SALT LAKE CITY-Because of COVID-19, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints conducted its semi-annual general conference at a small auditorium at Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City.
This room is located in the Church Office Building tower east of the Salt Lake Temple.
Social distancing regulations were kept meticulously as each of the speakers were at least six feet away from each other as they spoke in the empty auditorium.
Only those speaking or praying at each session were allowed to attend.
Sunday Afternoon Session
SALT LAKE CITY-President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency conducted this session of the general conference. This concludes the proceedings for the next six months.
The first speaker during this session was President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency. He spoke of Father in Heaven’s plan, otherwise known as the Great Plan of Happiness, the Plan of Redemption or the Plan of Salvation in Church parlance. This consisted of how we, as spiritual children of Father in Heaven, made the commitment to follow Him as we came to the temporal world.
President Oaks reiterated that Father in Heaven’s greatest hope is that we can all return to His presence and progress as He requests of us.
President Oaks spoke of how Christ’s Atonement gives everyone a chance to repent of their sins. Furthermore, this Atonement encapsulates how Christ can take upon Himself all human sufferings and infirmities. Should we remain true and faithful through mortality, he continued, we are assured that our progression will not stop at the grave.
As he continued his remarks, President Oaks spoke of the importance of keeping the law of chastity and that the work for the dead must not be squelched. This is why temples are continually built across the world, he stated.
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles was the next to address this global assembly. He, interestingly, spoke of revelation he received when Elder Jeffrey R. Holland was called to the holy Apostleship. Elder Cook continued by saying that it is by Christ’s design plan concerning the order of how Apostles are called to this sacred calling.
When explaining how revelation can be received, Elder Cook confirmed that we must pray humbly that Father in Heaven should grant this gift unto us. This is combined with being proactive and doing all we can to search this revelation for ourselves. Finally, Elder Cook reminded the Saints that for this to be done, they must perpetually partake of the Sacrament worthily.
The next speaker was Elder Ricardo P. Gimenez, a General Authority Seventy. The Chilean national spoke of suffering being a universal dynamic. However, how we respond to it is personal, confirming that we have the ability to control our attitudes, to our enhancement or detriment.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles then spoke. He instructed the Saints on how Christ suffered for all mankind so that we would have a chance to repent of our sins.
Elder Uchtdorf spoke of God’s impartiality as He does not care about your title or position at a job, your net worth, or Instagram followers you may have.
Elder Uchtdorf closed his remarks by saying that no one wants a heavenly micro-manager so it is in our best interests that He does not interfere in every small detail of our lives.
Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy spoke of how we can enhance our homes, following in the footsteps of Church president Russell M. Nelson who has given similar talks to this at past conferences.
Elder Clayton exhorted the Saints to follow the pattern of the Salt Lake Temple’s renovation and taking time to evaluate our own “spiritual seismic engineering.” This is to ensure things are up to date.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles then addressed the conference. He spoke of the Restoration being for all the world and greatly emphasized the Book of Mormon during his remarks.
Elder Christofferson also said that members of the Church must liberally use the Book of Mormon if they are to share the Gospel of Christ with friends, acquaintances and associates.
The concluding speaker at this conference was Church President Russell M. Nelson. He promises decreased fear and increased faith for the faithful. President Nelson also reiterated the importance of the fast he has declared for Friday to combat COVID-19.
President Nelson quoted excerpts from then-Church President Wilford Woodruff’s dedicatory prayer for the Salt Lake Temple in 1893 which exhorts the Saints to “look toward the temple” even when temples cannot be entered into as present circumstances necessitate.
President Nelson then declared eight new temples to be constructed. They are in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, Tallahassee, Florida, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Benin City, Nigeria, Syracuse, New York, Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Shanghai, China.
Although China is a communist state, construction for the temple has been allowed to occur. In alluding to the Church’s 12th Article of Faith, President Nelson said the Church teaches to “honor, obey and sustain the law.”
Because the Church respects the law of the land, President Nelson continued, no missionaries will be sent there to proselyte. President Nelson also confirmed that in Shanghai, expatriates and Chinese congregations will continue to meet separately. The Church’s legal status in China remains unchanged. The Shanghai Temple will be a modest multipurpose meeting place.
President Nelson further clarified, “In an initial phase of facility use, entry will be by appointment only.” The Shanghai Temple will be off-limits to tourists, President Nelson confirmed.
In closing, President Nelson granted an Apostolic blessing upon the Saints. He granted the membership of the Church, peace and understanding and a respite from illness for those who are sick should the Lord will such to occur.
Sunday Morning Session
SALT LAKE CITY-President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency conducted this session of the general conference. President Oaks expressed his hopes that the Saints, and all others in the audience, would be strengthened by hearing these messages.
The first speaker at this session was Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. He spoke of the importance of what occurred at the Sacred Grove concerning the First Vision. Elder Rasband also spoke of how the ancient prophecies of Old Testament prophet Daniel are currently being fulfilled.
Elder Rasband talked about how he wanted to serve a mission in Germany as his father did many years prior. However, he received his call to the Eastern States Mission, centered in New York City and he did well there in the Lord’s service, he confirmed.
Incidentally, Elder Rasband would later go on to serve as a mission president in the New York New York North Mission prior to his calling as a general authority.
Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, the Young Women’s general president of the Church, spoke of experiences that she had with the late Apostle Elder L. Tom Perry. Sister Cordon and Elder Perry were looking for chickens in a chicken coop on her family’s property.
Elder Perry could not see the way to the chicken coop because he was not in the light’s path. Therefore, she taught, we need to let our light shine so that others can benefit therefrom.
The next speaker was Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles who spoke further of the Restoration of the Gospel of Christ.
Elder Holland also expounded particularly upon the power of sealings performed in the temple for time and all eternity.
Elder Holland further taught of the significance of hope, exhorting the Saints: “we can hope. We should hope-even against the most insurmountable odds.” Hope galvanizes us against the evil of the world as well as falsehoods that have emerged, he continued.
Elder Holland concluded his remarks by exhorting Church members and others participating in the conference to continually press forward, alluding to 2 Nephi 31 in the Book of Mormon.
The next speaker was Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles who spoke of how the First Vision confirmed that the Godhead was the proper designation for God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. This varies greatly from the concept of the Trinity decreed at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD.
This led to what is called the Nicene Creed. Subsequent experiences for the prophet Joseph Smith resulted in further light and knowledge returning to the earth as the Lord taught him incrementally.
Elder Bednar talked of how the term “heart” occurs 1,000 times in the Scriptures and how temple ordinances help sanctify the hearts of those performing and participating in the sacred ordinances therein.
Elder Bednar continued by saying the Lord works from the inside out to change people. This is counter-intuitive to the ways of the world, he confirmed.
Elder Bednar, in speaking more upon temples, confirmed that the ordinances and covenants entered into in the temple transcend the outward appearance of the building.
In further remarks concerning temples, Elder Bednar predicts that within the next 15 years, the amount of languages the endowment is available in will double.
Elder Bednar concluded his statements by saying “this latter-day work will destroy the powers of darkness.”
President Russell M. Nelson, the president of the Church then addressed the conference, serving as the last speaker during this session.
President Nelson asked the rhetorical question “what does the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ mean?”
He answered by saying that it gives people the chance to be with their families for time and all eternity and to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, among other things.
President Nelson then said the best way to navigate through these uncertain times in the world is to “hear Him,” meaning Jesus Christ.
We must intentionally seek Christ out, President Nelson says. President Nelson further continued by saying that as soon as the temporary COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, the Saints must return to the temple as swiftly as possible.
While the temples are currently out of commission, President Nelson encouraged the members of the Church to engage in family history.
President Nelson then adroitly set the stage for the sixth proclamation to the world as confirmed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This proclamation is entitled: The Restoration of the Fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation To the World. President Nelson was seen reading this document from the Sacred Grove during a prerecorded segment.
This is the first proclamation issued by the Salt Lake City-based faith since then-President Gordon B. Hinckley issued Family: A Proclamation To the World in 1995.
President Nelson confirmed that this document will be available immediately on the Church’s Web site and exhorts the Saints to study this proclamation extensively both with family and friends and during personal study time.
President Nelson then led the Saints in the global assembly in the traditional solemn Hosanna shout. This is only performed during special occasions.
