President Packer

Root de toot, root de toot, we're the boys of the institute. We don't smoke, and we don't chew, and we don't go with girls that do. Some say that we don't have fun....we don't. 

HAAHAAAHAAAA That is one of the quotes from President Packer. He was telling us about their slogan/chant at WSU when it was Weber College. President Packer is next in line to the prophet, and he came and talked to about two-three thousand students at the Ogden LDS Institute of Religion on Sunday. I stood in line on Monday morning and got two tickets---for row P, which put us at about four rows behind the last bench of the chapel...pretty good I'd have to say. 

The whole fireside was pretty much phenomenal...the music was phenomenal, the spirit was phenomenal, the feeling I had and the content of his talk---it was all exceptional, so I thought I'd share some highlights(these are from my own personal notes, so if they are not word-for-word I apologize):

"You can do whatever you choose but you cannot avoid the consequences."

"Repentance can heal whatever Lucifer hurts" (he spent a long time on this concept) continuing with "The atonement of Christ can clean anything. I repeat: The atonement of Christ can clean anything" and then he repeated it a third time just a couple sentences later. WOW.

Satan wants to pollute marriage, so you need to treat your spouse with tenderness and love. 

The Family: A Proclamation to the World was actually generated and produced because the LDS leaders were invited to a marriage conference and were not impressed. They did not go to the next conference, but Pres. Packer read the minutes, and marriage was not mentioned ONCE. So when the conference asked if they could hold it in SLC, the church leaders produced The Family: A Proclamation to the World. He then said "The Family: A Proclamation to the World embodies ALL a person needs to know to live the gospel."

"Do not be critical of the Lord's church and priesthood."

"I give you a caution. My caution is to beware of the world 'tolerance'. This word does not stand alone-we are not required to tolerate anything that does not lead to happiness. Beware of tolerance, it does not lead to virtue."

When he was young and first married he said "We determined we'd live the gospel and tithing would be the basis of our finances."

He gave us all a little pep-talk, basically stating that the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was not worried about the economic crisis of the world, and we need not worry. "Don't be afraid, you'll be all right as long as you follow the Lord's way. We're not afraid, you need not be afraid." He then talked a little bit about Joseph in Carthage Jail and said "Trials are all calculated to give experience and be for thy good. Move forward in life and find happiness."

Then, this was probably my favorite part, he proclaimed a blessing upon all our heads, the young single adults in attendance, he said "This is your blessing, that you will understand the gospel, that your minds will be alert, you will find the way to be married and your family will be happy and fulfill the purpose of your creation." He discussed some more and made the statement "The Lord is no stranger to His prophets and apostles" and the way he said it made you wonder about all the wonderful experiences they must have. He then extended the blessing, "upon the parents, who are sustaining you."

It was a really remarkable experience, the spirit was incredibly strong, and I am so glad I was able to go. There were so many people! We were an hour early, and we parked four parking lots away, they filled up the chapel the gym, the lounge, the MPR room, and several other classrooms---it was so neat. 

In institute this morning we were talking about it and my institute teacher quoted that the "Proclamation to the Family deals with every single social issue of this time." and that is exactly how Pres. Packer's talk felt---he dealt with everything. I know we are truly led by a prophet of God who receives revelation from God to direct us here on earth.