Saturday morning session: Summaries from Latter-day Saint general conference

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SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is holding its 193rd Semiannual General Conference Saturday, Sept. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 1. This blog summarizes the key points from the Saturday morning session.

Follow along with our blog updates below, or watch each session live here.

For a glossary of the Latter-day Saint terminology used in this blog, click here.

Saturday, 12:11 pm

President Dallin H. Oaks — Kingdoms of glory

President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, spoke about how the fullness of the doctrine of Jesus Christ sets The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints apart from other churches. Part of this doctrine is the knowledge of the plan of salvation that allows for all God's children to live in a kingdom of glory with Christ and Heavenly Father for eternity.Rather than the typical idea of a heaven for the righteous and hell for the rest, the plan of salvation describes three kingdoms of glory. All the children of God have the opportunity to qualify for the highest degree of glory in the celestial kingdom, he said.

Our Heavenly Father loves all His children so much that He wants us all to live in a kingdom of glory forever. Moreover, He wants us to live with Him and His Son Jesus Christ eternally. - @OaksDallinH #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/mLWXgQX65R

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) September 30, 2023President Oaks explained that the celestial kingdom is divided into three levels, with the highest being "exaltation." To achieve exaltation, people have to be faithful to the covenants of an eternal marriage between a man and a woman in the temple.He went on to say that the 1995 Proclamation on the Family clarifies the requirements to achieve exaltation in the celestial kingdom."Those who do not fully understand the Father's loving plan for his children may consider this Family Proclamation no more than a changeable statement of policy. In contrast, we affirm that the Family Proclamation, founded on irrevocable doctrine, defines the mortal family relationship where the most important part of our eternal development can occur," he said.

The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts — what we have done. It is based on the final effect of our acts and thoughts — what we have become. - @OaksDallinH #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) September 30, 2023He explained that salvation is a family matter that involves full conversion. Conversion is more than going through the motions or even being convinced of the truthfulness of the gospel; it is acting on and being changed by it, he explained."In contrast to other preaching, which teaches us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something," President Oaks added.There is still a lot about the plan of salvation that is unknown, but we can trust that Heavenly Father loves us and "will see that we receive every blessing and every advantage that our own desires and choices allow," he said.— Jenny Rollins

Saturday, 11:46 am

Elder Ian S. Ardern — Love thy neighbor

Elder Ian S. Ardern, general authority seventy, began his talk Saturday morning by encouraging members to picture a journey he took in Africa — seeing children in food poverty and mothers carrying water."You look around and know you are amongst a people who love God and you instantly feel God's love for them. They have gathered to receive help and hope and you have arrived to share it," he said.With other church leaders he visited a community health project that the church humanitarian services funded along with UNICEF and the Ugandan government's ministry of health.

Compassion is an attribute of Christ. It is born of love for others and knows no boundaries. Jesus, the Savior of the world, is the epitome of compassion. #GeneralConference #ElderArdern pic.twitter.com/MiLOZZXls1

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) September 30, 2023"As heart-wrenching as it was to see malnourished children and the effects of tuberculosis, malaria and incessant diarrhea, there came to each of us an increase of hope for a better tomorrow for those we met," he said.Elder Ardern said the hope was because of church members around the world. He said members' good works brightened the lives of the Ugandans who were in need and shared a witness of members' life-changing compassion. He expressed a wish that members could hear the people's gratitude.He said Jesus Christ "is the epitome of compassion" and encouraged members to develop that attribute of Christ, sharing stories of Christ in the New Testament and Book of Mormon.

It is unlikely you will know the recipients of your time, dollars, and dimes, but compassion does not require us to know them. It only requires us to love them. - #ElderArdern #GeneralConference

— Church News (@the_churchnews) September 30, 2023"Despite our every effort, you and I won't heal everyone; but each of us can be the one who can make a difference for good in the life of someone," Elder Ardern said.He said the church is grateful for everyone's donations, and that it is enough for members to give only what they are able to and that Jesus Christ can "magnify" their efforts.— Emily Ashcraft

Saturday, 11:25 am

Elder D. Todd Christofferson — The sealing power

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, talked about the importance of the sealing power to gather people together in Christ."The power to validate all priesthood ordinances and make them binding both on Earth and in heaven — the sealing power — is crucial for gathering and preparing a covenant people on both sides of the veil," Elder Christofferson said.

"The Atonement of Jesus Christ has made immortality a verity and the possibility of exalted family relationships a reality." —Elder @ChristoffDTodd #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/XhUhFM9sNC

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) September 30, 2023He said the sealing ordinance makes salvation and exaltation "universally available" across all generations, through an "all-inclusive opportunity" unmatched by any other theology. This sealing power is also what makes baptism possible, he said."This sealing power is a perfect manifestation of the justice, mercy and love of God," Elder Christofferson said. "Without the sealings that create eternal families and link generations here and hereafter, we would be left in eternity with neither roots nor branches, that is, neither ancestry nor posterity."— Gabrielle Shiozawa

Saturday, 11:17 am

Elder Carlos A. Godoy — For the sake of your posterity

Elder Carlos A. Godoy, of the Presidency of the Seventy, shared a story about getting into the wrong taxi on his way home from the airport. He began talking with the taxi driver and found out that he was an inactive member of the church."At that moment, I realized I did not take the wrong taxi. It was not a coincidence! I told him who I was and that I was in his taxi because the Lord was calling him back to his fold," Elder Godoy said.

"Just as yesterday's decisions impact today's realities, decisions of today will impact our future and the future of our family members." —Elder Carlos A. Godoy #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/tsBvivhkMF

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) September 30, 2023After a few weeks, Elder Godoy attended church with the taxi driver. And a few months later, the driver baptized his wife and children.Elder Godoy said that he shared this experience both for good members who have fallen away and active members who aren't as faithful as they might be.People who have left the church could be keeping their current and future family members from the blessings of the gospel, he said."The decision of one has impacted a whole chain of descendants. A legacy of faith has been broken," said Elder Godoy. "However, as we know, anything broken can be mended through Jesus Christ."

I invite you to think about it, to look ahead and evaluate "where this will lead" and if it's necessary, be valiant enough to reshape your path for the sake of your posterity. #GeneralConference #ElderGodoy

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) September 30, 2023For the second audience, Elder Godoy recommended they ask themselves how their decisions today will impact their future. So choosing to only partially obey commandments now could lead to not being in the celestial kingdom with their family later."You know that families can be eternal. Why put yours at risk? Don't be the weak link in this beautiful chain of faith you started, or you received as a legacy. Be the strong one," he concluded.— Jenny Rollins

Saturday, 11:11 am

Elder Robert M. Daines — Sir, we would like to see Jesus

Elder Robert M. Daines, general authority seventy, said as a young boy, he saw his mother as "the rule maker" and didn't notice her sacrifices for him. He said he was "in effect, face-blind" because he saw his mother's rules but not her love.He said people today may have a similar face-blindness with God and may struggle to see him as a father and see him as a rule maker instead."Perhaps you believe God rules in his heavens, speaks through his prophets and loves your sister, but secretly wonder whether he loves you," Elder Daines said.

We're not finished until we see Jesus as the face of our Father's love and follow Him, and not just His rules. When prophets and apostles talk of covenants ... They want us to see our covenants are fundamentally about relationships and can be a cure for spiritual face-blindness. pic.twitter.com/B1TA1jFhzk

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) September 30, 2023Elder Daines said he has felt this doubt; all members need to learn how to recognize God and Jesus Christ.He quoted a verse in the book of John in the Bible where a group of people said, "We would (like to) see Jesus." Seeking Jesus, Elder Daines said, should be the reason for everything that members do in church.Elder Daines said when Christ was first resurrected, his followers didn't immediately recognize him. "They had to learn to recognize him, and so do we," he said.He encouraged members to pray, read the four gospels in the New Testament and seek for Jesus.

To serve in this church is to stand in the river of God's love for His children ... Help carry His love to His children and some of it will splash on you. #GeneralConference #ElderDaines

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) September 30, 2023Elder Daines said covenants are not rules through which members earn God's love, "God already loves you perfectly," he said.He encouraged members to serve in the church and share God's love with others and said there is room for everyone in the church."This church is a work party of people with picks and shovels, trying to help clear the channel for the river of God's love to reach his children at the end of the row," Elder Daines said.— Emily Ashcraft

Saturday, 11:05 am

Sister Amy Wright — Abide the day in Christ

Sister Amy Wright, first counselor in the Primary general presidency, used the parable of the 10 virgins to explain how spiritual preparation and focusing on the light of Jesus Christ can help people get through hard times."I have learned from personal experience that spiritual preparation for the coming of the Lord is not only essential but the only way to find true peace and happiness," she said.Sister Wright said she and her family found comfort and direction through the gospel after she found out she had cancer. She felt peace, even in uncertainty, as she realized she had already taught her children important principles about Jesus Christ.

As we seek to nourish our souls with things pertaining to righteousness, small and simple things, our testimonies and the testimonies of our children will live. - #SisterWright #GeneralConference

— Church News (@the_churchnews) September 30, 2023"Because of Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, if I died, my family would be comforted, strengthened and one day restored," Sister Wright said. "If I lived, I would have access to the greatest power on this earth to help succor, sustain and heal me. In the end, because of Jesus Christ, everything can be OK."Sister Wright encouraged listeners to use the power of Christ to "abide the day."

Eternal life is eternal joy. Joy in this life, right now — not despite the challenges of our day but because of the Lord's help to learn from and ultimately overcome them — and immeasurable joy in the life to come. #GeneralConference #SisterWright

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) September 30, 2023"We need to simplify, focus our efforts and be gatherers of the light of Jesus Christ," she said. "My dear friends, we cannot share our oil, but we can share his light. Oil in our lamps will not only help us 'abide the day' but can also be the means of illuminating the path that leads those we love to the Savior, who stands ready 'with open arms to receive' them."— Gabrielle Shiozawa

Saturday, 10:46 am

Elder David A. Bednar — In the path of their duty

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles opened the Saturday morning session general conference by referencing a talk that President J. Reuben Clark gave in 1947.President Clark, first counselor in the First Presidency, spoke on the 100th anniversary of the Latter-day Saint pioneers arriving in the Salt Lake Valley. The talk centered on who he called "they of the last wagon," the pioneers in the last covered wagon of long wagon trains."He praised these anonymous and uncelebrated heroes who, day after day, week after week, and month after month, choked on the dust stirred up by all of the wagons rolling in front of them — and who overcame the relentless obstacles they encountered along the way," Elder Bednar said.

I promise your personal anguish will be relieved and your obedience and faithfulness to patiently submit your will to God will be rewarded in "the own due time of the Lord." - @BednarDavidA #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/aDJz6MMWcX

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) September 30, 2023Then, Elder Bednar mentioned a talk from President Howard W. Hunter in 1990 that also focused on church members who live quiet, sacred lives and serve with little to no acknowledgment."I am grateful for millions of Church members who today are coming unto the Savior and pressing forward on the covenant path in the last wagons of our contemporary wagon trains — and who truly are no less serviceable," Elder Bednar said.He quoted a passage from the prophet Samuel the Lamanite in the Book of Mormon about those "in the path of their duty," who do service and fulfill their covenants without expecting praise.

Your strong faith in Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and your unpretentious, consecrated lives inspire me to be a better man and disciple. - @BednarDavidA #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) September 30, 2023Elder Bednar said that many members of the church fall into this category, including:

Those who discern and meet the needs of others

Those who are repenting and returning to God

Those who haven't yet been able to access all the authorized covenants and ordinances through factors outside their control

Translators and interpreters of the gospel

Faithfully married men and women having or hoping to have families

Leaders who teach children

Those who serve those around them

"They of the last wagon, all who are no less serviceable, and you who today are pressing forward in the path of your duty are the strength of the Savior's restored Church," Elder Bednar concluded.— Jenny Rollins

Saturday, 10:00 am

Saturday morning general conference session begins

Join us as the KSL.com team keeps you up to date with the latest talk summaries, announcements and events during the October general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.