Some quick notes on Conference

I hope to offer one or two more substantive reflections on April General Conference over the next day or two, but here are a few thoughts now that we’re drawing near to its conclusion:

*

Yes, President Monson looks (and sounds) very frail.

*

I was very happy to hear the moving tribute given, yesterday afternoon, by Elder Neil Andersen of the Twelve to our mutual friend Bruce Porter.

*

I’m very happy to see Sharon Eubank, a person of deep compassion and remarkable international perspective (and a contributor to Interpreter) in the new general Relief Society presidency.  And to see Reyna Aburto, born in Nicaragua, and Cristina Franco, who was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as second counselors in, respectively, the presidency of the Relief Society and the presidency of the Primary.

*

My wife and I visited Kenya many, many years ago, while we were living in Cairo.  We were enchanted by it.  I had always assumed that we would get back several times thereafter, but we haven’t.  I remember also thinking that Nairobi would be a magnificent site for a temple.  And now there will be one!

*

I’m delighted for the people of Pocatello, Idaho, who have dreamed of a temple there for many years.

*

I vividly recall being out on my front lawn, probably fifteen years ago, and seeing a mass of city lights across the valley on the northwest shore of Utah Lake.  I had never seen them before.  I may be more than commonly oblivious, but I simply hadn’t noticed a few isolated lights, and then, a bit later, more lights, and a gradual increase thereafter.  It was as if an entire city had suddenly materialized there.  I had never been over in that area, didn’t even know how to get there.  Even now, I haven’t been there much.  And yet, this morning, we learned that a temple will be built in Saratoga Springs.  Until relatively recently, I couldn’t have even told you where Saratoga Spring is.  And, not long before that, I hadn’t so much as heard of it.