Cornucopia

Sunday Afternoon General Conference Open Thread

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

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

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

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

  7. 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.

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

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

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

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

  15. 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. 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?

  18. JAT,

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

  21. 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.

  27. 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

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

    Even in January?

  32. 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. 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?

  35. 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.

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

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

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

  44. 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.

  49. 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. 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

  52. 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.

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

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

  61. 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. 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. 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?

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

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

  69. #66 — It’s a bold, new, and radical innovation of the Monson presidency.

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

  71. 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.)

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

  76. 70 – J.A.T. – Sorry, I didn’t mean to threadjack in my comment in 63, rather turn it back to the question posed.

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

  84. “Craig Christensen played for LaVell Edwards at BYU.”

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

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

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

  95. brandt,

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

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

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

  102. Did Elder Ballard just quote Anna Quindlen?! Yowza.

    And now he’s hitting prescription drug abuse.

  103. 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.

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

  107. “…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.

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

  111. 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.

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

  115. 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. 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.

  118. 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.

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

  126. 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!!)

  129. 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. 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!!

  132. @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. 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. 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. #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. 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. 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. 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. 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. #139

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

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

  145. 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. 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?

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

  149. 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. 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. 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. (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. 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. 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.

  156. 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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