LDS
General Conference, April 1-2, 2017, Saturday and Sunday
President Henry B. Eyring
(first counselor in the First Presidency)
Our task in the Eternal Plan of Happiness is to accept Jesus Christ and
his atonement by living his commandments, including saving ordinances. Families are at the heart of this
plan—Elijah.
YM Joseph Brough Righteous grandparents. Accept council from your Bishop. Follow
Christ.
70 Weatherford T. Clayton
Young mothers giving birth. The Plan includes death/resurrection.
Elder Dale G. Renlund
Treat others like Christ does with disregard to outward appearance. The Good Shephard heals sin and disease. The
Savior offered to heal Israel and ate with sinners. Sin no more. Persecution comes in other nations. We must guard against bigotry. Everyone has the right to express opinions in
the public square, and no one has the right to persecute them. Golden Rule—be
meek. As with Jesus Christ, show respect for all, and hatred for none.
70 Ulisses Soares Follow
the Prophet, like in the Book of Mormon. Trust in God. Escape bondage.
70 Mark A. Bragg There
is LIGHT/Truth even in the darkest times. Continue and receive more light. There will always be criticism, but the light
of the Church/Gospel/Christ will shine through to the perfect day. We have 155
operating temples (more coming soon) and the home is also holy. Use armor of Light.
Heavenly Father is the father of Lights—Jesus Christ is the Light of
the world.
President Russell M. Nelson
Christ warned us of our turbulent times, but we are not alone. We can draw in godly power. The Topical Guide has 57 subsections on Jesus
Christ—underline passages.
Print/refer to the “Testimony of Christ” - stretch to Christ beyond
anything you have ever done before.
President Uchtdorf conducted the morning session and President Eyring
the afternoon session.
Elder Robert D. Hales
Discipleship is a state of being: Faith, Virtue, Knowledge, … Charity. Move forward with patience and
temperance. Be still and know that He is
God. What can I learn from this?
Faith, Hope, and Charity—without Charity you are tinkling brass. All
people can be Christ’s disciples.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Bright sunshine is in my soul, because Jesus is my Light. “Jesus,
listening can hear” when days are difficult.
There is diversity in God’s choir, with discipline. Believe in
yourself. There is economic
disparity—care for the poor. Help the insane. We need a global chorus, not
guns. Love God! Moroni declared that
Jesus Christ is better than war. [Convert Jihadists.] God will raise us up, better.
We will sing and shout with the armies of heaven, as Jesus descends in
his chariot of fire, to rule/reign.
70 Gary B. Sabin Be
committed and ‘all in’. Stand up, come
what may, even against those that call good evil, and evil good. We were all in
with Heavenly Father’s Plan. Tired of
walking? Try running.
70 Valeri V. Cardon You
could lose your native language. Preserve the Gospel also. To preserve the
heritage of your native language, it must be taught—same with the Gospel in the
home. Scriptures.
Elder Neil L. Andersen
Overcome the world to be in Christ’s glorious city, with Eternal
Life. Overcoming the world is a private
battle. C.S.Lewis, “Christ says, ‘Give
me all—I want you.’” Keep commandments. The Lord guides us to those we
can help. The Gospel brings compassion
to different ones. Be wary of distortions. Elder Bruce Porter loved Russia and served
there, finally dying from a failing kidney disease.
Elder M. Russell Ballard
Have goals and the Vision, for meaning and purpose. A goal is a destination and a plan is the
route to get there. His goal is our Eternal Life and the Plan of Happiness is
the plan. Have goals/plans for church
councils and families. Seek first the
righteousness of the Kingdom. Simplify
your goal, for power: “Return and Receive!” Because of premortal choices, Satan can
neither return nor receive. All he can
do is oppose in rebellion. Social Media and TV can present ugly
language/sleaze. These may also involve those who are blinded by the evil of
the time. “How am I doing?” You know. Keep your “eye single to the glory
of God”. Refer to “The Living Christ”
& “Family Proclamation to the World”.
Since we all pass through death, make sure of your goal to receive the
blessings promised.
For the General Priesthood Session, President Uchtdorf conducted
and President Monson presided.
President Thomas S. Monson
I’m honored to address the faithful priesthood. Have Charity, suffering long. Honor the priesthood by being kind. Have
charity, kindness, and love unfeigned. Be like Christ to be able to call down
the powers of heaven. I so pray, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Elder David A. Bednar
The envelope to call you on a mission changes lives, signed by the
prophet. “You are called to serve in the Lord’s true Church. You are called to labor in the _______
Mission.” D&C 80.
The area of service mattereth not as much as the call; reassignments
may occur, directed by inspiration.
Priesthood and temple blessings precede the mission and form a strong
life foundation. Be worthy.
Each of you is a missionary, now, with friends and neighbors around
you. Share a tweet or message.
Presiding Bishop Gerald Causse
Young men can serve valiantly.
Use your priesthood to bless others. Look to seniors. The relation of the Melchizedek Priesthood &
Aaronic Priesthood is shown by John the Baptist and Jesus. Bishops can strengthen the link between the
two priesthoods, “I need you.”
President Uchtdorf
Sustains and loves President Monson.
Spoke of Madrid Spain Temple dedication. Disciples James and John were the ‘sons of
thunder’ and wanted to call down fire from heaven onto a town in Samaria. The
greatest among you shall be the servant.
The Lord loves all respective of political orientation or nationality,
and so should we. Look for ways to help,
and stay humble, directed by God.
Callings open opportunities including secret acts of kindness. Your
current calling is the most important.
President Eyring Is my
service acceptable? With His help, you
may achieve. The priesthood can defy the armies of nations, Etc. The Heavens
can be opened to you. Bring the power of
godliness into the lives of those you serve. Enoch established Zion, surrounded
by wicked nations; walked with God.
Bonnie Cordon Trust in
the Lord and Lean Not; Carol
McConkie The Beauty of Holiness
Linda K Burton Certain Women; Henry B. Eyring “My Peace I Leave with You”
The most important message Saturday was from the Prophet, echoed by
other general authorities:
LDS Church leaders counseled Mormons to avoid the human tendency
to be judgmental and asked them to guard against bigotry, being hateful or
being guilty of persecuting others. Instead, they must reach out to others with
compassion and love.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir opened the second and final day of the 187th
annual conference.
The LDS Church was founded April 6th, 1830 and had their
first annual conference in NY in 1831.
President Thomas S. Monson
Five new temples, one in Idaho and one in Utah. A strong testimony of Jesus Christ will see
us through difficulties. The Book of
Mormon is true and the testimony of others will carry you only so far. Resist temptation and overcome fear and
doubt.
Joy D. Jones Children
understand their divine destiny, but are under attack from sin. Parents and grandparents can fortify them,
especially parents. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you.
70 Yoon Choi Joined in
Korea and their family brought into the Church 130 others, plus 32 generations.
Look up to Jesus Christ and not to imperfect members around you. Obedience
brings Heaven’s blessings.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband
The Holy Ghost is important in our lives, to give strength and
direction. Keep the longer perspective,
as opposed to day-to-day living. Be
confident in first promptings
of the Spirit.
We are grateful for our first responders. Become spiritual first
responders. Pay attention to promptings.
70 L. Whitney Clayton “Whatsoever
he tells you, do it”, said Mary the mother of Jesus to servants.
The Lord has perfect timing after we have proven our willingness to do.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks Understanding
the true nature of Father and Christ is the key to everything.
The Holy Ghost helps us distinguish between truth and error, and helps
to guide our lives.
President Uchtdorf We are
a united worldwide church lead by Jesus Christ.
A great spiritual awakening spread in America in the 1830s. Fiery
sermons tried to scare people into church, same with politicians. Do we fall
for manipulation? Do we use fear? Or is there a better way? The influence of fear is temporary and doesn’t
change lives. It can be either secular
or religious to demand compliance to random rules. The end does not justify the means.
Keep love, joy, peace, love and temperance. God wants us to grab the
Iron Rod of the Gospel and change our lives on the way to Happiness. God sent his only begotten son to show us
the way. Jesus Christ is our mentor and
only hope. Satan wants us to exaggerate the
evil in the world. Yes, there is suffering due to man’s inhumanity. In spite of all of this, I would not trade
living in this time of unparalleled prosperity and enlightenment. We know how to avoid dangers or deal with
them. Father has never-ending love for all of his children. Find reasons to rejoice. “Be not afraid, be
of good cheer—fear not, little flock.”
We are his little flock. Let us
serve God and love our fellow man, never looking down on any other religion or people.
Know the signs of the times. We should not burden ourselves or others with
fear, rather trust in God, and prepare for Christ’s return. “The Lord will fight for you, and you can
hold your peace.” No weapon against thee
will prosper. Can we keep our promises
even with tribulation? Of course we
can! The Lord is with us. The pure love of Christ is the antidote to
fear, bullying, and distress. Be kind, forgiving, and dedicated to Christ. God knows you perfectly and loves you
perfectly. Abide in his love. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
.Elder Todd Christofferson
Ezekiel was carried captive into Babylon in 597 B.C. There is no
pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather God wants them to turn to righteousness.
Share the Message with urgency and humble love. Tell of the JOY of walking in
the Light. In a shame-culture, moral
life is built on exclusion and inclusion with the shifting judging of the
crowd. People feel compelled to go along.
We cannot see the sword coming to our door and not blow the
trumpet. There is a disservice in
staying silent. Stop feigning neutrality
and stand for principles like marriage. We are accountable for choices.
Have the love of God always in your hearts that ye may be lifted up in
the last day.
70 Joaquin Costa Fell in love with a girl, who said, “No”,
until he joined the Church and could be married in the temple. Missionaries
give up important years of their lives, only for you: Peace & Joy.
Read Alma 42 and substitute your own name. “Thank you, Elder Cutler for
opening my eyes.”
70 Mark Palmer “Then
Jesus beholding him, loved him”, and asked even more. Mark Ch.10.
Elder Gary Stevenson The
Gift of the Holy Ghost comes from the laying on of hands by priesthood.
The Holy Ghost fills the role of bearing witness of Jesus Christ and His
Gospel. Listen to the small voice.
70 Scott Grow Understand you identity as a child of God. As you pray, you come to know God. Study the scriptures, individually and as a
family. Recognize the voice of the
Spirit and come to know God. Knowing God is the Quest of a lifetime. Follow righteous mentors to know God and
inherit Eternal Life.
70 Benjamin De Hoyo From the Sermon on the Mount: Let your Light shine to the world. “For thus
shall my Church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. Let the light shine forth.”
We believe that God will yet reveal many and great things for the
Kingdom of God.
Elder Quinton L. Cook
This has been a magnificent conference, building faith in the Savior,
Jesus Christ. Physical, Mental, and Spiritual
development have much in common. There are years of practice. Build on the baby steps, always improving.
Know that 1. Jesus Christ is divine; 2.
Book of Mormon is true; and 3. Joseph
Smith was a modern-day prophet. Faith is
power beyond our ability to comprehend.
Panic came to Church members in the economic 1837 crisis. No one lost
more than Joseph Smith. They benefited
from the Kirtland challenges and gained a foundation of faith and
strength. Do likewise.
75 inspiration pictures to go with 75 inspired thoughts:
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