much different close to conference than I’m accustomed to. I’m used to brief messages by President Hinckley. This is really really good. Very powerful.

  119. KerBearRN
    April 6, 2008 at 5:51 pm

    Pres. Monson’s dry delivery of that very funny note was classic.

  120. California Condor
    April 6, 2008 at 5:52 pm

    President Monson has good comic timing.

  121. Ray
    April 6, 2008 at 5:53 pm

    Wow. Just wow.

  122. mctopher
    April 6, 2008 at 5:54 pm

    “Brethren, lets treat our wives with dignity and respect. They’re our eternal companions. Sisters, honor your husbands. They need to hear a good word, they need a friendly smile, they need a warm expression of true love” Great words to wrap up conference.

  123. April 6, 2008 at 5:54 pm

    As a young mother, I am so much happier at the end of this conference. Last conference, I was crying and felt worthless. Today I feel that I can be a good mother. Thank you Elder Ballard and President Monson.

  124. Brad Kramer
    April 6, 2008 at 5:55 pm

    The way he navigates between the amusing, lighthearted and the serious, profound is masterful. Seriously.

  125. April 6, 2008 at 5:55 pm

    A very uplifting, emotional, and uplifting closing address. Wow. Just wow.

  126. KerBearRN
    April 6, 2008 at 5:56 pm

    actually, that is downright hysterical… i am really seeing him in a new light… i don’t think i have belly laughed at a general conference in a long time (glad we are not at the stake center!!)

  127. Macy
    April 6, 2008 at 5:56 pm

    What a loving, wonderful, and hopeful message to all of us.

  128. Macy
    April 6, 2008 at 5:57 pm

    What a loving, wonderful, and hopeful message to all of us from President Monson.

  129. April 6, 2008 at 5:59 pm

    Really good end, probably as much as I had ever known about Sister Monson. Their conversation after her recovery sounds exactly like my wife and I. Sort of silly chiding.

    Anyway, one can really see the mantle he carries today. It was an impressive finish.

  130. KerBearRN
    April 6, 2008 at 6:00 pm

    owing to the slowness of my computer, my last post was completely out of context. Pres Monson’s message was wonderful and so kind and human. But his opening comments were what were so funny to me. Sorry for the late post on that!!

  131. April 6, 2008 at 6:02 pm

    Well, what were some of the themes for this session?

  132. JC
    April 6, 2008 at 6:05 pm

    @126 – You should have seen him wiggle his ears during a story in priesthood meeting. I was in the Conf. Center, and people were practically rolling in the aisles. Great man.

  133. mctopher
    April 6, 2008 at 6:07 pm

    Faith of our Fathers seemed to keep coming up, as did being able to see the disguises of evil. I think the things that will stick with me the most, however, are Elder Hollands comments about having prophets and revelation today and not just confined to ancient scripture, and Elder Ballards talk as well.

  134. April 6, 2008 at 6:08 pm

    I had been missing President Hinckley so much until this session and particulary the last talk. Now I know all is well. We have a prophet.

  135. Jacob F
    April 6, 2008 at 6:08 pm

    #116 – check out Elder Oaks from last conference: “Good, Better, and Best” — listening to that helped me cut down my surfing time. Learning stuff is cool, but it may not always be the best use of your time, i.e. sometimes doing stuff is better / best.

  136. KerBearRN
    April 6, 2008 at 6:09 pm

    I don’t know if this is really a theme, but I am impressed with how responsive the leadership seems to be to something my husband and I have observed recently. We just see so many families that are simply overwhelmed, both emotionally and spiritually. So many expressing that “they can’t keep up” or “feel like they don’t measure up”–and this conference seemed to so counterbalance that with love and encouragement and understanding. I am so grateful for wonderful inspired leaders.

    and…well..in the words of my teenage son, Pres. Uchtdorf is just “da bomb”! He is a real discovery for us.

  137. mctopher
    April 6, 2008 at 6:12 pm

    Thanks to those who make these threads possible. I seem to get more out of conference when I can listen and hear other’s comments. I appreciate the insights offered here, and look forward to next conference.

  138. Ray
    April 6, 2008 at 6:14 pm

    For me, it was a plea for complete, Christian love for all – including those who are different than us in any way (among us or elsewhere) and civility and respect when disagreeing, without compromising our beliefs or standards. Also, taking responsibility for our own choices and understanding the reality and importance of the Restoration of the Gospel – without being obnoxious or critical or mean-spirited.

    I just told my wife that I don’t think I’ve ever watched or attended a conference with so many powerful, moving, instructive, spiritual talks in every single session. I have loved conference for many years, but this one was amazing.

  139. KerBearRN
    April 6, 2008 at 6:15 pm

    does anyone know when they will rebroadcast this session? We turned on the TiVo a minute too late (want to tivo for my inlaws who were unable to watch particularly Elder Ballard and Pres Monson). thanks.

  140. Jason J
    April 6, 2008 at 6:24 pm

    #139

    You can watch any session at byu.tv anytime. You can even fast-forward to the talks you missed.

  141. It's Not Me
    April 6, 2008 at 6:25 pm

    You can watch it again here

    http://movenetworks.com/byutv/

  142. Jess
    April 6, 2008 at 6:28 pm

    Did I miss Julie Beck\’s talk? Did she speak this conference?

  143. Stephanie
    April 6, 2008 at 6:30 pm

    I don’t think Elder Ballard’s talk was in contrast to Sister Beck’s. It was a good complement.

  144. It's Not Me
    April 6, 2008 at 6:31 pm

    I wonder what President Monson would think of the Sister Beck bashing.

  145. April 6, 2008 at 6:57 pm

    In my mind President Monson took on the mantle of the Prophet last night at the Priesthood session and brought it forward in the Sunday morning session. On Saturday it felt like we were still mourning the loss of President Hinckley even though we stood up and sustained President Monson. I feel great this Sunday evening about the direction I think he will take the Church in the 21st Century.

  146. liz
    April 6, 2008 at 6:59 pm

    Sorry, I posted this earlier on the wrong thread.

    I thought it was heartening to hear Elder Ballard quoting Anna Quindlen from the pulpit. Did anyone else think so too?

  147. Ray
    April 6, 2008 at 7:04 pm

    liz, it’s being mentioned all over the Bloggernacle.

  148. liz
    April 6, 2008 at 7:14 pm

    Wow, I hadn’t seen it anywhere yet…not on BCC, FMH, or here when I posted. Where can I find those posts?

  149. Jones
    April 6, 2008 at 7:14 pm

    Elder Ballard’s quote from Anna Quindlen comes from her book Loud and Clear, the chapter titled Good-bye Dr Spock. It is a book of essays. It isn’t as short as some of her books. I recently purchased it for one dollar at a dollar store. It is a good read, as are all of her books, in my opinion.

  150. Ray
    April 6, 2008 at 7:30 pm

    liz, I’ve seen it here and on Mormon Matters and FMH – so “all over the Bloggernacle” might be a bit hyperbolic. (although others might say that those three constitute all over the Bloggernacle)

  151. liz
    April 6, 2008 at 7:30 pm

    Jones, I own and love that book too. I also love Object Lessons and One True Thing (novels, not essay collections, but wonderful as well).

    I’d love to go join the discussions all over the bloggernacle if someone could point me that way…

  152. Patrick
    April 6, 2008 at 7:34 pm

    (I accidentally posted this on the Morning session thread – so I’m repeating it here…)

    If anyone’s still monitoring this thread, I’ve got the assignment to select 6 talks from this conference to be used in our ward’s 4th Sunday lessons in Priesthood and Relief Society for the coming half year. I’m open to suggestions…!

  153. Ray
    April 6, 2008 at 7:43 pm

    For Sunday School content:

    Wirthlin, Christofferson, Uchtdorf, Ballard, Tanner, Holland – although probably 6 more could work wonderfully (Scott might be hard to do correctly at the local level.)

  154. MSG
    April 7, 2008 at 1:10 am

    The tone of this conference was amazingly different –I felt I was seeing the real GA, not the image, and I was very moved by their openness and incredibly thoughtful expressions. Elder Ballard put out the fire that Beck’s talk ignited. He said what he did because of it and he did it perfectly. I never thought I’d ever here a GA say, “there is no one perfect way to mother” now maybe we women can stop crucifying one another for how we choose to do it. I also thought I’d never hear a GA tackle the issue of
    people saying we are not Christians. It was spoken of firmly and not the usual we’ll just be silent and hope it goes away, don’t add publicity to it, ignore it, etc. Finally, Holland and a few others came out and said it’s not all right for others to define us– he showed us it bothers him–we need to speak out and correct false impressions.. They showed a very human side, they feel what I feel–it made them very real people to me, indeed. Ballard was so insightful in his talk on mothers –and he isn’t a woman! I just loved it and I love them all! God Bless them and how endearing was Pres. Monson–I saw a different side to him, clearly the mantle is on him and he feels he weight.
    How moving for him to ask us for his prayers the way he did. Eyring and Uctdorf–their greatness is evident. I’m very excited for the future.

  155. Clair
    April 7, 2008 at 1:42 am

    MSG

    Amen.

  156. Jacob M
    April 8, 2008 at 12:44 am

    Day late, but I can’t help but admire the brilliance of Elder Ballard. He in essence gave the same talk as Sister Beck, but made the husband and children feel guilty instead of the mother. Amazing.

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