Saturday Afternoon Session: Opening

SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION

Organ Prelude:
"Families Can Be Together Forever"

I have a fam'ly here on earth. Everyone on earth comes here by way of a father and a mother

They are so good to me. This is what every child deserves. Because of agency... it is not, unfortunately what every child experiences:(

I want to share my life with them through all eternity.When there is love in a family, they naturally desire to have those relationships endure forever.

While I am in my early years, There is nothing so important as the early, formative years of a child. nothing.
I'll prepare most carefully, careful preparation, purposeful
So I can marry in God's temple for eternity. why? Because God operates eternally through families. The power to seal families forever lies only in God's authorized temples.

Chorus

Fam'lies can be together forever
Through Heav'nly Father's plan. The gospel of Jesus Christ carries all the priesthood, power, doctrine, ordinances and covenants necessary to fulfill our divine destiny in our Father's plan for his children.
I always want to be with my own family, hopefully we desire this both up and down our genealogical lines, but the strongest ties tend to be with our own parents and siblings and our own spouse and children and grandchildren. For those without the pull of these kinds of strong ties there is always the love within the family of God to help us through, on our journey home, for we are all spirit brothers and sisters. 
And the Lord has shown me how I can.
The Lord has shown me how I can. Every child is born with the "light of Christ". Follow this voice of conscience faithfully and it will lead you back to Him.

Opening Hymn: (Family Choir)

"On This Day of Joy and Gladness"

 

On this day of joy and gladness, This Latter day; this day of hastening; this day where we meet to hear the word of the Lord

Lord, we praise thy holy name;

In this sacred place of worship,

We thy glories loud proclaim! So grateful!

(Chorus)

Alleluia, Alleluia, this word literally means "song of praise"

Bright and clear our voices ring, "filled with light and free of confusion"

Singing songs of exultation for the Savior's victory over sin and death

To our Maker, Lord, and King!the giver of our life; the ruler of our life both temporally and spiritually

Open wide the fount of Zion;

Let her richest blessings flow We must build Zion in preparation for the return of the Savior. Certainly the richest of blessings will flow from such a place of love and unity.

To the Saints who nobly serve thee

In the gospel here below. Zion will be built by Zion-like people who have learned to serve God and their fellowman as they keep the covenants they have made with Him.

May we labor in the kingdom--right now that labor is saving souls; missionary work; service

By the prophets long foretold--this day has been prophesied since the beginning of time!

Where the children of the promise the promise of Abraham

Shall be gathered in the fold. to the covenants and ordinances found in the temple.

  Psalm 47:6-7, Alma 26:8, 16 Sing praises!

Choir Number
"I Know That My Savior Loves Me"

A long time ago in a beautiful place,
Children were gathered ’round Jesus. Specifically references the visit of Christ to the American's. (See 3 Nephi)
He blessed and taught as they felt of His love.
Each saw the tears on His face.happy tears...
The love that He felt for His little ones
I know He feels for me. We each need to feel this
I did not touch Him or sit on His knee,
Yet, Jesus is real to me We each need to know this

Chorus

I know He lives!  I will follow faithfully. If you love Him, keep his commandments. (John 14:15,21)
My heart I give to Him. heart. not head. We act from what we know in our heart, not what we know in our head. This knowing comes from adding experience to what you know in your head. 
I know that my Savior loves me. You know this, because he promised if you love Him, He will manifest Himself to you. You loved. He kept His promise.

Now I am here in a beautiful place, This is verse is sung just by the children. They testify that they are happy to be there learning of Jesus. It immediately brought to mind the words of Elder Hale earlier that morning where he said, "we make a serious mistake if we assume that the conference is above their intellect and spiritual sensitivity."
Learning the teachings of Jesus In the setting this song is sung, you are at General Conference, learning from Jesus, as it were...
Parents and teachers will help guide the way, Parents carry the first responsibility to teach. Everyone else are "teachers"
Lighting my path ev’ry day. Your example should reflect the light of the Savior to others, so they will "see" the way to the Savior.
Wrapped in the arms of my Savior’s love,
I feel His gentle touch. Children first learn to recognize the love of the Savior through the love of their parents. The Savior's love can be that real to you...
Living each day, I will follow His way, Our covenants are for every day. For our whole life.
Home to my Father above. The knowledge that God is your Father should be your ultimate North Star.

Chorus 

 

The Sustaining of Church Officers

It is proposed that we sustain This means you both "declare" and promise to "assist or support"

Thomas Spencer Monson 

as prophet, seer, and revelator and He has authority to speak for God, he can see the future, he can reveal God's will

President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; 

Henry Bennion Eyring as 1st Counselor in the First Presidency; and Dieter Friedrich Uchtdorf as 2nd Counselor in the First Presidency.

Those in favor may manifest it. If you sustain them, make it known through your words and actions, make it manifest.

Those opposed, if any, may manifest it. Even if you raised your hand to sustain, if you life does not manifest it, then you will, in essence be opposing them.

It is proposed that we sustain 

Boyd Kenneth Packer as Press of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles and the following as members of that quorum: 

Boyd K. Packer, 

L. Tom Perry, 

Russell M. Nelson, 

Dallin H. Oaks, 

M. Russell Ballard, 

Richard G. Scott, 

Robert D. Hales, 

Jeffrey R. Holland, 

David A. Bednar, 

Quentin L. Cook, 

D. Todd Christofferson, and 

Neil L. Andersen.

Those in favor, please manifest it.

Any opposed may so indicate.

It is proposed that we sustain the counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles 

                as prophets, seers, and revelators.

All in favor, please manifest it.

Contrary, if there be any, by the same sign.

....

Thank you, brothers and sisters, for your sustaining vote and for your continued faith and prayers in our behalf. The vote is always unanimous. Which means there are millions that should be listening for counsel, direction, and protection as they sit at the feet of these 15 men, as if sitting at the feet of the Savior. The question is, "Do you really sustain them?