October 4, 2009
Dear Rosalynde, Gabrielle, Naomi, Brigham, Rachel, Benjamin, Abraham and Christian!
I hope you have all enjoyed conference. As we anticipated conference, and as I listened to conference, I pondered on why we have conferences and whether the purposes of conference have changed since the organization of the Church. Make a mental note of why we have conference, and then see how it compares with what I am outlining here. It seems to me that the modern reasons for conference include:
(1) Calls to repentance. I suppose this is the most common and pervasive aspect of conference. The call to repentance may be direct or it may be indirect by illustrating through story and anecdote the right way. The call to repentance is not a new theme and never will be. Thus those who complain that there is nothing new in conference have a point, but they also miss the point. The point of calling to repentance is not to say something new, but a call to abide by what is known. If it is new, how could be repent of what we did not know. So as long as we need to repent, there will not be much new.
[INTERUPTIVE NOTE: As I write this letter during the morning session, I clicked through to Times and Seasons, and found a link to Rosalynde’s special post to the Saint Louis Post Dispatch here: http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/civil-religion/general/2009/10/reflections-on-lds-general-conference/. You will see that she captured the purposes of conference much better than I am doing here. Now the question is can I finish my own description without being influenced by what Rosalynde wrote!]
(2) Instruction about being good members of the Church and followers of Christ. The instruction is mostly prosaic, but then we are mostly prosaic people.
(3) Warnings about modern spiritual perils. Warnings about modern perils (pornography, debt, divorce, some forms of music and entertainment, discouragement, chaos, etc.) are often coupled with calls to repentance.
(4) Instruction about doctrine. A few talks each conference focus on doctrine, although the explanations are generally of the first principles and ordinances of the gospel, including with great emphasis faith in Jesus Christ, the atonement, the resurrection, and ordinances. Without Elder Maxwell, we generally do not find too many new insights, but we find these talks confirmatory.
(5) Inspiration. We are inspired through anecdotes of good works, great faith, sacrifice, missionary stories, descriptions of the blessings of the gospel and the atonement, and beautiful choral music.
(6) Sustaining of the general authorities, including new general authorities.
[As you can see, Rosalynde captured the spirit of General Conference much better than I.]
I have been listening to the Doctrine and Covenants audio again lately, as I run and as I drive my truck to work and other meetings. Conferences were very important to the church at that time. I am appending to this letter, passages from the D&C relating to conferences of the Church. It the 19th Century, conference were important to conduct the business of the church and to communicate to the members generally and to specific priesthood holders about their specific assignments. There would have been discussions, councils, perhaps even debates in the conferences about the course of actions to take. It does not appear that there is too much overlap with our current practices. The most important overlaps would be the sustaining of general authorities and the announcement of new general authorities. Of course, modern communications technologies have obviated the need to come together for face to face meetings to transact church business. As times have changed, the Lord has changed the nature and purposes of conference.
So what are our individual responsibilities for conference? (If you wanted to take 30 seconds to reply, that would be alright.)
Last night for the first time in 17 years, I went to the general priesthood meeting without an accompanying son. Brigham went with me in October 1992, and now I am alone again in October 2009. But I hope that each of my sons attended Priesthood Meeting last night and came away edified. I inquired of Mama whether she and Eva would like to help me keep the tradition alive of going to SouPlantation for dinner afterwards. No – so I will just have to keep that tradition in my memories.
We finally have a touch of autumn in the air. Today, when I went to my office for a couple of hours at 7 am, the temperature at our house was about 57 degrees! Today is a beautiful cool and moderate day – perfect to go on a hike up cherry canyon (if anyone will go with me). So perhaps our hot late summer has finally ended.
Without a son at home, I have been spending more time with Eva. (Is this a sad commentary on my relationship with my other daughters?) On Friday, I came home about 6:30 pm and Eva and I left for the Home Depot Center to watch the Galaxy play the Chicago Fire. On the way down, we stopped at In’n’Out, but Eva had great self-control – she only ordered a cheeseburger and skipped French fries and a shake. We had a fun conversation about the Renaissance on the way down. We enjoyed the game, but during the game, Eva’s late night began to catch up with her. She put her head on my shoulder and napped a bit, and went to sleep on the way home. [Thursday evening, she had stayed up late writing a story in German, and about midnight had me help her proofread it. Then she got up about 4:00 am in the morning to finish another homework assignment before going to seminary!] At any rate, we had very good seats at the Home Depot Center. As we walked up, a couple offered us good tickets for $10 a piece (I believe they were $26 tickets otherwise). So we took them, and then found seats near the half line about 10 rows up. They were about perfect. David Beckham and Landon Donovan were fun to watch, but I also missed seeing Cuahtemoc Blanco, who plays for the Fire, but was injured.
I have had second thoughts about my truck. The lease for the Laramie expires tomorrow. I really like my Laramie, and I do not want to stop driving it. But I decided to remain with my original determination and turn it back. So Saturday morning before conference, I got up early and completely cleaned out the truck. So after work on Monday, I will drive it to Alhambra, turn in the truck, and ride my bicycle back home. Then I will cancel the insurance and cancel my parking at my office. My other truck will not fit in the parking structure, so I have to park a block away. It does not sound like a great idea in the rainy season.
In our LA City league, we played the top team. We went ahead by a goal in the first half. We missed several fine chances. We were creating more good chances than the other team. I played left midfield, and therefore was able to run quite a bit. In the second half, the other team tried to up the pressure. They succeeded in getting a tying goal when three of our defenders allowed a cross to drop between them and an opponent stepped in and struck it into the goal. With five minutes to go, the other team scored on a fine header, and won the game 1-2. I thought we were going to beat the top team. I got a yellow card. We lined up for a free kick. The biggest most obnoxious player inserted himself in our line, which was only about 8 yard from the ball. I got in place behind him at 10 yards, since I understood that the referee would move the line back to 10 yards. When the line moved back, he tried to shoulder and muscle me out of the way. (In playing soccer in a competitive environment, a player cannot allow the other team to get away with intimidation.) I pushed him back. He turned and pushed me again and started yelling at me. I would not yield and told him to he could move me out of the way. Although I did not deserve a yellow card, the referee gave us both a yellow card. Nevertheless, it was all in good fun. As a result of our loss, we will miss the play-offs. So this coming week I will play my last game until after the first of the year.
Eva also had more social life this week. On Wednesday, she went with the rest of the Stake YM-YW to the Arcadia Stake for a multi-stake game night. On Saturday afternoon, she joined the other MIA Maids at their advisor’s house to watch conference.
Tuesday morning, I went to the 5:30 AM temple session. I really like the early morning sessions. On Thursday evening, Mama went to the temple as part of Stake Temple Night.
Tuesday morning, I went running, and met Matt Owen just starting a short run. We ran about 5 miles. He was tapering down for the St. George marathon. He ran it in 3:34 yesterday and qualified for the Boston Marathon.
That’s all for now.
Love Daddy
D&C 20: 1 The several elders composing this church of Christ are to meet in conference once in three months, or from time to time as said conferences shall direct or appoint;
62 And said conferences are to do whatever church business is necessary to be done at the time.
63 The elders are to receive their licenses from other elders, by vote of the church to which they belong, or from the conferences.
64 Each priest, teacher, or deacon, who is ordained by a priest, may take a certificate from him at the time, which certificate, when presented to an elder, shall entitle him to a license, which shall authorize him to perform the duties of his calling, or he may receive it from a conference.
65 No person is to be ordained to any office in this church, where there is a regularly organized branch of the same, without the vote of that church;
66 But the presiding elders, traveling bishops, high councilors, high priests, and elders, may have the privilege of ordaining, where there is no branch of the church that a vote may be called.
67 Every president of the high priesthood (or presiding elder), bishop, high councilor, and high priest, is to be ordained by the direction of a high council or general conference.
81 It shall be the duty of the several churches, composing the church of Christ, to send one or more of their teachers to attend the several conferences held by the elders of the church,
82 With a list of the names of the several members uniting themselves with the church since the last conference; or send by the hand of some priest; so that a regular list of all the names of the whole church may be kept in a book by one of the elders, whomsoever the other elders shall appoint from time to time;
83 And also, if any have been expelled from the church, so that their names may be blotted out of the general church record of names.
84 All members removing from the church where they reside, if going to a church where they are not known, may take a letter certifying that they are regular members and in good standing, which certificate may be signed by any elder or priest if the member receiving the letter is personally acquainted with the elder or priest, or it may be signed by the teachers or deacons of the church.
D&C 28: 10 Thou shalt not leave this place until after the conference; and my servant Joseph shall be appointed to preside over the conference by the voice of it, and what he saith to thee thou shalt tell.
11 And again, thou shalt take thy brother, Hiram Page, between him and thee alone, and tell him that those things which he hath written from that stone are not of me and that Satan deceiveth him;
12 For, behold, these things have not been appointed unto him, neither shall anything be appointed unto any of this church contrary to the church covenants.
13 For all things must be done in order, and by common consent in the church, by the prayer of faith.
D&C 58: 56 And let the work of the gathering be not in haste, nor by flight; but let it be done as it shall be counseled by the elders of the church at the conferences, according to the knowledge which they receive from time to time.
57 And let my servant Sidney Rigdon consecrate and dedicate this land, and the spot for the temple, unto the Lord.
58 And let a conference meeting be called; and after that let my servants Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, Jun., return, and also Oliver Cowdery with them, to accomplish the residue of the work which I have appointed unto them in their own land, and the residue as shall be ruled by the conferences.
59 And let no man return from this land except he bear record by the way, of that which he knows and most assuredly believes.
60 Let that which has been bestowed upon Ziba Peterson be taken from him; and let him stand as a member in the church, and labor with his own hands, with the brethren, until he is sufficiently chastened for all his sins; for he confesseth them not, and he thinketh to hide them.
61 Let the residue of the elders of this church, who are coming to this land, some of whom are exceedingly blessed even above measure, also hold a conference upon this land.
62 And let my servant Edward Partridge direct the conference which shall be held by them.
Section 72: 5 Verily I say unto you, the elders of the church in this part of my vineyard shall render an account of their stewardship unto the bishop, who shall be appointed of me in this part of my vineyard.
6 These things shall be had on record, to be handed over unto the bishop in Zion.
7 And the duty of the bishop shall be made known by the commandments which have been given, and the voice of the conference.
8 And now, verily I say unto you, my servant Newel K. Whitney is the man who shall be appointed and ordained unto this power. This is the will of the Lord your God, your Redeemer. Even so. Amen.
Section 73: 1 FOR verily, thus saith the Lord, it is expedient in me that they should continue preaching the gospel, and in exhortation to the churches in the regions round about, until conference;
2 And then, behold, it shall be made known unto them, by the voice of the conference, their several missions.
Section 102: Minutes of the organization of the first high council of the Church, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 17, 1834. HC 2:28–31. The original minutes were recorded by Elders Oliver Cowdery and Orson Hyde. Two days later, the minutes were corrected by the Prophet, read to the high council, and accepted by the council. Verses 30–32, having to do with the Council of the Twelve Apostles, were added by the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1835 when he prepared this section for publication in the Doctrine and Covenants.
1–8, A high council is appointed to settle important difficulties that arise in the Church;
9–18, Procedures are given for hearing cases;
19–23, The president of the council renders the decision;
24–34, Appellate procedure is set forth.
1 THIS day a general council of twenty-four high priests assembled at the house of Joseph Smith, Jun., by revelation, and proceeded to organize the high council of the church of Christ, which was to consist of twelve high priests, and one or three presidents as the case might require.
34 The twelve councilors then proceeded to cast lots or ballot, to ascertain who should speak first, and the following was the result, namely: 1, Oliver Cowdery; 2, Joseph Coe; 3, Samuel H. Smith; 4, Luke Johnson; 5, John S. Carter; 6, Sylvester Smith; 7, John Johnson; 8, Orson Hyde; 9, Jared Carter; 10, Joseph Smith, Sen.; 11, John Smith; 12, Martin Harris. After prayer the conference adjourned.
OLIVER COWDERY,
ORSON HYDE,Clerks.
Section 118: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Far West, Missouri, July 8, 1838, in response to the supplication: "Show us thy will, O Lord, concerning the Twelve." HC 3:46–47.
1–3, The Lord will provide for the families of the Twelve;
4–6, Vacancies in the Twelve are filled.
1 VERILY, thus saith the Lord: Let a conference be held immediately; let the Twelve be organized; and let men be appointed to supply the place of those who are fallen.
2 Let my servant Thomas remain for a season in the land of Zion, to publish my word.
3 Let the residue continue to preach from that hour, and if they will do this in all lowliness of heart, in meekness and humility, and long-suffering, I, the Lord, give unto them a promise that I will provide for their families; and an effectual door shall be opened for them, from henceforth.
4 And next spring let them depart to go over the great waters, and there promulgate my gospel, the fulness thereof, and bear record of my name.
5 Let them take leave of my saints in the city of Far West, on the twenty-sixth day of April next, on the building-spot of my house, saith the Lord.
6 Let my servant John Taylor, and also my servant John E. Page, and also my servant Wilford Woodruff, and also my servant Willard Richards, be appointed to fill the places of those who have fallen, and be officially notified of their appointment.
Section 124: 88 Let my servant William go and proclaim my everlasting gospel with a loud voice, and with great joy, as he shall be moved upon by my Spirit, unto the inhabitants of Warsaw, and also unto the inhabitants of Carthage, and also unto the inhabitants of Burlington, and also unto the inhabitants of Madison, and await patiently and diligently for further instructions at my general conference, saith the Lord.
139 Which quorum is instituted for traveling elders to bear record of my name in all the world, wherever the traveling high council, mine apostles, shall send them to prepare a way before my face.
140 The difference between this quorum and the quorum of elders is that one is to travel continually, and the other is to preside over the churches from time to time; the one has the responsibility of presiding from time to time, and the other has no responsibility of presiding, saith the Lord your God.
141 And again, I say unto you, I give unto you Vinson Knight, Samuel H. Smith, and Shadrach Roundy, if he will receive it, to preside over the bishopric; a knowledge of said bishopric is given unto you in the book of Doctrine and Covenants.
142 And again, I say unto you, Samuel Rolfe and his counselors for priests, and the president of the teachers and his counselors, and also the president of the deacons and his counselors, and also the president of the stake and his counselors.
143 The above offices I have given unto you, and the keys thereof, for helps and for governments, for the work of the ministry and the perfecting of my saints.
144 And a commandment I give unto you, that you should fill all these offices and approve of those names which I have mentioned, or else disapprove of them at my general conference;
Official Declaration 1: 7 President Lorenzo Snow offered the following:
8 "I move that, recognizing Wilford Woodruff as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the only man on the earth at the present time who holds the keys of the sealing ordinances, we consider him fully authorized by virtue of his position to issue the Manifesto which has been read in our hearing, and which is dated September 24th, 1890, and that as a Church in General Conference assembled, we accept his declaration concerning plural marriages as authoritative and binding."
9 The vote to sustain the foregoing motion was unanimous.
10 Salt Lake City, Utah, October 6, 1890.
Official Declaration 2
OFFICIAL DECLARATION—2
To Whom It May Concern:
1 On September 30, 1978, at the 148th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the following was presented by President N. Eldon Tanner, First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church:
2 In early June of this year, the First Presidency announced that a revelation had been received by President Spencer W. Kimball extending priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy male members of the Church. President Kimball has asked that I advise the conference that after he had received this revelation, which came to him after extended meditation and prayer in the sacred rooms of the holy temple, he presented it to his counselors, who accepted it and approved it. It was then presented to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who unanimously approved it, and was subsequently presented to all other General Authorities, who likewise approved it unanimously.
3 President Kimball has asked that I now read this letter:
4 June 8, 1978
To all general and local priesthood officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout the world:
5 Dear Brethren:
6 As we have witnessed the expansion of the work of the Lord over the earth, we have been grateful that people of many nations have responded to the message of the restored gospel, and have joined the Church in ever-increasing numbers. This, in turn, has inspired us with a desire to extend to every worthy member of the Church all of the privileges and blessings which the gospel affords.
7 Aware of the promises made by the prophets and presidents of the Church who have preceded us that at some time, in God's eternal plan, all of our brethren who are worthy may receive the priesthood, and witnessing the faithfulness of those from whom the priesthood has been withheld, we have pleaded long and earnestly in behalf of these, our faithful brethren, spending many hours in the Upper Room of the Temple supplicating the Lord for divine guidance.
8 He has heard our prayers, and by revelation has confirmed that the long-promised day has come when every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple. Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color. Priesthood leaders are instructed to follow the policy of carefully interviewing all candidates for ordination to either the Aaronic or the Melchizedek Priesthood to insure that they meet the established standards for worthiness.
9 We declare with soberness that the Lord has now made known his will for the blessing of all his children throughout the earth who will hearken to the voice of his authorized servants, and prepare themselves to receive every blessing of the gospel.
10 Sincerely yours,
SPENCER W. KIMBALL
N. ELDON TANNER
MARION G. ROMNEY
The First Presidency
11 Recognizing Spencer W. Kimball as the prophet, seer, and revelator, and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is proposed that we as a constituent assembly accept this revelation as the word and will of the Lord. All in favor please signify by raising your right hand. Any opposed by the same sign.
12 The vote to sustain the foregoing motion was unanimous in the affirmative.
Salt Lake City, Utah, September 30, 1978.
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