I remember another unscripted moment of humor from many years ago which happened at the end of a rather warm (and therefore potentially sleep-inducing) afternoon session. President Monson (then a counselor in the FP) got up to announce the closing hymn, which was “Awake, Ye Saints of God, Awake!” When the audience responded with laughter, he was momentarily taken aback, and then got the joke :)

I’m interested in the Sunday morning low-levity hypothesis. To be measured across multiple conferences! (Coming not-too-soon to a Times & Seasons post near you.)

One other memory from me: I was sitting with my father in our Southern California chapel during the Priesthood Session of the May 1989 GC when President Benson (turning 90 later that year) received scouting’s most prestigious award, the Bronze Wolf. President Benson replied graciously, “May the Lord bless you, and the devil miss you.” Our chapel roared with laughter (and as a snide 13-year-old, I remember thinking, “That wasn’t THAT funny”). I think that now, I would have laughed.

“In my younger days, I loved to run. Although it may be hard for you to believe it, I did. And I did win a few races. I’m not so fast anymore. In fact, I’m not sure how well I would do in a race if the only contestants were the members of the Quorum of the Twelve. [good 7-second laugh]

“My ability to run is not so swift now. While I am looking forward to that future time when, with a resurrected body, I can once again sprint over a field and feel the wind blowing through my hair, [another 5-second laugh] I do not dwell on the fact that I cannot do it now.”

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/10/one-step-after-another?lang=eng

Whats “GW”? (Reminds me of the line from the movie, “Big,” where one of the big-wigs at the firm who’s interviewing him for a job asks him where he went to school and he says, “George Washington,” apparently meaning, of course, George Washington Elementary, but the guy thinks he went to George Washington University, and he asks, “Did you pledge?” Hanks’s character says, “Every morning.” [Cue laughter.]

Aaaanyway, I digress

It must be watched to be appreciated! https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/04/examples-of-righteousness?lang=hrv&clang=eng

In that same talk, he also tells the story of a young boy who went up to the podium to bear his testimony, but lost his nerve, returned to his seat, and sat down without saying anything, implying he knew how that young boy felt and saying, sheepishly, “I can’t do that.”

Here’s another one. This, alas, is an unscripted moment of levity; but those, I think, are often the best. Years ago, I remember President Marion G. Romney in the First Presidency giving a masterful discourse on Priesthood power. I mean, it was really good, and he really got into it, but he had to stop midway through because the pages from which he was reading had apparently gotten out of order. (I’m not sure what the state of the art for Teleprompters was at the time, but I doubt his vision was good enough that he could have used one then, anyway. He was silent for several seconds but for the shuffling of pages as he tried to find his place. Finally, he looked up and said, “I don’t have the power to find the pages!” (I’m with you, President Romney!) Granted, I’m just middle aged, but frankly, my vision has never been that good: while I try to be prepared enough to not simply read a prepared text, I don’t like speaking without at least a rough outline of what I’m going to say, and to ensure (as much as possible) that I don’t have a problem finding my place if I need to refer to my notes/text, they’re not in 10- or 12-point font, but, rather, in 14- or even 16-point font!

Not to turn a thread about levity unduly serious, but I appreciate these moments when our leaders, notwithstanding the fact that they are called of God, show us their human side: Such moments give me hope that God might even find ways to use a schlub like me. Other than, perhaps, the magnitude of the call, our leaders aren’t all that much different than the rank-and-file. All of us have been asked to serve; all of us have felt inadequate and have wondered how we can possibly measure up to what we’re being asked to do; and all of us, perhaps with a sigh and a instant prayer, have accepted the call anyway, trusting that God somehow will make of us what He needs us to be in His service. (Incidentally, that reminds me of the reaction of one Elder Steven E. Snow’s ancestors when the ancestor was called to go settle southern Utah, which Elder Snow talked about in General Conference a few years ago. Elder Snow said, “He looked and spat, took off his hat, and said, ‘Alright.'” There! More levity! Hope I haven’t ruined the thread! ;-D)

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/more-diligent-and-concerned-at-home?lang=eng

This isn’t my favorite Conference joke ever, but a recent one I liked was when President Uchtdorf talked about having fallen while on a ski slope in Utah, and how he carefully secured his helmet and goggles to be sure that other skiers wouldn’t recognize him think less of him as they skillfully skied past and greeted him.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/you-can-do-it-now?lang=eng

I think one of the reasons Hinckley was so beloved (and so missed) was because of his humor. It took him from the pedestal to the human and we loved seeing such a human prophet. Uchtdorf’s popularity probably had some of those elements as well. Laughing makes us feel good and we are endeared to those who make us feel good.