Summary
Highlights
The 196th annual general conference begins with a Saturday morning session from Salt Lake City, Utah. President D. Todd Christopherson conducts the session, which includes music from the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, joined by international members. Elder Michael B. Strong offers the invocation. President Don H. Oaks welcomes attendees and explains the significance of the solemn assembly, where members sustain the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles through a series of votes by quorums and groups. He emphasizes the church's global reach and reaffirms testimony in the resurrected Lord.
President Oaks oversees the solemn assembly, where members of various quorums and groups, including the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, General Authority Seventies, Area Seventies, Presiding Bishopric, ordained patriarchs, high priests, elders, Relief Society members, Aaronic Priesthood holders, and young women, participate in sustaining their leaders. This includes sustaining Don Harris Oaks as prophet, seer, and revelator and president of the Church, along with his counselors and members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The process concludes with a vote from the entire church membership.
Elder Patrick Kieran shares his personal journey of joining the Church and the spiritual growth he experienced through various callings, starting as an assistant ward clerk. He highlights the principle of common consent as a beautiful mix of agency, unity, and faith, inviting members to support and uplift leaders with their prayers, love, and patience, even when they may not always agree. He testifies that service, when embraced with a humble heart, becomes an infinite redeeming work alongside the Savior, emphasizing that it is not where one serves, but how they serve, that truly matters.
Sister Kristen Mi speaks about the profound impact of ministering, sharing the story of how a ministering couple helped transform her father's life through consistent support and temple worship. She emphasizes that ministering is an act of love and care, not a program, and is essential to fulfilling baptismal and temple covenants. Ministering by the Spirit invites the Savior's healing and allows individuals to find peace, clarity, and purpose. She reminds listeners that the Lord knows and loves those they minister to and provides divine help, enabling disciples to bring the Savior's love to all of God's children.
Elder Clark G. Gilbert shares his pledge to witness the name of Jesus Christ as redeemer and repairer, focusing on Christ's invitation to 'come home.' He recounts stories of individuals who found their way back to the Church despite feeling they didn't belong, didn't measure up, or were held back by doubts or traditions. He emphasizes that the Lord helps individuals overcome concerns by anchoring in belief, recognizing the Holy Ghost, and staying in covenants. He concludes with a powerful message, likening the invitation to come home to a hymn, 'Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling,' and testifies of Christ's redeeming power.
Elder David A. Bednar discusses the spiritual meaning of 'enduring to the end,' moving beyond physical perseverance to a comprehensive spiritual transformation. He explains that enduring is tied to becoming new creatures in Christ, aligning one's character and desires with God's will. He highlights spiritual gifts, particularly charity, as essential for this transformation, stating that charity 'endures forever' and should 'possess us.' He demonstrates how including the phrase 'is possessed of the pure love of Christ' clarifies scriptural passages about enduring to the end, emphasizing that it is a joyous quest to become more like the Savior.
Elder John Ute begins by referencing the rich young man's decision to follow Christ and the importance of heeding prophetic counsel. He shares his parents' experience of converting to the Church in the Philippines, which required them to distinguish between cultural traditions and gospel culture and to shed practices not aligned with the gospel. He stresses that following Christ means making individual choices to keep covenants, even when facing pressures from family or society. He also shares two experiences of visiting members with cancer in Japan and Korea, noting their unwavering faith and joy despite trials, and testifies to the power of prophetic guidance and putting God first in all things.
President Henry B. Eyring addresses the global turmoil and the human tendency to turn to God in times of crisis. He emphasizes the Savior's promise of peace to his disciples and encourages fervent prayer, not with 'vain repetitions' but by pouring out our souls in private and maintaining a continual prayer in our hearts. He shares the example of Alma and his people, who received divine comfort despite nonverbal prayers, and the sons of Mosiah, whose spiritual strength came from constant prayer. President Eyring testifies that the Lord hears and answers prayers, bringing peace even in profound moments of grief, as he personally experienced at his wife's funeral.
The session concludes with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and the congregation singing 'We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet.' Elder Christopher H. Kim of the Seventy offers the benediction, expressing gratitude for Jesus Christ, his atoning sacrifice, and the leadership of President Oaks, his counselors, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.