Posted by:
iris
(
)
Date: July 01, 2013 09:44AM
I know this is a delayed topic and has been covered. However, I watched the entire broadcast last week taking notes as I had done most of my life and wanted to add my $.02 for what it's worth.
The June 23rd Sunday evening broadcast from the Marriott Center was seriously lacking in any reference to Joseph Smith. I found it incredible that the First Vision was never mentioned, Joseph Smith was mentioned only with regard to “the greatest and most important duty is to preach the gospel,” and that not one of the apostles or the prophet testified that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the restoration of the gospel (or something similar). Those two things were MAIN FOCUS when I was a missionary, and they were also presented as such in the meetings prior to my daughters entering the MTC. Hinckley was referenced more than JS.
Also of note were the tried and tired phrases being used. Holland has to be sick of hearing his own voice (I know I am). He opened with, “never again in your entire life are you going to part of a zone conference this large,” “on the wings of that majestic missionary hymn, we welcome you.” Then he tried to crack some jokes. Also hearing Perry say, "in this now digital age" was pretty funny. We know their new program is just recycled old program with the digital touch. Nothing new there. But it was glaringly bad all the way around.
I won't share all my notes about the broadcast--it would be too long and boring. But I was struck by how the First Vision wasn't mentioned and no testimony of JS was given. Those were the focus when I was in the Mission Home. It was all about how Joseph Smith had done more for mankind than anyone else (excepting Jesus Christ). Me thinks the multiple versions of the First Vision is having an impact--not to mention JS marriage practices.