Ever since Boyd K. Packer’s October 2010 Conference talk “Cleansing the Inner Vessel” was significantly edited between the version he delivered and the printed version, I’ve seen increased attention paid to differences between the spoken and printed versions of Conference talks.
Given that we’re in the relatively brief window of time between all the Conference talks being given and the release of their printed versions (other than the Women’s Session, for which they’re already out), I thought it might be fun to speculate about what edits we might see this time around. Here are some of my guesses. I’d love to hear yours in the comments.
| Speaker | Spoken version | Printed version (my guess) |
|---|---|---|
| Brough, Saturday morning | “I earnestly prayed to know if I had to give my dog away [after my father was called as a mission president]. My answer did not come in a moment. Rather, a specific thought kept penetrating my mind: Don’t be a burden to your parents.” | “I earnestly prayed to know if I had to give my dog away [after my father was called as a mission president]. My answer came in a flash, as my beloved dog was simultaneously struck by lightning and run over by a train. I rejoiced in the miracle God had provided to keep me from being a burden to my parents.” |
| Renlund, Saturday morning | “Church history gives ample evidence of our members being treated with hatred and bigotry. How ironically sad it would be if we were to treat others as we have been treated.” | “Church history gives ample evidence of our members being treated with hatred and bigotry. How sad it is that this awful mistreatment continues to this day, as the wicked world fights against the righteous.” |
| Ballard, Saturday afternoon | “One additional help is ‘The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles,’ which was presented to the Church on January 1st, 2000. Place a copy where you can see it, and take time to review each of the statements found in this inspired testimony of Christ by his special witnesses who signed it. I would urge you to study it along with ‘The Family: A Proclamation to the World.’ We speak often about the Family Proclamation, but please remember to read it in the light of the saving power of the living Christ.” | “One additional help is ‘The Family: A Proclamation to the World,’ which was presented to the Church on September 23rd, 1995. Place a copy where you can see it, and take time to review each of the statements found in this inspired testimony of the family by its special witnesses who signed it. I would urge you to study it along with ‘The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles.’ We speak often about the Savior, but please remember to appreciate him only in the light of the saving power of the eternal family.” |
| Holland, Saturday morning | “There is room for those who once had questions regarding their faith, and room for those who still do. There is room for those with differing sexual attractions.” | “There is room for those who once had questions regarding their faith, but not for those who still do. There is room for those who are straight, and those who are struggling to be straight.” |
| Uchtdorf, Sunday morning | “I thought for a moment and answered, ‘I’m pretty sure that church sleep is among the healthiest of all sleeps.'” | “I thought for a moment and answered, ‘I’m pretty sure that anyone who sleeps in church is sleeping and dreaming damnation to their soul.'” |
“I thought for a moment and answered, ‘If all those who slept in church were laid end to end they would be more comfortable.'”
“I thought for a moment and answered, ‘I’m pretty sure that church sleep is among the healthiest of all sleeps, unless your bishop starts making fun of you from the pulpit.”
“There is room for those who are straight, and those who are struggling to be straight.” Truly an inspired edit.