Conference

     The very first General Conference after I come to BYU, the den of whirlwind dating, focused around marriage.

     I am not amused.

     Despite that, I did enjoy conference. I went in with a question, like you're supposed to, and I got an answer, like I was promised. I went looking for an extra chapter of a moral code, and that's what I got. Most of it's in general tenets, like "Do not disguise who you are" and "Don't let something you don't understand jeopardize what you do know." I've pieced together a moral code out of disparate fragments before though, and with three pages of notes like that, I'm certain that I'll be able to cobble something together.

     I especially enjoyed Elder Anderson's talk about hearing the music. The topic of true conversion's not something I think many people appreciate, and it's not something I see lived very often at all. The idea of wanting your heart to be changed, literally changing the motivations for all your actions to altruism, is not something that is exactly common, and it's interesting to see a conference talk devoted to it.

     On top of that, we've got President Uchtdorf's talk refuting the idea the Mormons believe that they can earn their own salvation. This idea's actually wildly important and, according to a missionary buddy of mine, shows up ALL THE TIME in anti-Mormon literature. I've heard this refutation before, but never put this well.

     It's interesting to see how President Monson's not dealing with any brimstone style talks. He's leaving the refutations and arguments to the other authorities, and he's been talking about the quieter, gentler side of the church instead. There's something to the idea of focusing on the positives and letting your actions speak for themselves. It's a more peaceful take on preaching, and it highlights the peaceful side of our church.