Sorta-liveblogging general conference: Saturday afternoon session

We’re back!

Again, the speakers run bottom-up, so that you can read the whole weekend bottom-up after it’s all over.

So…

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, of the quorum of apostles

• King Solomon had it all—but in the end he became disillusioned and unhappy.
• German has a word for this: Weltschmerz. [I always like understanding the words before the definitions are given…]
• There is a solution to such despair, disillusionment, and Weltschmerz: The atonement of Jesus Christ, who came so that we might have life, and have it more abundantly.
• We have life abundantly not by focusing on ourselves, but by becoming disciples of Jesus Christ.
• Jesus ministered to the weak and powerless, spoke with them, and healed them while teaching the good news of the gospel.
• Believe, love, do.
• God desires to sweep darkness out of your life.
• Accepting the love of God, like anything, takes practice—but the church is there to help us do that.
• An exhortation to work together to help each other become the best we can be.
• Sometimes those of us in the church slip and say the wrong thing, or are unthinkingly unkind—but ultimately, we are all trying to get it right together.

Paul B. Pieper, of the quorums of seventy

• Our Heavenly Father wants to make it perfectly clear that the name of Jesus Christ, but that it is a name with singular power—it is the name by which salvation comes.
• When we take the name of Jesus Christ on ourselves, it changes us.
• Some reject taking the name of Christ because they see it as restrictive, but it’s actually expanding.
• Taking the name of Jesus Christ on us is accompanied by joy.

Gerrit W. Gong, of the quorum of apostles

• Quoting the late apostle Richard G. Scott: “Attempt to be creative, even if the results are modest.”
• Our expressions of creativity and attempts to create beauty are reflections of the beauty and skill of God as creator.
• There is joy in wholesome creativity.
• “We cannot love ourselves enough to save ourselves.” [Okay, that's deep, and merits pondering at some point.]
• God assures us that no matter what we’ve done, there is no point of no return, and we will not be left alone.
• We rejoice in finding “higher and holier ways to love” God.
• Perfection is in Christ, not in ourselves, nor in the world’s view of perfection.

Ulisses Soares, of the quorum of apostles

• The Amazon River is formed by two very different rivers that flow together for several miles before mixing, but once they mix they become incredibly powerful; similarly, when the diversity of members of the church become united, they become a powerful force.
• It is easy for new members of the church to feel like they don’t belong (with an example of Mormon in-group jargon); at such a time, those of us who are already established in the church must reach out a warm hand of fellowship.
• We need everyone willing to join in, and so must reach out and be welcoming in the spirit of ministering.
• We need to let people know that they are not alone, and that we will be their friends and God will bless them as they move forward.
• We can and should be better at welcoming new people in and out of our church meetings (that’s ministering, after all). Oh, and start doing so right away!
• “I invite you to seek the Lord’s help in loving others as he has loved you.”

Dean M. Davies, of the presiding bishopric

• The calling of the president of the high priesthood is to preside over the church, and to be a prophet.
• [Interesting: There is a church temple site committee than meets monthly. The frequency surprises me somewhat.]
• God reveals to the president of the church the “patterns” by which the church and our lives should run.
• We should “build our own personal temples” in our homes and our lives.
• We gain confidence in the Lord as we hearken to the words of the prophets.

D. Todd Christofferson, of the quorum of apostles

• A retelling of the confrontation between Elijah and the priests of Baal.
• If something is true—if the Book of Mormon is the word of God, if Joseph Smith saw what he said he did, and so on—then follow it.
• When someone is truly confirmed, the gospel of Jesus Christ defines their lives.
• We are on a continuum in our progression, with all of us hopefully moving toward blessedness.
• Temptations and tribulations will strengthen us, but only if we keep our focus where it should be.

Henry B. Eyring, of the quorum of the first presidency, presenting the church general officers and authorities

• Sad to see C. Scott Grow get released, if only for the name.
• Nobody shouting during or after the sustainings this time, which is interesting, given recent history.