Last month, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met for our semi-annual General Conference. I’m a practicing member of the Church, which is by far the largest Mormon denomination. And I watched the conference online while sharing some of my thoughts via Twitter. This post summarizes the thoughts that I shared about October 2020 General Conference. As is my tradition, the thoughts include affirmations, criticisms, questions, and elaborations. My intent is to provoke greater engagement with the messages shared by Church leaders at the conference. And I invite you to share your feedback in the comments. I’m posting this summary later than usual. But please don’t take this as a negative reflection on the relative value of this conference. If anything, it’s a positive reflection. I feel that this General Conference was among the best of my lifetime. The opening prayer invokes desire for a return to civility in public life. AMEN! It may be present bias, but I don’t recall worse public dialogue at any previous time in my life. President Nelson expresses gratitude for technology. It has enabled more people to view conference than ever before. That’s right. Technology is part of the work of God. We’ll increasingly observe this, I’m sure. The Church has contributed pandemic aid in the form of 895 projects in 150 countries. Elder Bednar positions the pandemic as a test or proof of human nature. Elder Bednar reminds Church members about preparing (food storage and such) for challenges and emergencies. This is a valuable pragmatic aspect of traditional Mormon practice. Elder Bednar also encourages Church members to endure, or press forward. This too is an admirable trait that Mormons have exhibited for two centuries. Whatever else may be our weaknesses, we keep working. “Faithfulness is not foolishness or fanaticism.” - Elder Bednar Elder Bednar criticizes polarization. But he then seems to encourage it by suggesting that Church members will have increasing difficulty operating in the world. I think he could have offered a more clear message on this topic. Elder Whiting criticizes apathy, saying it’s not enough to extol Christ. We should emulate Christ. We are directed to become complete and full in Christ. We should become as Jesus. Elder Whiting says that step #1, to become like Jesus, is to yearn to “transform ourselves beyond the natural man.” Elder Whiting is addressing the central and most important part of our religion: transformation into Christ. This is theosis, becoming God, as exemplified and invited by Jesus. Elder Whiting observes that we need BOTH sublime grace and meaningful personal effort as we transform to be Christ like Jesus. Elder Whiting teaches that true Christianity is striving to become like Jesus – not just extolling Jesus. Here’s an important exercise. Reconsider Sister Craig’s descriptions of Jesus in light of Elder Whiting’s reminder that we should emulate and not merely extol Jesus. We should become those who give grace and comfort. Sister Craig says that Jesus loves us at the hardest times, and encourages us to do the same for each other. If we do, “in that great day, we will be like him.” Elder Cook characterizes early Mormons as “kind” toward native Americans. The history on that topic seems much more complicated than a general “kind” would suggest. This seems like something that merits some careful retrospection. Elder Cook acknowledges that we, as Church members and leaders, haven’t always been as ethical as we should have been in past conduct. Elder Cook observes that “we live in a moment of particularly strong divisions.” And he points out that we are committed to doing better in civility and racial harmony. “Unity and diversity are not opposites.” - Elder Cook “Race is not identified on membership records.” - Elder Cook Elder Cook says that the US Constitution was “written by imperfect men” who were “inspired” to help all people. Elder Cook says that Mormon scripture makes it ...