Hello again, everyone! The priesthood session of General Conference ended about an hour ago. It was conducted by President Henry B. Eyring as anticipated. Offering the invocation was Elder Kevin W. Pearson, and Elder Rafael E. Pino offered the benediction. Both of those brethren were also among the first General Authority Seventies called during the first General Conference over which President Monson presided.
Two years after their calls to the apostleship, the Church has begun calling on the first of our three newest apostles to speak in the Priesthood Session. Tonight we heard from Elder Dale G. Renlund. He was followed by two General Authority Seventies, David F. Evans (who is the second-to-last General Authority Seventy called in 2005 to give his third General Conference talk), and Elder Richard J. Maynes (just released from the Presidency of the Seventy and, with the release of Elder W. Craig Zwick, is the most senior General Authority Seventy).
Following an intermediate hymn. we heard from the two counselors in the First Presidency, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, who gave a great talk about the importance of walking in the spiritual light we have. The session concluded with a great address by President Eyring, who testified that the call of any Church leader is directed by the Lord, who actively leads His Church through those called, set apart, and authorized to exercise such callings.
So where does that leave us for tomorrow's sessions? With Elder Hales and President Monson being absent from the conference. we have three apostles that have not yet spoken to us (Elders Ballard, Bednar, and Andersen). We could have one of them speak tomorrow morning and the other two that afternoon. Or two of them could speak in the morning, and the other one could be joined by President Nelson giving a second talk at the conclusion of the conference.
We have also not yet heard from a member of the Presidency of the Seventy and a member of the Presiding Bishopric, and according to the usual rotation of auxiliary speakers, our Sunday School General President, Tad R. Callister, is due to speak. Additionally, there is a possibility that we could hear from another female auxiliary leader.
President Eyring is due to speak in one of the two sessions as well (most likely the Sunday Morning Session, where he may represent President Monson in announcing any new temple locations). I imagine we will hear from at least 4 and possibly as many as 6 additional General Authority Seventies. And, given past precedent, there is a chance that President Nelson, as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles may have been asked to speak a second time. If he has, then he may be the very last speaker in this General Conference.
Just wanted to share those additional thoughts on what might happen during the remainder of this General Conference. That does it for this update. Any comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated. For now, thank you for the privilege of your time, and may the Lord bless you all in all that you do.
Saturday, September 30, 2017
Report on the Priesthood Session
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
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Hasn't Elder Costa been a seventy longer than Elder Maynes?
ReplyDeleteScott, that is an excellent question. The answer is yes, Elder Costa has served longer as a General Authority than Elder Maynes. However, in the records I keep from which I am making such references, Elder Maynes has been a member of the First Quorum for a year longer than Elder Costa. And the way I keep my list is date of call to the last known quorum with which these brethren are affiliated. So Elder Costa has a year more of service as a General Authority, but Elder Maynes was called to the First Quorum a year prior to Elder Costa. Again, excellent question. Hope that information helps. Thanks, Scott!
DeleteJust looked into this further. Apparently, Elder Costa was sustained to the Second Quorum 3 years before Elder Maynes was sustained to that same Quorum, but Elder Maynes came to the First Quorum 5 years after his call to the Second, and Elder Costa spent 7 years in the Second Quorum prior to being called to the First. I would still consider Elder Maynes as senior to Elder Costa because Elder Maynes was sustained to the First Quorum in 1997, and Elder Costa joined him there four years later. Again, hope this is informative for you. Thanks again.
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