Installation of two white guys into the Quorum of the 12
Boring with a side of guilt & shame
Lies , damned lies, & false statistics.
I can't wait to hear how they cover the gay & scout issues.
When all the voting, in the conference center , has been unanimous...they say "The voting has been unanimous , blah , blah , blah ".
When the voting isn't unanimous , they say : " So noted ". or something close to that. When I was growing up ,My uncle would always go to the tabernacle & declare his negative vote. They got so they wouldn't let him in.
As always, the church won't directly cover the gay and scout issues. They'll just have some vague talks saying stuff like "God's definition of marriage is between a man and a woman".
I wouldn't be THAT surprised if there was finally a non-white Apostle. The church is clearly trying to make an effort to look more diverse. Obviously having a non-white Apostle might be a bit too far, but I think there's at least a chance they might go for it this time.
It'll be interesting to see if any people vote opposed again. The church will probably do all it can to make sure they don't get in. If this becomes a feature in every General Conference from now on they'll probably tighten things up to make sure such people can't get in anymore, or perhaps try and find a way so that they don't have to acknowledge opposing votes anymore.
They have a great opportunity to look "progressive" for the next 15-20 years by putting a non-white man in as the most junior apostle. But, of course, ensure that he will never hold a postion of power by making sure he is already 70-75 years old.
I think they like to keep leadership in the family, so unless they have a black or Hispanic family member the members are in for more white bread apostles.
. . . Not one of the eventual Q15 will say, "The essays in the topics section of LDS.org are designed to TELL THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH."
. . . Not one of the eventual Q15 will apologize for anything a living Q15 has ever said. It's easier to throw the dead ones under the bus.
. . . Not one of the eventual Q15 will talk about the Second Anointing.
. . . Not one of the eventual Q15 will come to the pulpit with a hat and a rock to "finally" tell the body of TSCC how JS translated the BoM.
. . . There will be NO NEW OFFICIAL PICTURE of the BoM translation process depicting Joey's head in a hat. And there will be NO CONFESSION that all previous official artwork was not true and was completely deceptive.
. . . Not one of the eventual 15 will talk about the 3 facsimiles in the BoA.
. . . There will be NO announcement that TSCC will now be 100% transparent with all monies collected.
. . . No GA will admit that he has had the Second Anointing and has had to sign a NDA (non disclosure agreement) to protect TSCC in case he defects and tells the truth.
*****
There WILL be many more signs that the leaders are concerned about the massive apostasy underway.
More talks on SATAN, SATAN, SATAN who is waiting under your bed to grab you and deceive the very elect and drag your eternal soul into the dreary pit of despair.
Pay tithing Don't watch rated r movies stay away from pornography do family home evenings magnify your calling don't wait to start a family get married return to the temple often the field is ready to harvest do missionary work there is a greater need for senior missionary couples to serve stay away from the internet not all truths are useful pray for rain dress modest be careful what kind of music you listen to keep your marriage strong through fasting
What would you do if a member of the 12 (I'm thinking Uchtdorf) got up and said, "I'm leaving because it's not true and I can't take the lies anymore"?
I'd laugh my butt off and call all my TBM family and gloat.
1.) Family is under attack 2.) Church stands firm, as it always has 3.) Persecution has never been stronger 4.) Pray, pay, obey 5.) So blessed to see the Lord's inspiration at work (see calling of at least 2 "new" geezers (probably related to a current 15), marriage, etc) 6.) See number 4 7.) Power of the priesthood, importance of being worthy of blessings, temples. 8.) When you have doubts and questions, STFU and see #4
Unless we get a giant uptick in the number of class five tornadoes and hurricanes (even a small sunami would do) in these weeks preceding our next Conflatulance, speech writers for the brethren shall have to fall back on their conventional boring fare.
Five of the talks at GC in 2013 regaled us with blow by blow stories of faith-promoting storms. Yawn...
I expect a black apostle or at least a Latino. The only place the Church is growing is Africa ( as are Jehovahs Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists Evangelicals etc) They are keenly aware of public image and its would help their public relations effort no end!
The auditor report will find that everything is in order.
Other than that there will be the usual veiled references to sexual matters - "declining moral standards," "family values," etc. And I expect admonitions to look to the leaders of the LDS faith as watchmen on the tower--after all there will be at least two new ones.
I'm not sure where they'll go with the apostle search. Probably one with some diversity factor (but orthodox), and another to please the corridor crowd. This is the era of Monson, so telling schmaltzy stories is a plus for either such candidate.
What I really want to happen: Whoever the closet doubter GA, who Grant Palmer knows, to step forward. If you're listening friend, please come out. We've all lost the respect of some people for leaving Mormonism, but this is a Band Aid we just had to take off.
The auditor will detail the misuse of church funds for personal use and decry the LDS financial opacity from Joseph Smith to present. Amen.