SALT LAKE CITY-Saturday, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reconvened its semiannual General Conference, the 193rd such installment, at the Conference Center at Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City.
Saturday Evening Session
President Dallin H. Oaks, the First Counselor in The First Presidency, conducted this session.
The first speaker of this session was Elder Mark A. Bragg of the Seventy. Perhaps with an allusion to the ongoing Final Four of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, he mentioned his father, Don Bragg, was a Hall of Fame guard for legendary head coach John Wooden at UCLA in the 1950s.
In using a sports metaphor, Elder Bragg stated Christ “kept His poise” when faced with adverse situations, such as enduring arrest after suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane hours before His death.
He cited numerous examples wherein Christ exemplified “Christlike poise” and stated his example is what we should follow to be successful in our daily lives.
The next speaker was Brother Milton Camargo, the first counselor in the Church’s General Sunday School Presidency.
He spoke of how we must focus on Christ throughout the week. It is not just a Sunday activity to do so.
Brother Camargo promised that if parents will feast on the doctrine of Christ, their children will come to know the Savior as never before.
Elder K. Brent Nattress of the Seventy then addressed the conference. Elder Nattress spoke of previous instances wherein he has known of those who have overcome addiction and other problems because of a belief that Christ’s Atonement can redeem them.
Elder Juan A. Uceda of the Seventy then spoke. He shared numerous examples of Christ’s parables in the New Testament and likened them to his audience. This is apt in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this week as the Come Follow Me curriculum is primarily about parables.
Elder Uceda’s remarks concluded the evening session.
The conference shall reconvene for two sessions Sunday.
Saturday Afternoon Session
This session was conducted by President Henry B. Eyring, the Second Counselor in The First Presidency of the Church. President Dallin H. Oaks, the First Counselor in The First Presidency, then announced the sustaining of 61 new general authorities that were officially called in a meeting this past Thursday morning. Pres. Oaks also announced the release of the Young Women’s General Presidency, Sister Bonnie H. Cordon as president, Sister Michelle Craig as first counselor and Rebecca Craven as second counselor.
The new Young Women’s General Presidency is Sister Emily B. Freeman as president, Tamara W. Runia as first counselor and Andrea Muñoz Spannaus as second counselor.
Five new General Authorities were called: Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, Elder Robert M. Daines, Elder J. Kimo Esplin, Elder Christophe G. Giraud-Carrier and Elder Alan T. Phillips.
Because Elder Corbitt had previously been serving in the Church’s Young Men’s General Presidency, this caused that organization to have its leadership changed as well.
Elder Corbitt was released as First Counselor in the Young Men’s General Presidency. Bro. Bradley R. Wilcox shifted from Second Counselor to First Counselor and Bro. Michael T. Nelson was called as Second Counselor.
The first speaker at this session was Elder Dale G. Renlund of The Quorum of Twelve Apostles who spoke of the importance of not taking the name of the Lord in vain. This, he clarified, consists of those who purport to be Christ’s disciples but do not represent Him well.
Elder Renlund then gave an Apostolic promise to Latter-day Saints who make the temple a priority. If they do so, he said, they shall be empowered to combat the adversary.
The next speaker was Elder Peter F. Meurs of the Seventy who spoke of a terrible car accident he had caused in his native Australia, resulting in the injury of his wife and infant son.
He gave his son a Priesthood blessing and both he and Elder Meurs’ wife were sufficiently healed after receiving treatment at the hospital.
Elder Meurs testified of the universality and efficacy of Christ’s Atonement as he concluded his remarks.
He was followed by Elder Randall K. Bennett of the Seventy who spoke of the importance of patriarchal blessings and how he felt when he received his own patriarchal blessing as a young man.
Elder Bennett concluded his remarks by testifying that President Nelson is the Lord’s prophet on the earth today.
The next speaker was Elder Craig C. Christensen of the Seventy who spoke of the importance of joy. He then cited several examples from key figures of the Book of Mormon who were able to find joy and therefore become elevated from their circumstances.
Elder Christensen also confirmed that complacency diminishes joy.
Elder Christensen stated it is our Father in Heaven’s desire that we share in His joy. He concluded his remarks by confirming Christ is the Savior of the world.
Elder Evan A. Schmutz of the Seventy then spoke of trusting the doctrine of Christ. This, he says, will cause us to more fully trust Christ.
Elder Schmutz then exhorted his listeners to make prayer more of a priority in their lives each day.
The next speaker was Elder Benjamín De Hoyos of the Seventy who spoke of the events that occurred at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple April 3, 1836 at Kirtland, Ohio.
This is how many key components of the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ began to be set in motion.
Elder De Hoyos also spoke of the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple in 1893 and how then-Church president, Wilford Woodruff, instructed the Latter-day Saints to do their genealogy work so they could go to the temple and perform sacred ordinances for them vicariously.
The concluding speaker at this session was Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of The Quorum of Twelve Apostles. He exhorted his listeners, parents and children alike, to help one another along the covenant path.
Elder Uchtdorf stated parents can be successful in their responsibilities if they rely upon Christ to shepherd them through their daily lives.
Elder Uchtdorf, in concluding his remarks, also lauded the efforts of single adults who mentor youth and children, saying their service is joyous in the Lord’s eyes.
Saturday Morning Session
The session was conducted by President Dallin H. Oaks, the First Counselor in The First Presidency of the Church. He confirmed Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of The Quorum of Twelve Apostles could not attend this conference because he has COVID.
The first speaker was Elder Gary E. Stevenson of The Quorum of Twelve Apostles, who spoke of the importance of Easter. He confirmed there is no Christianity if there is no Easter. He exhorted the Latter-day Saints worldwide to commemorate Easter Sunday April 9. In the Church, only Sacrament meetings will occur. There will be no second hour. The purpose of this is to worship Christ more fully at home that day.
The next speaker was Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, the General Young Women’s president of the Church. She mentioned her father’s counsel that she should never let an opportunity pass away without testifying of Christ.
She was followed by Elder Carl B. Cook of the Seventy who spoke of his previous experiences with Apostles and of the faithfulness of Book of Mormon protagonist Zoram, who joined Nephi and his brothers in the wilderness before going to the promised land.
The next speaker was Elder Gerrit W. Gong of The Quorum of Twelve Apostles who spoke of the importance of ministering and moral cleanliness. He also shared his experiences with Latter-day Saints throughout the world as he has fulfilled his calling.
The next speaker was Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. He spoke of how the Church has grown among the islands of the sea. Elder Cook has previously served three missions to various islands in the world during his service.
Elder Cook also spoke of the importance of the Old Testament prophet Abraham, the Abrahamic Covenant and of the gathering of Israel.
Elder Cook reiterated the gathering of Israel is the most important work in this day: a message previously shared by Church President Russell M. Nelson.
Elder Allen D. Haynie of the Seventy then spoke of the importance of listening to all prophetic counsel. He cautioned the Latter-day Saints of their potential nature to pick and choose which prophetic instruction to listen to and which to ignore.
The concluding speaker in this session was President Henry B. Eyring, the Second Counselor of The First Presidency, who spoke of personal peace.
President Eyring said that while the faithful often pray for this, the adversary is working diligently to prevent Latter-day Saints, and others, from obtaining personal peace.
He also said that Father in Heaven counteracts this with giving numerous signs of optimism, such as newborn babies.
Pres. Eyring concluded his remarks by confirming there will ultimately be peace on earth during Christ’s Millennial Reign of 1,000 years, spoken of by numerous prophets in both ancient and modern times.
