I have experienced my first Annual General Conference. My LDS friends would be proud of me. I have lived in the corridor for almost all my life but not until the age of 37 have I truly tasted that which is a fundamental component to the LDS faith.

For a Monday morning, I struggle over how to categorize my various reflections of the grand-scale conference. Simplifying my initial observations, let me place snippets from the conference into two broad-stroke themes: estimable and exotic. And please excuse me where it might look I just paraphrased the General Authorities in my notes. Please pick up a copy of the upcoming Ensign for full context and exact quoting.

Estimable

Specific Hymns:

Sweet Hour of Prayer, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, I Need Thee Every Hour

 

Specific Quotes:

Richard G. Scott

. . . absolute supreme being, the most all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful personage encourages you and me . . .

Jay E. Jensen

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me, confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.

How great, how glorious redemptions grand design, where justice, love, and mercy meet in harmony divine.

Jeffrey R. Holland

. . . sings the hymns of Zion . . . the same voice that berates and criticizes . . .

Thomas S. Monson

The skeptic’s voice challenges the word of God.

Next week, the Christian world will celebrate the most significant event in recorded history.

Dallin H. Oaks

We live in a world where the whole concept of marriage is in peril.

Festering is destructive, forgiveness is divine.

Yoshihiko Kikuchi

Are you offering a small bite of the apple?

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

If we believe that God knows all things, is loving, and is merciful, we will be able to put our trust in him for salvation without wavering.

Exotic

Specific Hymns:

Praise to the Man, I am a child of God, High on the Mountain, We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet

 

Specific Quotes:

Guidance to Oliver Cowdery

. . . if it is right your bosom shall burn . . . therefore, you shall feel that it is right.

Jeffrey R. Holland

As the god and goddess you both inherently are.

David A. Bednar

[On the verge of tears] “My beloved brothers and sisters . . . I pray this parable of the pickle may help us to evaluate our lives and better understand the importance of spiritual rebirth . . .”

Dallin H. Oaks

The kind of marriage required for exaltation—eternal in duration and godlike in quality—does not contemplate divorce.

Neil L. Andersen

It’s true, isn’t it? Then what else matters?

Vicki F. Matsumori

The people of Ammon lived the gospel and were firm in the faith until the end. [Todd’s note – My church building is within Ammon city limits.]

Glenn L. Pace

Let’s pause a moment and talk about what you are feeling right now . . . You are feeling the Holy Spirit right now.

Lingering in our spirits are those dormant memories (John 14:26).

Gary J. Coleman

The Christian doctrine of the godhead consists of three separate beings was known in biblical times.

Just as Christian protestant reformers struggled with these creeds of men, I did as well.

I know that heaven-sent revelation have replaced the gross errors of man made doctrines concerning the Godhead.

President Gordon B.Hinckley, “I can not understand why the Christian world does not accept this book.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

If our sins are serious, we need to confess them before our authorized priesthood leader.

This is just a sampling.