Safety For The Soul (To The Max)

[Ticketyboo]

I'm sure that many of you were as thrilled as I was when Elder Holland delivered his conference address, Safety for the Soul (was it 2009??).

Today he presided at a Stake conference for North West Europe, Uk, Ireland, Scandinavia, Iceland.

I can only describe his closing address as Safety for the Soul on steroids...

Whether he felt unfetterred by it not being a GC talk, I don't know. Certainly in the original talk he didn't exactly pull any punches, but today his testimony was even more fervid, even more heartfelt, even more robust.

Whilst he may not have repeated the phrase about crawling over or around the BofM, because he was addressing a different audience, he went into much more depth about his testimony of the BofM & the prophet Joseph Smith.

Some laughably suggested that because of an apparent statistical lack of reference to either during the last GC, that perhaps the Church was distancing itself from both.

I wish everyone could have seen & heard Elder Holland today, if somehow a copy appears treat yourself & watch it.

I completely lack the ability to transcribe it, or convey the effect that an Apostle stating for the eternal record his testimony, once & for all, can have over an audience, suffice to say I feel truly blessed to have witnessed it.

[rodheadlee]

Oh come on, are you going to leave us hanging like that? Can you find some quotes?

[Bobbieaware]

I'm sure that many of you were as thrilled as I was when Elder Holland delivered his conference address, Safety for the Soul (was it 2009??).

Today he presided at a Stake conference for North West Europe, Uk, Ireland, Scandinavia, Iceland.

I can only describe his closing address as Safety for the Soul on steroids...

Whether he felt unfetterred by it not being a GC talk, I don't know. Certainly in the original talk he didn't exactly pull any punches, but today his testimony was even more fervid, even more heartfelt, even more robust.

Whilst he may not have repeated the phrase about crawling over or around the BofM, because he was addressing a different audience, he went into much more depth about his testimony of the BofM & the prophet Joseph Smith.

Some laughably suggested that because of an apparent statistical lack of reference to either during the last GC, that perhaps the Church was distancing itself from both.

I wish everyone could have seen & heard Elder Holland today, if somehow a copy appears treat yourself & watch it.

I completely lack the ability to transcribe it, or convey the effect that an Apostle stating for the eternal record his testimony, once & for all, can have over an audience, suffice to say I feel truly blessed to have witnessed it.

I'm from the U.S. and I follow world trends and the signs of the times closely. With what I've come to know, I sincerely believe the world is about to enter a period of unprecedented wickedness. The stage has been set and now there only needs to be a few "triggering events" and the world will plunge into chaos. When the tribulation begins, it will usher in a day of terrible religious persecution, especially for those religions which adhere to traditional values. It goes without saying that in fulfillment of Nephi's prophecy all the nations of the world will unite to fight against the Lamb of God and his church. There will be tests of faith to wade through few have ever imagined could become reality. The saints are going to be tested to the limits.

I believe Elder Holland knows we are about to enter into that dark period of world history. The fervency of Elder Holland's address to you is a sign of the times, a harbinger of what will soon come. The time of soft speeches is coming to an end and the time of "bearing down in pure testimony" is about to begin. The adversary will soon rage in the hearts of men as this world ripens for its ultimate destruction that will take place at the Lord's Second Coming. The time to prepare in earnest is now. Fools may mock, but they shall mourn.

Edited June 7, 2015 by Bobbieaware

[Ticketyboo]

Try again..

Sorry I didn't take notes.

Elder Holland prefaced his talk by thanking the previous speakers, because they had helped him understand why he had prepared his talk in the way that he had; that this was unlike any talk he had ever given in his life.

That may seem strange, given the parallels to Safety for the Soul, but I guess if you were fortunate enough to ever get a one on one with an Apostle & were to ask them what they truly believe, then today was what you would hope for.

Some will accuse me of hyperbole, but I witnessed what I can only call a lions roar of a testimony today.

I hope others chip in with accurate quotes, I apologise for a sketch at best.

[Ticketyboo]

Bobbie you pretty much hit the nail on the head, some of the opening remarks bore remarkable similarity to your observations.

It makes me consider that Elder Holland professed himself an Anglophile, he had served his mission here, he was Area President of the specific peoples he was addressing today & he had come despite the gravely serious illness that was affecting his wife.

[Kenngo1969]

... he had come despite the gravely serious illness that was affecting his wife. 

 

  I wish the best for Sister Holland, but it does remind me of something Elder Holland quoted from Rabbi Harold Kushner: "Expecting a trouble-free life because you are a good person [and by all accounts, Sister Holland is very, very good] is like expecting the bull not to charge you because you're a vegetarian."  

[Avatar4321]

Wait, this talk was more straightforward?

I remember his talk before. It was amazing. I want to hear this one now.

[strappinglad]

Much of the Western world is walking an economic tightrope where forces seen and unseen are shaking the rope. And yet, we are eating and drinking and giving in marriage much like Noahic times . What I am unsure about is at what stage is the ' ark's ' construction?

[cinepro]

When it comes to Elder Holland and the Book of Mormon, what I really want to know is how much of this he still believes (and I'm serious; I sincerely would like to know). 

 

Holy scripture records that “after the waters had receded from off the face of this land it became a choice land above all other lands, a chosen land of the Lord; wherefore the Lord would have that all men should serve him who dwell upon the face thereof.” (Ether 13:2.) Such a special place needed now to be kept apart from other regions, free from the indiscriminate traveler as well as the soldier of fortune. To guarantee such sanctity the very surface of the earth was rent. In response to God’s decree, the great continents separated and the ocean rushed in to surround them. The promised place was set apart. Without habitation it waited for the fulfillment of God’s special purposes.

 

With care and selectivity, the Lord began almost at once to repeople the promised land. The Jaredites came first, with stories of the great flood fresh in their memories and the Lord’s solemn declaration ringing in their ears: “Whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and forever, should serve him, the true and only God, or they should be swept off when the fulness of his wrath should come upon them.” (Ether 2:8.)

Edited June 8, 2015 by cinepro

[Maedros]

Elder Holland is one of my favourite speakers but my faith in him as a man has diminished of late after I watched an interview of his answering questions from non-believers and he seemed so weak and so unable to contend with them with the boldness and confidence that is so common in his talks - I felt like I could've done a better job in that instance. But of course he is but man and although I've lost confidence in him I have absolute faith in his calling as an apostle. I agree with Bobbieaware: "I sincerely believe the world is about to enter a period of unprecedented wickedness. The stage has been set and now there only needs to be a few "triggering events" and the world will plunge into chaos." This is already happening, a recent event would be the changing of Bruce Jenner to Caitlyn - because it happened so publicly it has set a precedent for all those pro-LGBT and it has made it difficult for religious groups to oppose because of the huge publicity it received. So groups who oppose that will be opposed by all the millions who are in support of it. 

[Ticketyboo]

There's a reason why I don't venture lightly into the bull-pit of the General Discussions page, preferring to read & digest the posits of those more learned and considered than I; and I strive to avoid any contention in my life.
However it does strike me that we're all quite clearly on paths of progression, line upon line. Some things we held as absolute yesterday, get sifted by experience & the distilling of the spirit upon us. Often times those previous absolutes can appear as foolish.
After all, the world went from being flat, to being round, from being the centre of the solar system, to orbiting around the sun
Joseph grew from a shy, untutored schoolboy & throughout his tenure it often took time to even begin to decipher the full import of what was being revealed to him, let alone put into place the various means by which they would become tacit.

I'm a convert of just 16 years and my thoughts and understandings have changed beyond anything I could have ever believed, but I'm thankful to the early foundations from which I have built. I realise with great trepidation that I have merely scratched the surface.

I'm not familiar with Elder Holland's early conference addresses, but I now relish whatever topic the spirit moves upon him to address at GC, whether it is Safety for the Soul or Like a Broken Vessel.

Todays talk was somewhat akin to Moroni's last plea, Bruce R McKonkies Purifying Power of Gethsemane, it was an Apostle of the Lord pleading almost for us to listen and learn that which would be the most important thing for us to carry in the coming days. 

[Tacenda]

I'm from the U.S. and I follow world trends and the signs of the times closely. With what I've come to know, I sincerely believe the world is about to enter a period of unprecedented wickedness. The stage has been set and now there only needs to be a few "triggering events" and the world will plunge into chaos. When the tribulation begins, it will usher in a day of terrible religious persecution, especially for those religions which adhere to traditional values. It goes without saying that in fulfillment of Nephi's prophecy all the nations of the world will unite to fight against the Lamb of God and his church. There will be tests of faith to wade through few have ever imagined could become reality. The saints are going to be tested to the limits.

I believe Elder Holland knows we are about to enter into that dark period of world history. The fervency of Elder Holland's address to you is a sign of the times, a harbinger of what will soon come. The time of soft speeches is coming to an end and the time of "bearing down in pure testimony" is about to begin. The adversary will soon rage in the hearts of men as this world ripens for its ultimate destruction that will take place at the Lord's Second Coming. The time to prepare in earnest is now. Fools may mock, but they shall mourn.

Could you give me some examples of your thought process on this? I think if we're not careful we can bring this about by actually thinking the world is coming to an end. My very LDS nephew by marriage, is thinking it will happen in the next 5 years. After reading stuff from LDS members. Maybe LDS just can't wait to reach the next level I don't know. But this young man is affected so much so that he's being stunted, why plan for a future. So hoping you have clear evidence that this world is so much worse compared to the past. I think this doomsday outlook is cultish.

[Tacenda]

Elder Holland is one of my favourite speakers but my faith in him as a man has diminished of late after I watched an interview of his answering questions from non-believers and he seemed so weak and so unable to contend with them with the boldness and confidence that is so common in his talks - I felt like I could've done a better job in that instance. But of course he is but man and although I've lost confidence in him I have absolute faith in his calling as an apostle. I agree with Bobbieaware: "I sincerely believe the world is about to enter a period of unprecedented wickedness. The stage has been set and now there only needs to be a few "triggering events" and the world will plunge into chaos." This is already happening, a recent event would be the changing of Bruce Jenner to Caitlyn - because it happened so publicly it has set a precedent for all those pro-LGBT and it has made it difficult for religious groups to oppose because of the huge publicity it received. So groups who oppose that will be opposed by all the millions who are in support of it. 

How did I know that you would base it on LGBT issues, so predictable and a common theme from LDS members. I hope they prove you and Bobbieaware wrong. And you see that there are evils you miss. One being idols. When we idolize buildings instead of following eternal life from following the first two commandments. All of it rests on that. So I hope it's not too late for those that miss the boat. I'm not the smartest cookie in the bunch but do see clearly, some missing the boat on that, blame it on the primary lesson I listened to about parables I guess, for one the good Samaritan. https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/22.34-40?lang=eng#33, https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/10.25-37.

Edited June 8, 2015 by Tacenda

[Duncan]

Elder Holland is one of my favourite speakers but my faith in him as a man has diminished of late after I watched an interview of his answering questions from non-believers and he seemed so weak and so unable to contend with them with the boldness and confidence that is so common in his talks - I felt like I could've done a better job in that instance. But of course he is but man and although I've lost confidence in him I have absolute faith in his calling as an apostle. I agree with Bobbieaware: "I sincerely believe the world is about to enter a period of unprecedented wickedness. The stage has been set and now there only needs to be a few "triggering events" and the world will plunge into chaos." This is already happening, a recent event would be the changing of Bruce Jenner to Caitlyn - because it happened so publicly it has set a precedent for all those pro-LGBT and it has made it difficult for religious groups to oppose because of the huge publicity it received. So groups who oppose that will be opposed by all the millions who are in support of it. 

 

 

Personally speaking and from experience in a QA session you have no idea what people are going to ask and so you don't know what to prepare for. It's hard to formulate thoughts on some big topics in only a few short statements, so I can't fault him for that. It's like when my son asks me about random stuff like do Giraffes ever get drunk and then you have to think about it and get out an answer and then he'll shoot at you from another angle and ask about his bike chain and what kind of ingredients Grandma used in her recent delivery of cookies and so I can't fault him for getting shot at all angles

Edited June 8, 2015 by Duncan

[Avatar4321]

Could you give me some examples of your thought process on this? I think if we're not careful we can bring this about by actually thinking the world is coming to an end. My very LDS nephew by marriage, is thinking it will happen in the next 5 years. After reading stuff from LDS members. Maybe LDS just can't wait to reach the next level I don't know. But this young man is affected so much so that he's being stunted, why plan for a future. So hoping you have clear evidence that this world is so much worse compared to the past. I think this doomsday outlook is cultish.

I don't understand how the prospect of Christ's return can stunt people. 1000 years of peace. There is so much we could accomplish! So much to look forward to!

[mormonnewb]

I'm from the U.S. and I follow world trends and the signs of the times closely. With what I've come to know, I sincerely believe the world is about to enter a period of unprecedented wickedness. The stage has been set and now there only needs to be a few "triggering events" and the world will plunge into chaos. When the tribulation begins, it will usher in a day of terrible religious persecution, especially for those religions which adhere to traditional values. It goes without saying that in fulfillment of Nephi's prophecy all the nations of the world will unite to fight against the Lamb of God and his church. There will be tests of faith to wade through few have ever imagined could become reality. The saints are going to be tested to the limits.

I believe Elder Holland knows we are about to enter into that dark period of world history. The fervency of Elder Holland's address to you is a sign of the times, a harbinger of what will soon come. The time of soft speeches is coming to an end and the time of "bearing down in pure testimony" is about to begin. The adversary will soon rage in the hearts of men as this world ripens for its ultimate destruction that will take place at the Lord's Second Coming. The time to prepare in earnest is now. Fools may mock, but they shall mourn.

 

Care to give us a date for Judgement Daypalooza?  You do realize that in EVERY generation there are those that predict that the "end is nigh" and NONE of them have been right yet?  So what is so special about these days that would usher in the end times?

 

In the 20th century, we fought TWO wars that ensnared most of humanity in brutal conflict.  At the end of WWI, a pandemic arose that killed as many as 50 MILLION people.  In WWII, the fighting reached such a fever pitch that the great powers were literally burning one another's capitals with walls of fire.  Yet, in 2015, the single most peaceful time in the history of the planet, HF is ready to start "bringing the pain"?  He waited until we've fed more hungry than ever?  Clothed more of the naked than ever?

 

So what is this wickedness you speak of?  Caitlyn Jenner looking pretty on the cover of a magazine?  Two men in Utah pledged themselves to a life-long commitment?  Orange is the New Black is streaming on Netflix?

 

As a follower of world trends, could you please explain what you see?  And how it is any different than the soothsayers who have arisen every few years to proclaim the end of the world for the last two millennia?

[Calm]

 

 

So what is this wickedness you speak of?  

 

Possibly this:

 

Human trafficking represented an estimated $31.6 billion of international trade per annum in 2010.^[9]Human trafficking is thought to be one of the fastest-growing activities of trans-national criminal organizations.^[10]..

 

In 2013, the total annual revenue for trafficking in people was estimated to be USD $32 billion.^[15]

In 2005, Patrick Belser of ILO estimated a global annual profit of $31.6 billion.^[16] In 2008, the United Nations estimated nearly 2.5 million people from 127 different countries were being trafficked into 137 countries around the world.^[17]

The average cost of a human trafficking victim today is USD $90, which, in comparison to the Southern American slave trade in the 1800s is significantly less. The average slave in 1800 America was the equivalent to USD $40,000.^[18]

 

^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_trafficking}

[Tacenda]

Possibly this:

Human trafficking represented an estimated $31.6 billion of international trade per annum in 2010.^[9]Human trafficking is thought to be one of the fastest-growing activities of trans-national criminal organizations.^[10]..

In 2013, the total annual revenue for trafficking in people was estimated to be USD $32 billion.^[15]

In 2005, Patrick Belser of ILO estimated a global annual profit of $31.6 billion.^[16] In 2008, the United Nations estimated nearly 2.5 million people from 127 different countries were being trafficked into 137 countries around the world.^[17]

The average cost of a human trafficking victim today is USD $90, which, in comparison to the Southern American slave trade in the 1800s is significantly less. The average slave in 1800 America was the equivalent to USD $40,000.^[18]

^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_trafficking}

Then why aren't LDS harping more about that? Where is the church getting involved and leading the way? Elizabeth Smart would be great to go around to Firesides or Stake Conferences. Of course she's already doing this elsewhere.

[Okrahomer]

Then why aren't LDS harping more about that? Where is the church getting involved and leading the way? Elizabeth Smart would be great to go around to Firesides or Stake Conferences. Of course she's already doing this elsewhere.

 

As you mentioned yourself, individual members of the Church are already quite involved.

 

http://ldsliving.com/story/78169-rescuing-children-from-sex-slavery-one-mormons-inspired-mission

[mormonnewb]

Possibly this:

Human trafficking represented an estimated $31.6 billion of international trade per annum in 2010.^[9]Human trafficking is thought to be one of the fastest-growing activities of trans-national criminal organizations.^[10]..

In 2013, the total annual revenue for trafficking in people was estimated to be USD $32 billion.^[15]

In 2005, Patrick Belser of ILO estimated a global annual profit of $31.6 billion.^[16] In 2008, the United Nations estimated nearly 2.5 million people from 127 different countries were being trafficked into 137 countries around the world.^[17]

The average cost of a human trafficking victim today is USD $90, which, in comparison to the Southern American slave trade in the 1800s is significantly less. The average slave in 1800 America was the equivalent to USD $40,000.^[18]

^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_trafficking}

The profit figures aside, I'd guess that the 2.5 million people currently being trafficked is a 10-fold decrease in the number trafficked say, 100 years ago. In absolute terms, there are fewer people being trafficked than ever before. The fact that trafficking today MAY be more profitable than ever does not mean that the problem is more severe

Even more, the fact that we are actually concerned about the issue shows a change of heart. In the past, very few cared enough to even count those trafficked. By that measure, we are FAR less wicked than in the past (when even our leaders didn't oppose trafficking).

One point for Team Modernity.

Edited June 10, 2015 by mormonnewb

[Calm]

That is if your assumption is true. According to some it is not:

“There are more people in slavery today,

than at any other time in human history.”

~Kevin Bales, author of “Disposable People”

http://fightslaverynow.org/

[Tacenda]

As you mentioned yourself, individual members of the Church are already quite involved.

 

http://ldsliving.com/story/78169-rescuing-children-from-sex-slavery-one-mormons-inspired-mission

Yes, from the ground up it seems.

[Duncan]

I seem to recall an article a few years ago and I can't recall who wrote it but what if that Isabel that Corianton et al was enamored with , what if she was a slave sold into the smexuschmality industry? making the problem that much worse 

[Meadowchik]

As you mentioned yourself, individual members of the Church are already quite involved.

 

http://ldsliving.com/story/78169-rescuing-children-from-sex-slavery-one-mormons-inspired-mission

 

And, the Church is sending out a missionary force to share the Gospel and serve.  The lasting change and protection humans have comes from a change of heart.