Tag Archives: shayne m bowen

Here we are set to go for another 10 hours of General Conference. I feel pretty confident that it will be worth my time!

As mentioned before, I will be watching this session at work. Hopefully no one disrupts me 🙂

As for what to expect… who knows. I don’t get a sense that there are any big issues at the moment that need to be addressed with the world-wide church. I’m sure we’ll get advice on being kind, helping the poor, and being faithful. It’s all stuff we’ve heard before, but it will be good to hear it again.

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The Mormon Tabernacle choir started the meeting by singing Glory to God on High

President Henry B Eyring conducted

The choir sang How Firm a Foundation

The invocation was offered by Elder Kevin R Duncan

President Thomas S Monson

• 3 new temples dedicated since last conference (Kansas City Missouri, Manaus Brazil, Brigham City Utah)
• 1 temple rededicated (Buenos Aires Argentina)
• 139 temples in operation, 27 more announced or under construction
• Announced 2 new temples – Tucson Arizona and Arequipa Peru
• Missionary service changes – Up to now, some countries had young men who could start to serve missions at age 18 (instead of 19). The reports have been positive. All young men can now serve at 18 (once they have graduated from high school or equivalent). Young women can now serve at 19 instead of 21.
• The First Presidency affirm that missionary work is a Priesthood duty. Young women can serve, but they are not under the same mandate. They do make a valuable contribution and their service is welcome
• Still need more senior couples

The choir sang Lord I Would Follow Thee

Elder Quentin L Cook

• He remembers when the age went from 20 to 19. Elder Holland was the first 19-year-old in his mission
• Most places in the world are not conducive to righteous living
• Repentance is the only panacea for the ills of the world
• Today moral deterioration has escalated
• As Alma said, we need to be able to feel the Spirit today
• Once you join the Church, you can’t be neutral anymore. We can never forsake the Master
• The arms of mercy are extended to those who repent
• How we treat those in our family is of utmost importance
• Pornography is a plague in our day
• The moral issues of our day must be addressed in the family
• It is never too late to have the Savior’s atonement work in our lives
• Take whatever action is necessary now to feel the Spirit

Sister Ann M Dibb

• Is inspired by the righteous members of the Church, including the youth
• Spoke of meeting a YW with “I’m a Mormon. Are you?” on a t-shirt
• Thought about what statement she’d put on a t-shirt… I’m a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it.
• I’m a Mormon – Don’t be afraid to let people know
• I know it – Knowledge is the power of God unto salvation
• I live it – We must be doers of the word
• I love it – After you know the gospel and live it, you will love it
• Sometimes our resolve will be tested. When that happens, we need to increase our knowledge and live it.

Elder Craig C Christensen

• In 1994, President Hunter asked members to make the temple the symbol of our membership
• Told a story about his family going to the Bountiful Utah temple open house, and the feelings his 6-year-old son had
• The Holy Ghost knows our thoughts and intents. He loves us and wants us to be happy. He knows our challenges, and can guide us and teach us
• During times of despair, He can lift our spirits and give us hope

The choir and congregation sang We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet

Elder Shayne M Bowen

• Served a mission in Chile
• Children are innocent and are saved through Christ
• If a child has been lost too young, we need to have faith and hope
• Shared his own story of his son dying because he choked on a piece of chaulk
• He spoke at length about how he’d felt. It was one of the most personal, touching stories I’ve heard in General Conference. This is one you need to listen to rather than read

Elder Russell M Nelson

• Every worthy able young man should prepare to serve a mission
• It is a priesthood duty, and is an obligation the Lord expects of us
• For YW it is a welcome option, but not a responsibility
• Senior couples are invited to serve
• A mission is an active of service to God and humankind
• He has 8 people in his family currently serving missions (3 couples, a grand-son and grand-daughter)
• Missionaries are in more than 150 nations
• He spoke of a bunch of questions/problems/thoughts, and said “Ask the missionaries!”

The choir sang I Will Follow God’s Plan

President Dieter F Uchtdorf

• We are all mortal
• We have a brief time
• We need to give our undivided attention to those we love the most, otherwise we will regret it
• Spend meaningful time together
• Why do we spent so much of our time to things that are fleeting?
• Lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven
• We are ultimately responsible for our own happiness
• If we focus on the finish line, we fail to find joy in the journey
• Life is not meant to be appreciated in retrospect

The choir sang Now Let Us Rejoice

Elder Juan A Uceda offered the benediction

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Read the recaps and other notes from the 182nd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

• 182nd Semiannual General Conference – Pre-conference notes
• 182nd Semiannual General Conference – Saturday Morning General Session
• 182nd Semiannual General Conference – Saturday Afternoon General Session
• 182nd Semiannual General Conference – Priesthood Session
• 182nd Semiannual General Conference – Press Conference Regarding Lower Missionary Service Age
• 182nd Semiannual General Conference – Sunday Morning General Session
• 182nd Semiannual General Conference – Sunday Afternoon General Session
• 182nd Semiannual General Conference – Post-conference notes