Sorta-liveblogging general conference: General women’s session

The general women’s session! And yes, i’m male, but i figure that if my wife gets to sit in on the priesthood sessions as i listen to them, i get to 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

• Everyone who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants has direct access to the power of God.
• Women who make covenants have as much access to the priesthood power as men who hold the priesthood.
• How can you access that power? By doing the same things Emma Smith was directed to do in section 25 of the book of Doctrine and Covenants.
• Every time you serve and worship in the temple you leave armed with power.
• Women being sidelined or ignored or misjudged goes against the commandments of God.
• Being set apart in a calling gives you priesthood authority; the temple endowment authorizes you to officiate in the priesthood.
• If someone says to a single mother that they don't have the priesthood in your home, they don’t know what they’re talking about.
• The temple is central to receiving our highest blessings.
• New temples: Freetown, Sierra Leone; Orem, Utah; Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; Bentonville, Arkansas; Bacolod, Philippines; McAllen, Texas; Cobán, Guatemala; Taylorsville, Utah.

Dallin H. Oaks, of the first presidency

• We are to love everyone as ourselves—but in doing so, we have to love God, which involves keeping his commandments.
• Those commandments include following the law of chastity, which limits sexual expression to marriage, and God recognizes marriage as between a man and a woman.
• Those who don’t act as we believe should be treated with compassion.

Henry B. Eyring, of the first presidency

• All those who have been baptized have been called to serve others.
• As we stay close to God, we can be prepared to minister to others.
• We have great power to shape others’ lives as we keep our covenants.

Bonnie H. Cordon, general president of the young women organization

• The young women theme is being revised (including a shift from we to i, and an explicit reference to heavenly parents).
• Young women should be divided into classes according to the ward’s specific circumstances, not necessarily three of them.
• Classes will simply be called “young women”, not beehive, MIA maid, and laurel.
• Every class should have a presidency.
• Class presidencies are an opportunity for youth to have experiences with revelation.
• The structural changes should be in place by the turn of the year.

Lisa L. Harkness, of the general presidency of the primary organization

Names are given for many purposes, but we have all taken a name on ourselves: The name of Christ.
• That gives us a “covenant identity and belonging”.
• Our promise to always remember the savior gives us strength in all situations.
• Taking the name of Christ upon ourselves isn’t just words—it is engraved on our hearts, and affects all of our interactions.

Reyna I. Aburto, of the general presidency of the relief society organization

• Depression and anxiety can keep us from feeling connected to God.
• Such things can affect anyone, no matter who they are. If our pain blocks our ability to feel the love of God, we should seek appropriate medical and spiritual help.
• When we open up about our emotional challenges and admit we are not perfect, we help others open up about their challenges, and we learn we are not alone.
• Sometimes mental illnesses can be easily treated, but others may not be. Either way, treatment is needed.
• Depression is not the result of weakness or sin.
• We need to stop making judgments about the spirituality of others—and if we show empathy, we may be able to help lift others’ burdens.
• If you face such afflictions, share your story to help others.