Sunday afternoon session: Summaries from Latter-day Saint general conference

Estimated read time: Less than a minute

SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is holding its 193rd Semiannual General Conference Saturday, Sept. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 1. This blog summarizes the key points from the Sunday afternoon session.

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

For a glossary of the Latter-day Saint terminology used in this blog, click here.

Sunday, 04:00 pm

President Russell M. Nelson — Think celestial

President Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, addressed the church at the end of this weekend's general conference through a prerecorded video from the Conference Center.He said now that he is in his 100th year of living and is often asked the secret to long life, but he said a better question would be what he has learned."I have learned that Heavenly Father's plan for us is fabulous, that what we do in this life really matters and that the Savior's Atonement is what makes our Father's plan possible," he said.President Nelson said the pain caused by his recent injury, which led him to speak while sitting, has led him to feel a deeper appreciation for the Atonement.

"To assist you to qualify for the rich blessings Heavenly Father has for you, I invite you to adopt the practice of 'thinking celestial!'" —President @NelsonRussellM #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/uDJM0ftAWX

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 1, 2023He encouraged members to start "thinking celestial" by making choices that will improve eternal consequences."The very things that will make your mortal life the best it can be are exactly the same things that will make your life throughout all eternity the best it can be!" President Nelson said.President Nelson said in his first message as president of the church, he encouraged members to begin with the end in mind. He said members can choose how, where and who they live with forever."Obedience paves the way for a joyful life for you today and a grand, eternal reward tomorrow," he said.He said he is convinced that "thinking celestial" helped him in his career. He told church members it will help them avoid addiction, obey the law of chastity, deal with trials and increase their faith.

"Here is the great news of God's plan: The very things that will make your mortal life the best it can be are exactly the same things that will make your life throughout all eternity the best it can be." @NelsonRussellM #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 1, 2023He said service in the temple will help build faith, as he announced locations for 20 new temples."The ordinances and covenants of the temple are of eternal significance. We continue to build more temples to make these sacred possibilities become a reality in each of your lives," he said.Those temples include: Savai'i, Samoa; Kahului, Hawaii; Fairbanks, Alaska; Vancouver, Washington; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Roanoke, Virginia; Cancún, Mexico; Piura, Peru; Huancayo, Peru; Viña del Mar, Chile; Goiânia, Brazil; João Pessoa, Brazil; Cape Coast, Ghana; Calabar, Nigeria; Luanda, Angola; Mbuji-Mayi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Laoag, Philippines; Osaka, Japan; and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.— Emily Ashcraft

Sunday, 03:42 pm

Elder Christophe G. Giraud-Carrier — We are his children

Elder Christophe G. Giraud-Carrier, of the Seventy, described multiple scriptural examples of people who have judged others based on their appearance: Samuel judged Eliab, which the Lord chastised and said Eliab's heart was more important. Ananias judged Saul's outward actions against the church, therefore not wanting to minister to Saul — but the Lord corrected Ananias.Elder Giraud-Carrier gave more examples of a woman taken in adultery, a centurion seeking healing for his servant, and a woman with an issue of blood. In all these circumstances, man saw the surface, but Christ saw children in need.

"In every case, the Lord saw these individuals for who they were, and accordingly ministered to each one." #ElderGiraudCarrier #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 1, 2023Elder Giraud-Carrier shared a story of his wife, Isabelle, ministering to a woman many did not want to minister to because she appeared bitter and unwelcoming. Isabelle chose to serve this woman when she had surgery on her feet, needing bandages changed — which Isabelle faithfully did for her.Isabelle did not see the bitter woman many claimed, but rather saw a beautiful daughter of God. She continued to not see people as man would see, but viewed people through the lens of her heart — seeing as God sees.Elder Giraud-Carrier quoted President Russell M. Nelson, saying the adversary rejoices in the labels the human family places on each other."We may have been raised in different cultures; we may come from different socio-economic circumstances; our mortal heritage, including our nationality, skin color, food preferences, political orientation, etc., may vary greatly. But we are his children, all of us without exception. We have the same divine origin and the same limitless potential through the grace of Jesus Christ," Elder Giraud-Carrier said.

We have the same divine origin and the same limitless potential through the grace of Jesus Christ. - #ElderGiraudCarrier #GeneralConference

— Church News (@the_churchnews) October 1, 2023Members of the church belong to a group who try to put the Savior and their covenants at the center of their lives, Elder Giraud-Carrier said. As a result, he said, members should raise their sights to see others through the "flawless, unchanging lens" of their covenants.—Kaigan Mears Bigler

Sunday, 03:25 pm

Elder Gerrit W. Gong — Love is spoken here

Elder Gerrit W. Gong, of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, spoke to conferencegoers of language — not of the 7,168 living languages in the world, or the 575 documented primary languages in the church. Instead, he focused on three tongues: the language of warmth and reverence, the language of service and sacrifice and the language of covenant belonging."Sometimes we need to know love spoken here, is heard and appreciated here," he said.Words of love can draw members of the church closer to other Christians and friends.

"The more compassionate, faithful and selfless our service and sacrifice are in Him, the more we may begin to fathom Jesus Christ's atoning compassion and grace for us." - @GerritWGong #GeneralConferenceCovenant pic.twitter.com/UTdCPiwt3g

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 1, 2023Another language of love involves service and sacrifice, including in church callings, fellowship, sociality and service, Elder Gong said."I promise that love is spoken here, there and everywhere, as we answer 'yes' to church leaders to serve the Lord in his church by his spirit and our covenants," he added.Church social and service activities can build bonds among members, neighbors and friends and "knit us together with even greater belonging and unity," Elder Gong said.Even so, relationships founded on divine covenants are stronger than the cords of death, he added."In truth, when we covenant all we are, we can become more than we are," Elder Gong said. "God's power and wisdom can bless us with every good gift, in his time and way."

"The Lord's restored Church can be an incubator for a Zion community. As we worship, serve, enjoy and learn his love together, we anchor each other in His gospel." - @GerritWGong #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/dsv7VRv4R4

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 1, 2023— Sean Walker

Sunday, 03:19 pm

Elder J. Kimo Esplin — The Savior's healing power 'upon the isles of the sea'

Elder J. Kimo Esplin, of the Seventy, told a story about the Battle of Okinawa and a woman whose family "sought refuge" in a cave during the battle. He said she got the strength to continue from a profound spiritual experience.After six months in the cave, she began searching for information about God. Elder Esplin said, after meeting two sister missionaries, the woman was "captivated" when she learned her parents could be baptized after death.

"I am grateful to witness the ongoing fulfillment of the Lord's promise that the time shall come when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people." #ElderEsplin #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 1, 2023He said the woman held to her faith through her husband's early death. Later, a mission president who had been one of the enemy American soldiers in the battle encouraged members to attend the temple."He was then one of our hated enemies, but now he was here with the gospel of love and peace. This to me was a miracle," the woman said.Elder Esplin said the woman traveled in a group of Japanese saints to Hawaii to attend the temple, and she "shed tears of joy" as she was baptized and sealed to her deceased husband and baptized on behalf of her deceased mother.

"Temple covenants are gifts from our Heavenly Father to the faithful followers of His Son Jesus Christ. Through the temple, our Heavenly Father binds individuals and families to the Savior and each other." —Elder J. Kimo Esplin #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/3jZcTqPUCn

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 1, 2023He said he met this woman's posterity while living in Hawaii as a child.When an earlier group of Japanese saints arrived in Hawaii to attend the temple, Elder Esplin said one Japanese brother was surprised by the generous welcome from the Hawaiians, after the Japanese had bombed them at Pearl Harbor."Through temple blessings, the Savior heals individuals, families and nations — even those that once stood as bitter enemies," Elder Esplin said.He said he served as a young missionary in Japan shortly after the temple in Tokyo was dedicated and said Japanese saints loved the temple. A temple in Okinawa will be dedicated later this year.— Emily Ashcraft

Sunday, 03:10 pm

Elder Valeri V. Cordon — Divine parenting lessons

Elder Valeri V. Cordon, of the Seventy, talked about the joy of holding a newborn baby. "Parenting is one of life's most extraordinary experiences," he said.Despite all kinds of parents with all kinds of backgrounds, Elder Cordon said all members of the church need to teach the gospel to their children.

Jesus Christ is the center of this gospel culture. Adopting the gospel culture in our families is critical to creating a fertile environment where the seed of faith may flourish. - #ElderCordón #GeneralConference

— Church News (@the_churchnews) October 1, 2023Elder Cordon cited President Dallin H. Oaks, saying, members need to give up practices contrary to the teachings of the church. "Parents, timidity on our part to establish gospel culture may allow the adversary to establish a foothold in our homes, or even worse, in the hearts of our children," he said.He offered three ways to establish a higher gospel culture in members' homes in order to make home the center of gospel learning.First, he said to teach freely, as the Lord taught Adam. When parents spend meaningful time with their children and read the scriptures with them, they are teaching their children.Second, Elder Cordon said to model discipleship. Jesus taught that he did what he did because it was modeled for him through Heavenly Father. Parents who model keeping the Sabbath day holy, keeping temple covenants and being kind to each other, are modeling discipleship.Third, invite children to act, Elder Cordon said. Encourage children to use their agency to choose the right and put the work into gaining their own testimonies.

"Faith in Jesus Christ should be the core of our children's testimonies, and these testimonies must come to each child through individual revelation."#ElderCordón #GeneralConference #UniverseBYU

— The Daily Universe (@UniverseBYU) October 1, 2023Elder Cordon said Heavenly Father's divine intentions are revealed in Moses 1:39 — "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.""As parents, we are God's agents in the care of our children. We must do everything we can to create an environment where our children can feel His divine influence," Elder Cordon said.— Kaigan Mears Bigler

Sunday, 02:45 pm

Elder John C. Pingree Jr. — Eternal truth

Elder John C. Pingree Jr. of the Seventy gave specific counsel about how, where and from whom to find truth, saying "truth helps us avoid deception, discern good from evil, receive protection and find comfort and healing."In doing so, he posited three questions:

What is truth and why is it important?

How do we find truth?

When we find truth, how can we share it?

God is the source of eternal truth, the Holy Ghost testifies of all truth and prophets receive truth from God and share it with the world, Elder Pingree said.At the same time, Elder Pingree added, "Satan works to keep us from truth.""He knows that without truth, we cannot gain eternal life," he said. "He weaves strands of truth with worldly philosophies to confuse us and distract us from what is communicated by God."

"Truth is critical for us to establish and strengthen our relationship with God, find peace and joy, and reach our divine potential." —Elder John C. Pingree Jr. #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/U4sVSSsmGW

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 1, 2023But what can church members do when truth is not yet revealed? The answer involves waiting and patience."I, too, have sought answers to heartfelt questions," Elder Pingree said. "Many answers have come; some have not. As we hold on — trusting God's wisdom and love, keeping his commandments, and relying on what we do know — he helps us find peace until he reveals the truth of all things."Elder Pingree also noted the difference between church policy and church doctrine."While doctrine never changes, policy adjusts from time to time," he said. "The Lord works through his prophets to uphold his doctrine and to modify church policies according to the needs of his children."

As we hold on – trusting God's wisdom and love, keeping His commandments, and relying on what we do know – He helps us find peace until He reveals the truth of all things. - #ElderPingree #GeneralConference

— Church News (@the_churchnews) October 1, 2023— Sean Walker

Sunday, 02:38 pm

Dale G. Renlund — Jesus Christ is the treasure

Elder Dale G. Renlund, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke about the search for the tomb of King Tutankhamun by a wealthy Englishman and an archaeologist. After five years, the men realized the entire area of the Valley of the Kings had been searched, except under their camp.Their discovery was the most famous archeological find of the century. He said the two men "had overlooked what was literally under their feet."He said church members do not need to labor unsuccessfully looking for treasure, they can listen to advice from a prophet.

"When we trust God's prophet on the earth today and act on his counsel, we will find happiness. We need to look no further." —Elder @DaleGRenlund #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/OLsxi17AYP

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 1, 2023Elder Renlund said Jacob, a Book of Mormon prophet, said some people would not recognize Jesus because they would look "beyond the mark" instead of recognizing him. People in Jerusalem crucified the Savior and then waited for someone else."We too can be prone to look beyond the mark. We need to guard against this tendency lest we miss Jesus Christ in our lives and fail to recognize the many blessings he offers us. We need him," he said.

Living close to a temple does bring greater flexibility in scheduling time in the temple, but that very flexibility can make it easier to take the temple for granted. When we do, we miss the mark. - @DaleGRenlund #GeneralConference

— Church News (@the_churchnews) October 1, 2023He told members not to underestimate Christ's influence in their lives. Elder Renlund said members can focus on Christ by repenting daily, which is sometimes undervalued. He said the sacrament should be approached like a new convert approaches baptism."The sacrament brings a powerful virtuous cycle into our lives, enabling us to retain a remission of our sins," he said.He encouraged members of the church to focus on Christ, their greatest treasure."As you come to him, you will be rewarded with strength to face life's challenges, courage to do what is right, and the ability to fulfill your mission in mortality," Elder Renlund said.— Emily Ashcraft

Sunday, 02:00 pm

Sunday afternoon 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.

Sunday afternoon session: Summaries from Latter-day Saint general conference

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - Oct. 1, 2023 at 4:03 p.m. | Posted - Oct. 1, 2023 at 1:55 p.m.

President Russell M. Nelson, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaks in a prerecorded video message during the193rd Semiannual General Conference of the church at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday. (Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)

President Russell M. Nelson — Think celestial

Elder Christophe G. Giraud-Carrier — We are his children

Elder Gerrit W. Gong — Love is spoken here

Elder J. Kimo Esplin — The Savior's healing power 'upon the isles of the sea'

Elder Valeri V. Cordon — Divine parenting lessons

Elder John C. Pingree Jr. — Eternal truth

Dale G. Renlund — Jesus Christ is the treasure

Sunday afternoon general conference session begins

Photos

Related stories

Most recent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stories

Related topics

More stories you may be interested in

Southern Utah ranchers express frustration over USDA's electronic tag mandate

Mexican Senate OKs change geared in part to US-born kids of undocumented Mexicans

Boeing sending first astronaut crew to space after years of delay

Most Viewed

STAY IN THE KNOW

KSL Weather Forecast