Here are Laudy and Enzo with President Nelson before the session began. I can’t remember the last time a young man and young woman spoke at #GeneralConference. #latterdaysaints pic.twitter.com/Wy4D74AIJv
β Tad Walch (@Tad_Walch) April 5, 2020
All members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are invited to digitally participate in the 190th Annual General Conference.
The First Presidency, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and other General Authorities and General Officers of the Church will deliver messages of truth, hope, and inspiration in five sessions.
#GeneralConference #HearHim #ldsconf pic.twitter.com/M7m6N5vCWc
β dyejo (@dyejo) April 4, 2020
Music and Spoken Word
Link Originally broadcasted April 2, 2017
Hymn: Gently Raise the Sacred Strain – Hymn 146
Hymn: Arise, O God, and Shine – Hymn 265
Hymn: I Feel My Saviorβs Love – Childrenβs Songbook pg.74
Hymn: Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates
Hymn: I am Jesusβ Little Lamb
Hymn: His Voice as the Sound
Spoken Word: Lloyd D Newell
Look for the Light
The world thrives on light. Just about every living thing seems to do a little better when the sun is shining. The natural world comes alive at dawn, as the light of a new day chases away darkness, and earth awakens with hope. And when spring brings longer stretches of light, it seems aess in the world, and darkness obscures our path, hides both danger and goodness from our view, and hinders our growth. No wonder, then, that so many of us, at some time in our lives, are afraid of the dark.
One child who felt this way learned to overcome her fear by looking for light. She would sit in bed at night and look out the window until she found some lightβsomewhere. Sometimes she found it in a home across the street with its lights still on. Sometimes she could see a street lamp in the distance. When all else seemed dark, she would look at the stars or search the sky for the moon. Somehow knowing that a light was shining somewhere calmed her fears and helped her settle into peaceful slumber.
When the darkness around us seems overwhelming, when we canβt seem to find any light, it helps to remember that even when we canβt see it, the sun is always shining. It may be hidden by the shadowy clouds of daily living, but it is always there. Perhaps night has made light seem like a distant memory, but darkness is ever the herald of dawn. No matter the darkness in our lives, the light of Godβs love still shines, and it can fill our hearts. It gives us hope in our suffering, joy in our sorrow, and light in our darkness.
Yes, there is much in this life that brings sadness and distress. But God has also filled the world with an abundance of His light and love. If we seek it and receive it, this light can fill our lives like βsunshine in the soul.β
Hymn: There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today – Hymn 227
Hymn: Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
Sunday Morning Session
Hymn: Truth Eternal – Hymn 4
Conducting: President Dallin H. Oaks – First Counselor of the First Presidency
Presiding: President Russell M. Nelson
Hymn: How Firm a Foundation – Hymn 85 (well done Choir)
Invocation: Brook P. Hales – Quorum of the Seventy
Hymn: This Is My Beloved Son – Children’s Songbook pg. 76
Talk: Elder Ronald A. Rasband – Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Fulfillment of Prophecy
Major Themes: Prophecies of the restoration; restoration of the Gospel
Notable Stories: Dedication of Durbin temple; call to serve in eastern states mission
Ancient Prophets of God, when designed by the Holy Ghost, prophesied of our day.
The very work βfired the soulsβ of early seers; what Isaiah called βa marvelous work and a wonderβ
Few of his favorite prophecies which were taught by his Primary teacher and Angel Mother
Third conference in a row in which his angel mother gets a shout-out
Daniel and the lions den: Dream of Nebuchadnezzar
The Lord will gather in one all things in Christ, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone
Felt that strongly when participating in the dedication of the Rome Italy temple (with all the prophets and apostles in attendance); felt kinship with Peter and Paul
The church is a living example of the restitution of priesthood keys.
Joseph of Egypt: a Seer shall my God raise up.β·nt
Elijah has come: turning hearts of fathers to children and children to fathersβsacred work described by Malachi, is essential to the work
We are the people charged with ushering in the second coming of Jesus Christ
President Nelson: the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, the greatest work on the Earth today
Dedicated the Durban South Africa Temple in February by assignment from President Nelson
Jeremiah: one of a city, two of a family
Regardless of how we look or dress, we are one people
We are to be reunited by making and keeping temple covenants
1834 Joseph Smith Prophecy: This church will fill North and South America, it will fill the world.
In his first two years as president of the church, President Nelson has traveled to 32 countries and US territories to witness of the living Christ
Called to eastern state mission was a disappointment, opened scriptures β… in this eastern landβ
Isaiah: 2 Nephi 12:2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, when the mountain of the Lordβs house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it.
Brigham Young: βThis is the right placeβ
2002 winter games. Choir Sang in the opening ceremonies, church offered shows, temple in background of newscasts.
Leaders of many lands have come to Salt Lake City
President Nelson hosted the leaders of the NAACPβcalling for greater civility and racial harmony in the world
United Nations was hosted in Salt Lake 2019
Fulfillment of Isaiah: Nations shall flow unto the house established in the mountain.
We are committed to a higher cause- the cause of Christ
We do not know when the Savior will return but we must be prepared in heart and mind worthy to receive him.
Pure religion is what draws the world
no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.
Talk: Sister Bonnie H. Cordon – Young Women General President
That They May See
Major Themes: βThat they may seeβ
Notable Stories: Feeding chickens with Elder Perry
We can be filled with the light of the Savior.
But that light is not for us alone.
I love the phrase⦠that they may see
Be more intentional to help others see the light and come unto Christ.
Fed chickens with Elder Perry and his son.
Originally she didnβt want to feed the chickens but was enthusiastic when Elder Perry offered to help
Unable to see the unknown path, Elder Perry stepped in the water and soaked his foot and shoe
βBonnie, I need to see the path, I need to see the light.β
I was shining the light but not in a way which would help Elder Perry see the path.
Focus the light so others can see the light and come unto Christ.
It is gathering Israel on this side of the veil
Helping others see the next step forward.
Examples:
The woman at the well
Jesus spoke to her about water and then led her to increased light by teaching her about living water
βCome, see, is not this the Christ?β An instrument of light
My friend Kevin having dinner with a business executive
Tell me about your heritage. Where are you from?
He used an app to see where his family was from.
βWhy is family so important to your church?β Start with something he and his new friend had in common, and then led him to greater light and love
Ella, a collegiate basketball player who received a mission call
She opened her mission call in front of her team
Prayed for a way to explain her excitement for her mission call
Made a powerpoint.
Ended with a powerful testimony of the Savior
You may be thinking, these are 1000 watt examples but I am a 20 watt bulb
We have enough light to share right now.
Jesus: I am the light ye shall hold up
Ask: Who needs the light that I have?
The Holy Ghost will magnify every small effort
We may have to step outside our comfort zone.
Be compassionately aware of those around us; lead others to Jesus Christ
Look and pray for opportunities
Talk: Elder Jeffrey Holland β Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
(Title)
Major Themes: The Restoration, Hope
Notable Stories:
Last Oct, Pres. Nelson invited us to look forward to this conference, by looking back.
William Channing, Look for the parental character of God. Such a character would see God as a caring Father instead of a judge or.. Absentee landlord.
What would it be like to have Him as a Dad? Interesting sentiment.
He would not be a cold, arbitrary autocrat who predestined a select few for salvation and then consigned the rest of the human family to damnation. No, He would be one whose every action, by divine declaration, would be for the benefit of the world, for he loveth the world β¦ and every inhabitant in it.
Doubts about the reality of the Savior and the Resurrection were beginning to take hold in Christendom. We needed witnesses that Christ was resurrected and living
We would have hoped for in 1820
Additional scriptural witnesses
True priesthood authority
Holy temples
I would have looked everywhere and anyone to say that our sealing was for time and all eternity and never hear the haunting curse of βtill death do you part.β
Saving ordinances for our kindred dead
A decaying shack if Pat and our children were not with me to share in that inheritance.
And for our ancestors, some of them lived and died anciently without having heard of Jesus Christ…
The most important message of the restoration is that such hopes were not in vain. Beginning in 1820, these desires began to be reality.
What was then only hoped for has now become history.
Thus, our look back at 200 years of Godβs goodness to the world
What of our look ahead? We still have hopes that have not yet been fulfilled.
Even as we speak…A virus 1000 times smaller than a grain of sand can bring entire populations and global economies to their knees
When we have conquered this, and we will, can we be equally committed to freeing the world of the virus of hunger, or poverty. β¦ That our students will be taught and not terrified of being shot.
May we be equally committed to freeing the world of
Hunger
Poverty
Safe Schools
Protection from religious prejudice
To love God by keeping His Counsel…
Many in the audience today have deeply personal desires. Hope for a marriage to improve, for a marriage, addition to be conquered, a wayward child to come back.
We can hope and we should hope, even when fa the most insurmountable odds
That is what we meant when Abraham was able to hope against hope
Sarah was able to conceive of a child.
If so many of our 1820 hopes could be met by a divine flash of light to a kneeling boy, can we not conceive that the righteous desires today can be fulfilled?
…One frustrated religious writer wrote — many religious leaders of today seem clueless of dealing with this decline.
If we finally lose hope we lose our last sustaining possession
Cry of ancient Israel: βOur bones are dried, our hope is lostβ
Dante (in the Divine Comedy) wrote a warning above the Inferno: βAbandon all hope, ye that enter hereβ
We have a welcome mat outside our front door with this quote.
Hope
We all need to believe that what we desire in righteousness can someday, someway, somehow yet be ours
What we desire in righteousness can be ours…we can HOPE and expect it, just as did the prophet Joseph in his HOPE to find truth.
When our backs are against the wall, among our most indefensible virtues is hope.
As the hymn says, When other helpers fail and comforts flee
We did not come this far to only come this far
After ye have received these first fruits of the restoration, I would ask if all is done. Behold I say unto you nay. You must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ. Having a perfect brightness of hope and a love of God and of all men. If you shall, saith the Father, you shall have eternal life
Press forward with love in our hearts, walking in the brightness of hope that lights the path
Hope–>Faith–>Charity: all linked
Anybody get the part about our hope being linked to our faith in God and ??
The future will be miracle filled and blessed as the past has been. We have very reason to hope for blessings even greater than what weβve already received
Hymn: Now Let Us Rejoice – Hymn 3
Talk: David A. Bednar – Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
(Title)
Major Themes:Covenants, Ordinances, and Blessings of the Temples
Notable Stories:
From the First Vision, Joseph learned of the true nature of the Godhead and continuing revelation
Moroni quoted Elijah: βPlant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathersβ
Why was the return of Elijah important? He was the last to hold specific keys of the Melchezidek Priesthood before the time of Jesus Christ, particularly the sealing authority.
Sealing authority is necessary, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loose in heaven.
Visits of Elijah: mount of transfiguration and to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (1836 Kirtland temple)
βHeartβ is used +1,000 times in the standard works.
Our hearts determine who we are and what we will become.
We do not build or enter temples solely to only have a memorable experience. Rather the covenants received are essential to the sanctifying of our hearts and for the ultimate exaltation of Godβs sons and daughters
…Turning the hearts of the children to [their] fathers
Most sacred covenants are only received in a Temple [in the House of the Lord]
Moses 1:39
Ezra Taft Benson: The lord works from the inside out, the world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums, the lord takes the slums out of the people, and then the people would work to take themselves out of the slums.
Covenants and ordinances are essential for spiritual rebirth and transformation. They are how the Lord works from the inside out
We do not come to the temple to hide from or escape the evils of the world, we come to the temple to conquer the world of evil.
As we invite into our lives, the power of Godliness…
We are blessed with strength beyond our own.
1st Temple in this dispensation — Kirtland, Ohio.
Dedication prayer
Please note the phrasesβ¦
…Shall spread to foreign lands.
D&C 110:9 Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house.
The Endowment ceremony is currently presented in 88 languages and more are coming as temples build. In the next 15 years, the number of languages likely will double.
Ground will be broken on 18 temples this year (assuming anyone is allowed outside)
Between 1830 and 1980 (Tokyo Temple) eighteen temples were constructed; 18 constructed this year
Consider the hastening of temples during the lifetime of President Nelson
96% of temples have been dedicated in his lifetime
84% since becoming an apostle
More Temples — βto accomplish this workβ [Brigham Young] quote. (thousands!)
Primary focus should be on the covenants and ordinances that can change our hearts and not on the [outside]…
Temples help us to:
1. Hear him and have our hearts changed
2. To offer Temple blessings of the entire Human family.
Joseph Smith (History of the Church, 4:609β10): βThe building up of Zion is a cause that has interested the people of God in every age; it is a theme upon which prophets, priests and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight; they have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day; but they died without the sight; we are the favored people that God has made choice of to bring about the Latter-day glory; it is left for us to see, participate in and help to roll forward the Latter-day glory.β (Who said this?)
Joseph Smith? I think that’s what he said.
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 1938 ed., p 231
(This is almost too sacred for me to type — )
The power of this work will destroy the powers of darkness and bring about the salvation of the whole human family
Hymn: Israel, Israel, God is Calling – Hymn 7
Talk: President Russell M Nelson β President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(Title)
Major Themes: #HearHim
Notable Stories:
Amongst all of this we thank you for choosing to hear the word of the Lord during this time of turmoil
The increasing darkness that accompanies tribulation makes the light of Christ shine ever brighter.
We live in the day that our forefathers have awaited with anxious expectations
We have front row seats to see live what the prophet Nephi only saw in vision.
We are armed with righteousness and the power of God in great glory
Regardless of your circumstances, the Lord Jesus Christ is your Savior
Revelation continues to flow from the Lord during this ongoing process of Restoration
What does it mean for you that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth?
You and your family can be sealed together
You can be baptized by one who has authority.
You can receive the comfort and companionship of the Holy Ghost.
priesthood power can bless you
The book of mormon documents how easy it is for people to forget God
Great and marvelous things have been heard, yet most people do not embrace these truths.
The adversary is clever, for millennia he has made good look evil and evil look good. He has done with with great loudness
Satan’s message are loud and boastful
Messages from our Heavenly Father are strikingly different. They are quiet, plain, etc
The Father always uses few words
Mount of Transfiguration: This is my beloved son hear him.
The Nephites: Behold my beloved son in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name. Hear ye him
Joseph Smith: This is my beloved son, hear him
Just before the father introduced the son, the people were in a state of fear and desperation
The Father knows that when we are surrounded by uncertainty or fear, what will help us the very most is to hear His Son.
Hearken – listen with the intent to obey
Hearken means to hear him
We are to hear the words of the Lord, hearken to them, and head
We need to be ever more Intentional. Conscious and consistent effort.
We canβt rely on what we BUMP into on social media.
With billions of words online, and a marketing saturated world filled with noisy nefarious efforts of the adversary, where can we go to hear him? The scriptures
Daily immersion in the word of God is essential.
How do we respond to difficulties we never thought we would face?
We can also hear Him in the Temple
House of the Lord is a House of learning
The Lord teaches in his own way
Learn how to part the veil and communicate with him.
How to rebuke the adversary
Each ordinance teaches of the Savior
Draw upon the priesthood power to strengthen us and those we love
When the temporary COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, schedule regular time to serve in the temple. This will bless your family in ways that nothing else can.
Ask the Lord to teach you how to open the heavens
While serving in the temple is currently not possible, increase participation in Family HIstory. Indexing
As we increase our family history and indexing, we will be better able to hear Him.
Refine our ability to hear the Holy Ghost.
It has never been more imperative to know how the spirit speaks to you than right now
In the Godhead, the Holy Ghost is the messenger.
Do whatever it takes to increase your capacity to receive personal revelation.
We hear him as we heed the words of prophets, seers, and revelators
They point the way as we make our way through the heartaching maze.
Hear, hearken, and heed
We will be blessed with additional power to deal with temptations, struggles, and weakness.
Promise miracles in our marriage, and daily work.
The apostles considered how best to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the First Vision.
A monument of words, to be etched into our hearts.
Five proclamations have been issued in the history of the Church.
Family a proclamation was the last in 1995
The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World
The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
April 2020
We solemnly proclaim that God loves His children in every nation of the world. God the Father has given us the divine birth, the incomparable life, and the infinite atoning sacrifice of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. By the power of the Father, Jesus rose again and gained the victory over death. He is our Savior, our Exemplar, and our Redeemer.
Two hundred years ago, on a beautiful spring morning in 1820, young Joseph Smith, seeking to know which church to join, went into the woods to pray near his home in upstate New York, USA. He had questions regarding the salvation of his soul and trusted that God would direct him.
In humility, we declare that in answer to his prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph and inaugurated the βrestitution of all thingsβ as foretold in the Bible. In this vision, he learned that following the death of the original Apostles, Christβs New Testament Church was lost from the earth. Joseph would be instrumental in its return.
We affirm that under the direction of the Father and the Son, heavenly messengers came to instruct Joseph and re-establish the Church of Jesus Christ. The resurrected John the Baptist restored the authority to baptize by immersion for the remission of sins. Three of the original twelve Apostles βPeter, James, and John β restored the apostleship and keys of priesthood authority. Others came as well, including Elijah, who restored the authority to join families together forever in eternal relationships that transcend death.
We further witness that Joseph Smith was given the gift and power of God to translate an ancient record: the Book of Mormon β Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Pages of this sacred text include an account of the personal ministry of Jesus Christ among people in the Western Hemisphere soon after His Resurrection. It teaches of lifeβs purpose and explains the doctrine of Christ, which is central to that purpose. As a companion scripture to the Bible, the Book of Mormon testifies that all human beings are sons and daughters of a loving Father in Heaven, that He has a divine plan for our lives, and that His Son, Jesus Christ, speaks today as well as in days of old.
We declare that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, organized on April 6, 1830, is Christβs New Testament Church restored. This Church is anchored in the perfect life of its chief cornerstone, Jesus Christ, and in His infinite Atonement and literal Resurrection. Jesus Christ has once again called Apostles and has given them priesthood authority. He invites all of us to come unto Him and His Church, to receive the Holy Ghost, the ordinances of salvation, and to gain enduring joy.
Two hundred years have now elapsed since this Restoration was initiated by God the Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Millions throughout the world have embraced a knowledge of these prophesied events.
We gladly declare that the promised Restoration goes forward through continuing revelation. The earth will never again be the same, as God will βgather together in one all things in Christ.β
With reverence and gratitude, we as His Apostles invite all to know β as we do β that the heavens are open. We affirm that God is making known His will for His beloved sons and daughters. We testify that those who prayerfully study the message of the Restoration and act in faith will be blessed to gain their own witness of its divinity and of its purpose to prepare the world for the promised Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
PDF
βInvite all to know as we do that the heavens are openβ
Solemn Assembly
Hosanna Shout
Hymn: The Hosanna Anthem
Hymn: The Spirit of God – Hymn 2
Benediction: Elder Peter M. Johnson – Quorum of the Seventy
THOUGHTS:
I love that Elder Bednar just threw out how we are breaking ground on 18 temples this year haha
Personally I Hope one Is the Washington County Utah Temple (biased because it’s the closest temple to me and St George is also closed for 4 yearsβ¦)
Loved how excited Our prophet is of us being in front row seats.
I love how the proclamation said, “gain enduring joy”, for enduring to the end.
I was so moved by the Hosanna Shout, Anthem and the Spirit of God, congregational singing, that I experienced a βfeeling of great joyβ. Rapture and being filled with the Holy Ghost like a fire in my body, was beyond mere words.
TO-DOs:
dyejo
Guest Author
