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Sister Wright: Morality comes from archetypes, and Jesus is the best archetype. The Sermon on the Mount is the best description of the attributes of God. After Bread of Life sermon, many stopped following Jesus. Our faith must be centered on Jesus and his true character and nature. Conversion needs to be one-by-one. How can that happen in our lives and the lives of our children? Do they see Him in us?
“The Covenant Path” is meant to help us become like Jesus. “Doers of the word and not heaters only.” It should be joyful.
Conversion is measured by change in us. “Infuse the light of Jesus Christ into every corner of our lives.” The focus is personal change.
This Jesus is not fictional or symbolic.
“We are worth saving.”
I loved this talk.
Elder Stephenson: The effect of the light of Jesus Christ. We try to shine and share that light. Come unto Christ more fully. All adjustments have this focus, including the “visual identifier” (logo). (The shown symbol is in a non-English language.) Jesus standing under the arch represents the resurrection.
Celebrating the “season of Easter” as the primary worship focus, not just the day. “the most important holiday” Still a work in progress. Religious images, not just eggs and bunnies. Palm Sunday, Good Friday, etc. All who have ever lived will be resurrected. (This is the most direct statement of truly universal resurrection I have heard, and it refutes the idea of “Sons of Perdition” who are born but end up in Hell with Satan. That is huge, theologically.)
A little administrative thing, but I like the conducting of different sessions being spread around the Q12. My wife just mentioned that one thing she really liked about one talk was the constant use of the word “immigrants” instead of “pioneers”. She couldn’t remember which talk but thinks it was Elder Cook this morning. I missed that completely, but I really like that choice.
My wife said she loved Elder Uchtdorf’s talk. She didn’t talk enthusiastically about any of the other ones. Not sure if I will be able to do live comments in the second session. It’s fine if they don’t happen. Elder Eyring (seated): A testimony of Jesus. “come closer to him” “Draw near unto me, and I will draw near unto you. Seek and find; ask and receive; knock and opened” “Sometimes feel close to him, sometimes feel separated.”
What would we do if separated for a time from dear friends to connect to with them? Do the same with Jesus.
If you feel someone you love is separating from God and you can’t help, leave it to Jesus.
Story from his youth about “simple acts of obedience” (the sacrament and reading the scriptures).
Story of post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to disciples as they walked.
“Bind up the wounds of those in need.”
Good, solid, standard Easter talk.
Elder Gimenez: Trying to do essential things because we love the Savior. Link all we do to our love for the Savior. Sometimes our traditions dictate our efforts, just because we have done them for a long time. We need to understand why we do what we do, and the best reason is love for the Savior. Accomplish a task, or strengthen love? Why we do things is even more important than what we do.
Every answer to every core question is found in the life and teachings of Jesus.
Our actions should not be merely or primarily a check list. We all are between checklist actions and the ideal.
I really like the overall point he is making, especially as a gentle statement about how our culture can get caught up in checklist obedience as a sign of righteousness.
Elder Cook: “Atonement provides rescue from life’s trials.” Focus on temples.
Handcart companies – mostly successful, with few deaths, but Willie and Martin Companies exception. Casper temple has handcart company picture. Painting is correct, but not accurate for all companies. Other picture of beautiful landscape. Third of Jesus. Life holds great beauty AND terrible tragedy.
Pioneer history can be great analogy for modern members all across the spectrum. The Willie and Martin Companies ignored advice that it was too late and they should wait. (I like that he said this explicitly and clearly. I know the reason it is hard to “criticize” faithful members, but I would love to hear a talk about this as a morality tale about ignoring important advice due to misguided over-confidence and unrealistic faith.)
“Do what we can to rescue others. Live optimistically. Set aside consistent time to contemplate the Atonement. Attend the temple.”
“Adulation should be centered only on the Savior.” (I really like that statement, especially right now.)
Standard conference talk.
Elder Rasband: “hastening His work” Kirkland school of the prophets. “Church will fill the world.”
“disciples of Jesus Christ” – first reference to “the covenant path”
“naysayers will be mere footnotes in history”
temple building; missionary success; educational expansion
“hastening our holiness” “temple on a regular basis”
Expansion of church in South America and the islands of the see. 36 new missions.
“Give equal time, not spare time, to the Lord and the Church.”
BYU Pathways (75,00 students – one-third in Africa) – That is a very good thing.
“I recognize there are people with faith challenges. Focus on Jesus.” (I like that focus, even if it doesn’t address most faith crisis issues directly.)
Most people here probably will see this talk as standard cheerleading.
Sister Johnson: ten lepers story (“Thy faith had made thee whole.”) Healing and wholeness are the not the same. Learning from our experiences in life, we can be whole while waiting to be healed fully.
Spiritual wholeness can occur even as we wait for physical and emotional healing. (anxiety and depression mentioned specifically – no hint, even, of faithlessness or negativity about these kind of conditions/struggles)
Sharing our lamps, supporting each other.
Paul’s thorn of the flesh example – God: “my strength is made perfect in afflictions”.
Perfect defined as “wholeness” NOT flawless, sinless, mistake-free, etc.
Example of Mary Magdalene “first witness” – “wipe away tears”
Another talk I really liked.
Elder Holland: “Except ye become as little children.” “The natural man is an enemy to God, unless . . . become as a little child.” Not infantile actions. Hilarious story of his grandkids biting each other.
Children have “in-born humility” compared to “vain imaginations” and “pride of the children of men” and “self-serving prayer”.
We too often “profess to be Christians but don’t take him seriously” and “quote his sayings but don’t live his teachings”.
Children “love so easily, laugh so naturally”.
A very touching story about his grandson passing the sacrament.
This was a touching, moving, excellent talk focused on an important principle.
Church members are all across the spectrum in just about every category. I understand the frustration with many, but sweeping stereotypes are damaging. It is important to try to see all sides in as balanced a way as possible. Quote:Jesus didn’t sacrifice so we could share in his misery. He sacrificed so we could mitigate our own misery or avoid it altogether.
This – and everything else in Nibler’s comment. There is a degree of misery inherent in mortal life, but feeling miserable (as a condition) is not healthy for anyone but the truly wicked who need it to feel the need to change.
Using “the plan of happiness” has its danger, as well, since people who struggle to feel happy can feel extra guilty for that struggle – so I like being able to choose whichever phrase resonates with each person at any particular moment: the plan of happiness or the plan of salvation.
So, to the post’s question: We can choose how we look at it, based on whatever motivates us to do and be good to ourselves and others.
