Statistical Report, 2008 - Brother Brook P. Hales sat pm

Even a 'Statistical Report' can be about more than numbers. For instance, in 2008 there were:

• 2,818 stakes. One of those was ours, the Hillsboro Oregon Stake.
• 28,109 Wards and Branches. One of those was ours, the Quatama Ward.
• 13,508,509 members of the Church. 10 of those were from our family (including son-in-law and grandson)
• 265,593 converts baptized. Danielle had a role in teaching some of those.
• 52,494 full-time missionaries. Including Hermana Danielle Loftus!

Also, there were four temples dedicated, including two in Idaho. We attended the open house for the Twin Falls Idaho temple and Cambrai attended the open house for the Rexburg Idaho temple. The other two were in Panama City Panama and Curitiba Brazil, which is further evidence of the growth and strength of the world-wide church.

Some prominent members who passed away during 2008 included Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, on of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Elder J. Thomas Fyans, an emeritus General Authority (I believe that he was a member of the Presidency of the Seventy when I joined the Church); and Brother Daniel H. Ludlow, who I think was my sister Lori's mission president in Germany.

Church Auditing Department Report, 2008 - Brother Robert W. Cantwell sat pm

Even something as business-like as the "Church Auditing Department Report, 2008" can lend itself to reflection. I noted that:

As prescribed by revelation in section 120 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Council on the Disposition of the Tithes authorizes the expenditure of Church funds. This council is composed of the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the Presiding Bishopric.

So I went to section 120 of the D&C and found this:

The introduction to section 120 states - Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet at Far West, Missouri, July 8, 1838, making known the disposition of the properties tithed as named in the preceding revelation, Section 119. HC 3:44.

1) Verily, thus saith the Lord, the time is now come, that it shall be disposed of by a council, composed of the First Presidency of my Church, and of the bishop and his council, and by my high council; and by mine own voice unto them, saith the Lord. Even so. Amen.

The Sustaining of Church Officers - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf sat pm

Although they may not be doctrinal, I think there are things that we can notice and think significant even in the sustaining of church officers. For instance:

• Elder Neil L. Anderson - the newest member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles
• Some Area Seventies were released, effective May 1, 2009. So they get some time to tie up loose ends and complete assignments.
• The release of the Sunday School general presidency and the calling of a new presidency.
• The release of the Young Men general presidency and the calling of a new presidency.
• The sustaining of Elder Donald L Hallstrom as a member of the Presidency of the Quorums of the Seventy. Note the plural 'quorums' of the Seventy. Elder Hallstrom replaced Elder Anderson who was sustained as an apostle.
• Six new members of the First Quorum of the Seventy were sustained. These men will serve as General Authorities for the rest of their lives.
• Seven new members of the Second Quorum of the Seventy were sustained. These men will serve as General Authorities for five years.

At the end of the sustaining, President Uchtdorf noted:

Elder Anderson became this morning the 97th Apostle to serve in this dispensation. The calling of an Apostle, as you know, goes back to the Lord Jesus Christ. And those Seventies you just see walking up there are the ones the scriptures call for that the Twelve should call on before any other (see D&C 107:38.)

That was a nice reminder of the order of the church.

Adversity - President Henry B. Eyring sat am

The Power of Covenants - Elder D. Todd Christofferson sat am

A profound power that is much needed in our day and that will become increasingly crucial in days ahead. We need strong Christians who can persevere against hardship, who can sustain hope through tragedy, who can lift others by their example and their compassion, and who can consistently overcome temptations. We need strong Christians who can make important things happen by their faith and who can defend the truth of Jesus Christ against moral relativism and militant atheism. 


Elder Christofferson talks about what is needed today and what we need to be. I think his choice of 'subjects' is interesting. He doesn't say that, "we need church members . . .", he says that, "we need Christians." To me that means that we need to be true Christians (followers of Christ) as we do these things and become these people.

Some of his thoughts as to how we get the strength to become these people:

. . . the source of such moral and spiritual power  . . . is God. Our access to that power is through our covenants with Him. A covenant is an agreement between God and man, an accord whose terms are set by God. (my bold) God binds Himself to sustain, sanctify, and exalt us in return for our commitment to serve Him and keep his commandments. We enter into covenants by priesthood ordinances, sacred rituals that God has ordained for us to manifest our commitment. First is baptism. Other sacred ordinances are performed in temples. The new and everlasting covenant . . . is the gospel of Jesus Christ. In other words, the doctrines and commandments of the gospel constitute the substance of an everlasting covenant between God and man that is newly restored in each dispensation. 


The guiding question for this talk (and the 4th Sunday priesthood lesson that I taught from it) is What is it about making and keeping covenants with God that gives us the power to smile through hardships, to convert tribulation into triumph, to "be anxiously engaged in a good cause, . . . and bring to pass much righteousness."  That is what making and keeping covenants does.

Finding Strength in Challenging Times! - Elder Allan F. Packer sat am

These are the days when prophecies are being fulfilled. We live in the dispensation of the fulness of times, which is the time to prepare for the Savior's return. It is also the time to work out our own salvation.

There seem to be quite a few talks this conference (as well as the last) that remind us quite clearly that we are living in the last days. The phrase "these are the days when prophecies are being fulfilled" really brings that home to me. In addition to that, we are told that this is also 'our time' and we need to be working on our own salvation. That makes it very personal.

As far as having a testimony goes, Elder Packer tells us that, "we must know - - and know that we know." There is implied a double duty. A larger duty.

We need to be acquainted with the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and we need to practice and apply gospel teachings until they become natural and automatic. These promptings become the foundation of our testimonies. Then our testimonies will keep us happy and safe in troubled times.

There are a couple of key elements in this paragraph. One is that the bar is higher for us as members. We need to get a testimony, then we need to do something about it - practice and apply gospel teachings. They must become and feel natural and automatic. Second, the road to happiness in these troubled times is our testimony. Happy and safe, those are two great promises.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks defined a testimony this way: "A testimony of the gospel is a personal witness borne to our souls by the Holy Ghost that certain facts of eternal significance are true and that we know them to be true." At another time Elder Oaks said, "Testimony is to know and to feel, conversion is to do and to become."

I like the definition of testimony from Elder Oaks. I also appreciate the next step - from 'knowing and feeling' to 'doing and becoming.' Knowing (a testimony) is an early step. What we must work towards is doing (discipleship.)

There are several things we can do to develop a deep conversion and learn how to receive divine inspiration. First, we must have a desire. . . Next, experiment on the word. . . To study and learn is the next step. This includes pondering, which broadens and deepens our testimonies."

I like this list of three things to do on this very important subject. It seems a natural progression that we need to take so that we are not 'just members' in name only. Two very important goals: Develop a deep conversion and Learn how to receive divine inspiration. This is a good measuring tape of where we are right now. Do I really want these blessings. If so, then we are told what to do next - experiment with the word, have faith enough to put it (teaching and commandments and counsel.) Then, study, learn, and ponder. We should be constantly growing in knowledge and experience.

Joseph Smith told us to watch for answers by paying attention to the thoughts and feelings that come into our minds. Over time we will learn to recognize these as promptings.

If you have wondered how to 'recognize the promptings of the spirit', here is your answer. 'Pay attention to thoughts and feelings.' As you do, over time, you will become better at recognizing this gift from God.

If we have unrealistic expectations of how, when, or where answers come, we risk missing the answers which come as quiet, reassuring feelings and thoughts that most often come after our prayers, while we are doing something else. These answers can be equally convincing and powerful.

It seems that we need to become proficient in the 'language of the Spirit.' We need to be ever vigilant and alert to the answers that we will be given.

Asking for a testimony of truth opens the windows of inspiration. Prayer is the most common and powerful way to invite inspiration.

We need to ask, through prayer, for a testimony. That will lead to inspiration. We need to invite inspiration.

Revealed Quorum Principles - Brother Michael A. Neider sat am

As bearers of the holy priesthood, we should see that the sisters are not the only examples of virtue.

This is a reference to the recent Young Women's addition of 'virtue' as one of their Young Women's values. Priesthood holders need to value virtue just as much.

Brother Neider sets the topic for the young men by stating:

I invite young men ages 12-18 and their quorum presidencies to listen, for we will be discussing scripture the Lord has directed to you. (That's one of the remarkable things about this church, that young men are entrusted with some much responsibility and given so many opportunities as early as age 12.) I emphasize the principle of study, or obtaining God's word. We should be earnest students of revealed priesthood and quorum principles. Our goal is to correctly use inspired direction from God and His prophets to maximize the virtues and blessings of the quorum and strengthen young men and their families. The work of the quorum is to increase faith in Christ, prepare and save young men, and eliminate mistakes and sloth in implementing God's will.

This is great direction for the young men and should be part of leadership training, especially the 'work of the quorum':

1. increase faith in Christ
2. prepare and save young men
3. eliminate mistakes and sloth in implementing God's will.

President Stephen L. Richards taught that a quorum is a class, a brotherhood, and a service unit: a class where a young man may be taught the gospel of Jesus Christ; a brotherhood where we can strengthen, build, lift, and friendship each other; and a service unit to give service to quorum members and others.

Once again, this is excellent leadership training material for quorum presidencies and quorum members. It is not enough to just be in a quorum. We should understand what a quorum is and what it does.

Verse 85 of section 107 (of the Doctrine and Covenants) instructs a deacons quorum president how to minister to his quorum members: "And again, verily I say unto you, the duty of a president over the office of a deacon is to preside over twelve deacons, to sit in council with them and to teach them their duty, edify one another, as it is given according to the covenants."

More training material for quorum presidencies, specifically deacons:

1. Preside over twelve deacons
2. sit in council with them
3. teach them their duty
4. edify one another

This is quite a responsibility for 12-13 year-old boys, but they can do it. The Lord trusts them.

I invite quorum presidencies to ask the following questions and seek other questions the Spirit will inspire: What does an Aaronic Priesthood quorum president do to preside over a quorum? What are his duties? What does he do as he sits in council with quorum members? How and when does he teach? What are the covenants referenced in the verses? And what do the quorum adviser and the bishopric member do as each assists the president in his duties and in his use of priesthood keys of presidency?

These are all good questions for all presidencies and should be part of leadership training. I like the idea that this is just a start, or suggestion, and that the presidency should seek by inspiration other questions they should be asking themselves. He does suggest some other questions that (I would add) might be good for PPIs and presidency meetings:

Does my quorum operate as described by the Lord in scripture? If not, why not? And what should I do to appropriately implement revealed quorum principles in my quorum? As a presidency prays for help and guidance, the Spirit, the bishopric, advisers, and the quorum will help and be sure to regularly use the inspired Church handbooks.

More youth leadership can then be exerted by quorum presidencies, while advisers can spend more time in support and leadership training. As we focus on quorum duties, the frequency of regular quorum presidency meetings usually increases for better preparation and leadership opportunity.

This is how it should be happening. This is a good indicator or milepost for quorum advisors.

Many tools have been given by the Lord and our Brethren to assist in the work of the Aaronic Priesthood quorum, including mighty prayer of faith, fasting, scripture study, "For the Strength of Youth", Duty to God, the quorum instruction manual, "Preach My Gospel" as a resource, varied activities, and Scouting.

This is a great list of resources. I found it very interesting that the first three mentioned were not manuals.

The quorum is expected to help parents strengthen their sons spiritually and in every other facet of their character, activity, and personal lives.

This is a good description of the parent-auxiliary relationship. This was a very powerful and instructive talk for boys, parents, and advisors.

Respect and Reverence - Sister Margaret S. Lifferth sat am

Our ability and our credibility to exemplify reverence for God is strengthened as we show respect for each other. In today's society, the standards of decorum, dignity, and courtesy are assailed on every side and in every form of media. As parents and leaders, our examples of respect for each other are critical for our youth and children because they are watching not only the media-they are watching us! Are we the examples we need to be?

This is a good point. The media is a frequent and easy target. But we need to make sure that we, as parents, are not contributing to the problem. We need to be positive examples of reverence to our children.

Ask yourself these questions: Am I an example of respect in my home by the way I treat those I love the most? What is my demeanor during a sports event? If my child has a disagreement with a teacher, coach, or peer, do I listen to both sides of the issue? Do I show respect for the property of others as well as take care of my own? How do I respond to others with whom I disagree in matters of religion, lifestyle, or politics?

These are good guidelines for reverence and to measure how we are forsaking the world. The world has one way of acting in each of these areas. But our Heavenly Father would have us act a different way. That way, His way, is the way of reverence and Christ-like behavior (discipleship.)

Reverent behavior is not a natural tendency for most children. It is a quality that is taught by parents and leaders through example and training.

This was a sort of 'news flash' for me. Reverence is not a natural tendency, it must be taught. That makes it a very important responsibility for parents.

Cites Elder Boyd K. Packer talk: Reverence Invites Revelation. It reminds me that we must create in our hearts, our homes, and our meetings places of reverence that will invite the Spirit to comfort, guide, teach, and testify.

We need to create these places in meetings too because that is the purpose of meetings, to have the Spirit 'comfort, guide, teach, and testify.'

What can we do? We can exemplify reverence as we pray humbly, use the proper language of prayer, and speak the names of Deity appropriately. We can handle the scriptures with respect and teach doctrine from them with conviction. Reverence will increase as we show proper respect not only for the General Authorities but for local priesthood and auxiliary leaders as well.

Not only good things to practice ourselves, but also to teach our children.

Our chapels provide places for many different functions, but on Sunday they are places of worship. Only in an attitude of reverence can the Spirit confirm the truths of the gospel through the word of God, music, testimony, and prayer. Reverence will increase if our socializing is done in the foyer and if sacrament meeting begins with the prelude music, not the opening prayer.

More good advice on what to do individually and what to teach our children. It is important to practice these things as adults. This quote would be a good point of discussion for Ward Council. I especially like the advice that 'sacrament meeting begins with the prelude music.' I need to practice that.

To teachers and leaders of children of youth: Love those in your class. Often the child who is the most disruptive needs your love the most.

I need to remember this for my public school classes too.

Years ago President Packer promised the Lord's blessings to those who worship in reverence. Surely those promises apply today: "While we may not see an immediate, miraculous transformation, as surely as the Lord lives, a quiet one will take place. The spiritual power in the lives of each member and in the Church will increase. The Lord will pour our his Spirit upon us more abundantly. We will be less troubled, less confused. We will find revealed answers to personal and family problems."

I would sure like to receive those promised blessings. So I need to see what I can work on. First, I think, would be to start Sacrament meeting with the prelude music.

Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually - Elder Robert D. Hales sat am

Our children are growing up in times of economic uncertainty. Just as our grandparents and great-grandparents learned vital lessons through economic adversity, what we learn now, in our present circumstances, can bless us and our posterity for generations to come.

There has been a lot in the news about how these economic times are going to be similar to the Great Depression. Instead of just bemoaning that, it is important that we look for 'lessons learned' from the experiences of our fore bearers. If we weather these times successfully, we can bless our posterity. These times can be a blessing, not a curse, for us and for those who follow us.

I speak to all whose freedom to choose has been diminished by the effects of ill-advised choices of the past. I speak specifically of choices that have led to excessive debt and addictions to food, drugs, pornography, and other patterns of thought and action that diminish one's sense of self-worth. All of these excesses affect us individually and undermine our family relationships.

Elder Hales makes an important connection here between bad past choices, lowered self-worth and the negative impact they have on our family relationships.

And for both debt and addiction, the hopeful solution is the same-we must turn to the Lord and follow His commandments. We must want more than anything else to change our lives so that we can break the cycle of debt and our uncontrolled wants. I pray that in the next few minutes, and throughout this conference, you will be filled with hope in our Savior, Jesus Christ, and find hope in the doctrines of His restored gospel.

The solution is to follow the commandments of the Lord. If we do that, we will break the cycle of 'debt and uncontrolled wants'. Those are the two main problems and the one solution.

We must remember that the adversary knows us extremely well. He knows where, when, and how to tempt us. If we are obedient to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we can learn to recognize the adversary's enticements. Before we yield to temptation, we must learn to say with unflinching resolve, "Get thee behind me, Satan" (Matt. 16:23)

Our success is never measured by how strongly we are tempted but by how faithfully we respond.

I really like this statement - in fact, the two statements - don't yield to temptations, with unflinching resolve, (unflinching) - "Get thee behind me, Satan", and - it's how we respond.

In both temporal and spiritual things, obtaining this divine assistance enables us to become provident providers for ourselves and others.

In both areas, temporal and spiritual, the key is divine assistance.

To provide providently, we must practice the principles of provident living: joyfully living within our means, being content with what we have, avoiding excessive debt, and diligently saving and preparing for rainy-day emergencies. When we live providently, we can provide for ourselves and our families and also follow the Savior's example to serve and bless others.

I like that thought, 'joyfully living within our means'. We shouldn't think that we are miserable or that we are missing out. It is actually a blessing to live within our means. And we are thankful for blessings. There are also key points too:

1. being content with what we have
2. avoiding excessive debt
3. diligently saving and preparing for rainy-day emergencies

If we do that we can bless our families and serve and bless others.
I am including this next paragraph because I think it does and excellent job of showing the negative effects of breaking one of the most basic of the ten commandments: "Thou shall not covet." It also shows what debt does to us. It has farther reaching effects than just a lack of money:
Being provident providers, we mush keep that most basic commandment, "Thou shalt not covet." Our world is fraught with feelings of entitlement. Some of us feel embarrassed, ashamed, less worthwhile if our family does not have everything the neighbors have. As a result, we go into debt to buy things we can't afford-and things we do not really need. Whenever we do this, we become poor temporally and spiritually. We give away some of our precious, priceless agency and put ourselves in self-imposed servitude. Money we could have used to care for ourselves and others must now be used to pay our debts. What remains is often only enough to meet our most basic physical needs. Living at the subsistence level, we become depressed, our self-worth is affected, and our relationships with family, friends, neighbors, and the Lord are weakened. We do not have the time, energy, or interest to seek spiritual things.
I have learned that the three most loving words are "I love you," and the four most caring words for those we love are "We can't afford it."
This quote came after two stories about Elder Hales and his wife and purchases he wanted to make for her. Her response was a loving, "we can't afford it." This ties in to the next quote that he calls "the essence of provident living":
When faced with the choice to buy, consume, or engage in worldly things and activities, we all need to learn to say to one another, "We can't afford it, even though we want it!" or "We can afford it, but we don't need it-and we really don't even want it!"
Whenever we want to experience or possess something that will impact us and our resources, we may want to ask ourselves, "Is the benefit temporary, or will it have eternal value and significance?" Truthfully answering these questions may help us avoid excessive debt and other addictive behavior.
This is the key. I need to memorize this and make it part of my natural evaluation process. I find it interesting that this applies not only to things we want to 'possess' but also to 'experiences' we have opportunities for.
The craving of the natural man . . . can never be satisfied. But as children of God, our deepest hunger and what we should be seeking is what the Lord alone can provide-

1. His love
2. His sense of worth
3. His security
4. His confidence
5. His hope in the future
6. The assurance of His love, which brings us eternal joy

We must say, as did King Lamoni's father, "I will give away all my sins to know thee" (Alma 22:18). Then we can go to Him with steadfast determination and promise Him, "I will do whatever it takes."
That which is not of God can never satisfy, and yet we keep seeking satisfaction. Instead, we should seek those things that will satisfy, things that only God can provide. We must be willing to do anything, forgo the natural man, forgo worldly experiences and possessions, forgo our sins, to know God. I like this quote that President Uchtdorf uses from 2nd Nephi:
"Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted." (2 Nephi 9:51).
And finally,
The hunger of addiction can only be replaced by our love for Him.

Welcome to Conference - President Thomas S. Monson sat am

This was a wonderful welcome to conference. Even though this 'talk' was shorter than the others, I was interested by several things.

Because of the passing of Elder Wirthlin, there exists a vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. After much fasting and prayer, we have called Elder Neil Linden Anderson to fill this vacancy. We present this name to you this morning for your sustaining vote. All those of you who feel you can sustain him in this sacred calling will please signify by the uplifted hand. Any who may be opposed may signify by the same sign.

The calling of a new apostle is not a common occurrence. President Uchtdorf will later say that Elder Anderson is the 97th apostle in this dispensation. So it was a nice reminder to have President Monson comment on the process and remind us what goes in to calling a new apostle.

There is something about a temple dedication which prompts a reevaluation of one's own performance and a sincere desire to do even better.

With temples being dedicated every year we have increased opportunities to 'reevaluate' our performance. I think the same can be true of temple open houses. Our visit to the Oquirrh Mountain temple open house reminded me of the importance of temples and increased my desire to attend the Portland temple more frequently.

We now have approximately 53,000 missionaries serving in 348 missions throughout the world. We are deeply grateful for the labors of our missionaries and for the sacrifices which they and their families make in order for them to serve.

He was talking about Danielle and our family! I am very proud that during the last year (between general conferences) that Danielle was one of the 53,000 missionaries and that Texas McAllen was one of the 348 missions in the world (and that we got to visit it!) I felt humbled that the prophet thanked us for our sacrifice (although it wasn't anything compared to the blessings we received.)

My brothers and sisters, we are anxious to listen to the messages which will be presented to us during the next two days, that we might be taught and inspired and have a renewed determination to live the gospel and to serve the Lord. Those who will address us have sought heaven's help and direction as they have prepared their messages. They have been impressed concerning that which they will share with us.

This is also a nice reminder of the preparation that goes into general conference and especially the talks that will be given. It makes me want to pay special attention to each one.