Cornucopia

Sunday Morning 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 morning’s General Conference session. Enjoy!

196 comments for “Sunday Morning General Conference Open Thread”

  1. Just catching the end of “Music and the Spoken Word.” They’re singing my all-time favorite of Bro. Wilburg’s arrangements, “The Spirit of God.” I’m always reminded of when I first heard it sung – it was a Thursday evening rehearsal of the Choir in the Tabernacle, and Bro. Wilburg was still at BYU. He was to be guest conductor the following Sunday, and was there to rehearse with the Choir. When they got to the last first (which they’re singing right now!) with the step-wise modulations, I wanted to stand up right where I was. WOW!

  3. Are more old-time Mormon hymns than usual being sung this weekend, or is it only that Mack Wilberg’s arrangements bring back the old-time feeling more?

  4. My wife just made the comment that it seems like more members of the choir are younger. Do you notice that, or it it just us getting older?

  5. That can’t be, Ardis, since we are trying to be more Protestant. *grin* “Praise to the Man” and “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer” are just coincidental.

  6. IN the prayer- “Through thy grace they can overcome the afflictions that beset them.”

  9. I absolutely loved President Uchtdorf’s talk last night at priesthood, and I’m pumped that he’s speaking first

  13. I think the fashion analysis is somewhat interesting. The men of the church are counseled to follow the brethren regarding dress and appearance. Even if that’s all someone gets out of conference, ‘watch and follow the brethren’ is still a great message.

  14. BYU TV just announced a live news conference will be held following the Sunday Morning Session at 12:30 noon. I wonder why they need another news conference?

  15. what a moving story – “The site he wanted to visit was a feeble, faithful man” – or whatever the exact quote was.

  16. Hurray! I love that he claims the 19th century legacy of pioneers, as well as the modern era, as his own. It does belong to all, and I’m bothered when so many reject the original pioneers as having anything to do with their religious heritage.

  17. anon (#11) – we could be talkign about his haircut…it could be worse

    I’m glad to see he’s talking about how the plains pioneers aren’t just the only pioneers out there – and a great Lutheran reference!

  22. Nope they scrolled a text at the bottom of the screen saying a live news conference will be broadcast at 12:30 following the Sunday Morning session. They also stated it would be broadcast on BYU TV. It wouldn’t be live if it was from yesterday. But it could have been a mistake. Did anyone else see that?

  24. What of the faith of the ancient ones before them?

    I really like his animation and voice intonation as well (petty, i know, but it’s better than haircut discussion)

  25. He’s really covering quite a number of ideas with this talk. This is one I will definitely be reading as soon as the transcript is up.

  31. What an amazing spirit he brings. You can just see the joy of the gospel in his eyes.

  33. Thanks j

    That would make sense, seeing that they’ve reorganized the YW presidency (and yesterday was trumped by the new Apostle)

  36. The new coonference is a meet and greet with the new Young Women’s General Presidency, who were sustained yesterday

  37. I wonder if the lights that they are under when they are at the podium are hot?

    Obviously the nervousnes of speaking would contribute to the perspiration, but I wonder if it’s just plain ol’ hot too?

  38. It’s interesting to hear the continuation of the theme “faith of our fathers” with his comment about being born of goodly parents “the great foundational blessing of my life”.

  39. Sorry, back on Pres. Uchtdorf–he really seems to me like “le package totale”. I am so impressed by the power and yet the humility he conveys. I guess I never listened closely enough to him before…

  45. So Uchtdorf was called as a stake president by Joseph Wirthlin.
    Christofferson served under Richard G. Schoot in Argentina.

  48. For those who don’t know, Elder Child was formerly the president of R.C. Willey. Another darn wealthy white guy. From Utah.

  49. I have always wondered why tithing stories nearly always deal with poor people in the third world who have nothing…

  53. I think it was interesting to have the quote that paying tithing will bless you, in addition to spiritually, also “in dollars and sense.” I don’t remember that ever being made explicit before.

  55. maybe because the poor countries send offerings to the rich countries to support us as we use more than we give

    That alone should cause us to think.

  58. Ray,

    What are you talking about? They normally have only two women speak at each General Conference, and we are now hearing from the second woman to speak at this Conference. I was simply pointing at that those who were hoping to hear from President Beck this time around will be disappointed.

  60. Ray,

    I have never seen any evidence of your #55. In the worldwide Church North America is the source of the funding for other regions of the world.

  64. in re 57: We had an area authority tell us that most all of the eastern US was not self-sufficient in fast offerings, but that Chile, for instance, has a surplus, and that surplus goes into the central accounts that meet the deficits in places like the eastern US.

  66. Interesting–they only put her name, no title. Guess the word “former” doesn’t sound quite right…

  67. Ardis, I will try to find one.

    One recipient of offering funds in my stake often receives more money than a dozen (or a hundred) in many countries would receive. Honestly, I just am repeating what I have been told by multiple Stake Presidents and Area Authorities without documentation. I should have said that in the first comment.

  68. Ardis –

    Is the word “nurturer” really that bad of a word? I think it’s actually quite respectful and honorable

    But i guess I can see your point

  70. bbell, I am speaking only of fast offerings – not tithing or other contributions. Again, I will try to find a source quote.

  71. (60) “In the worldwide Church North America is the source of the funding for other regions of the world.”

    At the present rate of the dollar, I think we could be surprised about the directions of funds, at least from other rich countries.

  72. I’m absolutely fine with it brandt — I just expect this talk will become the focus of a lot of angry ‘nacle posts by those who find it a hot button word.

  74. A very nice farewell talk from Sister Tanner

    Pres. Packer looks like he’s getting older and more tired as the conferences go on

  75. #64: Don’t know if that’s true or not, but I would bet my bottom dollar that overall, the US church has an enormous surplus in offerings that goes towards the rest of the world.

  76. The only problem with “nurturer” is that she referred to women and even little girls. My son is naturally very nurturing and compassionate. We want nurturing men in our church, but we don’t praise that trait in little boys or teenagers as much as we do in the girls.

  77. Interesting to have Elder Packer bluntly refuting any speculation that he might have been considered for the spot as President. I seem to recall there was such speculation floating about.

  78. Does anyone know why some speakers use the additional head-mounted microphone, in addition to the pulpit mic?

  79. Is it just me or does Pres. Packer look like he’s distracted? And what reasons would he have the mic on his cheek?

    Ardis – I’m glad you’re fine with it
    It seems like sometimes people are just looking for a hot-button word to go off on their personal agendas (I’ll end there, I don’t want to distract from conference)

  81. Pres. Packer isn’t looking healthy. And what’s with that small white microphone coming out of his ear?

  83. clueless non-techie here–but could it amplify a soft voice even more so the podium mike could pick it up better??

  84. (75) “the US church has an enormous surplus in offerings that goes towards the rest of the world”

    I think we have no idea how many needs of poverty there are in many non-affluent wards and branches in the U.S.

  85. This comment is a little late, but regarding fast offerings again –
    I don’t think the fast offering comments were meant to incite frustration, just point out what some might find to be of interest. Much of what was discussed is due to different economic conditions in various countries. Exchange rates, domestic policy, and other conditions make it very difficult to translate all offerings into US equivalent and still have that number retain meaning. The fact of the matter is that offerings are collected at the local level, and if needed used there. If there is an excess, it is transfered to the church’s general fast offering fund. From there it is distributed wherever needed based on need. In the end, the logistics of moving the funds is not of much importance to our own salvation. What matters is we have the opportunity to help others who need it wherever they may be.

  86. Elder Wirthlin used one yesterday, and Elder Faust used to. That makes sense – older people whose voices aren’t as loud…

  87. Just checking in, having returned early from watching this session at church (we’ve a sick daughter at home, so Melissa and I are eaching catching half). All I have to say is, man, Elder Packer sounds terrible–confused, weary, and possibly sick. Poor guy.

  88. They are all elderly. Pres. Packer will be 84 this September. Unlike the average age of 24 by the first quorum.

  90. President Faust had a microphone like that his last couple of years. I noticed Elder Wirthlin had one yesterday.

  91. Yesterday during the Solemn Assembly I thought he looked nearly slumped in his chair. I do remember many years ago when he had much more of a twinkle in his eye. We know so little of their health challenges.

  92. Did Elder Packer comment that Elder Christofferson “will be ordained an apostle”? I had assumed that had already taken place, but I guess it makes sense that it would happen after the sustaining vote was taken. Does anyone have any insight to offer on this one?

  94. Oh. That makes sense that Pres. Packer is having trouble speaking loud. I didn’t notice it on Elder Wirthlin.

    Is it just too hard to adjust sound levels?

  95. And so begins the speculation of who might replace him…

    I’ve never really considered the symbolism of the keys before.

    I’m glad that the Apostles and the First Presidency have been better with their keys than I am with mine.

  96. Thanks, mctopher.

    To add to Wilfried’s #84, let me repeat even more directly that we also don’t see the very large contributions that sometimes go to those whose temporary needs are much larger than those we normally envision receiving help. That is NOT a complaint or condemnation; I have been that person. It simply is another reason why the Church stresses staying out of debt – so those who make much can share it with those who need, not pay it in interest rates to lenders who already are rich. Every dollar I pay in interest is a dollar I can’t pay in offerings.

    Few people stop and think about that.

    End of threadjack. I’m missing too much of Elder Packer’s talk.

  98. I’ve been rather surprised how unaware some of the speakers seem to be about highlighting things that distinguish them from their audience. Sister Tanner just mentioned the strong the spirit at her children’s temple marriages, but got especially choked up adding that her father was the temple sealer. Elder Christopherson said he received his patriarchal blessing from his grandfather. Elder Cook said his great-grandfather was one of the young men called to rescue the handcart companies. Someone yesterday, I forget who, said he was given the Aaronic priesthood by his father, who was the bishop.

    It would be better to avoid mentioning these kinds of things because first, it wrongly suggests that they matter, and consequently implies that other members should feel a little disappointed that their fathers and grandfathers aren’t bishops, patriarchs, sealers or pioneer heroes, and second, because it makes their own experience less relevant for “regular” members or converts. A speaker’s highlighting their differences from their listeners creates distance, and makes it harder for the listeners to identify with them, or to think the speakers life experieces are relevant to their own challenges.

  99. “Military men”–interesting phrase for Elder Packer to use. It reflects the world of near-universal male conscription that existed for most of the 20th century, ending in the late 1960s. None of the twelve (is Richard Scott the exception?) has had a “military career,” but the majority of them did serve for a time in the U.S. armed forces as young men in one capacity or another.

  101. I know Pres Uchtdorf is a pilot (that is so cool!)–was he military? Germany also had high rates of conscription, if I have my info correct.

  103. don’t know that I have ever seen so many full heads of hair at the podium either…

  105. I’m having a hard time disagreeing or concurring with your comment. It would be nice to hear them speak and see that they were more like me. However, on the flip side, these are remarkable people and I like to see that that is what I can work toward, something greater than what I’ve known to this point. Like Wilfred from yesterday, I like to see mature, experienced, stable leaders who can teach more than what I’ve already see.

  111. ?? Matt, would you have them conceal their background for some reason? Deny who they are? Not model what a multigenerational family in the gospel can be? I guess I should call on you not to mention your wife and children, ’cause that creates distance, makes me feel disappointed that I don’t have a similar background, and makes it harder for me to identify with you, or think your life experiences are relevant to my own challenges.

  112. I actually like this rendition of “If you could Hie to Kolob” because it’s much different then any of the other renditions I’ve read

  115. Yup, they actually said it.

    “There is no end to race.”

    Sigh.

    Someone really needs to do something about that phrase.

  116. Fascinating arrangement of “If You Could Hie to Kolob”–I don’t know how I feel about it yet, but I’m impressed that Wilberg has taken it on. It’s such a difficult hymn to do right.

  117. What is this arrangement? And did they change the words to the last verse (not that I’d blame anyone).

    Dang, my favorite part of “If you could Hie to Kolob” was the tune.

  118. Hey, anyone else here think it would be cool if we could get some variation in the music instead of using the Choir all the time? Isn’t there a Temple Square Orchestra?

  121. @ Ardis (111) – I also think that it’s nice to hear them share an experience that they feel emotional about. With Sister Tanner’s memory of her father sealing her kids, I thought it was a lovely, human moment in her talk.

  122. I’m wondering about a possible change in the lyrics in that rendition of “If You Could Hie” as well…I think Wilberg may have taken out the clumsy, too-easily-misconstrued “there is no end to race” line. If so, all praise to him.

  124. “belongs to the ages”. That is lovely. I am trying to think who else that has been used for?

  127. Not a fan of this arrangement of “If You Could Hie to Kolob”… prefer the hymnal version in the minor, more somber, key.

  130. Seth, I don’t think the word at the time the song was written means quite what it does today. Webster’s 1828 lists for the first “The lineage of a family, or continued series of descendants from a parent who is called the stock. A race is the series of descendants indefinitely. Thus all mankind are called the race of Adam; the Israelites are of the race of Abraham and Jacob. Thus we speak of a race of kings, the race of Clovis or Charlemagne; a race of nobles, &c.”

    That said, it’s easy for us today to misunderstand the word, given current usage and semantics.

  132. Ben –

    That’s always the way that I interpreted the song – I don’t think skin color ever came into question

  133. You’re correct, Ben (#130), but the point is, obviously, that no one uses the word that way any longer. It’s not a big deal, but then again, as LRC points out (#123), there’s a ridiculously easy change that would take care of the problem.

  134. It means family. Orson Scott Card did a recent article where he talked about it on the dn website. He also said that a quick change to Grace would be perfect.

  135. We get enough crap about the blacks-and-the-Priesthood business without this kind of (admittedly trivial) stuff adding grist for the mill.

  136. Pres. Uchtdorf’s bio is here. It says, “Elder Uchtdorf joined the German air force in 1959 and received his pilot wings in Big Spring, Texas, and fighter pilot training in Phoenix, Arizona.”

  139. My wife just piped up to comment that if my father had been a sealer and I would have insisted on having him perform our wedding, there wouldn’t have been a wedding. (All strictly hypothetical.)

  140. Going along with the “faith of our fathers” theme, I have to say that I’m not sure I’ve ever actually heard President Monson talk about his own family and ancestors before. Good on him. And good, good, GOOD on him for paying a loving tribute to his wife, and the fact that his church service basically turned her into a single mother for their entire lives. And one other thing–it’s nice being reminded that Monson is a complete spiritual prodigy (a bishop at 22, a mission president at 32, etc.) who nonetheless never served a mission himself.

  141. If Uchtdorf received his fighter-pilot training in Phoenix, then there’s a really, really good chance that my wife’s uncle trained him (ironic, since he’s an ex-Mo).

  142. President Monson is bringing back President Hunter’s themes of “come back” and “the burden is light” in this, his first Sunday General Conference address as prophet. Intriguing and touching.

  144. the home, “where the storm stops at the door.” Unless you have teenagers… :)

  145. In Priesthood Session, President Monson said \”Sin often wears the halloween mask of tolerance\”. Does anyone know what he was referring to, tolerance towards what or whom?

  147. Before we “accept” sin, we tolerate it…. it is just the next step.

    It’s another way of saying we detest the sin but love the sinner.

  148. tolerance of sin itself maybe? too many out there think in order to love the sinner we have to embrace the sin.

  150. 145 – little clarification – they say we should tolerate sin, and they try to make us feel as though we are doing the right thing in accepting the wrong things they’re masking.

  152. It’s another way of saying we detest the sin but love the sinner.

    I’ve long thought that to be a rather facile depiction of a very difficult, very complicated, very deep gospel principle, one that may be beyond mortal ability to fully comprehend (much less enact).

  153. All in all, a fine sermon, I think. Not brilliant or prophetic or especially moving, but solid, heartfelt, wise and expansive. Perhaps that’ll be President Monson’s administration in a nutshell.

  154. 152–strongly agree. Somewhere I heard a leader say that a big part of our ultimate “judgement” would be our ability to love. And that goes along with the “tolerance”–bc it IS difficult, as an imperfect human, to truly and unreservedly love someone with whom we completely disagree (or with whose behavior we completely disagree).

  155. Though, as SAP just commented over at BCC, it was also more emphatic and particular than many (most?) of President Monson’s talks; no alliterative things-you-ought-to-do lists, for example.

  156. sorry–I really hate the advertisements on conference sunday. guess it would be one thing for Church dist. ctr items, but…

  159. I’m a newbie but wanted to chime in on Matt\’s #98. I have/have had similar feelings from time to time. Such comments kind of make the leadership at the General level seem kind of cliquish. At the same time, the fact that it is a person\’s father/grandfather/husband/close friend administering a certain blessing or ordinance would absolutely add a special touch to the situation. But, I sometimes think the addition of these details (maybe inadvertently) perpetuates superstitions like an ordinance/blessing administered by a Church ‘celebrity’ (that\’s probably not a great word for it), is somehow more valid than one performed by your dad who’s the Assistant Ward Bulletin Typesetter but also a worthy priesthood holder.

    Which gets us the couple where the bride’s brother’s 2nd mission companion is the cousin of Elder So-and-so’s great nephew. So, even though they have no kind of personal relationship with Elder So-and-so, they somehow talked him into sealing them so they could name drop Elder So-and-so everytime they discuss their upcoming/recently completed nuptials. THAT’s what bugs me.

  160. After hearing Pres. Monson last night, and just now I feel we have a mighty Prophet of the Lord at the head of the church–again!

  161. I disagree, Russell. I thought President Monson’s talk with deeply moving; the best talk all conference by far. Talks can strike us quite differently depending on circumstance and situation.

  162. I thought President Monson’s talk was deeply moving; the best talk all conference by far. Talks can strike us quite differently depending on circumstance and situation.

    Very true, Melissa, very true. Your take is certainly every bit as legitimate as anyone else’s (maybe even a bit more so).

  164. In response to Matt 98 as well, I really don’t see the issue with them sharing the position of their family members within the stories they share.

    As a convert that is the only member of my family, I speak from experience when I say that to hear those details means more than I can even say. To know that a family so tight-nit, so united in the Gospel is a beautiful image to behold. Hearing about it in Conference gives people like me something to envision and to strive for… and it makes it easier, because now I know what it looks like.

    As always, to each their own. But my preference is to hear whatever they prepare, even if it might rub me the wrong way… my experience is that if it doesn’t resonate with me, the message was for someone else who needed to hear it.

  165. Ardis, but “who they are” really doesn’t have anything to do with their family’s callings. I shouldn’t aspire to be a bishop, patriarch or temple sealer because it will be cool for my family and posterity, and there’s no way to say there are special blessing for families of patriarchs, sealers and bishops and also insist that fathers not desire these special blessings for their families. It’s this commitment to “don’t aspire to calling” that drives my thought here: worthiness is all that matters (in the gospel). I think it would be as irrelevant for someone to say in church that he received the Aaronic priesthood from his father, the stake president, as it would be for him to say in church that he received the Aaronic priesthood from his father, the CEO of American Motors, for example, even though both facts would deeply influence the person’s self-identity. Neither fact should shape our church identity.

    I would encourage church speakers to only highlight facts that everyone should aspire to: we hope for a world where every father is worthy, not a world where every father is bishop.

  168. I’ve always thought of it as “human race”. Grace would be a fine lyric, too, but a different one. Grace is meaningless without humanity.

  169. My father having been stake clerk and bishop have significantly shaped who I am. I’m not sure I’d wish that experience on anyone else, but it is experience nonetheless.

  170. In our ward, we occasionally get new families from Utah who name-drop LDS celebrities, and they are occasionally shocked when they get bemused, “ummm, who cares?” looks in sunday school and relief society.

    “Really, you used to live near the Osmonds? Wow. Like, they were so relevant when I was a kid!”

    One of our old bishops used to shake his head sadly when someone would get accepted to BYU or the U of U, and offer his condolences that they weren’t accepted into a Texas school.

  171. Russell, if something is difficult and deep won’t most saying designed to point us towards them appear facile? They should be judged not in terms of descriptive depth but their ability to point us to the phenomena itself.

  173. John, he was an Aggie (Texas A&M variety), so we all quietly forgave him. I mean, if you can’t be a Zoobie, at least be a Longhorn.

  174. I’m not saying BYU is for everyone, but it’s the #1 stone cold sober school in the nation for a reason. The public university where I am prides itself on moving from the very bottom of that list, up maybe five spaces.

  176. Often my feelings align with Matt: “calling-dropping” or “church-celebrity” rubs me the wrong way. I could interpret those sorts of statements very negatively: “My family has the secrets to spiritual success, and that’s why I am who I am–and why you’re family will never be as good.” Maybe it is sometimes my own pride and insecurity that caused me to question motivations and jump to conclusions. I’m sure these general authorities were not trying to teach that aspiring to callings is proper. I would prefer, though, more lightly loaded statements like, “My father, who was worthy to do so, conferred the priesthood upon me.”

    I hope all my family members can live to be worthy enough to fill any calling from the Lord. Some people just aren’t made for certain callings, though. Would it be normal for a mentally handicapped member to become the prophet? Does that mean we respect them less than those that were natured/nurtured into apostleship? Is it just the assumption that worthiness is attached to callings? I think we’re going to be letting go of that assumption more and more with this next generation.

  177. Yesterday I made a comment that Mack Wilberg had outdone himself. Well, I take it back. I am very fond of Bro. Mack’s talent but the arrangement of “If You Could Hie to Kolob” was atrocious. My favorite hymn was mutilated. What was he thinking?!

  178. Pres. Packer has serious back issues and likely wore the mic in case he needed to sit down while speaking, like E. Wirthlin. Could have been a last minute decision. This could also explain any discomfort he showed. I’m glad I won’t be under a microscope at 84.

    In the priesthood session, the reason the speaker mentioned he was ordained by his dad, who was the bishop, was because he was setting up a later point about his dad’s counselor challenging him to live up to his dad’s example.

    I’ve also never thought of “there is no end to race” in a negative or race-as-we-know-it context. But I guess I see the point. I do like the Vaughan Williams melody from the current hymnal best.

    My grandfather performed our sealing; never thought of myself as in any special clique. A lot of people are sealers.

  179. Maybe the idea of an open thread during conference should be put aside. Unlike most threads it seems to be mainly irrelevant or annoying comments, or things that should perhaps be reflected on (or at least waited upon until the entire talk has been given) before jumping to conclusions about what’s being said.

  181. Thanks for the link Starfoxy. I printed it out and played through the Daynes tune. I like it a lot more than the Vaughn Williams tune. (Ducking as I say that, since the intelligentsia tend to prefer Vaughn Williams.)

  182. Jacob, there are indeed a lot of people who are sealers. My wife’s comment about family member sealers is apparently centered around the fact she just wouldn’t have wanted a family member of either of us performing the sealing.

    It is interesting how Mormon celebrity-dom is tightly tied to where you live, not just who your relatives are. If you leave the shelter of the corridor, you abandon your celebrity ties.

  183. I don’t mean to spam, but is anyone esle watching this Henry Eyring Biopic. To here Henry B. Eyring frankly talk about his dad’s confrontations with JFielding Smith. It’s awesome.

  184. I don’t mean to spam, but is anyone esle watching this Henry Eyring Biopic. To here Henry B. Eyring frankly talk about his dad’s confrontations with JFielding Smith. It’s awesome.

  185. I must agree with matt evans and chrisj. Though totally innocent and positively meant in the talks of our authorities, these referrals to personalities among ancestors and to callings may tend to be misunderstood by less mature members. I have seen it abroad, how “special groups” are thus being formed, claiming long-standing family leadership and temple callings.

  187. Chris, I agree with your preference that they ignore callings and instead use a formulation like “my worthy father”. The purpose (or at least the effect) of mentioning callings suggests that fathers who can ordain their sons are worthy, but bishops are worthy worthy and sealers are worthy worthy worthy. It’s a logic I dislike.

    “It is interesting how Mormon celebrity-dom is tightly tied to where you live, not just who your relatives are. If you leave the shelter of the corridor, you abandon your celebrity ties.”

    Mormon celebrity-dom can’t get any worse than the Washington DC stake.

  188. Re the mic on Elder Packer’s glasses: The others who have used them (Wirthlin this conference; Faust in previous conferences) gave their talks from a seated position, far from the microphone.

    What the mic tells me is that Elder Packer was probably planning to give his sermon seated, but chose to do so standing at the last minute.

  189. Was anyone else quite heartened to hear Elder Ballard quoting Anna Quindlen from the pulpit in his talk on Motherhood? I never would have thought that would happen.

  190. FWIW, I, too, am partial to the “original” melody for “If You Could Hie to Kolob.” It is better known outside the church as the Irish tune “Star of the County Down.” Still, it’s always interesting to hear a familiar song set to new music.

  191. 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…!

  192. Patrick — Actually READ the talks with teaching in mind before you pick ’em. I teach what our stake’s leaders choose which can be very hard when they go only by the name of the speaker. Sometimes the talks are not really suitable for teaching — they need to be more than a warm, fuzzy story, and should have general appeal (a talk addressed to deacons about the benefits of scouting can leave the RS teacher with little to work with).

  193. I echo Ardis. I might go with Wirthlin, Christofferson, Uchtdorf, Tanner, Ballard and Holland, but there are pitfalls to each of them at the ward level.

  195. Ardis,

    Absolutely – the content is key in selecting the talks. I was just looking for first impressions based on what we’ve heard the past two days. For example, in this afternoon’s session I was especially struck by Elder Bednar’s talk on Meaningful Prayer, and Elder Ballard’s on Motherhood.

    (As a German missionary, I must confess a bias for President Uchtdorf. I’m tempted to select one of his, even if just to force the teachers to learn to pronounce his name correctly…!)

  196. For those who don’t know, Elder Child was formerly the president of R.C. Willey. Another darn wealthy white guy. From Utah.

    Comment by It\’s Not Me — 4/6/2008 @ 12:51 pm

    He wasn\’t the president. It was his brother Bill Child. He was my stake president when I went on my mission. He worked for RC Willeys, I\’m sure close to the top, but he wasn\’t the president. He is a great man. He may have material wealth, he may not, what matters is that he serving the Lord. and learning from those who may not have as much as the world\’s goods.

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