9 AM Press Conference

[Northwestcoug]

I agree, from his GC presentations. That said, I had occasion to attend a fairly intimate devotional by President Oaks with a small body of Saints in a remote part of the world. He was very engaging and caring, making sure to mingle among the attendees, greeting them all in person. His remarks were devoid of the standard legalistic approach I normally see in GC. In a way, I was like, "What the hell?"

I wore a red shirt with a tie during one of his devotionals. When I got to shake his hand afterwards I could totally feel his legalistic mind disapproving of my non-white shirt. Sadly, he hasn’t changed since.

#notUchtdorf

[Jeff Lebowski]

I wore a red shirt with a tie during one of his devotionals. When I got to shake his hand afterwards I could totally feel his legalistic mind disapproving of my non-white shirt. Sadly, he hasn’t changed since.

#notUchtdorf

You read his mind. Impressive.

[myboynoah]

I wore a red shirt with a tie during one of his devotionals. When I got to shake his hand afterwards I could totally feel his legalistic mind disapproving of my non-white shirt. Sadly, he hasn’t changed since.

#notUchtdorf

I think we all have an innate disgust for the color red. Some fight it and lose their calling and election.

[Jeff Lebowski]

DFU still triggered over the great demotion. From his FB page:

In the last couple of days, I have seen countless comments on social media and have heard many questions regarding how I feel now that I am no longer a counselor in the First Presidency. I appreciate your concern for my welfare, but I assure you, I’m just fine. ��❤️

I love and support the First Presidency, and I am thrilled to again more closely associate with the other members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Just after being called to the First Presidency in 2008, I delivered a talk in general conference titled “Lift Where You Stand.” During that address, I discussed the importance of seeing every calling we receive—no matter what it is—as an opportunity to strengthen and bless others and become what Heavenly Father wants us to become. I could give that talk again today and the words I shared would be just as relevant.

Just a few days ago, Harriet and I spoke to the young people of the Church and made specific reference to how we cannot connect the dots in our lives looking forward. We can only do so looking backward. In hindsight, each of us will see how the dots connect in our lives on a more elevated, spiritual level.

One of my favorite quotes comes from President Gordon B. Hinckley, who said the following:

“Your obligation is as serious in your sphere of responsibility as is my obligation in my sphere. No calling in this Church is small or of little consequence. All of us in the pursuit of our duty touch the lives of others.”

My friends, let us work together on the task at hand—to help all of God’s children know that He has a plan for them and to let them know they can find true joy in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I know that God is in charge. HE is at the helm. HE wants us to serve wherever we are in this beautiful worldwide Church. No matter where we are on this planet and to whichever calling we are assigned, let us do our best to serve God and our fellowman.

[myboynoah]

DFU still triggered over the great demotion. From his FB page:

Awesome.

I watched the event on my phone on the way home and when I got home I asked mrs. myboynoah her thoughts on DFU being moved out of the FP in favor of DHO. She said simply, "I guess God wants DHO in the FP."

I love her so much.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Awesome.

I watched the event on my phone on the way home and when I got home I asked mrs. myboynoah her thoughts on DFU being moved out of the FP in favor of DHO. She said simply, "I guess God wants DHO in the FP."

I love her so much.

He has handled it beautifully. I love him.

[jay santos]

I saw this today. Interesting. I think it's highly likely that the presidency change is being viewed in a related way by the people that are closest to it. (I originally wrote similar way and changed it to related. I don't have a guess at how similar it is viewed--and the Hugh B Brown change was viewed even more dramatically I believe. But I feel very strongly it's not nothing.)

Two accounts of the reassignment of J. Reuben Clark from 1st to 2nd counselor:

(Spencer W. Kimball: Resolute Disciple, Prophet of God by Francis M. Gibbons)
---
The most significant change in the general leadership occurred on April 4, 1951, when President George Albert Smith passed away. ... a special council meeting was held to consider the reorganization of the First Presidency. All agreed there should be no delay. After the Brethren counseled together, David O. McKay was approved and ordained as the ninth President of the Church. Unexpectedly, he nominated Stephen L Richards as his first counselor and J. Reuben Clark as the second. Elder Kimball seemed to express the feelings of the other members of the council about this action and the response of President Clark, who had been the first counselor in the First Presidency for almost twenty years. "I was shocked. What fortitude and self-control, what self-mastery. How could any mortal take a blow like that and stand?"

--

(Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn)
--

In April 1951 McKay began his presidency by demoting J. Reuben Clark from first to second counselor. "How could any mortal take a blow like that and stand?" wrote Apostle Spencer W. Kimball of Clark. "But he did." Before the public announcement some apostles worried that "it will kill Brother Clark," and that "the people will not be reconciled" to Clark's demotion. McKay publicly denied that the change was a demotion or that there was "any rift" between them. However, church leaders and bureaucrats knew that Clark had been demoted because of the disagreements they had experienced for years as First Presidency counselors. It was not long before this tension became public knowledge. Nationally-syndicated newspaper columnist Drew Pearson interviewed prominent Utahns and published this assessment: "Today, at the age of 80, Clark is the most reactionary apostle in the Mormon church-so reactionary that when McKay became president he promptly demoted Clark from his place as No. 1 counselor." Years later McKay responded to a complaint about Clark's negativism with the comment: "How do you think I have gotten along with him? If I ever had any inspiration it was when I selected Stephen L Richards as my first counselor, against all precedent." For sixteen years McKay had been subordinate to then first counselor Clark, but "their roles of domination and subordination had been reversed." Now McKay was in charge.

[bluegoose]

I agree, from his GC presentations. That said, I had occasion to attend a fairly intimate devotional by President Oaks with a small body of Saints in a remote part of the world. He was very engaging and caring, making sure to mingle among the attendees, greeting them all in person. His remarks were devoid of the standard legalistic approach I normally see in GC. In a way, I was like, "What the hell?"

I had a similar experience about 8 years ago when he was here to re-organize our stake presidency. During the two Saturday stake conference sessions he was very down to earth, personable and engaging. I was cleaning the church that Saturday morning with our kids and he was very grandfatherly when speaking to the little kids. During the small gathering when he set apart the Stake Presidency he was still very loose, relaxed and even a little silly at times. However, during the Sunday morning session of stake conference it was like he flipped a switch and went back into general conference speaking mode. The relaxed, personable Elder Oaks was immediately replaced by the stern, somber, legalistic Elder Oaks.

[Northwestcoug]

I think we all have an innate disgust for the color red. Some fight it and lose their calling and election.

In hindsight, it was a pretty ugly color combination. So if that was when I lost my C&E, I can see how Oaks might have been triggered. Still, I bet Uchtdorf would have looked past my shirt choice!

[myboynoah]

In hindsight, it was a pretty ugly color combination. So if that was when I lost my C&E, I can see how Oaks might have been triggered. Still, I bet Uchtdorf would have looked past my shirt choice!

No doubt.

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[smokymountainrain]

"how could any mortal take a blow like that and stand?"

[Northwestcoug]

No doubt.

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[Green Monstah]

I watched the first fifteen minutes of the press conference. I still can't believe President Nelson is 94. Although it's been discussed that 94 is still 94, he seems to be in as good of shape as any of the more senior apostles (above Uchtdorf).

One of my many flaws is that I judge people on how they look. One of the reasons Elder Oaks gives me the heeby jeebies is the way his brow casts shadows over his eyes during GC. I know it's just lighting, but when you combine it with his authoritative tone and love of numbered lists, he's never been my favorite. During the press conference, Eyring had the goofiest look on his face the whole time. It was something between a smile and a the look my father (who has Alzheimer's) makes when he is no longer sure where he's at. It looked rehearsed.

At any rate, I'll miss hearing from the Silver Fox. I hate GC because it reinforces my belief that Mormons like me are not really wanted by the upper levels of the hierarchy. DFU usually dispelled those notions, and because he was a member of the FP, I feel like we heard from him more often.

[Northwestcoug]

I watched the first fifteen minutes of the press conference. I still can't believe President Nelson is 94. Although it's been discussed that 94 is still 94, he seems to be in as good of shape as any of the more senior apostles (above Uchtdorf).

One of my many flaws is that I judge people on how they look. One of the reasons Elder Oaks gives me the heeby jeebies is the way his brow casts shadows over his eyes during GC. I know it's just lighting, but when you combine it with his authoritative tone and love of numbered lists, he's never been my favorite. During the press conference, Eyring had the goofiest look on his face the whole time. It was something between a smile and a the look my father (who has Alzheimer's) makes when he is no longer sure where he's at. It looked rehearsed.

At any rate, I'll miss hearing from the Silver Fox. I hate GC because it reinforces my belief that Mormons like me are not really wanted by the upper levels of the hierarchy. DFU usually dispelled those notions, and because he was a member of the FP, I feel like we heard from him more often.

I just saw that first few minutes and noticed that. It looked...really weird. I also immediately thought of my dad who had dementia. But then he talked and he seemed OK.

If the face is 'rehearsed', I'm not sure what he's going for, because it doesn't look good.

[falafel]

I just saw that first few minutes and noticed that. It looked...really weird. I also immediately thought of my dad who had dementia. But then he talked and he seemed OK.

If the face is 'rehearsed', I'm not sure what he's going for, because it doesn't look good.

I just pulled up the press conference to see President Eyring's look. I laughed out loud. I love President Eyring, despite his inability to get through one talk with a dry eye. I don't think the look was rehearsed, but just the effect of aging and perhaps an unawareness of what he looks like.