Here’s a few thoughts on Sunday Afternoon’s session of conference. We encourage everyone to take notes during each session and post their thoughts in comments here.
Speakers:
- Elder Dallin H. Oaks — Sacrifice in Service —
”LDS are unique in the extent of their selfless service.” I’m not sure whether this is true or not, I know we like to believe it is.
[Prop 8 mention] — recognized continuing pain some members are suffering as a result of their or the Church’s position on Proposition 8
[Regarding attempts to duplicate willingness of LDS Church members to serve and cooperate] — Our willingness to cooperate can’t be duplicated because it originates in Christ.
[On the feeling of many in today’s world that they are entitled to everything they get] — “The effects of greed and entitlement are evident in the multi-million dollar bonuses of some corporate executives.” and in rampant consumerism. — I enjoyed his story and observation that we should go to Church for what we can do for others, not for ourselves. - Elder David A. Bednar — The Blessings of the Temple — Told about a Stake President who told him that he should have focused on getting his people worthy for the Temple. “The baptismal covenant clearly looks forward to future events, and anticipates the Temple.” — He also spoke about the protecting power of the ordinances of the Temple.
[Wow, will I use this talk in my temple prep classes!!] - Elder Gary E. Stevenson — Turning our families toward the Temple — You are never really lost when you can see the Temple. “Only the Home can compare with the Temple in Sacredness.”
— Suggested we take a virtual tour of your home using your spiritual eyes. i.e., compare your feeling at home to the feeling you get at the Temple. — you might find spots where you need some home improvement, but hopefully not an “extreme home makeover.”
— understanding the Temple helps us understand the importance of the family, and understanding the family helps us understand the importance of Temples. - Elder José A. Teixeira — Guidance in the Plan of Happiness — Used GPS receivers as a metaphor. GPS receivers keep us from getting lost. He observed that his home country (Portugal)’s explorers often got lost, while GPS receivers give us answers to questions like where am I, where am I going, etc. — His own experience with GPS receivers led to “lost satelite reception” at times on the GPS device — we have GPS inside of us, the light of Christ, the conscious. The Gift of the Holy Ghost given to members of the Church also. Keeping the commandments it the best way to maintain a strong signal with the devine. — Follow the Prophet another source of guidance.
- Elder F. Michael Watson — Follow the Prophet [Sorry, Igot a little distracted and missed much of Elder Watson’s talk.]
- Elder L. Tom Perry –Member role in missionary work — Told a story of a ewe inexplicably stuck on the side of a mountain, and the shepherd who cared for it was missing in action
— He said that we are the shepherds for our neighbors — “We must open our mouths and testify. We must warn our neighbors.”
“It is important for each of us to ponder how it feels to be lost, and what it means to be a spiritual shepherd who will leave the ninety-nine to find the one who is lost.” - President Thomas S. Monson — Advice and Caution — Advances in many areas that can be used for good can also speed us toward [evil]. — Caution about the Internet. Alarming number of individuals who are using the Internet for evil — pornography being the chief.