President Russel M. Nelson and Conference

 On September 27, 2025, our beloved prophet, Russel M. Nelson Passed away.  I really loved this man and his amazing abilities. I loved hearing him speak and just watching him.  I loved his stories and how valiant a life he has lead.  I love that the world knew him, loved him, admired him and respected him.  I have always believed that he brought so much awareness of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to the world that had never really been showcased before and that was because of his life accomplishments-not just the gospel.  

Wasn't it so much fun to wait for that moment during General Conference where he would announce Temples. The sighs, laughs, happiness heard from the audience could not be denied.  He would smile and laugh himself and you could just tell how much happiness it brought to him to be able to get such responses and know that he was making so many people so happy and opening a world of Covenant keeping, so much easier.  Building the church in ways not before seen.  I will greatly miss him.

Social media has been filled with falsehoods, incorrect information and downright rudeness in regards to the next prophet, the process etc.  I really don't like that.  It is not difficult, nor secret to know and understand how the process works.  I loved President Oaks words in the beginning of conference  and he said it is the first time in about 75 years that a Church President has died a few days before a general conference.  He reassured all members of the church that the conference would go forward as President Nelson had prepared for.  I found that so comforting.  He also gave each speaker of conference the OK to give a minimal tribute to President Nelson.

One of my favorite addresses was given by Elder Rasband.  I love the Family proclamation and it was a bit of a surprise when he said it had been 30 years since its announcement.  I actually have it laminated on a small card and I carry it in my Sunday bag so I have it to read during the sacrament.  I really enjoyed his words.

Due to the circumstances, the first presidency of the church was dissolved.  The sustaining was very different and may never happen again and so I am recording a portion of it....(taken from the LDS.Org site)

"...It is proposed that we sustain Dallin Harris Oaks as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Those in favor, please signify. Any opposed may manifest it. It is proposed that we sustain the following as the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Dallin H. Oaks, Jeffrey R. Holland, Henry B. Eyring, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, David A. Bednar, Quentin L. Cook, D. Todd Christofferson, Neil L. Andersen, Ronald A. Rasband, Gary E. Stevenson, Dale G. Renlund, Gerrit W. Gong, Ulisses Soares, and Patrick Kearon. Those in favor, please manifest it. Any opposed may so indicate. It is proposed that we sustain members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators. All in favor, please manifest it. Contrary, if any, by the same sign. "

This process was so touching to me.  Knowing what the eventual outcome would be, just seeing that the correct procedure takes place.  No arguing, no battling, just moving forward.  I love that and I think Heavenly Father, Joseph Smith and so many others would be observing with great satisfaction.  

There is one other address given that I want to mention.  By Elder Kevin G. Brown, The Eternal Gift of Testimony.  I felt the entire time he was speaking right to me through the television.  I wept uncontrollably because of the amazing spirit that I felt fill my home as he was speaking.  It made me feel so good and really enforced the love of Heavenly Father to each and every person.

The entire conference was so great to me.  I loved so many of the talks and I feel that the sweet words given will be a branch of strength for me to hold on to and will boost me up for the next six months before the next conference and will keep me from drowning in my own sorrows. (Which is what I think I have been doing).

I feel truly blest after this wonderful conference.  I close this post with the inclusion of some of the words from President Nelson's last words to us.  (His address entitled Confidence In The Presence of God)  He said, "I testify that Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of Isreal, leads this, His Church.  He is preparing to come again.  May we likewise prepare to receive him."