LDS General Conference Priesthood Session, Saturday, April 2, 2016 - Live-Blogging

And, Priesthood Session is on live too!
Watch LIVE here

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President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency
Is leading the sustaining of General Authorities.
Those opposed don't do so by the same sign, they just yell.
Just released my wife's friends in the Primary Presidency and Board.
I don't know any of these names called into the Quorums of the Seventy. I must hang in the wrong crowds.
Joy D. Jones President, Jean B. Bingham as 1st,  and Bonnnie H. Cordon as 2nd Counselor in the Primary.
Pres. Uchtdorf said Pres. Monson said that those opposing should talk to their Stake Presidents.

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President Russel M. Nelson of the Quorum of Twelve
Men of God
He told story of two little girls he operated on and died. The family held much resentment for years
He felt prompted by the spirits of the two little girls who wanted to be sealed to their family.
He approached the family again and they were willing
Each man and young man should demonstrate the strength of the father and son in this family who were willing to forgive and change their lives.
To bear the priesthood is to bear the weight of mighty power and authority
To many have been given priesthood authority but have blocked the power (like electricity to a church organ)
Demeaning wives and children is unworthy.
Faith, virtue, knowledge, patience, kindness, diligence - Sec. 121 qualities
We need to pray from our hearts.
Pray to know how to pray for more power
Follow the example of Pres. Monson inspired by the Spirit to serve others.
Serve your spouse and take her counsel
The Lord will show us how to grow in His own power
We need to be concerned about personal earthquakes - in our own and the hearts of those we love
pray, fast, study seek to have that kind of priesthood power.
The authority of God to bless others is our sacred trust.
Eager to pay whatever price is required to increase in that power to prepare the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ

Elder Stephen W. Owen, General Young Mens President\
Hunting story [doesn't much impress me either like skiing]
But he learned to follow his father.
Windy Ridge - Where the good hunting is

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency
He was at the Frankfurt Temple when he saw an elderly couple holding hands.
The scene affected him profoundly
a symbol of perseverance and commitment
Contrast to some of today's attitudes - everything is disposable
There may be decluttering of things we no longer need
But our marriages discarded can bring profound remorse
Church values marriage and families.
Church is known for having great marriages and families because they are meant to be eternal
Not to be cast off when we get to heaven
They are the order of heaven
Emulation of God's eternal family
They don't happen just because we are members of the church
They require our best efforts to save and enrich our families
Applaud to those who nourish these relationships
No one being sealed thinks they will end up divorced or broken hearted
Some start noticing little faults.
They get the idea that gives justification to start looking elsewhere
Single brethren - deception that they first have to find the perfect woman.
If there were a perfect woman do you think she would be that interested in you?
[SLAM, Pres. Uchtdorf!]
pursuit takes time - requires principles of charity - the pure love of Christ
Great marriages are build brick by brick over a lifetime.
Divorce rarely happens when the husband and wife are happy
Astonish your wife by doing things that make her happy
Lincoln said that most people are about as happy as they make up there minds to be
Seek and ye shall find
If we look for imperfections or irritations we will find them
If we look for the good we shall surely find them.
Those who save marriages save future generations
Remember why you fell in love.
Speak in praise of those who work on saving their families
There are no perfect families - Like when your parents ask you to take a selfie of them
Or your father wants a portrait with everyone in his favorite movie and you get the Chewbacca costume [SLAM DUNK, Dieter!]
Those who are successful counsel with their family
The secret tool of happiness in the Book of Mormon for generations. How?
Because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people
Whatever problems your family is facing the solution is charity - the true love of Christ.
Charity never Faileth. True for saving marriages and families
The biggest problem is Pride - it accelerates its own strength and ignores good. It is cynical pessimistic angry
Pride is the defining characteristic of Satan
It is a common human failing but it is not part of our spiritual inheritance.
Life is short. Regrets last a long time
The way you treat your wife or children or siblings can last for generations to come.
We all need to remember judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy
Please be merciful for mercy triumphs over justice.
It's not a sign of weakness but of strength
Build bridges don't destroy them - especially when you are not at fault
Whatever adversity you are facing will pass.
Principles apply whether divorced, widowed, or single - we can be saviors of families.
The Savior won our souls with Love.
Love in our family seeks the well being of others.
He will bless and prosper our efforts to save our marriages and strengthen our families.

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency
Wants to describe the future and the Plan of Happiness God prepared for us.
He wants us to become like him.
A life of mortality in which we would be tested.
We could attain eternal life, the greatest gift of God
His purpose is to bring to pass the eternal life of man
Everything we do should have Celestial marriage as the goal and purpose
Why should this matter?
Because our priesthood duty is to put the families around us at the center of our attention.
What could it mean to a Deacon?
The Deacon can rush to take part in family prayer and home evening. He may not have a faithful father, but his righteous desires will affect those around him
The Lord said the Teachers duty is to watch over the church always - no hardness, lying, back-biting evil speaking
Priest is to teach preach, exhort, baptize, to encourage to pray in secret and together, and to fulfill family duties.
As we focus on families, harmony will grow in the families we serve.
What can a young Elder do? Pray to teach and baptize families.
His son had an experience finding a widow with eight children living in poverty. It looked impossible.
Years after, Pres. E. visited and and children and many grandchildren came from many chapels in the area.
The widow was very short and hugged around his waist. She asked that his son come back before she die to see her family.
Wise counsel to seek marriage
Make the choice with earnest searching and prayerful consideration
President N. Eldon Tanner - the parents of your children to be
Sec. 121 principles of the Priesthood
Thou shalt love thy wife with all they heart cleave unto her and unto no one else
Children, obey your parents in all things
honor thy father and they mother.
Do all we can to help our kindred dead. The HP Group Leader who help in this work are doing their duty.
The most important work you ever do is the work you do within the walls of your own home.
Among those many things are the promise of an endless posterity.

President Thomas S. Monson
We have the Priesthood and are authorized to act in his Name
Sec 121:36
Don't participate in activities not worthy of the priesthood
You are a child of promise
a man of might
a Son of God
Priesthood - responsibilities and blessings - not just for us but for others.
WWII South Pacific story - out on life rafts for three days - spotted a rescue vessel that passed them by twice. Then the Holy Spirit spoke to his friend. you have the priesthood command the rescuers to find you.
May we determine to prepare to our time of need.
You are a chosen generation a royal priesthood
May we ever be worthy of these accolades I pray with all my heart.