RFM gives us a few thoughts on the highlights of the April 2020 General Conference that has just concluded. We were told it would be a conference unlike any other. But was it really? Listen to Radio Free Mormon to get his take!
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Good observations, RFM (as usual). Your Gen Conf episodes are so interesting. Thank you for taking the time to entertain and inform your listening audience. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Hearing about your Japan mission was enjoyable, for I, too, have ridden the bullet train (from Tokyo to Hamamatsu). Also my brother was one of the missionary/interpreters for visiting GAs during the Tokyo temple dedication. Cool to hear your experience.
Best regards,
Linda
PS “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” was an awesome and appropriate song for ending this podcast. Made me chuckle out loud!
Couple observations. Conference talks are submitted weeks if not months ahead and timed down to the word, corona was not yet an issue. A few talks by top leaders included some Corona information, I’m sure last minute additions due to necessity. These talks are done early for one reason is to be translated into other languages for conference, also to keep a very specific time
frame. Each speaker is given an exact time frame to stay within. I know personally a member who does this. Also members were given notice to get handkerchiefs the day before as I recall.
RFM, thanks as always for your commentary.
With regards to the new proclamation, one thing has struck me that isn’t being discussed online as far as I can tell. You say that the proclamation mentions the restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood by Peter, James, and John, and I’m sure that pretty much everybody listening to conference would agree with that. But what the proclamation actually states is, “Three of the original twelve Apostles — Peter, James, and John — restored the apostleship and keys of the priesthood authority.”
The reason I find this significant is that some orthodox members, including Richard Bushman, believe that Peter, James, and John did not restore the Melchizedek Priesthood, but rather restored the keys of apostleship. I wonder if some in the Q15 are aware of this non-traditional belief and if they intentionally worded the proclamation in a way that accommodates it. There’s no way of knowing, but I think it’s worth considering.
Also, one minor point: The church does not actually count The Living Christ as one of its six proclamations. I see no practical significance in declaring something to be a “proclamation”, so this fact is neither here nor there.
I didn’t realized that President Nelson (Rusty) offered a disclaimer to not realizing himself on memorable this general conference one.
Imagine this general conference without the Hosanna Shout, Logo, & Proclamation, and this would have been perhaps one of the crappiest general conferences of all times.
I think they need the tip to record their speeches then transcribe them, a piece of advice that I certainly intend to follow.
Maybe it’s time to sign up to toastmasters, church isn’t giving me enough airtime to hone in my speaking skills.