SALT LAKE CITY-Sunday, the morning session of General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints commenced at the Conference Center Theater north of Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City.
President Henry B. Eyring, under the direction of Church President Russell M. Nelson, conducted this session.
President Eyring confirmed that with Elder L. Whitney Clayton having been released from the Presidency of the Seventy, Elder Brent H. Nielson has been appointed in his stead.
President Eyring then called for Latter-day Saints throughout the world to sustain this decision.
The first speaker at this session was Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.
He exhorted Latter-day Saints throughout the world to pray for those, following the Savior’s specifications concerning whom and what we should pray for, who are sacrificing their time and talents to make the world a better place.
Elder Ballard then said after Latter-day Saints are done praying, they need to get off of their knees and do what they can to help. He also confirmed that prayer can bring the covid-19 era to cessation.
“Prayer will lift us and draw us together as individuals, as families, as a Church, and as a world. Prayer will influence scientists and help them toward discoveries of vaccines and medications that will end this pandemic.” —President @BallardMRussell #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/LxnQDW05Do
— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 4, 2020
Sister Lisa L. Harkness, the first counselor in the Primary’s general presidency, then spoke. She focused her remarks primarily on increasing faith in Christ.
“Our faith increases as we choose to believe rather than doubt, forgive rather than judge, repent rather than rebel.” —#SisterHarkness #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/yatTpXcs6O
— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 4, 2020
Up next, Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles then spoke. He exhorted Latter-day Saints to cast out impure thoughts. He said this is most effectively done by changing our minds and hearts.
“Seeking Christ in every thought and following Him with all our heart requires that we align our mind and desires with His.” —Elder @Ulisses__Soares #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/Fxsc6uMz1l
— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 4, 2020
Elder Soares admonished Latter-day Saints that fighting temptation is a life-long struggle but in so doing, serious transgressions can be averted. He warned about the dangerous ripple effect of sin if Latter-day Saints should fail to watch themselves.
Elder Carlos A. Godoy of the Seventy then addressed the congregation. His remarks were primarily focused upon the impact of angels on this side of the veil.
Elder Godoy encouraged Latter-day Saints to always put for their best efforts to keep trying in their lives.
“When it comes to your happiness and salvation, it is always worth the effort to keep trying.” ––#ElderGodoy #GeneralConference
— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 4, 2020
Elder Neil L. Andersen of The Quorum of Twelve Apostles then spoke on the importance of remaining loyal to Christ.
Having previously served as a mission president in the France Bordeaux Mission, Elder Andersen spoke of how European nations are drastically departing from previous beliefs in Christ. He cautioned that the United States of America should take precautions to not fall into the same trap.
Elder Andersen said, in this vein of thought, that Latter-day Saints, as well as all other Christians, should do what they can to profess the name of Christ and share the Gospel with others.
“You and I are all speaking of Jesus Christ, but maybe we can do a little better. If the world is going to speak less of Him, who is going to speak more of Him? We are! Along with other devoted Christians!” —Elder @AndersenNeilL #GeneralConference
— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 4, 2020
Elder Andersen exhorted Latter-day Saints to remember that it is more important to be Christ’s followers than to be liked by followers on social media.
The concluding speaker during the Sunday morning session was President Nelson who spoke of the etmyology of the term “Israel.”
“Israel,” of course, as President Nelson explained, means “May God prevail” from the Hebraic.
In this vein of thought, he continued, we can choose to let God prevail in our lives or we can let the opposite be true.
President Nelson made it clear, as his thoughts continued, that the color of one’s skin does not matter to Father in Heaven. Rather, he said, He cares more about people’s faithfulness to His covenants.
“God does not love one race more than another. His doctrine on this matter is clear. He invites all to come unto Him, ‘black and white, bond and free, male and female' (2 Nephi 26:33).” —President @NelsonRussellM #GeneralConference
— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 4, 2020
President Nelson further admonished the Latter-day Saints to abhor and eschew racism in progressing forward.
In conclusion President Nelson challenged Latter-day Saints over the course of the next six months to look in the Scriptures for all the promises the Lord has made to covenant Israel.
In so doing, he promised, the Latter-day Saints will be astounded at the things that shall be discovered.
