SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4 News) – The 190th session of general conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Saturday, April 4, and Sunday, April 5, with sessions at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and a special session Saturday at 6 p.m. Live updates and highlights of talks to be published here.
Sunday, April 5, afternoon session highlights:
- D. Todd Christofferson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
- Christofferson speaks to members of their invitations to others to come unto Christ and “are without compulsion…and compelling.” He says for that to be so, three things are required: “First, your love; second, your example; and third, your use of the Book of Mormon.”
- He says invitations to others cannot be a matter of self-interest, but rather of selfless love.
- L. Whitney Clayton, Quorum of the Seventy
- Clayton speaks of a billboard stating, “Serving the Finest Homes in Salt Lake City.” Clayton continues his talk by pondering on the question, “what is a finest home?”
- He says, “From the Lord’s perspective, establishing the finest homes has everything to do with the personal qualities of the people who live there.”
- He continues to say, “Residents in the finest homes make time to study the scriptures and the words of living prophets every day.”
- He also mentions, “Fine homes follow the blueprint created by the Lord for His finest home, the temple.”
- He concludes with “The finest homes are refuges from the storms of life.”
- Clayton speaks of a billboard stating, “Serving the Finest Homes in Salt Lake City.” Clayton continues his talk by pondering on the question, “what is a finest home?”
- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
- Uchtdorf speaks of members doing more than talking and preaching; living as disciples of Jesus Christ.
- Uchtdorf says God allows us to make choices and mistakes. These experiences help people to learn.
- He invites members of the Church to study the Book of Mormon.
- Uchtdorf says, “If you desire to follow Him, gather your faith and take upon yourselves His cross. You will find that you do belong in His Church.”
- Ricardo Patricio Gimenez Salazar, Quorum of the Seventy
- Gimenez says every person will face “storms” that may come in the form of physical, mental, family, and unemployment challenges and natural disasters. He continues to say the only refuge from the storm comes in the form of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.
- He speaks of faith during hardship to “enjoy the refuge that Jesus Christ and His Atonement offer.”
- Gimenez says while “Many indeed believe in Jesus Christ, the key question is whether we believe Him and whether we believe the things that He teaches us and asks us to do.”
- Quentin L. Cook, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
- Cook speaks of continuing revelation, prophets and personal, to help guide members’ lives.
- He says, “Sometimes we receive revelation even when we do not know the Lord’s purposes.”
- Cook gives members some principles to help them prepare to receive revelation:
- Praying for spiritual guidance. Reverently and humbly we need to “seek and ask” and be “patient and submissive.”
- Preparing for inspiration. This requires that we be in harmony with the Lord’s teachings and in compliance with His commandments.
- Partaking of the sacrament worthily. When we do this, we witness and covenant with God that we take upon ourselves the name of His Holy Son, and that we remember Him and keep His commandments.
- Dallin H. Oaks; first counselor, First Presidency
- Oaks tells members “even in the midst of unique trials and challenges, we are truly blessed.”
- Oaks explains some of the principal elements of the plan of salvation and how it affects people during their mortal journeys and in the spirit world that follows.
Sunday, April 5, morning session highlights:
- Russell M. Nelson, church president
- Nelson says today’s people have a front row seat to what the prophet Nephi saw in vision.
- Nelson asks, “What does it mean to you the gospel of Jesus Christ is Restored to the earth?” He answers, “Families can be sealed together forever….access to the power of God to help you.”
- He says God speaks “Simply, quietly and with such plainness.”
- Nelson says God gives people the pattern for success if they “hear him.”
- He asks members to worship in the temple when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
- Invites members to increase family history work while temples are closed.
- Increase spiritual capacity to increase personal revelation and how to move ahead in life, how to deal with crisis.
- Nelson announces new proclamation: “The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: a Bicentennial Proclamation to the World.”
- It’s been translated into 12 languages.
- David A. Bednar, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
- Bednar speaks of ways members of the Church can learn about the covenants, ordinances, and blessings available within temples:
- Melchizedek Priesthood is necessary for sealings and to “prepare the world for the Savior’s second coming and initiated a greatly increased and worldwide interest of family history research.”
- Covenants received and the ordinances performed in temples are essential to the sanctifying of hearts and for the ultimate exaltation of God’s sons and daughters.
- The Lord works from the inside out, the world works from the outside in; temple attendance helps members grow closer to Christ and learn of Him.
- The coming forth of temples throughout the world; temples allow for members to make and keep covenants with God.
- Bednar speaks of ways members of the Church can learn about the covenants, ordinances, and blessings available within temples:
- Jeffrey R. Holland, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
- Holland shares he and his wife’s experience of taking on President Nelson’s challenge to come to understand the Restoration. Holland says in six months’ time, he’s spent time looking back at 200 years of God’s goodness to the world.
- He says looking forward, “We still have hopes that have not yet been fulfilled,” as he acknowledges the “all hands-on deck war with COVID-19.”
- Holland speaks of hope in difficult situations by saying, “Because of the Restoration reaffirmed the foundational truth that God does work in this world, we can hope, we should hope, even when facing the most insurmountable odds.”
- Holland testifies to members that, “The future is going to be as miracle-filled and bountifully blessed as the past has been.” He continues to say, “We have every reason to hope for blessings even greater than those we have already received.”
- Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women general president
- Cordon speakers to members about “The Lord’s invitation to let our light so shine.” She continues to say, “It’s not about randomly waving a beam of light and making the world generally brighter. It is about focusing our light so others may see the way to Christ.”
- Cordon says members “have enough light to share right now” and encourages people to help someone else draw closer to Christ.
- She encourages people to ask the question: “Who needs the light you have to find the path they need but cannot see?”
- Cordon invites members to “follow the example of Jesus Christ and be compassionately aware of those around us.”
- Ronald A. Rasband, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
- Rasband speaks to members about prophets of old prophesying of latter-days and the things which are becoming a reality.
- He encourages members to prepare their hearts and minds for the coming of the Savior.
