General Conference Talk- Elder Anderson- Voice from the Dust
Elder Neil L. Anderson stood up to end the last session of the 187th semiannual General Conference. For the first time in many years the Prophet and President of the Church did not attend the conference. Instead he sat at home because of his health. In the last few years I have read news reports, and have heard speculation surrounding the Prophet's declining health. The fact that this year he didn't attend the conference validated much of what I had heard.
President Monson wasn't the only Prophet, Seer, and Revelator who didn't attend the conference. For much of the conference Elder Robert D. Hales lay in a hospital bed. As the final session of the 187th semiannual General Conference began President Henry B. Eyring made the announcement that Elder Hales had passed away earlier that afternoon at 12:15.
All of that contributed to the power and timing behind Elder Neil L. Anderson's address. When he began speaking he gave 3 lines from a talk that Elder Hales had written in case his health improved enough to speak. My sister-in-law was in the Conference Center during that talk, and she said that it was so silent you could hear a pin drop. Elder Anderson told about President Russel M. Nelson, and his inspiration to skip lunch and leave conference to be by Elder Hale's bedside right at the time of his passing. Now, I hope that President Monson's health improves, and that we are able to hear him speak in General Conference again, but if it does not, his tribute to President Nelson was a beautiful tribute to the man who is next in line to carry that mantel.
Finally, Elder Anderson began to end his talk by giving a blessing that President Thomas S. Monson had planned on delivering at the conference. You could feel the power behind the words he spoke written by the Prophet of God.
To me, Elder Anderson's talk caused me to reflect on another talk I had heard him give a couple years ago at a BYU Devotional during the week of Women's Conference. Originally Elder Richard G. Scott had been scheduled to speak at this particular devotional, but with his passing, Elder Anderson was asked to fill in.
I remember his talk because it was once again a beautiful tribute to the life of Elder Richard G. Scott. Elder Anderson spoke of his life and ministry along with personal experiences he had had with Elder Scott. There was a power behind his words.
I can't imagine how hard it would be to be in Elder Anderson's shoes. His calling is one that you have until death, and slowly he has watched some of his colleagues and closest friends pass away, one by one. Each of them leaving behind a great lasting legacy.
President Monson wasn't the only Prophet, Seer, and Revelator who didn't attend the conference. For much of the conference Elder Robert D. Hales lay in a hospital bed. As the final session of the 187th semiannual General Conference began President Henry B. Eyring made the announcement that Elder Hales had passed away earlier that afternoon at 12:15.
All of that contributed to the power and timing behind Elder Neil L. Anderson's address. When he began speaking he gave 3 lines from a talk that Elder Hales had written in case his health improved enough to speak. My sister-in-law was in the Conference Center during that talk, and she said that it was so silent you could hear a pin drop. Elder Anderson told about President Russel M. Nelson, and his inspiration to skip lunch and leave conference to be by Elder Hale's bedside right at the time of his passing. Now, I hope that President Monson's health improves, and that we are able to hear him speak in General Conference again, but if it does not, his tribute to President Nelson was a beautiful tribute to the man who is next in line to carry that mantel.
Finally, Elder Anderson began to end his talk by giving a blessing that President Thomas S. Monson had planned on delivering at the conference. You could feel the power behind the words he spoke written by the Prophet of God.
To me, Elder Anderson's talk caused me to reflect on another talk I had heard him give a couple years ago at a BYU Devotional during the week of Women's Conference. Originally Elder Richard G. Scott had been scheduled to speak at this particular devotional, but with his passing, Elder Anderson was asked to fill in.
I remember his talk because it was once again a beautiful tribute to the life of Elder Richard G. Scott. Elder Anderson spoke of his life and ministry along with personal experiences he had had with Elder Scott. There was a power behind his words.
I can't imagine how hard it would be to be in Elder Anderson's shoes. His calling is one that you have until death, and slowly he has watched some of his colleagues and closest friends pass away, one by one. Each of them leaving behind a great lasting legacy.
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