Sunday Afternoon, April 3, 2016, Live-blogging LDS General Conference

Watch LIVE here

Mormon Newsroom ‏@MormonNewsroom  2h2 hours ago

Coverage and News Media Resources for the 186th Annual General Conference http://oak.ctx.ly/r/4hgje  #LDSConf

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles
The Holy Ghost and the Light of Christ
The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead, one in purpose with the Father and the Son
We can experience His companionship through the laying on of hands by the Priesthood
and by renewing covenants, repenting through the Sacrament every Sunday
He can guide us in important life decisions
We are to study it out and bring decision to Him in prayer for confirmation
The Holy Ghost also testifies of the Savior and God the Father
He teaches us the peaceable things of the kingdom and to abound in Hope
He gives spiritual gifts to each
He is the comforter promised by the Lord
He honors the principle of Agency and we need not consult in every trivial aspect of life.
We can receive revelation for our lives
But only the Prophet can receive revelation for the whole church.
Sometimes the adversary tempts us with false ideas that we can confuse with the Holy Ghost
But through the Holy Ghost we can discern false prophets
It is wise to remember we cannot receive revelation for others.
Young man who told a young woman who had a dream she was to be his wife. She responded, when I have the same dream, I'll come to talk to you.
Joseph and the 116 pages of the Holy Ghost.
James 1:5
The First Vision followed
Translating the Book of Mormon, Receiving of ordinances, organization of the church
Same patterns in the leadership of the church today
And available to each member in their personal life.
D+C 121 and 1 Cor. 13 principles
His own stories
[I  just realized nobody made breakfast burritos today. I think it's because my son in California isn't here]

Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Presidency of the Seventy
How to always remember Him
1. We can have confidence in His covenants and promises. He always remembers.
The Lord remembers nations and peoples.
2. We can always acknowledge His hand throughout
Kierkegaard quote !! Life is understood backward, but must be lived forward.
We can remember the assistance of others.
3. Trusting when the Lord assures us that he who repents fully, the Lord remembers no more
Enos. Because of thy Faith in Christ to put Me in remembrance.
The strength may not be in us, but remembering what to hold on to , we can alway remember Him
Life is not as cruel as it may seem to be.
4. He invites us to remember that he always invites us home T.S. Eliot quote!! something about the first time. In our church we teach growth through our imperfect participation.
5. We can always remember Him through the Sacrament.
6. Our Savior invites us to always remember Him as He always remembers us.
He invited the Nephites to come one by one to feel the prints in his hands and in his side.
His resurrected body still bears the wounds. Only He fulfills the prophecy of lifted on the Cross to draw each of us to Him by name - engraved upon the palms of his hands.

Elder Patrick Kearon of the Seventy
[From Carlisle, England, UK]
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Refugees.
The Church is working with 75 institutions in Europe in 17 countries.
We don't have to look back far in our history to a time when we were refugees as a Church
What if their story were my story? -Sis. Linda Burton
There are political discussions - this is to focus on the people
The Savior knows how it feels to be a refugee. He was one. Family fled to Egypt
Evil men plotted His death.
He repeatedly taught us to love our neighbor
Pure religion is to visit the fatherless and widows and administer to the poor.
Very impressed by members of the church generosity
local members are helping refugees learn new languages - providing toys - knitting tools
Use your own agency to find opportunities to serve
Increase our knowledge of world events and taking a stand
Talk to real people
God has not given us the Spirit of Fear
Some of these Refugees will be great contributors to society.
This moment does not define them but our response will help define us.
[Said he wasn't political, but that was a real put down of trumpism and cruzism]

[President Uchtdorf very visibly moved by that last talk]

Elder Dallin H. Oaks Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
The purpose of life is to progress by making choices by which we are tested
We must have the agency to choose between alternatives
We must have opposition to be able to choose
When we make wrong choices we are soiled by sin and the Father's plan provides a Savior to redeem us from our sins
The Lord Jesus Christ, the son of the Eternal Father
Lehi to son Jacob. 2 Nephi 2:11 Opposition in all things
Act for himself - enticed by the one or the other
It must needs be that the devil should tempt children of men or they could not be agents unto themselves.
If Adam and Eve had not left the garden, they would have remained in a state of innocence knowing not good or evil
Satan sought to destroy the agency of man - Behold, here am I send me. I will be thy son. not one soul will be lost and give me thine honor
Satan's proposal would have ensured perfect equality - no agency or choice by anyone - no test - no failure - no success
Satan's opposition resulted in a war in heaven. 2/3 accepted Father's plan
Satan's purpose was to get Father's honor and power.
The Father caused that he be cast down with all the spirits that followed him
They seek to deceive and tempt us.
It is opposition that enables choice. making right choices leads to growth that is in the Father's plan
If no fall, Adam and Eve would have no joy for they knew no misery
All things must be a compound in one.
Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy. 2 Nephi 2:25.
Joseph Smith's attempt to have the Book of Mormon published.
Joseph's 5th attempt a 2nd attempt with Grandin in Palmyra was successful
Other kinds of mortal opposition are not caused by us.
Why would Heavenly Father have us go through these challenges, sorrows, and difficult choices
These present us with the real test of our ability to endure
Honoring the Sabbath - many choices - good, better, or best
DEvil will rage in the hearts of the children of men and stir them up into anger
he will pacify "all is well in Zion"
he tells us there is no hell
We are warned not to be at ease in Zion - [OK that makes sense and feels right not to be at ease]
He condemns "loyal opposition" in God's kingdom - Questions honored but opposition not
Questions in history of the Church - exercise faith and "know them by their fruits"
Some still left with basic questions that cannot be resolved by study.
Some things can only be learned by faith. - the Witness of the Holy Ghost
God resists intervening against some for the benefit of others.
He does not prevent all disasters but he does answer prayers by blunting effects.
Through all mortal opposition he will consecrate our afflictions for our gain.

Elder Kent F. Richard of the Seventy
Joseph Smith - We need the Temple more than anything else.
He recently participated in baptisms in the Temple
For therein are the keys of the holy priesthood ordained - in the ordinances thereof the power of the priesthood is made manifest
Power to become sons and daughters of God
Nephi saw our day - Power of God descended upon the Saints on all the face of the earth
Everything we do in the church is to prepare each of us to be in the Temple and receive ordinances
Our hearts turn to our family both living and dead.
Family Priority Time is set aside in the temples
Joseph F. Smith Vision of the Dead. D+C 138
Surely the veil is thin for us and parts completely for them in the Temple
Considerable exertion must be made - Joseph Smith
What are these which are arrange in white robes? Serve Him day and night in His temple. Revelation
Opportunity for even more to have temple service opportunity
Elder Widtsoe - we need more temple workers. Of all ages. As much benefit to the young as the old - or even more.
A feeling of being home. The Temple has become a part of me.
Serving in the Temple is a rich and powerful experience - life changing
President Woodruff quote - instrument in the hands of God in the salvation of that soul. The communion of angels from time to time.
Blessings of the Temple are priceless.
Come to the Temple. Come often.
What are these that are arrayed in white? us.

Elder Paul V. Johnson of the Seventy
daughter died from cancer
The resurrection is brought to pass by the Savior Jesus Christ.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Do you have any idea, any notion or inkling of how much we love you?
for 10 hours, we are fixed on you. You thrill us to the center of our soul
Whether that's the 21,000 or multitudes in chapels or in homes
In your Sunday best [well . . . .]
You listen and believe. You are the miracle of this church
A couple of problems
One is that he is the only one standing between us and ice cream after conference

Pic of dinosaur (tomorrow) chasing children
But it's inevitable that after heavenly moments in our life we return to earth in less than ideal circumstances.
Paul - call to remember the former days in which you endured great affliction
It can come in many ways
Every missionary learns that life in the field is not quite like the MTC
Remember than when Moses came down from Sinai, his people had corrupted themselves
Moses was not happy with his flock of wandering Isrealites
Jesus took Peter James and John to the Mount. Came down the mountain to find argument among 12 about a failed blessing. Then he tried to instruct them how he would die. Then taxes. Then arguing about who was greatest in the kingdom.
No wonder he longed for the prayerful solitude of mountaintops.
If in the days ahead you see limitations in those around you and in your own life. Please don't be cast down in Spirit and don't give up.
We are intended to give hope and encouragement. The adversary tries to discourage you.
He knows he can't improve or progress. He's miserable and he wants you to be miserable too.
With the gift of the atonement we can improve.
We get credit for trying even if we don't always succeed.
The Lord said to the Prophet Joseph Smith - the gifts of God are given to them that keep commandments and for those that seeketh so to do. Sometimes that's all we can offer.
If God would reward the only perfectly faithful, He wouldn't have much of a distribution list.
The Lord blesses those who want to improve. Who cherish commandments. who strive.
The Savior is there to help you keep going.
Call out like Alma. Alma 36.
He'll help you repair and fix whatever you have to fix
As you desire of me so shall it be done to you, the Lord has declared
Then whatsoever you desire of me in righteousness, you shall receive
We will be blessed for our desire to be good even as we strive to be so
As we qualify, we cannot deny them to others. Never arrogantly or pridefully. Never self-righteously or unrighteously
Love God with all our heart, might, mind, and strength
 The first truth is that God loves us with all his heart, might, mind and strength
Should be the foundation stone of our daily life
Keep trying. Keep seeking forgiveness, and keep extending that Grace to our neighbor.
God will never desert us. He never has and never will. It is not his character to do so. _ _[who said?]
We can escape the consequences of both sin and stupidity of ourselves and of others.
If we give our heart to God
If we love the Lord Jesus Christ
If we do the best we can to live the Gospel
Then today and every other day will be magnificent because our Heavenly Father wants to bless us.
All things work together for their good for those that love God.
heaven is cheering you on
Hast thou not heard? God giveth power to the faint. Renew strength. Mount up on wings of eagles - Isaiah
May a loving Father in Heaven bless us tomorrow to remember how we felt today.
May he bless us to strive with patience and persistence.
His help will be with us ESPECIALLY when we struggle
If standards seem high and ought of reach
Joshua - sanctify yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.
Counselor, the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace
He bears witness. This conference stands as a testament

[So tomorrow will be the best day after conference EVER!]

BRING ON THE ICE CREAM!