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Elder Gong started out his talk with a joke that I found less than funny. It portrayed his wife in a way that came across as stupid. He wouldn’t have told the same joke about anyone in a position of church authority. I cannot imagine him telling the same joke using President Monson. During an era in which gender is such a charged issue within the church, making such a joke was a very poor choice. Elder Kearon does indeed have a lovely voice. Kearon reading Kipling out loud would be a treat.
The refugee situation is dear to me. I have been thrilled to hear the church continue to make a pro-refugee stance.
Limited reference to Essays and other church projects. Aha – 1 point for missionary reference to Brussels bombing.
DHO started out innocently enough, but I knew he’d get there eventually. 👿 Amateurparent, I’m with you. I’m pretty sure E. Gong is sleeping on the couch tonight.
AP wrote Quote:Kearon reading Kipling out loud would be a treat.
Yes.
On the refugee issue I am with you. I thought of you during Kearon’s talk and was hoping you heard it. I picture you on the train pulling out and grieving as you watched them clamoring in desperation.
Elder Kent Richards (Q70): Temple focus: The real power of the temple is in the ordinances. (I accept that, if they are seen symbolically – if it is the concepts and principles that are powerful.) He appears to have a more literal view than I do.
Now a talk about the temple. I’m not currently participating in the temple so I’m only partly listening. He’s encouraging non-senior citizens to serve as temple workers. (I wonder if they still have the caveat that women with children at home can’t be temple workers? I’ve heard that some areas have been easing up on that.) My PB does say that I will be a temple worker someday, but a LOT will have to change in order for that to happen.
Some guy made it sound like mechanics, or any blue-collar workers, should not go to the temple until they have scrubbed their hands raw, taking “clean hands” way too literally. Wow. Elder Paul Johnson (Q70): Thinking of the resurrection, since it has been a year since his daughter passed away from cancer. Easter is a reminder of his daughter’s hopes, as she wrote shortly before she died.
One more reference to being spirit children of heavenly parents.
This is sounding like a talk for non-members who are listening and watching. It is a solid, standard talk about the resurrection, even if it presents the first vision as a visitation.
Shawn, he shook his head when he told that story and focused on the man’s reaction – not taking offense, when offense was appropriate. I hated that statement, as well, but the speaker’s intent obviously was not to agree with it as a reason to exclude someone from the temple. It is important to recognize that. It wasn’t presented perfectly, by any stretch, but the message simply was to be as clean as you can be when you go to the temple. That isn’t a bad message, even, again, if it was presented a bit clumsily.
DHO mentioning that missionaries weren’t killed in the Brussels bombing rubbed me the wrong way. We shouldn’t use that as proof of our superiority. And honestly? If missionaries had been killed, we’d put a faith promoting spin on that. And if missionaries had walked away unscathed, we’d put a faith promoting spin on that, too.
I appreciate the emotion in JRH’s talk. And he did promise to take us all out for ice cream afterward, so that was nice.
Do you think the velociraptor will make it into the Ensign?
Elder Jeffrey Holland (Q12): Do you have any idea how much we love you? You see us one-by-one on a screen, but we look out and see you. You thrill us to the center of our soul. You are the miracle of this church.
I am the only person standing between you and ice cream. None of want tomorrow to destroy our wonderful feelings from this weekend. After heavenly moments, we always have to return to Earth, with its post-illumination affliction.
Referenced Moses coming down from Sinai and seeing the idolatrous people, after receiving commandments directly forbidding it. Also, mentioned Mount of Transfiguration followed by an argument among the disciples and other issues.
We all have to come down from peak experiences, so:
1) If you see limitations, please don’t be cast down in spirit. These talks are intended to give hope, not discouragement. We can improve, and we get credit for trying, even when we don’t succeed. “And for them that seekers so to do.” Sometimes, that is all we can offer. The Lord blesses those who want to improve and who try to improve.
2) “As you desire of me, so shall it be done unto you.” We must not deny others what we want to receive.
The first great commandment is to love God, but the first great truth is that God loves us with all of his heart, might, mind, and strength. Extend that grace to others. God will never desert us. We may pass through serious trials, but we will emerge better and purer for them.
We can escape the consequences of both sin and stupidity – both our own and that of others. We simply must do the best we can. All things work together for good to them that love God. So, keep going.
Quote:God give the power to the faint, and to them that have no might, he give the strength. (Isaiah)
May God bless us tomorrow to remember how we felt today. He will be with us especially when we struggle.
My only issue with JRH’s talk is that I have personal knowledge that God doesn’tlove me, and there are really no good answers to that. And it’s not the kind of thing that you expect to hear addressed from the GC pulpit. But it still stings a little to hear an apostle declare how much God loves His children and know it doesn’t apply to me. :eh:
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