LDS General Conference: Saturday talks echo themes of peace among uncertainty

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The first of the two-day Semi-Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is underway in Salt Lake City. The Quorum of the Twelve with President Dallin H. Oaks presided over the conference in a process known as an “Apostolic Interregnum.”

The morning session of Saturday’s General Conference echoed a theme that President Nelson spoke about in one of his hallmark General Conference talks, titled “Peacemakers Needed,” peace and compassion. This conference is following a heavy time for Latter-day Saints after the passing

of the Prophet Russell M. Nelson, along with the violent attack in Michigan.

What was said and done during the Saturday Morning Session?

The meeting started with the sustaining of the General Authorities and Officers of the Church — this included sustaining Dallin H. Oaks as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, which included an explanation from President Oaks about what is happening.

“I speak to you as the President of the Quorum of the Twelve, in which position I have been sustained each conference—ward, stake, and general conference—for the past 7 1/2 years.  We now go forward with this semiannual general conference, proceeding as planned and with speakers and music assigned by President Nelson after months of preparation,” Oaks said.

And while President Oaks encouraged all speaking this weekend to keep their memories of President Nelson for his funeral.

“I love Russell M. Nelson, I have learned more about the gospel and gospel from my long friendship and association with President Nelson than any other person I have known personally. He is our model as a servant and a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ,” he added.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles addressed those in attendance, saying that many members of Christ’s Church both now and many years ago face similar feelings despite facing different challenges.

“Polarization, secularization, retaliation, road rage, outrage, and social media pile-ons, both generations face cultures of conflict and tension. The hearts of today’s rising generation are filled with a testimony of Jesus Christ and a hope for the future. Yet they too ask, ‘Can I truly become a peacemaker when the world is in commotion, my heart is filled with fear, and peace seems so far away?'” he said to those gathered inside, out of the rainy weather. “The resounding response is once again yes! We embrace the words of the Savior: ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you… Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid,’” he continued.

He spoke about Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye who became unlikely friends and created a bridge through interfaith mediation. Ashafa and Wuye recently won the Commonwealth Peace Prize.

“Peacemaking is a Christlike attribute. Peacemakers are sometimes labeled naïve or weak—from all sides. Yet, to be a peacemaker is not to be weak—but to be strong in a way that the world may not understand. Peacemaking requires courage and compromise but does not require sacrifice of principle,” Stevenson said before concluding with his testimony.

Sister Tracy Y. Browning, the Primary General President, then spoke on how songs learned in Primary can offer a place of refuge.

“His covenants offer strong consolation and a place of refuge and invite us to put our hope and assurance steadfastly on Jesus Christ and in His atoning power,” Browning said. “In time, children can choose to tune and turn their hearts and their lives toward Jesus Christ by making and keeping sacred covenants with Him,” she continued later in the talk.

Elder Ronald M. Barcellos of the Seventy spoke after Sister Browning, touching on the spiritual health of church member’s hearts.

“‘Out of small things proceedeth that which is great.’ He said He can make ‘weak things become strong’ and bless us with everything we need to succeed in this mortal life and to receive eternal life. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart,’ He said, ‘for they shall see God,'” Barcellos said.

He said words and actions are of the Lord’s spiritual tests of the heart.

“Am I too quick to judge and condemn others? Do I seek to find excuses or justification for my mistakes? And what about my words? Do they lift and inspire those around me? Or do they often create conflict and resentment?” Barcellos asked members.

He then provided ways that members can make their spiritual health better, which in turn can help members feel peace. Those ways included strengthening your relationship with Christ, aligning your heart with God, and serving God and others with all your heart.

Elder Brik V. Eyre of the Seventy addressed members worldwide, using an excerpt from his daughter’s mission email to him.

“One of the most fundamental truths of our existence—that we are beloved sons and daughters of God, a God that feels perfect compassion for us when we suffer and is ready to assist us as we stand back up,” he said.

The morning session concluded with Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf speaking.

He taught that discipleship takes discipline, saying it takes “consistent self-discipline and practice.”

“In the Doctrine and Covenants, God declared: ‘There are many gifts, and to every [person] is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.’” he said.

One of the spiritual gifts Uchtdorf mentioned was “being a peacemaker.” He urged members to follow Christ and to do their part with all their heart to receive what God has.

Saturday Afternoon Session

Elder Ronald A. Rasband spoke first during the afternoon session. He focused his words about the 30th anniversary of The Family: A Proclamation to the World.

Quoting President Russell M. Nelson, Rasband said, “You are literally spirit children of God… Make no mistake about it: Your potential is divine. With your diligent seeking, God will give you glimpses of who you may become.”

He encouraged members to turn their hearts to the Savior, and encouraged those stepped away to return to the Church.

Brother Chad H. Webb of the Sunday School General Presidency spoke after Elder Rasband.

“Imagine Adam and Eve, Abinadi, or even the Master Teacher Jesus Christ visiting our homes or classes to teach us. They can when we feast upon the word of God. With consistent effort, we can learn to understand and love the scriptures and trust that they have the answers to the questions of the soul,” Webb told those in attendance.

Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi of the Seventy said in his talk that when members come to the Lord, they can find refuge.

“When ‘humble souls at altars kneel,’ peace abounds. Our Savior’s arms are outstretched; his table is spread,” Jaggi said.

Elder Kevin G. Brown of the Seventy compared his home country of Jamaica to Joseph Smith’s hometown of Palmyra in his talk. He spoke about the pain he felt when he was criticized for joining the Church as a teenager.

“I know exactly where I was when my Sacred Grove became reality. It happened at Four Grove Road, Mandeville, Jamaica, in my bathroom, at 6 a.m. on a Wednesday,” Brown said in an impassioned talk. “This sacred experience happened because two weeks earlier, an inspired sister missionary invited me to read the Book of Mormon.”

Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve taught those gathered that everybody belongs and deserves their room at the inn, quoting the parable of the Good Samaritan.

“In the parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus invites us to come to each other and Him in His inn—His Church. He invites us to be neighbors,” he said. “Living the gospel of Jesus Christ includes making room in His restored Church.”

Elder Michael Cziesla, quoting Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, said: “Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come.”

Elder Cziesla spoke about his grandmother’s determination in the face of adversity in being a member of the Church but living hours away from the nearest congregation and how she found the church again.

Elder Quentin L. Cook was the final speaker of the afternoon session. His talk played off of Elder Gary E. Stevenson’s talk during the morning session. His focus was what he said is living in the best of times.

“To those of you who are new or returning to the faith, there are challenges you may face. Be patient with yourself,” Elder Cook said, addressing the nearly one million new converts that joined in the last 36 months.