Leaning on the talks given at the now concluded General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, here is a list, ranked in inverse order, of the eight church leaders with whom I’d most like to spend an hour or two at lunch.

Maybe you can conjure your own list.

In my case, it’s not necessarily a matter of who is the most powerful, the most intelligent, the most righteous. It’s more a matter of who seems the most interesting or the most human or the most fun, the most something or other.

8. Clement Matswagothata, general authority Seventy.

This relatively fresh face among church Seventies showed some personality in his talk, a message that promised one and all that they can overcome hard things in life, that God knows everyone’s name, including yours, even one as long as Matswagothata’s own. He didn’t deliver his message with the same familiar cadence and phraseology that many general authorities fall into and repeat, as though that’s the only righteous way to speak. That familiar verbiage is more cultural than it is spiritual.

Matswagothata almost shouted out the name of Jesus Christ. It was refreshing, the kind of delivery that proclaimed good hope to all of humankind. It was the type of talk that built people up, rather than carrying a threat to those who mess up. That’s the kind of dude I want to have lunch with. Plus, I figure anyone from his country of birth, Botswana, likely has more than a few tales to tell.

7. David Bednar, apostle.

He briefly mentioned sports, about his competing in them. But he said, in particular, he had a love/hate relationship with running. Amen, brother. Whoever came up with the expression “fun run” was being contradictory. Bednar mixed the blessing of endurance with the importance of charity, an interesting blend.

Bednar has a reputation of being strict, unbending, a bit harsh. And yet, there’s something about this guy that suggests there’s more to him than what he reveals in his talks. His manner, speaking of sports, reminds me of a hard-edged football coach who demands a certain level of commitment from his players — not because he’s on some idiotic ego trip, but rather because he knows what it takes to stay strong in the fourth quarter, because he cares and wants his team to win.

That’s the kind of coach I always enjoyed playing for. I might even want to play a round of golf with Bednar, since I hear he’s what seasoned golfers call a “stick,” which is slang for a gifted player. I’d guess he, unlike a lot of my friends, doesn’t cheat. Don’t know if he’s a scratch golfer, but, let’s tee it up, DB, and find out.

[Read full summaries of all the sermons given at Saturday’s and Sunday’s conference sessions.]

6. Emily Belle Freeman, Young Women president.

I don’t know much about Freeman, but she seems like a straight talker, a compelling fusion of strength and humility, a powerful woman who comfortably walks and works among the multitude of church leaders who are men.

Freeman told New Testament stories of Peter walking on the water — before getting drenched — and then later, the disciple’s successful works. The struggles he went through — “the worst days” — and the triumphs — “the best days” — not much different from what most humans experience. And she said he did what everyone can do: Find strength in Jesus.

She made it personal when she mentioned her husband’s battles with cancer. She encouraged all, the faithful and not so faithful, to seek to believe in Christ. “Because of him,” she said, “no matter how bad things are right now, your best days are ahead.”

5. Patrick Kearon, apostle.

No surprise here. This man couldn’t be any more likable. He’s downright huggable. I swear, he looks like the grown-up version of my 10-year-old grandson. He’s adorable. That’s rare among general authorities, past and present. Anybody ever want to hug or tousle the hair of Boyd Packer or Ezra Taft Benson?

Kearon’s combination of transparent kindness and overall pleasantness coupled with that soft British accent, his words so often offered with a smile, is enough to make you want not only to get to know him better, but also to visit London, maybe hit the Tower Bridge or traverse the famous crosswalk adjacent to the Abbey Road studios where the Beatles once walked. I have no clue whether Kearon was or is a fan of the Fab Four, but that’s one of the things I’d want to find out. Captivating, he is. More than that, he’s honest.

He made a talk about accepting church callings, callings you might have no interest in filling, downright inspiring. He reminded everyone that they can disagree with church leaders — yeah, that’s OK — and still sustain them. Kearon, in fact, would be a good pick, if you had to hear bad news from someone, maybe a difficult diagnosis of some sort, to deliver you that message. He somehow could make it seem like everything would be OK. Pip pip, cheerio!

4. The entire Tab Choir, or, as it is officially known, The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.

Granted, this would be logistically difficult, but any group of people who through the magic of music can haul heaven straight down to this sometimes rough and brutal planet is welcome at my table, even if it had to seat 360 singers. I’d even be willing to pick up the tab for the Tab Choir. Don’t know if I’d connect with any of them personally, but the sounds that come out of their mouths in song are straight out of the mouths of angels. And who wouldn’t want an hour or two of that?

3. Dieter Uchtdorf, apostle.

I know, I know, an easy, predictable choice. The Silver Fox is probably one of most people’s picks, not only for lunch, but, one day, for prophet. I’m no exception, and since I did a two-year mission in Germany five decades ago, I would enjoy speaking a little Deutsch with him, stuff like, “Alles hat ein Ende nur die wurst hat zwei.” (Translation: Everything has an end, only a sausage has two.) And, “Man muss das Leben eben nehmen wie das Leben eben ist. (One must take life as it is.) “Jawohl, Bruder.” (Yes, indeed, brother.)

Uchdorf talked about the most important subject in Latter-day Saint — and Christian — doctrine: Jesus Christ’s life and resurrection, the “light that shines in darkness.” He can be talked about in the present tense, Uchtdorf said, because he lives. And on account of that, all obstacles can be overcome. Everyone can seek and find the meaning of the “empty tomb,” becoming disciples of Jesus Christ. He urged folks to “take upon them the name of Christ,” and to “do good continually,” and “let us walk in his way.” Jawohl, Bruder, jawohl.

2. Dale Renlund, apostle.

The guy who often balms the souls of those who hear him did exactly that again on Easter Sunday. What I know about Renlund is that he was an accomplished heart doctor, occupying a perch, like many of that profession, near the top of the medical hierarchy. He doesn’t come across as an arrogant individual, though. Quite the opposite. He comes across as a self-assured but easy man almost wholly without ego or guile.

At this conference, he talked about the many concerns of everyday living. He said to dial in on the most important thing: Jesus Christ, to honor him for three reasons: 1) He made it so everyone will live forever. 2) He made it possible for all to overcome sins and shortcomings. Forgiveness can be gained. Everyone can be saved … everyone, anyone, even one, even you, he said. “There is no scarlet letter to wear, now or in the eternities,” he said. 3) Jesus understands every circumstance that affects us, he said, “All that’s unfair in life will be made right.” He further encouraged everyone everywhere to: “Celebrate the joyous message of Easter every day … open wide your broken heart and let your Savior in.”

He knows, the way I see it, a thing or two about broken hearts.

1. Dallin Oaks, prophet.

Have to include the church’s big dog, its biggest dog. And I mean that with all due respect. Actually, I’ve already shared a meal with Oaks — a long, long time ago. It wasn’t a one-on-one dinner, there were a number of people seated around the table.

But I sat next to him, able to have a modest discussion with him. Because of the way he frequently sounds from behind the lectern, I was surprised, on a personal level, at how humble and downright gentle he was. This was back when he was an apostle, but I’ve never forgotten it, even if I’m sure he has.

In his address, he talked about reaching out to others. He cited the famous scriptural passage to love God and neighbor. He quoted Jesus as saying we should love our enemies, too. He called that teaching “revolutionary.” He also quoted former church President Howard W. Hunter: “The world in which we live would benefit greatly if men and women everywhere would exercise the pure love of Christ, which is kind, meek and lowly. It has no place for bigotry, hatred or violence. It encourages diverse people to live together in Christian love regardless of religious belief, race, nationality, financial standing, education or culture.”

Good stuff, especially these days. Oaks said to seek to live kindly with others, even if they show little kindness in return. He sounded like, well, a prophet. Whether you think he is or he isn’t, what he said is pretty cool, a timely message for all, regardless of what else they believe.