Family Discusson on October 2008 General Conference

Here are some glue-in type quotes and personal impressions I had during October 2008 LDS General Conference. (Please add yours.)

President Monson - Be good citizens and neighbors and reach out to those of other faiths.

President Uchtdorf - Whether moving a grand piano from the chapel to the cultural hall, or serving in some other capacity, "Lift where you stand". (I appreciated the counsel he gave of cease to aspire...cease to retire.)

President Eyring - Skillful peacemakers search for anything on which opposing parties agree. (This is like finding 'safe space' in crucial conversations.)

Elder Ballard - Our challenges are not any more severe than those of the early saints--they are just different. We're not required to walk across the continent for the church, but rather just across the street to share the gospel message with our neighbors. (Do we open our mouths where ever we go and ask about the Church? Remember those golden questions - would you like to know more about the Church? Or what about the referral dialogue - who do you know and who else do you know who would be interested in our message?)

Elder Hales - We should answer contention with kindness. We should communicate using such means as letters to newspaper editors and blog comments to correct errors of fact, but we should always be cordial. We should speak out to help others understand the truth, but never to score points or to defend our egos. (This is correlated to Elder Ballard's directive last December to get involved in blogs by pronouncing our message to the world.)

Elder Scott - Husbands should show respect to their wives by taking charge of Family Home Evening and other activities. We should pay them more compliments. Bishops should show more respect for the insights of women on the ward council. Priesthood leaders should respect women's opinions and perspectives as much as their husbands'. (I particularly remember the reference to bad culture. We live in a society in the Caribbean where women have not been respected as they should have been and often are down-trodden. We need to show by example and how we speak that this is wrong and is not God's culture.)


President Monson - told the story of a man who cancelled an emergency business appointment because 'the circus keeps coming back, but childhood doesn't. Also said that the fingerprints on those things around the home that you have just cleaned will disappear all too soon, so cherish them while they're there. (There is not a day that goes by where I do not long for the days when the 5 J's were young and at home. I loved the close-knit feeling of being with our family.)

Elder Cook - With the current economic crisis, there is great concern throughout the world. There will in the future be more lean years as well as plentiful years, but if we're prepared in either event, everything will be alright for us. (This is great comfort to me in light of what is happening to our savings right now in the financial crisis experienced in the Stock Market.)


President Packer - During July 24th, 1849 celebration, the Saints in the Salt Lake Valley celebrated their patriotism to the United States despite the fact that Congress had not come to their assistance when they were losing $2 million in property and had otherwise been been persecuted for their faith. (It is not 1830 and there are not just 12 of us is what President Hinckley used to say. We have made alot of progress is moving forth the work of God.)

Bishop McMullin - Told the story of Chinese official who visited LDS Welfare Square and was so impressed with the integrity of the Church that he paid his fast offering in a "red pocket" envelope. He said "If the world loved like this, it would be a much better place." (But each of us can do our part in our own way to set that example by the lives we lead.)

Elder Bednar - Expressing gratitude should be an important part of prayer. "The most meaningful prayers I have experienced contained many expressions of thanks and few if any requests." Ingratitude invites the wrath of God. (I love the example of connections patterns and themes demonstrated in this talk by comparing temporal creation being linked to and a continuation of the spiritual creation. In this way, Elder Bednar suggests that meaningful morning and evening prayers are linked to and are a continuation of each other.)

Elder Oaks - May I suggest that wherever possible a white shirt be worn by the deacons, teachers and priests who handle the sacrament. For sacred ordinances in the Church we often use ceremonial clothing, and a white shirt could be seen as a gentle reminder of the white clothing you wore in the baptismal font and an anticipation of the white shirt you will soon wear into the temple and on to your missions. (This was a quote Elder Oaks endorsed that was given by Elder Holland 13 years ago. It is a message that needs to be received by all Priesthood holders in the Church in preparation for attending Sacrament meeting. We should all be prepared and worthy at all times to officiate in the blessing and passing of the Sacrament if asked.)

Elder Andersen - said that "we don't know everything, but that we know enough." We each have moments of spiritual power, moments of inspiration and revelation. We must sink them deep into the chambers of our soul. As we do, we prepare our spiritual home storage for moments of personal difficulty. Jesus said: “Settle this in your hearts, that ye will do the things which I shall teach, and command you.” (To strengthen our own testimonies, I remember the teaching of President Packer who said that a testimony is to be found in the bearing of it.

As you have Family Home Evening this week, why not have each member of the family tell their favorite General Conference memory? Remember that tradition in our family? Your posts and reactions are welcome....