That’s what we have, though, and so here are my notes and thoughts on this year’s entry. As with all of them, speakers are listed in reverse chronological order, so the first speaker is at the bottom of the post, and then you work upward from there.
Closing thoughts
- We got out of this one noticeably earlier than usual, apparently because Thomas S. Monson wasn’t there to speak. The usual pattern for priesthood sessions, if i recall correctly, is one apostle, followed by two other non-apostle general authorities, and then each member of the first presidency. This time, though, we had an apostle, followed by two members of the quorums of seventy, followed by two members of the first presidency.
Henry B. Eyring, of the first presidency
- A few fundamentals: Jesus Christ is the head of the church; he speaks by revelation to prophets; this has been the pattern throughout history; and revelation to confirm prophetic counsel is available to all of us.
- We all have the capacity to receive revelation and act on it fearlessly—and that requires faith.
- As we serve in the church, we need faith that we have been called by revelation, and that those around us have also been called by revelation.
- A bishop, to receive the revelation needed to act effectively in that calling, needs the faith of the members of the ward.
- [That last point was illustrated by a personal story. Anytime a speaker, in response to laughter from the crowd, feels the need to say (while also laughing) “This actually happened!!”, you know it’s a good story.]
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, of the first presidency
- When we suffer from physical ailments, we seek the help of medical professionals; when we suffer from emotional ailments we seek the help of experts in that realm. But what do we do when we suffer spiritual ailments?
- Spiritual pain can feel incurable, but it is never beyond the healing power of the Savior.
- No matter the spiritual ailment, there is one common feature: The absence of divine light.
- Jesus promised that his followers would receive of his light, and that that light will grow until it fills all things and dispels all darkness.
- The light of Christ fills the universe, it fills the earth, and it can fill every human soul.
- Those with an eye single to the glory of God will be filled with light—and this is the ultimate remedy for our spiritual ailments.
- What is night? It is nothing more than a shadow. But even in the darkest of nights, the sun continues to shine as bright as ever.
Richard J. Maynes, of the quorums of seventy
- The Lord trusts us to hold priesthood power, and the more we live up to that trust the more the Lord will trust us.
- We must live with integrity.
- When exercising priesthood responsibilities to preside over our families, men must recognize their wife as an equal partner, which means not moving forward unless there is unity between husband and wife in their decisions.
- Peace in the home is necessary, and to achieve that we need to be a husband our wife can trust.
David F. Evans, of the quorums of seventy
- We should choose to act, and not be acted upon by the doubts of others.
- To obtain and keep and strengthen our testimony we must keep our covenants and be patient in all that the Lord asks of us.
- Receiving a firm testimony may take patience lasting longer than we are necessarily comfortable with.
Dale G. Renlund, of the quorum of apostles
- A rocket’s payload, no matter how expensive, isn’t really worth anything unless it has been delivered by a rocket and started working as it should; in that vein, the atoning power of Christ is like the payload that is delivered through the priesthood.
- The priesthood is intended to be more than just a class on Sunday and an occasional service project.
- A priesthood commission is individually given, and does not exist separate from the priesthood holder.
- When one enters into the priesthood covenant, God—not the priesthood holder!—swears to affirm the covenant with an oath.
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