Lorna Call Alder Memorial Saturday Morning Session Open Thread #ldsconf

Welcome to the Saturday Morning Session of the April 2013 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We are naming this sessions thread after Lorna Call Adler. 

Todd and I will be joined on this thread by Jared T. and Lela G.

Jared T. is a PhD student in Borderlands and Latin American history. He helped found the Juvenile Instructor and currently blogs occasionally at Mormon Church History. His research interests include the history of Mormonism in Mexico and in the regions spanning the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands. He has researched the first decade of the Mexican Mission of the LDS Church and his dissertation will focus on the Mormon Colonies of northern Mexico as a transnational community.

Lela G. is the Executive Director of the Independence Rock Group: Center for Faith, Ethics, and Social Justice. Lela has over a decade of event planning and fundraising experience to the organization.  She graduated from the University of Virginia with an Interdisciplinary Studies degree which primarily focused on Women and Gender Studies. Since graduating, Lela has worked on political campaigns; primarily focusing on rural districts. Lela is a Veteran of the United States Army. Lela recently joined the LDS Church. This is her first General Conference as a member of the LDS Church.

In the comments below, share your thoughts and impressions about the session. We will update this post as the session moves forward.

Rules: Play nice.

Pres. Uchtdorf is conducting this session. Music by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Invocation by Randall K. Bennett of the Seventy.

President Monson opened the session by mentioning his travels and the travels of others related to temple dedications.

Two New Temples: Cedar City, Utah. Rio, Brazil.

Given the overwhelming increase in missionaries, Pres. Monson invite members to increase their donations to the missionary fund.

Pres. Boyd K. Packer reflects upon aging. Takes a very reflective tone. Shares a poem that he has been building upon since he was 68.

Pres. Packer bears strong witness of Christ.

““I have come to know that faith is a real power and not just an expression of belief,” said Pres. Packer.

Pres. Packer talk about the importance of the family and says that Satan is attacking the family.  Father must show love for their wives so that children see that love.

“We need to be careful of the tolerance trap…” warned Packer.

Bishop Dean M. Davies of the Presiding Bishopric refers to earthquakes as a parallel to having a firm foundation…a foundation in Christ.

Pres. Elaine Dalton praised the faith and virtue of the Young Women of the Church.

“What E’er thou Art. Act Well Thy Part.” Saying on a stone shared by Pres. Dalton.

“We are daughter of our Heavenly Father who loves us,” said Pres. Dalton. She added that knowing this will make all the difference in the world.

Pres. Dalton made a strong call for a “return to virtue.”

Craig A. Cardon of the Seventy up after the congregational hymn. Elder Cardon focusing on forgiveness and the central nature of forgiveness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Elder Russell M. Ballard opens talking about the creation and the power of God.

We can only “tap” the powers of heaven through person righteousness, said Elder Ballard.

All must seek after the “Christian Virtues” or love and humility as we carry out God work, said Elder Ballard. He adds that this work includes doing good to others and lifting them up. Elder Ballard said that this is the best way to glorify God.

Elder Ballard encourages local leaders to use videos of recent training broadcast about using the priesthood to strengthen families.

We now have a parable of the tomato plant.