It’s going to take a heckuva Priesthood session to top the sessions earlier today, folks. Get ready to be translated.
President Henry B Eyring conducting, music from the MTC Choir all the way up from beautiful Provo, Utah!
Opening Hymn: Rise Up, Oh Men of God
Opening Prayer, called the 4th Session of General Conference! (hooah!)
Oh goody! The men are going to sing a medley of children’s songs, too!
Up first: Elder Quentin L. Cook
“Rise above any rationalizations that prevent us from making righteous decisions.”
Talk about not postponing marriage beyond a “reasonable” age, and cautions not to allow education or financial goals to postpone dating with the idea towards temple marriage. “Please recommit to worthy conduct.”
Moderation and balance is important in all things- avoid “anonymous yakking”. (pshhhh…that never happens)
“Will this make you a better person?” Rationalizing wrong choices will ensnare us in sin, and help us lose our way.
Reminding us to consider Elder Oaks’ talk “Good, Better, Best” to determine which are worthwhile endeavors and which are distractions.
Sportsball! American football… (we’re sorry, rest of the world.)
This life is the time to prepare to meet God. We treasure unstructured time with friends and family, but we must have a seriousness of purpose that must undergird all our choices. We want to be found on the Celestial side of the divide.
Craig C. Christiansen, President of the Seventy
“Whether you are 12, or 112, or anywhere in between, you can know for yourself if the Gospel is true.”
Does each of us know for ourselves if the Gospel is true? Can we say our testimonies are ours? If you do not have a testimony, do the things necessary to have one. The testimony of others will only carry you so far.
Stories of both Nephi and Joseph Smith Jr as examples of men who were very young, but whose diligence and faith provided them with knowledge of the Gospel and of their Savior.
Anyone can ask of God and receive answers to their prayers.
A testimony is a sacred gift from God, and it comes when we study, pray and live the Gospel. A testimony is not a lightswitch- it is not either “on” or “off” but is rather like a tree, going through many stages of growth.
A testimony grows much the way a tree grows- slowly, naturally, and with nurturing and care.
Dean M. Davies, Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, very happy to be addressing us.
Church humanitarian services and the tremendous work done around the world.
Caring for the poor and needy is a fundamental gospel principle. One of four, divinely-appointed church responsibilities (yay for a shoutout to the fourth mission!)
Fast offerings are a way for faithful church members to care for the poor and needy, and to fulfill the fourth mission of the church.
A nice follow-up support for Elder Holland’s powerful sermon on our responsibility to the poor and needy in the Saturday afternoon session.
Caring for the poor is part of our covenants as a church members. It is inherent in the ministry of the Savior- he reaches out to all, and lifts us.
Congregational Hymn: We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet (stand up and sing, boys!)(wow, that’s a lot of white shirts…)
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor, First Presidency
Would we, like those disciples of old, be willing to look inward and ask “Is it I?” This is the pathway to personal conversion and to lasting change.
Charming story about dandelions (not airplanes) in our neighbor’s yards, and how we focus on the faults of others, when we consider not our own.
We have a difficult time seeing ourselves as we truly are- overestimating our own performance, and underestimating the performance of others. When we take this viewpoint to church, we blind ourselves to blessings and opportunities to grow in profound ways.
No one is exempt from the daily acts of service and devotion necessary to keep oneself close to God.
Confronting limitations, weaknesses and fears is uncomfortable. We look through the filter of biases and excuses. We try and justify unworthy thoughts and actions. How can we see ourselves as (the Savior) sees us?
Humble yourself before the Lord. See beyond your pride, ask in humility, and accept the answers the Lord gives. Allow yourself to be a better man, a better husband, a better father. Seeing ourselves clearly is the beginning of wisdom.
Ask yourself, “Lord, is it I?”
President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor, First Presidency
Speaking to the Aaronic Priesthood tonight.
He’s taking a page from President Monson’s storybook.
A senior Priesthood companion can give the gifts of trust and caring to their young companions. Seasoned leaders can provide examples for young men that will not be forgotten. This is how our boys are prepared to be men.
Our job in priesthood service is to invite people to come unto Christ.
“Show me” counts far more than “tell me” in priesthood lessons.
Our success in preparing others for the priesthood will come in direct proportion to how much we love them- especially so in the need for correction.
Correction must be done with an “increase of love” which means there must have already been love present. They must know your praise before they can accept your correction.
President Thomas S. Monson
Enjoy his lovely stories.
The lighthouse of the Lord beckons to all as we travel the seas of life.
It is essential for man to have a purpose, a rudder to direct his life. The Lord provides a clear map, cautions against pitfalls and traps. If we listen to the still small voice which speaks to the depths of our souls, we will hear “Come, follow me.”
Look heavenward to the unfailing direction there, that we may chart a proper course. Let us find our way home to God, that we may dwell with Him eternally.
Closing Hymn: “Ye Elders of Israel” with a solo by a fresh-faced choirboy- his mother is beside herself.
Y’all have fun at Training Table or wherever it is you get fry sauce after Conference. Here on the east coast, everything’s closed now. G’night!
By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog 
Tried watching Priesthood at home didn’t like it. Back at the Stake Center. Much better. Definitely less people here than usual.
Anyone else catch that the opening prayer called this the “fourth session of General Conference?”
Yes Seth, I also noted that. At least that’s what I thought I heard as there were some unresolved technical difficulties going on at that time.
I guess the General Womens meeting IS part of conference.
No women present here in our local chapel.
“digital cruelty and anonymous yakking.” yep.
One woman where I’m at, but it’s my wife.
STILL, WE’RE THAT KIND OF PROGRESSIVE
Elder Cook name-dropped science without preceding it with “so-called.” I call that a win.
Uchtdorf refers to “the god of this world”, a citation of 2Co 4:4, on which, see http://www.mormonmonastery.org/232-2-corinthians-44-and-the-god-of-this-world/
Uchtdorf wins again.
Someone posted a picture at the Marriott Center priesthood session, which has women all over the place.
As a mom of three little boys, I loved having the priesthood session on in our home this evening. I am so grateful it’s broadcast for everyone now. I truly enjoyed the messages this evening. I will add, too, that I look forward to the day when we receive further light & knowledge w/r/t women’s roles and service in the priesthood.
Can anyone tell me when caring for the poor, needy and elderly became the fourth mission of the church?
http://www.sltrib.com/faith/ci_13965607
joe, dec 2009
sorry zmt; your link wasn’t on my screen when i posted.
Was it just me or was Pres. Monson uncharacteristically slurring words toward the end of the talk? And seems pretty similar to a talk he gave in 1982:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1982/04/sailing-safely-the-seas-of-life?lang=eng
It’s almost the exact same talk. I think it’s fairly well-known his health is failing.
Yeah, he’s been recycling talks and stories for decades.
I have a grand total of maybe four good talks. Luckily no ward has ever asked me to speak more than four times.
If I had a good talk from 35 years ago (I don’t) I would use it in a heartbeat.
Tracy, it wasn’t the exact same talk although he did use the Bismarck story again, this time he related it not to the general membership but instead to those who bear the priesthood. Like Left Field said, he has long reused many different stories and discussions to pull together the message he intends to share. I don’t see it as a question of failing health – though he is aging – but rather a question of finding the right message to share and sometimes it’s one you’ve shared before.
I think it’s fairly well-known he’s almost 90…
My favorite moment was the revelation that stated “Because of the high-mindedness and puffed up attitude of those who call themselves cougars, I am transferring my love and affection to the long-suffering saints whose hearts are in Cache Valley”…or did I just dream that part.