SALT LAKE CITY-Saturday afternoon, the second session of General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints commenced with the calling of Elder Dean M. Davies as a General Authority for the Salt Lake City-based faith.
This was done by President Henry B. Eyring, the Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Elder Davies has served as a counselor in the presiding bishopric of the Church since 2012.
New Area Seventies are 49-year-old Laurian P. Balilemwa of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 61-year-old Jonathon W. Bunker of Las Vegas, Nev., 47-year-old Enrique R. Mayorga of Otavalo, Ecuador and 38-year-old Konstantin Tolomeev of Anapa, Russia.
General authorities released include Elder L. Whitney Clayton, Enrique R. Falabella and Richard J. Maynes. President Eyring confirmed these brethren will now obtain general authority emeritus status.
Area Seventies released include Ruben Acosta, Rene R. Alba, Alberto A. Alvarez, Vladimir N. Astashov, Jose Batalla, Bradford C. Bowen, Sergio Luis Carboni, Armando Carreon, S. Marc Clay Jr., Z. Dominique Dekaye, Osvaldo R. Dias, Michael M. Dudley, Mark P. Durham, E. Xavier Espinoza, James E. Evanson, Paschoal F. Fortunato, Sam M. Galvez, Patricio M. Giuffra, Leonard D. Greer, Daniel P. Hall, Toru Hayashi, Paul F. Hintze, Adolf J. Johansson, Wisit Khanakam, Seung Hoon Koo, Pedro X. Larreal, Johnny L. Leota, Jose E. Maravilla, Joel Martinez, Joaquim J. Moreira, Isaac K. Morrison, Eduardo A. Norambuena, Ferdinand P. Pangan, Jairus C. Perez, Steven M. Petersen, Jay D. Pimentel, Edvaldo B. Pinto Jr., Alexey V. Samaykin, K. David Scott, Rulon F. Stacey, Karl M. Tilleman, William R. Titera, Carlos R. Toledo, Cesar E. Villar, David T. Warner, Gary K. Wilde and William B. Woahn.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles then spoke of how even societies who do not profess a belief in Christ are permeated by the light of Christ when they are honest and law-abiding in their doings.
Summary, quotes, facts. https://t.co/D2H3v77EKp #ElderChristofferson #GeneralConference
— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 3, 2020
Brother Steven J. Lund, the young men’s general president of the Church then spoke of the importance of partaking of the Sacrament.
Incidentally, as of October 11, based on governmental regulations in respective areas, this privilege will be more accessible to Latter-day Saints than it has been in many months. The Church made this declaration September 11.
Elder Gerrit W. Gong, speaking in prerecorded comments because of being exposed to covid-19, spoke of the global influence the Church is continually obtaining. Elder Gong primarily spoke of how The Friend, For the Strength of Youth and the Liahona, Church magazines, will become increasingly available in all languages around the world.
Elder Gong also spoke about how divine assistance is essential in ensuring the world becomes a better place for all.
“We need God’s help to create lasting justice, equality, fairness and peace in our homes and communities.” #ElderGong | #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/rNPGuIEYK8
— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 3, 2020
Next, addressing the general conference was Brother W. Christopher Waddell of the Church’s Presiding Bishopric who spoke of the importance of being ready for challenging times.
“From the beginning of time, the Lord has provided direction to help His people prepare spiritually and temporally against the calamities that He knows will come as part of this mortal experience.” —#BishopWaddell #GeneralConference
— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 3, 2020
Elder Matthew S. Holland, the son of Quorum of Twelve Apostles member, Jeffrey R. Holland, then spoke.
"We must never forget that the very purpose of repentance is to take certain misery and transform it into pure bliss.” —#ElderHolland #GeneralConference
— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 3, 2020
Elder Matthew S. Holland also said that it is a false doctrine taught by the adversary that those who suffer do so because they are wicked.
Elder William K. Jackson then spoke, telling of the “culture of Christ” and what this entails in enhancing the world in which we now live. We are exhorted to bring all that is good from our previous lives and to let the Church add to it via the culture of Christ.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, then addressed the conference, becoming the concluding speaker in this session.
Elder Uchtdorf, confirmed the righteous are not absolved from adversity because of their righteousness and that despite covid-19 being something no one wanted or expected, the Lord was prepared for such a time as this.
“The righteous are not given a free pass that allows them to avoid the valleys of shadow. We all must walk through difficult times, for it is in these times of adversity that we learn principles that fortify our characters.” #ElderUchtdorf | #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/TicKiBX6XJ
— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 3, 2020
The optimistic Elder Uchtdorf also cast a propitious eye toward the future.
“We will endure [COVID-19], yes. But we will do more than simply grit our teeth, hold on, and wait for things to return to the old normal. We will move forward, and we will be better as a result.” —Elder @UchtdorfDF #GeneralConference
— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 3, 2020
