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UPDATED: President Oaks calls on Latter-day Saints to be peacemakers during Saturday testimonies

Saturday morning/afternoon sessions

By Rob Nielsen - | Oct 5, 2024
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President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency waves to the congregation prior to the morning session of general conference at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
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Conference attendees gather prior to the morning session of general conference at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
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Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman speaks at the morning session of general conference at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
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The sun rises on the Conference Center at the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City during the morning session of general conference on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
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Sister missionaries gather prior to the morning session of general conference at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
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Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles provides words of inspiration during the morning session of general conference at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
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The Conference Center at the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City is seen during the morning session of general conference on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
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Elder Patrick Kearon, gives a thumbs-up to conferencegoers while walking with his wife, Jennifer, at the conclusion of the morning session of general conference at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
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President Russell M. Nelson of the First Presidency waves to conferencegoers prior to the afternoon session of general conference at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
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A children’s choir from Northern Utah — under the direction of Leslie Walker, with Linda Margetts and Joseph Peeples at the organ — sings during the afternoon session of general conference in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the afternoon session of general conference at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
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A mother and son from San José, Uruguay, get ready to watch the afternoon session of general conference on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.

In a time of toxic communication, followers of Christ should seek to be peacemakers.

This was the message from President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, as he capped off the first session of the 194th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday morning.

“This is a time of many harsh and hurtful words in public communications and sometimes even in our families,” said Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency and president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “Sharp differences on issues of public policy often result in actions of hostility — even hatred — in public and personal relationships. This atmosphere of enmity sometimes even paralyzes capacities for law-making on matters of importance where most citizens see an urgent need for some action in the public interest.”

He noted the teachings of Jesus call upon followers to be peacemakers while not sacrificing principles.

“In discussions, potential adversaries should begin by identifying common ground on which all agree,” he said. “To follow our perfect role model and his prophet, we need to practice what is popularly known as the Golden Rule: ‘All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.’ We need to love and do good to all. We need to avoid contention and be peacemakers in all our communications.

“This does not mean to compromise our principles and priorities, but to cease harshly attacking others for theirs. That is what our perfect role model did in his ministry. That is the example he set for us, as he invited us to follow him.”

Oaks was joined by several other speakers during the opening session Saturday.

Among them was Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who professed the importance of hope.

“Hope is a living gift, a gift that grows as we increase our faith in Jesus Christ,” Andersen said. “‘Faith is the evidence of things hoped for.’ We build the evidence blocks of our faith through prayer, temple covenants, keeping the commandments, continually feasting on the scriptures and the words of modern-day prophets, taking the sacrament and worshipping weekly with our fellow saints.”

President Emily Belle Freeman, Young Women general president, spoke of a trip to Harmony, Pennsylvania, and her reflections on standing in the former home of Joseph Smith and his wife, Emma.

“Last month, I had an unexpected opportunity to visit Harmony,” Freeman said. “There, under the maple trees, the priesthood was restored to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdrey. Close to those trees is the front door of Joseph and Emma’s home. Across from the fireplace in that home, there is a window. I stood at that window and wondered what Emma might have thought as she looked out across the trees.

“In July of 1830, Emma was 26 years old; she was so young. She was three and a half years into her marriage. She had lost a baby boy — her first. His little grave is just down the lane from her home. Standing at that window, it was not hard for me to imagine what might have filled her thoughts. Surely, she worried about their finances, about the increasing persecution that threatened their safety, about their future. And yet, the work of God was everywhere around her. Did she also wonder about her place in the plan, her purpose in his kingdom, and her potential in the eyes of God? I think she may have.”

Elder Karl Hirst of the Seventy said that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love.

“You might know something secret about yourself that makes you feel unloveable,” Hirst said. “However right you might be about what you know about yourself, you are wrong to think that you have put yourself beyond the reach of God’s love. We are sometimes cruel and impatient towards ourselves in ways that we could never imagine being towards anyone else. There is much for us to do in this life but self-loathing and shameful self-condemnation are not on the list. However misshapen we might feel we are, his arms are not shortened. No. They are always long enough to ‘reach our reaching’ and embrace each one of us.”

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke on stabilizing forces, using an explosive example.

“In 1860, a Swedish scientist named Alfred Nobel began trying to stabilize nitroglycerin,” Renlund said. “After seven years of experimentation, he achieved his goal by absorbing nitroglycerin into a nearly worthless substance known as diatomaceous earth, or kieselguhr. Kieselguhr is a porous rock that can be crumbled into a fine powder. When mixed with nitroglycerin, kieselguhr absorbs the nitroglycerin and the resultant paste can be shaped into “sticks.” In this form, nitroglycerin was much more stable. It could be safely stored, transported and used with undiminished explosive power. Nobel named the combination of nitroglycerin and kieselguhr dynamite.”

He said this isn’t totally unlike the church in our society.

“Without the stabilizing effect of kieselguhr, nitroglycerin had limited value as an explosive,” Renlund said. “As history has shown, without the Lord’s Church, humanity’s understanding of his gospel was likewise unstable — prone to doctrinal drift and subject to the influence of different religions, cultures and philosophies. An amalgamation of those influences has been manifested in every dispensation leading up to this last one. Though the gospel was initially revealed in its purity, the interpretation and application of that gospel gradually took on a form of godliness that lacked power because the divinely authorized framework was absent.”

Elder David P. Homer of the Seventy credited Jesus with giving his followers the best example to follow when it comes to submitting to his will.

“With a heavy heart, and knowing the painful work he had to do, he submitted to his Father’s will, fulfilling his messianic mission and opening the promise of eternity to you and me,” Homer said. “The choice to submit our will to God’s is an act of faith that lies at the heart of our discipleship. In making that choice, we discover that our agency is not diminished; rather, it is magnified and rewarded by the presence of the Holy Ghost, who brings purpose, joy, peace and hope we can find nowhere else.”

Elder Gregorio E. Casillas of the Seventy said God sent his children to earth to realize their full potential.

“Preach My Gospel teaches us that as disciples of Christ, we should avoid comparing ourselves to one another,” Casillas said. “Your spiritual abilities are unique, personal and innate, and your Heavenly Father wants to help you develop them. There will always be someone you can help feel the love of your Heavenly Father. Your potential is divine. While it’s certainly important to prepare yourself to succeed in this very competitive world, one of your crucial missions throughout your life is to become a disciple of Jesus Christ and to follow the impressions of the Spirit. As you do this, God will bless your life, he will bless your current or future family and he will bless the lives of his children that you encounter.”

To start the day’s second session, Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke on the weapons of rebellion.

“Perhaps the more insidious form of rebellion against God, however, is the passive version — ignoring his will in our lives,” he said. “Many who would never consider active rebellion may still oppose the will and word of God by pursuing their own path without regard to divine direction. I am reminded of the song made famous years ago by singer Frank Sinatra with the climactic line, ‘I did it my way.’ Certainly, in life there is plenty of room for personal preference and individual choice. But when it comes to matters of salvation and eternal life, our theme song ought to be, ‘I did it God’s way,’ because truly there is no other way.”

Elder José A. Teixeira of the Presidency of the Seventy expressed his admiration of today’s youth.

“Our youth have shown remarkable courage and devotion. They have enthusiastically embraced the work of Family History, and their frequent visits to the House of the Lord are a testament to their dedication,” Teixeira said. “Their willingness to devote time and energy to serve missions across the globe reflects a deep and abiding faith. They are not merely participating but leading the way in becoming disciples bonded to Jesus Christ. Their service radiates light and hope, touching countless lives. To you, the youth of the church, we express our heartfelt thanks for your inspiring service. You are not just the church’s future but its present. You are indeed the salt of the earth.”

Elder Juan Pablo Villar of the Seventy told attendees that Jesus Christ ultimately leaves no one behind.

“If I think celestial, I know that we are not left alone in this life,” he said. “While we must face challenges and trials, our Heavenly Father knows our capabilities and knows we can bear or overcome our difficulties. We must do our part and turn to him in faith. His beloved son, Jesus Christ, is our rescuer and will always be there.”

Elder Patrick Kearon, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, noted how he sees the Church of Jesus Christ as “the church of joy.”

“Joy looks different for different people,” Kearon said. “For some, it may be exuberant greetings at the door. For others, it might be quietly helping people feel comfortable by smiling and sitting next to them with a kind and open heart. For those who feel left out or on the margins, the warmth of this welcome will be crucial. Ultimately, we can ask ourselves how the savior would want our sacrament hour to be. How would he want each one of his children to be welcomed, cared for, nourished and loved? How would he want us to feel when we come to be renewed through remembering and worshiping him?”

Elder David L. Buckner of the Quorum of the Seventy said the church is a place for all.

“I worship on Sunday as a reminder that we need each other and together we need him. Our unique gifts and talents that differentiate us in a secular world unite us in a sacred space,” Buckner said. “The savior has called upon us to help one another, lift one another and edify each other. This is what he did when he healed the woman with an issue of blood, cleansed the leper who pled for his mercy, counseled the young prince who asked what more he could do, loved Nicodemus who knew but faltered in his faith, and sat with the woman at the well who did not fit the custom of the day but to whom he declared his messianic mission. This to me is church — a place of gathering and recovery, repair and refocus. As President (Russell M.) Nelson has taught, ‘The gospel net is the largest net in the world. God has invited all to come unto him. … There is room for everyone.'”

Elder D. Martin Goury of the Quorum of the Seventy warned listeners to be wary about clouded communications.

“One of the Holy Ghost’s essential functions is to caution, lead and guide every individual who listens to the soft, inner voice,” Goury said. “Just as the blocked communication tubes of a hearing aid can hinder proper functionality, our spiritual connection with our Heavenly Father can also be impaired, leading to dangerous misconceptions or a failure to heed his counsel. The advent of the internet has made information more accessible than ever before. This can lead us to turn to the world for guidance rather than to God. President Russell M. Nelson taught, ‘In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.'”

Elder Aroldo B. Cavalcante of the Quorum of the Seventy spoke of the importance of serving as a missionary.

“Our beloved prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, made an exciting and inspiring invitation to the youth: ‘I reaffirm strongly that the Lord has asked every worthy, able young man to prepare for and serve a mission. For Latter-Day Saint young men, missionary service is a priesthood responsibility. … For you young and able sisters, a mission is also a powerful, but optional, opportunity,'” Cavalcante said. “Every day, thousands of young men and women answer the Lord’s prophetic call by serving as missionaries. You are brilliant and, as President Nelson has said, you can ‘have more impact on the world than any previous generation.'”

Rounding out the speakers for the second session Saturday was Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Soares conveyed the story of standing up for one’s principles.

“A faithful young woman decided not to compromise her standards when she was asked to dress immodestly to fit into the business division of the fashion company where she worked,” he said. “Understanding that her body is a sacred gift from our Heavenly Father and a place where the Spirit can dwell, she was moved to live by a standard higher than the world’s. She not only gained the confidence of those who saw her living by the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, but she also preserved her job, which for a moment was in jeopardy. Her willingness to do what was pleasing in the sight of the Lord rather than what worked for the world gave her covenant confidence amidst difficult choices.”

Soares said everyone ultimately must face these types of choices.

“Brothers and sisters, we are constantly confronted by similar decisions in our daily journey,” he said. “It takes a courageous and willing heart to pause and pursue an honest and meek introspection to acknowledge the presence of weaknesses of the flesh in our life that may impede our ability to submit ourselves to God, and ultimately decide to adopt his way rather than our own. The ultimate test of our discipleship is found in our willingness to give up and lose our old self and submit our heart and our whole soul to God so that his will becomes ours.”