Live-Blogging April 2012 LDS Conference - Sunday Morning

Of course it's snowing for April Conference.

I apologize only slightly for the following political-philosophy comment, but I find it very gratifying that Larry Echo Hawk was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy, leaving his current political position in the Obama Administration. He ran for Governor in Idaho a few years ago and got a lot of political flak for being a Mormon, Indian, Democrat - I don't know which negative was more prominent in Idaho politics. My point being, he was called to a significant position in LDS Church leadership which has to presume some level of personal worthiness and example of a good life. I don't think Democrats (or Native Americans, or even Mormons) are necessarily better or more righteous than other people. I just resent the implications from some that any of those would justify the judgment that they are less than worthy in a religious sense, or less than patriotic (or less a respecter of the Constitution) in a political sense. OK. That's off my chest. Now on to Conference.
President Eyring conducting

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 2nd Counselor, First Presidency
Received a letter from a mother requesting a message to help reconcile two children who had stopped speaking to each other.
Confidence in the virtue of the word of God. Prayer that the Spirit will touch their hearts.
Story of Cain - cankered feelings ripened to hatred and murder
Saul against David - Joseph's brothers - many others.
Perhaps we recognize this spirit in ourselves when we feel hurt, angry or jealous.
Of course we know this is wrong. We all depend on the Savior. Christ's atonement is eternal.
We must repent and we must be willing to forgive others. The greater sin if we refuse to forgive.
Perfectly reasonable when applied to someone else. We don't like it when people judge us.
Though we cannot look into another heart, we think we can judge.
Apostle Paul said those who pass judgment on others are inexcusable. Romans
Disciples sought occasion one against another that they were under condemnation
I the Lord will forgive whom I will forgive but of you it is required to forgive all men. D&C 64:10
This requirement includes forgiving ourselves - the one the hardest to forgive and one most in need - the one looking back in the mirror.
Two word sermon - hating, gossiping, etc. please apply the following: "Stop it!"
We have to stop judging each other.
He doesn't know how to get it across
Bumper sticker: "Don't judge me because I sin differently than you"
We are all beggars before God. Mosiah 4:19
haven't we all approached the judgment seat for forgiveness? We all depend on the mercy of God.
How can we deny to others any measure of the Grace we desire so desperately for ourselves.
Should we not forgive as we wish to be forgiven. This is difficult to do.
A change of heart is required. This mighty change is exactly what the gospel requires. How is it done, through the love of God. Something good and pure happens to us. We keep the commandments and overcome.
The more we allow the love of Heavenly Father to swell in our hearts the easier it is to love others.
As always, Christ is our exemplar. It is easy to love those who love us, even the wicked to that.
All who desire to be his disciples Love your enemies - pray for them who despitefully use you.
The pure love of Christ can remove the scales of
Do you harbor grudges? Do you gossip? Do you push away others because of something they have done? Do you envy? Do you wish to cause harm?
Stop it.
It is easy to gather and cast stones. He that is without sin cast the first stone.
Let us the love of God fill our hearts.
Let us not seek revenge or let our wrath overcome us.
If he thirsts, give him drink. Be not overcome with evil but overcome evil with good.
Let us be known as people who have love one to another.
Enough heartache in this life without us adding to us.
We must let go of our grievances - part of our purpose of mortality is to learn to let go of these things.
Lay your burden at the Savior's feet. The merciful will obtain mercy.

[OK, so I forgive all the Idaho Republicans for being mean to Larry Echo Hawk]

Russell M. Nelson, Quorum of Twelve Apostles
Gratitude
We were created in the image of God - each with a personal body - heaven sent
Family is the most important unite - great plan of happiness
We are part of His divine purpose - work and glory is to bring about immortality and eternal life
Loved us so he sent His Son
Central to his plan is the mission of Jesus Christ to redeem his children through Atonement.
Eternal life became a possibility for all who qualify
The resurrection and the life - whoso believeth shall never die
Sublime message of Easter - thanks be to God
spiritual and physical gifts from God
Our own physical body - the role of each organ - the body's defense system - a perfect body is not required to achieve divine destiny - it couldn't have happened by chance - by a Big Bang somewhere
Death like birth is part of life. To return to God is a blessing.
Each spirit and body will be reunited again Alma 11:43-44
The body is a tabernacle for the eternal spirit. Spirit and body united.
The aspects by which we will be judged are all spiritual. [good list of attributes I missed]
spiritual attributes are obtained through basic principles of gospel - faith, repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost and Temple ordinances.
The spirit is nourished by eternal truth.
We have the Scriptures.
We have the restoration. We remain under covenant to take it to the world.
King Benjamin - Believe in God - believe that he created all and has all power in heaven and earth.
And now if ye believe these things, see that ye do them. Mosiah 4:9-10

Ronald A. Rasband, Presidency of the Seventy
Speaking of grandchild, Paxton, born with problems

[and serious distractions as a family friend came by to drop off a thank you gift to my wife who made cookies for her wedding reception. And the boys are making breakfast because I was using the quiet time for family history this morning and didn't want to wake anyone up]

but this talk is a lot like Elder Nelson's but he's talking more about the physical trials we face in life and must learn to trust in God. We will be resurrected with perfect bodies. Alma 11:43-44
And Christ's visit to the Nephites calling for the sick  and lame to be healed 3 Nephi 17
Afflicted in any manner - we can all identify
Anguish can continue without relief for disabilities. Mosiah pure love - burdens laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light - submitted with patience and diligence.
Expenses of Primary Children's Hospital - much is donated
Worth of souls is great D&C 18:10
Much support for his family
If you come across a drowning person, would you ask if you could help or just jump in?
One cannot help others without experiencing a great blessing -quote [who?]
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be
"We are all enlisted 'til the conflict is over, happy are we."
Bear nobly our burdens.
May we each thank God for our blessings.

Sister Julie B. Beck, released as President of the Relief Society
Vision of prophets regarding Relief Society.
Purpose is to increase faith, family and relief

[Sorry, but relief is at hand and I've got to get a little breakfast]

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Quorum of Twelve Apostles
Attention on the church
some of it doesn't quite get it right.
Goes into apostasy and restoration
Core doctrine Christ in the Book of Mormon - This is my doctrine - 3 Nephi 11:39
Clear, easy to understand for a child.
How does the Lord reveal his will to the Prophet? messengers, visit (Himself), feeling, revelation
Peter's vision of the unclean beasts to eat and Gospel to all people. Acts 10
God is no respecter of persons Acts 10:34

[I was cleaning the kitchen a bit. Elder Christofferson is talking about the Revelation on the Priesthood without addressing it directly.]

The Lord will make his will known. There is a process. Not everything ever said by a church leader is doctrine, etc. Brigham Young on Johnston's Army - What I said this morning was Brigham Young - this afternoon I will give you the will of the Lord
Testimony and Witness of the Resurrection

President Thomas S. Monson
Eternal truths that will enrich our lives
Everywhere people are in a hurry - jet travel - business, vacations, families visited - freeways everywhere - seemingly endless stream as we rush about
Do we ever pause for moments of meditation? For thoughts of endless truth?
Most concerns of daily living are really rather trivial - what to have for dinner, paint the living room, signing up Johnny for soccer
Loved ones hurt - sickness - death - darkness - we focus on what is important and what is trivial
Visited with an elderly lady ill who talked about what was previously important isn't now with mortal life in jeopardy. She wanted remaining time with family, friends, and gospel at the center of her life.
Such moments of clarity come at us at times.
Lay not up for yourself treasures on the earth where moth and dust doth corrupt and thieves break in and steal - where your treasure is there will your heart be also
The soul of man reaches heavenward in our times of greatest need
Where did we come from, why here, where are we going? Can't check the internet.
Apostle Paul - we are the offspring of God.
The spirit and body are the soul of man D&C 88:15
Hebrews - God is the Father of our spirits.
Quotes Wordsworth - trailing clouds of glory we come from God who is our home
                     [Wordsworth was inspired by Henry Vaughan]
Children ask the penetrating question why are we here? Why am I here?
A wise Creator fashioned an earth and placed us here with veil for a time of testing to prove ourselves for all that God has prepared for us to receive.
We obtain a physical body and the gift of agency
We learn from hard taskmaster of experience between good and evil - bitter and sweet - consequences attached to actions.
By obedience to God's commandments we can qualify for that house that Jesus is preparing "in my Father's house are many mansions"
From experience we learn to reach heavenward
God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord have marked the way
Paul likened life to a race - run with patience the race set before us. Hebrews 12:1
Ecclesiastes - the race is not to the swift nor battle to the strong. Ecclesiastes 9:11 - prize belongs to him who endures to the end.
Remembers childhood carving small toy boats from cottonwood tree. Watching boats down rough water and still waters. One boat was ahead but capsized in whirlpool. Toy boats of childhood had no keep for stability, no rudder for guidance no power - path of least resistance
unlike toy boats we enter life with the power to think, reason to achieve - we can receive guidance from God - prayer - whisperings of still small voice.
There appear challenges, sickness, autumn, winter and death. If a man die, shall he live again? Job 14:14
The question always returns.
What of existence beyond death
Robert Blashford [?] book - death end of our existence - his wall of skepticism crumbled to dust - he found his way back to faith - his wife died - with broken heart he looked at her face - it is she yet it is not she - something that was there before is taken away - she is not the same - what can be gone if not the soul? Death is not what some people imagine - it is like going into another room - we will find those we have loved and lost.
Death is not the end - taught by prophets throughout the ages.
Book of Mormon State of the soul between death and resurrection spirits of all men are taken home to that God that gave them life, the spirits of righteousness received into paradise a state of rest and from all care and sorrow. Alma 40:11
When Christ was in tomb the spirit reentered and mortal was reclothed with restored flesh.
We shall all be resurrected
Paul -  glory of Celestial and Terrestial bodies I Cor. 15
Blessings are earned through life time of seeking, repenting and achieving.
universal questions need not remain unanswered.
Heavenly Father rejoices for those who keep his commandments - and he loves us all  - come back, come in, come home, come unto me.
Easter in one week. the Savior's life and resurrection. Testimony of the Savior.