I watched Conference so you don’t have to. The blurbs are my quick on-the-fly notes of each talk, with correcting edits possible after transcripts are available. After each session, I’ll give my own comments under “Summary.” Three big issues hang over this Conference: (1) the passing of President Nelson a week ago, with a funeral scheduled on Wednesday of this coming week and, shortly thereafter, a new First Presidency to be organized; (2) the recent tragic mass shooting at an LDS chapel in Michigan; and (3) the continuing political tension in the US government, which is presently in shutdown mode because Congress was unable to pass a continuing funding resolution. Let’s see if they get much attention in the talks.

Saturday Morning

Pres. Eyring, conducting while seated — He notes that we are in an “apostolic interregnum,” meaning the Quorum of the Twelve is the leading Council of the Church, and that the Church is led by the President of the Twelve (Pres. Oaks) until the First Presidency is reorganized.

Pres. Oaks, as President of the Twelve — After acknowledging the passing of his good friend Pres. Nelson and noting how much he learned from him, he explains that the Conference is following the schedule and chosen speakers set by Pres. Nelson earlier, with no deviations other than this initial set of remarks by Pres. Oaks and substituting himself in place of Pres. Nelson as the closing speaker of the Conference.

—> BEST OF SESSION — Gary E. Stevenson, of the Twelve — Blessed are the peacemakers. He makes a brief reference to the Michigan shooting. Build bridges, not walls. Three places to make peace: our hearts, our families, and our communities.

Tracy Y. Browning, 2C in the Primary General Presidency — Praises Primary songs, which teach the little kids through music and catchy lyrics.

Ronald M. Barcellos, a Seventy — Serve with all your heart. Give your spiritual heart a spiritual EKG (he offers a checklist).

Brik V. Eyre, a Seventy — You are a child of God.

Kelly R. Johnson, a Seventy — He was a forensic accountant. Talks about reconciliation (an accounting term) and reconciliation with God. Repent daily, be unshakeable.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, of the Twelve — Wikipedia introduces him as “German aviator, airline executive and religious leader.” I’ll bet he wrote that himself. The talk: Retaining proficiency as a pilot requires practice, practice, practice — so does discipleship, which requires commitment and discipline. The flame of yesterday’s testimony will keep you warm for only so long. Channeling Captain Kirk: “There is no no-win scenario.”

Summary: While Pres. Uchtdorf’s talk was the most entertaining, the Best of Session award goes to Elder Stevenson for a timely talk on being a peacemaker. He said that he wrote the talk several weeks ago, but I have to think he upgraded it after the Michigan shooting. Following the session, Pres. Oaks was helped out by a security guy holding one arm and his wife holding the other. Both Pres. Holland and Pres. Eyring (with a big smile) exited in wheelchairs.

Saturday Afternoon

Elder Bednar conducting

Ronald A. Rasband, of the Twelve — on the 30th anniversary of the Family Proclamation, so this is going to rub some readers the wrong way. He said, “Treat it with reverence as the word of God.” He is trying to unofficially canonize it. He doubled down on that idea, pronouncing the FamProc “doctrine” and noted that it came from the mouth of then-President Hinckley, who speaks for God when he read it in its entirety at the Womens Conference in 1995. Rasband sort of implied the Twelve drafted it as a group, while the story I am familiar with suggests it was drafted by individuals outside the leadership, no doubt at the direction of this or that leader. For an alternative view of the FamProc, read this recent opinion piece at the Salt Lake Tribune.

Chad H. Webb, 1C in Sunday School General Presidency — on the Holy Ghost. Teach “true doctrine,” whatever that means. Teach from the scriptures, not speculation. Just teach essentials. This all sounds straightforward, but the talk as a whole came across as kind of harsh, I thought.

Jeremy R. Jaggi, a Seventy — on altars and covenants. The first few minutes had a nice interfaith angle.

Kevin G. Brown, a Seventy — He hit three basic doctrines: (1) God’s omniscience and other attributes; (2) Choices entail consequences, so use agency wisely; and (3) Testimony through the Holy Ghost, pushing the “you can choose to believe” idea. Personally, I don’t think we’re wired that way. We can choose to pretend to believe, but we’re not reprogrammable units. A very energetic and impassioned delivery.

—> BEST OF SESSION — Gerritt W. Gong, of the Twelve — All are welcome at the Lord’s inn. “No one sits alone” — so go say hello and sit with them. Repeats and expands on the “unique gospel culture” idea that Pres. Oaks preached a few years back.

Michael Cziesla, a Seventy — Praises pure and simple doctrine. Do small and simple things and, if you’re in a tough situation, just do what you can. He’s from Germany. The second nice German talk of the Conference.

Quentin L. Cook, of the Twelve — These are the best of times and the worst of times, but he’s focusing on the best part. The work is hastening. He claims 900,000 convert baptisms in the last 36 months. I recall him making what sounded like exaggerated claims in the past (something like “the Church has never been stronger!” when it’s pretty clear net LDS growth in CONUS is flatlining). Quick estimate: with 100,000 proselyting missionaries serving (an overestimate), that would be 3 baptisms per missionary per year or six per pair of missionaries. Really? He does urge members to be welcoming to new and returning members, certainly a good piece of counsel to all.

Summary: Elder Rasband’s talk will get attention, at least in online forums, but I’m giving my Best of Session award to Elder Gong, always the smartest guy in the room. I’ve got money on him for a counselor in the new FP. (Symbolic money, not real money.)

Saturday Evening

I might add a summary paragraph for the generally shorter Saturday Evening session at some point. Ambitious readers can add a blurb or two in the comments if one of the evening talks rings the bell.

Update: Brief notes on the evening session.

Elder Cook conducting.

  • Patrick Kearon of the Twelve: “Jesus went about doing good,” with examples. (Best of Session)
  • J. Anette Dennis, 1C in RS Presidency: Let’s cheer for each other and not be judgmental.
  • Steven C. Barlow, a Seventy: All you need is love, give it and receive it.
  • William K. Jackson, a Seventy: Christ is the Shepherd, be a good undershepherd.
  • Neil L. Anderson, of the Twelve: Repentance, restitution, healing, forgiveness. Sounds nice, but there were some harsh edges.

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