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 194th Semiannual General Conference Saturday, Oct. 5, and Sunday, Oct. 6. This blog summarizes the key points from the Saturday 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.

Saturday, 12:01 pm

President Dallin H. Oaks — Following Christ

President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the church's First Presidency, was the concluding speaker of the Saturday morning session. In his address, President Oaks emphasized the profound commitment required to follow Christ, which involves loving God and our neighbors as fundamental commandments."Following Christ is not a casual or occasional practice. It is a continuous commitment and way of life that should guide us at all times and in all places," he said.President Oaks used the metaphor of a kite tethered to a string to illustrate how covenants connect us to God, enabling us to rise above life's challenges.

"As we honor those covenants by keeping Their commandments and following Their plan of redemption, Their promised blessings enable us to soar to celestial heights." - @OaksDallinH | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 5, 2024He highlighted the importance of obedience to both permanent and temporary commandments, noting that "the commandments of God provide the guiding and steadying force in our lives."President Oaks explained that during this period of societal tension and contention, followers of Christ should be peacemakers, rejecting the hostility. He referenced Jesus Christ's teachings about love and reconciliation, emphasizing the need for compassionate interactions.

"As we pursue our preferred policies in public actions, let us qualify for His blessings by using the language and methods of peacemakers. In our families and other personal relationships, let us avoid what is harsh and hateful." - @OaksDallinH | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 5, 2024President Oaks encouraged individuals to embody Christlike love and to seek common ground, fostering peace in all relationships."How it would change personal relationships if followers of Christ would forego harsh and hurtful words in all their communications," he said.— Jenny Rollins

Saturday, 11:47 am

Elder Gregorio E. Casillas — God loves all his children

Some time ago, Elder Gregorio E. Casillas, of the Seventy, was visiting members of the church in a local neighborhood when his stake president asked him to see one more family.Greeted by a sister who had recently received chemotherapy, she was too weak to care for her adult son. So, Casillas helped the stake president dress and feed the son while helping with other tasks.

"He uses us, His ordinary servants, to help bring His children to Him." — #ElderCasillas | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 5, 2024"Before we left their home, we were able to bless them. All that was going through my mind during this visit was a confirmation that Jesus Christ loves them deeply," Elder Casillas said.He said this experience helped him understand there is always someone we can help to feel the love of Heavenly Father."While it's certainly important to prepare yourself to succeed in this very competitive world, one of your crucial missions throughout your life is to become a disciple of Jesus Christ and to follow the impressions of the Spirit. As you do this, God will bless your life; he will bless your current or future family; and he will bless the lives of his children that you encounter," Elder Casillas said.

"Let us strive to be good Christians at all times." —Elder Gregorio E. Casillas #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/g4q8Xvxwwc

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 5, 2024As disciples of Jesus Christ, Elder Casillas said Latter-day Saints are positioned to make a positive difference in the world, providing a sense of joy that is shared with "words of love and acts of kindness.""My dear brothers and sisters, on that day when a priesthood leader felt inspired for us to visit a mother and son that we did not have on our agenda, I proclaim God knew that they needed us. And in the end, I was the one who was ministered. On that day, I received one of the greatest lessons of the Savior's love for us," Elder Casillas said.— Logan Stefanich

Saturday, 11:39 am

Elder David P. Homer — Trusting our Father

Elder David P. Homer, of the Seventy, said he is inspired by the story of Louisa Pratt, a woman whose husband was serving a mission while she traveled from Nauvoo to the Salt Lake Valley.Initially, Pratt had been reluctant to travel, but decided to go after she was encouraged by Brigham Young. She later wrote in her journal there was "not a more mirthful woman in the whole company."Elder Homer said God trusts church members to make their own decisions, and asks them to trust him. He said the scriptures and prophets can guide us.

"As we seek to understand God's will, it is helpful to remember that the boundaries between right and wrong are not for us to define." - #ElderHomer | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 5, 2024"God gives his word according to the attention and effort we devote to it. If we heed God's word, we will receive more; if we ignore his counsel, we will receive less and less until we have none," he said.Elder Homer encouraged members to look to the Savior, telling a story of his disciples who decided to leave and others who decided to stay."When we focus on the Savior, our faith can start to overcome our concerns," he said.He said the Savior set a perfect example for all.

"We have a loving Father in Heaven, who cares for us wherever we are, and we can trust Him more than anyone or anything else." — Elder David P. Homer #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/uQ2MCcXvzd

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 5, 2024"When we find it difficult to understand or embrace God's will, it is comforting to remember that he loves us as we are, wherever we are. And he has something better for us. If we reach out to him, he will assist us," Elder Homer said.He said submitting to God's will is an act of faith, and members are rewarded with the Holy Ghost bringing joy and hope."They know our hurts and challenges. They will never forsake us, and know perfectly how to succor us. We can be of good cheer as we trust them more than anyone or anything else," he concluded.— Emily Ashcraft

Saturday, 11:23 am

Elder Dale G. Renlund — 'This is my church'

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles began his talk by describing the history of dynamite. The combination of the unstable chemical nitroglycerin with kieselguhr, a stabilizing substance, made dynamite stable, powerful and valuable. Elder Renlund compared this combination to how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the gospel can transform people.

"Just as dynamite without nitroglycerin is unremarkable, the Savior's Church is only special if it is built on His gospel." — Elder @DaleGRenlund #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/Fj8OX1vunK

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 5, 2024"The gospel is perfect, but a divinely commissioned church is required to preach it, maintain its purity and administer its sacred ordinances with the Savior's power and authority," he said.Elder Renlund explained that the church is not confined to a physical building but consists of ordinary people united to fulfill divine purposes.

"The Church is simply ordinary people, disciples of Jesus Christ, gathered and organized into a divinely appointed structure that helps the Lord accomplish His purposes." - @DaleGRenlund | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 5, 2024"The combination of the gospel of Jesus Christ and his church is beyond price," he said, highlighting that, without the church, understanding of the gospel is unstable and prone to doctrinal drift. The church provides the authoritative means for individuals to access God's power, make lasting covenants and become transformed.He shared a personal story about his grandparents, Oskar and Albertina, whose lives were changed by the restored gospel after they heard missionaries preach in Sweden. Their conversion journey illustrates the church's and the gospel's role in enabling individuals to access God's transformative power.Elder Renlund invited everyone to commit more fully to the Savior and his church, assuring that this commitment will bring profound joy and empowerment in their lives.— Jenny Rollins

Saturday, 11:11 am

Elder Karl D. Hirst — Rejoice and be filled with love

Elder Karl D. Hirst of the Seventy spoke about becoming "rooted and grounded" in Jesus Christ and in his love.As a father of six children, Elder Hirst said he most relates to his Heavenly Father's love through the love he feels for his children."Is it any surprise that the greatest commandments are to love God and to love those around us?" Elder Hirst asked. "When I see people showing Christlike love for one another, it feels to me as if that love contains more than just their love — it is love that also has divinity in it."

"However misshapen we might feel we are, His arms are not shortened." - #ElderHirst #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 5, 2024Still, sometimes it can feel as though the people we care about are distant from a sense of divine love, he said.When that is the case, Elder Hirst said a remedy is to do things that bring us closer to God and then do things that bring us closer to those who may feel distant from divine love."Perhaps there is a chorus of voices of discouragement and darkness that weighs into your thoughts? Messages telling you that you are too wounded, confused, too weak and overlooked, too different or disoriented to warrant heavenly love in any real way. If you hear those ideas then please hear this: Those voices are just wrong," Elder Hirst said.

"The joy of the gospel is available to all: not just the happy, not just the downcast. Joy is our purpose, not the gift of our circumstances." —Elder Karl D. Hirst #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/g5P7RVXzqK

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 5, 2024Elder Hirst said that while God's love does not leave us, we don't always feel it."Let's look for and treasure experiences of feeling his love and power in our lives. The joy of the gospel is available to all: not just the happy, not just the downcast. Joy is our purpose, not the gift of our circumstances," Elder Hirst said.— Logan Stefanich

Saturday, 11:05 am

President Emily Belle Freeman — Live up to your privileges

Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman encouraged church members to focus on the power and blessings behind priesthood ordinances.She shared an experience when the sacrament was prepared just for her while her husband was sick. President Freeman said the sacrament allows her to draw on gifts from God, including companionship with the Spirit, ministering angels and the strength to overcome."Priesthood ordinances and covenant promises allow God to sanctify us and then work wonders in our lives," she said.

"It is the combination of priesthood ordinances along with the keeping of covenant promises that allows us to draw upon God's power." —President Emily Belle Freeman #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/6wGzC0PAib

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 5, 2024President Freeman talked about 26-year-old Emma Smith who received revelation from God, which gave her purpose. She said God transformed Emma into the person he knew she could become."Emma didn't just have a front row seat to the Restoration; she was an essential participant in the work taking place. … Emma was given a sacred role to help prepare the saints to worship; their songs unto the Lord would be received as prayers," she said.President Freeman talked about a baby blessing for her granddaughter, which included a blessing of an understanding of the holy priesthood."Through his priesthood ordinances and the keeping of her covenant promises, God's power will work in and through her to help her overcome whatever life brings and become the woman God knows she can become. This is something I want each girl in the kingdom to understand," she said.

"Partaking of the bread and water is a weekly reminder of His power working in you to help you overcome." #GeneralConference #PresidentFreeman

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 5, 2024She encouraged members to learn how priesthood ordinances and covenants allow them to reach their full potential and unlock blessings."We all have access to the gift of God's power. Every time we partake of the sacrament. Every time we cross the threshold of a temple," President Freeman said.— Emily Ashcraft

Saturday, 10:46 am

Elder Neil L. Andersen — The triumph of hope

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles opened the first session of the 194th Semiannual General Conference by talking about the gift of hope.

"There is no pain, no sickness, no injustice, no suffering, nothing that can darken our hope as we believe and hold tightly to our covenants with God in the house of the Lord. It is a house of light, a house of hope." — Elder @AndersenNeilL #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/IpmHux9ehk

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 5, 2024He said the word "hope" generally refers to things we want to happen, but he wanted to focus on sacred and eternal hopes centered on Jesus Christ, which ensure eternal life through his grace and our choices. He explained that life's trials, filled with joy and sorrow, can be overcome through faith, allowing individuals to glimpse the blessings of eternity."As we strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ, we see beyond our struggles to the blessings and promises of eternity," Elder Andersen said. "Like a light whose brilliance grows, hope brightens the darkened world and we see our glorious future."He explained that temples serve as beacons of hope in dark modern times, providing peace and confirming eternal blessings for the faithful. Andersen shared the story about a couple who left the faith and how the wife was unmoored when her husband unexpectedly died and contrasted it with the story of his nephew's family who found peace amid tragedy when their son died during surgery.

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 5, 2024Elder Andersen concluded by affirming that true hope resides in Jesus Christ, who fulfills our righteous dreams and offers unconditional love."The peace you seek may not come as quickly as you desire, but I promise you that as you trust in the Lord, his peace will come," he said.— 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.