Priesthood Session: For Those Who Are Man Enough

October 3, 2009 — Scott B.

Posted in General Conference, Mormon. 95 Comments »

95 Responses to “Priesthood Session: For Those Who Are Man Enough”

  1. MCQ Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 5:05 pm

    Uchtdorf conducting, and one of my favorite hymns to open. I’m with my son and my dad. Awesome.

  3. Tanya Spackman Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 5:27 pm

    Excellent! Thanks, Patheos.

  4. MCQ Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 5:29 pm

    Ballard’s talk was great. 3 things for fathers and 3 for sons.

  5. brandt Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 5:32 pm

    wonderful talk. I like his emphasis on one solid talk with a son every month. my father has always done that with me and it really has strengthened our relationship over the last 5 years

  6. DKL Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 5:38 pm

    Would it be inappropriate to comment on the hairstyles of the GAs that are speaking? I only ask because women do it all the time to the female GAs.

  7. Kristine Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 5:39 pm

    DKL–since when have you worried about “appropriate”?

  8. MCQ Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 5:43 pm

    Go for it DKL. But talking about GA’s hair is like talking about flowers in the winter

  10. Brian Duffin Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 5:49 pm

    DKL- Go for it! Who is the first target? Elder Oaks?

  11. gst Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 5:50 pm

    I couldn’t understand this guy’s accent so I just went to the Spanish translation room. But they’re translating him into Korean-accented Spanish!

  12. MCQ Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 5:51 pm

    I have never heard Choi before. Nice talk about those rowdy boys.

  13. DKL Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 5:53 pm

    Elder Oaks bears a more-than-passing resemblence to Yule Brennar, which I think os cool, because I like to think of the apostles as The Magnificent Twelve. That, plus a young President Packet might do passable service as Steve McQueen.

  14. MCQ Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 5:57 pm

    How is Uchtdorf always so tan? Is it spray-on?

  15. gst Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 6:00 pm

    I had invited a non member friend tonight but he withdrew at the last minute. Do you think that this meeting is appropriate for investigators? What is the sense of the brotherhood here assembled?

  16. DKL Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 6:03 pm

    I think that this is probably the best meeting for investigators, because so much is directed at the youth. Unless they’re put off by the fact that we exclude women from this type of instruction.

  17. gst Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 6:05 pm

    President Uchtdorf said that “work is the ointment for Zorro.”

  18. DKL Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 6:06 pm

    MCQ, I think that it’s pretty offensive to suggest that the first African American apostle uses spray-on tanning lotion. Seriously, man. This is the 21st century!

  19. gst Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 6:06 pm

    My friend wouldn’t mind the exclusion of women. Though he probably would have choked when we stood for a hymn to Joseph Smith.

  20. Brian Duffin Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 6:07 pm

    Quote of the evening: “Been there, done thtat.”

  21. ScW Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 6:45 pm

    Oh man- Thomas Marsh story! Doesn’t he read the blogs?

  22. Kristine Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 6:49 pm

    Thank goodness he’s got better things to do!!

  23. psychochemiker Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 6:49 pm

    obviously not. LOL.

  24. DKL Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 6:51 pm

    Monson’s talk made me angry.

  25. gst Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 6:52 pm

    Organist has the smallest head I’ve seen in some time.

  26. Ben Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    My sister dated the organist when he was at BYU. She used to go up to SLC with him to practice the organ in the Tabernacle.

  27. DKL Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    True, gst. And the choir sounded drunk.

  28. Kristine Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    Who was the organist? Was it Ryan?

  29. Kristine Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 6:55 pm

    And, darn it, I’d be fine with not hearing the talks, but I really hate missing the good men’s choir stuff!

  30. Kristine Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 6:55 pm

    OK, that’s not true. I want to hear the talks, too.

  31. J. Madson Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 6:58 pm

    Poor Thomas Marsh, not even here to defend himself. Funny how history changes. Not only is he an apostate over milk but has now been charged with being responsible for the extermination order.

  32. J. Madson Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 6:59 pm

    Let me add, that I thought it was a good talk but for that one part.

  33. Ariel Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    It was an AP choir with a few institute choir boys to drag them along. Last week, there was some concern about quality, but I hope it ended up being good.

  34. TrevorM Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    The choir wasn’t too good; But what they lacked in talent, pitch and delivery they made up for in enthusiasm.

  35. Latter-day Guy Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 7:13 pm

    29, 33,

    Unfortunately the choir gave a convincing lesson about why boys in puberty should not sing. It’s not their fault, but they are in a no-man’s-land of registration: lows are weak and highs are flat and muscled into-veins-popping-out of-the-neck territory.

  36. Latter-day Guy Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 7:14 pm

    34, very true

  37. MCQ Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 7:23 pm

    that was a very good session. I especially liked Uchtdorf’s talk, though it’s hard to imagine him as a refugee.

  38. Ben Pratt Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 7:26 pm

    This is what I heard at the beginning of the session: “…with Andrew Ainsworth at the organ,” which I’m interpreting as sort of a hat tip to the entire ‘nacle.

  39. Left Field Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 7:29 pm

    President Monson really should get new material. He told that story about the brothers who didn’t speak to each other just a couple of years ago. Of course, he’s been recycling stories for decades. The one about the couple arguing in their car was new to me, though.

  40. Brian Duffin Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 7:33 pm

    Paul H. Dunn was always good at telling stories. ;-)

  41. Scott B. Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 7:36 pm

    Just got back from the conference center, and I would like to confirm what many of you are already fearing:

    The choir was far, far worse in person that it was over media. I am happy to be safe at our friends’ house in SLC where the only sound is that of their crying child.

  42. Kristine Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 7:37 pm

    Speaking of Elder Dunn, did they do the “notable Mormons who have died since last conference” thing this morning? Sister Dunn just died last week–we’ll have a tribute up on Monday.

  43. Left Field Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 7:39 pm

    Kristine, I think they only do that in April with the statistical report.

  44. Ben Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 7:50 pm

    The organist was Andrew Unsworth.

  45. Seth R. Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 7:52 pm

    The choir was irredeemably flat.

    For newbies to the bloggernacle, Thomas Marsh did have a tiff over his wife’s milk strippings.

    But there was also his growing sense of alarm about Mormon Danites calling for lynchings and burning Missouri farms in retaliation. That stuff didn’t sit too well with him either.

    But I’m sure the milk was the real reason he left.

    What stuck with me is Elder Eyring’s talk.

    I predict it will become a new favorite with our grace-only Evangelical fan club.

  46. Seth R. Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 7:54 pm

    Geez Left Field.

    Pres. Monson actually unveils a NEW story and you still aren’t satisfied.

    What more do these people want?

  47. Brad Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 7:54 pm

    Ballard was great. President U is, wow, just a helluva speaker. Practically limitless charisma.

    Setting aside issues of historical accuracy, the Marsh story works much better as an object lesson in restrained anger than (in the case of the SS manual) in frivolous apostasy. In the able rhetorical hands of President Monson, it is about not authority and submission but personal self control and patience. Overall a very good talk.

  48. Kristine Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 7:55 pm

    Just so everyone knows, we’re not especially interested in revisiting the Thomas Marsh story right now, so try to talk about something else–pretend, for instance, that half of the readers of your comments weren’t invited to the session and are dying to hear more about all of the talks. There must be plenty to talk about.

  49. Brad Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 8:00 pm

    Uchtdorf’s ability to seamlessly transition from genuinely funny humor to the completely and compellingly serious is masterful. His speaking skillz are uncommonly well-honed.

  50. Doc Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 8:06 pm

    Oh man, You guys are no fun, I have been waiting gleefully for a chance to snark someone regarding how we should change the story from the unrestrained anger pf an apostle over milk strippings, to one of unrestrained anger about the oversimplification of history in a prophet’s object lesson leads to general rancor, unkind words, and general apostasy. It was golden.

  51. Kristine Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 8:09 pm

    Ah, the meta-snark :)

  52. Left Field Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 8:10 pm

    What do we want?

    I can’t speak for the rest of those people, but I don’t want much. One new story per conference is cool. Now if he would just confess in conference that he misidentified a snake and misquoted The Voice, I’ll be a happy camper.

  54. Ziff Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 8:14 pm

    I really liked Elder Ballard’s talk, particularly his advice to fathers to do less talking and more listening with our sons.

  55. Ziff Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 8:14 pm

    I also noticed the choir being not so good, which is really saying something, because I have no musical talent or ear whatsoever.

  56. Steve M Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 8:15 pm

    Overall, a pretty good session. I think I only heard the word “pornography” uttered once, believe it or not.

    Uchtdorf definitely stole the show, but I also enjoyed Ballard’s and Choi’s remarks (although I was not a fan of the latter’s counsel that we obey authorities, even if have no clue why they’ve asked us to do something). I liked President Monson’s message about anger, but it was admittedly hard to get past him telling the Thomas Marsh fable.

  57. Steve M Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 8:15 pm

    Oh, and do we have to sing “Praise to the Man” every priesthood session?

  58. alextvalencic Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 8:17 pm

    While the AP choir left much to be desired, I thought the group of Polynesians in the top center looked great.

    So, a few notes from my notes for the sisters who can’t wait to read the talks online…

    Elder Ballard: Fathers need to hold personal interviews with their sons, following the same guidelines the Bishopric should use when the interview youth: listen, listen, and listen some more.

    President Uchtdorf: “It is often in the trial of adversity that we learn the lessons that will shape our lives and our destinies.” (I’m not sure if that is actually verbatim, though.)

    Also: education is not filling a bucket; it is lighting a fire. Always be learning, if not in a formal setting, then by reading the best books.

    President Eyring: Preparation to minister to others starts long before the need to minister. Prepare through developing personal worthiness, faith, recognising inspiration, and exercising your agency in righteousness.

    President Monson: Anger doesn’t solve anything, builds nothing, but can destroy everything. We can come up with countless reasons to be angry, but there is one reason to always resist anger: when we are filled with anger and contention, the Spirit of the Lord cannot be with us.

    And yeah, President Monson shared a story that I’d never heard that sounds like it was from the late 1950s or early 1960s (possibly near the beginning of his tenure as an Apostle). I was shocked when he said he couldn’t remember a detail – I always thought Pres. Monson had near eidetic memory!

    Anyway, those are just a few snippets from what I got from the Priesthood session.

  59. Ziff Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 8:20 pm

    Overall, a pretty good session. I think I only heard the word “pornography” uttered once, believe it or not.

    I noticed that too, Steve. I took it as perhaps a healthy sign that while pornography is certainly a problem, it is not necessarily the most important problem to be discussed and brought up and harangued over endlessly.

  60. Matt W. Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 8:22 pm

    Choir is deacons and teachers
    Sounds bad

    Uchtdorf conducts
    Neunsxhwander prays

    M Russell Ballard
    Fathers and sons together. Priesthood and family
    Phood is how families together
    Point of phood is to make our family part of gods family

    How fathers and sons talk
    Some fathers have no sons
    Applies to other man to man relationships
    All on a journey, none of us arrived yet. Ym you are fr pride and joy, they see future in you. You are primary model of manhood. You are thr hero.
    Ym 3 suggestion
    1 trust your father. Talk to him. Share your hopes and dreams and fears.
    2 take an interest in your fathers life. How’d he meet your mother. Howd he pick his career. Think what you don’t know and find out
    3 ask fr for advice. Will give if you ask or not, but is better if you ask. Nothing shows more respect than asking for advice. Frs asked try harder to give better council.
    Fr 3 sug
    1 listen to your sons. Ask the right kind of questions. You need to know how he feels, not assume you know. Find your own best way to connect. Do whatever works best for you. 1 quality conversation each month at least. Use the word feel as often as you can in conversation. Don’t fix or solve everything. Just listen.
    2 pray with and for your sons. Give phood blessings. 1×1 prayer. Heartache over kids captured by the world. Keep strong family relationships.
    3 dare to have the big talks. Drugs respect for girls, media, drinking, priesthood. As you talk about these things, trust will flourish. Talk about sex. Sex is unavoidable in todays society. Intimacy is wonderful and beautiful in the right bounds. Best deterant is connect sex with wholesome attitude and understand of mature love.

    Teens-RMs- be where you can meet the right friends. Court. It works.

    Fathers talk to your RM sons.

    Gonzalez
    Many years ago, phood holders helped people learn about gospel.
    Thousands followed them. BoM missionaries blessed lives of people. As we learn about them, we can become more “powerful”. Scriptures important. Restore thousands to the knowledge of the truth. History is important. In our day, the bom coming forth is unlike any other experience. Jesus commanded that events be added. Gonzalez from uraguay, convert. Book of Mormon changed his life. Monson promised as we put teachings to the test we will know if of man or of god. After belief comes desire to apply it. Application of gospel requires ordinances. Best selling books flood the market. BoM not a best seller, but needs to be best read book. 3 principles
    1 feast upon words of christ. Read and look for principles and doctrines that will help us in our daily lives. Example- peer pressure. Lemuel.
    2 Apply in our lives all we learn about christ. God can not lie. What hope this brings!
    3. Teach the doctrine and principles in this book. Missionaries in Ecuadoe baptised 1000s by using BOM

    Choi
    From korea. Bishop many years ago. Young Men came to play ping pong. Trouble makers. Rowdy young men. Wife asked if they could move to get better example. Vision came to bishop that if YM became missionaries, lives would change. Elder came into ward, taught boys to sing. We needed patient to listen to them singing. Loud songs hurt our ears, but loud song better than them in trouble. 9 non member boys baptised and went on missions. They stayed faithful. Loud boys now 45 active members. Bishops and more. Singing now sounds good. They were like Adam. Faithful, anxious to be obedient, know attending meetings important. Attend all of your meetings. Our 3 sons grew up and taught by the rowdy boys, were loved like I loved them. Youngest Son didn’t want to go to activity. I know but I’m not coming. He came anyway. He remembered the 9 boys. He wanted to be like them. Army of the Lord.

    Uchtdorf
    Travels visiting members, we receive feedback of challenges. WW disasters, tighten belts, concerned. We pray always for you. Winter will give way for spring. We must remain steadfast, work with all our strength, and trust in god. 11 yrs old, lived in attic, refugees, worried, we were poor, slept in one room, we had stove, passed through storage area for meats, Outhouse. East german accent, made fun of him. Decades later filter of experience, this was time of growth and bonding. Adversity overcome by faith courage and tenacity. 2 principles to sustain.
    1 work- to this day, impressed at how family worked after losing everything after WW2. Dad did miner. Mom did laundry, kids helped mom. Physical labor blessing to health. Situation eventually changed, if we work hard things eventually things improve. (What about working smarter?) We should not compare our efforts to others. Just do our best. Work is the doorway to possibility. Let us set our minds and bodies to do our best. God more likely to help the man who works than the man who prays. Remember not to expend you labor on that which can not satisfy. Homework can not be delegated. It is foundation of our lives. Retirement is not part of the Lords plan of happiness. Been there done that may work to bypass curry, not excuse to not consecrate our talents. Some may believe they are entitled to period of rest. This is unworthy. YM working in lords vineyards upgrades your resume.
    Principle 2- Learn. Desk excited him. Read books. Education is not merely a good idea, it is a commandment. Knowledge does away with darkness anxiety and doubt. If formal education not available, do not let that stop you. Seek knowledge. Scriptures are tools for us. It is trial of adversity that forms character and shape our destiny.

    Eyring
    Whereevr I am, I have olive oil. 3 yo old dauther hit by car. Father plead. Doctor said hurry. He was wrong. She lived and learned to walk again. The preperatin requires more than having oil at hand. It begins in the private lives of young men, making choices to rise to the role as phood holders. The prep is to go and do whatever the Lord wants done. We know it takes to be ready. Obedient service.
    1 have faith. Auth to act in name of god. Faith that god lives, faith you have his confidence to use his power. Blessed art thou nephi. MTC scripture. Has felt power given to aaronic phood. All is not perfect in Zion. Many YM have little or no support. We will be held accountable before the Lord. Most influences around us drag us down to doubt, to sin, to ignore the spirit. Have pure motives. Do not lead to gratify our pride or ambition. Care about each child in our stewardship. Eyrings Father let him know he was disappointed. No spanking. Have you ever asked your kids to do something you were unwilling to do yourself.
    Monson
    We are assembled as a mighty body. News on tv, tragedies reported all traced back to anger. Cease fromm anger and forake wrath. Couple asked for counciling. Family in car, had disagreement, hurt his son on accident. Anger doesn’t solve anything, it builds nothing, it can destroy everything. Hjg insulted about money. Man is a fool who takes an insult not intended. Let not the sun go down on your wrath. No disputations among you. No can can make us angry, it is our choice. Thomas B. Marsh- Milk story. Saddest words “it might have been”. 62 years of anger. Leave unsaid the hurtful things. Penrose, school thy feelings. May we be worthy.

  61. Steve M Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 8:24 pm

    Ballard’s admonition that fathers should have “open and frequent” discussions about sex with their sons, and that they should “be positive” about sex, was pretty noteworthy.

  62. makakona Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 8:24 pm

    so, i have a question. why do fathers need to hold personal interviews with their sons and not their daughters? honest question. i’m a convert who married someone with a non-member dad and inactive mom, so we have a lot of missing pieces. it’s hard to navigate “parenting according to the church” when neither of us have a clue as to what we’re doing!

  63. makakona Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 8:27 pm

    or am i an idiot and they should also counsel similarly with their daughters. were sons specifically pointed out because it’s a priesthood session?

  64. Ziff Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 8:27 pm

    Oh, I think they probably should will all their children. I would guess Elder Ballard just mentioned sons since he was talking in Priesthood Session.

  65. Ziff Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 8:28 pm

    Oops! You beat me to the punch. Not that you’re an idiot, though. It seems a perfectly reasonable question.

  66. makakona Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 8:33 pm

    thanks for the notes, matt w. my husband is working tonight and they’re what i sent to him for his midnight reading. good stuff there.

  67. alextvalencic Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 8:34 pm

    makakona, I was actually surprised that Elder Ballard didn’t make that caveat about talking with daughters, but I agree that it was most likely because a) he was in the Priesthood session and was talking about the father-son relationship and b) it would be really uncomfortably awkward to say that fathers should have the “big talk” with their daughters…

  68. alextvalencic Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 8:36 pm

    Hm… after actually looking up, for the first time ever, the definition of caveat, I’m not sure that is quite the word I meant… unless you can accept the relatively obscure notion of a caveat being a qualifier…

  69. Wm Morris Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 8:46 pm

    Pres. Uchtdorf’s recitation of D&C 88:79 in the context of his talk was masterful and inspiring.

  70. Ron Madson Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 9:09 pm

    #56 Steve M,

    “I liked President Monson’s message about anger, but it was admittedly hard to get past him telling the Thomas Marsh fable.”

    I also enjoyed Pres. Monson’s message on anger, but it was not hard this time to get past the Thomas Marsh fable. I did a mind trick. I imagined him and church historians in his office after Elder Bednar’s use of the story last conference and having a good laugh, and then this conference trying out a inside joke/prank by one upping the rookie Apostle by taking the yarn /dastardly make believe deed of Marsh even further. That way it was entertaining for me and I was not “angry.” Message sent.

  71. Hunter Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 9:17 pm

    I thought it was interesting to hear three different accents all in a row (Gonzalez, Choi, Uchtdorf). I have never made much of the various accents heard throughout General Conference, but for some reason, hearing a Spanish accent, follwed by a Korean accent, and then followed by a German accent — one after the other — struck me as remarkable. It made me stay awake, at the least, in order to make sure I understood. (Sometimes, not so successful, I fear.)

    Speaking of foreign General Authorities, I am sincerely bummed that Elder Didier has been released. I always admired him. And he speaks French.

  72. queuno Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 9:18 pm

    Gonzalez’s talk may not come off as well in print as did in person. I really enjoyed him. Powerful testimony. And it’s not often you hear the word “Uruguay” anywhere…

  74. the narrator Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 9:27 pm

    #56. I didn’t mind Monson’s use of the Marsh story at all. Monson used it to illustrate how we can let anger take control of us, instead of it’s normal use of trying to say that Marsh lost his testimony and apostatized over some milk.

    Overall, I enjoyed tonight’s PH session far more than the two earlier sessions today. Ballard’s talk was amazingly practical, which I actually really like… a lot.

  75. Ben Pratt Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 9:34 pm

    Matt W., great notes. There was stuff I didn’t even catch at all.

    Here are a few additions from my notes:

    Elder Ballard mentions “two essential elements of our theology, priesthood and family.” Reminds me of Kathleen Flake’s talk [reported by BHodges] on ‘priestly logic’ of polygamy.

    ….

    To RMs: all applies to you. “Go on dates. Hanging out not the way, nor is it enough. Learn the lost art of courtship. It works. Just ask your father!”

    ….

    I noticed that as he passed the First Presidency following his talk, Elder Choi appeared to perform a quick bow.

    ….

    Uchtdorf on learning: “How I love to read and learn!” “In a sense, the best books can become your university.” He wanted so badly to be among the schoolchildren who each had their own desk. “You can amplify your intellectual ability.

    President Eyring starts out describing where he keeps a vial of consecrated oil in a desk drawer, then turns toward President Uchtdorf, “I have a desk!” He was just gaping a huge grin. Priesthood holders must be prepared to bless (in a general sense) all the world. “The rising generation is rising around us, as if on an incoming tide.” We better rise with them.
    Messages from God become more faint with sin.

    The closing hymn was Rise Up, O Men of God (324). Indeed.

  76. alextvalencic Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 9:53 pm

    Regarding the tale of Thomas B. Marsh, I take Pres. Monson’s recitation as being akin to the Four Gospels, or to the different accounts of the First Vision. None are identical, because each emphasises are particularly important element (or, rather, an element that was particularly important to the author/teller).

    In this case, Pres. Monson was pointing out what can happen when we let our anger go unchecked. If he had tried to go into all the details of what had “really” happened, the message would have been lost.

    On a different topic, I was impressed with Elder Choi’s telling of a story to share a message of Priesthood leaders working with youth to help change their lives. The idea of a leader letting a group of “rough and rowdy boys” into his home whenever they wanted to come by is just so inspiring! My wife and I have a similar open-door policy, although it is rarely taken advantage of.

  77. Rigel Hawthorne Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 10:36 pm

    The best thing about the AP choir was seeing the two boys cracking up during the congregational hymn. I bet their mother will faint when she sees them on video. It did sound one time like part of them didn’t hold a note long enough and started to sing on while the rest were holding.

    It was great to hear Pres. Uchtdorf’s story of industriousness getting their family through poverty. Those who have lost everything due to failure of small businesses during this recession may take hope.

    I appreciated President Eyring’s story about the blessing of healing (even if I get tired of the church talks emphasizing how doctors were wrong). I hope that he is not bombarded with requests to give priesthood blessings after this.

    I thought anger was a good theme for a talk and that President Monson did it justice. As to the story of the injured child in the car, that must have been one heavy or forcefully thrown toy to cause brain damage. It’s hard to picture the trajectory of a driver throwing a toy toward passengers sitting on the same row with sufficient force. I guess thats an added aspect to the tragedy.

    I will be interested to see the references the Ensign attaches to the quotes of the Thomas Marsh story.

  78. m&m Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 10:47 pm

    Priesthood session is available online! Listening to Elder Ballard right now….

  80. Seth R. Says:
    October 3, 2009 at 11:50 pm

    I liked Choi’s talk a lot.

  81. Tim Says:
    October 4, 2009 at 3:55 am

    Amen to liking Choi’s talk. The power of opening one’s home–one of my buddy’s parents did that with their home, and their influence made a lasting impact on dozens of teenagers. Choi’s talk was the highlight of the session, along with the talks by the First Presidency. Eyring has always been one of my favorites, and Uchtdorf has quickly become my favorite.
    The three-accents-in-a-row thing–was it a first? Also cool.

  82. Antonio Parr Says:
    October 4, 2009 at 6:25 am

    Choi’s talk was wonderful. What a beautiful story and a beautiful challenge to us all to “go and do likewise”.

    With respect to the question about taking nonmembers to such a meeting, I know that any of my friends with Christian leanings (a) would have been impressed by most of the talks; but (b) would be mortified not only by the singing of a hymn of praise to/about Joseph Smith, but also the unusual zeal with which the Priesthood sings that song (seems to stimulate the testosterone . . . ).

    As for making poor Thomas Marsh a seemingly perpetual object lesson (with no chance to defend himself or put in perspective his life, struggles, accomplishments, etc.), my only hope is that the dead are not burdened by the stinging tongues of those of us who are on this side of the veil.

    Lest any of the above seem too harsh or negative, my overall conference experience was typical: some talks bored me; one or two included statements that burdened me; most inspired me; and at least one (in this case, Elder Anderson), reminded me how very fortunate I am to be a Latter-Day Saint.

  83. Ray Says:
    October 4, 2009 at 7:32 am

    I loved Elder Choi’s talk.

    We have been known as “The Hotel” for years, since many friends of our children have spent hours to months in our home – and it has been perhaps the greatest single blessing of our lives. We have six biological children but dozens who call us Papa and Mama – and I will be grateful eternally for that.

    As a side note, only one has joined the Church thus far, and he still struggles with his demons, but that’s not the point really. The point simply is giving kids who have no place of refuge a loving home and “second parents” whom they know love them for themselves. So many kids in this world don’t have that, and they need it desperately.

  84. James Says:
    October 4, 2009 at 7:51 am

    So, Ray runs “the hotel”…..somehow, that doesn’t surprise me. Sorry to embarrass my favorite contributor and I’m sure he didn’t write that to get such a reaction. I agree that it is a blessing to be considered almost as parents by other children. We always loved being the home where others were comfortable visiting. In that regard, I’m sorry 4 of my 5 are grown up.

    James in TN

  85. Larry the Cable Guy Says:
    October 4, 2009 at 7:52 am

    1. I am certain that I saw at least one pair of bunny ears out of the choir, and that is just from the floating focused shots.

    1 (a). I think the pained look on my face would have been even worse than theirs had I been in their shoes.

    2. My kids are all getting desks for Christmas.

  86. reminder Says:
    October 4, 2009 at 8:06 am

    #85: what was mentionned to make you want to get desks for your kids for Christmas?

  87. Ariel Says:
    October 4, 2009 at 8:44 am

    Uchtdorf said he didn’t have a desk as a teenager and he really wanted one. To him, it symbolized reading and learning. (At least that’s what I got from reading patheos last night.)

  88. Ariel Says:
    October 4, 2009 at 8:45 am

    when is the morning session thread going up? I’m getting impatient :)

  89. DavidH Says:
    October 4, 2009 at 9:08 am

    1. Someone should advise President Eyring about the letter from the FP not to use visual aids in talks. ;) Or maybe holding up containers of consecrated oil is not a visual aid.

    2. I liked the AP choir; I thought they sounded great given their ages. I also lwas glad it was not comprised almost entirely of towheaded young men from the east bench of SLC or Utah county. It also served as an audio-visual aid for Elder Choi’s talk about the rowdy young men who sang together (with less than a fully blended harmonious sound) and for whom that led to great things.

    3. I put the Thomas Marsh story in the same category as the book of Job, something to be learned from whether or not it was historically accurate.

  90. Brad Says:
    October 4, 2009 at 9:10 am

    I loved Elder Choi’s talk.

    Totally. The pic of the Korean boy band alone was worth the price of admission.

  91. Brother Matsby Says:
    October 4, 2009 at 9:44 am

    President Monson’s talk was exactly what I needed. He may as well have been speaking right to me. I didn’t get hung up on the story – and it’s a good thing too because I was really inspired by his talk.

  92. Eric Says:
    October 4, 2009 at 11:04 am

    I think for the first time ever, the video of the priesthood session is available online at http://www.lds.org/move/index.html?type=conference&event=Oct179&lang=english

  93. Kim Siever Says:
    October 4, 2009 at 12:34 pm

    Re: #12

    MCQ, Elder Choi was called during the April conference.

  94. manaen Says:
    October 4, 2009 at 12:59 pm

    39.
    President Monson really should get new material. He told that story about the brothers who didn’t speak to each other just a couple of years ago. Of course, he’s been recycling stories for decades. The one about the couple arguing in their car was new to me, though.
    ———————————————————
    I explained this sentiment to my wife, a two-year convert, earlier this week. She’s so enthused about the wholeness of gospel, sociality, moral training, welfare system, etc. that we have that she has a growing list of relatives, friends, and neighbors to whom she’s trying to introduce the restored gospel.
    .
    Her spontaneous reaction: “WE HAVEN’T HEARD IT YET; TELL THEM NOT TO BE SELFISH — SHARE!”
    .
    Likewise, I’ll add that these stories were new (BIC) to me the first time that I heard them. It was later that I found I also was hearing what you call “recycled stories.”

  95. Kim Siever Says:
    October 4, 2009 at 1:02 pm

    Did anyone notice President Uchtdorf had changed his tie?


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