5/1/2017 - Section 20:61-84

May 1, 2017

Section 20:61-84

General Conference, Sustaining Vote, Responsibilities of Members, Baptism How To, Sacrament Prayers, Blessing of Babies and Little Children,

In v 61-62, the Lord initiates Church Conferences. I remember, in my elementary school years in Fort Worth, we had Stake Conferences every 3 months. I remember my first year at BYU, fall of 1968, I arrived at Temple Square at 5:00 AM and stood in a long line in order to get a seat in the Tabernacle for General Conference. It was cold and very dark, and there were so many people there I worried about whether or not we would get in. It was an anxious, but very sweet and thoughtful, waiting time. The main floor was filled when we got into the building, but we were able to sit in the front row of the balcony. I remember, as I sat on those small and not-so-comfortable pews, thinking about the pioneers who had built that magnificent structure. And once the conference began, I remember sitting forward—trying to see more and listen harder when the prophet and the apostles spoke and when that amazing choir sang. I ‘felt’ conference that day!

President Harold B. Lee taught why conferences are so important to us: “Now you Latter-day Saints, I think you have never attended a conference where in these three days you have heard more inspired declarations on most every subject and problem about which you have been worrying. If you want to know what the Lord would have the saints know and to have his guidance and direction for the next six months, get a copy of the proceedings of this conference, and you will have the latest word of the Lord as far as the Saints are concerned.” (Oct 1973 Gen Conf)

V 65 speaks of the Principle of Common Consent. President John Taylor explained just what our sustaining vote should mean: “What is meant by sustaining a person? Do we understand it? It is a very simple thing to me; I do not know how it is with you. For instance, if a man be a teacher, and I vote that I will sustain him in his position, when he visits me in an official capacity I will welcome him and treat him with consideration, kindness and respect and if I need counsel I will ask it as his hand, and I will do everything I can to sustain him.”

V 69 explains our responsibilities as members of the Church—what we do and what we say shows our faithfulness: “And the members shall manifest…by a goodly walk and conversation, that they are worthy of it, that there may be works and faith agreeable to the holy scriptures—walking in holiness before the Lord.” Those words might seem to set too high a standard for many of us, but the scriptures state—and I have learned—that doing our best is all the Lord asks. And it is for our benefit that He requests our best.

Baby Blessings: v 70, Baptism: Occurs only at or after the age of accountability before God and is capable of repentance 71-74, Sacrament Prayers 77 & 79