I don’t agree about the monotone, Reaganaut. True, there is little in the way of bombast or shouting, but you don’t need the dramatic touch to teach the Word of God.
In my experience the talks at general conference are inspired, perceptive and varied in their topics. A common thread, however is the testimony and witness of the divinity and reality of Jesus Christ.
Best,
Normany
President Gordon Hinckley speaking on the identity of the Mormon Jesus back in 1998. In bearing testimony of Jesus Christ, President Hinckley spoke of those outside the Church who say Latter-day Saints do not believe in the traditional Christ. (He said) No, I dont. The traditional Christ of whom they speak is not the Christ of whom I speak. For the Christ of whom I speak has been revealed in this the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times...In this dispensation, the Lord has declared that this Church is the only true and living Church upon the face of the whole earth. - LDS Church News Archives, Saturday, June 20, 1998 reporting on Hinckleys speech to 6,600 missionaries assembled in Paris."We may talk of men being redeemed by the efficacy of his [Christ's] blood; but the truth is that that blood has no efficacy to wash away our sins. That must depend upon our own action." [ LDS Apostle Amasa M. Lyman, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7, p. 299, 1859]
"Jesus was the bridegroom at the marriage of Cana of Galilee...We say it was Jesus Christ who was married, to be brought into relation whereby he could see his seed [children] before he was crucified (Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, vol. 2, p. 82).
"There was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and on a careful reading of that transaction, it will be discovered that non less a person that Jesus Christ was married on that occasion. If he was never married, his intimacy with Mary and Martha an the other Mary also whom Jesus loved, must have been highly unbecoming and improper to say the best of it." (Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, p. 259).In the beginning, the head of the Gods called a council of the Gods; and they came together and concocted a plan to create the world and people it. (Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p. 5, 1844)
In the very beginning the Bible shows there is a plurality of Gods beyond the power of refutation. It is a great subject I am dwelling on. The word Eloheim ought to be in the plural all the way through--Gods. The heads of the Gods appointed ONE God for us... (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 372)
As a devoted LDS inc follower, do you agree with your 'prophets and apostles', Normandy? Come on, don't try to snow us with Lorenzo's little 'couplet' the way 'Prophet' Hinckley tried to do.