SALT LAKE CITY-Sunday, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints concluded its 193rd semiannual General Conference at The Conference Center at Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City.

Sunday Afternoon Session

President Henry B. Eyring, the Second Counselor in The First Presidency of the Church conducted this session.

The first speaker at this session is President Dallin H. Oaks, the First Counselor in The First Presidency of the Church. He succinctly declared during his remarks, “we [members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] believe in Christ.”

President Oaks quoted many of Christ’s teachings from the New Testament during his remarks and concluded again by stating that Latter-day Saints are Christians as they believe in Christ.

The next speaker was President M. Russell Ballard, the acting president of The Quorum of Twelve Apostles. He stated that our relationship with Christ and family members are what matters most in this life.

Additionally, President Ballard stated the importance of following the promptings of the Holy Ghost to direct our lives.

Other important things “that matter most,” President Ballard said, include serving the Lord and bearing testimony of Him.

President Ballard also stated that during fast and testimony meetings in the Church, the Latter-day Saints should state more concerning “I know” and “I believe” as opposed to “I love” and “I am thankful for.”

The next speaker was Elder Ronald A. Rasband of The Quorum of Twelve Apostles who called the Holy Week, the most important week in human history.

He then spoke of his previous experiences in Ghana on Palm Sunday when he divided a stake there and how touched he was by the Ghanaian members of the Church. They later waved palms to commemorate Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Elder Rasband then spoke of The Ten Virgins and those who were rejected by the Bridegroom (Christ) when they approached His presence.

Elder Rasband then encouraged his listeners to ensure that we have sufficient oil to meet the Bridegroom at the appointed time.

Elder Vern P. Stanfill of the Seventy then spoke of the danger of becoming preoccupied with perfectionism. He declared “perfectionism is not the same as perfection in Christ.”

Elder Stanfill also exhorted his listeners to seek to be proactive in fulfilling Father in Heaven’s will. In so doing, He will reward our best efforts and galvanize us if we may have fallen short of expectations.

Elder Stanfill also confirmed that through the efforts of the willing and faithful, the Lord can bring about miracles.

Elder W. Mark Bassett of the Seventy then spoke, saying that the “fourth day,” that which is after the period per Jewish tradition for life to be restored, will always come but on Father in Heaven’s timetable as opposed to our own.

Elder Bassett also stated that Christ’s methodology is to have His disciples do all things that they are fully capable of doing. This truth has played out in ancient and modern eras many times.

The next speaker was Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, a newly called Seventy as of the results of the Saturday afternoon session of this conference.

Elder Corbitt testified of the importance of Christ’s Atonement as without a sinless One atoning for the sins of mankind, the dead could never rise again or return to their Father in Heaven’s presence.

When instructing children, Elder Corbitt also advised parents/guardians/leaders to steer clear from activism in any of its forms. Rather, he stated, parents/guardians/leaders should guide children to Christ to resolve their concerns.

The next speaker was Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles who spoke of the Old Testament prophet Enoch who felt unqualified to be a prophet after being called by Jehovah.

Elder Bednar then said that the Lord made Enoch equal to the task that was assigned unto him.

Elder Bednar then spoke of the importance of the Latter-day Saints partaking worthily of the Sacrament each week.

He then gave an Apostolic promise that those who walk in the meekness of the Lord’s Spirit shall be empowered to do whatsoever He may ask of them.

Church President Russell M. Nelson was the concluding speaker at this session. He again stressed the importance of Easter, stating that without Easter, there is no Christmas.

President Nelson then stressed the importance of temples as he has many times in his remarks at previous General Conferences and declared temples in the following locations:

Retalhuleu, Guatemala

Iquitos, Peru

Teresina, Brazil

Natal, Brazil

Tuguegarao City, Philippines

Iloilo, Philippines

Jakarta, Indonesia

Hamburg, Germany

Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada

San Jose, California

Bakersfield, California

Springfield, Missouri

Winchester, Virginia

Charlotte, North Carolina

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Sunday Morning Session

President Dallin H. Oaks, the First Counselor in The First Presidency of the Church, is conducting this session. Pres. Oaks reminded his audience that this is Palm Sunday: the day in Christian tradition where Christ fulfilled the prophecy of Old Testament prophet Zechariah and triumphantly entered into Jerusalem.

The first speaker of this session is Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. He spoke of the importance of the Holy Week, especially concerning Christ’s suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and subsequent crucifixion.

He also exhorted his audience to avoid contention, citing this as a pratfall of the Latter-day Saints in the early days of the Restoration in Missouri.

Because Christ was tested as mortals are, he continued, he can help us in overcoming the travails of this world.

Elder Christofferson spoke of former Church general authority B.H. Roberts who became at odds with his brethren because of contention.

Elder Christofferson said debate is acceptable but it must never be done in the spirit of contention or anger.

The next speaker was Sister Camille N. Johnson, the Relief Society general president of the Church. She began her remarks by speaking of the man afflicted with palsy whom was healed by the Savior.

Sister Johnson stated Christ’s Atonement offers relief and often uses His disciples on the earth to administer relief to those who are afflicted.

The next speaker was Elder Ulisses Soares of The Quorum of Twelve Apostles. He spoke of the significance of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday on a donkey. In Jewish tradition, the donkey is a symbol of royalty.

Elder Soares also exhorted his listeners to quell personal conflict in their hearts and daily lives.

The next speaker was Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita of the Seventy. He spoke of the importance of patriarchal blessings during his remarks.

He called patriarchal blessings a special gift from a loving Father in Heaven and bore his testimony of the Savior as he concluded his remarks.

The next speaker was Elder Neil L. Andersen of The Quorum of Twelve Apostles who spoke of the experiences of Alma the Younger, a key figure in the Book of Mormon who repented upon converting to Christ while in a comatose state.

Elder Andersen then said “all of our thoughts are circumscribed in His (Christ’s) love, His sacrifice and His glorious resurrection.”

Elder Andersen also said that Latter-day Saints calling the Church its proper name “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” causes the faithful to say Christ’s name more earnestly.

Elder Kevin R. Duncan of the Seventy then spoke of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the spring of 1820 and how the Restoration is continually ongoing in this day and age.

Elder Duncan also stated that as temples continue to be built throughout the world, the adversary’s power weakens. He also confirmed the Kirtland Temple, the first temple of this dispensation, was dedicated on Palm Sunday, April 3, 1836.

The concluding speaker at this session was Church President Russell M. Nelson. He condemned the vitriol and anger that is prevalent in this society, especially when there are differences in opinion.

President Nelson said “one of the best ways to honor the Savior is to become a peacemaker.”

President Nelson continued, saying “charity is the antidote to contention.” He exhorted the world to be more charitable in their interactions one with another during his remarks.

President Nelson also confirmed the desire to gather Israel cannot coexist with clinging unto bitterness.