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 193rd Annual General Conference Saturday, April 1, and Sunday, April 2. This blog summarizes the key points from the Saturday morning 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, 12:09 pm

President Henry B. Eyring — Finding personal peace

President Henry B. Eyring, the second counselor in the First Presidency, spoke about receiving personal peace during difficult times by keeping the commandments and feeling the love of the Savior.

"The Savior knows that all of Heavenly Father's children yearn for peace, and He said that He could give it to us." @EyringHB | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 1, 2023He shared five truths about peace from the teachings of the Savior:

Peace comes after people demonstrate faith by being obedient to the commandments.

Peace comes through the Holy Ghost, which abide with people if they are faithful.

Keeping covenants will allow people to feel the love of God and Jesus Christ.

Keeping the commandments involves loving God with all our heart, might, mind and soul.

Christ paid the price so that people can repent to receive peace.

President Eyring acknowledged that many people may not be feeling that promised peace they have been praying for. Satan is working to prevent people from finding peace."Yet there is reason for optimism: It is that the light of Christ is placed in every newborn child. With that universal gift comes a sense of what is right, a desire to love and be loved," he said.

#PresidentEyring | #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/aYAYhjIZ5Q

— LDS Living (@LDSLivingMag) April 1, 2023Parents who have received that peace can raise children and encourage them "to qualify for the supernal gift of peace," President Eyring continued.Sometimes children choose to leave their parents' faith, but there is still an opportunity for peace from peacemakers who will seek out the wandering sheep."The rising generation will become the nurturers of the generation to follow. The multiplier effect will produce a miracle. It will spread and grow over time, and the Lord's kingdom on earth will be ready to greet him with shouts of hosanna. There will be peace on earth," he concluded.— Jenny Rollins

Saturday, 12:03 pm

Elder Allen D. Haynie — Follow the living prophet

Elder Allen D. Haynie, a general authority seventy, spoke of the importance of following the living prophet in the latter days.He said one Saturday morning as a child he went to go watch cartoons, but instead general conference was on the TV. When he saw then-President David O. Mckay, he felt very strongly that the man was a prophet.Although he immediately changed the channel after to cartoons, Elder Haynie said he never forgot that moment where he felt the Spirit confirm that was the prophet.

"Even if you are unsure, I witness that we can withstand the heat of the latter days and even thrive in them. We are the saints of the latter days, and these are great days." — Elder Allen D. Haynie #GeneralConference #UniverseBYU #GreatDays

— The Daily Universe (@UniverseBYU) April 1, 2023"Knowing by revelation that there is a living prophet on the earth changes everything," Elder Haynie said. "Such revealed knowledge invites one to trust the counsel of a living prophet, even if we do not fully understand it."Elder Haynie said no one is spiritually at risk when following prophetic counsel, and it is especially pertinent to follow the prophet as we near the time of Christ's second coming.To survive spiritually and physically, listen to the words of the prophets, Elder Haynie said. He said it is important each person individually decides if they are going to trust and follow the prophet.

"When parents ignore the counsel of the living prophet, they not only lose the promised blessings for themselves, but even more tragically teach their children that what a prophet says is insignificant or that prophetic counsel can be picked through in a smorgasbord fashion…

— Church News (@the_churchnews) April 1, 2023Small deviations from prophetic counsel results in walking away from the path and can impact families, Elder Haynie said. "Such a result is a generational price that is too high."As the saints of the latter days, Elder Haynie said it is our duty to rise up and follow the words of the living prophet in an ever-darkening world."We were anxious to come to the earth at this time, having confidence that we would not be left to stumble when confronted by the adversary's increasingly darker and more confusing mists, but rather to take counsel and direction from he who is authorized to say to us and the entire world, 'Thus saith the Lord God.'"— Cassidy Wixom

Saturday, 11:45 am

Elder Quentin L. Cook — Safely gathered home

Elder Quentin L. Cook, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said Heavenly Father's plan is to gather his children "to our heavenly home." He encouraged members to share the gospel with everyone and follow counsel to participate in the gathering of Israel."The Father of our spirits desires his children to be safely gathered home," he said.Elder Cook talked about the growth of the church through missionary work on islands throughout the sea, including the British Isles in the early years of the church and more recently in the Philippines and the Polynesian islandsHe said until the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there was missing information about what the gathering of Israel meant. He spoke of various groups of people who left the land of Israel, including Lehi and his family from the Book of Mormon.Elder Cook said one of the purposes of the Book of Mormon is to convince people of Christ, and it has a role in the gathering of Israel."As viewed through a clear lens, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have the great privilege of loving, sharing, inviting and helping gather Israel, to receive the fullness of the Lord's covenant blessings," Elder Cook said.He said President Russell M. Nelson has addressed the gathering most directly, saying helping anyone, even those who have died, is helping gather Israel. He said they are grateful so many have responded to an invitation from President Nelson to increase missionary service.Elder Cook said there are "remarkable blessings" from sharing the gospel of Christ, and he encouraged all members to consider how they accept counsel from President Nelson and the Lord to gather Israel.— Emily Ashcraft

"The Lord expects those who have received His gospel to urgently strive to be a beacon light example that will help others come to God." —Elder @CookQuentinL #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/rYkmkQuZ4x

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) April 1, 2023

Saturday, 11:27 am

Elder Gerrit W. Gong — Ministering

Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared stories from people all over the world whose lives were impacted for the better by ministering."Everywhere I go, I gratefully learn from those who minister and care as our Savior would," he said."Faithful consistency brings miracles. Higher and holier ministering comes when we pray for the 'pure love of Christ' and follow the Spirit," he added.Elder Gong mentioned that in some places, members of the church are experiencing "a ministering gap" — meaning more people are reporting having accomplished their monthly ministering than the number of people reporting they have received ministering.He continued saying that, "We do not want checklist concern," but instead, "we can reach out, understand others where they are, and build relationships when we regularly visit members in their homes."Ministering involves issuing invitations, which can lead to making and keeping sacred covenants and drawing closer to the Lord. Elder Gong invited members to do more rather than less, like the Savior would. And in doing so, members can become more like Jesus Christ.He described local wards and branches as spiritual ecosystems that need strengthening and sustaining, and bringing together the strengths and weaknesses of individuals to become one and to turn the ward or branch into "a sacred grove."Elder Gong invited people to do more without taking on more than they physically can, promising that God would enrich their efforts.— Jenny Rollins

"Wherever we are in this Easter season, let us reach out and care as our Savior would, especially to those whom we are privileged by love and assignment to minister." —Elder @GerritWGong #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/cqE1bDyBhT

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) April 1, 2023

Saturday, 11:03 am

Elder Carl B. Cook: Just keep going — with faith

Elder Carl B. Cook of the Presidency of the Seventy spoke about overcoming discouragement through faith in Jesus Christ.Elder Cook said exercising faith in the atonement can give us strength to keep going and to overcome "insurmountable obstacles."He said discouragement comes to everyone and is a natural part of the ups and downs of life everyone experiences.Elder Cook said when was preparing for his first stake conference after being called as an area seventy, he was called by President Boyd K. Packer, then-acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who wanted to accompany him to the stake conference.Elder Packer told Elder Cook to undo the plans he already had and to instead follow the Spirit for the meeting. During the leadership meeting, Elder Cook spoke for 15 minutes, then sat back down. Elder Packer said a few words then asked Elder Cook to come up and speak again.After speaking for another 15 minutes, which was difficult for Elder Cook since he had not prepared two talks, he sat down. Elder Packer then said a few words and asked Elder Cook to speak again.Exhausted after speaking three times, the same thing happened and Elder Cook spoke three times again during the adult session that night. After the stake conference was over, Elder Packer told Elder Cook, "Let's do it again sometime."This experience, although difficult and intimidating for Elder Cook, taught him how to listen to the Holy Ghost and teach by the Spirit, he said."If I had given in to my desperate desire to escape from those meetings, I would have missed an opportunity to increase my faith and receive a rich outpouring of love and support from Heavenly Father," Elder Cook said.In spite of weakness, we can endure the discouragement and rise above it if we keep going with faith, he said."Just as the Savior finished the work He was given to do, He has the power to help us finish the work we have been given."— Cassidy Wixom

"The God of heaven and earth will help us overcome discouragement and whatever obstacles we encounter if we look to Him, follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and just keep going—with faith." —Elder Carl B. Cook #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/p8052EkGll

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) April 1, 2023

Saturday, 10:59 am

President Bonnie H. Cordon — Arise, come forth unto Christ

President Bonnie H. Cordon of the Young Women's General Presidency said her father gave her a plea that felt very personal after telling her he had been diagnosed with ALS and his body was going to deteriorate."Bonnie, never give up an opportunity to testify of Christ," he told her.President Cordon said she has pondered the counsel for many years, and learned he was trying to teach her to feel the power of Christ every day. She encouraged members to accept his invitation as well and "look for Christ everywhere.""I promise He is there! True joy rests on our willingness to come closer to Christ and witness for ourselves," she said.She spoke of how the Nephites eagerly greeted Christ when he came to the Americas and said he invited them to come close to him. Members can choose to come closer to him as well.

"When Christ physically visited the Nephites at their temple, His invitation was not to stand at a distance and look upon Him, but to touch Him, to feel for themselves the reality of the Savior of humankind." #PresidentCordon | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 1, 2023She said there is power behind making religious habits into a witness of Christ, rather than a checklist. Active participation, President Cordon said, leads to "purposeful experiences with Christ.""I have attended the temple many times, but when I worship in the house of the Lord, it changes me. Sometimes while fasting, I find myself simply going hungry, but other times, I feast on the Spirit with purpose. I sometimes have mumbled prayers that are repetitive and routine, but I have also counseled with the Lord through prayer," she said.

"As we choose to seek Christ, the Spirit will witness of Him in many different situations. These witnesses of the Spirit occur as we fast, pray, wait and continue forward." #PresidentCordon | #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/joBOhjesMk

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 1, 2023She encouraged members to create a "muscle memory of discipleship and testimony" as they participate in religious habits and begin now to make witnessing of Christ a natural and normal practice.— Emily Ashcraft

Saturday, 10:46 am

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland not attending conference

During the opening announcements, President Dallin H. Oaks stated that Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles would not be attending or speaking at the conference because he and his wife, Pat, have COVID-19.

Pat and I love being with you at general conference. Unfortunately, we both tested positive for Covid and are not able to attend this weekend. We will be watching together, hand-in-hand, at home. Like you, I express my gratitude for the Savior this Palm Sunday weekend.

— Jeffrey R. Holland (@HollandJeffreyR) April 1, 2023

Saturday, 10:42 am

Elder Gary E. Stevenson — The greatest Easter story ever told

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was the opening speaker for the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday.He began by referring to a recent letter from the First Presidency to members of the church that announced church services on Easter Sunday will include only sacrament meeting, leaving more time for worship at home.Elder Stevenson reflected on his family's past celebrations of Easter and realized that they mostly relied on church services to provide Easter celebrations and traditions. His family's celebration of Christmas managed to be much more centered on Christ."How do we model the teaching and celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Easter story, with the same balance, fullness and rich religious tradition of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Christmas Story?" he continued.

"Take Christmas away, and in biblical terms you lose two chapters at the front of Matthew and Luke, nothing else. Take Easter away and you don't have a New Testament — you don't have a Christianity." — N.T. Wright via @StevensonGaryE | #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) April 1, 2023He recommended finding creative new ways to celebrate, including incorporating some of the cultural celebrations of Easter all over the world, as well as using games, music, art and many other forms of celebration."No three words embody more hope and eternal consequence for all of humankind than those uttered by a heavenly angel, on Easter morning, at the garden tomb, 'He is risen,'" he said.He and his wife, Lesa, decided that their family would focus on the first 17 verses of 3 Nephi 11 in the Book of Mormon — the account of Christ appearing to people in the Americas after His resurrection and inviting them to touch the prints of the nails in His hands and feet.

#ElderStevenson | #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/tzIEMTEQJ2

— LDS Living (@LDSLivingMag) April 1, 2023Elder Stevenson added that the Book of Mormon is a special Easter gift because it testifies of a living Christ. "Through its sacred pages, one prophet after another testifies not only that Christ would come, but that he did come," he said.— Jenny Rollins

Saturday, 10:00 am

Saturday morning session: Summaries from Latter-day Saint general conference

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - April 1, 2023 at 12:09 p.m. | Posted - April 1, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

Renovation continues on the Salt Lake Utah Temple and Temple Square in Salt Lake City on March 24. The first of five general conference sessions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began Saturday morning. (Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)

President Henry B. Eyring — Finding personal peace

Elder Allen D. Haynie — Follow the living prophet

Elder Quentin L. Cook — Safely gathered home

Elder Gerrit W. Gong — Ministering

Elder Carl B. Cook: Just keep going — with faith

President Bonnie H. Cordon — Arise, come forth unto Christ

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland not attending conference

Elder Gary E. Stevenson — The greatest Easter story ever told

Saturday morning general conference session begins

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