SALT LAKE CITY-Sunday morning, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reconvened in its Sunday portion of the 192nd semiannual General Conference.
This session was conducted by President Dallin H. Oaks of The First Presidency of the Church.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of The Quorum of Twelve Apostles was the first speaker, telling of the trials and travails of Old Testament protagonist Job.
Elder Christofferson also spoke of the dangers of placing God’s purposes on a mortal timetable. He further cautioned that there is “no cosmic vending machine.”
Elder Christofferson also cited several other Scriptural examples, Abraham, Joseph in Egypt, the virgins who were slain by Elkenah before Abraham was spared and the righteous residents of Ammonihah who were burned in the Book of Mormon, all of whom had diverse roles to play either in being spared or martyred according to the will of the Lord.
If we trust God, Elder Christofferson continued, things will work out for us just as He planned. He exhorted his listeners to not be angry at God when adversity arises, but rather draw closer to Him.
The next speaker was Sister Amy Wright, who has been newly called as the second counselor in the Primary General Presidency.
She shared the story of Christ’s dealings with the woman taken in adultery as well as Christ’s parable of The Prodigal Son.
Sister Wright later told the story of Peter’s healing of the beggar as recorded in Acts. While Peter lacked monetary compensation for the beggar, he gave him the gift of walking by performing a miracle in Christ’s name.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson of The Quorum of Twelve Apostles then spoke, telling of the importance of missionary work. He cited several creative examples of how we can do missionary work.
The next speaker was Elder Michael T. Ringwood, a General Authority Seventy, who testified that the Lord has a plan for all of us.
Following an intermediate hymn, Elder Ronald A. Rasband of The Quorum of Twelve Apostles spoke of the need to sustain and defend religious freedom.
Elder Rasband said it is contingent upon the Saints to not only ardently advocate for their right to worship but to also do the same for adherents of other faiths.
The next speaker was Elder Hugo E. Martinez, a General Authority Seventy who is currently the second counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency.
Elder Martinez spoke of the importance of self-reliance. He confirmed there is a parallel between self-reliance and the progression and development of children.
To prove his point, he spoke of the example of his granddaughter, Miranda, who dutifully attends early-morning seminary classes.
In so doing, she has blossomed in many respects, per Elder Martinez.
The concluding speaker for the Sunday morning session was Church President Russell M. Nelson.
He commenced his remarks by invoking the existent calamity in Ukraine and cited the Russians and Ukrainians for their sufferings.
He hoped that the Saints would continually fast and pray that there be a respite from this calamity in eastern Europe.
He continued by saying the Saints need to suppress all the existent calamities in their hearts.
Pres. Nelson also cited his experiences watching a basketball game and how a team used momentum to win the game.
He encouraged the Saints to bolster their spiritual momentum by doing the following:
- Stay, or if applicable, get on the covenant path
- Repent often
- Fail to fall prey to Satan
- Expect miracles
- End conflict
As pertaining to his fifth point, Pres. Nelson encouraged the Saints to do so by Easter Sunday, which is in two weeks time.
Pres. Nelson confirmed it is an effective way to show appreciation for Christ’s Atonement.
The Sunday afternoon session commenced with President Henry B. Eyring of The First Presidency presiding.
The first speaker of this session was President Dallin H. Oaks, also of The First Presidency.
He shared many basic tenets of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, such as the three degrees of glory, the two great commandments and temple work.
He continued his comments by stating there are only two genders and decisively spoke of Family: A Proclamation To the World.
He called upon the Saints to defend truth and love their neighbors as themselves as he concluded his remarks.
The next speaker was Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran, a General Authority Seventy of the Church.
He cited Pres. Nelson’s remarks from April 2018 concerning the importance of gaining personal revelation each day.
He also mentioned the importance of partaking of the Sacrament worthily each week.
The next speaker was Elder Jorg Klebingat of the First Quorum of the Seventy. The native of Zweibrucken, Germany extolled faithfulness over fear during his remarks.
He lauded the need to respect those who are faithful to a religion that differs from our own.
Elder Mark L. Pace, the general Sunday School president of the Church, then spoke of the value of Come Follow Me and how it has revolutionized gospel study in the home and at Church.
The next speaker was Elder Ulisses Soares of The Quorum of Twelve Apostles. He spoke of the importance of avoiding complacency. In echoing Pres. Oaks’ sentiments, he also alluded to the two great commandments during his remarks.
Elder Soares was followed by Elder Randy D. Funk of the First Quorum of Seventy.
The prevalent theme in his remarks was coming unto the fold of God.
Next to address the conference was Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of The Quorum of Twelve Apostles.
He spoke of the widow who gave her mite. This represented all of her living.
Elder Uchtdorf reminded his audience that the Lord looks upon donations in regard to how they affect the donor as opposed to the monetary value they may contribute.
Elder Uchtdorf continued, saying that the Lord requires our whole souls as an offering unto Him.
Pres. Nelson then gave another address to conclude the conference.
Pres. Nelson also requested that the Saints ensue in their attempts to have positive spiritual momentum in their lives.
This prefaced his announcement of 17 new temples. They are as follows:
- Wellington, New Zealand
- Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
- Barcelona, Spain
- Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Cusco, Peru
- Maceio, Brazil
- Santos, Brazil
- San Luis Potosi, Mexico
- Mexico City Benemerito, Mexico
- Tampa, Fla.
- Knoxville, Tenn.
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Wichita, Kan.
- Austin, Texas
- Missoula, Mont.
- Montpelier, Idaho
- Modesto, Calif.
This concludes the General Conference for April 2022.
