Conference Weekend/Coronavirus Craziness

At the end of this past week the CDC put out new recommendations that we wear face masks if we go out in public, so I've sewn a few for our family. Our stake was asked to sew some for some medical personnel in need a little over a week ago, and I made 2, sent them in and intended to make a lot more, but never quite got around to it, then when the CDC said we should wear masks this weekend I made a few more.

What a weird world we live in right now.

This weekend was General Conference and it was, as President Nelson promised in October, a conference never to be forgotten, and definitely a conference like no other. Only the first presidency and those who were speaking during the session were invited to be there in person and it was held in a small auditorium on Temple Square instead of in the Conference Center.
Talks all weekend focused on the restoration of the gospel and the first vision, since it is the 200th anniversary of the First Vision. This morning President Nelson announced a new Proclamation on the Restoration of the Fullness of the Gospel and led us in a Hosanna shout. We told our kids that was a unique thing they got to be part of. The only times I've participated in a Hosanna shout was at the dedication of temples and the conference center.

During the last session President Nelson spoke one last time and announced 8 new temples, including one in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and one in Shanghai, China. I was shocked at the one in Dubai, as the first temple in the Middle East, but when the one in Shanghai was announced I was beyond shocked. I gasped and teared up, which made Ryan and Megan worry. Ryan came over to give me a hug and Megan asked why I was sad. Ryan told her it was probably because China is where the Coronavirus started so I was worried for the workers there. I explained that having a temple allowed to be built in China was a very special thing that the world has been waiting for a long time.