Saturday 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 192nd Semiannual General Conference Saturday, Oct. 1, and Sunday, Oct. 2. This blog summarizes the key points from the Saturday 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.

Saturday, 04:11 pm

Elder D. Todd Christofferson — The doctrine of belonging

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the Quorum of the Twelve, spoke to church members about "the doctrine of belonging" and emphasized that each of them belongs in Christ's church and his kingdom."A sense of belonging is important to our physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Yet, it is quite possible that at times each of us might feel that we don't fit in," he said.Elder Christofferson talked about a woman who was struggling with infertility and did not want to go back after a church lesson on motherhood but knew the joy from renewing covenants was worth continuing to come."It is a sad irony, then, when someone, feeling he or she doesn't meet the ideal in all aspects of life, concludes that they don't belong in the very organization designed by God to help us progress toward the ideal," he said.

"We should be diligent in rooting prejudice and discrimination out of the Church, out of our homes, and most of all out of our hearts." —@ChristoffDTodd #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/o5m7UXbNBR

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 1, 2022Elder Christofferson encouraged members to ask the Lord how to bring others to "the great feast of the Lord." He said the sense of belonging comes from service and sacrifice, rather than a focus on our own needs.He gave another example of a young woman whose friends suggested taking action to get rid of life's difficulties — sending children to day care or leaving her husband. This woman told her mother she worries her friends don't understand suffering is normal and good."Today, unfortunately, consecrating oneself to a cause or sacrificing anything for anyone else is becoming countercultural," he said.Elder Christofferson said people today who suffer discrimination for being baptized are blessed with a "powerful sense of belonging" within the church — although we join for the redemption and ordinances of salvation."Any sacrifice we make in the Lord's cause helps to confirm our place with him who gave his life a ransom for many," Elder Christofferson said.— Emily Ashcraft

Saturday, 03:47 pm

Elder Jorge F. Zeballos — Building a life resistant to the adversary

During Elder Jorge F. Zeballos' talk, the member of the Quorum of the Seventy drew from his experience as a civil engineer.When he began his studies in civil engineering, he was excited to learn how to design buildings that were anti-seismic but quickly learned that it wasn't possible. Instead, his professor taught him how to make buildings that were resistant to the inevitable earthquakes that would come by following a very specific set of instructions to the letter.

"How blessed we are to count on a knowledge of the Plan of Salvation created with our Heavenly Father, to have the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and to rely on the inspired direction of living prophets." #ElderZeballos | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 1, 2022Earthquakes can crack a building's foundation and break windows, just like Satan's power can shake and break someone's testimony if they're not prepared, Elder Zeballos said. The plan that members of the Church of Jesus Christ should follow in order to withstand the potentially foundation-shaking issues that come up is the plan of salvation, he added.When Christ was tempted by Satan, he prepared by fasting and by knowing and applying the scriptures, Elder Zeballos explained. People today can do the same things when they are tempted, and they can hold onto the scriptures that say that God won't tempt people above what they are able to handle.— Jenny Rollins

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 1, 2022

Saturday, 03:44 pm

Elder James W. McConkie III — And they sought to see Jesus who he was

Elder James W. McConkie III, general authority seventy, discussed the importance of lifting each other as individuals seek to come unto Christ.Elder McConkie focused his remarks on stories from Mark 2, including the story of a paralyzed man whose four friends carried the bed he laid on through the streets of Capernaum to see Jesus. Upon finding a large crowd listening to Jesus, the four friends scrambled onto the roof of the building where Jesus was preaching, carefully lifting up their friend, and lowered the bed into the room where Jesus was.Like those four friends, Elder McConkie said each member of the church has a role to play in the kingdom of God. "As we fill that role and do our part, we carry our corner. Whether in Argentina or Vietnam, Accra or Brisbane, a branch or a ward, a family or a missionary companionship, we each have a corner to carry. As we do, and if we will, the Lord blesses us all," he said.

"When we try to help someone we love come unto Christ, we can do so with confidence that He has the capacity to lift the burden of sin and to forgive." —Elder James W. McConkie III #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/pG7FYAZ0G5

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 1, 2022Elder McConkie said the story emphasizes the importance of community and fellowship."At different times, I have carried the corner of a bed, and at other times I have been the one carried," he said. "Part of the power of this remarkable story of Jesus is that it reminds us just how much we need each other, as brothers and sisters, to come unto Christ and be transformed."— Sydnee Gonzalez

Saturday, 03:38 pm

Elder Ulisses Soares — In partnership with the Lord

When his wife decided to study music, Elder Ulisses Soares, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, bought her a piano. He assumed she would be happy with the gift, but upon receiving it, she asked him if it was a gift or a debt. Together, the two decided not to buy the piano after all while on a student budget.In his talk Saturday afternoon, Elder Soares gave members two "fundamental principles" to strengthen a marriage:

We are all considered equal in the eyes of God; neither men nor women have greater possibilities.

The golden rule, which suggests an attitude of reciprocity and unity.

Elder Soares said in a marriage relationship, both partners are equals, walking "side by side." He used the example of Adam and Eve who worked together to till the earth after leaving the Garden of Eden, and prayed to God together."The restored gospel of Jesus Christ proclaims the principle of full partnership between woman and man, both in mortal life and in the eternities. … Woman and man fill equally relevant and essential roles in God's plan of happiness for his children," Elder Soares said.

"Nurturing and presiding are interrelated and overlapping responsibilities, which means that mothers and fathers are obligated to help one another as equal partners and share a balanced leadership in their home." @Ulisses__Soares | #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/iaOELmxNaR

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 1, 2022He said the responsibilities of nurturing and presiding overlap in the home, and are interconnected."When loving parents well understand these two major responsibilities, they will strive together to protect and care for the physical and emotional well-being of their children," he said.

"Although each possesses specific attributes and divinely appointed responsibilities, woman and man fill equally relevant and essential roles in God's plan of happiness for His children." @Ulisses__Soares | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 1, 2022Elder Soares also spoke about single parents who are required to take on both roles and encouraged members in this circumstance to seek the Lord's help."I testify to you that as we — women and men — work together in a true and equal partnership, we will enjoy the unity taught by the Savior as we fulfill the divine responsibilities in our marriage relationships," Elder Soares said.— Emily Ashcraft

Saturday, 03:32 pm

Elder Paul V. Johnson — Be perfected in him

Elder Paul V. Johnson, a member of the Quorum of the Seventy, began his talk by telling the story of his grandson who had severe aplastic anemia and needed a bone marrow transplant from his brother. With that blood and lots of medical care, his body changed for the better.

"We may have a tendency to think we have to perfect ourselves, but that is not possible." #ElderJohnson | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 1, 2022Christ's blood can also change people for the better, to the point of changing a person's spiritual DNA, Elder Johnson explained. In fact, Christ's atonement is the only way to become perfect like he is, he added, no matter where people have started from or what they've been through."Although we can't save ourselves, when we submit to the Lord's will and keep our covenants, the way is open for our redemption. ... We can have our hearts changed, have his image in our countenances, and become new creatures in Christ," Elder Johnson said.— Jenny Rollins

#ElderJohnson | #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/0aA4y5OnrX

— LDS Living (@LDSLivingMag) October 1, 2022

Saturday, 02:58 pm

Sister Kristin M. Yee — Beauty for ashes: The healing path of forgiveness

Sister Kristin M. Yee, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, highlighted the healing power of forgiveness — a phenomenon she said she has seen in her own life.After growing up in a home where she "didn't always feel safe because of emotional and verbal mistreatment," Yee said she felt angry and resentful toward her father.

"The Savior is ever merciful and attentive and stands ready to provide the succor we need." —Sister Kristin M. Yee #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/XhhGQFJzlf

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 1, 2022"On the path of forgiveness and healing lies a choice not to perpetuate unhealthy patterns or relationships in our families or elsewhere," Sister Yee said. "To all within our influence, we can offer kindness for cruelty, love for hate, gentleness for abrasiveness, safety for distress, and peace for contention."She cautioned that forgiveness does not mean putting yourself in a position where you will continue to be hurt, nor does it mean taking on the burden of forgiveness alone.Yee added that both she and her father have experienced softened hearts thanks to the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

"As my love for the Savior has grown, so has my desire to replace hurt and anger with His healing balm." #SisterYee | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 1, 2022"The Lord requires us to forgive for our own good. But he does not ask us to do it without his help, his love, his understanding," she said. "Through our covenants with the Lord, we can each receive the strengthening power, guidance and the help we need to both forgive and to be forgiven."— Sydnee Gonzalez

Saturday, 02:50 pm

President M. Russell Ballard — Follow Jesus Christ with footsteps of faith

President M. Russell Ballard, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, talked to members of the church about finding hope through following Jesus Christ "with footsteps of faith.""We need to serve the Lord and serve one another. We need to strengthen ourselves spiritually by keeping and honoring covenants. We should not lose the sense of urgency to keep the commandments," he said.Elder Ballard said following Christ brings hope for overcoming mistakes, sorrows and trials."I testify that there is hope and peace in Christ. He can carry us today through difficult times. He did it for the early pioneers, and he will do it now for each one of us," he said.

"Please remember that if anyone should lose their way, we will never be lost to our Savior. With the blessing of repentance, we can turn to Him." @BallardMRussell | #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/jFyTpuodkR

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 1, 2022Elder Ballard spoke about his ancestors who traveled to Utah as pioneers and the trials they faced 175 years ago."My great-grandparents followed Jesus Christ with footsteps of faith throughout each of their trials. I am grateful to them for never giving up. Their footsteps of faith have blessed me and subsequent generations, just as your footsteps of faith today will bless your posterity," he said.He spoke about Joseph Smith, the first prophet of the church whose faith led to the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and President Russell M. Nelson who currently teaches and leads members. He said both prophets are pioneers.He said missionaries today teaching about Joseph Smith are "modern-day pioneers," as they open the way for more of God's children to know him.

"Dear young men and young women, your footsteps of faith will help you to follow the Lord's invitation to serve missions—to be modern-day pioneers—by opening the way for God's children to find and stay on the covenant path leading back to His glorious presence." @BallardMRussell

— Church News (@the_churchnews) October 1, 2022"Our Savior Jesus Christ is the ultimate pioneer in preparing the way. Indeed, he is 'the way' for the plan of salvation to be accomplished so that we can repent, and through faith in him, return to our Heavenly Father," Elder Ballard said.— Emily Ashcraft

Saturday, 01:55 pm

Saturday 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.