General Conference Predictions

[UtahDan]

Number of times the word "supernal" will be used in the opening prayer | 1

Done!

BTW, I'd put the use of the word "supernal" right up there with awkward uses of the word "even" as two of the most distinct GC word choices.

I might do a word count for "very" as in "his very face." Add that one to the list.

[YOhio]

After his Sunday Morning talk Elder Eyring spins off the podium, bumps his chest twice, and points at the sky to say, "That one was for you!" That's my prediction for this upcoming GC.

[Lost Student]

After his Sunday Morning talk Elder Eyring spins off the podium, bumps his chest twice, and points at the sky to say, "That one was for you!" That's my prediction for this upcoming GC.

No pipe delimiters?

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Most of my predictions from a year ago still stand. I have few new predictions.

GAs that are coming perilously close to Elder Haight 1995-2004 territory | 2

Number of grins on speakers' faces when recounting a horrible accident | not as many as I'd like for entertainment purposes

Number of times the men are told "hey, you're doing a great job and I'm sure your wives love you!" | 0

Number of expressions of male guilt | 5

[BigFatMeanie]

Short prayers given by GAs to bring home the point that prayers given in public are sometimes gratuitous and too long (aka the GA equivalent of the black power salute) | 1

(I realize I'm 6 months late here but I thought I would fire away anyway...)

The length of the opening prayer is supposed to be within a specific range. Get your stopwatch out and time the opening prayers and you will see they are all within about 10-20 seconds of each other.

The length of the closing prayer is based upon how long the session has lasted. If the session is too short, the prayer will be long. If the session is too long, the prayer will be short. To the left of the podium (left of the farthest most left member of the Qof12) is a man sitting at a table - sideways facing the podium. The man is the time keeper. The person giving the prayer waits with this man at the table while the final speaker or song is wrapping up. The timekeeper's clock shows how much time is left in the session and, consequently, how much time the prayer should be. So, right before the prayer giver walks up to the podium he knows how long his prayer should be. The observant among you will note that while speakers may enter the podium area from either the right or the left, the prayer giver always enters from the left because he was just at the timekeepers desk. At the podium, there is a little LCD clock that shows exactly how long the prayer is supposed to be.

So, sorry to burst your bubble about prayer length being a statement but the actual prayer giver isn't allowed much latitude in the prayer length.

[BigFatMeanie]

Also, I tend to agree with those who express that we often hear a coddle/uplift theme for women and a chastisement/improvement theme for men.

That being said, topics and content are not assigned. The individual GAs speak on what they feel inspired to speak on. Talks are submitted months in advance for translation, reference checking, vetting, etc. but the topics themselves are not assigned.

[wally]

(I realize I'm 6 months late here but I thought I would fire away anyway...)

The length of the opening prayer is supposed to be within a specific range. Get your stopwatch out and time the opening prayers and you will see they are all within about 10-20 seconds of each other.

The length of the closing prayer is based upon how long the session has lasted. If the session is too short, the prayer will be long. If the session is too long, the prayer will be short. To the left of the podium (left of the farthest most left member of the Qof12) is a man sitting at a table - sideways facing the podium. The man is the time keeper. The person giving the prayer waits with this man at the table while the final speaker or song is wrapping up. The timekeeper's clock shows how much time is left in the session and, consequently, how much time the prayer should be. So, right before the prayer giver walks up to the podium he knows how long his prayer should be. The observant among you will note that while speakers may enter the podium area from either the right or the left, the prayer giver always enters from the left because he was just at the timekeepers desk. At the podium, there is a little LCD clock that shows exactly how long the prayer is supposed to be.

So, sorry to burst your bubble about prayer length being a statement but the actual prayer giver isn't allowed much latitude in the prayer length.

A "Time Czar?" That just sucks the fun out of Conference for me.

[creekster]

A "Time Czar?" That just sucks the fun out of Conference for me.

You had fun at conference?

[BigFatMeanie]

A "Time Czar?" That just sucks the fun out of Conference for me.

If that rains on your parade then I will refrain from telling you about the makeup artists and the guys that run the teleprompter.

[wally]

You had fun at conference?

You know, er fun? Like predicting the length of prayers 'n stuff?

Like, cataloguing scripture references by standard work referenced and then creating a spreadsheet of frequency referenced in each separate session kind of fun?

[beefytee]

At the podium, there is a little LCD clock that shows exactly how long the prayer is supposed to be.

So, sorry to burst your bubble about prayer length being a statement but the actual prayer giver isn't allowed much latitude in the prayer length.

Are you saying they don't keep their eyes closed through the whole prayer.

[wally]

If that rains on your parade then I will refrain from telling you about the makeup artists and the guys that run the teleprompter.

Next your going to tell me that they're up there "lip syncing" their talks that they recorded beforehand.

Please tell me now that Elder Wirthlin didn't let that makeup guy touch his face.

This is like finding out that Professional Wrestling is faked. You still enjoy it, but you never watch it the same way.

[clackamascoug]

President Kimball reminds me of Yoda, he does.

(This is no reflection of my admiration of President Kimball, the Prophet of my youth and mission.)

[PaloAltoCougar]

Does the Time Czar where a red sleeve, stand on the podium sideline, and wave his arm and run off when the prayer has reached the allotted length?

[Portland Ute]

(I realize I'm 6 months late here but I thought I would fire away anyway...)

The length of the opening prayer is supposed to be within a specific range. Get your stopwatch out and time the opening prayers and you will see they are all within about 10-20 seconds of each other.

The length of the closing prayer is based upon how long the session has lasted. If the session is too short, the prayer will be long. If the session is too long, the prayer will be short. To the left of the podium (left of the farthest most left member of the Qof12) is a man sitting at a table - sideways facing the podium. The man is the time keeper. The person giving the prayer waits with this man at the table while the final speaker or song is wrapping up. The timekeeper's clock shows how much time is left in the session and, consequently, how much time the prayer should be. So, right before the prayer giver walks up to the podium he knows how long his prayer should be. The observant among you will note that while speakers may enter the podium area from either the right or the left, the prayer giver always enters from the left because he was just at the timekeepers desk. At the podium, there is a little LCD clock that shows exactly how long the prayer is supposed to be.

So, sorry to burst your bubble about prayer length being a statement but the actual prayer giver isn't allowed much latitude in the prayer length.

Sounds so inspirational and heartfelt.