The annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was held April 6 and 7, comprising five general sessions.  The Saturday morning session opened with President Jeffrey R. Holland, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  President Holland last gave an address in the General Conference in October 2022 as he has dealt with a number of health concerns.

In his address he testified of and shared gratitude for “the efficacy of resolute prayers” as the opening speaker of the session. “I testify that God hears every prayer we offer and responds to each of them according to the path He has outlined for our perfection.”

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke in the Saturday afternoon session about the need in a hectic world for the blessing of inner spiritual stillness. “As the foundation of our lives is built upon the Savior, we are blessed to ‘be still’ — to have a spiritual assurance that God is our Heavenly Father, we are His children, and Jesus Christ is our Savior,” he said.

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about moral agency and being one with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ through the Savior’s Atonement. “Without moral agency, we could not learn, progress, or choose to be one with Christ,” he taught. “To receive the blessings of the Savior’s Atonement, we must affirmatively exercise our moral agency to choose Christ and obey His commandments.”

Later that evening, Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus, Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, taught through the story of David and Goliath how the youth have strengths, much like David’s stones, that can be used against the adversary.  

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was the final speaker of the evening.  Elder Uchtdorf gave steps to finding a higher peace through Jesus Christ and joy — “the very purpose of God’s plan for His children.”  He concluded by saying, “The Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said, “I have learned that if we draw near to God and reach out to touch Him, we can indeed find healing, peace and joy.”

Elder Ronald A. Rasband opened the Sunday morning session as he talked about the power of words in our lives.  He said, “I promise that if we ‘feast upon the words of Christ’ that lead to salvation, our Prophet’s words that guide and encourage us, and our own words that speak of who we are and what we hold dear, the powers of heaven will pour down upon us.”

He also suggested that we all employ three simple phrases as deal with loved ones, friends, and even those that aren’t our friends- “Thank you,” “I’m sorry,” and “I love you.”

Comparing living the gospel of Jesus Christ to kayaking in the ocean, Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said building spiritual momentum helps individuals avoid falling when adversarial waves hit. The same size wave that a moving kayak can absorb without tipping can cause a stopped kayak to roll over in
the water. 

Likewise, making efforts to grow spiritually can help an individual avoid spiritually falling when temptations or challenges come into their life.  “If we maintain spiritual momentum by continually ‘rowing’ toward the Savior, we are safer and more secure because our eternal life depends on our faith in Him,”
he said.

The Sunday afternoon session included the address of newly sustained apostle Elder Patrick Kearon who was appointed following the death of Elder M. Russel Ballard. Teaching of God’s plan for His children to return to His presence he said, “God wants for us a radical reorientation of our selfish and prideful impulses, the eviction of the natural man, for us to ‘go, and sin no more,’” he said. “Are there things we need to do, commandments to keep, aspects of our natures to change? Yes. But with His grace, those are within our reach, not beyond our grasp,” he taught.

A number of speakers addressed the purpose of latter-day temples, temple worship and the blessing of modern day temples.  President Dallin H. Oaks said, “Today Latter-day Saints have a better understanding of the role of covenants in the restored Church. The Church’s growth and its purpose in building temples worldwide is to bless the children of God through temple worship and unique blessings associated with being bound to the Savior through covenants. 

“Covenants are inherent in each of the ordinances of salvation and exaltation this restored Church administers,” he said.  Later he continued, “Persons who wear their garments faithfully and keep their temple covenants affirm their role as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ,” he said

Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said to have “covenant confidence through Jesus Christ” means trusting in the quiet, yet certain, assurance of receiving the blessings that God promises for those who keep their covenants — a blessing needed amid the challenging circumstances of the day.

“Confidence through Jesus Christ is gained with humility, living a righteous life and honoring covenants made in the temple. The Savior asks each member to come to the temple spiritually prepared. “Preparation isn’t just for those going to the temple for the first time. We should all be perpetually preparing to go to the house of the Lord,” he said. 

President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, testified of the importance of temple covenants and urged all to qualify and become eligible to attend the temple.  “As one attends the temple, they can be reminded of their eternal nature, relationship with the Father and His Son and desire to return to their heavenly home. “Trials, challenges, and heartaches will surely come to all of us. … Yet, as we attend the temple and remember our covenants, we can prepare to receive personal direction from the Lord,” he said.

Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that “when we trust God and His love for us, even our greatest heartbreaks can in the end work together for our good.” Because of Jesus Christ’s Atonement, He not only redeems one from sin, but understands each pain and affliction. “In time and eternity, His triumph over death and hell can make all things right.”

Even President Russel M. Nelson bore testimony of the temple, saying, “Here is my promise. Nothing will help you more to hold fast to the iron rod than worshiping in the temple as regularly as your circumstances permit. Nothing will protect you more as you encounter the world’s mists of darkness. Nothing will bolster your testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement or help you understand God’s magnificent plan more. Nothing will soothe your spirit more during times of pain. Nothing will open the heavens more. Nothing! The temple is the gateway to the greatest blessings God has for each
of us.”

At the conclusion of his talk, he announced an additional fifteen temples that will be erected around the world, including Uturoa, French Polynesia

Chihuahua, Mexico

Florianópolis, 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

Maracaibo, Venezuela