Since this may be the first of these you see, a primer on how to read them: Blogs run in reverse chronological order, so this one’s at the top of the page, followed by the entry for the previous session, followed by the previous one, and so on. Therefore, to make it easier to follow this whole thing chronologically, speakers are arranged within each session’s entry in reverse chronological order, as well—so the opening speaker for this session is at the bottom of this post, preceded by the next speaker, preceded by the next one, and so on.
So anyway—Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Jeffrey R. Holland are both left to speak in this session, as well as Quentin L. Cook and the two new apostles, so it’s gonna be a packed two hours. Let’s get on with it!
Closing thoughts
- Well, nothing like a new church president coming in with a bang, eh?
- I mean, not just the policy stuff, but the structure of general conference itself. Consider, f’rex, the lineup for the last session: five apostles, the presiding bishop, the general president of the relief society, and the president of the high priesthood (twice!), all within two hours. Dang.
- And i think it’s fair to say that Russell M. Nelson has a flair for the dramatic.
- It’s interesting—i don’t think the magnitude of the structural changes announced at this conference would be entirely clear to people outside of the church, but they’re pretty huge.
- I mean, if nothing else, teenage Mormon girls get to be called “ministers”. Think about how likely that would have been, say, oh, two days ago.
- So anyway, lots to work through from this one, both in terms of practical and spiritual stuff.
- But in the meantime, i’ll do as i always do, and say what my favorite address was: Quentin l> Cook’s near the end of the final session. With everything else going on it’ll fly under the radar a bit, i think, but it’s a message that the church needs to hear, i think, and it was delivered in a way that will outlive the sturm und drang of people digesting the flashiness of the “big news” items.
Russell M. Nelson, president of the high priesthood
- [A bit of a surprise move there—it sounded like we had a closing song, but nope—that was just a song, and now we get another speaker!]
- An exhortation to review the messages of this conference.
- An invitation to all of God’s children “on both sides of the veil” to embrace the ordinances of the temple and receive salvation.
- Waiting til the end to announce seven new temples! Salta, Argentina; Bengaluru (more widely known as Bangalore), India; Managua, Nicaragua; Cagayan de Oro, Phillipines; Layton, Utah; Richmond, Virginia; and (after a dramatic pause) a city yet to be determined in Russia.
Quentin L. Cook, of the quorum of apostles
- The primary purpose of the church can be accomplished because of the keys that were restored in the Kirtland temple: the keys of the gathering of Israel, the gospel of Abraham, and sealing.
- There are three executive councils at church headquarters based on these sets of keys.
- We are all required to do missionary work, temple and family history work, and prepare ourselves to meet God.
- It is good that nonconsensual immorality has been denounced—it is a sin; remember, though, that consensual immorality is also a sin.
- In our day the scriptural imperative for unity is widely ignored; in the church, we cannot divide ourselves by class, race, nationality, tribalism, or anything else.
- Developing Christlike attributes is at the core of the only cultural distinction that should make a difference in the church.
- We need to fulfill our responsibilities based on righteousness, unity, and equality before God.
Gérald Caussé, presiding bishop
- The church is all about people—those who love and follow Jesus, and who have taken his name upon them by covenant.
- “Nothing is more important: Our work is all about people and covenants.”
- “Are we active in the gospel, or are we merely busy in the church?”
- What classes would Jesus visit? Wouldn’t be surprising if he visited the primary children first, teaching simply and without affectation. Can we do the same?
- We talk about “going to church”, but the church is more than just a building to go to.
- A mention of a friend asking why we need so many more than just one priesthood holder at church on Sunday. Bishop Caussé’s answer? We probably don’t—but we need priesthood holders for every home.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, of the quorum of apostles
- He “asked the internet” what the most important day in history was and got lots of answers; but really, the most important day was when Jesus offered himself as a ransom for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane.
- Jesus gave all that we might receive all.
- We will all die, and there will be nothing we or those around us can do about it—but Jesus opened the gates of death, and provided a way not just for us to be resurrected, but to receive eternal light and glory.
- “This is what we celebrate on Easter Sunday—we celebrate life.”
- There are, though, many who are unaware of or don’t believe in the precious gift Jesus has given us, and opinions vary about him; it is important that we each come to know for ourselves and truly “behold the man”.
- When we truly behold, we learn of him and repent to become more like him.
- The most important day in any of our lives is the day we learn to truly “behold the man”—when we see Jesus for who he is and commit to follow him—and may that day occur over and over and over again throughout our lives.
Jean B. Bingham, general president of the relief society
- We have the privilege to represent the Savior in our ministering efforts.
- How do we minister? Pray and counsel together to determine how to help people. Get together with them. Send a text or card. Hold ministering interviews. Perform service together. Care about people.
- Young women will be ministering companions with relief society sisters, just as young men have done with home teaching.
- Young women have, after all, undertaken ministering efforts on their own—this just brings it into wider, more formalized efforts.
- There will need to be coordination between elders quorums and relief societies to make sure ministering efforts are powerful.
Jeffrey R. Holland, of the quorum of apostles
- [He’s on fire with the opening jokes.]
- Everything about this new ministering effort will be distributed to church leaders and posted online at the close of this conference session.
- Don’t call it home teaching or visiting teaching—a lot of this will take place outside of the home, and it won’t be centered around teaching a prepared lesson.
- We will continue to visit homes “as possible”—contacts can take place in any way that’s appropriate (which, of course, can include a home visit).
- Ministering requires serious care and concern, though, not the minimal effort that sometimes passes for what’s reportable.
- The only number that will be reported is the number of interviews by leaders with ministering companionships, not the number of visits made.
- A really intense story, culminating in a cool bit of praise from one of the characters to their home teacher: “He's visited us more as a friend than by any assignment.”
Russell M. Nelson, president of the high priesthood
- No more “home teaching” or “visiting teaching”—we’re moving toward ministering.
- [The moment he said “we will hear briefly from Russell M. Nelson”, echoing the way he was announced at priesthood session, i was like, “Whoa, something’s coming!]
- Young women will be part of this ministering effort!
Ulisses Soares, of the quorum of apostles
- Having prophets is a sign of God’s love for us.
- By exercising faith and following the teachings of the prophets we develop protection from all that surrounds us.
Gerritt W. Gong, of the quorum of apostles
- A pledge to devote himself to the service of us and our God.
- Everything worthy and eternal is centered in the majesty of God the Father, the atonement of Jesus, and the witness of the Holy Spirit.
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