183rd Annual General Conference Predictions

[Indy Coug]

We are dying for our women to be more like men. Don't complain when our men become more like women.

[Moliere]

That was an inspiring conference. I know I'm a bit skeptical, but I really, really enjoyed the talks I heard. It helped that I missed the first two Saturday sessions, at least based on the commentary here and elsewhere. I truly feel inspired this morning.

Elder Uchtdorf is amazing. It's astounding how a little different perspective on life can change ones views. He comes from a war torn area of the world and I have no doubt that having that background, one of being a refugee, is the basis for his current positive outlook on life. It's quite a contrast with the other apostles, most of whom grew up in middle class suburban America and have personally known little of true hardships.

Elder Holland really inspired me as well. His talk was exactly what I've been saying for the past 6-7 years. It really shoots down the idea that we have to "know" and brings the church back to a concept of faith instead of knowledge. I hope it's a trend so that those that don't "know" (which includes me) can be more honest about our doubts.

I find Elder Eyring incredibly boring and this time was no different. I don't know if it's his prose or his delivery, but I can't concentrate on anything he says. I just tune him out subconsciously. I know many like his talks, but I can't recall a single talk or story of his....ever.

The other talk I really enjoyed was the Guatamalean guy. He gave a really heartfelt, genuine talk. It was probably the talk that most closely resembled anything I'd expect to hear from Christ himself.

Anyway, just some random thoughts this morning.

[Sleeping in EQ]

I'll say this for Elder Holland:

He doesn't want people like me to leave.

[Harry Tic]

I'll say this for Elder Holland:

He doesn't want people like me to leave.

Nor does Pres. Uchtdorf. I guess I understand why some people find the culture war talks inspiring but I much prefer the approach of Holland and Uchtdorf.

[Indy Coug]

I'll say this for Elder Holland:

He doesn't want people like me to leave.

I liked his stuffing a turkey through the mouth metaphor.

[wuapinmon]

You're really glad-handing that?

[Indy Coug]

You're really glad-handing that?

And what if I am?

[wuapinmon]

And what if I am?

That's disappointing. You're not supposed to feed the imps.

[Moliere]

I'll say this for Elder Holland:

He doesn't want people like me to leave.

It was clear he was responding to the Dehlin crowd with that talk. It might have been my favorite talk, which is saying something as I loved Uchtdorf's PH talk.

[ERCougar]

That was an inspiring conference. I know I'm a bit skeptical, but I really, really enjoyed the talks I heard. It helped that I missed the first two Saturday sessions, at least based on the commentary here and elsewhere. I truly feel inspired this morning.

Elder Uchtdorf is amazing. It's astounding how a little different perspective on life can change ones views. He comes from a war torn area of the world and I have no doubt that having that background, one of being a refugee, is the basis for his current positive outlook on life. It's quite a contrast with the other apostles, most of whom grew up in middle class suburban America and have personally known little of true hardships.

Elder Holland really inspired me as well. His talk was exactly what I've been saying for the past 6-7 years. It really shoots down the idea that we have to "know" and brings the church back to a concept of faith instead of knowledge. I hope it's a trend so that those that don't "know" (which includes me) can be more honest about our doubts.

I find Elder Eyring incredibly boring and this time was no different. I don't know if it's his prose or his delivery, but I can't concentrate on anything he says. I just tune him out subconsciously. I know many like his talks, but I can't recall a single talk or story of his....ever.

The other talk I really enjoyed was the Guatamalean guy. He gave a really heartfelt, genuine talk. It was probably the talk that most closely resembled anything I'd expect to hear from Christ himself.

Anyway, just some random thoughts this morning.

I loved the Guatemalaen guy's talk. Absolutely agree on your impression of it.

I really like Elder Holland. He's obviously a gifted speaker. I don't doubt his sincerity, both in his message and in his love for those who wander. But I wonder sometimes if he really gets it. This is not at all a knock on him because I think he at least tries, which is more than I can say for others who seem to enjoy poking at instead calling back borderlanders. I also need to wait for the transcript of his talk to really see if I'm being fair to him. I liked his message of "you know more than you think you know--build on that". However, he goes on to say that we seem to admire doubts as evidence of moral superiority (again--I need to read his talk). Um...where, exactly? Online message boards, maybe? Certainly not at church, where any expression of doubt is quashed or seen as spiritual weakness. The talk started out as a promising comfort to those who wonder sometimes but then ended in the same old "I know this is true" stuff. It wasn't a bad talk, just was a little disappointing at the end.

I'm not being very clear here, but I'll just add this. When I say he doesn't get it, I don't mean to single him out at all, because I think he probably tries to get it more than about anyone else. I think the whole church program has worked really well for him and he desperately wants it to work for everyone else. Thus his continued pleas to "just stay on the boat". But for some people, this just doesn't work. Of course, I don't know what else I would expect him to say. I guess it's frustrating to me because he seems closer than most to sincerely caring, but then just falls a little short when he has to go back to the party line.

[jay santos]

I'll say this for Elder Holland:

He doesn't want people like me to leave.

The fist pounding BOM talk was tough on the Progmo's, but this talk was generous, and based on his history, I think it's more descriptive of how he feels. He's never been one of the hard A's.

[Pheidippides]

I loved the Guatemalaen guy's talk. Absolutely agree on your impression of it.

I really like Elder Holland. He's obviously a gifted speaker. I don't doubt his sincerity, both in his message and in his love for those who wander. But I wonder sometimes if he really gets it. This is not at all a knock on him because I think he at least tries, which is more than I can say for others who seem to enjoy poking at instead calling back borderlanders. I also need to wait for the transcript of his talk to really see if I'm being fair to him. I liked his message of "you know more than you think you know--build on that". However, he goes on to say that we seem to admire doubts as evidence of moral superiority (again--I need to read his talk). Um...where, exactly? Online message boards, maybe? Certainly not at church, where any expression of doubt is quashed or seen as spiritual weakness. The talk started out as a promising comfort to those who wonder sometimes but then ended in the same old "I know this is true" stuff. It wasn't a bad talk, just was a little disappointing at the end.

I'm not being very clear here, but I'll just add this. When I say he doesn't get it, I don't mean to single him out at all, because I think he probably tries to get it more than about anyone else. I think the whole church program has worked really well for him and he desperately wants it to work for everyone else. Thus his continued pleas to "just stay on the boat". But for some people, this just doesn't work. Of course, I don't know what else I would expect him to say. I guess it's frustrating to me because he seems closer than most to sincerely caring, but then just falls a little short when he has to go back to the party line.

I haven't read Holland's talk yet, but I agree with your characterization of his approach. I don't think he gets it, but I very much appreciate him for trying as hard as he does. The nuts and bolts of his message don't resonate with me but the intent behind it does, and that may be more important.

BTW, third hand anecdotes give the the same impression - he is relatively moderate compared to his peers and is interested in reaching out.

Also FYI on a different subject, the new YW pres? She wore pants to church on Pants Day, I am told by a mother who knows.

[Solon]

I haven't read Holland's talk yet, but I agree with your characterization of his approach. I don't think he gets it, but I very much appreciate him for trying as hard as he does. The nuts and bolts of his message don't resonate with me but the intent behind it does, and that may be more important.

BTW, third hand anecdotes give the the same impression - he is relatively moderate compared to his peers and is interested in reaching out.

Also FYI on a different subject, the new YW pres? She wore pants to church on Pants Day, I am told by a mother who knows.

You guys are selling Holland short. He's not a dodo.

[Pheidippides]

You guys are selling Holland short. He's not a dodo.

I'm not saying he is. Clearly he's very intelligent - so much so that he seems to be the only one willing to approach the issue. But wouldn't you agree that's it's pretty hard to understand the view from our side of the fence if you've never been there?

[jay santos]

You guys are selling Holland short. He's not a dodo.

My take on him:

--He's a smart guy, there's very little he "doesn't get".
--He's more on the generous/grace-based/progressive side of things than typical at his level.
--He's making a calculated decision to target and bring home the very large category of "losing their way" while at the same time risking offending the smaller and tougher category of "already lost".