The "Official(ish)" April 2012 General Conference Thread

[JB]

Well, folks, TheologyWeb wasn't feeling none too good during and right after the bulk of General Conference this year. Some of us were able to discuss it a little bit at our temporary ersatz TWeb, but it just wasn't quite the same. Let's see if folks from both sides can discuss this year's General Conference while mostly avoiding being idiots and/or jerks.

For those who didn't see or hear any/some of this year's talks, or who just want to catch it again, it's all available here at the official website of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

For my part, I caught everything from the three Saturday sessions via the chapel's video feed, and I did a blog post featuring my favorite talk from Saturday, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's "The Laborers in the Vineyard", and also critiquing a critical podcast review of the talk.

Those of you who caught any of the talks this year: What were your favorite talks, and why? Were there any of the talks that didn't quite satisfy you, and why? What did you learn? Was there anything you expected to be mentioned that wasn't? What reactions did you have to the change in some church officers?

[Cow Poke]

[OtherCheek]

Well, folks, TheologyWeb wasn't feeling none too good during and right after the bulk of General Conference this year. Some of us were able to discuss it a little bit at our temporary ersatz TWeb, but it just wasn't quite the same. Let's see if folks from both sides can discuss this year's General Conference while mostly avoiding being idiots and/or jerks.

For those who didn't see or hear any/some of this year's talks, or who just want to catch it again, it's all available here at the official website of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

For my part, I caught everything from the three Saturday sessions via the chapel's video feed, and I did a blog post featuring my favorite talk from Saturday, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's "The Laborers in the Vineyard", and also critiquing a critical podcast review of the talk.

Those of you who caught any of the talks this year: What were your favorite talks, and why? Were there any of the talks that didn't quite satisfy you, and why? What did you learn? Was there anything you expected to be mentioned that wasn't? What reactions did you have to the change in some church officers?

Thanks for posting this thread, JB. I hope that more than just you and I participate in it.

I too really liked Elder Hollands remarks about envy using the parable of the laborers in the field. He seems to have a gift for communicating and teaching, and I felt a stab of guilt for having feelings of envy of the "easy time" that I perceive others getting when I don't think they deserve it. It hit me when he paraphrased the Savior's rejoinder: "Why should you feel envious or jealous just because I want to show kindness." (Or words to that effect). I thought Elder Holland could have also used the parable of the prodigal son, focusing on the reaction of the elder son when the father killed the fatted calf. He also said regarding how we view others: "We aren't in a race against others."

Another talk that held a lot of meaning for me was President Eyring's remarks Saturday morning. He talked about building footings and foundations and giving them time to cure--relating this to building faith and a testimony. He spoke of adversity, and how the clock seems to slow to a near stop when one is passing through affliction and adversity. How trouble can be an avenue to faith and how trials and affliction are meant to "polish us a little more."

I have always like President Uchtdorf's talks. Saturday afternoon he spoke about hanging on to bitter feelings, and not being unforgiving of one another. "STOP IT!" he said. "Repent and forgive." "By judging others, we condemn ourselves." "Replace judging others with love others." "Don't judge me just because I sin differently than you." was a bumper sticker quote he gave. "We can't deny others the grace that we so desperately need ourselves." "Forgive as you would want to be forgiven." "Let go of our grievances."

Russel M. Nelson gave some good remarks about how we are oblivious to H.F. our great benefactor. He asked a person taking care of fish in an aquarium: "Have the fish ever thanked you." Humans tend to be just as oblivious as the fish. Speaking of the fact that life is no accident he said: "Can an explosion in a printing shop produce a dictionary."

I appreciated L. Tom Perry's remarks regarding deliverance. He sited a story from the BoM that has very special meaning to me, regarding the Lord's power to deliver.

President Monson asked if we ever take time to pause about what is really important in life. Discerning this comes with trials and crisis. He talked about the 3 great questions: Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where will I go when I die?

I really enjoyed conference as a time to "recharge" my spiritual reserve.

I was sad to see Bishop Burton released, but I imagine the next presiding bishop will also do a fine job in this busy calling.

I didn't hear any "fire and brimstone" talks, but I think we are living in a time when those kind of talks are not going to happen. That time, I believe will return some day soon, but not yet.

Thanks.

[moreta]

"Don't judge me just because I sin differently than you."

I like this one. I didn't have the opportunity to hear any of the talks, but I like reading what you gys have to say about them.