Latest from Mormon Land: Memorable General Conference quotes; new hymns make their debut

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Thus saith…

Touching on topics ranging from repentance to reverence and pride to peacemaking, here are quotes from this past weekend’s General Conference:

“The Savior is coming again! The best is yet to come.”

— President Russell Nelson

“This is a time of many harsh and hurtful words in public communications and sometimes even in our families. Sharp differences on issues of public policy often result in actions of hostility — even hatred — in public and personal relationships. This atmosphere of enmity sometimes even paralyzes capacities for lawmaking on matters of importance where most citizens see an urgent need for some action in the public interest. … As we pursue our preferred policies in public actions, let us qualify for his blessings by using the language and methods of peacemakers.”

— President Dallin Oaks

“It’s not only who officiates in the ordinance that matters — what the ordinance and our covenant promise unlock also deserve the focus of our attention.”

— Young Women President Emily Belle Freeman

“If you or I believe we are sufficiently strong and stalwart to avoid the arrogance of pride, then perhaps we already are suffering from this deadly spiritual disease.”

— Apostle David Bednar

“At first, we may be drawn to the Savior’s gospel and church because we are impressed by the friendly members or by the kind bishop or the clean looks of the chapel. … If the roots of our testimony never grow deeper than that, what will happen when we move to a ward that meets in a less impressive building, with members who aren’t so friendly, and the bishop says something that offends us?”

— Apostle Dieter Uchtdorf

“Just as the depth of my gratitude for the Savior grew as he mercifully helped me to repair [an] ‘unrepairable’ painting, so has my personal love and gratitude for my Savior grown, as I’ve sought to work with him on my weaknesses and to be forgiven of my mistakes.”

— Relief Society counselor Kristin Yee

“Seek righteousness and avoid dark internet rabbit holes, and doomscrolling. Fill your life with positive, righteous ideas, be joyful, have fun but avoid foolishness.”

— Apostle Quentin Cook

“For many, reverence only means folding our arms tightly around our chests, bowing our heads, closing our eyes and holding still — indefinitely. This might be a helpful way to teach energetic young children, but as we grow and learn, let us see that reverence is so much more than this.”

— Apostle Patrick Kearon

“Forgoing legitimate opportunities for marriage, failing to cleave to and lift one’s spouse, failing to nurture one’s children, or even intentionally avoiding the blessing and responsibility of child rearing solely for the sake of career advancement can convert laudable achievement into a form of rebellion.”

— Apostle D. Todd Christofferson

“We need to do more lifting and less murmuring, more upholding the word of the Lord, his ways and his prophet.”

— Apostle Ronald Rasband

Read highlights from the conference, along with full summaries from the sessions on Saturday and Sunday. In addition, Nelson announced 17 new temples, including the first ever for Ireland, Uganda, New Jersey and Wisconsin, along with a 31st for Utah.

Something new at conference

While the weekend conference carried a familiar tone, it did feature a number of new tunes.

Of note, the songs from the three choirs — The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, a missionary group, and a children’s troupe — included the following selections from the church’s new “Hymns — For Home and Church”:

• “God’s Gracious Love.”

• “Gethsemane.”

• “When the Savior Comes Again.”

• “I Will Walk With Jesus.”

• “Come, Lord Jesus.”

• “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need.”

• “Think a Sacred Song.”

The latest ‘Mormon Land’ podcast: The choir president

Former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt, president of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, discusses the challenges, opportunities and future of the church’s premier performing group.

Listen to the podcast.

Temple tempests

The Associated Press reported last week on the pushback the church is confronting from some communities over its planned temples.

“Monstrosity is the best word that I can think of,” one opponent said of the Lone Mountain Temple coming to Las Vegas.

(The Tribune previously reported on the topic.)

From The Tribune

• In reaffirming its commitment to political neutrality this election season, the church raised a specific issue: abortion.

• Thou shalt not vote for Donald Trump. Why some prominent Latter-day Saints view that edict as a command from God. NBC News, meanwhile, notes that Trump has named several leading Utah Republicans to help shore up Latter-day Saint support for his White House bid.

• If you’re Christian, a Brigham Young University ecologist says, you’ll work for the Earth and against climate change. An extra “Mormon Land” podcast from last week.

• In his new book, a former “professional culture warrior” argues the top church leaders rely too heavily on lawyers and public relations staffers.

• Tribune data nerd Andy Larsen dives into what the numbers say about Utah’s Republicans and Latter-day Saints.

• Scholar and guest columnist Matthew Bowman explains why both sides are right in the debate about the word “Mormon.”