Unique and glorious.
Instead of holding the sessions in the Conference Center, filled to the brim with members from around the world, it was broadcast from a much smaller auditorium, and only those speaking attended. President Nelson presided over and attended all five sessions, but others attended only if they were speaking. Those few in attendance were seated six feet apart, following the guidelines for social distancing.
The music consisted of former recordings of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, singing in past General Conferences. One of those recordings was from way back in October of 2000.
Seth: "October, 2000?! That's the year I was born. Did you watch that session, Mom?"
Me: "Of course! I've watched every session of General Conference for as long as I can remember."
Then I thought more about that particular recording from October 2000. Seth would have been just four months old. And it hit me! We lived in Mt. Vernon, Washington, and in those days (at least outside Utah), Conference wasn't available on TV. We had to get dressed up and go to the stake center to watch the satellite broadcast, which we did for every session.
I remember sitting in the mothers' room, nursing Seth, during that exact General Conference in October 2000. A small, cube-style TV was set up across from the rocking chairs, so mothers could watch conference while nursing their babies. Of course I can't be sure which specific session it was, or if it was the same session that included the song that was played yesterday, but it was definitely the same General Conference, because Seth was still tiny.
Today, that tiny baby is a 19-year-old returned missionary (How many can say that?), who watched General Conference with me this weekend, all five sessions. Had they not used pre-recorded music from TABCATS' past General Conference performances, I would not have experienced this sweet memory.
Unique and glorious.
As I mentioned in a previous blog post, Seth's sudden and early return from his mission has been challenging for me. I've cursed this dumb virus for turning the world upside down, and particularly for forcing Seth to leave his mission abruptly five months early and come home to a 14-day quarantine. "It's just not right!" I've murmured. And yet, faith requires me to accept what happened and to remember that "...all things work together for good for them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). Seth loves God and was called according to his purpose. It's all good.
Seth's early return meant he was with me this past Conference weekend. Of course watching Conference with Seth is not, in itself, unique. Up until he left on his mission in August of 2018, he and I watched Conference together every six months for years. Conference is an "event" in our home, and I do all sorts of things to bribe...um..."encourage" kids to watch. But this time was different.
Seth's mission grew his testimony in so many ways, while still leaving his adorable, funny, engaging personality intact. Through the 19 months he served, his depth of gospel understanding and commitment to it increased exponentially. He may have been even more excited for General Conference than I was! Fully engaged in every talk, he had much to offer as we discussed the counsel from the speakers, how it applies to the Church in general and to us, personally. Yep, the experience was indeed unique.
Unique and glorious.
Our favorite talks? No surprises. Just when I thought Elder Holland couldn't possibly give a better talk than he did last time, he crushes it right out of the park! Oh. My. Goodness. If you didn't get the chance to hear it, stop whatever you're doing right now (even though it's reading my blog), go right here, and listen. Really. His message of hope, so timely yet so universal, was precisely what so many desperately needed in this scary and uncertain time, myself included.
Then there was Elder Uchtdorf. In October of 2013, then-President Uchtdorf gave a talk in General Conference titled "Come, Join with Us." In it is the line, "There is room for you in this church." This doctrine of inclusivity inspired my second blog: thereisroomforyou.blogspot.com. Though not nearly as prolific as itslegs.blogspot.com, it addresses my experiences as a convert with the doctrine and culture of my church. Elder Uchtdorf's talk yesterday in the afternoon session reminded me so much of his earlier talk from 2013. Always, he emphasizes the importance of welcoming all into the fellowship of the Saints, regardless of, well, anything.
President Nelson concluded the April 2020 General Conference by reviewing the new and exciting announcements: a new symbol for the church, spotlighting the risen Lord; a bicentennial proclamation, spotlighting the restoration of the gospel in the fullness of times; and eight new temples, including one in Dubai and one in Shanghai. What?? So cool.
I get cranky when people misuse the word "unique," but I love it used correctly. Six months ago, President Nelson asked us to prepare for a unique General Conference experience. It did not disappoint. Unique it was, indeed.
Unique and glorious.
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