Sunday afternoon 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 on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7. This blog summarizes the key points from the Sunday afternoon 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, 04:19 pm

President Russell M. Nelson — Rejoice in the gift of priesthood keys

In a prerecorded message, President Russell M. Nelson spoke to members of the church about the significance of the restoration of priesthood keys, specifically in the Kirtland Temple.He said the Kirtland Temple, which was recently purchased by the church with other historical sites, has "unusual significance" in the Restoration."Several events that took place there had been prophesied for millennia and were essential for the Lord's restored church to fulfill its latter-day mission," President Nelson said.He said Christ's promise that he would manifest himself to people in the Kirtland Temple applies to each temple today.On Easter in 1836, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were visited by Jesus Christ, Moses and Elijah in that temple, President Nelson said. The keys of the gathering of Israel, the gospel of Abraham and the sealing power were given to Joseph Smith.

"The significance of these keys being returned to the earth … under the direction of the Lord cannot be overstated." — President @NelsonRussellM #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 7, 2024He said the restoration of these priesthood keys gave presidents of the church the ability to gather Israel on both sides of the veil, bless members with the blessings of Abraham and seal covenants, families and ordinances.President Nelson said many organizations can make life on earth better, but only the church can influence them after death."Let us rejoice that priesthood keys are once again on the earth!" he said.He told members they can expect to receive revelation, answers to prayer and increased power in the temple.

"Regular temple worship will enhance the way you see yourself and how you fit into God's magnificent plan. I promise you that." — President @NelsonRussellM #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/4JxLzmfPiC

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) April 7, 2024President Nelson said nothing would help protect members, soothe them and bolster their testimonies more than attending the temple regularly."The temple is the gateway to the greatest blessings God has for each of us," he said.He said this is why the church is doing everything possible to make temple blessings more accessible to members, and announced the locations for 15 new temples, including Utoroa, French Polynesia; Chihuahua, Mexico; Florianoplis, Brazil; Rosario, Argentina; Edinburgh, Scotland; Brisbane Australia South Area; Victoria, British Columbia; Yuma, Arizona; Houston Texas South Area; Des Moines, Iowa; Cincinnati, Ohio; Honolulu, Hawaii; West Jordan, Utah; Lehi, Utah; and Maracaibo, Venezuela.— Emily Ashcraft

Sunday, 03:53 pm

Mark L. Pace — It is wisdom in the Lord that we should have the Book of Mormon

President Mark L. Pace, Sunday School general president, expressed his gratitude for those who are reading the scriptures with the church's program, "Come, Follow Me."He spoke of this dispensation and the tools the Lord has given church members to come closer to him such as the scriptures, specifically the Book of Mormon.

"Reading the Savior's teachings in the scriptures helps us transform our homes into sanctuaries of faith and centers of gospel learning." —President Mark L. Pace #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/lqj2puERTP

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) April 7, 2024President Pace emphasized the importance of avoiding personal apostasy by taking time to study the scriptures every day."Sometimes reading the Book of Mormon is just about feeling connected to God today — nourishing the soul, being strengthened spiritually before heading out to face the world, or finding healing after a rough day out in the world," he said.He reminded members that through scripture study, the Holy Ghost can teach, deepen conversions to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and help church members become more like Jesus.

"As we study the Book of Mormon and follow the living prophet, there will be no personal apostasy in our lives." — #PresidentPace #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/2MFTIDKPuU

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 7, 2024President Pace offered scriptural examples from his personal Book of Mormon study this week. He spoke of Nephi and his family and how much they treasured the scriptures while they were in the wilderness.He also told a story of when he was a little boy and first began reading the Book of Mormon to gain a testimony of it for himself."This experience reading the Book of Mormon as a boy started a pattern of scripture study that continues to bless me to this day," he said.President Pace concluded by testifying of the power of daily scripture study and he echoed President Russell M. Nelson's promise that "'as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life.'"— Sicily Stanton

Sunday, 03:34 pm

Elder Neil L. Andersen — 'Temples, houses of the Lord dotting the earth'

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained why the church has experienced a recent boom in building temples, with 335 spread across the earth that include 189 dedicated edifices, seven scheduled for dedication and 45 currently under construction, according to the Church News.But it's no longer just the elderly generation that has been called to the temple, he noted. Church members of all ages are "embracing the name of Jesus Christ," Elder Andersen said."The Lord is strengthening his Saints of all ages as they come to his holy house," he said. "In the past, most beloved ordinance workers had graying hair — but not anymore. Called missionaries, service missionaries, and returned missionaries are around every corner. Across the world, there is a growing feeling drawing us to the house of the Lord."

"Regularly performing ordinances for our ancestors in the temple brings a sweet and sure confirmation that life continues beyond the veil." — Elder @AndersenNeilL #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/aZGFR2MMpV

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 7, 2024He cited a gathering of young church members in Heber City who, when a public meeting was held to discuss the details of a planned temple construction, gathered some 300-strong at an adjoining park to show their support for the proposed construction.One youth said he "hoped to be married in this temple," while another described the temple as "a symbol of light and hope." Elder Andersen called on members of all ages to attend the temple more."As we come with willing hearts to the house of the Lord, the most holy place on earth, we grow up in the Lord and can 'receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost,'" he said. "Through the power of the Holy Ghost, we are filled with peace and joy and unspeakable hope. We receive the strength to remain his disciples even when we find ourselves outside the holy places."— Sean Walker

Sunday, 03:15 pm

Elder Mathias Held — Opposition in all things

Elder Mathias Held, a general authority seventy, described a wrong turn he made on a road and said when making wrong decisions, church members need to deal with them "humbly and patiently" until they can change their course."Life is all about making choices. Our Father in Heaven gave us the divine gift of agency precisely so that we could learn from our choices — from the right ones and also from the wrong ones," he said.Elder Held said even in circumstances outside our control, we are still able to choose how we react."We can 'adjust our sails' to the new reality, or we can decide not to change anything. In the darkness of night, we can turn on our lights; in the cold of winter, we should wear warm clothes; in seasons of sickness, we can seek medical and spiritual help. We choose how to react to these circumstances," he said.The prophet Lehi in the Book of Mormon said there "must be opposition in all things." Elder Held said the good and bad can be different sides of the same coin.As an example, he said the joy he received from getting married and having children was paired with moments of pain."These contrasting experiences taught us that we are never alone in moments of suffering, and they also showed us how much we can carry with the Lord's succor and help. These experiences helped to shape us in wonderful ways, and it has all been totally worthwhile," he said.

"We can rest assured that our difficulties, sorrows, afflictions, and pains do not define us; rather, it is how we go about them that will help us grow and draw closer to God." —Elder Mathias Held #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/VzCH3bIIR5

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) April 7, 2024He encouraged members to look for both sides of "every coin" in their life, and to shift their focus to the positive aspects of challenges. "They are always undoubtedly there too!" Elder Held said.— Emily Ashcraft

Sunday, 03:10 pm

Elder Gary E. Stevenson — Bridging the two great commandments

Elder Gary E. Stevenson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, opened his talk by sharing his fascination with architecture and design, especially when it comes to bridges.He described his time in California where he admired the famous Golden Gate Bridge, an engineering wonder of the world. He spoke of the importance of the two towers that shoulder the load of the many suspension cables needed for the bridge to remain stabilized."Today I invite you to look at this stately bridge, with its ascending twin towers built on a strong foundation, through a gospel lens," he said.He referenced the first tower symbolizing the first and great commandment to "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."The second tower symbolizes the second great commandment to "love thy neighbor as thyself."

"Love of the Lord is not complete if we neglect our neighbors." — Elder @StevensonGaryE #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/eRO59ybITd

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 7, 2024Elder Stevenson dove deeper into the meanings of these two great commandments. He pondered on what it means to love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind.He suggested ways in which we can more fully apply that commandment such as through prayer, scripture study and temple worship."Love is often measured in small daily deeds, footsteps on the covenant path," he said.He then suggested loving our neighbors by looking beyond ourselves and having an outward gaze toward our fellow man.

"We build our personal spiritual bridge with hearts and minds devoted to Heavenly Father and His Only Begotten Son as well as to our brothers and sisters with whom we work, play and live." - Elder @StevensonGaryE #GeneralConference

— Church News (@the_churchnews) April 7, 2024"This outward love includes all of God's children without regard to gender, social class, race, sexuality, income, age or ethnicity."Elder Stevenson emphasized the importance of following these two commandments with an interdependency. He encouraged members to start now on their path to loving God and loving others.— Sicily Stanton

Sunday, 02:44 pm

Elder Taylor G. Godoy — 'Call, don't fall'

Elder Taylor G. Godoy of the Seventy spoke about the power of prayer, sharing personal experiences and scriptural examples of how the act of communication with deity has impacted lives."Prayer is the means of communication with our Heavenly Father that allows us to 'call and don't fall,'" he said. "However, there are circumstances in which we might think that the call has not been heard because we do not receive an immediate response or one according to our expectations. This sometimes leads to anxiety, sadness and disappointment. … Confidence in God's answers implies accepting that '(his) ways are not (our) ways,' and that 'all things must come to pass in their time.'"

"Praying, 'calling,' can be a sign of our hope; but taking action after praying is a sign that our faith is real, faith that is tested in moments of pain, fear or disappointment." — #ElderGodoy #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/iQNo0IIKd4

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 7, 2024Calling is "a matter of faith and action," Elder Godoy said, recognizing a God who answers prayers "according to his infinite wisdom."He offered five steps for Latter-day Saints to seek in looking for answers to their prayers:

Always think of the Lord as your first option for help.

Call, don't fall. Turn to God in sincere prayer.

After praying, do all you can to obtain the blessings you prayed for.

Humble yourselves to accept the answer in his time and his way.

Don't stop. Keep moving forward on the covenant path while you wait for an answer.

— Sean Walker

"As we pray, we can feel the embrace of our Heavenly Father who sent his Only Begotten Son to relieve our burdens, because if we 'call out to God,' I testify we will not fall." —Elder Taylor G. Godoy #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/pKvhLvyUfH

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) April 7, 2024

Sunday, 02:38 pm

Elder D. Todd Christofferson — The testimony of Jesus

In his conference address, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke about the three kingdoms (telestial, terrestrial and celestial), and about what church members need to do to reach the celestial kingdom.He said the plan of redemption is a "universal opportunity" for all of God's children."Our Father wants all his children who will to enjoy eternal life with him in his celestial kingdom. Jesus suffered, died, and was resurrected to make that possible," he said.Elder Christofferson said members qualify for the celestial kingdom through Jesus Christ.

"God's plan of redemption constitutes a universal opportunity for all His children, whenever and wherever they may have lived on the earth."#ElderChristofferson #GeneralConference #UniverseBYU

— The Daily Universe (@UniverseBYU) April 7, 2024He said the difference between the kingdoms is how people respond to the testimony of Jesus — whether they have "wholehearted devotion" to the testimony, are casual about their testimony, or reject it. He said members' "eternal future" depends on their reaction.Elder Christofferson said the testimony of Jesus is a witness that he is the Son of God and the Redeemer.He said being valiant in the testimony of Jesus requires nurturing and strengthening that testimony, strengthening that testimony each day, being open about believing, following the words of prophets and encouraging others to be valiant — especially those in their family.

"One aspect of being valiant in the testimony of Jesus is to heed His messengers. God does not force us into the better path, the covenant path, but He instructs His prophets to make us fully aware of the consequences of our choices." — Elder @ChristoffDTodd #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/nqm0A5nh7R

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 7, 2024He described those who are valiant in their testimony: "The principles and truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ govern their priorities and their choices. The testimony of Jesus is manifest in what they are and what they are becoming. Their focus is on pursuing 'the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.'"Elder Christofferson encouraged members to pursue holiness, and said Christ is their "essential Redeemer.""My invitation is to act now to secure your place as one who is valiant in the testimony of Jesus," he said.— Emily Ashcraft