Christofferson, second counselor in the First Presidency of the church, referenced the last talk that focused on gambling, given by Gordon B. Hinckley, then president of the church, who said about gambling, “We are against it.”

He discussed three online markets: sports betting, internet or iGaming and prediction markets, the latter of which he said could be tied to anything, even potentially the timing of the Second Coming.

“Where do you go to collect on that bet?” he said to laughter.

Christofferson said that 49% of boys age 17 reported gambling last year and said “equally troubling” was “the substantial percentage of 18- to 29-year-old women” who gamble each year.

“Surveys reveal that people know that in gambling, the odds are stacked against them, and the house always wins–they just don’t think it will win against them personally,” Christofferson said. “But, the central risk of gambling is not merely that customers lose money on individual wagers. The larger concern is that continuous, mobile access can transform occasional entertainment into repeated behavior that displaces saving, increases debt, and creates far-reaching family and social costs. I have to agree with George Washington when he said of gambling: ‘It is the child of avarice–the brother of inequity–and father of mischief’ (although calling it ‘mischief’ may be too mild).”

Christofferson challenged the notion by some who think it will never become more than “occasional, casual fun” for them. He asked them to think of how their behavior affects others and quoted 1 Corinthians 8:9-11.

Runia, Hathaway discuss trials

Sister Tamara W. Runia, first counselor in the young women general presidency, spoke of being refined through hardships.

“My friends, there is sculpting taking place within each of our souls. To invite the Savior to become involved is hard. Our pride gets in the way.

“He’ll lovingly chasten us to get our attention, but He waits for an invitation before He can really go to work.

“Then, He will start carving, sometimes surprising us with how abrupt and aggressive the work feels.

“But as time goes on, we will begin to see the work of His hand. God is shaping us into something only He knows we can become.

“And someday, when all the suffering and loneliness have ended, and the pain is gone, we’ll be able to step back and look into the mirror of our own soul. Then we will ‘stand all amazed’ and feel to fall at the Savior’s feet and thank Him–we will thank Him for all of it. The molding. The shaping. The pain and the adversity that have helped us become more like Him.”

Elder Kevin J. Hathaway, of the Quorum of the Seventy, called Jesus Christ the Great Deliverer and said the Lord is not delayed, distracted or derelict.

“He has not forgotten you,” Hathaway said. “He does not take joy in your suffering. However, He knows that lessons learned while waiting can bring converting growth that an earlier rescue might not produce.”

Other topics

Other topics spoken of were temple worship (Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles), sharing testimonies (Elder Gérald Caussé of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles), the importance of living prophets and apostles (Elder Vaiangina Sikahema of the Quorum of the Seventy), fasting (Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles), missionary work (Bishop Sean Douglas, second counselor of the Presiding Bishopric).