SALT LAKE CITY-Saturday afternoon, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints conducted its second session of the semiannual general conference at the Conference Center at Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City.

Conducting this session was President Dallin H. Oaks, the second counselor in The First Presidency of the Church.

President Henry B. Eyring, the second counselor in The First Presidency confirmed the release of the following general authorities, who were granted emeritus status.

Elder Weatherford T. Clayton

Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr.

Elder Randy D. Funk

Elder Christoffel Golden

Elder Walter F. Gonzalez

Elder Larry S. Kacher

Elder Lynn G. Robbins

Elder Joseph W. Sitati

The first speaker of this session was the acting president of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, Elder M. Russell Ballard. He recounted the 175th anniversary of the pioneers arriving in the Salt Lake Valley which occurred this past July.

The next speaker was Sister Kristin M. Yee, the second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency. She spoke of the importance of forgiveness.

The next speaker was Elder Paul V. Johnson of the Seventy. He spoke of a blood deficiency suffered by his grandson, Aaron. Aaron’s brother was the perfect blood type and could therefore help his brother live.

He made the connection of this being an apt metaphor for how Christ’s Atonement works in our lives.

The next speaker was Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. He spoke of the importance of the full partnership between woman and man both in mortality and throughout the eternities.

The next speaker was Elder James W. McConkie III of the Seventy. He cited his previous missions as a missionary among the Czechs and Slovaks and shared his testimony of Christ’s miracles as performed in The New Testament.

The next speaker was Elder Jorge F. Zeballos of the Seventy. He spoke of the dangers of spiritual earthquakes and exhorted the Saints to make their testimonies resistant to such things.

To conclude this session, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of The Quorum of Twelve Apostles spoke. He denounced the danger of political tribalism and racism in the Church and said such things should be done away with.