Wow,
I’m just about speechless. What a wonderful conference. It was such a special experience to sustain such a humble man of God in President Thomas S. Monson, Prophet, Seer, and Revelator. This was the first Solemn Assembly that I’d witnessed given that I’d joined The Church a couple months before President Hinckley became Prophet. I was preparing to get married during the last one.
I’d have to say that thing that stood out the most in my mind though was President Uchtdorf. Wow, what an awe inspiring man. His English skills as the Solemn Assembly was taking place, and as he called other General Authorities and Auxilaries of The Church. He just rolled those names off his tongue without much difficulty. I really love to hear him speak.
The other talks were great too, and I was so glad to hear Elder Scott tackle an issue that definitely needs to be discussed.
What things stood out to you?
Here are some quotes from the talk:
To abusers: “You likely have deceived yourself in the false, temporary security that you have successfully hidden your transgression from the civil or church authorities. But know that the Lord Jesus Christ is completely aware of your sins. Know that sometime, some way, your abusive actions will be made public.”
He urged those who have abused others to “recognize that you need help with your addiction or it will destroy you. You will not overcome it by yourself. You likely need specialized professional help. I plead with you to be rescued now,” he said, with a recognition that forgiveness is possible with complete repentance through Christ’s atonement.
Apostle Richard G. Scott tackled the day’s most sensitive topic: sexual abuse.
Though this “vicious, abominable sin” is pervasive in the world, Scott said, “faith in Jesus Christ and in his power to heal provides the abused with the means to overcome the terrible consequences of another’s unrighteous acts.”
Healing may begin with a “thoughtful bishop or stake president or a wise professional counselor,” Scott said. “You should leave punishment for diabolic acts of abuse to civil and church authorities.”
He had harsh words for perpetrators, saying that they could conceal their actions from some people but not from God, who sees all.
Read More at the Following Source:
Mormon Times
The General Young Women Meeting of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2008. If you’re unfamiliar with the Young Women’s Program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, follow the link at the end of this post.
Speakers include the Young Women general presidency and a member of the First Presidency.
This meeting will be held on March 29, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. in the Conference Center.
Visit LDS.org for further information on this event, and watch it with your friends. Make it extra fun by inviting a non-member, what a wonderful missionary opportunity that would be.
Resources on the Young Women’s Program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Text Credit: LDS.org
Given the fact that General Conference will be here before we know it, I figured I’d link to several articles about, or written by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf the newly called 2nd Counselor in The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have really enjoyed getting to know President Uchtdorf, what a life he’s lead thusfar, and what a life he has to come.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: On to New Horizons
Special Witness: Getting to Know Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
See the End from the Beginning
Visiting Teaching Message: Become an Instrument in the Hands of God by Practicing Holiness
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Developing Christlike attributes in our lives is not an easy task. … The reality check comes when Christlike attributes need to become visible in our lives—as husband or wife, as father or mother, as son or daughter, in our friendships, in our employment, in our business, and in our recreation. We can recognize our growth, as can those around us, as we gradually increase our capacity to ‘act in all holiness before [Him]’ (D&C 43:9)” (“Christlike Attributes—the Wind beneath Our Wings,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2005, 102).
Friend to Friend - Side Note, not that they aren’t all good. But, this one is really special from The Friend Magazine
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“The Atonement of Jesus Christ is real; it brings immortality to all and opens the door to eternal life. The gospel of Jesus Christ is again on the earth. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true and living” (“The Opportunity to Testify,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2004, 76).
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Presidency of the Seventy: I have no ancestors among the 19th-century pioneers. However, since the first days of my Church membership, I have felt a close kinship to those early pioneers who crossed the plains. They are my spiritual ancestry, as they are for each and every member of the Church, regardless of nationality, language, or culture. They have established not only a safe place in the West but also a spiritual foundation for the building of the kingdom of God in all the nations of the world.
They Spoke to Us: Making Conference Part of Our Lives - See the End from the Beginning
Called to Serve - From The Friend Magazine
Book Reviews - From The Friend Magazine
Sister Eternal, by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, illustrated by Ben Sowards. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shares a story from his childhood. As his family embarks on a journey through war-torn Germany, they encounter danger and fear. But with the help of one elderly woman, they come to find peace and truth.
Sharing Time: The Light of Christ
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of Presidency of the Seventy said that when he was growing up, his “chapel had a stained-glass window of Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove. Whenever the sun shone on it, I felt that the story it illustrated and what I had learned in Primary about the First Vision were true” (Liahona, Apr. 1999, F3).
Event Description
The 178th Annual General Conference of the Church will convene in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday and Sunday, April 5-6, 2008. The Saturday general sessions will be held at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.; Sunday sessions will be held at 9:30 a.m. (which includes Music and the Spoken Word) and 2:00 p.m. The general priesthood meeting will be held in the Conference Center on Saturday, April 5, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. Click Here for more information.
Please leave your comments on The 178th Annual General Conference here!
Text Credit: LDS.org
Photo Credit: DesignTeam.