LDS members told to ‘Find Christ in all aspects of your life’ during Saturday afternoon General Conference session
Multicultural Choir from stakes in northern Utah, Jamie Kalama Wood leads the choir in song, all choir members tested negative for COVID-19 prior to the start of the Saturday afternoon session of general conference at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 2, 2021. (Courtesy Intellectual Reserve)
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints listening to the Saturday afternoon session of the 191st Semiannual General Conference were treated to a number of global experiences.
A multicultural choir from LDS Stakes in northern Utah was selected to provide the music for the Saturday afternoon session, while several members of the Seventy spoke from their various locations around the world because of restricted travel due to COVID.
Among the business of the church, six members of the Seventy were released and given emeritus status.
They include:
- Elder J. Devn Cornish
- Elder Timothy J. Dyches
- Elder David F. Evans
- Elder Robert C. Gay
- Elder James B. Martino
- Elder Terence M. Vinson
Continuing the “Coming to Christ” theme from the morning session, speakers focused on topics ranging from mental health to the Second Coming of Christ.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke of the work of salvation and exaltation “With the Power of God in Great Glory” as the theme.
Helping individuals to experience the mighty change of heart and bind themselves to the Lord through sacred covenants and ordinances are the fundamental objectives of preaching the gospel, Bednar said.
“Our purpose in building temples is to make available the holy places wherein the sacred covenants and ordinances necessary for the salvation and exaltation of the human family can be administered, for both the living and the dead,” he added.
“The phrase ‘armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory’ is not simply a nice idea or an example of beautiful scriptural language. Rather, these blessings are readily evident in the lives of countless latter-day disciples of the Lord.”
Addressing the need to have faith to act and become, Elder Ciro Schmeil of the Seventy said.
“We need to ask in faith to know the will of the Lord, and accept that the Lord knows what is better for us,” Schmeil said. “To become a better follower of the Savior Jesus Christ is a lifelong journey and we are all in different stages, moving at a different pace. We must keep in mind that this is not a competition, and we are here to love and help each other. We need to be acting in order to allow the Savior to work with us in our lives.”
In a commentary of faith in Christ during trials of mental health, Elder Erich W. Kopiscke of the Seventy said, “Because mental illness can interfere with our perception of perfection, it remains all too often a taboo. As a result, there is too much ignorance, too much silent suffering, and too much despair.”
He added, “Many, feeling overwhelmed because they do not meet perceived standards, mistakenly believe they have no place in the Church.”
“To combat such deception, it is important to remember that the Savior loves each of His Father’s children. He fully comprehends the pain and struggle that many experience as they live with a broad range of mental health challenges,” Kopiscke said.
“He suffered ‘pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; … [taking] upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.’ Because He understands all afflictions, He knows how to heal the brokenhearted,” he added.
Open and honest discussions with one another will help this important topic to receive the attention it deserves. After all, information precedes inspiration and revelation. These all-too-often invisible challenges can affect anyone, and when we are facing them, they appear insurmountable, Kopiscke said.
“We must love one another and be less judgmental — especially when our expectations are not immediately met. We should help our children and youth feel the love of Jesus Christ in their lives, even when they struggle to personally feel love for themselves,” he added.
“For all who are personally affected by mental illness, hold fast to your covenants, even if you might not feel God’s love at this time … Do whatever lies in your power and then ‘stand still … to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.,'” Kopiscke said.
Speaking from thoughts of his soul, Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared things of the soul that he said all who seek to be true disciples of Jesus Christ should work to live by.
- Love God the Father and Jesus Christ, our Savior.
- “Love thy neighbour.”
- Love yourself.
- Keep the commandments.
- Always be worthy to attend the temple.
- Be joyful and cheerful.
- Follow God’s living prophet. “This may be seventh on my list of things, but it is at the top of my mind in terms of its importance today. We have a prophet of God on the earth today! Never discount what that means for you.”
“We live in a time when we are ‘tossed to and fro,’ when spirituality, decency, integrity and respect are under attack. We have to make choices,” Rasband said. “We have the voice of the Lord through His prophet to calm our fears and lift our sights, for when President Nelson speaks, he speaks for the Lord.”
Elder Christoffel Golden of the Seventy spoke to the topic of the Second Coming of Christ.
“For those who have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to feel, more than ever before, we are required to confront the reality that we are getting ever closer to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. True, great difficulties yet await those on the earth at His return, but in this regard, the faithful need not fear,” Golden said.
“In our preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, I provide a vital, comforting note for the faithful taken from the Old Testament prophet Amos “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, until he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets,'” he said.
“In this spirit, today’s prophet of the Lord to the world, President Russell M. Nelson, has given us this recent inspiring counsel: “The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of repentance. Because of the Savior’s Atonement, His gospel provides an invitation to keep changing, growing, and becoming more pure. It is a gospel of hope, of healing, and of progress. Thus, the gospel is a message of joy! Our spirits rejoice with every small step forward we take,” Golden said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the many trials and challenges that people have confronted throughout the history of the world.
Elder Moises Villaneuva of the Seventy noted that at the beginning of this year, his family and he lived through some dark days.
“The pandemic and other causes brought death and pain to our family through the passing of some dear loved ones. Despite medical attention, fasting and prayer, during the course of five weeks my brother, my sister and my brother-in-law crossed to the other side of the veil,” Villaneuva said.
Even still in mourning, Villaneuva testified that, “Jesus Christ showed us that during times of trial and adversity we can recognize the difficulties of others. Moved with compassion, we can reach out and lift them. And as we do so, we are also lifted by our Christlike service.”
In the session’s concluding talk, Elder Gary L. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke of divinely appointed responsibility.
“If hearing the words ‘General Handbook’ or ‘divinely appointed responsibilities’ causes you to shudder in fear of complexity, please don’t. These responsibilities are simple, inspirational, motivating, and doable,” Stevenson said.
Here they are: 1. Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. Caring for those in need. 3. Inviting all to receive the gospel. 4. Uniting families for eternity.
“You might view them as I do: as a roadmap to return back to our loving Heavenly Father,” Stevenson noted.