Sorta-liveblogging general conference: Saturday afternoon session

Saturday afternoon—not much else to say.

As with the others of these, the first speaker is at the bottom, and then the entry runs chronologically upward.

Dale G. Renlund, of the quorum of apostles

• Orson Pratt and Parley P. Pratt were very, very close, but developed a strained relationship in the 1840s—until a need to work on their shared family history provided the power to heal the rift.
• When God gives us a commandment, it results in blessings beyond what is covered by the commandment itself.
• We are commanded to collect our family histories, which will result in increased appreciation for both our deceased and living relatives, and help us feel less alone in the world.
• The sealing ordinances result in meaningful growth occurring both backward and forward through the generations.
• [It can’t be just me who’s having trouble following his story because two of the main characters are named Rob and Todd.]
• God, in his infinite capacity, seals and heals families no matter the trials and suffering we might pass through.
• Through the blessings of temple and family history work we will learn that we have never lived—metaphorically speaking—anywhere but heaven.

Devin G. Durrant, of the general presidency of the Sunday school

• Once you’re a parent, you are always a parent, no matter how old your children are.
• Jesus was announced as God’s beloved son; do we let our children know (including in prayer) how beloved they are of us?
• Always be ready to teach—you don’t know when the opportunity will present itself.
• If you feel you have room for improvement, pay attention to the inspiration of the Spirit and “bind yourself to act” in response.

Taniela B. Wakolo, of the quorums of seventy

• The best way to show love for our spouse is to go with them to the temple.
• We need not only good conduct, but also the ordinances of the temple to receive exaltation—and we need not only those ordinances, but also Jesus’s atonement.
• We need to each be a “faithful shepherd”, and not be casual about helping those around us to progress, because such “casualness leads to casualties”.

Bonnie L. Oscarson, recently released as general president of the young women organization

• Young men have priesthood responsibilities from the point of their ordination; young women have “covenant responsibilities” from the time they’re baptized.
• Young women have much to offer in moving the work of God forward.
• Everyone needs to take an active role in participating in the work of the church.
• A (pointed?) reminder to bishops that they need to focus on the young women as much as they focus on the young men. (I’ve lived in wards where that reminder could have been useful.)
• Young women need, like everyone does, to feel like they are an important part of the kingdom of God.

Dallin H. Oaks, with an Oops!

• He forgot to present two of the area seventies—so we get an extra-special bonus sustaining!

Taylor G. Godoy, of the quorums of seventy

• What would we do if we knew we had only one more day to live?
• Personal sacrifice is a powerful force that gives our lives meaning.
• Through sacrifice we can help others.
• Each day, we have one more day to live and make our lives sacred.
• Remember that our salvation is made possible through Jesus’s sacrifice.

David A. Bednar, of the quorum of apostles

• We all need to develop a particular Christlike attribute, he says—but he’s not telling us which one right away, he’s telling us stories about it.
• And now, the big reveal: It’s meekness.
• Meekness is not weak, it’s strong—and it subsumes many, many other virtues.
• Meekness is a spiritual gift we should seek, remembering that such gifts are given with the intent that they be used to serve others.
• We can become meek though the power of the atonement.

Kevin R. Jergensen, church auditing report

• [Boilerplate. Has this bit of conference ever contained any interesting information?]

Dallin H. Oaks, sustaining of church authorities and officers

• No statistical report—that’s been offloaded to the church website and conference report
• Serious reshuffling of the presidency of the seventy.
• Mass—seriously mass—‚ quantities of new area seventies being called.
• New general presidency of the young women organization: Bonnie H. Cordon (formerly a counselor in the general presidency of the primary) as president, with Michelle Lynn Craig and Rebecca Lynn Craven as counselors.
• Someone repeatedly shouted something (hard to understand, but maybe about sexual predators?) as those newly called were taking their seats. Protestor protip: If you’re going to make a scene, make sure people can understand exactly what you’re denouncing.