The Things of My Soul
179th Semi-annual General Conference
Inspiring Remarks of the First Presidency

by Dale J. Neilson

© Latter-day Times Newspapers


“Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice”
In this season of thanksgiving, valiant members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are continually grateful for our Heavenly Father’s sweet Spirit at the Oct. 3-4, 2009, general conference.

The announcement by President Thomas S. Monson of five new temples is wonderful! They are: Brigham City, Utah; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Concepcion, Chile, Fortaleza, Brazil and Sapporo, Japan. Besides 130 in operation, 16 temples are planned or under construction.

For me personally, the Sat., Oct. 3 opening session of conference became that much sweeter with Brigham City’s blessing. There’s something comforting about a temple in any city named after a prophet.

The prophet also observed that 83 percent of all church members live within 200 miles of a temple, which will increase with more construction. These are apparently the highest categorical numbers ever in this time of countless blessings.

President Monson also documented the respective March and August temple dedications of Utah’s and the church’s newest in Draper and Oquirrh Mountain, which sandwiched a “spectacular” two-night celebration. Fourteen thousand youth from both temple districts celebrated Utah’s rich legacy in a song-and-dance gala, he said.

It was humbling for me to sustain President Monson as prophet, seer and revelator of the church to begin conference. As the church’s fifth Article of Faith says, We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. I testify our beloved prophet meets each of those criteria.

When attending ward, stake, regional and general conferences, I always try to take good written notes. The following thoughts are my best edited recollections of the last general conference.

“The church continues to grow and spreads far and wide as missionaries and others serve,” concluded the prophet in his opening remarks. “We should welcome and fellowship new converts.”

During the priesthood session, the prophet declared anger “solves nothing” and “precedes sin.” He quoted the Savior’s admonition to the Nephites (3 Ne.13:30): “Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.”

The prophet used such examples of the first latter-day president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Thomas B. Marsh and his wife, Elizabeth. Their quarrel with a neighbor over milk and cream ultimately led to their apostasy and great misery, including Elder Marsh’s provocation of the cruel 1838 Missouri extermination order resulting in the suffering and death of many LDS.

When Elder Marsh apologized to President Brigham Young 19 years later, he greatly lamented the loss of the Gift of the Holy Ghost, fellowship of members and many other blessings.

In President Monson’s testimony to close conference, he praised the enrichment of the Spirit’s edification and appropriateness of prayers, music and talents. “Study the talks and incorporate them into your lives.”

Obedience helps us “survive the destruction of the wind and waves” he said. The Lord “will bless us as we obey.” The prophet used the example of King Benjamin’s people, whose belief in his words caused a mighty change in their hearts to do good continually.

“I love you. Remember me and all the general authorities in your prayers. May God give us the strength, ability and determination to do what is right. God is personal and real. He is our Father.”

We Also Sustain the Prophet’s Counselors
First Presidency first counselor Henry B. Eyring encouraged listeners on Sunday morning to “Prepare to meet the Savior” by becoming more Christlike.” When faithful parents honor temple covenants, they continue to righteously influence their children. President Eyring also testified that when youth are taught of the Lord, “great shall be the peace of thy children.” (3 Nephi 22:13)

President Eyring admonished priesthood holders in Saturday night’s meeting to be ready to serve. For example, keeping consecrated oil in several places enabled him to be ready whenever needed to participate in priesthood blessings. His readiness, despite an impatient doctor, helped heal a seriously injured girl who learned to walk again.

Preparation for charitable service “begins in families, in Aaronic Priesthood quorums and mostly in the private lives of young men,” he testified. With essential assistance from their quorums and families preparation by the young men must be in fulfilling their respective destinies as God’s priesthood servants.

President Eyring taught “preparation is to go and do whatever the Lord wants done as the world prepares for His coming. …each of us can prepare.”

Being ready requires developing faith in the Savior, charity, prayer, scripture study, knowledge, self-confidence and obedience to the commandments, said President Eyring.

President Dieter Uctdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, offered dry humor in his Saturday morning address. Referring to traditional and well-loved Primary songs “Give,” Said the Little Stream and Popcorn Popping, he noted LDS sing about “streams that talk and trees that produce popcorn.”

This prompted me to ask my sweet wife if talking streams nourish the trees producing popcorn. She just looked at me incredulously and stared.

He taught becoming a true disciple of Christ means living by eternal principles or the weightier matters of the law (Doc. & Cov.117:8). By allowing the commandment to love “lead the way in our lives … our life in Jesus Christ takes on more meaning.”

President Uctdorf testified as we rejoice in our Heavenly Father and draw near to Him, He does the same to us. “We become more holy and align ourselves with Him,” which allows the Savior to fulfill His promise: “Ye shall search for me and find me with all your heart.”

He concluded by testifying that divine love changes reluctance and fear into obedience and love, “the way of the true disciple. When we find answers in love, we will find what it means to be a disciple of Christ.”

In priesthood meeting, President Uctdorf exhorted priesthood holders to “remain steadfast in hope. Adversity is overcome with faith, courage and tenacity.” Its lessons help form character and shape eternity.

While we should “stay content to change,” he said, it’s always important to work to full capacity. “Cultivate a reputation of excellence. Our work cannot be delegated, due to its eternal nature. We seek knowledge of that which is lovely and of good report and praiseworthy.”

BYU Football Is My Second Wife:
Riding the Cougar Football Roller Coaster

by Dale J. Neilson

Latter-day Times Newspapers


Bite the Bullet or Bite the Dust
Another one bit the dust last week. Another will chomp down today.

BYU and its fans didn’t bite last week and hope the Runnin’ Utes will this afternoon. Both have a 9-2 record overall and are 6-1 in Mountain West Conference.

Harrrump-bump-bump! And another bites, another one bites, another one bites the dust! Harump-bump—bump-bump-bump! Another one bites the dust!

So goes the popular tune of the 90s adopted by winners everywhere.

In review, hometown BYU played perhaps its best half of the season in the first 30 minutes Nov. 21 in grinding the Air Force Academy Falcons into the ground by 38-21. I expected a similar score, but the style was totally unexpected.

Three consecutive BYU turnovers to begin its sloppy second half reminded me of the same old, ‘same old’. Would the real BYU—just—puh-lease! JUST PLAY SOLID FOOTBALL THE WHOLE GAME!

Thank you, Thankyouverymuch. I feel much better dumping the tizzy fit.

Incidentally, hometown AFA gave the undefeated Texas Christian Horned Frogs their best game to date in a 20-17 loss.

Yeah, it was those same leapin’ and lopin’ frogs which hopped through BYU by that horrific 31-7 trashing at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Ouch. The game couldn’t end quickly enough for me. BYU was as bad as its pathetic stadium sod.

As the agonizingly slow play came to an end, I was reminded of Styx’s popular 80s hit Love Hurts. “Wo-oo-, love hurrrrr-ts” crows the lead singer. Does it ever!

Next to my son’s high school swimming team, BYU is the team I emotionally live, love and die for. Like other diehard Cougar fans, I hate to see my team lose. Some losses hurt way more than others. Virtually all loyal sports fans will agree.

Preparation Pleases, Pride Pacifies
With AFA playing TCU so much better at home than the Cougs did, it would naturally seem the Falcons would successfully ‘wing’ it against BYU. Instead, their wings were literally torn off before the nose dive.

Still, AFA could teach BYU a thing or two about showing up emotionally this season to play every game. This distinct pattern of the Cougars’ apparent lack of, or perhaps over-reaction to preparation, is disappointing. It comes back to coaching.

No doubt Coach Bronco Mendenhall continues getting hit with all types of unsolicited advice on improving the team. Do they naively think he’s spaced off how to be successful? Remember, Mendenhall’s won over 80 percent of the games he’s coached at BYU. He must be doing something right.

People just need to get off their ‘high horse’. Nobody has a perfect day every day, not even the know-it-alls!

BYU had the talent even without matching speed to play TCU closer. As others have noted, the Cougs have a history of repeatedly beating superior speed with effort and precision. Without it, they become slaughter fodder.

The Cougars overconfidence against visiting Florida State may have resulted in that lopsided, 54-28 loss to the Seminoles. Defensive end Jan Jorgensen suggested BYU’s wins over Oklahoma and Tulane may have given it a false sense of security.

“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov. 16:18) Mendenhall knows it, seen it and seeks to correct it. Trust me.

Sandwiched between wins at Wyoming and over Air Force, the Cougs laid a ghastly stink bomb at New Mexico in a hopefully-forgettable 24-19 win. Say what!? We Cougar fans don’t ever want to forget our team’s victories, just the way some were played and their score.

After today’s game, Utah fans will try for a long time to forget this BYU victory. They’ll be glad the Cougar cornerstones of quarterback Max Hall and tight end Dennis Pitta, both seniors, are gone.