Yes, i’m male, but i figure that if my wife got to sit in on the priesthood sessions as i listened to them from our couch the past couple times, i might as well hang out for this one.
So once more, the speakers run bottom-up, so if you scroll down to the bottom of the post now…
Russell M. Nelson, president of the high priesthood
- You [referring to women specifically?] have the gift to know what someone needs, and reach out to provide it.
- Women reach out to others, and minister very admirably.
- A suggestion to take a break from social media, to recenter yourself away from those sorts of views of yourselves and the world around you.
- Attend the temple regularly, and if you can’t do that (e.g., due to distance), study all you can about the temple and its importance.
Dallin H. Oaks, of the quorum of the first presidency
- Children are important, and the raising of them is important.
- [He trotted out the claim that the highest purpose women have is to be mothers. Is that actually true? Isn’t the highest purpose of all of us, female or male, to be worthy to enter the celestial kingdom of our God, whether or not we’ve been parents?]
- We need to be kind to others—unkindness and bullying is unacceptable.
- “Our world needs your goodness and love. Be kind to one another.”
Henry B. Eyring, of the quorum of the first presidency
- Men and women are equal partners who are to help each other in all things—so why are women tasked with the primary responsibility over nurturing and nourishing their children with a knowledge of the gospel?
- Part of the reason is the feeling of love necessary to do it; consider that the motto of the relief society is charity never faileth.
- [I wasn’t the only one—my 13-year-old daughter did too—who thought at first that when he was talking about mothers providing the most important nourishment to their children, he was talking about breast milk.]
- Even the youngest can be inspired to nurture others.
- Each time you obey the inspiration to nurture, your ability to do so will grow stronger.
Cristina B. Franco, of the general presidency of the primary
- Love and pure intentions count more in the eternal scheme of things than anything the secular world might count.
- Parents caring for children, or those caring for unwell parents are good examples of true service—not asking what’s in it for ourselves, but asking what we can do to help.
- It isn’t really about the details of the service, but rather the love behind the act.
Michelle D. Craig, of the general presidency of the young women organization
- It is okay to feel discontent with the way things are—but will it be discontent that leads us to progress, or discontent that leads us to wallow in despair and self-absorption?
- Consider that Joseph Smith’s first vision followed a period of discontent and confusion that led him to seek out the will of God.
- Quoting someone i missed the name of: “Never suppress a generous thought.”
- Don’t see people as interruptions, but rather as the purpose of your life.
Joy D. Jones, general president of the primary
- What is our purpose when we’re asked to do something in the church that seems pointless?
- Answer: “The highest manifestation of love is devotion to God”, and if that’s our motivation for service, it’s no longer as much of a struggle.
- It is only when we truly love God that we’re able to share that love with others.
- Giving the best you have will almost certainly not be enough; give the best you have anyway.
Opening song
- Syncopation from a choir at a Mormon meeting? Burn the heathens!!
Jean Bingham, general president of the relief society, opening remarks
- Jean Bingham, or Jean B. Bingham? The voiceover introduced her as the latter, she introduced herself as the former, so i’ll go with that.
- An explicit welcome to those of other faiths!
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