SALT LAKE CITY-The 191st semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints commenced from a room at the Church’s Office Building on Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City.

Saturday Priesthood Session

This session was conducted by President Dallin H. Oaks, the First Counselor in the First Presidency. The first speaker in this session was Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.

Elder Cook focused his efforts on the importance of bishops administering to the young men and young women in their wards. Elder Cook exhorted youth to allow bishops to be their friends and counselors.

The next speaker was Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt, the first counselor in the Young Men’s general presidency of the Church.

He advised his listeners against the inherent dangers of pornography.

The next speaker was Elder S. Gifford Nielsen of the Seventy. He reminded his listeners not to become prideful and self-centered but rather to see themselves as they are seen by Father in Heaven.

President Henry B. Eyring, the Second Counselor in the First Presidency then spoke of his experiences as a young priesthood holder in a branch in New Jersey when he was the only deacon.

President Eyring continued his comments by reminding everyone what the Priesthood of God entails, including both the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods.

The next speaker was President Eyring’s colleague in the First Presidency, First Counselor Dallin H. Oaks. President Oaks spoke of the Resurrection of  Christ and how this qualifies us for eternity.

President Oaks concluded his remarks by confirming there are only two genders.

The concluding speaker at this session was Church President Russell M. Nelson who exhorted the Saints to again let God prevail in their lives.

President Nelson testified of the importance of the home in living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He also testified that eventually, present restrictions on gatherings will come to an end. Despite this revelation revealed before the world, President Nelson reminded his listeners that the home will still be of transcendent importance in teaching the Gospel.

Saturday Afternoon

Eleven new Church leaders were announced during this session, conducted by President Henry B. Eyring the Second Counselor in the First Presidency. Eight new general authorities were called: Elder Sean Douglas, Elder Michael A. Dunn, Elder Clark G. Gilbert, Elder Patricio M. Giuffra, Elder Alfred Kyungu, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Elder Carlos G. Revillo Jr.,  and Elder Vaiangina Sikahema.

The new Primary General Presidency was also announced. They are President Sister Camille N. Johnson and her counselors, Sister Susan H. Porter and Sister Amy Wright.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles was the first speaker in this session. He bore his testimony of Easter and how Christ administers unto us.

He was followed by Elder Jorge T. Becerra of the Seventy who spoke of the body of Christ and the “pobrecitios,” the poor little ones in Spanish, who need our assistance.

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles was the next speaker who told of the inequities that exist in the temporal world.

However, Elder Renlund testified that Father in Heaven and Christ will rectify all injustices in this world. This entails not only restoration of that which was lost, he continued, but further light and knowledge will be extended to those who have suffered because of their afflictions.

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles then spoke. He testified of the sanctity of life by denouncing abortion.

Elder Andersen called upon the women of the world to stand up to this iniquitous practice, which is becoming en vogue in this day and age.

Elder Thierry K. Mutombo, a General Authority, was the next speaker. This message was prerecorded from his native Africa.

Elder Mutombo has previously served as a mission president in the Baltimore Maryland Mission. He testified that darkness will not continue because of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles was the concluding speaker for this session. He reached out to those who are feeling lonely or otherwise isolated because of the events of this past year.

Elder Ballard reassured the Saints that the Lord is ever watchful of all, regardless of the circumstances they may be wading through at this particular time.

He spoke particularly of the single members of the Church, saying that he and his fellow Apostles have gathered together in prayer in speaking on this matter.

In this session, it was also revealed that there are now 3,463 stakes of the Church worldwide. There are also 405 missions, 537 districts and 31,136 wards and branches. There are 16,663,663 Church members throughout the world. This includes 65,440 new children of record during 2020 and 125,930 convert baptisms occurred in 2020. There are 51,819 full-time missionaries and 30,527 Church service missionaries.

One temple was dedicated during 2020. This was the Durban South Africa Temple February 16, 2020. 168 temples worldwide are currently in operation in some capacity.

Saturday Morning 

The First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church, President Dallin H. Oaks conducted this session.

The first speaker at this session was Church President Russell M. Nelson. President Nelson exhorted the Saints to remove spiritual debris from their lives by praying to this effect and asking the Holy Ghost for His assistance.

The next speaker was Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles of the Church. He spoke of his early life experiences and how it caused him to reach out to Christ.

He revealed that if repentance occurs, sins do not disqualify mankind from returning to Father in Heaven’s presence. Rather, they can represent a chance to make progress.

Sister Joy D. Jones, the Church’s Primary general president then spoke. She told of the importance of converting children to the Gospel of Jesus Christ before Satan can tempt them.

Sister Jones exhorted the Saints to prepare their children for inevitable confrontations which invariably shall come as life progresses.

Brother Jan E. Newman, the Second Counselor in the Church’s general Stake Presidency then spoke concerning Come Follow Me, the Church’s home-centered Gospel learning program and a supplemental pamphlet entitled “Teaching In The Savior’s Way.”

He spoke about how conversion occurs one drop at a time. This has been the pattern for all of human existence, he confirmed.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles spoke of the fruits of the Spirit and the importance of mental health.

He tailored specific portions of his message to children, youth and adults in the Church.

Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles spoke of his late father, Walter Gong, a professor of natural sciences at San Jose State and Brigham Young University and a famed early-morning Seminary teacher in northern California.

Elder Gong testified that he will see his father again because of the miracle of Easter and Christ’s Atonement.

Elder Gong then covered a series of Gospel topics, such as the importance of singles in the Church and the gift of tongues.

The concluding speaker at the morning session was President Henry B. Eyring, the Second Counselor of the First Presidency.

He spoke of special experiences he has had at the temple and exhorted the Saints to prepare themselves for returning to the Lord’s House.

He concluded his remarks by hoping the Saints will feel the need to return to the temple when this opportunity manifests itself.