Which talks inspired you?

[Avatar4321]

Listening to Elder Gay’s talk. Very powerful 

[Tacenda]

My favorite was Elder Uchtdorf's. But want to add that I think the talks stating to go after those that are inactive is working! My ministering partner finally returned my call, or texted, not called. She said it was because she thought I was calling the wrong sister because she hadn't updated her LDS tools site. And it didn't show me as her partner before. Now she wants to meet and go over ways to help our sisters on our route. Now if it were me and I received a call like mine, I would have called me back! Don't know if I can believe her. But I'll bet she heard the conference talk and wants to do better perhaps. Also, our ministering home teachers are texting and visiting now, like never before!

[Avatar4321]

12 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

My favorite was Elder Uchtdorf's. But want to add that I think the talks stating to go after those that are inactive is working! My ministering partner finally returned my call, or texted, not called. She said it was because she thought I was calling the wrong sister because she hadn't updated her LDS tools site. And it didn't show me as her partner before. Now she wants to meet and go over ways to help our sisters on our route. Now if it were me and I received a call like mine, I would have called me back! Don't know if I can believe her. But I'll bet she heard the conference talk and wants to do better perhaps. Also, our ministering home teachers are texting and visiting now, like never before!

Elder Uchtdorf had an amazing talk. He is one of the best German Shepherds I know.

there were a lot of good talks on ministering. I think I’m going to spend some more time reviewing Elder Soares’s talk. It was a good talk and I’m not sure I fully understand his teachings on being a friend.

elder holland also had an amazing talk on ministering 

[Rivers]

5 minutes ago, Avatar4321 said:

Elder Uchtdorf had an amazing talk. He is one of the best German Shepherds I know.

there were a lot of good talks on ministering. I think I’m going to spend some more time reviewing Elder Soares’s talk. It was a good talk and I’m not sure I fully understand his teachings on being a friend.

elder holland also had an amazing talk on ministering 

When does Elder Holland not have an amazing talk?

[HappyJackWagon]

I have a specific General Conference Question, that's not necessarily about a talk, but didn't think it was worth starting its own thread.

Am I remembering correctly that there were quite a number of Area Authority 70's released, but no replacements called? Does anyone have any information about why this would be the case or did I miss something?

[rongo]

5 minutes ago, HappyJackWagon said:

I have a specific General Conference Question, that's not necessarily about a talk, but didn't think it was worth starting its own thread.

Am I remembering correctly that there were quite a number of Area Authority 70's released, but no replacements called? Does anyone have any information about why this would be the case or did I miss something?

The remaining AA70s' areas just got *a lot* bigger! 

No idea. Maybe it has somewhat to do with consolidation in some instances. 

[HappyJackWagon]

1 minute ago, rongo said:

The remaining AA70s' areas just got *a lot* bigger! 

No idea. Maybe it has somewhat to do with consolidation in some instances. 

Interesting. I never really got the impression that church authorities were underworked before? OR is this part of the restructuring of the quorums of 70 as AA70 isn't really a scriptural position?

It seems odd to me that they would reduce the number of AA70's, thus making more work for those who remain. There seems to be a large supply of potential volunteers for these positions so I'm not sure why they would increase the burden on a relatively small group.

[rongo]

2 minutes ago, HappyJackWagon said:

Interesting. I never really got the impression that church authorities were underworked before? OR is this part of the restructuring of the quorums of 70 as AA70 isn't really a scriptural position?

It seems odd to me that they would reduce the number of AA70's, thus making more work for those who remain. There seems to be a large supply of potential volunteers for these positions so I'm not sure why they would increase the burden on a relatively small group.

Well, they hold their quarterly coordinating council meetings with stake presidents, and they meet in Salt Lake a few times a year to receive instruction to take to their areas (via the coordinating councils). I think they typically have, what, 10 or so stakes under them? If that were doubled to 20, would the work load be substantially increased? We've never had ours at a stake conference; I've only seen him at big meetings, like when apostles meet with regional bishops. They would get involved with unique circumstances as a go-between between General Authorities and stake presidents. 

I was thinking about writing ours regarding the situation with my replacement and our elders quorum presidency, but they both finally happened. 

[HappyJackWagon]

10 minutes ago, rongo said:

Well, they hold their quarterly coordinating council meetings with stake presidents, and they meet in Salt Lake a few times a year to receive instruction to take to their areas (via the coordinating councils). I think they typically have, what, 10 or so stakes under them? If that were doubled to 20, would the work load be substantially increased? We've never had ours at a stake conference; I've only seen him at big meetings, like when apostles meet with regional bishops. They would get involved with unique circumstances as a go-between between General Authorities and stake presidents. 

I was thinking about writing ours regarding the situation with my replacement and our elders quorum presidency, but they both finally happened. 

So it seems that either AA70 are inconsequential enough that their work load could be doubled without any problem. But I'm guessing they do quite a bit behind the scenes, counseling with SP's on general issues they received from SLC, but also on the individual circumstances unique to a SP's calling. It would seem SP's need someone to be a resource to them and it would seem counterintuitive to me to remove that resource or make it harder to access.

Do you personally know your AA70 or would you have been writing to someone you don't know? There is already an issue (at least in my mind) about how little access there is up the chain of command from the SP, and this would only exacerbate that issue.

[rongo]

16 minutes ago, HappyJackWagon said:

So it seems that either AA70 are inconsequential enough that their work load could be doubled without any problem. But I'm guessing they do quite a bit behind the scenes, counseling with SP's on general issues they received from SLC, but also on the individual circumstances unique to a SP's calling. It would seem SP's need someone to be a resource to them and it would seem counterintuitive to me to remove that resource or make it harder to access.

Do you personally know your AA70 or would you have been writing to someone you don't know? There is already an issue (at least in my mind) about how little access there is up the chain of command from the SP, and this would only exacerbate that issue.

I don't personally know him. I've been in large meetings with him, but he doesn't know me at all, for example. 

How many regional representatives did we have? How do RRs compare to AA70s in terms of number and workload?

[HappyJackWagon]

22 minutes ago, rongo said:

I don't personally know him. I've been in large meetings with him, but he doesn't know me at all, for example. 

How many regional representatives did we have? How do RRs compare to AA70s in terms of number and workload?

No idea. Zero  

I'm reminded regularly how I know so little about how the church operates beyond the stake level.

[Calm]

2 hours ago, HappyJackWagon said:

I have a specific General Conference Question, that's not necessarily about a talk, but didn't think it was worth starting its own thread.

Am I remembering correctly that there were quite a number of Area Authority 70's released, but no replacements called? Does anyone have any information about why this would be the case or did I miss something?

I noticed that too and was wondering about it.

[Scott Lloyd]

2 hours ago, HappyJackWagon said:

I have a specific General Conference Question, that's not necessarily about a talk, but didn't think it was worth starting its own thread.

Am I remembering correctly that there were quite a number of Area Authority 70's released, but no replacements called? Does anyone have any information about why this would be the case or did I miss something?

I don’t think it’s mandatory that replacements be immediately called when some are released. It could be that quite a number had reached their prescribed length of service this time. I’m confident others will be called as needed. 

By the way, you used some outdated terminology here. It’s an error that seems quite common (Rongo got it wrong too), but the term “Area Authority Seventy” is no longer used. A man who holds this position is now simply called “Area Seventy,” differentiating it from the position held by those who are called “General Authority Seventies” and who occupy positions in the First or Second Quorum of the Seventy and who are given emeritus status at approximately age 70. 

Edited October 15, 2018 by Scott Lloyd

[Scott Lloyd]

1 hour ago, rongo said:

I don't personally know him. I've been in large meetings with him, but he doesn't know me at all, for example. 

How many regional representatives did we have? How do RRs compare to AA70s in terms of number and workload?

Unlike the old position of regional representative, area seventies hold the priesthood office of Seventy, and each belongs to a specific Quorum of Seventy, the Third Quorum or beyond. For each Quorum beyond the First and Second, there is a specific geographic assignment. First and Second Quorums don’t have such specific geographic assignments; hence, they are called General Authority Seventies, as opposed to Area Seventies. 

[rongo]

Just now, Scott Lloyd said:

Unlike the old position of regional representative, area seventies hold the priesthood office of Seventy, and each belongs to a specific Quorum of Seventy, the Third Quorum or beyond. For each Quorum beyond the First and Second, there is a specific geographic assignment. First and Second Quorums don’t have such specific geographic assignments; hence, they are called General Authority Seventies, as opposed to Area Seventies. 

Yes, Scott, we know. 

I still like calling them AA70s. And I still like calling it Mutual. And home teaching. 

You're not going to tell me next that we don't do Gold and Green balls anymore, are you? 

[Scott Lloyd]

2 hours ago, rongo said:

Yes, Scott, we know. 

I still like calling them AA70s. And I still like calling it Mutual. And home teaching. 

You're not going to tell me next that we don't do Gold and Green balls anymore, are you? 

“AA70” is apparently your abbreviation for “area authority seventy,” which is an outdated — and therefore inaccurate — term. 

“Mutual,” after being discontinued for a generation or more, has been re-established in formal Church usage to designate the program of midweek activities for ward Young Men and Young Women groups. 

“Home teaching,” as you know, became discontinued terminology with announcements at last April’s general conference. 

I’ve noticed there is quite a bit about current Church practice that doesn’t meet your approval. Which makes me wonder if this resistance to retiring outdated terms is in line with a general Luddite mentality. 

[Avatar4321]

@Hamba Tuhanhave you had a chance to see all of Conference? What did you think?

[Rain]

I don't mind Happy Jack's question, but please keep the thread positive abut the talks, not disagreeing about terms or a thing else.