SALT LAKE CITY — Life changes made possible through receiving and living one’s testimony of the gospel was a theme during the Sunday afternoon session of the 187th General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Speaking at the church’s Conference Center auditorium and broadcast to members throughout the world Sunday, April 2, general authorities guided members to study and live key aspects of teachings.

RELATED: LDS leaders emphasize basic principles at General Conference morning session

A convert to the church, Elder Joaquin E. Costa, of the Seventy, told of his progress toward baptism and the example of his wife in leading him to the church.

He said he at first studied the gospel without repenting.

“I realized now, I had expected to receive revelation without paying the price,” Costa said. “Before that moment, I had seen repentance as something negative.”

RELATED: LDS Church announces five new temples including two in Utah, Idaho

Costa said his life changed when he humbled himself and prayed for forgiveness. He said every decision in his life since then was influenced by those actions.

“From the depths of my soul, I say go and be baptized,” he said to church investigators listening to conference. “It will not only change your life, but the lives of your children.”

A former mission president, Elder S. Mark Palmer, of the Quorum of the Seventy, spoke of how his ability to lead missionaries changed when he understood better the type of love Jesus Christ has for others.

Palmer said when he understood that Christ worked to behold others, he started to do the same.

“I greeted each missionary one by one. I would pause and look deeply into their eyes, beholding them an interview without words, and then without fail, I was filled with great love for those precious sons and daughters of God,” Palmer said.

April 2017 General Conference Day 1 recap

Acceptance, self improvement emphasized at General Conference session

LDS Church announces new leadership for the Relief Society

Humility, kindness throughout message of priesthood session

Palmer also outlined some ideas about love he’s learned from his study of Christ.

“Love should never be withdrawn when a child, friend or family member fails to live up to our expectations,” Palmer said.

He also said love for others and desires to serve them grows when people see others as Christ sees them. Hearts will not change when love is not present, he said. Because Christ loves people, He expects much of them, he said.

Speaking about how the Holy Ghost can help was Elder Gary E. Stevenson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

“Stay close to the Spirit and the Spirit will stay close to you,” Stevenson said.

He outlined experiences where the Holy Ghost, also referred to as the Spirit, helped people to avoid danger and provided peace during tragedy.

Stevenson outlined three revealed truths in the restored gospel — the Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead; the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit; and the gift of the Holy Ghost comes by the laying on of hands.

Elder C. Scott Grow encouraged youth of the church to seek to know God.

“God knows you, and invites you to know Him,” he said. “Pray to the Father, study the scriptures, seek to do God’s will, strive to become like the Savior and follow righteous mentors. As you do, you will come to know God and Jesus Christ and you will inherit eternal life.”

Elder Quentin L. Cook, of the Quorum of the Twelve, spoke about the need for faith.

“Without faith among men, God can do no miracle among them,” he said, quoting Ether 12:12.

He listed the blessings of faith as forgiveness of sins, communion with the Holy Spirit, receiving salvation, obtaining strength and receiving the Lord’s rest.

“In the end, our faith in Jesus Christ is the essential foundation for our eternal salvation and exaltation,” Cook said.

You can reach reporter JaNae Francis at jfrancis@standard.net or 801-625-4228. Follow her on Twitter at @JaNaeFrancisSE or like her on Facebook at facebook.com/SEJaNaeFrancis.