President Nelson Comes to Seattle and Vancouver

[Bernard Gui]

Tonight President Nelson will be speaking to the Washington Saints at Mariners Field and tomorrow at Langley Centre in Vancouver, BC. Potential attendance could be well over 50,000. 

How many MDD folks will be there? About 19 Guis are going. 

Will report on his words tomorrow?

[Robert F. Smith]

"Washington Saints" sounds like a baseball team playing at Mariners Field.  Let us know who wins.

[MorningStar]

I'm singing!  

[rockpond]

51 minutes ago, Bernard Gui said:

Tonight President Nelson will be speaking to the Washington Saints at Mariners Field and tomorrow at Langley Centre in Vancouver, BC. Potential attendance could be well over 50,000. 

How many MDD folks will be there? About 19 Guis are going. 

Will report on his words tomorrow?

I have quite a few family members who live in the Seattle area.  I haven't asked but it's a safe assumption that they'll be in attendance.

That said, I'd love to hear your report on the meeting.

And, I'm with @Robert F. Smith... my first reaction when reading "Washington Saints" was that it sounds like a baseball team.  Someone should make shirts!

Here's the important question:  Mariners Field has incredible food vendors -- will they be open for President Nelson's Devotional?

[Bernard Gui]

1 hour ago, rockpond said:

I have quite a few family members who live in the Seattle area.  I haven't asked but it's a safe assumption that they'll be in attendance.

That said, I'd love to hear your report on the meeting.

And, I'm with @Robert F. Smith... my first reaction when reading "Washington Saints" was that it sounds like a baseball team.  Someone should make shirts!

Here's the important question:  Mariners Field has incredible food vendors -- will they be open for President Nelson's Devotional?

 

Nope. Sadly, we have to bring our own food and clean up our own mess.  I think Sister Gui and I will be taking Subways. It’s hard to carry pho in a backpack. Ubersaints will be fasting, don’t you reckon? Our ward is taking a charter bus.

I’m hard-pressed to figure out a way “Saints” could be associated with “Washington” such that a sports team would be named that, not to mention the unsaintly political and social environment. After all, what can one expect from a place where a university mascot is the geoduck clam?

Edited September 15, 2018 by Bernard Gui

[california boy]

St Paul's baseball team are called Saints.  They used to be a New Orleans team until they moved to St Paul.

Edited September 15, 2018 by california boy

[Avatar4321]

32 minutes ago, Bernard Gui said:

Nope. Sadly, we have to bring our own food and clean up our own mess.  I think Sister Gui and I will be taking Subways. It’s hard to carry pho in a backpack. Ubersaints will be fasting, don’t you reckon? Our ward is taking a charter bus.

I’m hard-pressed to figure out a way “Saints” could be associated with “Washington” such that a sports team would be named that, not to mention the unsaintly political and social environment. After all, what can one expect from a place where a university mascot is the geoduck clam?

Then perhaps we should associate the name Washington with saints by calling upon the powers of heaven and doing the work the Lord has for us.

id love to hear how it goes 

[Bernard Gui]

52 minutes ago, Avatar4321 said:

Then perhaps we should associate the name Washington with saints by calling upon the powers of heaven and doing the work the Lord has for us.

id love to hear how it goes 

I can dig it. Only the powers of heaven can deliver us now.  

[Bernard Gui]

1 hour ago, california boy said:

St Paul's baseball team are called Saints.  They used to be a New Orleans team until they moved to St Paul.

Makes sense in New Orleans, not so much in St Paul, unless you associate St with the Saints that go marching in.

Kinda like the Brooklyn Dodgers becoming the LA Dodgers. Made no sense.

Edited September 15, 2018 by Bernard Gui

[pogi]

1 hour ago, Bernard Gui said:

Kinda like the Brooklyn Dodgers becoming the LA Dodgers. Made no sense.

Or like the New Orleans Jazz becoming the Utah Jazz.  Utah is about as Jazzy as Muslims love polka.

[Meerkat]

We have six Meerkats in attendance. 😃

[Bernard Gui]

Safeco Field is filling up. Many sections are full. The area facing the podium and first and second base sides are full bottom tier to top. People are still coming in to fill empty sections in left and right field seats. Center field nosebleed bleachers have only a few folks.

The seats on the field are reserved for youth. Very few empty seats there. 

Morningstar is in the Ensign Choir on the stand behind the podium.

My son Persistissimo and I are wondering what would happen if tried to start a wave. 

Edited September 16, 2018 by Bernard Gui

[Bernard Gui]

President Nelson just came in with Sister Nelson. President Eyring is here, too. How cool is that! They were applauded by the folks.

Very few empty seats except dead away center field bleachers . Youth seats are full. About 1800 youth.

Cloudy with intermittent rain, but hey! It’s Seattle!

Morningstar and choir are singing How Firm a Foundation, and off we go!

Edited September 16, 2018 by Bernard Gui

[Bernard Gui]

Introductions, opening song and prayer, choir singing Praise to the Lord Above. I see Morningstar on the big screen!

 

[Bernard Gui]

President Eyring. 

It’s a privilege and joy to hear the word of God. He first experienced this joy it as a 5 yo boy sitting backwards in his chair in a dedication in Philadelphia. He received a testimony of the prophet that day....Heber J. Grant. Two similar experiences several years later with David O. McKay in Utah. Bore testimony of many prophets he has heard since. Prophets know by inspiration what trials we will face in the future. Quoted D&C to receive words of Prophet as if they were from the Lord’s mouth. Emphasized the importance of revelation. Bore witness that prophets receive revelation even in the details of the kingdom because of God’s omniscience. We have the right and obligation to pray for divine understanding of the prophets’ words. Revelations direct the church according to current needs. The gospel will not change, but the ways we do things will change as needed by revelation. Members must seek for personal confirmation of the revelations. He has been asked by prophets to state his feelings about revelations even after they have been given and sustained. We should do what God wants, whatever direction that may be. We must ask and know for ourselves. Pray for answers for what God would have you do with the determination to follow what is given. We can receive direction in our lives. Care for the poor and needy, especially those in your families. Bore testimony of Jesu, Church, Prophet. 

Edited September 16, 2018 by Bernard Gui

[rockpond]

53 minutes ago, Bernard Gui said:

Safeco Field is filling up. Many sections are full. The area facing the podium and first and second base sides are full bottom tier to top. People are still coming in to fill empty sections in left and right field seats. Center field nosebleed bleachers have only a few folks.

The seats on the field are reserved for youth. Very few empty seats there. 

Morningstar is in the Ensign Choir on the stand behind the podium.

My son Persistissimo and I are wondering what would happen if tried to start a wave. 

My family said that the front seats on the field are exclusively for Priests and Laurels... that's cool to give them a priority considering they will be the ones to be going out on missions in the next few years.  Most of my family members are sitting right behind them.

Edited September 16, 2018 by rockpond

[Bernard Gui]

Sister Nelson. 

Take me out the ballgame ringing in her ears and a craving for a hotdog. Never had those feelings in a devotional before. What is it like in the Nelson home? A funeral, Costco shopping, Christmas break, and then a late night call that President Monson had died. Solemn Assembly....felt overwhelming feeling of peace that passed understanding, immersed in peace instead of apprehension for what was coming. Two and four days after Pres Monson’s death, she had profoundly sacred experiences that confirmed that he husband had been called by God. Many times her husband is awakened at night by revelations that he writes in a yellow notepad as he receives them. She is often awakened, but does not look on his notepad. On one occasion she was prompted to leave the bedroom. He received two hours of detailed information of what the course of the Church should be. She has observed obvious changes in his words and behavior as “he becomes more and more of who he really is.” He was foreordained for this time. We are also foreordained to do our work in gathering Israel and serving others. Everything in the Church belongs to the Savior. He needs us to do our part. 

Edited September 16, 2018 by Bernard Gui

[Bernard Gui]

President Nelson. 

Never spoke in a baseball stadium before. 49,089 people in attendance! Wife is filled with faith. Grateful to President Eyring. A brilliant and devoted man....as is President Oaks. Story of family rafting trip down Colorado River. Going over a cataract, he was catapulted out of the raft because he forgot to hold onto the raft. He was saved. At the last more dangerous cataract, he reminded his family and himself to hold onto the ropes and ride out the rapids in the raft. This is a metaphor for life. Our security and happiness are assured as we hold onto the Iron Rod of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The Book of Mormon is the word of God. As Army surgeon in Korean War, he was asked by a nurse why he was different from other surgeons. He said it was because he believed the Book of Mormon is the word of God. He gave her a copy for her and her husband. They casually returned it, but he said he knew they hadn’t read it, so he said keep it and read it. He was able to baptize them and they have brought many into the gospel. The BoM is inspired and reading it daily will fortify us against evil. 

Honors of men pale in comparison with what God has in store for us. Experience on plane from SLC to St George. One engine blew up and caught on fire. As the plane plummeted down, his life flashed through his mind. All the honors he had received meant nothing. What was most important was his eternal relationship with his family. The pilot was able to land safely in a farm field. Don’t let things distract you from choosing with your agency to follow the Lord. Thus we prepare for the Second Coming .

God will help us achieve things we may think are impossible. 1985 Pres Benson instructed him to open the countries of Eastern Europe to missionary work. Seemingly impossible. Many obstacles and tests were given, even to participate in illegal activities. Doors were opened and through great efforts, the results came in miraculous ways. By 1992 the Church was estsblished in every country in Eastern Europe. If you are doing your best to make Jesus the center of your life, he will do his own work and perform miracles in your life  

We are happiest when we think of others. We minister to each other and engage in humanitarian efforts. None of our aid is ever labeled “for LDS only.” We build bridges of cooperation instead of walls of segregation. The Saints are gathered in their own lands. 

We hang onto the raft by making and keeping temple covenants....on both sides of the veil. We must look and act like true followers of Jesus.  

Testimony....This is the Church of Jesus Christ. Blessing of happiness and joy by feasting on the words of Jesus Christ.

 

Edited September 16, 2018 by Bernard Gui

[Bernard Gui]

A wonderful way to spend an evening at the feet of the prophets surrounded by great people in a fantastic setting.  We are so blessed as we sing Redeemer of Israel and head back to our homes. 

Edited September 16, 2018 by Bernard Gui

[Bernard Gui]

4 hours ago, rockpond said:

My family said that the front seats on the field are exclusively for Priests and Laurels... that's cool to give them a priority considering they will be the ones to be going out on missions in the next few years.  Most of my family members are sitting right behind them.

About 1800 priests and laurels by my count. 30 rows, looked like around 60 seats per row. Our granddaughter Talentissima was among them. The President’s party passed by them on the way out and they all waved. That was cool. 

Edited September 16, 2018 by Bernard Gui

[Meerkat]

Pres. Eyering

Explained how he received his testimony of Joseph Smith listening to prophets speak, including David O McKay.

Example of people who lost property tempted to ask for more assistance than what they lost. The loss of property is less tragic than the loss of integrity.

Tonight you will hear from a living prophet.  (I felt we did.)

The doctrine is unchanging.  But we will need personal revelation to know the new way of doing things is better than the old.

There is greater strength in the Church if we will seek personal revelation about changes.

He said "Sometimes prayer changes my view, when I am asked to respond to the Brethren."

Obedience is a key to receiving revelation.  Ask, James 1:5.  Ask God.  John 7:17 "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." 

People have thanked Pres. Eyring for some insight gained from a talk he gave. Revelation is usually not from what he said, but something they heard from the Lord.

Edited September 16, 2018 by Meerkat

[Meerkat]

Brother Gui's notes are superb. 

One take away I had from President Nelson was "The Lord restored the Gospel to gather scattered Israel, wherever they live, on this side or the other side of the veil. 

Another is so families can be sealed forever.  In terms of staying on the raft, nothing is more imoprtant than your Temple covenants.  We need to be thinking and acting like God's covenant people." 

There is more I can do to help with the gathering on this and the other side of the veil.

[thatjimguy]

Anyone know what time the talk starts? How do you get in? I'm close by.

[Tacenda]

1 hour ago, thatjimguy said:

Anyone know what time the talk starts? How do you get in? I'm close by.

I'm afraid you missed it, maybe it will be on LDS.org.

[Stargazer]

I'm a bit jealous! I'll probably be back in the Seattle area in a few weeks for a brief visit -- too bad it didn't happen then. Oh, well!