April 2020 General Conference - Global Pandemic Edition

[Uncle Ted]

I had a couple of family members raving about how cool the Hosannah Shout was. While I appreciate the nod to the past am I the only one who feels like this is a bit quirky and strange? Someone help me out here.

I made the mistake of inviting all my Texas baptist friends to watch conference on Sunday... I didn't think they would but they did. I guess church was canceled for them and they watch all of Tiger King so they had nothing better to do. So no, you are not the only one. They thought it was kind of funny.

[Eddie]

My little brother is wrapped around the axle a bit over the upcoming fast. He's disaffected and always has something to complain about after conference.

He seems to think the Church is asking people to donate more money to the fast offerings fund. Did I miss something? In fact, for every special additional fast, I don't remember more funds being a thing. Maybe I'm just a slacker. But in fact, I don't base my fast offerings off of the cost of two meals.

Interestingly enough - while we were invited to fast and others were invited to join us, I don't recall one word being said about paying an offering. We're certainly not sending the YM around door to door to collect anything. I suspect that some folks will pay an offering along with their fast. it honestly didn't cross my mind that money would be collected.

In fact - what stood out to me more than anything were his words along the lines of 2 meals / 24 hours being customary - but for each of us to decide what would constitute a sacrifice for us. Since I've been doing more intermittent fasting, 2 meals or 24 hours isn't much of a sacrifice - or at least doesn't feel like one. I probably would've done that twice this week without his invite. So - what would be a sacrifice for me? I find myself contemplating either a longer fast or giving up something besides food.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

RMN hinting at some big announcements. Hmm....

President Nelson started out so strong. Combining M. priesthood quorums, 2 hour church, ministering changes as examples. But lately, it’s all been about branding. Name emphasis, new logos, it all feels very corporate, and I tend to role my eyes when it happens in business, and have a hard time seeing the inspiration in these changes, or how they will make a meaningful difference in the lives of saints or the 4 missions of the church.

That’s very cynical of you. If there is not a major change at every conference it is a big letdown now? And corporate?

RMN became the prophet in January 2018 for heavens sake. He has earned the right to let up on the gas pedal a little from time to time.

Also there is always tomorrow.

The hyping of name changes, or logos and then deflecting that “why do you think there should be major changes all the time?” is the second most frustrating thing about this presidency. The first being the horrible 2 hour church.

[PaloAltoCougar]

I love the symbolism of what it represents - recreating Christ's triumphal entry to Jerusalem. But the way we do it kind of ruins it. It is more of a mumble than a shout.

Not proud of it, but I sat it out while the missus participated. The Hosanna Utterance, in the privacy of my own home, just didn't move me. It would make more sense to duplicate my reaction with Luke Staley went down the sideline for six, followed by joyous high fives for all around me.

[Bo Diddley]

My little brother is wrapped around the axle a bit over the upcoming fast. He's disaffected and always has something to complain about after conference.

He seems to think the Church is asking people to donate more money to the fast offerings fund. Did I miss something? In fact, for every special additional fast, I don't remember more funds being a thing. Maybe I'm just a slacker. But in fact, I don't base my fast offerings off of the cost of two meals.

[dabrockster]

JL, thanks for posting a Columbus Crew SC photo.


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[Eddie]

I agree. it's sort of a low key pet peeve of mine from all the temple dedications I've attended over the years which is why we shouted at my home.

Same - told my wife and kids "This is supposed to be a shout - I want to hear you SHOUTING it!"

Still a little anti-climactic that we're shouting while slowly waving a little hanky. But I do like the symbolism.

[SCcoug]

I love the symbolism of what it represents - recreating Christ's triumphal entry to Jerusalem. But the way we do it kind of ruins it. It is more of a mumble than a shout.

I agree. it's sort of a low key pet peeve of mine from all the temple dedications I've attended over the years which is why we shouted at my home.

[Paperback Writer]

I had a couple of family members raving about how cool the Hosannah Shout was. While I appreciate the nod to the past am I the only one who feels like this is a bit quirky and strange? Someone help me out here.

You are not alone. It just didn't feel right to me but others' mileage will vary. It just seemed forced for lack of a better term. At first I thought it was because I was not there in person, but I participated in a similar event at the dedication of the Nauvoo temple that was a virtual experience and seemed more natural. Maybe because that has been traditionally part of temple dedications and not GC.

[Jeff Lebowski]

If it weren’t in unison, maybe it would be cool. But it is very odd.

I love the symbolism of what it represents - recreating Christ's triumphal entry to Jerusalem. But the way we do it kind of ruins it. It is more of a mumble than a shout.

[Green Monstah]

I had a couple of family members raving about how cool the Hosannah Shout was. While I appreciate the nod to the past am I the only one who feels like this is a bit quirky and strange? Someone help me out here.

If it weren’t in unison, maybe it would be cool. But it is very odd.

[Shaka]

I had a couple of family members raving about how cool the Hosannah Shout was. While I appreciate the nod to the past am I the only one who feels like this is a bit quirky and strange? Someone help me out here.

[Shaka]

I had lunch with The Dude once in Provo.

He pointed out to me that, a lot of the time with church issues, we are all fired up about stuff that doesn't really matter.
He told me, in effect, that once a person lets go & stops worrying about the crap that doesn't matter in Mormonism, the church, religion, etc., it is a lot easier to start caring about the stuff that really matters - like helping other people and living a virtuous life. I takes a lot of confidence to live that way - to shrug off the nonsense and keep focused on the essentials. Most people are probably trying their best to do the right thing, and most of the time they deserve the benefit of the doubt (This probably applies to any organization or religion).

I apologize if I'm misremembering, Lebowski, but that's what I remember.

It was good advice, and I reflect upon it often.

The Dude Abides.

That's excellent advice and pretty much the roadmap for what kept me in the church.

[creekster]

alone that is a nice sentiment, but it follows smug, melodramatic and judgmental "gasping and raging" that is the exact opposite of his prescription for how people ought to think and behave:

I guess. It looks to me like you are purposefully misreading the point. The "gasping and raging" is precisely what the author condemns in the conclusion. IOW, the author agrees with you that gasping and raging is not helpful. It is a short essay, I encourage anyone who cares to read it themselves. I only posted it because I had wondered from where Holland pulled the quotation and, having found it, liked the essay enough to share with anyone else who might have wondered the same as me. If you are afraid of something that OG thinks is smug and melodramatic then, by all means, don't read it. Problem solved.

[Green Monstah]

The things I that stood out to me this conference:

1. Come Thou Fount. It gets me every time
2. The confidence they have that this will pass. I was struck by how fortunate we've been in my lifetime to not have to deal with epidemic and disease.
3. How glad I am that I don't invite non-members to watch conference. Even though it was the anniversary of the First Vision, I think we overemphasized the scoundrel/prophet, Joseph Smith.