General Conference: Saturday afternoon

{ President Dieter F. Uchtdorf conducting }

{ choir: How Firm a Foundation }

{ prayer }

Sustaining of church officers
Auditing report
Statistical report

{ choir: How Great the Wisdom and the Love }

Elder Boyd K. Packer
400 years since publication of King James Version of Bible
William Tyndale’s work and martyr’s death were not in vain
LDS youth taught to learn from scriptures
Bible, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, D&C
Book of Mormon -> Mormon Church (misnomer)
Lord visited Nephites, 3 Nephi 27:3-8
“The use of the revealed name The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is increasingly important…Use the full name whenever possible.”
2 Nephi 25:26
The world will refer to us as Mormons, but we should remember we belong to the church of Jesus Christ
Every ordinance done in the name and authority of Jesus Christ
Apostles called and ordained anciently
Disciples taught by Savior after his resurrection
Apostles empowered by Pentecost, reception of Holy Ghost
1829 priesthood restored by John the Baptist, Peter, James, John
Authority of priesthood and gift of Holy Ghost set us apart from other churches
Work of the church performed by ordinary men and women
By power of revelation and gift of Holy Ghost that we perform God’s will
Those who obey Word of Wisdom (D&C 89) will receive “wisdom and great treasures of knowledge”
Everyone is tested; purpose of mortal life
We must, and we can, resist temptation of any kind
Great plan of happiness centers on families
Husband is head of home, wife is heart of home
Forgive offenses – “Leave it alone”
Some dwell on offenses, fall into inactivity in church
Some seek revenge for offense
Forgive, forget, leave it alone
It is not easy to be LDS, but in the long run, it is the only course
Every one of us can be guided by the spirit of revelation

Elder Russell M. Nelson
Death is part of life
We live to die, and we die to live again
Eternal perspective: only premature death is of one who is not prepared to meet God
All the future holds in store…will be shaped by parents, friends, teachers
Our faith now becomes part of our posterity’s faith later
Constantly changing world of competing ideologies
Forces of evil will ever be in opposition to forces of good
Normal risks of life will ever be present
We have great cause for concern, but don’t let fears displace our faith
Combat fear by strengthening faith
Let children feel your faith even when trials come
Let your faith be focused
Teach faith with deep conviction
Teach faith in plan of salvation, that mortality is time of trial and testing
Teach faith to keep all commandments
Cafeteria approach (pick and choose) to obedience will not work
{ both the Bwun and jr needed diaper changes, so the Romgi took over note-taking for me }
Keeping commandments will strengthen faith
Obedience allows blessings to flow without inhibition
Teach faith to provide physical and spiritual protection
When we are faithful the Savior and His angels with save us
Prayer is important to Him
We may need to change our perspective to see that things are for our good
Pray with an eternal perspective
God will heed our sincere prayers
Tithing is an ancient law from God that opens the windows of heaven and protect us
Why do we need faith? Difficult days are ahead
It is rarely helpful to be a faithful latter-day saint
Persecution can crush you into silent weakness, or motivate you to be more faithful
Strength comes when you remember you have divine nature
As you walk in path of righteousness, you will be a light and a savior to others
Blessings of priesthood available to us, can change circumstances of our lives
Fidelity to temple covenants will qualify you and your family for blessings of eternal life
Faithful Saints do not have to fight life’s battles alone – Isaiah 49:25
{ jr wanted to eat; thanks again the Romgi! }
“I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure.” – Thomas S. Monson
Truth, Covenants and Ordinances allow us to face the future with Faith

{choir: Press Forward Saints}

Elder Richard J. Maynes
Doctrine of the family a major point of interest
Truth-seeking investigators are drawn to the doctrine of eternal families
We must understand the nature of our heavenly family
Heavenly Father is the father of our spirits
Recognizing our heavenly family helps us to understand the nature of our earthly families
Same sociality that we have here will continue after death
Family is a critical element in understanding the eternal plan
Selfishness, greed, pornography are major roadblocks to family
Deprivation of family relationships is Satan’s goal
Children are entitle to be born into a family with a mother and father who honor the bounds of fidelity
Family scripture study, prayer not always convenient, simple, or successful
Protections for establishing celestial traditions in the home
Create a culture where the spirit can dwell
Parents will be held accountable before the Lord for their responsibilities
Parents who lead their children astray D&C 68:25
Difficult to overstate importance parents have in teaching their children through word and example
We understand and believe in the eternal nature of the family

Cecil O. Samuelson
Potential questions about testimonies
Gaining and retaining a testimony is straightforward, clear, within the capacity of every person
1. Who is entitled to have a testimony?
Everyone who is willing to pay the price
D&C 1:11
2. How does one obtain the necessary revelation?
Moroni 10:4
Listen, read, study, pray thoughtfully specifically reverently
3. Is gaining a testimony an isolated event or an ongoing process?
Similar to living organism
General advice from young friends and associates
1. Everyone has worth because we are all children of God
2. We must understand that the “mighty change of heart” is often gradual
3. Fundamental purpose of life is to be tested and stretched
4. Learn to trust the things we believe in or know
5. Gaining a testimony is a progression
6. Teaching someone else strengthens our testimony
7. Do little but necessary things daily and regularly
8. Don’t have higher standards for others than for ourselves
9. Being too hard on yourself can be as damaging as being too casual
10. Atonement of Christ is continually operative for each of us when we allow it to be so
John 7:17

Elder Dallin H. Oaks
Importance of desires
Search our hearts to determine what we really desire and how we rank our most important desires
Desires we act on determine our changing, achieving, becoming
Common desires: food (fasting), shelter (camping), sleep (concern)
Enos 1:12
Desire, labor, faith precede fulfillment of Lord’s promises
Faith can begin with no more than a desire to believe
Alma 22:16
Alma 29:4
D&C 137:9
What do we seek?
Do not seek after property, prominence, pride, power
Materialist desires should not be among our priorities
How do we develop desires?
Righteous desires cannot be superficial, impulsive, or temporary; they will be heartfelt, unwavering, permanent
“What we insistently desire over time is what we will become and what we will receive in eternity.”
Desire and work for qualities required to become an eternal being
Forgive all, welfare of others ahead of self, love all God’s children
Begin with desire for qualities; call upon God for help
Moroni 7:48
Some women want careers or other mortal distinctions more than families
Desires shape our priorities

Elder M. Russell Ballard
Demands of everyday life, education, jobs, family, worldly activities can wear us down
How to free ourselves from web of challenges?
1849 Boston merchant caught up in fervor of Gold Rush
Looking for gold nuggets, not flecks
“Patient accumulation…has brought me great wealth”
Alma 37:6
Strive to keep our lives simple, unencumbered by extraneous influences
What are precious, simple things of the gospel?
Matthew 22:35-39
Love God and Christ, then share love with our neighbors
When charity envelopes us, we think, feel, and act more like the Savior does
John 13:34
This is an active love, not manifested through large, heroic deeds but through small acts of service
1. Charity begins at home
Practice the golden rule
3 Nephi 14:12
2. Ward and stake unity
Speak kind words of encouragement; be sensitive to others’ needs
Where charity exists, there is no place for gossip or unkind words
3. Community
Relieve suffering in communities
Countless ways to serve
Heartfelt kindness and service lead to friendship
4. Missionary service
Future growth of church not just through full-time missionaries teaching strangers
Respond to needs in spirit of charitable service
Still, small voice will let us know who needs our help and how to help them
“It is vital that we serve each other.”
“The needs of others are ever-present and each of us can do something to help someone.” -Thomas S. Monson
Most important attribute of God and Christ that we should emulate is gift of charity
Moroni 7:48

{ choir: Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise }

General Conference: Saturday morning

The Bwun had a late night yesterday, so he’s still asleep. How long do you think I can blog before he wants my attention?

{ President Dieter F. Uchtdorf conducting }

{ choir }

{ prayer }

President Thomas S. Monson
Rededication of Laie Hawaii Temple
New temples: Fort Collins, CO; Meridian, ID; Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Humanitarian aid: distributed 70+ tons of supplies to disaster victims in Japan
Over 40k hours of service from 4k volunteers
Tithes and contributions
52k+ missionaries throughout world; missionary work is lifeblood of church

{ choir – We Listen to a Prophet’s Voice }

Elder L. Tom Perry
Voice of God living’s prophet, Thomas S. Monson
Blessed to have his teachings and example
Sunday School studying New Testament, focuses on life and influence of Savior
Jesus had dual citizenship in heaven and in earth
World is saturated with doctrine of man
Don’t lose sight of New Testament – centerpiece of history, should be of our lives
Priceless pearls of wisdom
Accounts of Paul organizing Savior’s church
1 Timothy 4:12 Be thou an example of the believers
Continue to be example of believers by how we treat Sabbath day
Sabbath day blessed and sanctified by God
Exodus 20:8
Worship the Lord thy God
Jesus showed disciples how to take sacrament in remembrance of his Atonement
Conferred priesthood upon disciples in Americas and intsituted the sacrament
Pattern of Sabbath day observance lasted through apostasy
Peter, James, John appeared to Joseph Smith; gave priesthood necessary for administering sacrament
Young priesthood holders qualify themselves by earnestly living commandments
Sacrament in center of Sabbath day observance
D&C 59:9-13
1. Keep ourselves unspotted from world
2. Go to house of prayer and offer up sacraments
3. Rest from our labors
John 17:14
Avoid business and recreation facilities
Dress appropriately – Sunday best is not out-of-date
Activities we plan should help prepare us for taking sacrament
Confess and forsake our sins to God and to those we have offended
{ The Bwun woke up, thankfully Grandma got donuts for breakfast }
{ After he told me “I wake up” he said “I bless you. I bless Mama.” }
Savior of the world drank from bitter cup for my sake
My cup runneth over with blessings of infinite, eternal Atonement
Prepare to conduct ourselves in manner that will call down blessings
Greatest joy we receive in this life is from following the Savior

Sister Jean A. Stevens
Children are key to helping us become like Savior
Matthew 18:13
Children have believing hearts, receptive to spirit, exemplify humility and obedience
{ stories }
We can listen for Heavenly Father’s voice to give us strength to endure challenges of life
Mosiah 3:19
3 Nephi 17:23
“Notice that He didn’t say glance at them or casually observe them…He said to behold them. …Embrace them with our eyes and our hearts.”
Home is place to learn and grow together
Primary song: The Family is of God
{ The Bwun burst into tears, something about his donut }

Walter F. Gonzalez
Journalist observed that church men treated their wives well – “Is that real or fiction?”
Desire to follow Savior from people worldwide
Any person can know for themselves that Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus in a vision
Priesthood was restored, Book of Mormon is testament
Recognize to what extent we are followers of Christ
1. Followers of Christ are loving people
2. Followers of Christ make and keep covenants
We follow the Savior—
{ The Bwun freaked out about something }
Partaking of sacrament, attending temple often are ways to remember our covenants
Feel blessings of remembering and renewing covenants; doing so is expression of love
Show a willingness to be a follower of Christ
{ also, jr went down for a nap, not without a fight }

{ choir/congregation: I Know That My Redeemer Lives }

Kent F. Richards
Surgeon inflicts, tries to control and alleviate pain
Purpose of pain?
{ The Bwun freaked out again }
“Pain brings you to a humility that allows you to ponder.” – Richard D. Hales
Physical pain remarkably similar to spiritual pain
Opposition is part of plan of happiness
Savior is not a silent observer to our suffering
Hebrews 4:16
Atonement covers all conditions of human existence
3 Nephi 9:13
3 Nephi 27 14
Jesus’s mortal ministry devoted to healing sick in body and spirit
Alma 7:11-12
Christ chose to experience pains and afflictions in order to understand us (could have learned by revelation)
Matthew 8:16
Healing is suited to our individual needs
Cures or lifts burden; given understanding or patience to bear burdens
All souls can be healed by Christ’s power
Find rest unto our souls
Mortal circumstances may not immediately change, but fear, worry, and pain can be soothed
Children often quietly endure with humility and meekness
D&C 50:40
John 10:11
Pray, work, wait patiently for healing of bodies and souls
Job 23:10
Christ is the Great Physician and Great Healer

Elder Quentin L. Cook
Wallace Stegner (historian) impressed with devotion of early Latter-Day Sain
“Their women were incredible.”
strengh virtue love willingness to sacrifice to raise future generations
Women believe more fervently, attend more religious services; more religious in general
Doctrine is clear: women are daughters of God, wives are equals to husbands
Predominant attitude of early saints was devotion of sisters
Faith of sisters willing to leave homes was inspiring
Most significant attribute was unwavering faith in restoration of gospel (priceless legacy)
{ The Bwun fell down }
Priesthood leadership gratefully acknowledge work, contribution, sacrifice of women
Beautiful to see priesthood & Relief Society work in perfect harmony
Resulting symphony inspires all of us
Commitment of young women to church standards
“I don’t believe women need any more unpaid jobs.”
LDS women are overwhelmingly satisfied with their role in church leadership
{ The Bwun wanted ice and wouldn’t let anyone else get it for him }
Incredible because of how they face the trial of life
All members labor in vineyard for salvation of the souls of men
Bishops should delegate more responsibilities; members should sustain and support him
Enormous forces arrayed against women and families
For some, marriage and family are becoming a menu choice rather than central organizing principle of society
Are we tv-time-rich and family-time-poor?
1. No woman should ever feel need to apologize or feel deficient because she devotes her time and energy to raising children.
2. We should all be careful not to be judgmental or assume sisters are less valiant if the decision is made to work outside the home.
Single mothers: God is not unaware of you; neither is the church
We strive to be accommodating and receptive to both men and women
Hymn: “As Sisters in Zion” – “the errand of angels is given to women”
Women, you are incredible!

{ choir: I have no idea what this song is }

Elder Henry B. Eyring
Honor and celebrate what the Lord has done and is doing to serve the poor and needy among His children
God has created ways to bless those who need help adn those who will give it
He hears prayers of those who need food, clothes, dignity of self-reliance
Pleas have always reached him
Invites us to consecrate time, means, selves to serving others
Law of consecration/United Order – now Church Welfare Program
Lord’s way to help temporal needs requires us to consecrate ourselves and all we have to God
Participate in this work – we have covenanted to do so!
Renew this covenant every week
Strengthen our commitment to act
Hymn: “Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?”
God sends wake-up calls to all of us
We’re all touched by feelings of sympathy, even for those we don’t know
Turn sympathy into decision to act on covenants
Wise parents see every need of others as way to bring blessings into their own children’s lives
Feeling of quiet satisfaction
Hymn: “Sweet is the Work”
Fast offerings, even when we don’t have much to give
“What would you like us to do?”
Miracle of sympathy turn into unselfish action
1. Everyone is happier and feels more self-respect when they can provide for themselves and their family, and then reach out to take care of others.
Grateful for those who helped him become self-reliant, use surplus to help others
“You cannot give yourself poor in this work.” -Marion G. Romney
“A person cannot give a crust to the Lord without receiving a loaf in return.” -Melvin J. Ballard
2. The power and blessing of unity when we join hands to serve people in need.
J. Reuben Clark, Jr. “That giving has brought a feeling of common brotherhood as men…worked side-by-side.”
3. Draw your family into the work with you so that they can learn to care for each other as they care for others.
4. Seek out the poor.
Participate in a Day of Service, seek revelation in deciding on projects
1. Prepare yourself and those you lead, spiritually
Only soft hearts can clearly see goal of project as blessing spiritually and temporally
2. Choose as recipients people within kingdom or community whose needs will touch those who give service.
3. Plan to draw on power of bonds in families, quorums, communities; feelings of unity will grow.
Seize opportunities to lift up the hands that hang down

{ choir: High On the Mountain Top }