Stake Conference with Apostle

[Durzan]

Yo. Just wanted to say that next week we will be having stake conference with an Apostle presiding. Should I see if I can get the opportunity to shake his hand?

This isn't the first time I've seen an Apostle in person, but it would probably be the first time I would have an opportunity to possibly shake their hand as an adult.

(I think Elder Oaks came for a Stake Conference a few years back when I was living in Texas)

[nightlight]

Yes, also take notes and post them for us asap.

[brianj]

I'm sitting here wondering why you wouldn't want to shake his hand!

[Crackers]

I would recommend going early and getting a seat in the front and near an aisle. Visiting authorities know people want the opportunity to shake hands and say hello, and they will often visit those within easy reach before the meeting if time allows. They often stay and greet people afterwards also, but security and time constraints may limit them at that point, and sometimes there is a huge line. It can be a little mob-like.

[Crackers]

I'm sitting here wondering why you wouldn't want to shake his hand!

Good question! I have an answer though. I have passed on the opportunity to meet an authority several times because I know their time and energy is limited, and because I have had a chance to meet a few already. I have had some unusual opportunities to briefly meet several GAs, including prophets and apostles, and I would feel greedy if I were to prevent someone else from having the same opportunity.

[mtm411]

There is nothing wrong with trying, but don't get your hopes up. The few times we have had an apostle visit, they ask no shaking of hands as they can't get to everyone and they have a tight schedule.

[Zathura]

Yo. Just wanted to say that next week we will be having stake conference with an Apostle presiding. Should I see if I can get the opportunity to shake his hand?

This isn't the first time I've seen an Apostle in person, but it would probably be the first time I would have an opportunity to possibly shake their hand as an adult.

(I think Elder Oaks came for a Stake Conference a few years back when I was living in Texas)

Bednar came to my stake with Elder Nattress(who was my wife’s mission president) like a year ago, we sat in the front left row. We were able to shake hands and hug brother and sister Natress only because they made a beeline to us real quick. There wasn’t a chance anybody was touching Bednar though. Security stood up and barred anyone from coming up. I vaguely remember a child, or someone with special needs being allowed to walk up and shake hands with him. One other guy walked up but wasn’t allowed to shake his hand or anything. He just told him how grateful he was and then Bednar was out.

[LdsMarco]

It's hard to get a handshake in a stake conference. If it were a leadership meeting - then it will be a lot easier. In fact, they usually stand by the door and shake everyone's hand on the way out of a leadership meeting.

I also think I remember we were encouraged to not shake their hand when it was a normal stake conference because everyone would want one and they simply do not have the time to shake hundreds. But every stake or situation is different.

I had the privilege to shake Elder Holland's hand. It was an amazing moment. So good luck!

[brianj]

Bednar came to my stake with Elder Nattress(who was my wife’s mission president) like a year ago, we sat in the front left row. We were able to shake hands and hug brother and sister Natress only because they made a beeline to us real quick. There wasn’t a chance anybody was touching Bednar though. Security stood up and barred anyone from coming up. I vaguely remember a child, or someone with special needs being allowed to walk up and shake hands with him. One other guy walked up but wasn’t allowed to shake his hand or anything. He just told him how grateful he was and then Bednar was out.

Elder Nattress came to a stake conference I was at shortly after my wife left. I sat in the front for the Saturday evening session and remained sitting after the conference session ended as most people left and a few went up to shake his hand. He came over to me afterward and we spoke for a moment. He came across as a great guy and I desperately hope that what he told me was prophetic.

This has been my usual routine for the last several stake conferences I have attended. I sit up front where I don't have to stare at families. I remain sitting because Idon't feel like quickly going home to be alone. I don't know that I'm doing anything to attract attention, but at each conference the visiting Area or GA Seventy has come over to say hi and ask how I'm doing.

[Zathura]

Bednar came to my stake with Elder Nattress(who was my wife’s mission president) like a year ago, we sat in the front left row. We were able to shake hands and hug brother and sister Natress only because they made a beeline to us real quick. There wasn’t a chance anybody was touching Bednar though. Security stood up and barred anyone from coming up. I vaguely remember a child, or someone with special needs being allowed to walk up and shake hands with him. One other guy walked up but wasn’t allowed to shake his hand or anything. He just told him how grateful he was and then Bednar was out.

Elder Nattress came to a stake conference I was at shortly after my wife left. I sat in the front for the Saturday evening session and remained sitting after the conference session ended as most people left and a few went up to shake his hand. He came over to me afterward and we spoke for a moment. He came across as a great guy and I desperately hope that what he told me was prophetic.

This has been my usual routine for the last several stake conferences I have attended. I sit up front where I don't have to stare at families. I remain sitting because Idon't feel like quickly going home to be alone. I don't know that I'm doing anything to attract attention, but at each conference the visiting Area or GA Seventy has come over to say hi and ask how I'm doing.

That’s great! I love that man very much. He’s the first General Authority that I truly had a testimony of after watching his talk in General Conference of October 2016. I hope whatever he told you was prophetic as well my friend. I’d say that’s a sign that those men are indeed inspired.

[brianj]

Bednar came to my stake with Elder Nattress(who was my wife’s mission president) like a year ago, we sat in the front left row. We were able to shake hands and hug brother and sister Natress only because they made a beeline to us real quick. There wasn’t a chance anybody was touching Bednar though. Security stood up and barred anyone from coming up. I vaguely remember a child, or someone with special needs being allowed to walk up and shake hands with him. One other guy walked up but wasn’t allowed to shake his hand or anything. He just told him how grateful he was and then Bednar was out.

Elder Nattress came to a stake conference I was at shortly after my wife left. I sat in the front for the Saturday evening session and remained sitting after the conference session ended as most people left and a few went up to shake his hand. He came over to me afterward and we spoke for a moment. He came across as a great guy and I desperately hope that what he told me was prophetic.

This has been my usual routine for the last several stake conferences I have attended. I sit up front where I don't have to stare at families. I remain sitting because Idon't feel like quickly going home to be alone. I don't know that I'm doing anything to attract attention, but at each conference the visiting Area or GA Seventy has come over to say hi and ask how I'm doing.

That’s great! I love that man very much. He’s the first General Authority that I truly had a testimony of after watching his talk in General Conference of October 2016. I hope whatever he told you was prophetic as well my friend. I’d say that’s a sign that those men are indeed inspired.

It will be decades before what we discussed could happen, but the situation that would lead to it happening has to unfold much sooner. So I hope and pray it was a prophecy.

[PressingForward]

Elder Christofferson came to our Stake conference in Brandon, fl about ~4 or 5years ago. We were sitting in the overflow, he walked the entire perimeter of that meeting and shook hands of those he could. I stepped out of way so my kids had the opportunity to shake his hand, but I also was able to do so.

[Serragon]

Elder Wirthlin once presided at a stake conference I attended. He stayed on the stand after the meeting and let every single person come up an shake his hand. They made a line going up one side of the stand and then down and out the other. He was pretty old at the time. I thought it was awfully kind and considerate of him.

[Robin Hood]

.... I would never leave the church.

I think whenever someone says that, Lucifer regards it as a personal challenge.

[Crackers]

.... I would never leave the church.

I think whenever someone says that, Lucifer regards it as a personal challenge.

I agree. I decided as a teenager to never say those words. I have seen it happen too many times.

[kittycat51]

.... I would never leave the church.

I think whenever someone says that, Lucifer regards it as a personal challenge.

My personal phrase is, "I hope and pray to stay strong, never let go of the iron rod, and never stray".

[Lyster]

Would shaking that man's hand make you happier than shaking your neighbor's?

Would the opportunity to receive a blessing from him make you feel better or more comforted than to receive one at the hand of your neighbor?

Would you desire to serve him more than your neighbor?

I never hear of anyone getting giddy over shaking their neighbor's hand. This is what people are talking about when they bring up "treating like rock stars".

[stillwater]

Would shaking that man's hand make you happier than shaking your neighbor's?

Would the opportunity to receive a blessing from him make you feel better or more comforted than to receive one at the hand of your neighbor?

Would you desire to serve him more than your neighbor?

I never hear of anyone getting giddy over shaking their neighbor's hand. This is what people are talking about when they bring up "treating like rock stars".

If we cannot be saved if we are different than Jesus, and Jesus is no respecter of persons, then treating people like celebrities is a much more serious problem for the saints than we might think.

[paid2play]

It may just be me but this seems like a form of idolization does it not?

[Lizzy60]

It may just be me but this seems like a form of idolization does it not?

It's not just you. This form of idolatry, esteeming the Brethren above other people, is not in accordance with what the Lord has taught. In fact, there are dire warnings about this type of thing.

It's good to show respect for the leaders, and to sustain them, but lining up just for a handshake, that's idolatry.

[Durzan]

It may just be me but this seems like a form of idolization does it not?

Actually, not really... at least for me. I respect them and simply want a chance to meet them in person (if possible). A handshake is simply a respectful way of saying hello. I do not put them on a pedestal; they are men just like us.

There is FAR more to Idolization than simply lining up to shake hands. You know you have Idolization of someone if you see people doting on every word they say; "squeeing" whenever they see them; doing whatever they say without second thought and without taking a moment to consider just what it is they are saying, comparing it to their own POV, and otherwise give time for the Spirit to confirm or modify the GA's council, etc.

Apart from shaking their hand and saying hello, I have my own personal reasons for wanting to meet them. I have quite a few personal questions that only a member of the Twelve could answer adequately. Some of these questions I have some answers from the Spirit, but having an Apostle answer them would prove to be a very powerful second witness and confirmation to what I already know.

[Crackers]

I met "Elder" Monson once and was very impressed by his kindness and his humility. Those traits never seemed to stick out to me in his conference addresses, so I was very appreciative to get a chance to learn the tiniest bit of who he was off-camera. It has also remained with me through the years that kindness is what I remember the most about an Apostle of Christ. I don't think this would qualify as idol worship. It is a great opportunity to be able to shake hands with people whom you admire and love and be able to tell them, "Thank you" and feel a little bit of their spirit. I don't like the "lining up for handshakes," and in fact I have never done it, more because it seems to be a strain on their time and energy than anything else. But I don't think hoping for a chance to say hello and shake hands is idolatrous. It might be for some, but probably not in general.

[shadow]

I hate shaking hands with people- anyone. I keep hand sanitizer in all my cars.

[iWriteStuff]

It may just be me but this seems like a form of idolization does it not?

It's not just you. This form of idolatry, esteeming the Brethren above other people, is not in accordance with what the Lord has taught. In fact, there are dire warnings about this type of thing.

It's good to show respect for the leaders, and to sustain them, but lining up just for a handshake, that's idolatry.

How about lining up for a high five?

highfive.jpg (63.22 KiB) Viewed 3030 times

[PressingForward]

Would shaking that man's hand make you happier than shaking your neighbor's?

Would the opportunity to receive a blessing from him make you feel better or more comforted than to receive one at the hand of your neighbor?

Would you desire to serve him more than your neighbor?

I never hear of anyone getting giddy over shaking their neighbor's hand. This is what people are talking about when they bring up "treating like rock stars".

I enjoy being able to shake the neighbors hand, holler at him a good morning, or just a wave in greeting. Actually, passerby’s as well......