Conference Report and Analysis

[Silver Girl]

Had anyone else noticed the trend in the Mormon leaks documents where the authorities advocate for leaders to take a slow approach to discipline and then say "the members may resign their membership?" I have read that in several of the documents. It's almost as if they just hope the problem will go away on its own if they ignore it for long enough.

My inner cynic says that it's bad PR if you excommunicate gay people and others that are deemed undesirables but if they resign it makes for better optics.

I agree - they're getting way too much negative PR when higher-profile and outspoken members are disciplined. I'd guess others don't get as much attention, though. Each person should do what is most comfortable for them (some need to stay in the boat in order to retain their marriages). For me, resigning was best, because it sent a message to those who do know me. I don't publicly speak out against the church - I'm trying to work slowly and quietly, behind the scenes.

[FiveFingerMnemonic]

Cook's talk on Parley Pratt being disaffected by the Kirtland Safety Society crash was interesting. He kept emphasizing the nationwide financial crisis over the poor management and speculation by church leaders as the cause. No mention of Joseph's role. I did like that he said personal losses were not a sign of divine disfavor.

[RubinHighlander]

In case you missed it - here it is in 60 seconds:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5WBx4QO94k

[MoPag]

Well we made it through the whole thing.

But really church? One female speaker on the year of the 175th RS anniversary year? Really?

[Mormorrisey]

Well we made it through the whole thing.

But really church? One female speaker on the year of the 175th RS anniversary year? Really?

You'd think that after replacing the RS Presidency they'd get one of them to speak, but no. I'm still amazed that the most hardcore we heard from conference were minorities and the one woman. You'd think the more exploited groups would be the more Utchdorf-ish of the bunch, but no.

I did find it interesting that the Utchdorf talk was followed by D Todd's. Talk about spiritual schizophrenia. When you've figured out which way the wind is blowing, boys, can someone let us know? Jeez.

But man, that Utchdorf talk gives me about six months of ammo for the fearmongering, coercion and manipulation I get from a narcissistic parent, church leaders and just the regular joes of my ward. Seen a lot of talk memes on Sister M's facebook, but oddly enough Utchdorf messages are strangely missing.

[Red Ryder]

I heard the name Thomas S. Monson more times than I heard the name Jesus Christ.

Anyone want to do the analytics and do a comparison count when the print comes out?

[The Beast]

In case you missed it - here it is in 60 seconds:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5WBx4QO94k

Too funny. DHO needs to find another note for his symphony. Still glad I didn't watch.

[RubinHighlander]

In case you missed it - here it is in 60 seconds:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5WBx4QO94k

Too funny. DHO needs to find another note for his symphony. Still glad I didn't watch.

What's even funnier is that I just noticed that was from 2016! Or, is that sad? Wouldn't it be interesting if they just rebroadcasted an old conference from last year, would anyone actually notice?

OPPOSITION!

[Random]

Yes, excellent points. And "I know" is almost 100% based on "I feel" or "I was taught..."

Or, "I really, really, really believe . . ."

[Random]

Also Rasband, why didn't YOU get up and talk to that golden family?

This is EXACTLY what I was thinking.

[Random]

I guess the underlying thing that just makes me crazy while watching snippets of conference is that they are all so smugly confident is something that just isn't right.

I wish we could require all members to also listen to other religious leaders from 5-6 very different religions while they are similarly preaching exactly opposing doctrines with similar self-confidence.

I wish all members were required to go spend a religious holiday with a humble and devout Muslim family, or a Hindu family, and listen to them bear their own testimonies of the truthfulness of Islam and Hinduism and how they pitied all of those who weren't similarly enlightened like they were, or blessed to be born into a family and culture that taught them the truth.

This would be a very good thing to do. Then, the believing members would be better rounded. Might be a different Church, in some good ways.

[Random]

To me the number of stakes and other units is an irrelevant measure as they are an easy number that can be adjusted to look like there is growth.

I think that they can create wards and stakes without the membership actually increasing, so that doesn't tell us a whole lot, for sure.

What I find confusing is that the Total Membership number is up 7.44% at the same time that the New Children of Record and Converts are both reporting double-digit drop offs. That doesn't look sustainable to me.

That is confusing to me, too.

What is also interesting is the giant increase in the number of Church Service Missionaries. Is there really that big a jump or are they now counting roles that weren't previously counted?

I think it is because they are calling things missions that were not called that before. Mission=free labor

[Random]

Had anyone else noticed the trend in the Mormon leaks documents where the authorities advocate for leaders to take a slow approach to discipline and then say "the members may resign their membership?" I have read that in several of the documents. It's almost as if they just hope the problem will go away on its own if they ignore it for long enough.

I never noticed that. You could be right that they just hope the problem will go away on its own.