What a great day! Fabulous talks! So much to think about. So much to discuss! But before I can really spend time processing the depth and importance of what was said, I need to clear my head of some "less spiritual" observations from today's sessions.
I know this will reenforce that I am very shallow, but I will now cling to the words of Elder Scott when he said, "A good sense of humor helps revelation."
• I am surprised that the people sitting on the stand aren't constantly sneezing. With all of those flowers I expect to see the Nasonex bee flying around.
• I have yet to see a camera angle to prove or disprove that there are drink holders on the podium chairs.
• Boldest tie: Elder Uchtdorf. (Of course)
• Favorite tie: Elder Cook. I liked the subtlety of the lavender. Wait, I mean periwinkle. No, wisteria.
• My 10 year-old son thought Elder Baxter sounded like a viking. He's watched "How to Train Your Dragon" too many times. I just kept hearing Craig Ferguson.
• A lot of the Brethren have retained seriously good hair.
• Sister Esplin from the Primary Presidency was seriously color coordinated. Her dress matched the flowers perfectly. Makes sense.
• I wonder what the Pope thinks when he learns he got quoted by an LDS apostle?
• "And it came to pass..." would be translated by today's generation as "Um. OK. So then..."
• Brethren from foreign countries do an amazing job to speak English. But if you listen closely, you'll notice that the longer their talks progress, the stronger the accent becomes. Perhaps that's why they always get assigned the short talks.
• The idea that people on the other side of the veil can see me is slightly disconcerting.
• Who is Elder Archuletta, and why did they wait until the end to show him?
• Praise to the Man is an incredibly powerful experience. Usually. (I'll repent for that one later.)
OK. Now that I have cleared that our of my system. I can prepare for Priesthood session.
Have a great evening!
OK. Thanks for those.. HTTYD. He did sound like a Viking! Your 10-year old FOML IS right! Did he write that in his journal? I love that the people on the other side of the veil can see us. My Mom is there..right in the front row... Cheering the loudest for me!!! & I <3 the drink holder comment. Another successful post, MMM. WTG, old man!!
ReplyDeleteSeeing Elder Archuleta was way cool! So proud of him!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed listening to Elder Baxter's accent.
What an awesome day of conference! Enjoy the Priesthood session. I expect some notes to be posted for those of us who can't attend. :-D
Although, Ben usually gives me a full report upon his return, so no worries. :-D
You like how I just assume you're going to do what I ask you to? lol I'm so glad you can hear the sarcasm in my head.
You can watch the Priesthood session online. :)
DeleteI know you can watch it after, but not live like the other sessions of Conference. Is that what you mean?
DeleteI watch it after, but its always nice when my husband tells me all about it first. :-)
My sons and I have a fabulous tradition of going to the church to watch Priesthood Session, then going out to eat afterwards, or before, depending on time zones and schedules.
DeleteI wouldn't trade it for the world!
Last conference my daughters and I listened to it live. Looks like they've changed it for this conference though. We'll have to watch it later.
DeleteOK, I missed Elder Archuleta, but I'm guessing it will be on YouTube before the Priesthood session is over...
ReplyDeleteSandy
The camera lingered on him at the very end of Praise to the Man. He was in the front row, just off center.
DeleteAnother funny - Pres Monson's opening joke was also told in the General Young Women meeting.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that too! I guess he was just testing it there to make sure it was funny enough to use in General Conference. :)
DeleteThat is so funny that you mentioned Elder Archuleta being shown because I was watching for him the whole time and never caught a glimpse, I figured that it was because he just arrived last week and didn't have time to polish his voice...(hahaha)
ReplyDeleteSo when you said you saw him, I had to go back and see, not that I didn't believe you, just that....well, I didn't believe you :)
It turns out I was focused on the Sister in the purple blouse and missed him completely even though it was fairly close up. You can see him at 1:54:53 if you are a have-to-see-it-to-believe-it sort of person. http://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2012/04?lang=eng&vid=1538843401001
Enjoy!
This is perhaps not the place for this question, but how do I change my avatar from the blogger logo and my name to something other than "Me"?
DeleteGo to your Blogger "dashboard" in the upper right hand corner when you're signed into your account. Your dashboard has a spot to edit your profile and "display name" and add a photo etc.
DeleteThat's funny you noticed the girl in the pure blouse, she's a cutie from my Ward and very noticeable:) way cuter than that archulleta kid;)
Delete*purple
DeleteI never knew Wisteria was a color....just a Lane. (I'll repent later, too)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm with you about being weirded out (generational, I think)by Spirits on the other side of the veil seeing me, since I receive my fair share of promptings in the shower....I digress.
Love, love, love DVR since I dozed a bit during the afternoon session. No repenting needed cuz I can watch it during the Priesthood session...after emptying the bank account. Have fun boys! We womenfolk stay home and bake delicious treats for our spiritual warriors (or grab them at Schmidts and serve on a silver platter)
Sorry Linda, I'm still laughing at your "inspiration" comment. Thanks. ºÜº
DeleteI didn't realize she was joking!
DeleteMine come in the shower, too. I was slightly weirded out when I made that connection!
DeleteMy daughter loved your modern day interpretation of "And it came to pass..." Very accurate, I believe. ;)
ReplyDeleteEldest and I were also excited to see Elder Archuleta. My daughter exclaimed, "Doesn't that look like David Archuleta?" And I knew he was just entering the MTC this week, so we looked closely and sure enough, the name badge was his! Good for him, he's a great example to the youth and so many fans. :)
"• Who is Elder Archuletta, and why did they wait until the end to show him?" Because you and I would be distracted from what we were supposed to be listening to. And I was! Those directors have wisdom.
ReplyDelete~Shari R.
I live in Scotland. We all sound like Elder Baxter here. And I think President Uchtdorf, as usual, made a fantastic job of pronouncing so many names of new authorities from all around the world. As a well-travelled German, he can of course pronounce pretty much any language there is.
ReplyDeleteYou guys have a GREAT accent!
DeleteI LOVE the Scottish accent. When we visited Scotland, I loved RS and the sister conducting telling us to not be "late Lassies" at getting our VT done. I've never forgotten it! Beautiful people. Beautiful accent!
DeleteI love that about Pres. Uchtdorf, too. He's one smart, well-traveled cookie.
DeleteOur non-spiritual observance of the day: My husband and I thought Elder Baxter looked like an observer from the TV show Fringe.
ReplyDeleteThis might be a good place for this question. On Facebook, a lot of my friends are saying it was awesome Elder Archuleta was shown and a lot of friends are saying it was inappropriate and distracting etc. What do y'all think?
ReplyDeleteI don't have an opinion either way, but I imagine if it was inappropriate then whoever the "camera switcher" (can't think of the correct term right now...) will probably get a little chastised, since it was probably his call. I mostly think it was funny, and I wasn't watching that session, only listening, so I found out after the fact :)
DeleteHmmm, I missed almost everything visual. Instead, I was using my super-powers to listen to the messages being given while juggling the kids. I have no idea what color Elder Uchtdorf's tie was, I missed seeing Archuleta, and I have no idea what color the choir was wearing in the first session...so don't ask!
ReplyDeleteThat's it. Emphasize my shallowness.
DeleteAll of my friends on FB said it was awesome to see Elder Archuleta. I think it was a bit tacky and show-offy (showy?) Were they trying to create another I Am a Mormon moment?
ReplyDeleteI think I'll address this in a post - sorry to make you wait. (Nice to hear from you again. You have been missed)
DeleteSo, why shouldn't Elder Archuleta's family get a chance to see his face on TV... just like all the other missionaries??? It certainly wasn't overdone in any way.
DeleteMy non-spiritual observation was wondering if Elder's Eyring and Uchtdorf might flip a coin to decide who will do all the releasing and sustaining of newly called General Authorities. That was a mouthful today for Elder Uchtdorf and he did great!
ReplyDeleteCracked me up when he would have a string of Spanish names, then pronounce an English name with a Spanish accent. He does an amazing job.
DeleteI was listening on radio and was so impressed with the way he said all those names. I would have never sounded like that or gotten them right. It was impressive.
DeleteOkay sorry to be the picky one BUT just wanted to point out that talks aren't assigned. Each bretheren pick their own topics so the foreign brothers don't get assigned short talks that's just how they make them. LOL okay I got that out! Loved your observations.
ReplyDeleteNot to be disagreeable, but the TOPICS aren't assigned, but the LENGTH of the the talk is - and it is very strictly adhered to.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the members of the 70s (and other non-quorum-of-the-twelve) speakers are assigned shorter talks than the members of the 12.
DeleteSo if one of those "foreigners" were to be called as an apostle, they would get assigned a "long" talk, too :) Pres. Uchtdorf just happens to be very good at English. I can imagine in the future we will have apostles who are not so good at English :) But I imagine those whose first language is not English practice their talks a lot more than those whose first language is English.
Given the fact that there are more Church members outside the US than inside, and the amazing growth in Latin America, it would be very cool that if one day a talk was given in Spanish, with English subtitles.
DeleteAt our house, we were very disappointed that President Uchtdorf wore a different tie for the afternoon session!
ReplyDeleteI have no idea who Elder Archuleta is. I thought you were talking about a new General Authority or something.
ReplyDeleteTo answer the question - Elder Archuleta is David Archuleta pop singer (writer, actor, etc), runner up American Idol in 2008, soloist for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concerts 2010.
ReplyDeleteOh, ok. I live in England and don't watch tv. American pop singers are waaaaay off my radar! Even Mormon ones. :)
ReplyDeleteI was in the Conference Center for the Saturday afternoon session. "Praise to the Man" sounded incredible.
ReplyDeleteIt cracked me up how excited everyone was about dear Elder Archuleta. But I think it was pretty cool that they showed him off. Setting aside his music career to serve a mission is an incredible example for our youth.