Deseret News | Five lasting impressions from general conference

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Five lasting impressions from general conference

good for you | 3:16 a.m. Oct. 6, 2009

I'm pleased you had such a lovely experience at conference along with thousands of others.Pity however that the recent suffering of the poor members in the Philippines and Samoa never got a mention at conference. Many members have lost their lives and thousands their homes. meetinghouses have been destroyed and there is great suffering.If such tragedies had happened closer to home much would have been said. How easy it is to live in COMFORTABLE COMPLACENCY when all our basic needs are met.

If this is truly a worldwide church then leaders must speak of those members in foreign lands who are suffering as if they were in the safe havens of Utah living in comfort.

I agree | 7:36 a.m. Oct. 6, 2009

I found that odd too, that nothing was mentioned.

conference | 8:05 a.m. Oct. 6, 2009

Conference can be such a wonderful blessing to all our lives. A couple from our neighborhood serves as missionaries in the translation department at Church headquarters. They have mentioned that those who speak must submit their written talks to them weeks in advance. Because it is a world wide church, and the many languages spoken, for the messages to be effectively communicated to everyone, they must be prepared in advance so that the talks can be translated before conference. I'm sure this early preparation helps us get the ensign and liahona out within a month, rather than two or three months later. I'm sure if the brethren were not under this constraint, and could just stand and speak freely, recently tragedies would have been referenced. I have heard one general authority state that giving talks in conference is one of the most difficult things that they have to do as they are not used to giving talks that they. They usually just stand and speak what they are prompted to say. With general conference, they rely on those promptings to come to them months before they actually speak.

Comments continue below

Scott in Texas | 8:05 a.m. Oct. 6, 2009

The suffering in Indonesia, the Polynesian Islands and the Phillipines were mentioned from the pulpit with assurance that aid was already on the way. I remember it clearly from the first session, and between sessions the LDS World Report went into detail about church humanitarian efforts around the world. At no time did I get the sense that leaders were disregarding the suffering of our brothers and sisters in those areas, and the counsel they gave during all five sessions, as always, was aimed to lift people out of spiritual crises no matter what their temporal situation might be. Acknowledging that the spirit was present and that conference was uplifting does not strike me as complacency but rather as an expression of gratitude to heaven for the word of God that heals troubled souls.

Yes they were... | 8:06 a.m. Oct. 6, 2009

Go back and read the talks. You will find an Apostle of The Lord who mentioned that we had already sent supplies to these areas and they are mentioned specifically. And your reasoning needs to be reconsidered. With your logic, if nothing is said about these, then the church is is not a worldwide church?

Anonymous | 8:46 a.m. Oct. 6, 2009

Thank you for your article. I remember watching Elder Ballard's talk during the priesthood session and thinking how great it will be when my boys are old enough to come with me.

Anonymous | 9:05 a.m. Oct. 6, 2009

It seemed like a very "spirit of the law" conference, which I enjoyed very much.

Anonymous | 10:13 a.m. Oct. 6, 2009

Thanks so much for this article. I was grateful for the reminders of my own "attending conference" experiences. I love the gospel!

Re: Yes they were | 10:41 a.m. Oct. 6, 2009

"Apostle of the Lord", (Ephesians 2:20 Greek NT.)"having been built"[past tense] on the foundation of THE apostles and prophets being cornerstones [him]self Christ Jesus." This was a unique event in the past,the Greek reading church fathers knew this. Christ is the living foundation of the Christian church.

Follow the Prophet | 12:32 p.m. Oct. 6, 2009

Let's all sing "All is Well, All is Well." Did we mention we are building five brand shiny new temples? Pay your tithing, feel guilty, rinse, repeat.

Obviously some did not listen | 1:18 p.m. Oct. 6, 2009

Did you even listen to conference? So many of the talks referred to the suffering happening in the world due to natural disasters etc. But honestly, what would you rather have? A church that talks about how sad it is, how we need to pray for the people harder and then does nothing more. Or, a church that says little but does MUCH...quietly sends and organizes relief like no other.
I am samoan, I know what the church is doing in Samoa for my family. I don't need anyone broadcasting it on TV to know how much the church acknowledges the suffering, helps and cares. Obviously, if you had listened to General Conference you wouldn't be so judgemental...BTW, I am choosing not to be angry at ignorant comments :).

WSU Grad | 1:55 p.m. Oct. 6, 2009

One thing that stuck with me after watching conference was that the leadership and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir certainly do not represent the diverse membership of the Church.

Anonymous | 1:56 p.m. Oct. 6, 2009

Um, pretty fuzzy.

re: WSU Grad | 4:49 p.m. Oct. 6, 2009

No diversity whatsoever...except Elder Zeballos and Elder Gonzalez (Latin America)...and Elder Choi (Korea)...and Elder Sitati (Africa)...and Pres. Uchtdorf (Western Europe). That of course doesn't count the additional dozen or so members of the Seventy who call Asia, Latin America, and Europe their home.

listening | 4:56 p.m. Oct. 6, 2009

I heard them mention the recent disasters. Maybe you tuned that part out.

kenny | 5:34 p.m. Oct. 6, 2009

Correct me if I'm wrong but the seventy who gave the opening prayer for Sunday afternoon did include
The suffering in Indonesia, the Polynesian Islands and the Phillipines in his prayer.

Robert Watson | 6:23 p.m. Oct. 6, 2009

"Follow the Prophet" Is that your real name? And just what are you trying to say?

My Impressions of Conference | 6:29 p.m. Oct. 6, 2009

It was all the same 'ol same 'ol. Nothing new or interesting. Business as usual... and I DO mean BUSINESS!

Anonymous | 7:05 p.m. Oct. 6, 2009

Conference reminded me of my primary class. Kind of juvenile.

Kris | 7:56 p.m. Oct. 6, 2009

I'm so sorry there wasn't anything interesting for you to hear. The gospel isn't new, it's the same path to happiness that is has been since before the world was. Participating in conference felt wonderful (and I only got to listen to the audio from thousands of miles away). I can't wait to reread the talks and I already watched the Priesthood session online. MY CUP IS FULL! :)

GA LDS | 8:02 p.m. Oct. 6, 2009

Wow, I am amazed that conference was not meaningful for some of you. I thought that the talk on the Book Of Mormon by Elder Jeffrey Holland was powerful. I was able to watch a couple of talks on a Delta flight and they were very inspirational. The choir sang great powerful spiritual songs like Be Still My Soul. I was greatful for technology to be able to hear the talks and songs. By the way, Conference Sunday used to be a "Bye" week, but after this round, it will be a staple.

Anonymous | 8:28 p.m. Oct. 6, 2009

Conference is begining to be like groundhog dog. It is not special anymore; it is very unispired. Pretty sad actually. Church leaders need to do a better job.

Not Anonymous to God | 11:20 p.m. Oct. 6, 2009

Just to let you know. God knows your heart and remembers your name.

Shape up!

Have a spiritual biggest loser contest and leave the most sins at the alter.

Chris D.

My Impressions | 6:06 p.m. Oct. 7, 2009

My lasting impression from Conference is this:

I could have just recorded and replayed any General Conference from the past 20 years and missed nothing new!

The talking heads are all interchangeable.

Are you not entertained? | 6:59 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009

I am wondering, do your parents force you to watch confernece? If the same thing has been said for the last 20 years, why are you still watching? Most of those who watch conference are seeking a spiritual boost to contrast our worldly experince. If you want entertainment, go to the movies and see what type of inspiration "Holywood" can supply for you. "As for me and my house..."

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