What Did Conference Say To You?

[Scott Lloyd]

Did we listen to the same conference? Or maybe each one of us heard different things according to the need? I heard a comment about those who leave the church. I heard a comment about "Searchers", of which I certainly am.  One of them talked about getting distracted by narrow issues and losing sight of the will of God and of Jesus the Christ. That's why I have to listen to it again.

Yes, if I recall correctly, it was Elder Ballard who talked about getting distracted by narrow issues. It struck a chord with me as I've seen much of that on message boards such as this.

In contrast I spent yesterday morning interviewing five of the six subjects featured in the new "Meet the Mormons" movie. These are men and women who see the gospel in its beauty, depth and grandeur and let it enrich their lives. I was inspired.

 

Edited to add:

 

I finally got occasion to meet one of my heroes, the Berlin Candy Bomber, Gail Halvorsen, all the more special because he is in his 90s and I don't know how much longer he'll be with us.

 

I got him to autograph my reporter's notebook and address it to our four children by name.

 

And our conversation is preserved on my digital voice recorder, so I'll have that to cherish in years to come.

 

It was a great day; I didn't even mind having to shoehorn seven interviews into a single story and turn it around for city desk deadline.

Edited October 8, 2014 by Scott Lloyd

[stemelbow]

I have to strongly disagree. Some on this board have mentioned Elder Oaks as an example of revelation in a time of need. There is constant revelation from God to the prophets, Stake Presidents, Bishops, and members. That it is not 'grand' and 'glorious' in the eyes of a few is not something The Lord is going to worry about. MW

That's fine, but saying as much denies any revelation that comes similarly to many other people who are not LDS. In this way, LDS revelation, at least right now, is no different then revelation and inspiration that others receive. Or are you saying no one receives such divine guidance?

[stemelbow]

It really does seem that way doesn't it.  I think they are doing the best they can to lead their stewardships according to the will of the Lord.

I don't think they regularly receive the word of the Lord on decisions as in days past.  I think it is more a case of praying and following impressions as any person might receive in answer to prayer.

But for now, that's what the Lord has chosen to provide.

I agree.

[stemelbow]

I'm beginning to like your style. Don't explain why or pinpoint the ideas you don't agree with. Just say you disagree and leave it at that. I kinda like it.

'cept if I need some light and guidance as per her perspective I'm missing it when no explanation comes. But it's alright. We can move forward just disagreeing.

[HappyJackWagon]

 

A bit presumptuous because we have no idea what actually goes on behind the scenes with the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve, all of whom are prophets, seers and revelators...

 

IF they are receiving revelation but not sharing it, that would be a major problem don't you think? What is their calling? Are revelations for their benefit only? If so, why should we rely on them?

 

IF they receive revelation or experience miraculous things it seems like it would be in accordance with their call to make it know to the world to strengthen faith. It's ironic but when it comes to the method of revelation non-believers are more literal than the believers. Non-believers take the prophets/apostles at their word and interpret what they say literally whereas believers make assumptions to fit their understanding or desires.

[teddyaware]

And yet not a single one revealed to the public or membership as in days past. Not one in the last century.  Ever.

I listened to the General Conference addresses of last weekend very carefully and the leaders made it clear that those addresses, past and present, are revelations from God that should be placed side by side with the Standard Works as able guides into eternal truth. Just because the written format of the General Conference addresses differ from the formats found in some portions of scripture do not make the addresses any less inspired. There are many epistles in our standard works that are not written in the formant of, say, Doctrine and Covenants 76, but all these epistles are scripture nonetheless. Do we throw the epistles of Peter and Paul out of the Standard Works just because they are not written with Christ speaking in the first person? Of course not. I believe it is for a wise purpose that today's publicly disseminated revelations are not written with the Lord speaking in the first person, although they could be. 

3 And this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost.

4 And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.

5 Behold, this is the promise of the Lord unto you, O ye my servants. (D&C 68)

Couldn't be any more plain.

Edited October 8, 2014 by teddyaware

[HappyJackWagon]

 

those addresses, past and present, are revelations from God that should be placed side by side with the Standard Works as able guides into eternal truth.

Not surprisingly, I disagree. The Standard Works are accepted in the LDS canon because 1- they were accepted by the prophet and first presidency, 2-then by the Q12, and finally 3- by the voice of common consent of the people. This is how the cannon is recognized and accepted. It is from the canon that we receive our doctrine, not general conference UNLESS we vote to approve it as official scripture. That is why The Living Christ and The Family: A Proclamation to the World are not officially a part of the canon. They have not been voted on and therefore are not a part of the standard works.

Edited October 8, 2014 by HappyJackWagon

[teddyaware]

Not surprisingly, I disagree. The Standard Works are accepted in the LDS canon because 1- they were accepted by the prophet and first presidency, 2-then by the Q12, and finally 3- by the voice of common consent of the people. This is how the cannon is recognized and accepted. It is from the canon that we receive our doctrine, not general conference UNLESS we vote to approve it as official scripture. That is why The Living Christ and The Family: A Proclamation to the World are not officially a part of the canon. They have not been voted on and therefore are not a part of the standard works.

During the last General Conference, the leaders frequently made it plain the conference addresses should be placed side by side with the Standard Works and utilized together as reliable revelatory guides into saving truth. If accepting only canonized scripture provides some with the excuse they need to not follow the inspired words of living prophets, they have the right as a free agents to ignore that counsel whenever they choose; but that right to ignore the prophets doesn't also give them the ability to avoid the consequences that will inevitably follow if they choose not to follow the 15 presiding prophets, seers and revelators who stand at the head of the Church.

I'm curious to know how you interpret the verses I quoted from D&C 68 in my previous post. Do you believe that when the Lord speaks of scripture in verse 4, He is speaking only of the Standard Works?

Edited October 9, 2014 by teddyaware

[JLHPROF]

During the last session of Conference, the leaders made it plain the conference addresses should be placed side by side with the Standard Works and utilized together as reliable revelatory guides into saving truth. If accepting only canonized scripture provides some with the excuse they need to not follow the inspired words of living prophets, they have the right as a free agents to ignore that counsel whenever they choose; but that right to ignore the prophets doesn't also give them the ability to avoid the consequences that will inevitably follow if they choose not to follow the 15 presiding prophets, seers and revelators who stand at the head of the Church.

I'm curious to know how you interpret the verses I quoted from D&C 68 in my previous post. Do you believe that when the Lord speaks of scripture in verse 4, He is speaking only of the Standard Works?

 

Oh, if only they would add all the conference talks to canon...imagine the fun we'd have.

 

The truth is, we are completely unable to tell what words of the prophets are revelation from the Lord and which ones are not.

Using this standard, then thanks to Elder Bednar back in April we now KNOW by REVELATION that Christ was born on April 6th.

(Watch DBMormon's head explode).

 

Either conference talks are revelatory or they're not, or they both are and aren't and we have no way to tell which is which.

[HappyJackWagon]

 

I'm curious to know how you interpret the verses I quoted from D&C 68 in my previous post. Do you believe that when the Lord speaks of scripture in verse 4, He is speaking only of the Standard Works?

 

I'd say that there are quotes and scriptures that contradict that. Not every word from the mouth of prophets and apostles are scripture. I think that is extremely important for people to accept. 

 

Elder B.H. Roberts

The Church has confined the sources of doctrine by which it is willing to be bound before the world to the things that God has revealed, and which the Church has officially accepted, and those alone. These would include the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price; these have been repeatedly accepted and endorsed by the Church in general conference assembled, and are the only sources of absolute appeal for our doctrine.”

 

 

President Harold B. Lee 

“It is not to be thought that every word spoken by the General Authorities is inspired, or that they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost in everything they write. I don't care what his position is, if he writes something or speaks something that goes beyond anything that you can find in the standard church works.”

 

May 4, 2007 First Presidency Statement-

“Not every statement made by a church leader – past or present – necessarily constitutes doctrine. A single statement made by a single leader on a single occasion often represents a personal though well-considered opinion but is not meant to be officially binding for the whole church. With divine inspiration, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles counsel together to establish doctrine that is consistently proclaimed in official Church publication.

 

This doctrine resides in the four “standard works” of scripture official declarations and proclamations, and the Articles of Faith.”

 

D&C 28:13 explains “all things must be done in order, and by common consent in the church, by the prayer of faith." 

 

[Ahab]

I'd say that there are quotes and scriptures that contradict that. Not every word from the mouth of prophets and apostles are scripture. I think that is extremely important for people to accept.

It's also extremely important for any person or people to know how to find out what God's doctrine is. Do a Topical Guide search to see the scriptures in the standard works and then apply the principles to any words from anyone whenever you hear them. I especially like John 7:17 and 18, which were words to live by long before they were written down, and we don't ever have to wait for any words to be written down before we accept them as words we should live by.

[Scott Lloyd]

IF they are receiving revelation but not sharing it, that would be a major problem don't you think?

It's not self-evident to me that every single instance of revelation received by a prophet or apostle -- or by anyone, for that matter -- is appropriate to be shared publicly.

 

Jesus gave strict instruction to Peter, James and John to tell no one of the events on the Mount of Transfiguration.

 

Evidence is that Joseph Smith was guarded about if, when, and to whom he shared his revelatory experiences. He was undoubtedly familiar with this Book of Mormon passage:

 

9 And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.

 

(Alma 12:9)

 

It is an assumption not sustained by scripture that all revelation is intended or ought to be shared publicly.

[teddyaware]

I'd say that there are quotes and scriptures that contradict that. Not every word from the mouth of prophets and apostles are scripture. I think that is extremely important for people to accept.

But then you ignore the statements that these and other leaders make when they testify that it's imperative to follow the counsel of the living Prophets. There's supposed to be a balance. And by the way, the same Standard Works say the same thing about following the living prophets and not just the scriptures standing alone. Nevertheless, it seems clear nothing I can say will change your mind on this, so we'll just politely agree to disagree. I wish you the best and am pleased you're a member of the Church.

[HappyJackWagon]

 

But then you ignore the statements that these and other leaders make when they testify that it's imperative to follow the counsel of the living Prophets

This is true for all of us as we all choose the words on which we focus our attention. There is contradiction. Every teaching is not wrapped in a tidy package with a bow which means we must study, evaluate and decide for ourselves and recognize that others may come to different conclusions and value certain teachings more than others.

 

I also think there's an important difference between commandments from apostles and prophets and counsel. I have no problem whatsoever accepting that they are sharing their counsel and that I should give it serious consideration. But that is not the same thing as taking every word they say as doctrine and the literal word of God.

[rodheadlee]

Not surprisingly, I disagree. The Standard Works are accepted in the LDS canon because 1- they were accepted by the prophet and first presidency, 2-then by the Q12, and finally 3- by the voice of common consent of the people. This is how the cannon is recognized and accepted. It is from the canon that we receive our doctrine, not general conference UNLESS we vote to approve it as official scripture. That is why The Living Christ and The Family: A Proclamation to the World are not officially a part of the canon. They have not been voted on and therefore are not a part of the standard works.

CFR that The Family a Proclamation has not been voted on. I think you are mistaken. The first sentence is: "We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children."

 

This would certainly show they are all in agreement.

[HappyJackWagon]

CFR that The Family a Proclamation has not been voted on. I think you are mistaken. The first sentence is: "We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children."

 

This would certainly show they are all in agreement.

Yes, but it hasn't been taken to the membership for a vote of common consent which is necessary to include it as part of the canon.

[BCSpace]

WHAT DID YOU TAKE FROM CONFERENCE????

 

 

I enjoyed many talks but what may not have been mentioned was the "Which Way Do I Face" talk that was the second talk in the first Saturday session. Basically, I felt good that there is no leeway for supporters of the homosexual agenda or OW to influence the Church "democratically".

[BCSpace]

WHAT DID YOU TAKE FROM CONFERENCE????

 

 

I enjoyed many talks but what may not have been mentioned was the "Which Way Do I Face" talk that was the second talk in the first Saturday session. Basically, I felt good that there is no leeway for supporters of the homosexual agenda or OW to influence the Church "democratically".

[Rain]

 

WHAT DID YOU TAKE FROM CONFERENCE????

 

Good question.  It didn't come right away for me.  I read this thread and what other people got out of conference and thought, "I really didn't listen well.  I need to listen/read again."

 

Now I realize that we are all there needing different things and some of what I needed to know just slowly sank into me. I went in with three questions.  

 

1. What do I do about this loved one in my life?  The answer came that I needed to be more patient and kind.  At first I was think I had been patient, so I just needed to work on being kind.  Over the last few days the Lord has worked on me and shown me that I haven't been patient.  Yes,  it's been awhile and I haven't done a lot of things that have been impatient, but my heart really hasn't been patient with this person.  A lot of that came to me as I was rereading my Education Week notes and came across this thought, "Listening means 'I love you'.  It does not mean, 'I agree with you.'"  I have not been patient and kind because I somehow got the impression that being kind to this person means I agree with his choices.

 

2.  What step should I be taking in my life now?  That answer came from Jörg Klebingat.

 

 

2. Take responsibility for your own physical well-being. Your soul consists of your body and spirit (see D&C 88:15). Feeding the spirit while neglecting the body, which is a temple, usually leads to spiritual dissonance and lowered self-esteem. If you are out of shape, if you are uncomfortable in your own body and can do something about it, then do it! Elder Russell M. Nelson has taught that we should “regard our body as a temple of our very own” and that we should “control our diet and exercise for physical fitness” (“We Are Children of God,”Ensign, Nov. 1998, 87; Liahona, Jan. 1999, 103).

President Boyd K. Packer has taught “that our spirit and our body are combined in such a way that our body becomes an instrument of our mind and the foundation of our character” (“The Instrument of Your Mind and the Foundation of Your Character” [Church Educational System fireside, Feb. 2, 2003], 2; speeches.byu.edu). Therefore, please use good judgment in what and especially how much you eat, and regularly give your body the exercise it needs and deserves. If you are physically able, decide today to be the master of your own house and begin a regular, long-term exercise program, suited to your abilities, combined with a healthier diet. Spiritual confidence increases when your spirit, with the help of the Savior, is truly in charge of your natural man or woman.

 

It was very clear to me as I have thought over this that I need to do this so I have time to finish my mission on earth.  So I can be more spiritually clear in my callings and my family.  So I can be more patient and kind with my loved one.

 

3. What are the unique responsibilities and gifts of women?  I've had this on my mind for several weeks now.  I posted about it on the Mormon Women Connect board.  I blogged about it.  And when the time came for conference it just didn't seem that big to me.  So any answer really didn't stand out for me.  Much of that was probably because my heart was really centered on the other 2 questions.  And as I write this now I realize that if I want an answer I am going to have to work on my first and second questions.  Funny, because those questions came to mind in that order.  So I'll revist the question again and listen to conference with it on my mind after I have worked on the other two first.