Here is a breakdown of the Sunday sessions of the general conference:
Prior to the morning session of the conference, the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square performed its weekly broadcasted show of Music and the Spoken Word. The weekly show has been running uninterrupted for almost 100 years.
In his address to those in attendance, Derrick Porter, the host of Music and Spoken Word, spoke about the power found in Jesus Christ’s name. He stated that Christ is known by many names — Prince of Peace, the advocate in heaven to Heavenly Father, the Shepherd and Bishop of souls.
”What’s in a name?” Porter asked the audience, speaking about the name of Jesus Christ. “Everything,” he said.
Directly following the live broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word, the morning session got underway. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke first on Sunday. He spoke about the restoration of what members believe is Christ’s Church on Earth today. He told those listening around the world that anyone can receive the message of the restored gospel.
Elder Steven D. Shumway followed Bednar. Shumway taught laboring with God helps members grow in their measure of their creation.
“When we say yes to Christ, we are saying yes to the most abundant life possible,” he said to those attending and listening.
Shumway was followed by Sister Tamara Runia. Sister Runia spoke about the path away from spiritual pain.
“Sometimes I have to remember, like a Post-it note on my forehead, that the commandments are the path away from pain,” she said. “Repentance is too. Our prophet said, ‘The Savior loves us always but especially when we repent.’”
She was followed by the presiding bishop Gérald Caussé, who told members the Lord loves them personally and knows their struggles. He also said that members can contribute to blessings through work for ancestors that have passed by going through the temple.
Elder Gerrit W. Gong also spoke of a visit to the temple in his talk.
“Including the Kirtland Temple, I recently visited sacred places in Ohio where the Prophet Joseph and others saw in vision God our Father and His Son, Jesus Christ,” Gong told members. “The Prophet Joseph saw what heaven is like. In heaven, Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, ‘saves all the works of his hands’ in a kingdom of glory. The only exceptions are those who willfully ‘deny the Son after the Father has revealed Him,’” Gong finished.
Elder John A. McCune of the Seventy and President Dallin H. Oaks were the last two speakers of the session. McCune said that Jesus Christ is the way to happiness, while Oaks taught about the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who atones for the sins of the world. In Oaks’ talk, he also said that ordinances and covenants are part of the path to eternal life.
Elder Ulisses Soares opened the afternoon session of general conference by speaking reverence in sacred things.
”Reverence for sacred things is the greatest manifestation of a vital spiritual quality; it is a byproduct of our connection to holiness and reflects our love for and proximity to our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ,” he taught.
He also warned that sacredness can’t be simulated by AI. Soares was followed by Elder Michael B. Strong, who spoke on discipleship.
“Brothers and sisters, discipleship of Jesus Christ is the only way to obtain enduring happiness. It is a path filled with deliberate and purposeful acts of love towards others,” he taught.
Elder Scott D. Whiting, also of the Seventy, followed Strong’s remarks by speaking to newer members.
“The adversary knows that you may be vulnerable to his subtle attacks. He will make your past life, which left you unsatisfied in so many ways, now seem unrealistically attractive,” he said.
“The accuser, as he is called in the book of Revelation, will tempt you with thoughts that sound like this: ‘You aren’t strong enough to change your life; you can’t do this; you don’t belong with these people; they will never accept you; you are too weak,’” he continued.
Elder Christopher H. Kim came after Whiting.
“‘Whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive.’ Our beloved prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, taught: ‘Repenting is the key to progress.’ Pure faith keeps us moving forward on the covenant path,” he taught.
“Please do not fear or delay repenting. Satan delights in your misery… Start today to experience the joy of putting off the natural man. The Savior loves us always but especially when we repent,” he said.
Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles then addressed the congregation. He implored those listening to receive Christ and Heavenly Father’s gifts.
”Moroni exhorts us to ‘deny not the gifts of God,’ but to ‘come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift.’ You can come to Christ with confidence in His loving kindness and receive all His gifts of joy, peace, hope, light, truth, revelation, knowledge, and wisdom—with your head held high, arms outstretched, and hands open ready to receive,” he said.
“You can receive these gifts because you are secure and grounded in the knowledge that you are a beloved daughter of God, you are a cherished son of God,” he added.
Prophet and President Russell M. Nelson was the final speaker of the 195th annual general conference. Nelson spoke of a previous talk he gave in a general conference and told church members to be peacemakers amidst all the contention on social media.
“As followers of Jesus Christ, we should lead the way as peacemakers,” he said.
He also exhorted members to worship in temples.
“Regular worship in the house of the Lord increases our capacity for both charity and virtue. Thus, time in the temple increases our confidence before the Lord. Increased time in the temple will help us prepare for the Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ,” he said.
President Nelson also announced 15 new temples, which will be placed in the following locations:
Nelson’s announcement on Sunday brings the total number of temples he has announced to an even 200 out of the religion’s 382, which are at various stages of development and construction.
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