Creme de la Creme

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Posted by Connor on February 9th, 2007

Last night I had the opportunity to attend the annual Deseret Book Author’s Banquet as my mother‘s date. One might easily feel like a fish out of water surrounded by so many “LDS celebrities”. I was able to shake hands with and meet Chieko Okazaki, John Bytheway, Sheri Dew, S. Michael Wilcox and saw among the crowd Brad Wilcox, Dean Hughes, Kathleen Hughes, Truman G. Madsen, and several other heavy hitters.

I sat next to John Bytheway at our dinner table (great food!) and was able to talk to him a bit. The dinner went well, and afterwards there was a hilarious video presentation showing all the items released through Deseret Book during 2006, including my mom’s latest book.

Elder Holland was the guest speaker. I told my mom during his talk that he was my favorite apostle, hands down. I admire Elder Holland very much and enjoy all of his talks for their blunt clarity and resonating testimony. And so, after the festivities ended, we walked up to Elder Holland to say hello. An apostle of the Lord. Standing a few feet away. Greeting others who admire him as much as I.

And then it was our turn. My mother introduced herself and shook hands with him, and then I introduced myself and shook Elder Holland’s hand. My mother mentioned to him that I had just told her that he was my favorite apostle (gee, thanks mom!). In response, he lifted his arm, patted my cheek a couple times, and said “Well you’re my favorite!”

An apostle of the Lord touched my cheek. And said I’m his favorite. I guess I can now check that off my to-do list…

Incidentally, I had neglected to shave in the morning since I was running late and so was a bit scruffy. No doubt Elder Holland felt the stubble as he patted my cheek.. oops!

I think I’ll have to make sure that my dad has a conflicting business trip during next year’s banquet so I can go again…

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19 comments so far. Care to chime in?

His favorite what? :)

#1 Bored in Vernal | February 9th, 2007 9:10 AM

I think I’m going to buy your mom’s book for my wife :)

#2 Chris | February 9th, 2007 9:32 AM

LOL.

Wash your face, then drink the water.

#3 danithew | February 9th, 2007 9:52 AM

Elder Holland was BYU President when my wife and I were in school
(I know, we’re ancient artifacts). He has become a favorite of ours as well. When my wife was in Paris on Study Abroad, he came through and met with the students. He sat on her bed in her apartment and talked with her. How cool is that? Though I don’t remember her saying anything about being a favorite. I guess you’ve got her there…

#4 David | February 9th, 2007 10:51 AM

Connor

I am also in agreement concerning Elder Holland. He is truly a wonderful man, and a worthy instrument in the hands of the Lord. He is an eloquent speaker, and yet his humility is that of an obedient servant. I congratulate your opportunity to mingle with the Saints. I see now where you obtained much of your ability with this blog site as your mother is quite obviously talented too.

Now that I have extended these warm, and approving comments, I should like to attempt to bribe you in advance of next year. I would pay dearly for an opportunity just to be in the same room with Sister Sheri L. Dew. She is the most incredible woman on the earth, and is still single. She is only a few years younger than I. If you do get to go next year, and she is there, please tell her I would like to spend eternity with her.

#5 Michael L. Mc Kee | February 9th, 2007 2:01 PM

Chris,

Let me know if you’d like to get it autographed.. I have a great connection with the author! ;)

Danithew,

Ew.

David,

From stories I’ve heard, Elder Holland seems to be quite personable and friendly. I’m sure the other General Authorities are as well. I think it’d be hard to be “famous” like that – everybody wants to meet you, yet you’re super busy and have a million other things you could be doing besides taking some time to let people come and “meet and greet”. The fact that Elder Holland stuck around for a while after the event shows what a great person he is.

Michael,

My mom will be doing several speaking engagements with her next year (Time Out for Women) so I’ll have her put in a good word.. ;)

#6 Connor | February 9th, 2007 2:38 PM

The makings of the Connor Boyack dating service…

#7 David | February 9th, 2007 6:28 PM

The makings of the Connor Boyack dating service…

Just so long as I’m my first customer!

#8 Connor | February 9th, 2007 8:14 PM

Lol… don’t you have to stop blogging first? ;) Or, try out my relevancy-based blog-dating algorithm idea?

#9 Carolynn Duncan | February 9th, 2007 9:09 PM

Ok, is it like utterly mo-geek of me to be beyond psyched that such a dinner exisits? (Note that I have plans on presenting a manuscript to DB…) Icing, total icing (really *cool* icing).

And that’s totally sweet of you to go as your mom’s date since your dad couldn’t.

“don’t you have to stop blogging first?”

No! Connor, you don’t have to stop blogging first; you just have to find the right girl who digs your blogging. Rob and I are all about the tandem geekout. Granted, he’s programming and I’m blogging, but still, it works. :)

I, for one, as a reader of your site, am ongoingly baffled by your ongoingly single state. You are, officially, The Most Elegible LDS Bachelor that I know. Maybe next time I’m in Utah, Michelle and I could come by and help out with a little “Married Eye for the Single Guy,” and see if we can’t spot the potential chick-deterrent.

Speaking of Michelle, she and her husband didn’t meet until their mid/late 20′s I believe. So, it might just be part of the plan for you.

#10 Naiah Earhart | February 10th, 2007 8:56 AM

No! Connor, you don’t have to stop blogging first; you just have to find the right girl who digs your blogging.

Amen, sista!

I, for one, as a reader of your site, am ongoingly baffled by your ongoingly single state. You are, officially, The Most Elegible LDS Bachelor that I know.

I’ll use that title on the business cards I’ll be printing out for David’s suggested “Connor Boyack Dating Service”. Talk about a reputable title – “get hooked up by somebody who hasn’t successfully hooked himself up!” :) I’m my longest client!

…and see if we can’t spot the potential chick-deterrent.

My mom says I’m perfect. Guess that means there are no deterrents… :)

#11 Connor | February 10th, 2007 6:56 PM

Connor, marry my sister! :D

I see now where you get your love and skill for writing!

#12 Dustin | February 14th, 2007 6:56 AM

Connor,

One of the things I bought for my wife for Valentine’s is a copy of your mother’s book. Thanks for posting the link.

Rickety

#13 Rickety | February 14th, 2007 7:27 PM

An apostle of the Lord touched my cheek. And said I’m his favorite. I guess I can now check that off my to-do list…

You should use http://www.43things.com/ for your to-do lists. Here’s mine: http://www.43things.com/person/punkgenius

#14 Ryan Byrd | February 18th, 2007 11:39 PM

Ryan,

I prefer Remember the Milk, myself. Syncs with Google Calendar, too.

#15 Connor | February 19th, 2007 3:13 PM

I was big fan of 43things, but someone reported one of my posts as spam and without warning they deleted my account and 2 years worth of posts & comments. I had to email support just to get my username back, but now I don’t use it nearly as much.

#16 Dustin | February 19th, 2007 3:38 PM

Connor,

Remember The Milk is more of a todo list right? I haven’t used it much. 43things is more of a life goal/experience social tracker. I don’t think the two tools can really be compared apples to apples.

#17 Dustin | February 19th, 2007 3:55 PM

Yeah, I didn’t check it out too much before posting the RML link, as Ryan indicated it was a to-do list, so I assumed it was just that. After viewing his list, I see you’re right. It’s more for goals and milestones than specific tasks.

#18 Connor | February 19th, 2007 3:57 PM