Report on the Concluding Session of General Conference

Hello again, everyone! 3 hours after the final session of General Conference ended, I am here to post my report of that session. As previously noted, President Eyring conducted and, as such, mentioned Elder Hales's passing and offered an expression of love for his family (and mentioned that President Nelson was with him at the time of his passing; we learned during the same session that President Nelson had, in response to a prompting, rushed from the Sunday Morning Session to Elder Hales's bedside and that's how he managed to be there at the time Elder Hales passed away). President Eyring also mentioned that President Monson, under whose direction General Conference had been conducted, was watching at home.

The invocation was given by Elder Joseph W. Sitati, who was sustained in April 2009, making him the last GA Seventy sustained in that General Conference to give a prayer in this one. The benediction was offered by Elder Evan A. Schmutz, sustained in April 2016.

Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke first, having not spoken in the Sunday Afternoon Session since October 2014. He was followed by Sunday School General President Tad R. Callister. Then Elder Joni L. Koch, who was sustained last April, spoke, followed by Elder Stanley G. Ellis, who was granted emeritus status in this conference. Then we heard from another GA Seventy sustained last April, Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella. Then we heard from Elders Ian S. Ardern and Jose L. Alonso, both of whom gave their second addresses since being sustained as General Authorities in April 2011. Elder Neil L. Andersen closed out the conference by talking about the importance of general conference messages, and quoting President Monson from April conference, and addresses given during this conference by Presidents Eyring, Uchtdorf & Nelson, Elders Oaks & Ballard, and the previously mentioned paragraph from the address Elder Hales would have given had he been able to attend this General Conference.

With this report on the Sunday Afternoon Session, that completes my reports on the sessions of the October 2017 General Conference. Any comments are welcome and appreciated. Thank you for the privilege of your time, and may the Lord continue to bless each of us in all that we do.

Last Paragraph of Wisdom from Elder Hales

Hello, everyone! Though it had been doubtful prior to General Conference that Elder Hales would be able to attend, the First Presidency told Elder Hales that if he wished to do so, they would keep a few minutes open for him during the Sunday Morning Session. He wrote some brief remarks for delivery, so he'd be ready if he was able to deliver them. The Church News shared a small paragraph from the prepared text of what would have been Elder Hales' last address. I hope the Church will publish the entire thing.

Here is what the Church News shared from what he wrote:“When we choose to have faith we are prepared to stand in the presence of God. After the Savior’s crucifixion, He appeared only to those who had been faithful in the testimony of Him while they lived in mortality. Those who rejected the testimonies of the prophets could not behold the Savior’s presence nor look upon His face. Our faith prepares us to be in the presence of God.”

That each of us may live as Elder Hales both lived and taught I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Tributes to Elder Hales

At the beginning of the Sunday Afternoon Session of General Conference, President Eyring noted the passing of Elder Hales and shared this tribute to him. To mark his passing, the Church News published this article in honor of his lifetime of Church service which, in addition to his 23.5 years as an apostle, also included 9 years as Presiding Bishop of the Church, 8.5 years in the First Quorum of the Seventy prior to that, and 1.5 years in the now-defunct position of Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve. His service as a General Authority spanned 42.5 years. As previously mentioned, funeral arrangements will be announced as soon as they are made. That funeral will likely take place later this week. Just wanted to add these thoughts. As always, any comments are welcome and appreciated. Thank you for the privilege of your time. May God bless each of you until my next post. Until then, I wish you all the best.