UPDATED: General conference Day 2 brings news of more temples, leaders’ spiritual guidance
Sunday morning/afternoon sessions
- President Russell M. Nelson of the First Presidency speaks at the conclusion of general conference during the afternoon session at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.
- President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency gives the concluding speech during the morning session of general conference at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.
- Missionaries visit prior to the morning session of general conference in the Conference Center on Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.
- Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the afternoon session of general conference at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.
- President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostle, shares a message of inspiration during the morning session of general conference at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.
- Conferencegoers assemble during the morning session of general conference in the Conference Center on Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.
- Sister Tracy Y. Browning, second counselor in the Primary General Presidency, offers words of encouragement during the morning session of general conference at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.
- A family poses for a portrait on Temple Square in Salt Lake City during general conference weekend Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.
- Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the afternoon session of general conference at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.
The 194th semi-annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints concluded Sunday afternoon with President Russell M. Nelson announcing 17 new temples worldwide, laying the groundwork for further expansion of the faith’s footprint under the 100-year-old prophet’s leadership.
Announced by Nelson were temples in Juchitán de Zaragoza, Mexico; Santa Ana, El Salvador; Medellín, Colombia; Santiago, Dominican Republic; Puerto Montt, Chile; Dublin, Ireland; Milan, Italy; Abuja, Nigeria; Kampal, Uganda; Maputo, Mozambique; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Queen Creek, Arizona; El Paso, Texas; Hunstville, Alabama; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Summit, New Jersey; and Price, Utah. This brings the total temples operating, announced or under construction to 367.
“Why are we building temples at such an unprecedented pace? Why? Because the Lord has instructed us to do so,” said Nelson, who watched the morning session from home. “The blessings of the temple help to gather Israel on both sides of the veil. These blessings also help to prepare a people who will help prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord.”
“Regular worship in the temple will help us. In the house of the Lord, we focus on Jesus Christ. We learn of him. We make covenants to follow him. We come to know him,” he continued. “As we keep our temple covenants, we gain greater access to the Lord’s strengthening power.”
The Sunday afternoon session was conducted by Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Music was provided by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
The session began with Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speaking about nourishing the roots of testimony and telling about a sacred chapel in Zwickau, Germany, from his youth that has since been torn down. “It was a sacred building to me. But it was just a building.”
“By contrast, the spiritual witness I gained from the Holy Ghost those many years ago has not passed away. In fact, it has grown stronger,” he said. “If you want to nourish a tree, you don’t splash water on the branches. You water the roots.”
Elder Takashi Wada, General Authority seventy, spoke about the hope and peace that come from the words of Jesus Christ and from God’s plan of salvation.
“His plan of mercy, or his great plan of happiness. Learning these important truths has helped me know my true identity and the great blessings God has prepared for us of exaltation and eternal life,” he said.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke about holding up, a concept “rooted in scripture,” he said.
Rasband described how when people hold up one another, they are saying, “I am here for you, not just to hold up your arms and hands when they hang down, but to be a comfort and strength at your side.”
He ended his talk with reference to the church prophet. “President Nelson, on behalf of the members and friends of the Lord’s Church throughout the world, we feel blessed to hold up your teachings, to hold up your example of Christ-like living, and to hold up your fervent testimony of our Lord and savior, the redeemer of us all.”
“The scriptures, combined with spiritual inspiration from the Holy Spirit, continue to be the primary source that facilitates the conversion of those who have broken hearts and contrite spirits and desire to follow Jesus Christ,” said Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
He continued to speak about the significance of sacred scriptures, both in conversion and in remaining faithful in the gospel. “The scriptures teach us to use judgment and be wise in all things. The internet can be used in a positive way or a destructive way,” Cook counseled.
Elder Rubén V. Alliaud, General Authority seventy, spoke about what he referred to as “one of the most glorious, joyful and powerful gospel truths that God has revealed” — that everyone is a child of God.
“For Latter-day Saints, this teaching is not metaphorical. Rather, we truly believe that we are all literally the children of God,” he said.
Alliaud went on to say that we live in a challenging world, a world of increasing commotion. “Jesus’ commandment to be ‘perfect even as (our) Father which is in heaven is perfect’ is a clear reflection of his high expectations and our eternal possibilities,” he said.
Elder I. Raymond Egbo, General Authority seventy, spoke about focusing on Jesus Christ and his gospel and stated that Christ is joy and Christ is hope.
“My mother recently passed away; it was a shock. I love my mother and did not plan on losing her so young. But through her passing, my family and I have experienced sorrow and joy,” Egbo said. “I know because of (Christ), she is not dead — she lives! And I know because of Christ and the priesthood keys restored through the prophet Joseph Smith, I will be with her again. The sorrow of losing my mom has been swallowed up in the joy of Christ.”
Nelson’s closing talk concluded with comforting words about the difficulties of life.
“Jesus Christ took upon himself your sins, your pains, your heartaches and your infirmities. You do not have to bear them alone! He will forgive you as you repent. He will bless you with what you need. He will heal your wounded soul. As you yoke yourself to him, your burdens will feel lighter. If you make and keep covenants to follow Jesus Christ, you will find that the painful moments of your life are temporary. Your afflictions will be swallowed up in the joy of Christ.”
The Sunday morning session provided listeners all over the world with messages of faith, love, spiritual guidance, living as Jesus lived, and teaching and sharing the gospel.
President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor of the First Presidency, conducted the session as the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square provided the music.
The session began with Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speaking about Jesus and the importance of always looking to him and his teachings, including his teachings about the two great commandments: “If ye love me, keep my commandments” and “Love one another, as I have loved you.”
“So, if sometimes the harder you try, the more difficult it seems to get; if, just as you try to work on your limitations and shortcomings, you find someone or something determined to challenge your faith; if, as you labor devotedly, you still feel moments of fear wash over you, remember that it has been so for some marvelously faithful people in every era of time. Also remember that there is a force in the universe determined to oppose every good thing you try to do,” he said.
Sister Tracy Y. Browning, second counselor in the Primary General Presidency, spoke about seeking answers to spiritual questions. “One key principle taught throughout the Book of Mormon is when God’s children choose to demonstrate obedience and keep their covenants, they receive continual spiritual guidance and direction,” she said.
She spoke about how limited understanding may lead us away from more understanding. To counteract this, she said, “Our obedience to God’s laws and commandments can open the way for our savior to provide the understanding and healing he knows we need, according to his prescribed treatment plan for us.”
Elder Brook P. Hales, General Authority seventy, spoke about the difficulties of this mortal life. “Despite the challenges, heartaches and difficulties we all face, our loving, wise and perfect Heavenly Father has designed the Plan of Happiness such that we are not destined to fail,” he said. “His plan provides a way for us to rise above out mortal failures.”
“I testify that as we receive the ordinances of the gospel, enter into covenants with God and then keep those covenants, repent, serve others and endure to the end, we, too, can have the assurance and complete trust in the lord that mortality works,” he said.
Bishop L. Todd Budge of the Presiding Bishopric spoke about making time for the Lord in followers’ lives, to slow down and to live with greater spiritual awareness. God desires that we approach our time with him with heartfelt devotion, he said, adding, “He yearns for us to commune with him.”
According to Budge, opportunities to commune with God include daily prayers, scripture study, the sacrament ordinance, the Sabbath day and temple worship. “Even the savior took time from his ministry to be still. The scriptures are replete with examples of the Lord retreating to a solitary place, a mountain, the wilderness, a desert place or going a little way off to pray to the Father,” he said.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said that upcoming events will provide increased opportunities to share the glad tidings of the gospel of Jesus Christ through word and deed, including temple open houses and dedications, the bicentennial of the organization of the church in 2030, and the 2034 Winter Olympics.
He said that through these experiences and others, church members can be lights unto the world by living the gospel of Jesus Christ, caring for those in need, inviting all to receive the gospel and uniting families for eternity.
“Don’t let the world change you when you were born to change the world,” proclaimed Bradley R. Wilcox, first counselor in the Young Men General Presidency, as he spoke about being joint heirs with Christ. “Thus, your commitments demand more of you, but that is how God is making more of you.”
“As you fulfill your birthright responsibilities, you are never alone. The Lord of the Vineyard labors with you. You are working hand in hand with Jesus Christ,” he said.
President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, ended the morning session by speaking about the simplicity of the doctrine of Jesus Christ and how the savior provides the perfect example of how to teach his doctrine. “This doctrine is that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end blesses all of God’s children,” he said.
“We should seize every opportunity to share the teachings of Jesus Christ with children. These teaching moments are precious and far fewer compared to the relentless efforts of opposing forces,” Eyring added. “For every hour spent instilling doctrine into a child’s life, there are countless hours of opposition filled with messages and images that challenge or ignore those saving truths.”