Saturday evening 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 Semiannual General Conference Saturday, Sept. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 1. This blog summarizes the key points from the Saturday evening 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, 07:16 pm

Elder Ulisses Soares — Brothers and sisters in Christ

Elder Ulisses Soares, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, encouraged listeners to view everyone as their brothers and sisters in Christ, and to treat everyone with dignity and respect."As disciples of Christ, we are invited to increase our faith in, and love for, our spiritual brother- and sisterhood by genuinely knitting our hearts together in unity and love, regardless of our differences, thereby increasing our ability to promote respect for the dignity of all the sons and daughters of God," he said.

[Jesus] ministered, healed and was always attentive to everyone's needs, especially those who at the time were considered different, belittled or excluded. - @Ulisses__Soares #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/PqqFfNkgBE

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 1, 2023Elder Soares expressed compassion for those who have been persecuted because of their differences. He asked listeners to avoid letting political or socioeconomic divisiveness influence the way they treat others who may have different views from them. He said "pride, arrogance, envy and jealousy" are "totally contrary to Christlike attributes.""There is no place for prejudiced thoughts or actions in the community of Saints," Elder Soares said.

We are all fellow travelers as God's children, equal in our imperfect state and in our ability to grow. We are invited to walk together, peaceably, with our hearts filled with love toward God and all men. - @Ulisses__Soares #GeneralConference

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 1, 2023He told listeners to focus on what people have in common more than what is different, encouraging them to enjoy their "spiritual kinship" and the "different attributes and varied gifts we all have.""United in purpose, we see one another with new eyes, and in our oneness, we celebrate our differences as divine children of God," he said. "We will surely become instruments in his hands to promote respect and dignity among all his sons and daughters."— Gabrielle Shiozawa

Saturday, 07:07 pm

Sister Tamara W. Runia — Seeing God's family through the overview lens

Sister Tamara W. Runia, first counselor in the Young Women's general presidency, encouraged members to have a broader view of their family and loved ones, and look through an "eternal lens" that focuses on their entire story."I believe we can, through the eye of faith, zoom out and view ourselves and our families with hope and joy — and the scriptures agree," Sister Runia said.She told members that everything they are going through is "going to be OK" and that through looking with faith, members can feel that assurance now.

Families are a God-given laboratory where we're figuring things out, so missteps and miscalculations are not just possible but probable. #GeneralConference #SisterRunia pic.twitter.com/sZSUfqgdJd

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 1, 2023Sister Runia said she tries to focus on positive things her children are doing in her interactions with them. Although we are sometimes prompted to correct others, members should more frequently tell people "what they long to hear," she said."Sometimes, what we need is empathy more than advice; listening more than a lecture," Sister Runia said.She said it is impossible to be a perfect spouse, parent or friend, but encouraged members to take advantage of many ways that they can "be a good one." She said families aren't perfect, but members can perfect their love and make it unchanging."Love is the thing that changes hearts. It is the purest motive of all, and others can feel it," she said.

Each difficult interaction is an opportunity to learn how to love at a deeper level – a Godlike level. - #SisterRunia #GeneralConference

— Church News (@the_churchnews) October 1, 2023Sister Ruina concluded by pointing out that direction matters more than speed, and encouraged members to be patient with each other."It is my witness that the Savior has the ability, because of his Atonement, to turn any nightmare you are going through into a blessing," she said.Sister Runia said she believes the feeling of love in heaven will be familiar because that love is felt in earthly families.— Emily Ashcraft

Saturday, 06:52 pm

Elder Joni L. Koch - Humble to accept and follow

Elder Joni L. Koch, a general authority seventy, urged members to practice humility to allow the Lord to guide them."We all like to think we are sufficiently humble, but some experiences in life make us realize that the natural prideful man is often very much alive within us," he said.

We all like to think we are sufficiently humble, but some experiences in life make us realize that the natural, prideful man often is very much alive within us. #GeneralConference #ElderKoch pic.twitter.com/Zs5BdBbI3D

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 1, 2023Koch told the story of bringing his wife and two young daughters to his work to show them the unit he led in the company. His "real purpose," he said, was to show a "place where, unlike our home, everyone would do what I asked them to do without questioning me."Instead, he said he was greeted at the gate by a new security guard who asked to see his ID.Koch said he asked the classic prideful question: "Do you know who you're talking to?" The guard didn't, and Koch was forced to drive home to retrieve his ID before being let in.The valuable lesson, he said, is "that when we choose not to be humble, we end up being humiliated."

In developing humility, we must also understand and accept that we are not able to overcome our challenges or to achieve our full potential through our own efforts only. #GeneralConference #ElderKoch pic.twitter.com/Zzdie6Y79F

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 1, 2023Koch presented several questions members can use to test themselves on their humility, including asking whether they mention the full name of the church in all interactions, allow God to lead them through the prophet's counsel and trust in doctrine over the philosophies of men.Humility also comes from trusting in the Lord and the gospel, he said."Motivational speakers, writers, coaches and influencers around the world, especially on digital platforms, will say that everything depends solely on us and our actions," he said. "But through the restored gospel, we've learned that we greatly depend on Heavenly Father's benevolence and the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ, 'For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.'"— Bridger Beal-Cvetko

Saturday, 06:36 pm

Elder Gary B. Sabin — Hallmarks of happiness

Elder Gary B. Sabin, general authority seventy, said the five keys to happiness are: faith in Jesus Christ, believing everyone is a son or daughter of a loving God, compassion for others, an eternal perspective and gratitude.He said living by all these principles can help people live a peaceful, purposeful life.

We are surrounded by innumerable blessings that we can easily take for granted if we are not mindful. Conversely, when nothing is expected and everything is appreciated, life becomes magical. #GeneralConference #ElderSabin pic.twitter.com/PX2sZjZyjG

— GeneralConference (@ldsconf) October 1, 2023"In reality, the greatest happiness and blessing of mortality will be found in whom we have become through God's grace as we make and keep sacred covenants with Him," he said. "As the knowledge of our divine lineage and eternal potential sinks deep into our souls, we will be able to view life as a purposeful, unfolding adventure to learn and grow from."He also said an important part of following Christ is trying to be compassionate like him without trying to replace him by fixing other people.

We will never regret being too kind. In God's eyes, kindness is synonymous with greatness. Part of being kind is being forgiving and non-judgmental. - #ElderSabin #GeneralConference

— Church News (@the_churchnews) October 1, 2023"With our own weaknesses revealed, we would hopefully be a little more considerate and careful of others and, likewise, they with us as we make the needed changes in our lives," Elder Sabin said. "I love the smell of tobacco in church, because it indicates someone is trying to change. They need our welcoming arms around them."— Gabrielle Shiozawa

Saturday, 06:00 pm

Saturday evening 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.

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

By KSL.com Staff | Updated - Sept. 30, 2023 at 7:16 p.m. | Posted - Sept. 30, 2023 at 5:57 p.m.

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square sings during the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday. (Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)

Elder Ulisses Soares — Brothers and sisters in Christ

Sister Tamara W. Runia — Seeing God's family through the overview lens

Elder Joni L. Koch - Humble to accept and follow

Elder Gary B. Sabin — Hallmarks of happiness

Saturday evening general conference session begins

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