My goodness, did anyone else see Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's talk in Conference Sunday afternoon? Here it is on YouTube in two parts: Part 1 and Part 2
It was a very powerful testimony and defense of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. It starts out simply enough, but as he gets going, he gets pretty impassioned, as is well his right.
I recommend you watch the whole talk, but it's at about the 8 minute mark in Part 1 that he really gets going. If I were to choose a subtext for this talk, I would say that he is very clearly saying, "The Book of Mormon is true, all you jerks who claim it isn't, and I'm sick and tired of it being attacked!" It is very evident he feels very strongly about The Book of Mormon, and it was kind of refreshing to see such a fiery and no-holds-barred kind of talk.
I enjoyed the talk quite a bit, but I also sensed a lot of anger and frustration from Elder Holland (much of which is probably justified), and it almost felt like he was going to jump over the podium and bash some unbelieving mockers' heads, and I feel much of that anger was directed towards those members of the church who have been deceived and walked away.
Anyway, I certainly paid attention to it.
I also found Dallin H. Oaks' talk about God's law and God's love very interesting, although it also disturbed me somewhat because there is a part of me that just has a hard time understanding why justice must trump mercy when my heart feels like mercy must trump justice.
There were other talks I enjoyed. I liked President Monson's talk on service very much. I think sometimes we (meaning me) get so wrapped up in ourselves that we forget to help others, even if it's in the smallest of ways. I would like to do better at serving other people in some way.
There were others, but those are the three that stick out at the moment. Especially Elder Holland's. Pretty straightforward and bold. Sometimes I think it needs to be that way.
5 comments:
I think Elder Holland's talk will go down as a classic. I have never seen him speak so passionately before. I also like Elder Watson's talk on temperance.
Those two are pretty much the ones that stood out to me as well. I also blogged about them.
Holland has always been considered the pit bull of the church. As I recall (unless I've got the wrong GA in my head) he showed up in my mission area once.
Interesting using the reference of Lehi's vision and the darkness which surrounded all travelers - of course implying that the "breatheren" are immune to such darkness themselves.
I think there is more to his passion of the subject than first glance. Perhaps having some personal doubts? And to use a genuine historical church "artifact" out of the secret vaults of the church (as only a general authority could pull off) as some sort of proof of the church's truth? Only someone afraid of something would act in such a manner. Psychology 102. I would love to know what it is he is fearing?
One does not need to be slamming their fists on a pulpit complaining about those mean bullying anti/ex-Mormons and defending the history of the church and using cheap tricks to re-fabricate why Joseph was actually killed to begin with. And it had nothing to do with the BOM.
"Truth needs no buttress." - Clark Johnsen.
I disagree with your assessment, Sean, but it's an interesting point-of-view.
I saw Elder Holland's talk on youtube-
he was def. very passionate- I have seen some of the conferences on tv nothing quite like that.
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