Sunday 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 194th Annual General Conference Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7. This blog summarizes the key points from the Sunday morning session.

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

Here is a glossary of the Latter-day Saint terminology used in this blog.

Sunday, 12:27 pm

President Dallin H. Oaks — Covenants and responsibilities

In his conference message, President Dallin H. Oaks, of the First Presidency, spoke about the role of covenants and responsibilities in the restored Church of Jesus Christ.He said a covenant is a commitment to fulfill responsibilities. He said distinctive clothing reminds judges, medical workers, missionaries and others of their covenants and responsibilities — that they have a duty to serve.President Oaks said covenants are the foundation of many religions and spoke about specific instances in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and doctrine and covenants.

"(The Book of Mormon) is the restoration's major source for the fullness of the gospel, including God's Plan for His children, and the Book of Mormon is filled with references to covenants."#PresOaks #GeneralConference #UniverseBYU

— The Daily Universe (@UniverseBYU) April 7, 2024"Covenants were foundational in the restoration of the gospel," he said.President Oaks spoke of the restoration of temple covenants. He said records from many pioneers say, "the power they received from being bound to Christ in their endowments in the Nauvoo temple gave them the strength to make their epic journey and establish themselves in the West."He said temple garments are a reminder of sacred covenants and encouraged members who have been endowed to wear them "continuously.""Because covenants do not take a day off, to remove one's garments can be understood as a disclaimer of the covenant responsibilities and blessings to which they relate. In contrast, persons who wear their garments faithfully and keep their temple covenants continually affirm their role as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ," President Oaks said.

"The ordinances and associated covenants of the temple are requirements for exaltation in the celestial kingdom, which is eternal life, the greatest of all the gifts of God." — President @OaksDallinH #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/OeXvnUH0DB

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 7, 2024He said the church is constructing temples around the world and the purpose of those temples is to bless members with the "responsibilities and powers and unique blessings of being bound to Christ."President Oaks said the covenants associated with baptism are required to enter the celestial kingdom, and the covenants associated with the temple are required for exaltation. He said this is "the focus" of the church.— Emily Ashcraft

Sunday, 11:56 am

Elder Brian K. Taylor — Swallowed up in the joy of Christ

Elder Brian K. Taylor, a general authority seventy, focused on the phrase "swallowed up" from a verse the Book of Mormon, which reads: "His will being swallowed up in the will of the Father."Pointing to the translations in other languages, he said he is "deeply" moved by the idea that the joy of Christ has the power to consume the "manner of afflictions."

"I testify that our Heavenly Father hears your tearful pleadings and will always respond in perfect wisdom."#ElderTaylor #GeneralConference #UniverseBYU

— The Daily Universe (@UniverseBYU) April 7, 2024He also said that focusing on "peace, hope and even joy" during life's difficult challenges has the power to provide three "divine principles":

Putting Jesus Christ first creates stronger faith.

Envisioning an eternal destiny creates "brighter hope."

Greater joy creates greater power.

— Carter Williams

Sunday, 11:46 am

Elder Patrick Kearon — God's intent is to bring you home

Elder Patrick Kearon, in his first conference talk since being called as the newest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in December 2023, began by telling about a roadblock for cars that he observed. A policeman there seemed happy to be turning vehicles back as they approached the barrier.Elder Kearon used this example to state that God's plan is to bring people home to him, not keep them away.

"God is in relentless pursuit of you. He wants all of His children to choose to return to Him, and He employs every possible measure to bring you back." - Elder @PatrickKearon #GeneralConference

— Church News (@the_churchnews) April 7, 2024Jesus Christ's Atonement removes physical and spiritual roadblocks that could keep people from God, Elder Kearon said. Christ welcomes people in, instead of keeping them out.People, however, have the choice to follow God and his plan or not. The intent of the plan is to provide happiness now and in the eternities, not to prevent happiness or cause worry and fear, Elder Kearon advised. He added that mercy, redemption and salvation are part of that plan as well.

"Everything about the Father's plan for His beloved children is designed to bring everyone home." —Elder @PatrickKearon #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/XHwNPSWu72

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) April 7, 2024The choices we make matter, he said. Jesus asked people to change, repent and come unto him and progress. God wants people to experience a "radical reorientation" of selfishness and pride.For those who worry they don't measure up or are not covered by Christ's Atonement, Elder Kearon reminded that "infinite" covers everyone, as explained by Nephi in the Book of Mormon. "He commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation," he said quoting scripture.He pointed out that Jesus Christ did not refuse the penitent, despite their sins, and he will not refuse any who bring to him a broken heart and contrite spirit.— Linda Williams

Sunday, 11:25 am

Elder Paul B. Pieper — Trust in the Lord

Elder Paul B. Pieper, general authority seventy, urged church members to trust in God during his conference address. He said being children of God provides a foundation for a relationship, but a meaningful relationship only happens when members trust God."Trust is the foundation of all relationships. … A relationship forms only when people are willing to place trust in each other. It is not a relationship if one person trusts completely, but the other does not," he said.Elder Pieper said God wants a close and personal relationship with his children and has communicated his "absolute trust" in them."Every parent knows how difficult it is to trust a child enough to let them make their own decisions. … Yet Heavenly Father allows us to make the choices that will help us reach our divine potential!" he said.

"The good news is that regardless of the trust we may or may not have chosen to place in God in the past, we can choose to trust God today and every day going forward." —Elder Paul B. Pieper #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/gBFvGuOoz9

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) April 7, 2024He encouraged church members who are struggling to trust God to learn more about him and record times they have felt his love. Sometimes, he said, the best way to learn is by trusting God, falling backward like a trust exercise.Elder Pieper said like a good teacher, God invites members to grow through "soul-stretching experiences.""He is the master teacher, the complete coach who is always stretching us to help us realize more of our divine potential. That will always include a future invitation to trust him just a little bit more," he said.

"The good news is that regardless of the trust we may or may not have chosen to place in God in the past, we can choose to trust God today and every day going forward."
Elder Paul B. Pieper#GeneralConference

— Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Canada (@ChurchinCanada) April 7, 2024Elder Pieper said when members accept the invitations their trust in God will grow."God will be there to catch us and our relationship of trust will grow stronger and stronger until the day that we become one with him and his son," he said.— Emily Ashcraft

Sunday, 11:11 am

Elder Dale G. Renlund — The powerful, virtuous cycle of the doctrine of Christ

Elder Dale G. Renlund, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, shared a humorous anecdote about kayaking in Hawaii, where tiny waves tipped him over. However, following his guide's advice, he learned to paddle in the ocean and ride through those small waves.

"If we maintain spiritual momentum by continually "rowing" toward the Savior, we're safer and more secure because our eternal life depends on our faith in Him." — Elder @DaleGRenlund #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 7, 2024Elder Renlund likened this to following Christ's doctrine, explaining that it takes practice and repeated efforts to maintain momentum on his path."Just as it is not healthy to defer eating all our food until Sunday and then binge our weekly allotment of nutrition, it is not spiritually healthy to restrict our testimony-nourishing behavior to one day in the week," he said.

"Comparing ourselves to others can lead us to make pernicious errors, especially if we conclude that we are more righteous than those who are struggling." - @DaleGRenlund #GeneralConference

— Church News (@the_churchnews) April 7, 2024Elder Renlund also thanked the kayaking guide for providing quiet encouragement that made all the difference out on the water. He encouraged members to do the same for those who are struggling with their faith, saying that judgment is "neither helpful nor welcome."— Carter Williams

Sunday, 11:03 am

President Susan H. Porter — Pray, he is there

President Susan H. Porter, general president of the Primary organization, spoke to children and encouraged them to pray.She shared three gifts to pray for:

Pray to know

Pray to grow

Pray to show

"What gifts can you pray for? There are many, but today I want to share three: 1, pray to know; 2, pray to grow; 3, pray to show." - #PresidentPorter #GeneralConference

— Church News (@the_churchnews) April 7, 2024Pray to knowShe invited children to pour out their hearts to God, then listen for answers. By doing this, they can come to know for themselves that God is real and loves them, she said.She shared the story of her 6-year-old granddaughter who knelt to pray on a playground when she had no one to play with. As soon as she opened her eyes, a girl asked her to play and her granddaughter learned, "We are important to the Lord, and we are never truly alone."Pray to growPresident Porter told the children God wants to help them grow and told the experience of a 10-year-old named Jonah. Worried about school, he began praying on the way to class and felt peaceful by the time he entered the classroom.Pray to showGod can help us notice someone who needs comfort and have the courage to approach them, President Porter said.

"Perhaps you are praying for blessings for your family and others you love. Don't give up. Heavenly Father will show you what you can do." — #PresidentPorter #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/skML1cqM0U

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 7, 2024She told of praying often that her father would join the church, but he never did. Five days after he died, she felt joy and knew that her father wanted to receive the blessings of the gospel. She encouraged children to not give up and said God will show them what they can do. Her patriarchal blessing had told her she could best help her family be together by being an example of the gospel of Jesus Christ.President Porter urged listeners to pray each day and said the whole world would be blessed with more of God's love as that happens.— Linda Williams

Sunday, 10:42 am

Elder Ronald A. Rasband — Words matter

In his conference message, Elder Ronald A. Rasband, of the Quorum of the Twelve, urged church members to be careful with the words they use, and to listen to the words of Christ and the prophet."Words set a tone. They voice our thoughts, feelings and experiences, for good or bad," he said.He told church members that once thoughtless words are said they can't be taken back. However, Elder Rasband said words can also be hopeful and encouraging.

"Words matter. They are the bedrock of how we connect. They represent our beliefs, morals and perspectives." - @RonaldARasband #GeneralConference

— Church News (@the_churchnews) April 7, 2024"Believe me, in our emoji-filled world, our words matter. … Our words on the internet, texting, social media, or tweets, take on a life of their own. So be careful what you say and how you say it," he said.Elder Rasband said in families, words can bring people together or apart and encouraged members to often use the words "thank you," "I am sorry" and "I love you."Elder Rasband said the words of Christ will help members become like Christ and urged them to listen to those words."Words can open our minds to truth. That is why, first and foremost, the Lord's words matter," he said.

"We 'Hear Him' in the words of scripture. But do we let them just sit on the page, or do we recognize He is speaking to us? Do we change?" —Elder @RonaldARasband #GeneralConference #HearHim pic.twitter.com/FnD53BQTrw

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) April 7, 2024He also urged members to listen to the words of prophets, and shared recent words from President Russell M. Nelson.Elder Rasband talked about his experience dedicating the Bangkok Thailand Temple in October. He said although he had written his words months earlier, shortly before the dedication, he felt unsettled and was led to add these words to the dedicatory prayer: "May we think celestial, letting thy spirit prevail in our lives, and strive to be peacemakers always."He said in this instance he was being reminded by the Lord to heed the words of the living prophet.— Emily Ashcraft