dprh

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I thought the babes were ditsy blondes that miraculously said some rather intelligent things. No?

That talk stuck out to me as well @Traveler. There was another speaker, don't remember who, who spoke along a similar theme and gave the example of learning to drive while staring down at the road directly in front of him instead of looking ahead to maintain his course. The ability to see things afar off, in spiritual terms and temporally as well, is vital when pursuing any destination of significant distance. And the distance between this world and God's presence is indeed significant. The problem is that this life is like driving down the strip in Las Vegas and it's very difficult to not get distracted by our immediate surroundings. Fortunately the temple, which sits on a hill above the strip, is THE place to correct our short-sightedness.

Here is a thread to speak and respond to various impressions of our most recent General Conference.  I will begin:
I was impressed with Elder Uchtdorf's talk.  I realize that he has addressed this subject before and making reference to his fighter and commercial piolet career.  What stuck out to me in his talk is that when someone (including piolets) get lost there is a natural tendency to go in a circle.  He said that this tendency is backed by scientific research.  I was impressed (or inspired) that the problem with being lost in this manner is that you will never progress and arrive anywhere you have not already been.  This reminded me of a discussion with someone with whom I care - that when their temple marriage failed that they decided to pursue relationships that were not "limited" by their temple covenants (law of chastity).  A few years later all of their relationships have failed in the exact manner.    It is odd that the ladies (including his temple wife) have ended with the lady developing interest in someone else.  And so I was impressed that we all can realize and know that we are lost when we find the same disappointments repeating themselves over and over again.  In other words, going in circles, finding ourselves back at the same places of disappointments (or excuses for failure or falling short) over and over again.
The purpose of the Gospel (gospel - meaning good news) is that as we follow the straight and narrow "path" that we are headed in a straight direction.  That even if there are similarities - that we are making improvements and consistently coming closer to our intended destination and farther and father away from our disappointments.  As my wife and I have kept our covenants we have grown closer and over almost 50 years we have become companions that dearly want to remain together.  We have not arrived yet but our relationship is improving and we find many of the arguments of our past - no longer matter. 
 
The Traveler

That's cool.  As he was speaking, I learned that he was a missionary in our ward in South Dakota when I was born. 

It seems like just yesterday that we were calling Vai to be a Bishop in the Cherry Hill Stake, New Jersey. I was the Stake Executive Secretary at the time and Brother Ahmad Corbitt was the 2nd Counselor. He served wonderfully and later became the Stake President after President Corbitt. It's neat to see regular, but extraordinarily committed people called to serve in His Kingdom. 
Of course, it was earlier than that at college that we watched Vai consistently run through opposing teams on kickoff returns!
 

Elder Vaiangina Sikahema spoke in the Sunday morning session, giving a talk entitled 'A House of Sequential Order’.
Here is a video from 2008, of Brother Vai knocking out Jose Canseco in the boxing ring.  
https://youtu.be/pHNXCJ5wcAs?t=212
 

I find Dear Evan Hansen one of the most relatable musicals to me.  I'm somewhat aware of how socially awkward I can be and I could see myself doing something similar in high school given those unique circumstances.  And I think the music is excellent.

So, when the daughters were like 11ish, we redid their bathroom, and I added an extra medicine cabinet thingy that lights up and whatnot.  Cool place to keep makeup and skincare and stuff that girls seem to need.  Those like those, right?  Just doin' my daddy thing.  Over the years, my wife has taken them to try out makeup, they've talked about spa days and facials and stuff.   Daughters never gave two craps about any of that.  Medicine cabinet is the most useless thing in our house, covered in dust, holding some nail polish and other crap mom got them over the years.
Tonight we're doing our monthly family movie night thing, and this time our 17 yr old is bringing a friend.  She mentions in passing he's a boy.  His parents are dropping him off at our movie, and picking him up after.  They're just friends, she says.
This morning, I notice the door to the medicine cabinet is open. 
 

I don't think it's a particularly appropriate activity for the Sabbath.   Some Saints are doing this as an alternative.  https://www.facebook.com/shekinahholiday/

I get what my friend @Traveler is saying (even though I love horror culture) , and I mean no disrespect to him, but I think it’s an age thing. Many older people I've spoken to are uncomfortable with some of the darker images in Halloween. They don’t understand horror novels/movies either. So it might be an age thing? I freely admit I could be wrong. 
 
Part two of your post-There are no role models today, and that’s sad. We expect perfection out of people, which is absurd. When we find out that GA John Doe once cursed out someone, we wonder how the Lord could appoint someone so dirty. When Cam Newtown shows emotion by getting angry at a blown call, we call him “unprofessional”. So we look for reasons to pick at people and try to tear them down. It’s really depressing. 

This may be one of those times where you teach correct principles and then let your kids decide how to live them.
There's also other alternatives like throwing your own party the night before and inviting their friends over. 

I see no issue with it, but my area has had so few kids coming over the last few years that it's practically a moot point now. 

It is my personal understanding that keeping the Sabbath is not about doing all the do's and not doing any don'ts.  I think this one of the problem with the ancient Pharisees.  For me one of the best scriptures describing the Sabbath is in Hebrews Chapter 4:
I will not pretend that I understand this completely but I believe that the Sabbath as a day of rest is a type and shadow of the "rest of G-d" as G-d rested from his "work" on the 7th day.  In other words the Sabbath is your individual covenant and template of your eternity.  It is your focus, your heart and core of what you intend to become in eternity.  Therefore, I do not think it is up to me to advise anyone as to what they will dedicate and covenant for their Sabbath.   Except to advise that we remained focused in service and love of others as was the example of Christ if we intend to be one in eternity with Christ.  
I think I can demonstrate love and service towards others on Halloween  in a way that can bring joy and comfort - especially to children.
As a side note - my dear wife has always loved dressing up in costume for Halloween.  But her costumes have always been beautiful and uplifting.  I have often pondered why so many others enjoy adorning themselves and their homes with elements that emphasize the darker sides and natures of mortality.   I will add something extra for the kids that dress up as a missionary, an angel or some other uplifting and admirable character.
 
The Traveler

This was similar to my thought process.  We'll have a family council and discuss. 
Thanks for following up.  It got postponed!  The bishopric decided to make it Fast Sunday last week because we have General Conference and the week after is Stake Conference.  Now, with a Ward Conference and missionary farewells and homecomings, it probably won't happen until November or maybe even December.  Plenty of time to worry and fret about it now  

This was similar to my thought process.  We'll have a family council and discuss. 
Thanks for following up.  It got postponed!  The bishopric decided to make it Fast Sunday last week because we have General Conference and the week after is Stake Conference.  Now, with a Ward Conference and missionary farewells and homecomings, it probably won't happen until November or maybe even December.  Plenty of time to worry and fret about it now  

I think President Nelson's principle is perfect here, "What sign do you want to give the Lord"?
Growing up, and in my current family, this wouldn't be something we would choose to do; however, we do have a GA who played professional baseball for 6 years, and a mission president who played professional sports for a number of years also.
In light of the contrast, it doesn't make it very clear as to the proper sign of keeping the Sabbath day holy and what that means. I would have said both are not good signs to give to the Lord. Now, well, I don't know.
Make your decision, and roll with it. How was your talk by the way?

I won’t be because I dont feel it is sabbath appropriate, but that is me. I choose to play video games with my brother on Sunday and I know others dont think that is appropriate. 
 
but that is the beauty of the gospel. Ponder on why you are doing it and decide what kind of sign your are showing God. 
 
This isn’t one of those “you decide… but if you decide wrong you are sinning”

I think we've been able to avoid 99% of any Sunday Halloween stuff.  I think we may have made an exception for a neighborhood thing (like, one of the only neighborhood things the neighborhood ever did.
I used to hometeach a guy who would have his entire front door covered with a long rant against Halloween for the entire month of October.  Detailed instructions, coupled with copious scriptural justifications, on why everyone needed to not knock on his door for Halloween.   He didn't answer our knock for our October visit.  

I think trick or treating is “good, clean fun” that you can do with your family and friends. I don’t see an issue with it-I think it falls under Christian freedom. 

I don't have a problem with it, but most people here will do it Saturday.

Yeah, dressing up as "home teachers" in order to count it as your monthly visit was doomed to fail with that guy. Good try though. 😂

Just go Hogwarts style and sing at your own pace  
I've come to dread singing "Happy Birthday" at parties because it always goes at a much slower pace, and there's no chorister or accompanist to keep up the tempo.

I like your response - I was taught by my parents to never complain about anything I was not willing to demonstrate improvement.   In other words - do not complain about anyone unless you are willing and capable of replacing them.
I do not know exactly why but when I was scout master I got more complaints about what was going on more that all other callings I have had all combined.  I solved the problem of parents complaining about campouts by suggesting that they take over the planning and excitation of our next camping activity - which was needed for merit badges to keep their kids on schedule to complete their scouting experience.
 
The Traveler

As chorister, I don't know if I would want it brought up or not. It's a very common complaint around the Church, but it doesn't seem to change, so I don't know if bringing it up yet again will really change anything. Of course, I often feel like I am rushing the congregation and/or organist, so maybe I'm seeing this from the other side of the problem -- a fear of going too fast.
Having also been the accompanist, sometimes I think the pace is set by the organist/pianist, because that is the position related to music that requires the most skill. If the organist/pianist cannot play any faster, complaining that it is too slow won't help until the accompanist improves their skill level. Unless and until the Church decides to make accompanist a paid position (like other churches) we maybe need to be patient and tolerant of the volunteer musicians we use for this.
My feeling -- if you have a good enough relationship with the chorister/organist to gently say something, then say that you, personally, would like to sing some of the hymns at a faster tempo. Then, leave the job of leading/playing the music to those called to the job. If it changes, then good. If the tempo remains slower than you like, accept that they are doing the best they can with the skills and artistic vision they have, and be patient with them.